021018 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

February 10-13, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 13 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

City of San Gabriel withdraws from ICE partnership

Amid the tense climate surrounding U.S. immigration policy, city council terminates agreement between San Gabriel Police Department and federal immigration agencies

AFTER a raucous protest against the controversial agreement between the San Gabriel Police Department (SGPD) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the San Gabriel City Council voted late Tuesday, February 6 to terminate the agreement.

After hearing from more than 100 emotional pleas during the public comments on this issue, the council voted 3-2, ending the agreement.

“Beyond its specific terms, having this agreement paints San Gabriel as a place that’s unsafe for and unwelcoming to immigrants.

That’s sad because that could not be farther from the truth,” remarked Councilmember Jason Pu, who had officially made the motion to end the agreement.

Pu, who is Asian American, proposed a

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Filipina judge of Illinois’ Cook County on trial for mortgage fraud charges A FILIPINA judge in Cook County, Illinois is on trial after she was indicted on two counts of fraud last year.

Cook County Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien, 50, has been accused of carrying out a $1.4 million scheme over a decade ago that involved the purchase of two properties in Chicago’s South Side.

O’Brien is the first Filipina-American judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County after being elected to the bench in 2012.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Madden told jurors Tuesday, February 6 that while a lawyer for the Illinois Department of Revenue, O’Brien repeatedly lied about loan and refinancing applications for two investment properties purchased in 2004 and 2005.

The Chicago Tribune reported that lawyers from either side mentioned O’Brien’s judicial position Tuesday because it was irrelevant to

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Duterte to ICC: ‘If you want to find me guilty, go ahead’

by DANA

SIOSON

AJPress

AN unfazed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 9 welcomed an international court’s move to conduct a preliminary examination into crimes against humanity

allegedly committed under his drug war.

Speaking at a conference in Davao City, Duterte said he is ready to face trial, further daring the International Criminal Court (ICC) to sentence him to death should he be found guilty of violating international laws.

“I welcome you and if you want to find me guilty, so be it. Find a country where they killed people with a firing squad. And I’m ready,” the president said.

He continued, “If you hail me into a rigmarole of trial and trial, no need.

Go ahead and proceed in your inves-

tigation. Find me guilty, of course, you can do that. I do not want imprisonment.”

Duterte made the remarks following the ICC’s announcement that it will launch a “preliminary examination” into the Philippines’ situation to

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Duterte: PH will never reach progress without ‘dictatorial style’ of leadership

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 7 said that the country will never reach any progress if he refrains from using a “dictatorial style” of leadership.

Speaking before former communist rebels in Malacañang, Duterte said he needed to act like a dictator for the sake of the country’s development.

“Sabi mo diktador, diktador talaga ako.

Kapag hindi ako naging diktador, p*t*ng *na, wala magyayari sa bayan na ‘to. Totoo (You say dictator, well I’m really a dictator.

If I don’t become a dictator, son of a b****, nothing will happen to this country. It’s true),” the president said.

He continued, “Kung ‘di ako mag-diktador ngayong style ko na ‘to ngayon, walang mangyayari sa bayan natin (If I don’t use my

MEETING WITH KUWAIT ENVOY. President Rodrigo R. Duterte discusses matters with Ambassador of Kuwait to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh who met with the president at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, February 7. Also in the photo is Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi Jr.

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SC halts Aquino arraignment over Mamasapano case

by AJPRESS THE Philippine Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Sandiganbayan to suspend the hearings on the case against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his executives in connection with the botched 2015 Mamasapano operation.

The SC First Division released a temporary restraining order

(TRO) on Friday, February 9, stopping the anti-graft court from proceeding with the arraignment of Aquino, former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima, and former Special Action Force (SAF) Chief Getulio Napeñas Jr. The three former officials’ arraignment on the graft and usurpation of official function case was initially set for February 15.

In addition to suspending the

VP poll recount begins March 19

VP POLL RECOUNT HEATS UP. Former Senator Ferdinand Marcos talks about the recount before media at the Supreme Court (SC) in Manila on Thursday, February 8. Marcos asked for a recount claiming he was cheated on the vice presidential race in favor of Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo. The SC, which also serves as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, set the recount on March 19.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

THE Supreme Court has set the date for the recount and revision of ballots in the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

The court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), set the first day of recount on March 19, 2018.

This was recommended by Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, the ponente or the magistrate tasked to study the case. The date however was a month later than the earlier projection of a recount in February.

Marcos went to the high court

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legal proceedings, the high court also halted the implementation of resolutions that dismissed the reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide charges against the three officials.

The Office of the Ombudsman had junked the charge of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against Aquino, Purisima, and Napeñas when it filed the case before the

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Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III

Philstar.com photo

Lakers trade Jordan Clarkson to Cavaliers

by RAE

Jordan Clarkson

Photo courtesy of Carlos Miguel Cusi Cinco

ANN VARONA AJPress

PROFESSIONAL Fil-Am NBA player Jordan Clarkson is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and heading cross-country to Cleveland, Ohio to play for the Cavaliers as part of a trade made Thursday, February 8.

Also moving to the Cavaliers is Ohio native Larry Nance Jr. whose father Larry Nance Sr. played for the Cleveland team in the late 80s and late 90s.

Point and shooting guard Clarkson and power forward Nance, were traded for the Cavaliers’ point guard Isaiah Thomas and center Channing Frye — both in their final year of contract.

Also part of the deal, the Lakers will get the Cavalier’s protected first-round draft pick in 2018.

The trade, which was made just hours before the deadline, freed up salary space for the Lakers’ 2018-19 season which gives them a chance to pursue superstar players like Lebron James and Paul George who become free agents this summer.

On Friday, February 9, James told reporters that he was eager to start working with the new young teammates who are both 25 years old.

“I think we became a younger team, more athletic. We added some more shooting as well. So, we’ll have to see how it meshes,” said James. “I like the pieces that we have coming in.”

In an Instagram post message to Los Angeles, Clarkson said, “Words can’t express what it

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

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From the Front Page City of San Gabriel withdraws...

Duterte to ICC: ‘If you want to...

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pines will analyze crimes allegin the Philippines. edly committed in this State ParSabio was backed up by Senadetermine if there is a basis to ty since at least 1 July 2016, in conduct a formal investigation tor Antonio Trillanes and Repre- the context of the ‘war on drugs’ sentative Gary Alejano, who sent against him. campaign launched by the GovThe ICC’s actions come after a supplementary communica- ernment of the Philippines,” tion against Duterte and asked lawyer Jude Sabio filed a comICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda munication, accusing the chief the ICC to look into the current said in a statement on Thursday, administration’s drug war. executive of masterminding February 8.

“The preliminary examination mass murder “repeatedly, unBensouda said the ICC of the situation in the Philipchangingly, and continuously” reached the decision following a “careful, independent, and impartial review of a number of communication and reports.”

She also noted that since Duterte assumed the presidency in July 2016, it has been alleged that “thousands of persons have been killed for reasons related to their alleged involvement in illegal drug use or dealing.”

“While some of such killings have reportedly occurred in the context of clashes between or within gangs, it is alleged that many of the reported incidents involved extrajudicial killings in the course of police anti-drug

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sanctuary city ordinance that would prohibit city officials from partnering up with federal immigration agents in the future.

Mayor Juli Costanzo and Councilmember John Harrington were the two who voted to keep the agreement in place.

“This sends the message that politics are more important than residents’ safety,” Harrington said.

Without the knowledge of the public or the San Gabriel City Council, the SGPD on July 22, 2017, entered into a collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an investigative team under the umbrella of ICE. Initially reported by Pasadena Weekly in early January, the partnership was to establish a member of the SGPD as a federal customs officer who would have investigated federal fraud-related crimes including human trafficking and counterfeiting as well as gang-related crimes.

Shortly after, Pu and Coun-

“Keep ICE out of SGV!” Immigration activists hold a rally outside of the San Gabriel City Council Chambers to protest the recent agreement between the San Gabriel Police Department and federal immigration officials. More than a hundred activists and supporters showed up to the rally and the subsequent city council meeting.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

cilmember Denise Menchaca brought the police department’s agreement with ICE to the city council agenda for discussion.

At the council meeting, Harris emphasized that the memo does not grant officers with the “authority to enforce administrative violations of immigration law.”

Chief of Police Eugene Harris

signed off on the agreement on Dec. 7, 2017, without the knowledge of the city council or the public. Harris said that the main motivation behind the agreement was to protect all residents “regardless of [citizenship] status.”

However, California’s new sanctuary state designation (SB 54 which went into effect at the beginning of the year) primarily prohibits funding toward criminal and civil immigration enforcement by local and state law enforcement.

Although Harris adamantly pressed that the partnership was strictly meant for criminal activity and wouldn’t have included collateral arrests — arrests of undocumented immigrants who were not targets of a criminal investigation.

But in the past, federal immigration agents were able to find loopholes that led to the arrests of undocumented immigrants who were originally not the targets.

Last year, a criminal investigation targeting gang activity in Santa Cruz, California also brought about the arrests of nongang members for immigration violations by federal immigration agents.

The Santa Cruz Police Chief, Kevin Vogel, said that he was unaware of the collateral arrests.

“They [federal agents] misled my department as to the actual scope of the operation. I feel like I was lied to,” he said after the operation.

Santa Cruz didn’t formally sign an agreement with ICE, but Vogel directed other police departments to make explicitly clear

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018

A3

SC halts Aquino arraignment over...

Sandiganbayan last year.

The case against Aquino and his executives stemmed from the bloody operation in January 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted to deaths of over 60 people, including 44 members of the PNP-SAF. Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s order.

“I commend the Supreme Court for granting the TRO and upholding the sacred duty of the State to prosecute crimes. This is the first step to hold those responsible for the senseless killing of the SAF44,” Calida wrote on Twitter.

In January 25, Calida filed a

manifestation before the SC supporting an earlier petition filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and families of the SAF44’s. The petition asked Aquino, Purisima, and Napeñas to be charged with homicide instead of graft and usurpation.

Malacañang, for its part, said it respects the SC’s decision.

“We respect that Order of the SC noting that prosecution of case is handled by the Special Prosecutor of the OMB (Ombudsman),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Aquino’s spokesperson

Abigail Valte, said the former president is “quite confident that he can ably argue his case before the Supreme Court if called to do so.”

“It’s a good development for the petitioners because they wanted to stop the proceedings in the Sandiganbayan. The former president made a similar motion before the Sandiganbayan to just ask for time until his motion to quash is resolved,” Valte said.

Prior to the release of the TRO, Aquino filed a manifestation before the SC, asking it to suspend the hearings and resolve first his earlier motion to nullify the charges against him. ■

Duterte: PH will never reach progress...

PAGE A1 t dictatorial style now, nothing will happen to our country).”

Duterte made the remarks weeks before the country’s commemoration of the 32nd EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, a non-violent and bloodless revolution which ended the regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator.

Opposition lawmakers have constantly expressed fear that the proposed shift to a federal form of government might pave way for Duterte’s possible dictatorship.

Earlier in January, Senator Lei-

la De Lima also warned that the constitutional democracy might be replaced with “constitutional authoritarianism” amid the impeachment moves against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“The weakening of the independent institutions of our system of checks and balance always precedes the coming of a dictatorship,” said De Lima, a top critic of the administration.

More recently, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also expressed fears of a “creeping dictatorship” amid efforts of Duterte’s allies to

VP poll recount begins...

PAGE A1 t on Thursday, February 8, to ask the justices to hasten his poll protest.

The Marcos and Robredo camps squabbled over Marcos’ earlier challenge for both to sign a joint manifestation to withdraw all pending motions, to prevent any delay in the recount.

The Robredo camp proposed instead a joint motion, arguing that a joint manifestation did not have a binding effect.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesman of Marcos, pointed out that the joint motion only bore the name of Robredo’s counsel, Romulo Macalintal.

“Without Mrs. Robredo’s signature, the motion is a mere scrap of paper and may be later disowned by her as having been signed without her authority,” Rodriguez said.

He also assailed the joint motion prepared by Macalintal, saying it only covered pending motions and not future motions that could delay the proceedings.

Marcos’ joint manifestation was more sincere because it covered both present and future motions in the election protest, he said.

Rodriguez also took exception to the assertion made by Macalintal in his joint motion that Marcos had a pending partial motion for reconsideration dated December 4, 2017, asking the PET to reconsider its earlier ruling allowing the Marcos camp to secure soft copies of the ballot images.

He clarified that the partial motion for reconsideration was resolved by the tribunal in its resolution dated January 10, 2018.

“It appears that Attorney Ma-

amend the 1987 Constitution.

But Malacañang dismissed Duterte’s supposed “creeping dictatorship” as a “far-fetched idea” Duterte had repeatedly said in the past that he has no intention of going beyond his 6 -year term. Rather than retaining his position, Malacañang claimed the president prefers to step down ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

In a speech last month, the president has also ordered the military and the police to “shoot him” if he became a dictator or stayed in power beyond his term ending in 2022. ■ calintal wants to pull a fast one on the public with his publicity stunt. As far as we are concerned, the joint motion he signed has no binding effect because it was not signed by his client. For all Macalintal’s protestations, our joint manifestation is ready for him and Mrs. Robredo to sign.

We are still waiting,” Rodriguez said.

Macalintal said the Robredo camp on Wednesday, February 7, filed a motion to withdraw all pending motions that could delay recount proceedings before the PET. “If there is any pending motion of the protestee (Robredo) which may delay the recount proceedings the same should be considered as withdrawn or abandoned,” Macalintal said.

Robredo beat Marcos by 263,473 votes in the 2016 vice presidential race. (Jomar Canlas and Llanesca T. Panti/ManilaTimes.net)

DAREDEVIL. Television host Gretchen Ho waves to the crowd on top of the flying circus plane to try the death defying stunt by Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers at the launching of Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers held at the Omni Aviation Field in Clark, Pampanga on Tuesday, February 6.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

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City of San Gabriel withdraws...

their terms of collaboration with ICE or any other federal agency.

In Oakland, city officials rescinded their agreement with ICE after it was found that two Oakland police officers stopped traffic during a raid which brought about two arrests, one of which was placed in deportation proceedings. The original operation was to target a human trafficking ring.

How residents reacted to the partnership According to U.S. Census, Asians comprise the largest racial group in San Gabriel (61 percent) while Latinos and Hispanics comprise of the second largest (26 percent).

The timing of the memo was especially troubling considering the current national climate regarding all things immigration. The news of the agreement prompted intense backlash from residents of San Gabriel and the surrounding cities.

Before the city council meeting on Tuesday, a coalition of immigrant rights organizations — including Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, LA Voice, and Immigrant Youth Coalition — organized a rally protesting the memo.

About 300 people showed up to the council meeting with more than a hundred attendees coming up to share their concerns with

the agreement. Many expressed that ICE’s presence in San Gabriel — a historically immigrantrich city — would instill fear in the community.

“We are here in opposition to this [partnership] for the mere fact that any collaboration with ICE makes our communities unsafe,” Anthony Ng, policy advocate for immigrant rights at Advancing Justice - LA, said at the meeting, adding that any collaboration with ICE “opens up the doors for terrorizing our communities.”

“At a time when immigrants are being attacked on all fronts, whether it’s on health care or immigration, we need to make sure we’re passing policies that are sensible and responsive to the people in our communities and this partnership does not do that,” Ng added.

Those that opposed the memo argued that the lack of transparency among the police department and the city council and the public was an “irresponsible” decision and that there should have been a forum prior to the signing.

“Transparency after the fact isn’t transparency,” Joseph Li, a Filipino-American San Gabriel resident, told the Asian Journal. “Given the current situation regarding immigration in this country, it’s incredibly upsetting to me that [the police depart-

ment] didn’t seem to think that there would be pushback. It’s impossible to me that they’re oblivious to the tension surrounding immigration and the immigrant communities, especially in a city like San Gabriel.”

Although there was resounding opposition to the agreement, several San Gabriel residents also voiced their support of the memo, citing the SGPD-ICE partnership a necessary call for public safety.

Alan Guzman-Red has lived in San Gabriel for 35 years and is the son of a Honduran immigrant.

Although he “fully” supports immigrant rights, he told the Asian Journal before the council meeting that he does not support any illegal activity from anyone and supports any measure to mitigate crime in his city.

“Look, I support immigrant rights, as a second-generation Honduran-American,” GuzmanRed emphasized. “What I don’t support are people defending criminals, because that’s what this memo is about anyways. It’s about criminals and reducing crime to keep our community safe.”

When asked about whether or not the presence of ICE in his city would spark fear among immigrants, he said, “People need to read the fine print of any legislation before reacting.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Bipartisan Senate budget deal boosts health programs

by Julie

RovneR and Shefali luthRa Kaiser Health News

IN a rare show of bipartisanship for the mostly polarized 115th Congress, Republican and Democratic Senate leaders announced a two-year budget deal that would increase federal spending for defense as well as key domestic priorities, including many health programs.

Not in the deal, for which the path to the president’s desk remains unclear, is any bipartisan legislation aimed at shoring up the Affordable Care Act’s individual health insurance marketplaces. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) promised Sen. Susan Collins (R-

Maine) a vote on health legislation in exchange for her vote for the GOP tax bill in December. So far, that vote has not materialized.

The deal does appear to include almost every other health priority Democrats have been pushing the past several months, including two years of renewed funding for community health centers and a series of other health programs Congress failed to provide for before they technically expired last year. “I believe we have reached a budget deal that neither side loves but both sides can be proud of,� said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on the Senate floor. “That’s compromise. That’s governing.�

Said McConnell, “This bill represents a significant bipartisan step forward.�

Senate leaders are still negotiating last details of the accord, including the size of a cut to the ACA’s Prevention and Public Health Fund, which would help offset the costs of this legislation.

According to documents circulating on Capitol Hill, the deal includes $6 billion in funding for treatment of mental health issues and opioid addiction, $2 billion in extra funding for the National Institutes of Health, and an additional four-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which builds on the six years approved by Congress last month.

In the Medicare program, the deal would accelerate the closing of the “doughnut hole� in Medicare drug coverage that requires seniors to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before catastrophic coverage kicks in.

It would also repeal the controversial Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which is charged with holding down Medicare spending for the federal government if it exceeds a certain level. Members have never been appointed to the board, however, and its use has not so far been triggered

by Medicare spending. Both the closure of the doughnut hole and creation of the IPAB were part of the ACA. The agreement would also fund a host of more limited health programs — some of

UP, UP AND AWAY. Hot air balloons rise at dawn Thursday during the opening of the 22nd Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival at Clark, Pampanga. The annual event draws thousands of tourists who can ride the balloons or join other activities such as skydiving or paragliding.

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian

Bangladesh to sue RCBC over $81-million heist

by AJPress THe Bangladesh Central Bank (BB) is set to file a lawsuit against a Philippine bank in relation to the $81-million cyber heist two years ago.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister A.M.A Muhith on Wednesday, February 7 said Bangladesh bank lawyers were mulling to file a joint lawsuit against the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) and the United States Federal Reserve (Fed).

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bank is liable in this regard.â&#x20AC;?

In February 2016, unidentified hackers managed to transfer $81 million from the Bangladesh Central Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account to four accounts at RCBC in Manila, credited to several accounts reportedly owned by casinos in the Philippines.

RCBC, for its part, said it is also mulling to file a lawsuit against Bangladesh bank officials for implicating that the Philippine bank has a hand in the heist.

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Filipina judge of Illinoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cook County...

the case.

Madden said that Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien made money by selling the two homes in 2007 via kickbacks to a straw buyer, making at least $325,000 from the transactions in total. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She used lies to buy and sell these properties,â&#x20AC;? said Madden.

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brienâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney Ricardo Meza dismissed the allegations, and instead called them mistakes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mistakes are not fraud,â&#x20AC;? said Meza. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever Jessica did, it was always done in good faith. If she made a mistake, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no different than anyone else.â&#x20AC;?

He added that prosecutors overplayed the amount lost in the case, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;what happened here is the government got it wrong.â&#x20AC;? u PAGE A6 An immigrant from Cebu, Philippines, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien attended community college before going to Boston University where she got her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of science in hotel and food management, as men-

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be [filed]in New York.

(The) Fed may be a party,â&#x20AC;? he told reporters.

According to Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Razee Hassan, the lawsuit against RCBC â&#x20AC;&#x153;would be filed in April.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (RCBC) are the main accused,â&#x20AC;? Hassan told Agence France-Presse.

Hassan added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and its various officials are involved in money heist from Bangladesh Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reserve account and the

tioned in her Asian Journal feature in 2016.

She then attended John Marshall Law School where she became the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first student to obtain a joint J.D./L.L.M joint degree in tax law. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien went on to become the first Asian elected president of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar Association of Illinois and served on the Illinois State Bar Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board of directors. In 2008, she co-founded a foundation that gives scholarships to law students from diverse backgrounds.

While the alleged fraud was taking place, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien worked fulltime as a special assistant attorney general for the state Department of Revenue. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien also worked part-time for Amronbanc Mortgage Corporation as a loan officer, and owned her own real estate company under the name of Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Realty LLC, according to feds.

The prosecutor said Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien

Lakers trade Jordan Clarkson...

PAGE A1 t meant to me to wear the Purple and Gold. As a kid from Texas, playing for the legendary Lakers was nothing short of a dream come true.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the last four years, this city has watched me grow, LA has become my home and the incredible people here have become my family,â&#x20AC;? he added, giving shout outs to his teammates by their respective nicknames. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will continue to show support for this community, even after I leave.â&#x20AC;?

Clarkson is averaging 14.5 points and 3.3 assists per game this season. From his $50 million contract given by the Lakers summer 2016, he was owed about $26 million over the next two years.

To Cleveland, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see the city, suit up, bust my ass and give everything I have to bring another championship to The Land!â&#x20AC;?

Upon learning about the trade, Nance almost shed tears of excitement according to Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How cool is it for him to come? The kid was in borderline tears when I called him today,â&#x20AC;? said Altman as reported by The Plain Dealer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ecstatic to be a part of it.â&#x20AC;?

Lakers coach Luke Walton said trades are always tough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get close with these guys.

And JC and Larry were a huge part of what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing in the short time that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been here,â&#x20AC;? said Walton.

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been great teammates taking different rolesâ&#x20AC;Ś theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to a good situation and will get to experience playoff basketball. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy for them for that. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss them, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very thankful for what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve given us.â&#x20AC;?

Proud Fil-Am In his four-year career playing professionally with the Lakers,

embellished her income when applying for loans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she once left out a $260,000 mortgage on her primary residence.

Maria Bartko, co-defendant who was also working for Amronbanc, was then sold the properties through a straw buyer, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. A total of $73,000 of two undisclosed payments to Bartko were made out by Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, said Madden.

Bartko pleaded guilty last month to one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution. As part of her plea deal, Bartko agreed to testify against Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien according to the Chicago Tribune report. Prosecutors said they do not plan to call her as a witness.

If convicted, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien will most likely have to step down from the bench. Following last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indictment, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien was reassigned to administrative duties. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

(Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) Clarkson had amassed a large following from not only the the local Fil-Am community, but from across the U.S. and the Philippines.

The quarter-Filipino playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother Annette Davis, and grandmother Marcelina Tullao come from Pampanga, Philippines.

On being Fil-Am, Clarkson once told the Asian Journal, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It means a lot â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a part of my culture.

I feel like a pioneerâ&#x20AC;Ś with me being a Filipino American in the NBA right now.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know we take a lot of pride and passion in our culture. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just something to be proud to be a part of and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking to be involved in many ways, â&#x20AC;&#x153; he added.

Though moving out of LA, Clarksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father Mike assured that his son would continue to represent the Fil-Am community and the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jordan will go out to Cleveland and still represent Filipinos worldwide. Go Jordan, go!,â&#x20AC;? said the elder Clarkson. (With reports

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 10-13, 2018

US solons oppose return of Balangiga bells to PH

A

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Two congressmen from the United States expressed their objections to the possible return of the historic Balangiga bells to the Philippines, citing the alleged massive human rights violations of the latter country’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

In a letter, Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) had asked U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to “not provide certification” for the bells’ return until the Philippine government stops the drug war-linked killings.

Hultgren and McGovern—cochairs of the House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC)— expressed their “deepest concerns with the human rights record” in the Philippines.

“It is precisely because the Philippines is such a strong and vital American ally that we must consider how their recent human rights record could negatively affect U.S. security… we believe that human rights are inextricably linked to the national security interests of the United States,” they wrote.

They cited a report from a 2017 TLHRC hearing last year, which found out that more than 7,000 alleged drug dealers and users have been killed without charges or trial since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched his war on drugs. while saying that they “recognize and appreciate” the efforts to “resolve in an appropriate way a long-standing, highly symbolic dispute” between the U.S. and

Kobe Paras

Two lawmakers from the United States objected to the potential return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines, citing the human rights violations linked to the government’s brutal drug war.

Philstar.com photo

the Philippines, Hultgren and McGovern asked Mattis to take the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines into consideration.

Under Sec. 2864 of the Conference Report, which accompanies the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, the transfer of Balangiga bells to the Philippines will be allowed under several criteria, among of which include “that the transfer is in the national security interests of the United States.” “we only ask that when you consider Congress’ intent in determining whether such a return meets the United States’ national security interests, you recognize that these extra-judicial killings are a detriment to our security interests,” said Hultgren and McGovern.

The Duterte administration has maintained that it does not condone abuses and state-sanctioned killings.

Philstar.com photo

Kobe Paras called PH’s ‘Golden Boy’ in latest FIBA mixtape “Kobe Parasa has been dubbed as “The Golden Boy of the Philippines.”

FIBA on Monday, February 5, posted a featuring the highlights of the 20-year-old Paras.

Paras represented the Philippines in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA 3x3 Under-18 world Championship. He bagged gold

in the slam dunk competition for both editions.

He donned the national colors once again in the 2017 FIBA 3x3 world Cup in Nantes, France. He was named player of the day on June 18.

The Philippines will host the upcoming 2018 edition from June 8-12. (Philstar.com)

Duterte to ICC: ‘If you want to...

PAGE A2 t operations,” she added.

‘Waste of time’ Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, remarked that the ICC’s preliminary examination is going to be a “waste of the court’s time and resources.”

He claimed that drug warrelated deaths do not constitute “crimes against humanity” because “the ongoing war on drugs is an exercise of the police power in dealing with the problem of drug trafficking.”

Pointing out that the ICC is “a court of last resort,” Roque further noted that it cannot launch an investigation as the Philippine government has not shown an unwillingness to prosecute officials at fault.

The Philippine Department of Justice (DoJ) also expressed confidence that the allegations of crimes against humanity against Duterte “will not fly.” “of course, the accusations [of crimes against humanity] will not fly,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters.

He also added that the administration would soon designate a lawyer to represent the administration at the ICC, saying, “we will know who will represent after a few more meetings.”

‘Justice will be done’ In separate statements, Sabio, Trillanes, and Alejano welcomed the ICC’s decision to conduct a preliminary examination. “[Duterte’s] system of death

squad killings since the Davao Death Squad (DDS) that he continued in the war on drugs will now be investigated by the ICC and justice will be done,” Sabio said, adding that he felt “elated and vindicated” by the news.

Trillanes, meanwhile, remarked that the latest development should “jolt Duterte into realizing that he is not above the law.”

“More importantly, this is the first step for the victims’ families’ quest for justice,” the senator continued.

Alejano shared the same sentiments, saying that the preliminary examination will serve as the “first step towards bringing justice to the families and all the victims of the war on drugs.”

“I am confident on the communication we sent to the ICC and strongly believe that President Duterte and those who perpetuate and defend this policy of killing should be held accountable before the law,” Alejano said. “The ICC, stepping in, is a ray of hope amid the compromised rule of law under this administration.”

Established in 1998 under the Rome Statute, the ICC is a “court of last resort” that aims to hold those responsible accountable for crimes concerning the international community such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The Philippines has been among the state members of the ICC since November 2011. n

Latest data from the Philippine government showed that there were 6,309 drug-related deaths from July 1, 2016 to January 17, 2018—among of which 2,235 HEALTH PROTEST. Members of various groups and their children hold a rally in front of the Department of Health building in Manila to ask were homicide cases under in- Health officials to hold a dialogue with parents of children who were administered with Dengvaxia. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma vestigation.

In December last year, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said washington remains committed to reaching a resolution that PAGE A4 t in the dark.” legal action by the BB. would allow the return of the Bal“why sue RCBC when they The Bangladesh bank, RCBC “RCBC has had it and will conangiga bells.

Duterte, during his second sider a lawsuit against Bangla- said, should instead sue its own should be suing instead their State of the Nation Address desh Central Bank officials for personnel as “various reports, own, the criminal elements from (SoNA) in July 2017, demand- claiming the bank had a hand in including their own, indicate an within?” the Philippine bank said. “Again, why is BB not goed the return the church bells, the $81M cyber heist two years inside job.”

The Philippine bank further ing against those who have been which were taken from the town ago,” RCBC said in a statement. “we will not allow them to con- accused the BB of “perpetuating identified as having possession of Balangiga, Eastern Samar during the Philippine-American war tinue to malign RCBC,” it added, the cover-up and using RCBC as of the remaining money? There expressing readiness to face any a scapegoat to keep their people is none left in RCBC.” n in 1900s. n

Bangladesh to sue RCBC over...

A february 10-13, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Dateline USa

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Pentagon reveals when anti-terrorism operations in the Philippines will stop dom-Philippines” to “Operation Pacific Eagle” to mark a new phase of counter-terrorism efforts OPERATIOn Pacific Eagle, the in the region.

U.S. Department of Defense’ conIn the Pentagon’s Lead Inspectingency operation to support the tor General report, Operation PaArmed Forces of the Philippines in cific Eagle was “conditions-based fighting extremist groups, will not and will terminate when the AFP have a specific end date. no longer requires U.S. military Last month, the Pentagon re- assistance to address its internal named its anti-terrorism mission terrorist threat.” from “Operation Enduring FreeThe operation was designated by pAtriciA Lourdes Philstar.com

VirAy

to acknowledge the severity of the terrorist threat in the Philippines following the seize of Marawi City by ISIS-inspired local terror groups.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, in a Wall Street journal report, said that the operation “indicate[s] recognition in Washington that a greater degree of attention is required for the situation in Mindanao.”

The Pentagon explained how the threat of terrorism led to renewed military-to-military cooperation.

“This heightened threat caused the [Department of Defense] to prioritize resources to halt and reverse the degradation of an al- Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy (left of center), accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, visits ready unstable area and prevent Corregidor on Tuesday, February 6. Kennedy was also accompanied by Filipino troops to the island at the mouth of Manila Bay that was used the southern Philippines from as a military fort by the Americans in the 1900s.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila becoming a safe haven for terrorists,” the Pentagon report read.

Limited operation Seemingly addressing possible concerns over the new military activity, Glenn Fine, Lead Inspector General of the Pentagon, said the U.S. has not altered the way its future,” said Kennedy in her was in Manila American Cemeby Jefferson AntipordA forces operate in the Philippines.

ManilaTimes.net remarks during her visit to St. tery and Memorial on Tuesday to “[Operation Pacific Eagle] is a Scholastica’s College in Manila pay her respects to the soldiers bilateral operation, and [DepartFORMER Ambassador Caro- on Wednesday, February 7. who died in the Philippines durment of Defense] officials stated line Kennedy expressed hope Kennedy visited the school to ing World War II. there were no plans to expand the that the bond between the Phil- engage participants of the InterShe then went to historic Coreffort into a ‘coalition,’” Fine said ippines and the U.S. would grow national Exchange Poetry Pro- regidor Island, which the U.S. in his report. gram, organized by a U.S. non- used as a military post in the stronger.

Under Operation Pacific Eagle, Kennedy, who served as the government organization that 1900s during its occupation of U.S. special operations missions U.S. Ambassador to Japan from she was supporting. the Philippines because it was will continue to advise and assist 2013 to 2017, is in the Philippines Kennedy, during her time as strategically located at the mouth the AFP while Filipino troops con- for a four-day visit. She arrived in ambassador to Japan, supported of Manila Bay, scene of many duct all military operations. similar poetry exchange pro- battles between the Americans the country on February 6.

The U.S. Pacific Command also “Our countries have been con- grams where participants link up and the Spaniards and the Amerprovides the Philippine military nected for centuries and… we with students overseas and recite icans and the Japanese, accordwith logistical support, intelligent hope that those bonds of friend- poetry via teleconference. ing to the official website on Corsharing, operational planning and ship will grow stronger in the The former U.S. ambassador regidor. n intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

In 2017, the Pentagon, under Operation Pacific Eagle, spent $16 million for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

For 2018 and 2019, the Pentagon, including the Pacific Command and the military departments, are yet to identify requirements and resourcing options to support the operation.

“According to the DoD Comptroller, discussions regarding proposed revisions to the existing Photos by Jhay Otamias [overseas contingency operations] criteria continued this quarter, and the DoD’s pending FY 2019 budget request will include the details of the amount and source of funding for counterterrorism operations in the Philippines,” the by ed de LA VegA, dds report read. n

Caroline Kennedy hopes for stronger US-PH ‘bond of friendship’

Nietes and Viloria display skills during work out day at the Wildcard Gym

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THE promoters for Superfly 2, a huge boxing event scheduled on February 24 at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood and to be shown live on HBO, held an unprecedented early morning Media Work Out Day at the famed Wildcard Gym in Hollywood.

The Media Work Out Day was meant to exclusively showcase two of the greatest Filipino flyweights in our generation, Donnie nietes of Murcia, negros Occidental and Brian Viloria of Waipahu, Hawaii. no, the event did not draw the crazy hordes of media people much less the pretenders and hangers-on that we are all too familiar with when Manny Pacquiao holds similar events.

But, those that matter were there!

There were media folks from the local outlets as well as from the Mexican media. Balitang America in the person of Steve Angeles of LA headed the list of representatives from the Filipino media. Philippines’ up and coming Sports 5 was there as well with their guy lugging a huge HD camera. nietes and Viloria did their stuff shadow boxing in the ring and hitting the speed bags, both single and double and the heavy bag.

For their part, the two Filipino boxers expressed their gratitude to the promoters and to HBO in particular for their inclusion

in the first huge fight card for 2018.

They indicated that the opportunity given to them at this point in their careers is so heart warming. nietes specifically dealt on that issue saying that “it is an honor to be finally be seen in the

Bipartisan Senate budget...

PAGE A4 t

7136 Haskell Ave., Suite 302 Van Nuys, CA 91406

which are known as “extenders” because they often ride along with other, larger health or spending bills.

Those programs include more than $7 billion in funding for the nation’s federally funded community health centers. The clinics serve 27 million low-income people and saw their funding lapse last fall — a delay advocates said had already complicated budgeting and staffing decisions for many clinics.

And in a victory for the physical therapy industry and patient advocates, the accord would permanently repeal a limit on Medicare’s coverage of physical therapy, speech-language pathology and outpatient treatment. Previously, the program capped coverage after $2,010 worth of occupational therapy and another $2,010 for speechlanguage therapy and physical therapy combined. But Congress

had long taken action to delay those caps or provide exemptions — meaning they had never actually taken effect.

According to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, permanently repealing the caps would cost about $6.47 billion over the next decade.

Lawmakers would also forestall cuts mandated by the ACA to reduce the payments made to so-called Disproportionate Share Hospitals, which serve high rates of low-income patients. Those cuts have been delayed continuously since the law’s 2010 passage.

Limited programs are also affected. The deal would fund for five years the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a program that helps guide low-income, at-risk mothers in parenting. It served about 160,000 families in fiscal year 2016.

“We are relieved that there is

huge international boxing market and live on HBO”.

After the media finished interviews, the doors were locked except for the members of the team where nietes and Viloria sparred for a few rounds to complete their day. n a deal for a 5-year reauthorization of MIECHV,” said Lori Freeman, CEO of advocacy group the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, in an emailed statement. “States, home visitors and families have been in limbo for the past several months, and this news will bring the stability they need to continue this successful program.”

And the budget deal funds programs that encourage doctors to practice in medically underserved areas, providing just under $500 million over the next two years for the national Health Service Corps and another $363 million over two years to the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, which places medical residents in Community Health Centers.

KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by Heising-Simons Foundation and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially in- dependent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 10-13, 2018

Dateline PhiliPPines

Filipino graduates’ English skills lower than target for cab drivers in Dubai, study says

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA — The English proficiency level of college graduates in the Philippines is lower than the proficiency target set for high school students in Thailand and the competency requirement for tax drivers in Dubai, the preliminary results of a two-year study showed.

Rex Wallen Tan, general manager of Hopkins International Partners, said that the average English proficiency score of a Philippine college graduate was 631.4, based on the metrics of the Test of English for International Communication.

Tan explained this was alarming considering that cab drivers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates were expected to have a TOEIC proficiency score of 650 while business process outsourcing agents should have a score of 850 in the metric.

He explained that in terms of the Common European Framework of Reference of Languages, where A1 represented basic users and C2 meant proficient users, the level of Filipino college graduates was at B1, lower than the B2 target for Thai high school graduates.

He said that this was a serious problem considering that communication skills were one of the primary considerations in the hiring of applicants.

“Communication skills are the number one reason why graduates are not being hired,” Tan said Thursday on the sidelines of the Government Academe Industry Network convention at Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

Monette Ituralde-Hamlin, president of GAIN, stressed that need for the government, the academe, and the industry to address the low level of proficiency of Filipino graduates, warning that the

Philippines is “sitting on a landmine.”

“Most of the country’s major economic drivers are anchored on English proficiency,” she said.

“For us to successfully continue to equip a globally-competitive workforce, we must synergize and take on a multi-sectoral approach.”

Hamlin urged the government, the academe and the industry to adopt global English standards such as the CEFR framework already used in 81 countries and to aspire for a least a score of B2 (Independent User) among the country’s graduates and members of the workforce.

Another worrying finding from the study, Tan said, was that graduates of Bachelor of Science of Education major in English who participated in the research scored between Grade 2 and Grade 5 English proficiency.

u PAGE A10

Sandigan to proceed with trial of ex-VP Binay by elizAbeth

MArcelo Philstar.com

MANILA — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ruled to proceed with the formal trial of former Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr. for his multiple criminal cases in connection with the alleged anomalous construction of theP2.2-billion Makati City Hall Building II. In a 53-page resolution promulgated on February 5, the court’s Third Division denied Binay’s motion to quash his nine counts of falsification of public documents, four counts of graft and one count of malversation of public funds.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in July 2016, the cases against Binay were for his alleged involvement in phases one, two and three of the alleged overpriced construction of the P2.2 billion Makati City Hall Building II, also referred as the Makati parking building, during his term as mayor.

Also denied was the motion to quash of one of Binay’s co-accused, Efren Canlas of Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation.

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay Philstar.com photo

The Third Division maintained that the information of the cases were sufficient in form and substance, contrary to Binay’s and Canlas’ claim that the facts in the charge sheets do not constitute the alleged offense.

The Third Division said the issues raised by Binay, such as his signing of several documents as part of his official duty as then Makati mayor and that he did not act with dishonest purpose, “are clearly not proper subjects of a

motion to quash”.

“Evidently, these are matters of defense which are better ventilated and threshed out during the trial of these criminal cases,” the court’s resolution read.

The Third Division also dismissed Binay’s argument that the manner of conspiracy among the respondents in the cases must be specified in the charge sheet.

The court said the determination of conspiracy in the commission of the crime “should be established during the trial of these criminal cases.”

“To be sure, accused Binay Sr.’s insistence that conspiracy ‘must be shown to exist as clearly and convincingly as the commission of the offense itself ‘ is true only during the trial of the case and not as to the manner of alleging the same in the criminal information,” the court said.

Lastly, the Third Division maintained that the pendency of Binay’s petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court is not a ground to suspend the proceedings of his criminal cases.

Binay’s petition before the high tribunal questions the Office of

u PAGE A10

A

A February 10-13, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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OpiniOn

Hitting where it hurts

Features

In a rare move, the House of Representatives has ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to conduct a tax probe on Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Specifically, the BIR was tasked to look into the earnings and tax payments of Sereno from 2004 to 2010, when she was one of the lawyers for the government in its case against nAIA Terminal 3 builder Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. The PIATCO issue has been raised against Sereno even before she was promoted to Chief Justice, upon her appointment to the Supreme Court. She has denied any anomalies in her financial declarations, including in her official statements of assets, liabilities and net worth. The House committee on justice says Sereno also failed to file her SALNs for many years when she worked as a law professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Since the House has taken this tack in going after alleged wrongdoing, authorities should pursue a similar approach in pinning down other public officials suspected of amassing ill-gotten wealth. The Office of the Ombudsman and, where possible, the Anti-Money Laundering Council can coordinate with the BIR in this pursuit.

This can be useful even in President Duterte’s campaign against so-called narco politicians.

They shouldn’t be difficult to spot; drug traffick-

ers and their coddlers can rarely resist flaunting their wealth, even if it is dirty money. Tax probes can also be initiated against politicians believed to be engaged in jueteng and smuggling as well as the corrupt in the Bureau of Customs and other graft-ridden agencies.

Even Congress members can be subjected to tax probes. Lawmakers have stubbornly resisted proposals to pass anti-racketeering legislation. A tax investigation is the next best thing, with the anti-money laundering police later brought in to build a tighter case.

Congressmen have said they expected Sereno to be impeached next month. Her tax payments and asset declarations are likely to be included in the articles of impeachment to be sent to the Senate. Authorities should not stop with the Chief Justice; there are other public officials whose unexplained wealth calls for a tax probe. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Yet again, Trump defends another ally accused of violence against women: ‘He said he was innocent!’

PRESIDENT Donald Trump yet again exonerates a supporter accused of abuse against women. This time it’s White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter.

Porter resigned this week after allegations against him were made public by his former wives, Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby, after they reportedly contributed to a delay in granting him a permanent security clearance required for him to continue his work in the West Wing.

As the New York Times (NYT) reported, Mr. Porter vehemently denied these allegations, saying “these allegations are simply false,” despite details of the alleged physical, verbal and emotional abuse, including actual photographs of one of his former wives with a black eye, had been

made public.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said in a statement he was shocked by the new allegations released against Porter, the 40-year-old Harvard-graduate rising star in the White House, who Kelly in recent months, has reportedly leaned heavily on in his efforts to bring order to a chaotic West Wing.

Kelly described Porter “a man of true integrity.”

“He is a friend, a confidant and a trusted professional,” Kelly said in the NYT report. “I am proud to serve alongside him.”

Kelly stressed, “There is no place for domestic violence in our society. I stand by my previous comments of the Rob Porter that I have come to know since becoming chief of staff, and believe every individual deserves

criminating the right to information defend their The Fil-Am on the sins of reputation. I acthe past (and cepted his res- Perspective present). ignation earlier As the NYT today, and will reported, ensure a swift Porter hanand orderly Gel sAntos-relos dles a very transition.” important job Permanent security clearances are obtained in the White House, detailing: after the FBI investigations and “Porter is responsible for paper the background checks have flow to the president, a job of cleared a prospective White crucial importance in the Trump House staff members for any- administration. He frequently thing in their part that may travels with President Trump on compromise their integrity and Air Force One, and he helped independence in the way they write Mr. Trump’s first State of handle sensitive top-security in- the Union address last month.”

This case begs answers to formation in the White House.

Moreover, the FBI needs to in- pressing questions as to when, vestigate to make sure these what, and how much informaappointees could not be vulner- tion about these allegations of able to blackmail because of in- domestic abuse against Porter

were relayed to the Chief of Staff, including the fact that Porter also had an emergency protective order filed against him in June 2010 against him in an Arlington, Va., court by his second wife Ms. Jennifer Willoughby.

How could Kelly be as shocked and surprised as he claimed? He was reportedly been briefed by the FBI about this information last November that was why Porter could not be issued a permanent security clearance. And what and when did Trump really know about this? How could Porter continue to work in the White House despite his failure to obtain the required permanent security clearance?

And what does this Porter fiasco tell about the president and his men? How easily could they absolve the people of their kind

of their sins — Porter, Moore, O’Reilly, etc., — and even defend them as though the female accusers were all liars and that these powerful men were the victims here? Not surprising, considering the fact that President Donald J. Trump himself has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct and assault.

Where is the moral leader in the White House? Where is that role model of the nation?

Shouldn’t the president of the United States be that person? *** 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

Dr. Peter Bretan’s transcendent desire to save lives and help others reach their potentials

Rhizomes

Snippets of his medical mission services with PMSNC – 2017-2018 Part I of II Series

SANTA Barbara, Iloilo — Are our lives like the flowing waters of the clean Iloilo river, The only way death is not reflecting light images of our meaningless is to see yourself as transcendent desire to help othpart of something greater: a fam- ers achieve their potentials or ily, a community, a society. If you is it like a swamp of dead tree don’t, mortality is only a horror. stumps, with murky green algae But if you do, it is not. Loyalty, that trap insects?

Dr. Peter Bretan regularly jogs. said Royce, “solves the paradox of our ordinary existence by Some volunteers have run into showing us outside of ourselves him at the Riverside Boardwalk, the cause which is to be served, at 2 to 3 a.m., perhaps appreciand inside of ourselves the will ating the well-lighted boardwalk, which delights to do this service, bordered by plants and plumerias and which is not thwarted but en- in bloom and a clean Iloilo River riched and expressed in such ser- that is now maintained through vice.” Psychologists have used the community’s discipline with term “transcendence” for a ver- regular waste removal. A smelly sion of this idea. Above the level swamp is on the right side, perof self-actualization in Maslow’s haps a constant reminder of what hierarchy of needs, they suggest it once was: accumulated solid the existence in people of a tran- wastes, dead tree stumps and scendent desire to see and help lifeless. A posted sign on the lamp other beings achieve their poten- post reads, “Ang Kadagatan Indi tial.” - Atul Gawande, M.D. Be- Basurahan.” (The seas/oceans ing Mortal: Medicine and What are not trash dumps).”

Matters in the End

Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D.

Baby christened with surgeons as godfathers, after surgery for cleft palate Photo courtesy of Dr. Bretan

Intentions make a huge difference. Think of saving lives and if need be, “making miracles,” as Bretan believes, and the Universe invariably presents opportunities to actualize your intentions to save lives that maybe cut short by a goiter as big as a grapefruit and a cleft palate or hair-lip in an infant, both of which interfere in the uptake of nutrition or in the surgeries I watched: hernia in a one-year-old infant and undescended testicles in an 11-yearold boy, which if not operated on, the baby could die.

Bretan, former PMSNC president, describes the organization: “that has been doing medical missions for 40 years and credibility-wise, it has not had any problems. When a sovereign allows you to operate and do surgeries [unlike Doctors without Borders and other medical missions] that is a lot of trust in you and a lot of people [that] you [can] save.”

In fact, PMSNC has, out of its 40 years of existence, been saving thousands of lives, “it has taken a life of its own, humbling all of us. It is a culture of medicine, giving their ultimate. It is the core of Filipino giving – reciprocation of utang na loob, and not feeling so privileged. It is universal altruism – they drink the coolaid of “medical mission” and it is pure. It has 0% overhead. When you are exposed to what they have done, [that] it is purely run by love, you keep coming back,“ he said.

I sat behind Bretan at Misto Restaurant on Monday, January 22, 2018, and introduced myself: “Dr. Bretan, I heard about your heroic act of saving a life in 2017’s in Dumaguete medical

mission. You gave blood which saved Manang Belen, and without much fanfare nor taking credit for saving her life. I also attended the 2016 orientation meeting, which you chaired, wherein a member passed out, 911 was called, yet you remained calm. After the emergency was handled, you chaired the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC)’s meeting, quite productive and well structured. It is really a pleasure meeting you.”

The next day, he joined me for breakfast and sensing a flow of wisdom and an interview, I asked to tape his responses.

“Why do you want to do surgeries?”

“Egotistically, it feels good to save a life. But, how about this?

If you want to write an article and change something about medicine, you can save millions, according to my academic mentor.

So I became an academician and became one of the youngest professors at UCSF. I also became the youngest transplant director at 34 years old at the Cleveland Clinic.” Bretan identified one of his many firsts.

A doctor of many firsts Bretan is a urologist and a renal transplant surgeon, a Filipino-American, born and raised in California.

“I remember only memories of my parents and grandparents,” he said.

He is a doctor of many firsts.

At 34 years old, he became the chief of transplant at UCLA. He also became the youngest professors at UCSF. He is a captain of the U.S. Public Health Reserves, part of the U.S. Navy, that took care of Cuban refugees

Dr. Peter Bretan examining the 1 yo infant with hernia, a misplaced organ, causing painful swelling and if not attended to, will cause a serious life threatening rupture of part of the strangulated intestines.

AJPress photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

and who also spent two months in New Orleans as part of its reconstituted medical team during Typhoon Katrina.

His wife is a nurse, as his daughter, his sons — a physicist and a Ph.D. AI engineer while the youngest is an artist.

“But are you not an artist as well?” I asked. He paused, then said: “I suppose I am a remodeler of bodies.”

He took undergraduate architecture courses and loves designing houses.

He took his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and finished his medical degree and residency at UCSF. He completed a Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and took three years of academic courses towards a Ph.D. He enlisted as part of the military reserves and served for two months in New Orleans during Operation Katrina.

“Trained and mentored by some Nobel Laureates at various training at Cleveland, UCSF and UCLA, you become your parent,

you become your professor, you never stop being a student,” he said.

He is incredibly generous in describing his mission colleagues, the likes of Dr. Araceli De Guzman, Dr. Marlene Cordero, Cynthia Bonta and her family of Rob, Lisa, Malaya (grandchild) and concludes: “They are in the cutting edge of “Going Forth” in leadership in the United States.”

Could he be describing “his heart as a prism that reflects back the goodness of others, as much as his?”

What motivates this highachieving, highly professional, yet, deeply compassionate and caring doctor?

Renewing oneself in medical missions I asked Bretan if he kept track of lives that he has saved. He became misty-eyed and instead, talked about his dad’s life being saved: “The only reason I am alive is I was born in Port Hueneme, as all dependents of the

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 10-13, 2018

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Dr. Peter Bretan’s transcendent desire to save... 215 ex-NPA visit Malacañang, AFP HQ PAGE A8 t

military are born in a military hospital. My father was five years old when his mother died. He raised his younger brother and became a houseboy for a Baptist minister. He memorized the bible and the minister gave him $500 to go to the U.S. at 21 yo, “Here make something of your self. You are smart.”

More than that, his father became a patriot. His father got drafted into the U.S. army: “6 battalions of Filipino-Americans served in WW II at Camps Roberts and Hunter Liggett in San Luis Obispo County, and ten times that, as navy stewards and chefs. I consider it a privilege that I am still alive because my dad had tuberculosis and he could have died, but did not. It is why I am a big supporter of the military,” he added.

“I am a remodeler of the [human] body.” There are three elements, “art, interpersonal skills for the family, and the high-tech surgery. Besides, have you had a job and in 45 years, [still] have growth?”

I sensed his passion for his medical career, but also a strategic view of the changes: “The career is ADD (attention deficit disorder) in itself. For example, from closed surgery to laparoscopic surgery in four years. The career changes as fast as you are changing. It is similar to the [changes] in camera [from analog to digital to mirrorless] and one of the hardest in human nature to deal with is change.”

His motto is “Saving Lives. If you want to see a miracle, you have to make a miracle,” partly taken by a line by God in Bruce Almighty that was noted by Dr. Araceli De Guzman, a fellow mission volunteer, who witnessed Dr. Bretan’s heroism.

Manang Belen was PMSNC’s first thyroid patient.

“Her thyroid gland had grown huge over the last few years, but without the resources to afford an operation, her gland grew exponentially, according to Dr. De Guzman, who was monitoring the surgery. During the operation, her blood pressure was dropping.

Though infused with volume expanders by Dr. Sheila Vaz to maintain her blood pressure, her hemoglobin was really low, at 3.

(Normal is 12 to 15 grams per deciliter).

“STAT,” De Guzman called out, for blood donors to come

by Michael

Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — Military personnel welcomed 215 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who visited Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Wednesday, February 7 and met Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The former guerrillas also visited Malacañang and met President Duterte as part of their educational tour.

Thousands who came to PMSNC’s Medical Mission organized with local help from Mayor Dennis The former rebels arrived from Superficial, M.D. AJPress photos by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz Davao City on board two Air Force C-130 cargo planes at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday to start their threeday tour.

Duterte earlier invited the surrendered rebels to Malacañang and have a tour of Manila during his visit in Panacan, Davao City last Dec. 21.

The AFP said the goal is to expose the former rebels to a better perspective in life particularly in advocating peace and nationalism.

The members of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations accompaDr. Peter Bretan operating on the 1-year-old infant and mentoring Dr. Alice Crane, a resident from Cleveland, Ohio.

forward.

“Take mine now,” Bretan said.

Without hesitation, others followed his lead, as Rey Mallari, Kevin Miller, Sean Lio, Jessy Madayag and Dan Dublin; all were tested for compatibility. The Red Cross did not release blood supplies until the replacement was received.

De Guzman had to use her own personal cash to test for three more guys and for them to donate. “There was no bloodletting, but Dr. Bretan’s blood was used, as well as two units from other donors,” she added.

“To give blood, one must weigh at least 120 pounds. In the Philippines, women weigh less than that. So the rule became that women cannot give blood,” Bretan explained.

Another miracle save A young mother did not know what to do with her baby born with a hair-lip and could not feed. So she left the baby to die in the Dumaguete cemetery.

But a 10 to 12-year-old boy heard the baby’s inconsolable cries and took the baby home.

Ants had penetrated the baby’s ears, according to Bernadette, a

Chicago nurse, who shared her post-surgery recovery experience with this baby.

The boy’s mother heard of the Dumaguete medical mission and brought the baby to the mission and later, decided to adopt the baby.

“After the baby was fixed, healed, ready to go home – all the attending doctors became the baby’s godparents at the christening,” Bretan proudly shares his godchild’s photo from his smartphone.

Does he track lives that he has saved? “Yes, in terms of major surgeries. Thousands of lives now in major life-saving operations. But not the smaller, minor surgeries,” he said.

Curious, I persisted in my query: “Hundreds of thousands of minor surgeries,” he softly shared in tone.

“This is my marathon. This is my boot camp. This is my reality check [medical mission]. Only when you leave your comfort zone that you learn – once you see this, you snag students to volunteer when they are young.

Be the highest potential you can

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The former rebels arrived from Davao City on board two Air Force C-130 cargo planes at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday to start their three-day tour. Philstar.com photoJohn Unson

nied the former NPA members to a tour of Rizal Park and Intramuros in Manila.

The former rebels would return to Davao City again on Thursday and another batch of rebel returnees soon conduct another tour of Manila.

The AFP said the military was tasked to assist former rebels in the worthy initiative by the President to prepare the surrenderees to return to their normal lives.

“Our soldiers are committed in empowering our brothers and sisters who used to take part in NPA’s criminal activities, to now take part in building a nation of peace for progress and development,” the AFP said.

Capt.

Eduardo Precioso, spokesman for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Negros, said they were not surprised by the threat of Communist Party of

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A10 February 10-13, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Duterte wants OFWs out of Kuwait in 72 hours

by Catherine

S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 9, said he wanted overseas Filipino workers (OFW) out of Kuwait in 72 hours, stressing that Filipinos are “no slave to anyone.”

In a press conference here at Matina Enclaves, Duterte said he could not stomach the persistent abuses against Filipino migrant workers in Kuwait.

“So everyone who wants to

come home, I said to (Labor) Secretary Bello, those who want to be repatriated, with or without money, I will ask PAL and Cebu Pacific to provide the transportation,” Duterte said.

“I want them out of the country those who want to go out in 72 hours. We will count our lives by the hours because apparently, every hour, there is a suffering and agony, brutality committed

by Filipinos,” he added.

The president reiterated his appeal to the Kuwaiti govern-

ment to stop the “inhumane” treatment to OFWs as he insisted that the ban on the deployment would continue.

“Let me ask, when will this inhumane treatment of our Filipino workers end? When will the upliftment of the human dignity begin? To the Kuwaiti government and all others who are OFWs work(ers), we seek and expect your assistance in this regard,” Duterte said.

“We do not seek special treatment or privileges for our workers but we do expect respect for their dignity and basic human rights. Keep them free from harm. I implore you. I ask all Arab people, the Filipino is no slave to anyone, anywhere and everywhere,” he added.

Duterte issued the statement after authorities confirmed that the body was found in an apartment in the Al Shaab area, where it may have been kept for over a year.

The president identified the victim as Joanna Daniela Dimapilis, based on a DNA test.

The president said that he was ready to take “drastic steps” to help preserve the OFW’s safety and security in foreign countries.

“We do not intend to offend any government or anyone, but if ban is what is needed, then let it be so. The ban continues today and I don’t know until what time.

I declared it early this morning.

Son of a b****, I cannot stomach this. It is totally, totally unacceptable to me,” he said.

“Every abuse committed against an OFW is an affront against us as a sovereign nation… Do not give us back a bothered worker or a mutilated corpse,” the president added.

The death comes after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) suspended in January the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait in the wake of reports of abuse and deaths.

The Labor department is still probing the deaths of seven OFWs in the West Asian country.

The country is a top destination of migrant workers from the Philippines. The latest data from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said there are some 86,019 Filipinos in Kuwait as of 2015.

There is an estimated 250,000 OFWs in Kuwait, 75 percent of them working as domestic helpers. n

FOR BBL. Photo from right shows Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito; Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman; Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Juan Miguel Zubiri; Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Ghazali Jaafar; Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Sherwin Gatchalian; and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza and other officials join hands in support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during a public hearing at the Basilan State College, Basilan on Friday, February 9.

Senate photo by Arman Clemente

Charter review over ‘by July’

by JameS

GalVez ManilaTimes.net

FORMER Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Thursday, February 8, said they expect to complete the review of the Constitution before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte in July.

“Basically, they want us to submit the proposal by June toward the end of July [2018] so the President can already report the results of the consultative committee recommendations for Congress to take up,” according to Pimentel.

“I think that was the most important thing that they want us to take up,” the veteran lawmaker said as a 19-member review panel held its first meeting also on Thursday to tackle the workflow

and timeline for the review.

Pimentel called for more women, indigenous people and marginalized sector representation in the panel “to hear the broader sector of our society and give their inputs on the proposal.”

“I want to emphasize that even as I am an advocate of federalism, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to listen to those who don’t believe that we should have a federalist structure. Because… democracy is all about [hearing all sides],” he said.

There are still six slots available in the panel but this number would still be subject to the discretion of the President, Pimentel said.

Duterte had appointed only 19 members to the consultative body on Charter change, includ-

ing top magistrates, lawyers and members of the academe and former officials.

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno was appointed as head of the body.

Pimentel said he would urge the consultative committee that all deliberations should be open to the public and the media to ensure transparency in the administration’s effort to review the Charter.

“There should be no secret deliberations. We are a free country and therefore the freedom of speech and of the press must already be exercised by the people now,” he added.

Thursday’s meeting was not open to the media and tight security was implemented at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. n

Bong Go: Duterte just joking about senatorial bid by roSette

adel

Philstar.com

MANILA — Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday clarified that he has no plans of running for senator.

“My running for senator is just a joke from PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte),” Go said in a statement sent to media.

“PRRD only mentioned it in jest in view of my demand for the Senate to conduct a full-blown public hearing and get to the bottom of the frigate controversy,” he said.

Go was referring to his alleged interference in the procurement

of a combat management system for two missile-capable frigates for the Philippine Navy.

Generally, frigates are warships that perform a variety of roles including escort and shore bombardment.

Go made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte last Tuesday said that attending a Senate probe to clarify his alleged interference in the deal is a “golden opportunity” for his senatorial bid.

The presidential aide said he is not interested in running because he is committed to assisting Duterte. “I am committed to stand beside him till kingdom come,” Go said.

Go insisted that he is only demanding a full-blown Senate hearing into the frigate deal issue to clear his name, and to prove that he did not intervene.

He earlier denied Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano’s allegation that he had information or knowledge in the Navy’s purchase of combat management system for its ships. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had mistakenly attributed a document from Go’s office asking about the deal to Go himself.

Duterte has twice defended his special assistant, saying Go is already a “yacht owner” and need not meddle in the frigate acquisition. n

Dr. Peter Bretan’s transcendent desire to save...

PAGE A9 t

be and be a volunteer, and be the best you can be!” Bretan emphasized with conviction, borne out by four decades of his exceptionally superior medical practice and equally distinguished decades of medical mission volunteerism.

Do you get a sense that this surgeon has a reservoir of living waters within him? I cried after writing this piece, realizing the

depths of his humanity.

Part II of this series will be about Dr. Peter Bretan mentoring a resident and in turn, students while performing surgeries in a medical mission in Sta. Barbara, Iloilop

*** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan

Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national

215 ex-NPA visit Malacañang, AFP HQ PAGE A9 t

the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison to kill one soldier a day to force the government to revive the peace talks.

Precioso said the NPA has been issuing threats even when the peace talks were ongoing, and the rebels do not spare sol-

diers helping victims of natural calamities.

He said the threats of Sison would not diminish their resolve to protect the people from the terrorist activities of the NPA, and to help the government in the delivery of basic services to the people in the countryside.

Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil, police director of Negros Occidental, said they have been expecting it during the CPP founding anniversary in December last year, and also on March 29 this year, in line with the NPA anniversary. (With Gilbert Bayoran/Philstar.com)

Filipino graduates’ English skills lower...

PAGE A7 t

“What makes it unique is they graduated despite low proficiency. Number two, that university is level 3 accredited for some programs,” he said, as he raised questions about the admission requirements of schools, the education standards being observed and the accreditation process currently in place.

“It’s not just one school, but a whole series of processes that don’t make sense,” Tan said.

Also concerning was the fact that the sample for their investigation came from private institutions with mid-level tuition fees and high quality standards and state

universities and colleges, according to Tan. Grace Zata, GAIN’s vice president for industry, stressed that companies could train their employees in the latest technologies but underscored the need for graduates to be equipped with basic knowledge and skills.

She said that some of the skills that companies in the Philippines and the world were looking for were the candidates’ ability to communicate, influence and collaborate.

Peter Laurel, president of the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas and Laguna, also supported the adoption of a set

of national English standards and warned that the industry would slowly require schools to level up.

Speakers at the convention said that the results of the investigation showed that the English proficiency advantage of the Philippines was “great at risk” as countries such as Singapore and Thailand continued to improve their citizens’ language skills.

Aside from worries over the English proficiency of Filipino graduates, skills mismatch and the economic integration of Southeast Asian nations were some of the challenges that were identified by the convention’s participants. n

Sandigan to proceed with trial of ex-VP Binay

PAGE A7 t

the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to conduct an investigation on the alleged Makati parking building anomaly during his incumbency as vice president.

The Third Division said the Revised Rules of Court explicitly states that the mere filing of a petition for certiorari shall not interrupt the course of the cases “unless a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction has been issued by the higher court.”

The Third said that since Binay admitted that the SC has yet to issue a TRO or a writ of injunc-

tion with regard to his cases, the lower court is “duty-bound” to continue the proceedings.

The Third Division set Binay’s arraignment on February 23.

Meanwhile, the Third Division has yet to resolve the motion to quash of Binay’s son, former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., thus the court has yet to set the date of his arraignment.

Binay Jr. is the primary accused for two counts of graft and six counts of falsification for phases four and five of the construction of the parking building. He is also named as co-accused of his

father for two counts of graft and one count of malversation for the phase three of the project.

All the cases stemmed from the alleged anomalous award of architectural design and construction contracts to Mana Architecture and Interior Design Co. (MANA) and Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation, respectively, for the parking building project.

The ombudsman said the contracts were awarded through “simulated bidding” despite the absence of approved budget appropriation, project plan and specifications. n

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A11

City of Carson hosts 4th annual Military Career Day for high school students

by CHRISTINA M. ORIEL AJ Press

CARSON, CALIFORNIA — Over 350 high school students from 10 area schools gathered on Wednesday, February 7 for the city’s fourth annual Military Career Day held at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center.

The day-long program kicked off with remarks by officials from the local government and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) about options students can pursue after graduating, whether higher education, technical careers, or joining the military, among others.

“When we first did this four years ago, we were definitely all positive about the success of this program because of the excitement I personally got from the city and from the district,” Filipino-American Councilmember Elito Santarina told the Asian Journal. “We clarified from the beginning that we’re not preparing the kids for war. These students are being given the opportunity to evaluate and check into the career options as well as being prepared for a brighter future to contribute back to the city of Carson and greater society.”

Carson Mayor Albert Robles, Mayor Pro Tem Jawane Hilton, Councilmembers Santarina, Lula Davis-Holmes and Cedric L. Hicks, Sr., City Clerk Donesia L. Gause, City Treasurer Monica Cooper, City Manager Kenneth C. Farsing, and Community Services Director Idris Al-Oboudi, were among those present on Wednesday and helped make this event possible.

In the past four years, the student and school participation has more than doubled, Santarina shared.

“Based on the comments we’ve received from students and schools, we’ve been able to narrow down and improve what information and activities to include each following year,” he said.

John Larson, director of communications and policy for the office of LAUSD boardmember Dr. Richard Vladovic, was one of the speakers who addressed the students and set the intentions for why Military Career Day exists.

“You’re going to have to think about what steps you’re going to have to take to give yourselves every chance you have to be competitive, whether it’s in the classroom if you go on to higher education, technical or professional careers you’re seeking to obtain, or one of the military careers you’re going to hear about today,” he said. “Today is about giving you informed opportunities that will make you successful for yourselves, for your communities, and this nation.”

Larson added that “continuing to be life-long learners is critical to succeed in your existence beyond high school” to compete in the global economy.

LAUSD Local District South Superintendent Christopher Downing urged students to “ask questions” throughout the day.

“Research shows that the difference between graduating from high school and not comes out to about $2 million throughout the course of your life,” Downing shared. “So every year, it impacts your income. But we all know you are all going to graduate.”

While most students may not go on to join the military after high school, Benjamin Soy — education services specialist for the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion–Los Angeles — said they can hear about and eval-

(L-R) Lt. Colonel Mark Ripley, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion-Los Angeles, LAUSD Local District Superintendent Christopher Downing, Carson Councilmember Elito Santarina, and Carson Mayor Albert Robles at the city’s fourth annual Military Career Day. AJPress photos by Noel Ty

uate the multitude of options available.

The students were then organized into smaller groups and listened to representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, who shared their stories and gave information on the benefits their respective branches offer.

Mario Guerra, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, told the Asian Journal that “only 3 out of 10 high school students are eligible for the Army, so we want the best of the best. There are 150 career jobs that are in the military that are translatable to civilian life — from medical to technology.”

“Many people are misinformed about what the Army is and what the educational possibilities are,” he added. Among the education benefits this Carson Councilmember Elito Santarina, SFC Julius Williams of the U.S. Army Recruiting Center in Torrance, and Lt. Members of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 302: Mr. military branch offers include Colonel Mark Ripley, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion-Los Angeles.

Paul, Felix Antero, Romeo Galeon, and Herman Bautista. financial assistance, access to worldwide learning facilities, and even eligibility for spouses to enroll in certain programs.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Kenneth Kinney, a Filipino-American recruiter for the California National Guard, said that enlisting in the military has a host of benefits: “it looks strong on your resume, it builds character, it helps make a young man or woman into someone who is competitive and successful career-wise in the future.”

“I don’t go looking for it but there is a lot of respect in having served in the military. I’ve done a couple of tours overseas, and my kids when they go to college — if they don’t get scholarships elsewhere — can use my education benefits, and if I want to further my educaSFC Kenneth Kinney, senior recruiting and retention for the tion, I have that option as well,” Over 350 students from 10 area schools heard from representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast California National Guard Kinney said. “It doesn’t matter Guard about opportunities after high school. what branch of the military you a member of the military is not lot of experiences, especially serve, you are going to get a just fighting overseas. with travels to places around “I don’t think of this as a the world that I wouldn’t have whole host of benefits from any job — it’s a career. Joining the reached otherwise. If I could of them.”

Fil-Ams share service expe- Army has helped me build my do it all over again, I would. future and get an education For Filipino Americans who are rience SFC First Class Julius Wil- I wouldn’t otherwise have,” interested in joining the mililiams of the Army, who was he told the Asian Journal. “I tary, it’s a good starting point born in the Philippines, said would encourage people to get to what you want to do later in that the career day isn’t to the right information from the life.” “convince students to join or source because there is a good The schools that participated persuade them one way or an- side to the Army.” in the career day included CarVeterans of the Navy — who son High School, Banning High other.”

“It’s for them to make an ed- served over two decades — School, Diego Rivera Learning ucated choice for themselves,” were also present on Wednes- Complex, John C. Fremont High Williams said, who is a recruit- day and shared with the Asian School, San Pedro High School, er for the Army Recruiting Cen- Journal that they continue to Gardena, Jordan High School, ter in Torrance. “As a recruiter, reap the benefits of their ser- Eagle Tree Continuation High I make sure those applying are vice.

School, Rancho Dominguez Herman Bautista, who is part Preparatory High School, and LAUSD Local District South Superintendent Christopher Downing addresses over 350 qualified. You can tell me that you’d like to join, but at the end of the Fleet Reserve Associ- Nathaniel Narbonne High students during the City of Carson’s fourth annual Military Career Day. of the day, it takes a lot to pass ation (FRA) Branch 302, said School. the test, take a physical exam, that being a part of the military Downing shared that every the schools from South LA to grams like offering college prewas a “big break for me, as a 11th grader in the school dis- San Pedro — said the LAUSD paratory classes or weekend and all that stuff.”

Sgt. Lio Palacpac — who is poor guy from Manila.” trict will have the chance to is dedicated to ensuring that classes.

Felix Antero, also of the FRA take the SAT free of charge on students graduate from high originally from the Philippines A Military Career Day will and has been in the Army for Branch 302 said, “The Navy Wednesday, March 7. school and are prepared for also be held in the City of eight years — shared that being changed my life. It gave me a The superintendent — who higher education through pro- Downey on February 22.

A12 February 10-13, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal All about Jed Madela... and more! Marian Rivera: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I want to do something out of the boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by

Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; From once getting paid P300 only for doing three hour-long gigs a night to now eliciting standing ovations from world leaders no less for performances in high-profile events like the 2017 ASEAN, Jed Madela has come a long way, indeed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking back, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that really inspires me, like wow, nakayanan kong kumanta ng tatlong oras every night and being paid this amount, and I was really happy, I was contented and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind the money,â&#x20AC;?

Jed recalled to The Star on the sidelines of the presscon for his Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day benefit show â&#x20AC;&#x153;All About Love.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to look back to the time when nobody wanted me.

People who doubted me, I still remember them na parang they tell you â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in your face â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Di sisikat yan, kasi probinsyano,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mahirap pasikatin yung lalake kaysa sa babae,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; etc. I still remember their names, who they are and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still there (laughs)â&#x20AC;Ś So many rejections. Back then, it was painful, but thinking about it now, it really helped me to be thick-skinned,â&#x20AC;? the recording artist added.

According to Jed, these experiences remind him that â&#x20AC;&#x153;you really have to start from somewhere and from scratch in order for you to appreciate what you have achieved now.â&#x20AC;?

It was in 2003 when Jed first signed up with Universal Records. Summing up his professional musical journey so far, the singer said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a rollercoaster ride. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned a lot, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown a lot from this timid probinsyano. I arrived straight from Iloilo to Manila without anything, without any idea what the industry was about.â&#x20AC;?

He continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to be in showbiz. I came to Manila to look for a job as a flight attendant and then, all of sudden, an opportunity came up. They were

Jed Madela

Philstar.com photo

looking for a singer for the band Pose. When I applied as a flight attendant, they made me wait because I was too young then. I was only 18 (when I finished college).

It was truly a sudden change of plans. The plan to become a flight attendant was forgotten.

But singing has always been my first love, (however) never did I expect it to be my job.â&#x20AC;?

Jed is now turning 15 in the entertainment industry this 2018.

Known for his powerful vocal range and anthemic repertoire, Jed is looking to celebrate this milestone year with a Star Records album featuring original compositions, some of which he wrote. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also set to mount an orchestra-backed concert towards the end of the year.

His biggest lesson in showbiz, he shared, is that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody is dispensable. Meron talagang darating na mas magaling sayo, mas bata, mas maganda ang katawan, mas pogi, mas mataas boses. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a matter of how you deal with change and how you manage to stay relevant and stay in the industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very happy, grateful and blessed that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in the industry for 15 years now. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen a lot of artists come and go and somehow, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still here.

I think I owe this to fans, to the

people who have supported me since Day 1â&#x20AC;Ś during my highs and lows, in the industry. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the reason I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lasted this long.â&#x20AC;?

Before the concert and album, Jed headlines a Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concert and fundraiser titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;All About Loveâ&#x20AC;? on Feb. 14 at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Center. He will be joined by special guests Tim Pavino, U.S.-trained opera singer/newcomer Sarah Faye Bacal and the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) Team Philippines. The latter has been trained by Jed being a WCOPA Hall of Famer. All proceeds of â&#x20AC;&#x153;All About Loveâ&#x20AC;? will go to Ang Mataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y Alagaan Foundation, a non-profit serving persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially the visually impaired.

Jed crowd-sourced ideas for his concert via social media, and a fan, who happens to be a pastor, suggested a show that talks about all kinds of love, thus its title. Song choices range from the classics to boy band hits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to center the concept on those who are in love only. There are different kinds of love â&#x20AC;&#x201D; love for family, love for a special someone, love for yourself. We also gave importance sa mga walang love or nawalan ng loveâ&#x20AC;Ś Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that kind of love thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very overwhelming, the kind of love that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to, the kind of love thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s malabo na, the kind of love thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s everlastingâ&#x20AC;Ś Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we call it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All About Love.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Because the concert is all about love, Jed couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t escape questions about his personal life as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ideally, my special someone.

Sana meronâ&#x20AC;Ś A (special someone) who will be there to support you in all your endeavors, who is extra understanding of your time, your fans, di pwede selosa,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But then, wala pa ngayon.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very, very focused on work and I think I would be very unfair, if there would be somebody PAGE B3

by lhar

SaNtiago ManilaTimes.net

MARIAN Rivera took everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breath away when she walked into the GMA Network boardroom to renew her contract with her mother studio. Ravishingly beautiful in a revealing white dress that hugged every perfect curve of her body, the one and only Kapuso Primetime Queen showed no trace of ever giving birth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really prepared for this contract signing,â&#x20AC;? Marian said smiling.

With her that weekday morning were her manager Rams David and APT Entertainmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director Mike Tuviera, while the networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bigwigsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;lawyer and

CEO Felipe Gozon, President and COO Jimmy Duavit, Jr., Executive Vice-President and CFO Felipe Yalong, and Senior Vice-President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth Rasonableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;were all in attendance for the happy and important occasion. They were all in high spirits as they signed the dotted line, what with their loyal talent so vocal about her love for the network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see myself in any other network but GMA. This is the studio that really molded me as an actress, and whatever Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reached in my career, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because of GMA, which has given me very good opportunities from the start,â&#x20AC;? she candidly said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even when I got married and Marian Rivera Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera PAGE B3

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B February 10-13, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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Kaju Soft Tofu in Buena Park offers fresh, authentic Tom Rodriguez adores his ‘The Cure’ co-stars Korean comfort food perfect for the winter

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

WITHIN the last few years, Korean food has become a hit in the United States, and it’s not very surprising to see why. It’s just so good. There is no other way to put it!

Given the rise of Korean food in the U.S., the options have exponentially expanded, giving food lovers their choices of restaurants serving bulgogi (grilled beef), galbi (marinated short ribs) and bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and sauteed vegetables) to name a few Korean food staples.

So the question remains: where can I get the best, most authentic Korean food?

Well, if you’re in Northern Orange County, look no further than Kaju Soft Tofu in Buena Park, which serves up one of the tastiest and diverse menus of all Korean food establishments in the area.

Owned by the Park family, Kaju Soft Tofu reigns supreme when it comes to consistent flavors. The owners make it a point to serve up the freshest ingredients and have never deviated from their soft tofu soup recipe, which has been a staple in the business since first opening up their Garden Grove location two decades ago.

The tofu soup — which is a wonderful option to fight the chilly

Seafood Tofu Soup

Galbi - BBQ Beef Short Ribs

“I’m in awe,” Tom Rodriguez revealed to The Times referring to his co-stars Jennylyn mercado and Jaclyn Jose in the upcoming GmA primetime series “The Cure.”

“I look up to them as very good actresses and sobra akong starstruck sa kanila. I thought that kind of feeling would just be in the beginning but until now, and we’ve been taping for almost a month, napapanganga pa rin ako when I watch them doing their scenes on the set.”

For Tom, working with Jaclyn is a big privilege. “You will see talaga how she takes her role to heart. No wonder even international festivals recognize how great an actress

Kaju Bibimbap

As for having Jennylyn as his leading lady, “I’m thankful that I was given a chance to work with Jen. Pardon the comparison but I can’t help but compare her to Dennis (Trillo, Jen’s boyfriend and his co-star in the groundbreaking hit “my Husband’s Lover”) when it comes to acting. Pareho sila—pagtake, in character agad.”

Excited for The Cure to hit primetime soon, Tom is also busy promoting his new movie “The Significant Other,” which he describes as his sexiest movie to date, what with Lovi Poe and Erich Gonzales as his leading ladies.

Jennylyn Mercado and Tom Rodriguez “Direk Joel [Lamangan] made she is. Pag kaeksena ko nga siya, me do something I’ve never done minsan, napapatanga ko because before,” he said with a very naughshe is that good.” ty laugh.

Robin leads fellow celebrities in big plans for Marawi

by MJ Marfori ManilaTimes.net

Mushroom Bibimbap

Mushroom Tofu Soup and Spicy Pork Bulgogi

weather — is offered in seven spicy levels (white, mild, medium, spicy, very spicy, very very spicy and triple spicy), ensuring that your soup is tailored to your preference.

Kaju also offers a wide range of tofu soups, including classics like galbi tofu soup, assorted tofu soup (clam, oyster, shrimp and beef) and seafood tofu soup (clam, oyster and shrimp). Vegetarians may also indulge in Kaju’s flavorful tofu soups with the mushroom tofu soup (shiitake and enoki mushrooms), wild sesame seed tofu soup (mushrooms and ground perilla seed) and the vegetable tofu soup (carrots, corn, peas, green beans and enoki mushroom).

Each tofu dish is topped with green onions and served with

fresh rice (or multigrain rice) and a perfect ratio of soup to tofu.

One of the standouts from Kaju, though, isn’t the delicious tofu soups. The beef short rib soup is a rich, full-bodied broth with glass noodles, vegetables and, of course, beef short ribs. Filipino customers familiar with sinigang will feel at home with Kaju’s beef short rib soup.

Per the Korean restaurant tradition, a variety of side dishes are served fresh, including cucumbers, bean sprouts, potatoes, anchovies and, of course, kimchi.

Kaju Soft Tofu doesn’t just specialize in terrific food, but also great customer service. The staff — many of which are members of the Park family! — are friendly, eager to help and ready to give suggestions. One thing is certain of your visit to Kaju Soft Tofu: you will be treated wonderfully.

Kaju Soft Tofu is also available via delivery through GrubHub. Bring in this issue of Asian Journal for a sweet discount on your next meal at Kaju!

Kaju Soft Tofu is located at 7232 Orangethorpe Ave. Buena Park, CA 90621 and they’re open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Garden Grove location is located at 8895 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92844 and it is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

AJ Ad - 2 - Jan 2018 - Tempeh_Layout 1 1/11/18 4:06 PM Page 1

Seafood Tofu Soup and Beef Bulgogi

(Advertising Supplement)

age gracefully

Go Meatless with a Tasty Tempeh Sandwich

BY GRACE O

Tempeh is a traditionally Asian fermented plant-based protein source made from whole soybeans. Because of the fermentation process, tempeh also contains beneficial probiotics. With a meatlike texture, tempeh is a hearty substitute for meatless meals and pairs well with many flavors due to its own mild, slightly nutty taste. Try it with homemade barbecue sauce, a lower sugar and preservative-free alternative to store-bought versions.

HAVING just moved to America a few years prior, Ernest Ng knew little about the community in San Gabriel Valley and almost nothing about starting up a bakery in California. Although he was Chinese, he had grown up working on a farm and going to school in South America, and was far removed from the Chinese community. Nevertheless, his strong work ethic and persevering spirit enabled him to open Happy Bakery at the age of 25.

The modest store attracted the Chinese community, from the older folks who would walk each morning to purchase their daily ji bao (chicken bun) to the young professionals who would buy dozens of zhi ma qiu (sesame balls) for work. Since the birth of Happy Bakery, Ernest and family worked 365 days of the year. This allows them to provide consist products to the community, and the genesis of the Chinese boom in San Gabriel Valley.

Leading his parents and his younger siblings in creating a life in America, Ernest and his family poured their efforts into the little store located on the corner of Valley Boulevard and Ninth Street. With much input from the community and many trials of various recipes, Ernest and his father were able to create traditional Hong Kong style pastries, dim sum, and cakes to cater to their community.

After a two years break, Happy Bakery relocated on Valley and San Gabriel Boulevard. Faithful customers came flocking back. Nostalgia over flows in the younger generation of Chinese people who first ate its products bought by their parents. To this day, Happy Bakery is still heavily embedded into the community in San Gabriel Valley.

Happy Bakery is open everyday from 6:30 a.m.-

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

Cherry Barbecue Tempeh Sandwich

© 2018 by FoodTrients.com

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks – The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won the National award for Innovation from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

ABS-CBN photo

Happy Bakery: San Gabriel’s favorite bakeshop

Health@Heart

Serves 4 Sandwiches

1. Make the cherry barbecue sauce. In a blender or food processor, blend together the pitted cherries, tomato For The Sauce paste, garlic cloves and water until almost smooth.

1 cup fresh cherries, pitted Scoop into a medium sized mixing bowl and add the 6 oz tomato paste remaining ingredients, whisking well to combine.

2 garlic cloves 2.

Preheat oven to 425º F. In a shallow pan, spread ½ cup ½ cup water of the barbecue sauce evenly on the bottom and layer 1 tsp. fresh orange zest the tempeh slices on top. Pour another ½ cup of the 2 Tbs. fresh orange juice sauce over top of the tempeh and spread until each 1 Tbs. honey (optional) slice is evenly coated, adding additional sauce as 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar needed. Re-serve remaining sauce and allow tempeh to ½ tsp. salt marinade in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove For The Burgers tempeh from fridge and place strips on the baking 8 oz. organic tempeh, sliced into sheet, scraping the bottom layer of sauce over top of 15 slices the slices. Bake for 15-20 minutes and drizzle an 4 whole wheat buns additional ¼ cup of sauce over top of the tempeh as 4 large lettuce leaves (romaine,spinach, needed (if dry looking). or Boston head) ½ medium yellow onion, sliced into ½- 4. Assemble 4 sandwiches with the buns (toasted per preference), lettuce, sliced onions and cu-cumbers, and inch thick rounds tempeh. Enjoy while tempeh is still warm!

1 small cucumber, cut into thin rounds

KEEPING his pledge, action star Robin Padilla headed to war torn marawi before January came to a close.

In the Know caught up with the actor at the launch of a health supplement for men in Quezon City and Binoe proudly shared that director Joyce Bernal and “Ultimate Heartthrob” Piolo Pascual even accompanied him to mindanao to visit the displaced families. They also looked for more ways in which they can make a difference.

Grateful his friends tagged along, Robin said, “Samahan ng mga artista ang nagpunta so nakita rin sa ibat-ibang channel. Akala ko noong una, monetary support lang ang kailangan nila pero nitong huli, aba nagulat ako. Very involved pala sila ma’am Sharon Cuneta at marami pang iba. Parang naging personal advocacy na rin nila ito eh.”

The ever-patriotic actor and Robin Padilla

devoted muslim convert believes so much more needs to be done to rehabilitated marawi. “Lahat po ng nagawa natin napakaliit pa lang po. Andoon pa lang tayo sa mga evacuation centers. Iyong una pong naayos natin iyong tubig nila sa tulong po ng mga donors.

Napakapagpagawa po tayo ng labing anim na deep well sa evacuation centers para meron po silang regular na tubig.”

With the trust of his celebrity friends, Robin sets the direction where their accumulated funds should go, and for him, the ultimate goal is to give marawi’s residents their own land.

“Iyong tungkol po sa pabahay namin andun pa rin po kami sa proseso po ng pagbili ng lupa kasi private tayo. Gusto natin iyong lupa ay mapupunta po talaga sa aawardan natin ng bahay.

Nagkaroon kasi dati ng reports na binabawi yung mga bahay sa evacuees sa ibang lugar matapos ang ilang taon.”

THE holidays may be behind us but the physical effects, among others, will linger a while. medically speaking, it is actually time for “damage control” for those of us who have overindulged during the festivities. And I plead guilty to have succumbed to the temptation myself.

The post-holiday “makeover” is just a healthy pre-emptive measure, more so for those who really want to maintain their normal weight or those who have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, etc.

As with anything else, damage control is best as a preventive strategy. However, special celebrations and holidays, like birthdays, a wedding reception, Thanksgiving Day, and especially Christmas and New Year festivities, which could go on for more than a week, expose us to irresistible gastronomical temptations.

For dieters, those who are watching their weight or counting calories, these occasions are tough. Blessed are those strong-willed souls, whether or not they carry a calorie counter on one hand and a scale on the other. These health conscious individuals will reap their rewards in terms of stamina, energy, a stronger immune system, and even longevity, as shown by medical statistics.

Yoyo dieting is harmful Our physiology is at the optimum when we consume just the right amount of calories to maintain our normal weight and when our glucose (blood sugar) level is on an even keel most of

7 p.m. and is located at 846 E Valley Blvd., Ste. B San Gabriel, CA 91776. For more information, please call 1- 626- 308- 3532. (Advertising Supplement)

Time for a makeover the time. When we overeat and then try to starve ourselves to compensate for our indiscretion, our blood glucose spikes up and down, described as yoyo dieting.

This severe fluctuation in our blood glucose level has adverse effects on our body and on our immune system, and poses even greater danger for persons with diabetes.

Eating several times a day, even 5 or 6 times a day, NOT exceeding the total 24-hour caloric need of our body, is a healthier habit that helps maintain our blood glucose level in a more stable, less erratic pattern during the day. But the key is calorie control, especially from carbohydrates, combined with daily exercise.

The “fat hormones” The urge to eat (hungry or not) is, to a large extent, controlled by hormones in our body. These hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what types of food we eat and how much calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we do daily. Scientific researchers are focusing on four specific substances they call “fat hormones,” which our own endocrine glands in the body produce. There are hormones that make one eat and there are also hormones that signal the brain to tell the person to stop eating. These substances control hunger and satiety.

“Hunger hormone” The hunger hormone is Ghrelin, which is secreted by our guts (stomach and intestines). When its level goes up, we feel hungry and have the urge to eat. The level of Ghrelin goes up when we get less sleep or not enough sleep.

This is the reason why those who are trying to lose weight should get adequate amount (about 8 hours) of sleep. An unbalanced

meal and stress also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food deprivation obviously increases the Ghrelin level, hence it is better to keep the level of this hormone on an even keel and not fluctuate too much by eating regularly (or even more than 3 times a day) but at a controlled total calorie ceiling, to maintain health and body weight.

So, starving oneself is not a good way to lose weight, since this will lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in the latter part of the day.

“Satiety hormone” The opposite or counter hormone, which is called Leptin, signals the brain when to stop eating. It controls the appetite. This “satiety hormone” is produced by fat cells in the body. When a person loses weight, the leptin level in the blood stream also goes down. As a result, there is a “rebound” weight gain. The best strategy in losing and maintaining a desired weight level is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, and not more. In this manner, there will still be an effective level of leptin in the body to control the urge to eat.

Appetite suppressants: Dangerous! most appetite control pills, juices, solutions and powders on the market are not physiological and unnatural way to suppress (by force) the appetite for weight control. While they are readily available and very popular, they have potential adverse side effects on the heart, liver, kidneys and brain in the long haul. Some serious complications, and even deaths, have been reported from the use of these diet substances.

Taking potential “poison” to be healthy does not make sense.

Since greater calorie intake than PAGE B3

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018

B3

Spend Valentine’s Day on a budget

BY MONET

LU

A trip to the grocery store can be a day filled with life-changing discoveries and hard-hitting realities. And if you are like me, who trails down the grocery aisles pre-occupied with budgeting woes, you would then come face-to-face with the stark reality that “everything is expensive.”

In that regard, this piece aims to effortlessly empathize with our readers and pay tribute to my frugal roots by suggesting inexpensive ways to celebrate this annual event we call, Valentine’s Day. Just like food is essential, so is romance and so are the niceties of this day– or month–as we often refer to February as the “love month.” As the title suggests, we don’t need to spend extravagantly on this occasion. Remember, (to quote the most cliché of all greeting card messages),“It is the thought that counts.”

Like I said, a day at the grocery can be fulfilling. For those who love to cook, it is where the magic begins. Who would think that the hors’ d’oeuvres you passionately prepared for hours were just a concoction of stuff that you picked up at the clearance section of the deli and snack aisle? And yet, these were enough to stimulate endorphins and bring out the most romantic date ever. So as my first advice, forget about calling that lavish fine-diningyet-mediocre-food restaurant, and get into the hype of having a culinary mindset of “homemade-everything.”

A friend of mine is into this seemingly cultic practice of making everything from scratch and at home. She attributes it to a memorable trip to Rome that she and her husband had. This leads us to Valentine date tip number 1. Create a (meal) course that would remind you and your date of your best moments together. It doesn’t matter if it is

that first movie date where you feasted on bucket-sized nachos and downed a large soda. The important thing is—aside from not having to stand in line and wait at the snack counter—that you creatively relived a scenario that is special to the two of you. And that is romantic.

Going back to my “homemade-enthusiast” friend, she made an amazing Italian thin crust pizza and surprised her hubby with a “taste of Rome” preluded by a sweet girlish, “I-knew-how-much-you-adoretheir-pizza-so-I-made-you-one” (with some eyelash-batting, if you know what I mean). Now, isn’t that “Rome-Antic?”

Another popular, yet far less costly kind of date is the one where you don’t have go out or travel too far. Yes! Like lovebirds in a cage, they just stay at home or in a hotel room, relaxing and being lovey-dovey all day as if on vacation. Hence, the coined term, “staycation.” This increasingly hash-tagged term for dating–by not going out or all-out–is known for the variety of ways it’s being spent. Including, a Netflix marathon with no interruptions whatsoever, and when the season finale plays, right into that hauntingly final scene, lovers hold each other’s hands, and say, “I love you more than this TV series.”

This is just one of the many staycation ideas. Some would go to a nearby resort or a backyard pool, or anywhere that has no

lodging costs and/or minimal travel expenses. However worthwhile, there are still others whofind this date kind of boring and lacking in adventure but the economic benefits of “staycationing” far outweigh the adventure that dissipates when your credit card statement arrives; which would eventually lead to an argument and thus, the spirit of Valentines is lost—in a pile of bills.

So all in favor of staycation, say—WE! Creativity goes a long way and your $20 can do so much as long as you are wise in spending it.

Whether it’s a Rome-themed dinner or a relaxing “Sundate” a.k.a staycation, it is creating memories that make this day heartwarming.

In this poor economic situation, that you and I live in, it will do us well to think of ways we could stretch out that dollar. You don’t need to act so grandiose to impress your date this Valentine’s, for as the Beatles song goes, “All you need is love.” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

The Divine Mercy devotion in Kraków, Poland

by EMIL

PERITO

POPE John Paul II, a native of Poland, once said, “Pilgrimage is a joyous community experience that leads one before the Lord, to seek His face, to experience the joy of His house.”

Located in Central Europe’s Kraków, Poland is the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, a Roman Catholic basilica that brings in pilgrims from all over the world looking to visit the shrine dedicated to the Divine Mercy of Jesus, a devotion to Jesus Christ.

This impressive basilica is just one of the highlights of our Central Europe trip covering Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.

Based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska — a Polish nun who wrote nearly 600 pages of religious revelations — the Divine Mercy devotion refers to God’s love for all. Pope John Paul II authorized the devotion in the Liturgical calendar of the Catholic church, which is celebrated on the first Sunday following Easter .

The Divine Mercy Sanctuary, in which Saint Faustina rests, was built between 1999 - 2002 and was canonized on April 30, 2000. Its impressive and unique ellipsoidal architectural design holds in its main sanctuary house, relics of Saint Faustina as well as a Divine Mercy painting.

Pope John Paul II paid visit to Saint Faustina’s tomb in 1997. Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2006, unveiling a statue of Pope John Paul II and in 2016, a visit was made by Pope Francis.

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Her “American Dream” shattered when her case was denied and her two attorneys told her the only solution was to just “hide.” Mariel (left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status. Distraught and lost, especially after her first two lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-Last-Hope” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL who sought reconsideration and was able to get Mariel her elusive green card in record time. Watch Mariel’s dream come true on a encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

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Time for a makeover

output is the cause of increase in body weight, the safest, most natural, strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food). The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous.

The healthier “makeover” for our post-holiday misadventures includes daily gradual incremental reduction in the food we eat, daily physical exercises, as simple and easy as brisk walking for about 30 minutes a day, and hitting the scale daily (yes, daily) to check on any progress. This will aid you greatly in making you more religious to your overall personal health program. Drinking a lot of water (not fruit juices, and especially NOT soft drinks, which are toxic) can help a lot. Excess weight that does not come down only means a greater reduction in food intake is needed. The excess weight gained over the holidays could be safely eliminated within a week. There is really no need to buy expensive prepared “diet” foods, which are nothing but high protein-low carbohydrate, calorie-portioned, meals. Rice, bread, soft drinks, and sweets are the top culprits that cause weight gain fast and increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses. With discipline and resolve, and daily exercise, anyone can achieve the same weight

control by counting calories. You can shop for smaller sizes clothing later from the money you save with this DIY dieting strategy. For those really overweight to begin with, the same strategy (output of calories must exceed the intake) works like wonders. Simply put, more exercise and less food, until the scale tells you that you have achieved your dream weight (and body!) for the NEW YOU in the exciting new year.

***

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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Marian Rivera: ‘I want to do something...

PAGE B1 had a child, they were there to support me and they were very patient with me. When I went back to work, they gave me very good projects that fit me, now a wife and mom, and may concern talaga sila sa career ko.”

In her new contract, Marian’s first project will be a primetime series that will show her dramatic prowess once again after she was assigned hosting duties and parts in fantasy and adventure series more recently. She will have as co-star an actress who, like Marian, is admired for her beauty and her acting skills. Showbuzz is almost tempted to reveal who she is, but no—Marian will do the honor of announcing who she is when she gets the go-signal. What Showbuzz can promise is that the tandem will be a very exciting collaboration between Yan and this veteran but still very beauti-

ful actress.

Meanwhile, as Marian waits to start her TV project, she and her Triple A management are looking into the possibility of a movie as it’s been quite a while since Yan appeared on the big screen. She admits she misses it and hopes APT Entertainment will find the perfect material for her movie comeback.

Whispering a few other details to Showbuzz, Yan admitted they already have a character in mind for a movie—a role that is unlike anything she’s ever done before.

“The role is on my bucket list and it’s very challenging because I want to do something out of the box. Itong gagawin ko na ‘to, pag natuloy, maraming magtatanong kung bakit at kung paano yun nagawa ni Marian? And that’s the kind of question I’d be very excited to hear,” Yan enthused.

Now with the primetime series

and this intriguing movie project is brewing fans can continue to see Yan on “Sunday Pinasaya” and her Saturday afternoon anthology, “Tadhana.”

“I love the two shows—’Sunday Pinasaya’ allows me to be me because masaya siya at magaan, and Tadhana naman is very challenging as a production of GMA Public Affairs and an advocacy.”

Thankfully, this super woman is succeeding in balancing her time between work and her hubby and daughter, Dingdong Dantes and Zia. “Since finishing ‘Super Ma’am’ and waiting for my new projects to start, I’m back to the role that I love the most—being super mom! Dong and I decided to have a three-day Valentine’s getaway with Zia in a beach.

We’re also booked for another vacation in Europe before the end of March.”

All about Jed Madela...

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who’s sharing my time because, you know, this kind of work is not easy. You have to dedicate a lot of time to it. For me, if you want to get into a relationship, you have to give ample time to that also. “(When I look at couples) nakakainggit, of course. But it’s more of — it’s your time now, my time will also come.”

Just because his love life is non-existent, it doesn’t make

him any less qualified to deliver the most emotionally charged of love songs.

He said, “That’s one of the magic of being a performer, you get to find different emotions inside of you, not just from emotions you’re experiencing now, but probably from emotions you’ve experienced before. These emotions are just there, stored somewhere and it’s the same thing with actors, if you need to

emote or find some hugot, you’ll just search through your trunk of emotions.

“It’s easier when you really study the song, know its meaning and try to apply it in your life.

That’s why whenever I choose songs, that’s also one important factor. I won’t sing a song just because it’s popular, or it’s a hit on the radio. I will sing it because I feel the song or I can relate to it.”

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It’s a special brunch and mass for President and Mrs. Carter by

Grace O.

Rosalynn Carter is a truly unforgettable American hero who inspires everyone she meets.

Recently, she arrived in Los Angeles to be honored as one of the most accomplished and important First Ladies in United States history. She is a woman I greatly admire, and whom I met for the first time last August when I traveled from Los Angeles to Plains, Georgia with a delegation from St. Genevieve School in Panorama City.

The school’s president and principal, Dan Horn, traveled to Plains with the St. Genevieve Jazz Band and conductor Carlos Dominguez, where they celebrated Mrs. Carter’s 90th birthday with a musical performance.

At that time, St. Genevieve’s students had been working on a film about Mrs. Carter, DEAR ROSALYNN, for more than four years and were ready to premiere the film this year. When Mr. Horn invited Mrs. Carter to The Carters have brunch at the home of Rupert and Grace Ouano in La Cañada, California prior to the screening of “Dear Rosalynn” at the Rose Bowl. They are joined by La Cañada’s Mayor Michael Davitt and his wife Alison, Philippine Consul attend, to everyone’s delight, General Adelio Cruz and wife Catherine, and other distinguished guests. she immediately accepted.

President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn, who have a long-term relationship with the school, both attended the premiere event on Feb. 2 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Mr. Horn and St. Genevieve’s high school and elementary school orchestrated and hosted the Rose Bowl celebration, which was a fundraising event for St. Genevieve’s Inspiration Building.

Mrs. Carter has worked tirelessly throughout her life to make the world a better place.

From bringing mental illness out of the shadows and fighting for better mental health care, to addressing our nation’s caregiving crisis, fighting for women’s rights, and improving the lot of the world’s poorest President Carter samples the buffet.

Mrs. Carter gives brief remarks after Mass. people, Mrs. Carter has been an unstoppable force for good.

Before the Rose Bowl screening, I had the distinct honor of hosting President and Mrs. Carter at my home in La Cañada Flintridge for a First Friday Mass Devotion and brunch.

The Carters and a number of their family members and friends arrived at my home early that morning. My husband Rupert and I were part of the The Carters’ Pastor, Brandon Patterson, of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Grace Ouano welcomes Mrs. Carter before Mass.

President Carter

Rupert (far left) and Grace Ouano (far right) with the Carters.

Grandson John Chuldenko with wife Marabal and their two children (the Carters’ great grandchildren), Adeline (7) and Charlotte (3).

greeting party that also included such special guests as La Cañada’s Mayor Michael Davitt and his wife Alison, and Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz and his wife Catherine.

The main celebrant of the Mass was Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti of St. Bede’s Parish in LaCañada along with co-celebrants Father Alden Sison of St. Genevieve Church, Father Paul Wolkovits from the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Florida, and the Carters’ pastor, Brandon Patterson of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.

There to celebrate the special guests and to lead in song were cantors Carissa Dizon (who is a former St. Genevieve student) and Dino Padallan, a member of the Philippine Chamber Singers. They were accompanied by pianist Sara Shakliyan.

When the Mass ended, both Rosalynn and President Carter got up to thank the guests and say a prayer of gratitude.

The Mass was followed by a beautiful brunch catered by Heirloom LA Catering. The Carters enjoyed the food and lively conversation with guests. They particularly liked Heirloom’s signature Lasagna Cupcakes, which are so special they’re even trademarked. I also provided a variety of exotic fruits that are featured in my cookbooks and on FoodTrients.com, including rambutan, mangoes, jackfruit, tangerines, longan, and lychees. For some of my guests, it was the first time they had ever tasted some of these fruits, but I explained that each of them is delicious and loaded with health benefits.

After brunch, everyone headed to the Rose Bowl for the premiere of DEAR ROSALYNN and a lively line-up of entertainment provided by St. Genevieve’s talented students. Then, after the viewing of the documentary, we were invited to join President and Mrs. Carter for lunch at the Rose Bowl. It was indeed both an inspiring and a delicious day for all!

Grace Mercado Ouano (Grace O) is a Los Angeles business leader, philanthropist, cookbook author, and the creator of FoodTrients.com. Her column, Age Gracefully, appears regularly in the Asian Journal.

Grace Ouano with the Carters during Mass.

La Cañada’s Mayor Michael Davitt and his wife Alison with the Carters.

Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz and wife Catherine with the Carters.

Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti officiates the First Friday Mass Devotion.

Photos by Matthew Fried

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Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s documentary debuts at the Rose Bowl Stadium

“Dear Rosalynn” narrates life of Mrs. Carter, special relationship with St. Genevieve Parish Schools

by CHRISTINA M. ORIEL AJPress

Since leaving the White House, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter moved back to and continue to live in Plains, Georgia, a quaint town nearly three hours from Atlanta with less than 1,000 residents.

While their contributions to charitable and humanitarian causes globally have been well documented, what most people may not know is the place they both consider the “greatest school in the United States.”

It’s an educational institution that happens to be in Panorama City, California, with a large Filipino-American student population.

How did their relationship with St. Genevieve Parish Schools blossom? It all started with a letter some 30 years ago.

In his early 20s, Dan Horn — who is currently the president and principal of the parish’s elementary, middle, and high schools — had written to Mrs. Carter that he would like to meet and go fishing with her one day (a hobby of hers he learned about in her autobiography). After meeting for the first time, Horn and Mrs. Carter have kept in touch decades later.

Over the years, the Carters have visited the school Horn now heads and likewise, students — like those in the jazz band and musical productions — have traveled to Plains to perform for the former first couple. When students asked Horn how he met the Carters, he told them about the letter and then challenged them to learn more about this woman he considers a “living saint.”

With these performances and visits documented, as well as subsequent travels students have made since 2012 to interview and tell Mrs. Carter’s story, Horn’s grand assignment led to a final product: “Dear Rosalynn,” a documentary about the former first lady told from the lens of the students.

“It’s as much unusual as it is surreal,” Filipino-American filmmaker Sean See narrates of the St. Genevieve-Carter relationship.

He continues, “While this documentary started as some educational, informative project, it’s now become a love letter for a human being who has dedicated her life to changing the world.”

Former First Lady Rosalynn and President Carter arrive at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California on Friday, February 2, where they attended the debut of “Dear Rosalynn,” a Photos by Matthew Fried documentary by St. Genevieve School students and Fil-Am filmmaker Sean See.

The Carters meet a kindergarten student who spoke during the Rose Bowl program. (Photo by opmdesign)

See, who graduated from the school in 2012, took the lead of piecing together the footage from the past five years and finally making it into a film. He also received the assistance of his fellow students, Dominick Argana, Natasha Popowich, Kristen Rivas, Brandon Cayanan, Jayden See, and Isaiah Coronado.

“There was a point when I had nearly given up and didn’t think this film would be made,” Horn told the Asian Journal. “I had heard about one of our former students, Sean See, who graduated from San Francisco State

University and had made films in the past. I asked if he had a job lined up and when he said no, I tasked him to finish it.”

The film — which also shows archived footage about the first lady’s life and work during and post White House years — made its debut on Friday, February 2 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, which was attended by St. Genevieve parishioners, community members, and of course, the former first couple.

“When I wrote that letter 30 years ago, I really hoped and

Preschool students from St. Genevieve perform a dance before the screening of “Dear Rosalynn”

even dreamed for a response and that I would have the opportunity to meet Rosalynn Carter.

But I could tell you that I never dreamed about a day like this, when we would all be here at the Rose Bowl and I have the honor and privilege of introducing to you someone who is now, and I am proud to say, my friend,” Horn told the audience at the Rose Bowl.

The principal shared that a friend had helped him secure the iconic stadium for the showing once the film had been completed.

Mrs. Carter, who addressed the crowd, said she was “overwhelmed with emotion” as the film highlighted “so many memories.”

“What these children have said about St. Genevieve being a happy place is so true…I think that if a student ever comes to St. Genevieve…I know that before they graduate from the school… they develop a great talent,” the former first lady said, adding that she’s gotten to know the school and its students for the past 12 years since Horn has been there.

She added, “The student did a

great deal of research over the years. Now I have no secrets.”

After Mrs. Carter’s remarks, former President Carter led a prayer and thanked God for “letting [him] have Rosalynn for the last 72 years.”

See said that “at a certain point in the process of this film, I knew that the only person I was making this documentary for was you (Mrs. Carter)…

The more I studied, the more I learned about you, the more I knew just how incredible of a human being you are. I’m lucky to have crafted your story and I like to think that I know a little bit more about you now so I hope I am not wrong in assuming that you really aren’t one to stop and admire the feats that you have made.”

“It’s about what’s next? What can I do next for people? What’s the next act of kindness I can do?” he added. “For everybody else, I just hope that when you watch this movie, you will grow to admire [Mrs. Carter], at least a fraction as much as I have.”

Audience members were entertained with a series of performances — from dances to instrumental numbers by different grades — which highlighted the school’s emphasis on “character-building educational programs” in addition to traditional curriculum.

“What people saw at the Rose Bowl was just our daily reality at St. Genevieve,” Horn shared. “For the rest of their lives, the students can talk about how they performed for a living president and first lady.”

Afterward, nearly 200 individuals stayed on for the VIP luncheon, which included photos with the Carters and more performances by students.

Proceeds from the luncheon are going toward the school’s $27-million “Inspiration Building” campaign to build a parish and performing arts center. The school is $2 million away and must raise that amount before it can move forward. It hopes to break ground by winter 2018.

The performing arts center is a 35,745-square foot facility that will house the schools’ instrumental music, choir and dance program. Meanwhile, the Parish Education and Fellowship Center is a 25,717-square foot wing that will contain a Community Hall.

Horn said that those who are patrons of the arts and believe in St. Genevieve’s mission may consider supporting this campaign.

The Carters are joined at the Rose Bowl by family and friends.

St. Genevieve Parish Schools President and Principal Dan Horn (left) with the Carters during the screening of “Dear Rosalynn.”

The Carters meet St. Genevieve High School Student Body Vice President Anthony Smets and President Mele Tuifua.

Students perform using color flags.

After the documentary screening, VIP guests proceeded to the luncheon.

The school’s jazz band performed at the VIP luncheon.

Mrs. Carter delivers remarks after the screening of her documentary.

Program emcees, St. Genevieve High School Student Body Vice President Anthony Smets and President Mele Tuifua, both of whom are seniors.

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COMMUNITY Journal

Ending the long wait: Suing the gov’t when it fails to timely act MANY individuals seeking an immigration benefit in the United States encounter inexplicably long delays in receiving a final decision on a pending application or petition. Too often, individuals who find themselves experiencing such a delay are frustrated and uncertain as to what, if anything, can be done to pry loose their case and get a decision. Many simply resign themselves to waiting for the government to act. However, there are options beyond simply waiting indefinitely. One such option is to sue the government in the United States District Court (USDC) aka federal court.

Not all requests for immigration benefits in the United States are processed in the same fashion. Where interviews are required, which is happening more and more, processing takes longer. And no decision is made until all the applicant’s files are located and given to the adjudicating officer. As a result, some cases will naturally take longer than others. However, that does not mean that United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has carte blanche to take as long as it sees fit to process a request for a benefit. Ultimately, there comes a point in time when a petition or application has simply been pending too long. And while administrative means exist to follow-up a pending matter with USCIS, often such action yields little or no results. It is at this point in time when an individual should consider exercising his or her rights in federal court.

When an individual files a petition or an application for an immigration benefit, there is an expectation and a requirement that the government will timely process the submission. In effect, the government cannot simply let an application or petition languish – the government must make a decision within a reasonable period of time. USCIS posts its normal processing time on its official website. These process-

Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller ing times typically state how many months it is currently taking to process various petitions and applications at its numerous offices. When a petition or an application is pending beyond its posted processing time, it is appropriate to consider additional action, including a lawsuit in federal court.

Unreasonable delays and erroneous actions by the U.S government are nothing new. In fact, Congress passed the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946 to deal with these same problems.

This act was specially designed as a “bill of rights” for individuals who have been aggrieved by certain conduct by the government.

Specifically, the APA entitles individuals to sue the government when it unlawfully withholds action or when it unreasonably delays action. As an agency of the government, USCIS can be sued by an individual when it unlawfully withholds action, or unreasonably delays action, in rendering a decision on an individual’s pending petition or application.

In addition to suing the government under the APA, an individual can also seek to compel the government to act upon an unreasonably delayed petition or application through a lawsuit for a Writ of Mandamus. When filing a Writ of Mandamus in federal court, an individual must establish a clear and certain claim, an administrative duty which is plainly prescribed, and establish that no other administrative remedy through governmental process is available. In most instances this legal standard is met by showing the unreasonable delay by USCIS. While a Writ of Mandamus is a separate and dis-

tinct legal action from one undertaken under the APA, the result sought in both of these types of actions is identical - to compel the government to act when it has failed to do so in a reasonable period of time.

Unfortunately, too many individuals who are victims of unreasonable delays by the government are unaware of their rights or afraid to exercise them.

However, prompt action can save months or even years of unnecessary waiting. Filing a U.S. District Court action for relief under the APA or a complaint for a Writ of Mandamus are both very effective in compelling USCIS to act on an unreasonably delayed petition or application.

It is important to note that neither an action under the Administrative Procedures Act nor a Writ of Mandamus orders USCIS to make a specific decision.

The U.S. District Court Judge orders the USCIS to make a decision. That in itself is beneficial because, even if the decision is not positive, the applicant may be able to appeal it or renew it in another venue. An action seeking that the federal court Judge order USCIS to make a specific decision is called a complaint for declaratory relief.

Some delay is a normal part of the process when dealing with the federal government but inordinate delays are not. An experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney can help get your case “unstuck”. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018

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C FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BUlAon EVERY day, I meet with couples who are deeply in debt. In a lot of cases, I can feel the stress level that they are experiencing while the couple is in my office.

Emotions often run high and you can feel the tension in the air. There can be a lot of fingerpointing, resentment, anger, etc.

A lot of couples find themselves on the verge of divorce due to financial problems. Some actually separate or divorce as a result.

Debt problems can place a huge stress on any marriage because it affects the whole family, including the children. When parents are unable to provide for their kids the way they want to, they feel like they have failed.

What makes things worse sometimes is the fact that couples are not on the same page about their finances and they can’t agree on a lot of the important issues.

For example, I see a lot of cases where the debts accumulated during marriage are all in one spouse’s name and yet it is clear that both husband and wife benefited from the money borrowed.

But because all the debts are only

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divoqqqqqqrce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper proof of service of divorce petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is

Community Journal

When debt problems cause marriage problems in one spouse’s name, the other spouse doesn’t feel the financial burden as much because it is “not my debt”. How can this be?

If your wife or husband accumulated debt during your marriage and the debt provided a benefit for both of you and your family, it is YOUR debt just as much as it is his or hers.

For a marriage to survive a financial crisis, both husband and wife need to be on the same team.

That’s what a marriage should be all about- for better or for worse, isn’t it? Start out by sitting down and talking about the problem.

It is normal to be frustrated with one another if you feel that your spouse is not doing her or her share but provided that you want to keep your marriage, you need to work together and come up with a mutually-agreeable solution. Sometimes that requires some willingness to compromise as you find ways to survive your debt problems.

Sometimes there is no easy way out and if filing bankruptcy is the only solution, again, this has to be a joint decision after you’ve weighed all your options.

If bankruptcy can be avoided, you need to come up with a debt elimination strategy that is work-

able and realistic; otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for more failure and frustration.

Debt problem3s are one of the main causes of divorce in the United States. But they don’t have to destroy your marriage unless you let them. When you’re in the middle of a financial crisis, sometimes it’s hard to find anything positive about the situation.

But like most difficult challenges we face in life, we only grow when we are stretched beyond our comfort zone. So whatever debt problems you may be facing at the moment, try to find the lesson that life is trying to teach you. If you look hard enough, you will often find it.

If you need help figuring out your options to get out of debt, I’d like to help you. Call us for a free consultation at Toll-Free 1866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.

The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS

WHEN we think of leprosy in this Sunday’s Gospel, we imagine it as the Hansen’s Disease that people of the island of Molokai suffered from in the late 19th century. It’s the dreadful disease that disfigures a person’s face, shows horrible sores, melts the skin, and is highly contagious.

A person who has this illness should isolate himself or live with people has it too.

But during the biblical times, leprosy covers almost any skin scab or sore that a person has.

It refers to a group of skin disease called tzaraat characterized by scaling and peeling. So this could be any skin condition from psoriasis to eczema. It could be any skin problem that leaves scales and bacteria on furniture, making others and the home un*** clean.

None of the information herein is intended So from strict Jewish cultural to give legal advice for any specific situ- and religious views, anyone who ation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully has this disease and anyone who helped thousands of clients in getting out touches a person with this disof debt. For a free attorney evaluation of ease is impure and is not worthy your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law to associate with people, includOffices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly.

Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied.

Default judgment does not conform with the petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition.

If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often

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

reject the judgment.

Child support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court.

Pension and retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement.

QDRO was not prepared to divide pension and retirement plans Certain pension and retire-

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Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA

1. THE Tax Cut and Jobs Act reduces the maximum amount of mortgage debt to acquire a first or second residence for which you can claim itemized interest expense deductions from loans of $1 million ($500,000 for married filing separately) to $750,000 ($375,000 for married filing separately).

2. Current homeowners will not be affected by the lower loan cap.

3. The Act eliminates old law rule that allowed interest deductions on up to $100,000 of home equity loan.

4. Old law loan limits of $1 million/$500,000 continue to apply to home acquisition mortgages that were taken out under the old law rules and refinanced after this year (as long as the refinanced loan principal doesn’t exceed the old loan balance at

Not being great, but good “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touch him, and said,‘I do will it.

Be made clean.’— Mark 1:40-42

ing his or her family, and much more worship in the temple. A person with leprosy is an outcast and untouchable in the society.

You can now imagine the surprise of the man with leprosy (and the bystanders) in this Sunday’s Gospel when Jesus touched him, healed him, and made him clean again. He knew the consequence of Jesus’ touch: Jesus would scandalize others and would be considered unclean. So instead of saying, “Please Lord, I beg you touch me and heal me,” he said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” It’s like saying, “Lord, I know how people, including my family and friends, don’t want to be near me, and I know how terrible for others to see you touch me, so it’s up to you, if you wish, you can cure me. I just want to be with my family again. ” Moved with pity Jesus touched him and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

This healing incident fits well into the Gospel of Mark’s intention of presenting Jesus as one

who inaugurates God’s reign by rescuing humanity from the isolation of sin and bringing it wholeness. It shows Jesus’ solidarity with the human suffering and his desire to heal and save us all. Jesus’ ministry is a ministry of reconciliation, of bringing people back to God. It’s a ministry of welcoming back and integrating people into the church and society. It’s a ministry of care and concern for those who are rejected, isolated, and repulsed.

It’s the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom of forgiveness, healing, and transformation.

Isn’t this what evangelization is? We think of it as a big project, a huge program, a great but often insurmountable task to accomplish. But it’s not complicated as we think it is. It’s not just about proselytizing and presenting the truth of our Christian faith. It’s about being human, having those human qualities of compassion, empathy and willingness to make people part of our lives.

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What you should know about the new tax law Part 6: Homeowners

the time of refinancing).

5. This change doesn’t affect home acquisition mortgages taken out under binding contracts in effect before Dec. 16, 2017 as long as the purchase escrow closes by March 31, 2018.

6. You can still exclude up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single filers) from capital gains on the sale of your primary home (as long as you lived there for two of the past five years).

7. The new law gives us fewer reasons to itemize. We itemize to save taxes via mortgage and property taxes, but with limited mortgage deductions and doubled standard deduction, we expect less taxpayers to use itemized deductions and more to use standard deductions.

8. The ability to deduct mortgage interest has historically encouraged taxpayers to buy homes.

9. The real estate industry is concerned that the new limits could

keep people from selling their homes and squeeze the current tight supply of housing.

10. Current homeowners might hesitate to trade up to a more expensive house if the price tag is too high to take full advantage of the deduction. The Act will also exert downward pressure on prices. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies.

He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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Community Journal

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018

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“Independent contractor” classification Maximizing recovery in personal injury case can be a bad bargain for workers Legal

Q: I work as a travelling technician for a company.

Recently, my employer asked me to sign an “independent contractor” agreement and told me that I will now be receiving a 1099 instead of a W-2. Being on 1099 allows me to take home all my pay with no withholdings. But is there anything else I should know about this before I sign the contract?

A: Yes, there are several things you should know about being classified as an “independent contractor” or IC. First of all, ICs are not considered employees and do not have the same rights as employees.

Unlike employees, independent contractors do not have to be paid minimum wage, overtime, or missed breaks. They are not entitled to benefits such as health insurance, retirement or pension benefits. ICs are not entitled to reimbursements for business expenses. These expenses may include fuel, insurance, living, and other travel expenses; purchasing supplies, tools, materials, or equipment such as cell phones related to work.

Some companies pass on the costs of doing business to “independent contractors” by deducting them from workers’ pay. These deductions result in lesser wages. On the other hand, employees are entitled to reimbursements if they incur

the employer determines how the worker should do the work, Protecting then the worker is an employee Employee and not an independent contractor. & Consumer Some employers have been Rights penalized for misclassifying nurses, caregivers, drivers, apAtty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. praisers, technicians, and janitors as independent contractors even though they were in these business expenses.

It might at first sound entic- fact employees.

Evaluating whether a worker ing to receive pay that has no withholdings like taxes. How- is correctly classified as an IC ever, this does not mean that the may become highly technical. worker will not be paying taxes Workers should not hesitate to on their wages. At the end of the consult with experienced emtax year, the company will still ployment attorneys to deterissue an IRS form 1099, and the mine if they are really employworker will then have to pay the ees entitled to greater rights and protections under the law. taxes.

ICs are also not entitled to *** workers’ compensation protection. When employees are The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, injured at work, workers’ com- Jr. welcomes inquiries about this pensation benefits provide them topic. All inquiries are confidential medical treatments and disabil- and at no-cost. You can contact ity payments. If ICs are harmed the office at (818) 291-0088 or at work, they’re on their own and visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our the company that hired them are Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. not liable for any of their inju- Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced ries. trial attorney who has successfully Companies cannot arbitrarily recovered wages and other monetary classify workers as ICs. The damages for thousands of employees status of a true independent and consumers. He was named Top contractor is defined by law. Labor & Employment Attorney in Courts look at several factors to California by the Daily Journal, determine whether a worker is consistently selected as Super Lawyer an employee or an independent by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is contractor. The most important the recipient of PABA’s Community factor is the employer’s right to Champion Award for 2016.] control the worker’s manner and (Advertising Supplement) means of performing the job. If

Repo deficiency causes senior to seek Chapter 7 relief

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

THE first client is 75 years old.

Her husband passed four years ago and left her with $30,000 of credit card debt. She has been making minimum payments on their credit cards for the last 15 years as far as she can recall at the rate of $800 a month. So in one year, she pays about $10,000 of minimum payments to keep the $30,000 current. In 10 years she paid $100,000 to keep them current. In the last 15 years, she has paid $150,000 to keep her credit card masters happy.

Mastercard and Visa are very happy with her. They lent her $30,000, 15 years ago. After 15 years she paid them $150,000, and she still owes them the same $30,000! Well, of course, that a great business profit for MasterCard and Visa, right? Borrow $30,000 and pay back $150,000 in 15 years but still owe the same $30,000!

Just imagine the client was only 60 when she got her $30,000 of credit cards with her husband. Now, her husband has gone on ahead of her. Together, they have paid $150,000 on the $30,000 starting at her age of 60.

At 75, she has paid $150,000 and still owes the very same $30,000.

Nevermind that she could put the $150,000 to much better use now at 75, if she did not owe the $30,000 in the first place. Now that she is retired and receiving a social security payment of $1,300, forking over $800 a month to make these minimum payments to MasterCard and Visa means that 61 percent of her retirement income goes to minimum payments. Now that doesn’t sound good, does it? She rents a room for $500 a month, so just the credit card payments and the rent use up all of the social security of $1,300!

So get this, at 75 she has to get part-time work at Walmart to have money for food and other necessities. Without the $800 paid to credit cards, she literally would not have to work anymore. $800 a month after rent is paid is more than enough for food and

other necessities for a single person.

The client has been living this way, until two months ago, when her 2015 Lexus RX330, which she leased for $450 a month was repossessed. She thought she wouldn’t owe Toyota anything since they took the car back. But last week, Toyota sent her notice that she owed them a lease deficiency of $18,000.

This, of course, is the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back. Mastercard and Visa already take more than half her social security, forcing her to continue working at Walmart at the age of 75, but now owing an-

den you don’t want to have even if you are completely healthy and able to work. She needs $1,200 a month to keep her husband’s $40,000 of credit cards happy and current. The problem is that husband cannot work anymore because of the stroke. Husband is still ok in that he is still able to talk and not paralyzed, but I believe he is depressed because of his condition. He’s a lot younger than I am, but I feel that he’s lost the will to continue living. I feel bad for him and her.

I can help him discharge the $200,000 of medical bills and $40,000 of credit cards. That’s a no-brainer. But I wish I could do more for him healthwise. But that’s now between our Almighty Father in heaven and him. I can suggest that he reads Psalm 91 written by Moses: “Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to Him, ‘You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.’ He will keep you save from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases… God says ‘I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

I will reward them with long life; I will save them.”

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader.

There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

“We are talking about the quality of life here. Nobody wants to live like this. Her creditors own her life!” other $18,000 to Toyota for a car that she has already returned to them and can’t drive anymore, these circumstances put her financial situation into a more accurate perspective. At the age of 75, she needs a complete makeover of her finances.

Chapter 7 will wipe out the $30,000 of credit card debt, and the $18,000 owed to Toyota. She will wipe out $48,000 of debt that she totally doesn’t need to be burdened with at 75. We are talking about the quality of life here.

Nobody wants to live like this.

Her creditors own her life!

This is no way for anyone to live, no matter what age. I am sure that her beloved husband would agree that they should have filed for Chapter 7 at least 10 years ago, so that now, the client at least would have saved $100,000 in retirement funds instead of being saddled with debt.

Debtor opts for Chapter 7 relief due to health reasons The second client is still young.

She is barely 50. Her husband suffered a stroke two years ago.

His hospital bill is $200,000. Well, that obviously is one problem.

And he owes about $40,000 of credit cards. That’s another bur-

I filed my own divorce but I...

PAGE C2 t

plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided.

Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties.

Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor.

Trying to save on legal fees by

handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts

that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association.

He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses.

In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages.

The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel.

Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a

Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary Advice value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax reAtty. DArriCk tAn turns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value person must prove the amount of lost earnings. Similar supof income or earnings that he/ porting documentation must be she has lost to date. To recover presented for future lost earndamages for future earnings, a ings.

If you were suffered injury in person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she an auto accident or someone’s will be reasonably certain to lose premises, please contact our in the future as a result of the in- office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it jury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings is important to have the assisproven? Medical records, which tance of an experienced attorshow the doctor authorizing a ney in presenting your personal release from work or giving in- injury claim. structions to restrict work activi*** ties, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to pracFor those self-employed, medical tice law in California and Nevada. Mr. providers typically do not provide Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southa release from work; however, western University School of Law. He medical records should record is a member of the Consumers Attorney work restrictions placed by the Association of Los Angeles and is a formedical provider. mer member of the Board of Governors After showing that the time off of the Philipp ine American Bar Associawas justified, the next step is to tion. value the lost earnings. A letter *** from a person’s employer that LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los injury, the loss of benefits, and Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639the rate of pay during the time 0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. of loss is evidence of the value (Advertising Supplement) of one’s loss of earnings claim.

Not being great, but good...

PAGE C2 t It’s more than being a great parish, with thousands of worshippers and a dynamic youth and young adult program, and ministries to every age. It’s about being “good”—good in the sense of being kind, loving, respectful, and caring for others. It’s gracious to the people who come to our doors and seek to be understood, appreciated, and accepted.

As Pope Francis says, evangelization is a one-on-one encounter, communion, and genuine love for all people. “On the lips of the catechist,” the Holy Father says, “the first proclamation must ring out over and over again: ‘Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free

you…nothing more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation.’”

You may not be aware of the result of this genuine care and encounter with a single person.

That person who felt loved and cared for will go around and spread the good news of this experience. The story of the leper in this Sunday’s Gospel attests to this truth. He could not keep to himself his miraculous healing.

He went around publicizing what Jesus did to him.

In Mark’s Gospel, the end-result of any experience of healing, love, compassion, forgiveness is a call to discipleship, to participate in the mission of Christ. And this is what the man with leprosy showed to us. He too became a missionary disciple of Christ!

May we never lose sight of the heart of evangelization—to show them the love of Christ, to reconcile them to God, to welcome them and make them missionary disciples who can’t keep to themselves the Good News of Christ’s love and redemption! Amen. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

C4 FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Calendar of Events across

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

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

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

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

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 1 0

Free Family Wealth Workshop in San Francisco A free Family Wealth Workshop organized by the office of City and County of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu will be held at the City College Mission Campus (1125 Valencia Street, Rm. 107, San Francisco, CA) from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. There will be multilingual workshops on homeownership opportunities, college fund, family wealth and estate building. To register: http://bit.ly/2Bhwgp4.

F E B R UA RY 1 4

Free Reggae Valentine Rendezvous with Lover’s Rock at Grand Park, LA Grand Park is making Valentine’s Day easy and affordable with an ode to romance, and an evening featuring Lover’s Rock, an American Soul-influenced Reggae music subgenre on Wednesday, February 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. Angelenos looking for a relaxed Valentine’sevening under the stars will be serenaded to the sounds of DJ Danny Holloway and DJ Phersone, who will be spinning laid-back Reggae tracks throughout the evening. Couples will enjoy the park’s romantic ambience and tables for two around the fountain and throughout Olive Court, which will be illuminated with the glow of string lights. They can dine amidst the iconic views of Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park’s own Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain. To help sweeten the mood, desserts and treats will be available for purchase from various food trucks and couples can capture romantic moments with a complimentary photo booth. Grand Park by the Olive Court and Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain is located at 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Park furniture is available on a first come, first served basis.

F E B R UA RY 1 7

The Blue Eagle Circle Gathering at Loyola Marymount University Fellow Ateneans! The Blue Eagle Circle (TBEC) is inviting you to join us on Saturday, February 17, 2 p.m. PST at the Loyola Marymount University for a simple gathering with fellow Blue Eagles. The gathering will be held at 1 LMU Drive, Suite 210, Room 107, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The venue is The CAVE, below the Sacred Heart Chapel. There will be an anticipated mass at 4:30pm PST. Feel free to bring your family and friends. For more information, contact The Blue Eagle Circle at admin@blueeaglecircle.com. You may also call Benkie Natividad, TBEC President at (818) 484-0948.

F E B R UA RY 2 0

“Usapang Pagkain”: A monthly series exploring wellness with Filipino cuisine in Chicago, IL Community-based organization AFIRE (Alliance of Filipinos For Immigrants Rights & Empowerment) and food media and events group Filipino Kitchen will explore wellness and health with Filipino Cuisine in a monthly series, Usapang Pagkain. The event series is free and open to the community. Each event will highlight a Filipino dish or dishes, including recipes. During the weekday evening events, a light dinner of the highlighted dishes will be provided. Made possible with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the purpose of the series is to explore how Filipino food can best serve our community. On Tuesday, February 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., the focus is “Healthy & Happy Hearts.” The event will take place at the Hana Center (4300 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL). Schedule and venues are subject to change, please check http://afirechicago.org and http://filipino.kitchen for the most up-todate information.

F E B R UA RY 22

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, February 22 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.

F E B R UA RY 24

Filipino well-being training summit in Los Angeles

OK GINGER LEMON 1/4 V

Kataas-taasang pagsasanay para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino” — Understanding Obstacles; Charting New Paths.

This training summit aims to honor and recognize indigenous understanding of wellness and healing; reduce stigma associated with emotional and mental illness; and promote community dialogue and connectivity. It is organized by the Filipino Well Being Training Summit Committee led by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. It’ll be held on Saturday, February 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info and to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-well-being-training-summit-registration-41880032304.

NOTE: This event is free of charge to all attendees. Breakfast and lunch will be served on a limited capacity and may not be available to all attendees. Space is limited - please cancel on Eventbrite if you are unable to attend so others on the waiting list can be notified and accommodated.

City of Carson Gala Ball The City of Carson, California is marking its 50th anniversary of incorporation on Saturday, February 24 with a gala ball. It will be held at Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745) at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50 / person and $400 / table (seats 8). For more information, please call the Community Center at (310) 835-0212 or visit ci.carson.ca.us.

Free workout with Assemblymember Philip Chen in Walnut, CA The City of Carson, California is marking its 50th anniversary of incorporation on Saturday, February 24 with a gala ball. It will be held at Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745) at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50 / person and $400 / table (seats 8). For more information, please call the Community Center at (310) 835-0212 or visit ci.carson.ca.us.

MARCH 14

Philippine American Bar Association’s 32nd installation & awards gala in Los Angeles on March 14 The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) invites you to its 32nd Installation and Awards Gala on Wednesday, March 14. This year’s Gala will feature keynote speaker California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu, a menu of Filipino flavors, and special performances. During the gala, PABA also will formally unveil its new logo and website, both of which were developed by a Fil-Am-owned start-up and involve colors and designs deeply rooted in the cultural history of the Philippines. To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please visit: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/paba/giftstore.jsp.

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2018

C5

People and Events

Apply for free cash for college and you could win $1,000 The Get Schooled Foundation is giving away 5 $1,000 scholarships in 2018

Photo courtesy of cash4college.csac.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO — High school seniors across California are urged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at local Cash for College workshop prior to the March 2, 2018 Cal Grant deadline. Any senior who attends a Cash for College Workshop and completes a sixquestion exit survey will become eligible for 1 of 5 $1,000 scholarship awards; in addition to tens-of-thousands of dollars available in federal, state and campus-based financial aid.

Visit www.cash4college. ca.gov or try the Student Aid Commission’s mobile app and geo-locate your nearest Cash for College workshop at www.mobilegallery.ca.gov.

“California has over $2.2 billion in college and career training financial aid for families with income and assets up to $165,000,” said Lupita Cortez

Alcalá, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, which administers state grant financial aid programs.

“We strongly encourage high school seniors to apply. The Student Aid Commission works with its regional partners to provide free assistance for families to complete the online application.”

Too often, students and their parents believe there isn’t enough money available to pay for a college education or career training. The Student Aid Commission can help graduating high school seniors – and students who have been out of high school for less than one year -- to determine their eligibility for Cal Grants, Middle Class Scholarships, the Chafee Grant for foster youth; and, other state grant aid programs.

For more information, please contact Patti Colston at 916206-1285.

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&

Filipina nurses make great ‘green card’ caregivers

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ Several years ago, Filipina nurses had a fast track to green cards, as their priority was “current”. They could be immediately petitioned by hospitals or medical facilities for green cards and obtain work authorization even if they arrived as tourist. Those days are gone.

Now, because of the wait for a green card, hospitals are no longer willing to petition nurses.

In addition, in order to practice, they must pass visa Screen, or NCleX. I’ve come across many Filipina nurses who steadfastly want to practice nursing. I admire and respect their resolve. However, jobs are not readily available in the U.S. for nurses, because hospital facilities don’t want to wait for years for

the nurse to get a green card and pass for visa screen.

Obviously, a BSN graduate/licensed nurse in the Philippines is qualified to provide caregiving in the U.S. The pay is probably higher than what they are earning in the Philippines. In addition, the waiting time or processing time for green card as between nurse and caregiver is the SaMe - about two years. There are so many healthcare facilities in need of caregivers, which Philippine nurses would obviously qualify for.

If you have a relative in the Philippines who is a nurse, she/he may want to think about being petitioned as a caregiver, which is an equally rewarding career.

Both jobs deal with taking care of the sick, the elderly and those in need of professional medical care.

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL

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Gov’t wooing OFWs to help ‘Build, build, build’

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

THe head of the Duterte administration’s economic team wants to bring back skilled Filipino construction workers currently overseas to help in the rollout of the government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

“I was told that getting skilled workers is getting a little bit tough. I am talking about technicians, welders,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters recently.

Under “Build, build, build,” the government plans to implement 75 massive projects, about half of which are targeted for completion within President Duterte’s term.

The program will entail spend-

ing a total of P8.13 trillion on hard and modern infrastructure until 2022 to usher in “the golden age of infrastructure” after years of neglect.

For Dominguez, the lack of construction workers could be addressed if government agencies involved would partner with contractors and hold job fairs targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

To lure the OFWs back home, Dominguez said the domestic construction industry should dangle higher pay. “local companies have to understand that skilled workers are acceptable anywhere in the world, and if you want to get skilled workers you have to compete,” Dominguez said.

He added the Department of

labor and employment and the Technical education and Skills Development authority should also review their job skills programs to be able to cater to sectors with high demand, such as construction.

Data from the National economic and Development authority (Neda) showed the government’s banner infrastructure program was expected to generate an average of 1.063 million jobs annually from 2017 to 2022. last month, Neda Undersecretary rolando G. Tungpalan said the government would already break ground for 34 of the 75 flagship projects this year.

Construction would soon commence for 12 bridges crossing Pasig river, Marikina river and Manggahan Floodway.

Business Quote of the Week “You must be very patient, very persistent. The world isn’t going to shower gold coins on you just because you have a good idea. You’re going to have to work like crazy to bring that idea to the attention of people. They’re not going to buy it unless they know about it.” – Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines

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Report: Wealth gap in PH widens from 2012-2014

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — Income inequality in the Philippines grew over the two years to 2014, according to a new report from Oxfam International.

According to Oxfam, the Philippines’ Gini coefficient—a standard measure of income inequality from 0 to 1, with 0 representing total income equality—rose near 0.60 level in 2014 after settling above 0.40 in 2012.

Oxfam said it employed an adjusted way of computing Gini coefficients that was developed

by Washington-based nonprofit public policy organization Brookings Institution, making estimates of inequality rise “dramatically” for many countries compared to traditional surveys.

According to an analysis by Brookings, Gini coefficients are usually derived from household surveys, which do not often capture top incomes due to sampling error, and richer households’ tendency to refuse to participate in surveys.

In order to “treat” the problem, Brookings used national accounts—which record economic activities in a systematic and internationally agreed manner—as a “proxy” for missing top incomes to provide a “better” understanding of the incomes of top 1 percent.

“In other words, our methodology corrects for the exclusion

PAL president Jaime Bautista receives the 4-star rating award from Skytrax.

PAL bags 4-star Skytrax rating

by DorIs Around the world, many countries fail to implement and enforce their wage policies, depriving workers of their legal entitlements and further reducing take-home pay, Oxfam said.

Philstar.com photo

of income from missing rich households but not for the unreported income from households included in the survey,” Brookings said.

Wage policies Around the world, many countries fail to implement and enforce their wage policies, depriving workers of their legal entitlements and further reducing take-home pay, Oxfam said.

For example, in countries like India and the Philippines, at least one in every two workers in the garment sector are paid below the minimum wage, Oxfam noted in its report.

The Philippines is also among the countries that have doubledigit “non-compliance rates” with minimum wage in the garment sector by gender.

Despite these setbacks Oxfam said the Philippines has passed new laws or regulations improving domestic workers’ labor and social rights since the Southeast Asian country adopted the International Labor Organization Convention.

Last year, Credit Suisse reported that Filipinos’ total wealth declined in 2017 as income inequality in the country increased.

Vista Land aims for 60 malls by 2020

by DorIs

Dumlao-abaDIlla Inquirer.net

VILLAr group-led property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. plans to scale up its local shopping mall footprint to 60 locations – almost as many as where market leader SM Prime operates at present – by the end of 2020.

This target will nearly triple Vista Land’s shopping malls from

Vista Mall Daang Hari

Inquirer.net photo

22 at present.

“We remain bullish with the expansion plans of our leasing business through our subsidiary, Starmalls Inc., to add 38 more malls in the next three years,” Vista Land chair Manuel Villar Jr. said in a press statement on Thursday, February 8.

“We remain optimistic for the industry, given the strong demand for our commercial spaces and

Inquirer.net photo

housing products, propelled by the stable growth in the disposable income, OF (overseas Filipino) remittances and sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” he added.

Consolidated capital expenditure budget for 2018 is set at P50 billion, a significant portion of which is allotted to the construction of malls to hit 1.4 million in gross floor area (GFA) by end of this year, revised from the previous target of 1.3 million.

“Our company is poised to have another banner year for 2018 as our additional leasable spaces are now contributing significantly to our current financial results in addition to the sustained doubledigit growth in our residential business. We are looking at a double digit 10-15 percent consolidated net income growth this year,” Vista Land president and PAGE D5

Dumlao-abaDIlla Inquirer.net

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has graduated to four-star from three-star airline quality, according to global aviation industry rating firm Skytrax, citing improvements in the airline’s in-flight services and ground operations in the last two years.

This four-star airline rating was described by Skytrax as a mark of “quality distinction that recognizes excellent standards of product and staff service across different assessment categories for both the onboard and airport environment.”

In a statement posted on the aviation rating firm’s website, Skytrax chief executive officer Edward Plaisted said: “This recognizes the great improvements that the airline has introduced over the last two years, both in terms of product change and development and enhancement of the front-line staff service.

New and retrofitted aircraft have played an important part in the quality improvement process, and this looks set to develop further when Philippine Airlines introduce the A350 into their fleet. We look for consistency of quality in the 4-star rating, and we now entrust Philippine Airlines to ensure this is duly delivered to customers.”

“This is a big win for the Philippines,” said PAL chair and chief executive officer Lucio Tan. “We are elated by this recognition which is a victory for the more than seven thousand members of the Philippine Airlines family.

Our achievement is the country’s achievement and we share this with all Filipinos around the globe.”

“Our get-that-star journey began in 2016. Our efforts over the

last two years have borne fruit,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista.

“Since 2016, we have embarked on a journey of rolling out inflight and on-ground innovations, opened new routes, increased connectivity across PAL’s route network, added new aircraft to our fleet and importantly, invested in the Buong Pusong Alaga (whole-hearted) training of all our cabin crew, ground crew and service providers domestically and internationally in order to enhance the passenger travel experience and earn a higher Skytrax rating,” Bautista added.

With the four-star rating now certified, PAL aims to intensify efforts to unveil new products and expand routes, including the launch of non-stop services to New York and Brisbane as well as flights to India and additional routes to Japan and China within 2018.

As early as 2020, PAL aims to attain the five-star Skytrax rating, putting it at par with the likes of Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Asiana Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, EVA Air and Etihad Airways.

“By offering the public a globally competitive airline service, we are empowered to attract more tourists to visit the Philippines, experience our country’s beauty and our people’s warmth, and to generate more economic activity for the Philippines,” said Bautista.

Skytrax completed the quality audit evaluation of Philippine Airlines in December 2017, examining in detail all product and service delivery areas across the customer trip experience.

Since 2016, PAL finalized fleet orders of Airbus A350s,

A321s, Boeing 777s and Bombardier Q400 next generation planes bringing the fleet count to 88 aircraft, the largest fleet in the Philippines. It also: developed new domestic hubs (Clark, Cebu, Davao); introduced new international routes, launched direct non-stop services between Manila and Auckland and Manila and Toronto in addition to existing direct flights to London, San Francisco, and, Los Angeles; improved on-time performance while maximizing fleet productivity; and, strengthened its passenger care.

Eight of the airline’s 15 Airbus A330s have undergone a total cabin transformation from a single economy to a tri-class cabin to make it more comfortable on all classes. The latest Boeing 777s and the incoming Airbus A350s are expected to further upgrade the PAL fleet for the airline’s long-haul international routes.

On in-flight entertainment, PAL rolled out its myPAL eSuite personal TV service that gives passengers access to a wide selection of movies, music and TV shows via touch screen monitors in all classes of many PAL aircraft, while myPAL Player provides in-flight entertainment using passengers’ owned device. myPAL Wi-fi access allows passengers to surf, browse and stay connected.

To improve on-ground service at airports, PAL renovated the inter-terminal transit lounge at the NAIA Terminal 2, improved its business class check-in product, introduced a more efficient boarding procedure and put up airport terminal signage for passenger convenience. By the second quarter of 2018, it will open a new, bigger and more sophisticated Mabuhay Lounge.

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Philippines eyes Alibaba’s financial technology for OFWs

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine government might tap Alibaba group’s financial technology solutions to help lower remittance costs for overseas Filipino workers through mobile payment technology.

According to the Department of Finance, Ant Financial Group, a unit of Alibaba owned by Chinese tech magnate Jack Ma, is keen in helping the Philippines bring inclusive financial services to OFWs. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Overseas Filipinos Bank based in Manila could be the launching pad for a low-cost mobile payment system.

“There are over 10 million Filipinos working abroad, Ant Financial’s technology is helpful for them. The technology can help them manage their cash, their earnings wisely,” Dominguez said.

A delegation of finance and central bank officials from the Philippines met the Alibaba Group founder in Hangzhou, China on February 1 to discuss digital in-

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Overseas Filipinos Bank based in Manila could be the launching pad for a low-cost mobile payment system. In photo are Pres. Rodrigo Duterte with Alibaba’s Jack Ma. Malacañang photo

novations that can help empower micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

Eric Jing, the CEO of the Ant Financial Services Group, said his company would be more than willing to partner with the Philippines.

“We are excited to partner with you. Together we can launch a variety of services for the OFWs,” said Jing.

Ma visited the country last Oc-

tober 25, where he met President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang to talk about bringing in platforms to boost the Philippines’ mobile technology, internet banking and e-commerce industry.

Globe Capital Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc., is set to roll out a bigger financial technology business in 2018 after closing the deal with Ma’s Ant Financial Services Group.

PH banks laud bill on ATM hacking by lawrence

agcaoIlI Philstar.com

MANILA — Philippine banks hailed the passage of a bill classifying the hacking of a bank’s computer system and automated teller machine (ATM) cards as economic sabotage punishable by life imprisonment.

The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) on Thursday, February 8, commended the unanimous act of the House of Representatives to pass House Bill 6710 or “An Act Amending R.A. 8484 Otherwise Known as the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998” on third and final reading without a single objection.

The Lower House, through Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the committee on banks and financial intermediaries, recognized the gravity and the profound economic impact of financial fraud and crimes committed through the use of electronic devices and technical gadgets.

In addition to the direct loss from financial and trade transactions, the rising number of complaints of system breach erodes public trusts on finance and banking institutions, the BAP said.

Declaring the commission of such crimes as heinous and a form of economic sabotage and raising the punishment to the maximum allowable by law are expected to deter criminals from further committing such acts, it said.

“This bold move will help in ensuring the safety, security and stability of the Philippine financial system. The stiffer penalties are

The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) on Thursday, February 8, commended the unanimous act of the House of Representatives to pass House Bill 6710 or “An Act Amending R.A. 8484 Otherwise Known as the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998” on third and final reading without a single objection.

Philstar.com photo

preventive measures against foreign crime syndicates who simply post bail if caught, then immediately leave the country limiting the reach of our local law enforcement agencies,” the BAP said.

Last Monday, the lower house approved on third and final reading a bill classifying the hacking of a bank’s computer system and of ATM cards as economic sabotage punishable by life imprisonment.

Citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Evardone said losses from ATM fraud “have surged alarmingly from P175 million in 2012 to more than P600 million in 2016 – a 250 percent increase in just four years.”

He said aside from protecting bank depositors and ATM and credit cardholders, the bill would “increase security for OFW remittances totaling $33 billion each

year, as well as the growing ecommerce/online shopping sector which accounted for P60 billion in revenues last year.”

He added there are 76 million debit and prepaid cards currently in circulation, in addition to 8.5 million credit cards.

“The road ahead is long as this bill will still require the ratification of the Senate and finally the bicameral conference committee which we hope can be successfully concluded. In the implementation of the law, a concerted effort of all law enforcement agencies, financial regulatory agencies, affected stakeholders and the community at large, is necessary,” the BAP said.

Aside from life imprisonment, the offenses would be fined an amount ranging from P1 million to P5 million.

Selection of 3rd telco player may be extended to April by louella

D. DesIDerIo Philstar.com

MANILA — The selection of a third telco player may go beyond the end of March deadline, possibly by the middle of April, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“It would be extended to make up for non-working days in February and March,” DICT officerin-charge Eliseo Rio Jr. said in a telephone interview.

“Most likely, early April,” he said.

Feb. 16 is a non-working day due to the Chinese New Year.

There are also non-working days in March particularly, March 29, or Maundy Thursday, and March 30, or Good Friday.

“President Duterte would like the deadline to be end of March.

But how can we have a bidding if last week of March is Holy Week?

The holidays may cause the extension in April,” Rio said.

He said the government would announce the exact date for the deadline of submission of bids in due time.

Duterte earlier said the third telco player must enter the market and compete with existing players by the end of the first quarter.

Based on the timeline for the entry of a new major player, the government would be accepting bidding documents from participants on March 27, and by April 2, the new telco player should be entering the market.

The DICT has earlier asked the President to extend the March deadline for the submission of bids for the selection of a third telco player up to May, amid concerns raised by stakeholders on the schedule seen as too tight.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday the request was rejected.

“So we stick it out with the original timeframe of a third telecoms player by March of this year,” Roque said.

Rio said three groups led by the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp., NOW Corp. and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. are expected to take part in the selection process.

According to guidelines from the DICT for the selection of the new telco player, the group with the highest committed investment for the first five years will be chosen and given frequencies to compete with existing players.

Rio said the third telco player would need to invest at least $3 billion to $4 billion in the next five years.

The final memorandum circular for the terms of reference for the assignment of new frequencies to the new telco player is expected to be released by Feb. 19.

Filipinos prefer house and lot, but condo inquiries up MANILA — Online marketplace for properties Lamudi Philippines revealed that most Filipinos are looking for house and lot properties, but inquiries on residential condominiums are increasing.

In a press briefing Thursday, Lamudi Philippines Chief Executive Officer Bhavna Suresh said 59 percent of its property searches in 2017 were house and lots.

Almost half of house and lot searches were looking for properties with a value of PHP5 million and below; 35 percent were looking for house and lot priced up to PHP20 million; 13 percent were searching for properties amounting to up to PHP150 million; and 4 percent were searching for house and lots with a value of more than PHP150 million.

However, Suresh noted that the share on searches for house and lots declined from the past years, which was about 70 percent.

She said searches for other types of property were rising,

particularly for condominiums, accounting for 14 percent of searches in Lamudi last year.

About 12 percent of searches in Lamudi were raw land or lots, while apartments shared 11 percent to the total searches in 2017.

Suresh said 15 million users who visited Lamudi’s website last year spent 2.7 million hours searching for properties online.

She added that Lamudi had seen a large increase in the number of visits to its platform in 2017, which signalled a rise in Filipinos’ acceptance of property technology or PropTech.

Last year, Lamudi Philippines had a total of 100,000 active listings from residential condominiums, house and lots, apartments, commercial spaces, raw lots, and foreclosed properties across the country.

A total of 1.1 billion sq. meters of property spaces were listed on Lamudi’s platform in 2017.

In terms of sources of proper-

ties, majority or about 18 percent of supplies were in Quezon City, followed by Makati City with 12 percent.

Other top supplies of property listings in Lamudi include Parañaque, Pasig, Taguig, and Manila.

In terms of demand, a big chunk still came from Quezon City and Makati City, with 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Suresh added that Lamudi also noticed a hike in searches outside Metro Manila, such as the cities of Davao and Cebu.

There were emerging cities in the provinces, among them Iloilo, Bacolod, General Santos, and Cagayan de Oro, where property searches online were picking up, according to the chief of Lamudi Philippines.

“We see more demand for both residential and commercial properties in the next several years as the economy grows further,” Suresh said. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)

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EU GSP+ helps uplift lives of PH’s poorest sectors MANILA — Philippine exports to the European Union (EU) under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) have been increasing since the country’s acceptance into the preferential tariff scheme in December 2014.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen welcomed this development, noting that the GSP+ also helped the government improve the lives of the country’s poorest sectors.

“The objective with the GSP+ is two-fold: to promote trade and promote the economic sustainability for a number of sectors,” Jessen said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

“And the other aspect is much of the 27 international conventions,” he added.

Data from the EU Delegation to the Philippines showed that the estimated annual growth of Philippine exports to the 28-member trading bloc under the GSP+ was at 21 percent in 2017.

Exports revenue breached the 2billion euro mark last year, amounting to 2.1 billion euros (PHP120 billion).

In 2014, Philippine exports under the EU GSP+ were at 1.22 billion euros. They grew to 1.58 billion euros in 2015, and to 1.66 billion euros in 2016.

Helping the poorest sectors Walter van Hattum, head of economic and trade section of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, noted that about PHP60 billion of the country’s exports to the EU under the GSP+ were agricultural and food products from one of the sectors in the country where there is a prevalence of poverty.

Most of these products were sourced from Mindanao, wherein poverty is also high.

In 2015, 34.3 percent of the poor were farmers and another 34 percent were fishermen, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In the same year, 14 out of 30 poorest provinces in the country were in Mindanao.

Jessen said the EU continues to work with the Philippine government, local business chamber and export-related organizations to promote the awareness on GSP+ throughout the country in an effort

EU Delegation to the Philippines Head of Economic and Trade Section Walter van Hattum and EU Ambassador Franz Jessen during a meeting.

PNA photo

to maximize the utilization of the trade benefits.

Under the EU GSP+ scheme, 6,274 goods from the Philippines enter the EU market at zero duty.

This eliminated import duties for 66 percent of tariff lines.

“I like the GSP+ because it’s sustaining the livelihood of the poor segment of the society. I see it very much hand in hand with the government’s pro-poor agenda,” said the envoy.

Demand for Philippine coffee Jessen said major European coffee companies are interested now in Philippine coffee, which is included in the list of duty-free products under the EU GSP+.

“We can enhance cooperation in that sector,” Jessen said.

“That’s diversifying your exports. And the partnership with new investors, we can bring in new technologies in the coffee industry,” van Hattum echoed.

Increasing trade PSA data showed Friday that Philippine exports to the EU in 2017 rose 32.8 percent to USD9.26 billion from USD6.97 billion the previous year.

This made the EU as the second top destination for Philippine exports last year from being the fourth export destination for Philippines goods in 2016.

The Philippines enjoyed higher trade surplus with the EU in 2017, reaching USD2.17 billion from USD227.74 million in the previous year.

Adhering to 27 int’l conventions For the Philippines to sustain its GSP+ status, the EU ambassador stressed the country should

adhere to the 27 international conventions.

Jessen said the EU is closely cooperating with the Philippine government to make sure that the international conventions that the country has signed up to are “being implemented and taken forward in a constructive manner”.

He clarified that it is not only the human rights issues that the EU is looking at, but the bloc also assesses the country’s adherence on conventions on labor rights, environment, and good governance.

“We’re not here to criticize the Philippines,” the envoy stressed.

“What we do is we work hand in hand with the Philippine government and also with the sectors in the society where we think they needed the assistance, be it in the form of trade preferences or be in form of development assistance,” Jessen said.

“Our view is that less corruption we have in a country, there’s bigger opportunity for economic development. The stronger protection you have for the rights, the better for development,” he added.

Jessen said the EU Parliament will be meeting on Feb. 20 when it is set to discuss the monitoring of key issues in the Philippines.

“We have ongoing dialogue with the (Philippine) government to make sure that we have correct understanding of the situation in the country. Because it’s not only how we see things in the surface but how the reality is, so we need to have a dialogue with the government to make sure we get the whole picture,” the envoy said. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)

MOST ADVANCED IN MINDANAO. Megaworld Senior Vice President Jericho Go points to reporters the company’s first office development in Davao City, the Davao Finance Center, on the 11-hectare Davao Park District township. The tower boasts of having the most technologically advanced features in Mindanao. It is also the only floor-to-ceiling glass-clad tower in Davao City.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Pernia: PH to remain among Asia’s fastest-growing economies in 2018 DAVAO CITY—The Philippines can be expected to remain one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies this year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said on Friday, February 9.

“The Philippines is expected to remain one of the fastest growing

economies of Asia, over the next couple of years, at least,” Pernia told business leaders at The Manila Times 7th Business Forum here at the Marco Polo Hotel.

“In 2018, Philippine GDP growth could be the second fastest, next only to India,” he added.

Full-year 2017 growth last year came in at 6.7 percent, slower than the 6.9 percent expansion recorded in 2016.

The government has set a 7 percent to 8 percent official gross domestic product growth target this year. (Catherine S. Valente/ ManilaTimes.net)

Global equities rout have little impact on PH ‘18 financing program

small share on the program.

The Duterte administration targets to issue about USD200 million worth of three- or five-year Panda bond, a maiden issuance for the country, as part of its investment diversification bid.

With the government’s foreign borrowing almost completed, De Leon said the current administration’s program would be adequately financed.

“We have a very strong cash buffer. That’s something that we have also because of our preparations in the early days when we see that rate environments are still appropriate for us to raise enough for this year,” she noted.

De Leon further said that aside from the “very liquid” domestic capital market, which the government planned to tap for the bulk of its financing needs, the administration’s revenue collection continued to improve. “All told, I think, we still, we’re in the safe harbor as far as 2018. But of course, we continue to monitor the market,” she added.

(Joann Villanueva/PNA)

MANILA— Worries on inflation and its impact on the interest rates, among others, are causing the selloff in equities around the globe, including the Philippines.

After the end of trading on Monday, February 5, the Dow Jones shed 4.6 percent after posting its record-high of 26,616.7 points last January 26.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) has been also on seesaw after posting record-highs, with the latest historic level of 9,058.62 last January 29.

A day after registering its highest level so far, the Philippines’ main equities index fell to 8,910.48 points and continued to skid for two more days.

It only took a breather last February 2 before decelerating again and ending Tuesday this week with a 0.76 percent, or 65.58 points, drop to 8,550.42 points. presence in about 133 cities and combining lifestyle retail, prime These volatilities, however, PAGE D2 municipalities across 46 prov- office space, university town, would not have a big impact on chief executive officer Manuel inces and intends to focus on the healthcare, themed residential the Philippine government’s bordevelopment of “communicities” developments and leisure com- rowing program for 2018, National Paolo Villar said.

Vista Land has established its or integrated urban development ponents.

Treasurer Rosalia De Leon told jour-

nalists on Tuesday, February 6.

Economic managers have set the external borrowings this year to account for 26 percent of total financing program, slightly higher than the 20 percent earlier target, in line with the plan to take advantage of opportunities before the Federal Reserve implement more rate hikes.

Last January, the government sold USD2 billion worth of 10-year United States (US) dollar-denominated global bond.

De Leon said tapping the offshore market last January, even with volatilities already high, was “a very good move” for the Philippine government since demand for the Republic of the Philippines (ROP) bond remained high.

She said the government was almost done with its foreign borrowings this year since the remaining foreign fund inflows that would be coming from the official development assistance (ODA) loans from multilaterals and the planned issuance of renminbi-denominated Panda bond in China only had a

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