011019 - Northern California Edition

Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Volume 19 - No. 2 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway...and Online!

J A N U A RY 1 0 - 1 6 , 2 0 2 0

1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Newsom signs new laws addressing housing, health care, gun safety ON Wednesday, January 1 California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law hundreds of bills that address a bevy of progressive policies that range from renter protection laws to an individual mandate law that requires all Californians to have health insurance.

In total, 1,200 laws were signed on the first day of 2020, but some will take effect later this year. As a mouthpiece for liberal ideals, Newsom’s approval affirms the Democratic majority of the California Legislature and the state’s electorate at large.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, California is now officially the first state to expand Medicaid coverage to any low-income persons between the ages of 19 to 25 regardless of immigration status.

u PAGE A2

Third US senator says Duterte ‘sorely mistaken’ for imposing travel ban to PH A THIRD American senator has been subjected to a travel ban to the Philippines for his reported support of denying Philippine government officials entry into the U.S. if they were involved in Senator Leila De Lima’s arrest and detention.

Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey on Thursday, January 2 said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration had confirmed he was barred due to his denouncements on the human rights situation in the country.

Despite this, Markey in a statement said he won’t be silenced by the Philippine govern-

u PAGE A2

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

PH economy to outperform global peers in next 2 years its gross domestic product (GDP) by 6.4% and further to 6.5% next year, beating the projected average growth of Asian emerging markets of THE Philippine economy is likely to outperform 5.1% this year and 5.3% next year.

“We anticipate a growth re-accelerating path its regional and global peers in the next two years on the back of resilient private consumption, mon- for the next two years, in contrast with the global etary policy easing and strong rebound in capital downturn that we have seen in other parts of the inflow, investment experts from British banking gi- globe,” Fan Cheuk Wan, HSBC Private Banking chief market strategist for Asia, said in a press ant HSBC said.

This year, HSBC expects the Philippines to grow briefing on Tuesday, January 7.

by DORIS

DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net

For full-year 2019, HSBC expected an average GDP growth of 5.8% for the Philippines.

HSBC sees investment growth in the country to rebound to 10.7% this 2020 from only 2.3% last year, when the delay in the legislation of the national budget constrained public spending.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is also among the 10 Asian monetary institutions that will likely continue its bias for monetary easing this year.

u PAGE A2

Following release of drug war report, Duterte calls Robredo a ‘colossal blunder’

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, January 7 dismissed Vice President Leni Robredo’s published report that called the administration’s three-year war against illegal drugs a “massive failure.”

This comes after the vice president on Monday, January 6 released her longawaited report on the situation of the antidrug campaign based on her 18-day stint as the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs co-chair.

“For all of these years she has done nothing. She is a colossal blunder. Colossal blunder,” Duterte told reporters at Malacañang, urging Robredo to look at her “record” for the past three years in office.

u PAGE A5

SECURITY MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Command Conference at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, January 7. During the meeting Duterte said that the priority of the government is to evacuate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Iran, Iraq and other neighboring countries if a regional conflict becomes imminent, the President said.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Marcos asks PET to review poll protest results anew PH orders Filipinos in 3 Middle East countries to leave amid US-Iran tensions

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine government is ordering thousands of Filipino workers to evacuate Iraq, Iran and Lebanon as the situation between the United States and Iran continues to escalate.

The alert level in Iraq has been raised to the highest level, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which directs Filipino overseas workers to leave the country due to heightened security risks.

“As a result of the government’s coordination meetings on the situation in the Middle East in the past few days, the

Alert Level in the entire Iraq has been raised to Alert Level 4 calling for mandatory evacuation,” said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ed Meñez on Wednesday, January 8.

Alert Level 4 is issued “when there is large-scale internal conflict or full-blown external attack,” according to the DFA. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello added that Filipinos should also move out of Iran and Lebanon, as the government has banned the deployment of more workers to those countries.

There are 1,190 documented and 450 undocumented Filipino workers in Iraq, more than 30,000 in Lebanon, and less than

1,200 in Iran, according to DFA data. (However, there have been some conflicting reports as to how many Filipinos are working in Iraq as other government officials have cited up to 4,204 Filipinos.)

The department also released an advisory on its website urging Filipino communities in Saudi Arabia to be vigilant against potential security threats, observe security measures and protocols established by the Saudi government, and abide by the laws, rules, and regulations of the country.

Overall, there are around 2.3 million Filipinos working in

u PAGE A2

Palace says De Lima should be on US ban list

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

OPPOSITION Senator Leila De Lima should be included in the list of individuals to be banned from the United States, Malacañang argued.

“She (De Lima) should put herself on the top list plus (former senator and administration critic Antonio) Trillanes (IV) and

others who have been peddling lies to the outside world,” said presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, according to a report by the Philippine Star.

This statement came after Fhillip Sawali, De Lima’s chief of staff, revealed that the detained senator is making up a “comprehensive” list of officials and private individuals responsible for her “wrongful” detention in

2017. Persons included may be barred from entering the U.S. should the amendment in the 2020 budget signed in December

by U.S. President Donald Trump be implemented.

The provision in the U.S. budget stated that that the U.S. Secretary of State “shall apply subsection (c) to foreign government officials about whom the sec-

u PAGE A5

FORMER Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to reexamine the initial vote recount results in the electoral protest he filed against Vice President Leni Robredo.

In a 809-page memorandum filed before the tribunal on December 19, 2019 and released to reporters on Tuesday, January 7, Marcos asked the PET “to reconsider, review and re-examine the preliminary appreciation in the pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental.”

In October, the PET announced Robredo widened her lead over Marcos in the recount of votes in the three pilot provinces, showing Robredo with 1,510,178 votes now compared to her 1,493,517 votes in the chosen areas previously.

With the additional 15,093 votes from the recount, Robredo maintained her lead over Marcos with 278,566 votes.

The defeated vice presidential bet asked the PET to “proceed with the Third Cause of Action notwithstanding the pendency of the resolution on the Second Cause of Action,” as well as to order handwriting experts from the Commission on Elections

(Comelec) to conduct a technical examination of the voters’ signatures appearing on the Election Day Computerized Voter’s List (EDCVL), according to a report by the Philippine Star.

In addition, he asked the tribunal to “conduct another preliminary conference for the Third Cause of Action and thereafter to proceed with the presentation of evidence.”

Marcos, in his second cause of action, is asking the PET to recount the votes in 36,465 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces in the country, while in his third cause of action he is seeking to nullify the votes of three Mindanao provinces.

The third cause of action is separate and distinct from the Second Cause of Action, which means the dismissal of one cause

of action “shall not affect the others,” according to Marcos.

“On the contrary, since the Third Cause of Action for the annulment of the election results is a separate, distinct and independent cause of action, the same can and must proceed independently of the result from the recount, revision and re-appreciation of ballots,” his camp said.

Meanwhile, Robredo filed her own memorandum asking the PET to dismiss the election protest filed by Marcos after failing to present any substantial recovery in the three pilot provinces.

“With the failure of protestant Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to show any substantial recovery in his pilot provinces, the election protest should be immediately dismissed,” Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalintal said. ■

A2

JANUARY 10-16, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

PH economy to outperform global...

PAGE A1 t Fan said the BSP would likely cut its overnight borrowing rate twice this year—once in the first quarter and again in the second quarter—to bring the benchmark rate to 3.5% by the end of the year.

Fan added that the BSP would likely slash the reserve requirement ratio on banks by 200 basis points each year this 2020 and 2021, bringing it down to 10% by end-2021.

“It will improve liquidity conditions in the financial system and drive investment growth recov-

ery,” she said.

Inflation, on the other hand, is projected to pick up pace to 2.9% this year, but still within the 2 to 4% target range of the BSP. With the government likely to boost spending to support its growth agenda, HSBC forecasts the government deficit to widen to 3.2% of GDP in 2020 and 2021 versus 2.4% last year.

With both the fiscal deficit and current account deficit likely widening this year, Fan said the peso might see a “mild weakening” to 53 against the dollar by yearend

from around 51:$1 at present.

Meanwhile, HSBC maintained a “neutral” view on the Philippine stock market, similar to its view on most equity markets in the region.

“We stick with our neutral position because Philippines stocks continue to stay at the high end of the valuation spectrum across Asia, so valuation premium would cap the scope for Philippine stocks to outperform from the regional benchmark because the market is already been priced at a premium,” Fan said. ■

Newsom signs new laws addressing housing...

PAGE A1 t Previously, only undocumented minors could apply for Medi-Cal, but Newsom’s approval of SB 104 expands that to anyone un der the age of 25. To qualify, applicants must earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level — $17,200 a year for an individual or $35,500 for a family of four.

California will also now require all residents to have health insurance with the new “individual mandate” inspired by the one under the federal Affordable Care Act that was eliminated last year.

Similar to the Affordable Care Act mandate, there will be a penalty to those who fail to enroll in a healthcare plan starting in April 2021.

In an effort to quell ballooning rents and to combat the increasing rate of homelessness, California became the second state to place a statewide rent cap when a new law that says that landlords cannot raise rents to more than 5% came into effect on Wednesday.

The law also bans landlords from arbitrarily evicting renters; or, in other words, landlords would be prohibited from evicting people in order to raise the rent for new tenants.

Newsom signed the bill in October in an event in Oakland, a city that has reported a 43% increase in homelessness over the past two years. The law does not apply to housing built within

Martin & Morgan Realtors with a strong background in architecture.

• Free consultation • Renovate before selling with Seller Concierge • Buy now, sell later with Bridge Loan Martin Santiago English | Tagalog

Morgan Kwong Mandarin | Cantonese

teammsquare.com

415.850.7704

925.212.8500

988 Howard Avenue, Burlingame, CA 94010

DRE 01930626

DRE 01897691

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for WbTdoaBsWdbB_ ltoldpOp db_| BbM Wp KdalW_OM Toda pdtoKOp MOOaOM oO_WBJ_O Jts VBp bds JOOb yOoW OMà Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

the last 15 years or single-family homes not owned by corporations or trusts.

Additionally, another law prohibits landlords from discriminating against renters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to partially pay for their rent.

Newsom, a vocal proponent of firearm safety laws, signed multiple gun control bills as an effort to reduce gun violence. In a new “red flag” law, teachers, school administrators, and employers could now ask courts to seize guns from people who pose a danger to themselves or the public.

The law passed the state Legislature in early September as a response to the recent mass shootings and acts as an expansion of California’s restraining order law that previously only allowed family members and law enforcement to ask the courts for firearm seizure.

Additionally, people banned from possessing or purchasing a gun in another state will no longer be allowed to possess or purchase one in California, and only Californians aged 21 and older will be allowed to purchase semiautomatic rifles.

As the national reckoning of the #MeToo movement continues to unfold, California has now suspended the statute of limitations for three years, allowing survivors of sexual abuse the chance to pursue prosecution against their alleged abusers. The law also expands the statute of limitations for childhood victims, meaning that victims will have until the age of 40 (or five years from the time that the abuse was made known) to file civil lawsuits.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) ■

Train for a Career of Value!

AVIATION INSTITUTE MANTENNACE 1/4 VFC

AviationMaintenance.edu

420 Whitney Place, Fremont, CA 94539

(510) 553-9600

FAA Approved A&P School. Accredited School, ACCSC. Some scenes may depict career opportunities. AIM Chesapeake and Manassas campuses are Certified to Operate by SCHEV. AIM Las Vegas campus is licensed to operate by the Commission on Postsecondary Education. AIM Indianapolis is regulated by Office for Career and Technical Schools 10 N Senate Avenue, Suite SE 308 Indianapolis IN 46204 OCTS@dwd.in.gov 317-234-8338 or 317-232-1732 http://www.in.gov/dwd/2731.htm. Not all programs available at all locations. For consumer information, please visit www.aviationmaintenance.edu ADV1019

ASIAN FOOTBALL QUALIFIERS. Members of Ceres-Negros Football Club talk about their upcoming campaign in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League qualifiers during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Malate, Manila on Tuesday, January 7. In photo (from left) are Arnie Pasinabo, Joshua Grommen, Bienve Maranon, Risto Vidakovic (coach), Stephan Schrock, Hikaru Minegishi and Mark Martmann.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

PH orders Filipinos in 3 Middle East...

PAGE A1 various jobs, such as domestic care, construction, and nursing throughout the Middle East.

Bello assured that the government is making arrangements to help Filipinos return to the Philippines, whether through getting necessary travel documents or financial assistance. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration also plans to give livelihood assistance upon their repatriation back to the home country, while the Labor Department is talking to China, Japan, Russia, Canada and Germany for the reassignment of Filipino workers, Bello said.

Malacañang on Tuesday, Jan-

uary 7 announced that President Rodrigo Duterte will side with the U.S. in the event that Iran “intentionally” attacks Filipino workers in the Middle East.

“Hindi tayo magiging (We will not be) neutral. The president was very specific in saying last night that if the Filipinos are harmed, he will side with the Americans,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a press briefing.

He added, “If they will harm the Filipinos, then the president will not sit down idly and watch.”

On Monday, January 6 the president said that he sent a spe-

cial envoy to Tehran and Baghdad to get reports that Filipinos would have a safe way out in the event of an evacuation.

“We have so many Filipinos working mainly in the Middle East. I am nervous. Iran seems to be hell-bent on a retaliation, which I think will come,” Duterte said in his speech.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran rose after top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed Friday, January 3 in a drone strike carried out by the U.S. in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iran, for its part, vowed to strike back following Soleimani’s death. ■

Third US senator says Duterte ‘sorely mistaken’...

PAGE A1 ment’s actions.

“President Rodrigo Duterte is sorely mistaken if he thinks he can silence my voice and that of my colleagues,” the senator said in a statement.

The U.S. senator pointed out that Duterte already failed to silence De Lima and Rappler chief Maria Ressa, as well as others in the country who have spoken truth to power.

“I stand with the people of the Philippines with my state’s vibrant Filipino American community in fighting for the highest democratic ideals and against the strongman tactics of the Duterte government,” Markey said.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the country’s 2020 budget, which included an amendment that the U.S. Secretary of State “shall apply sub-section (c) to foreign government officials about whom the secretary has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of… Sen. Leila De Lima who was arrested in the Philippines in 2017.”

Photo courtesy by news.abs-cbn.com

On December 27, 2019, Duterte instructed the Philippine Bureau of Immigration “immediately” to deny U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy entry into the Philippines after they pushed for the provisions in the national budget.

Along with that, Duterte is also considering requiring American citizens to secure a visa before they can enter Philippine territory.

Following Durbin’s statement calling the administration’s travel

ban an “insult” to the Filipino American community, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said imposing visa requirements on foreign nationals is “an exercise of a sovereign right and is not an insult to any particular community.”

“In fact, they have been requiring Filipinos to secure a U.S. visa before we can travel into their homeland. As the community of nations believes in, ‘diplomacy is equality,’” the spokesperson added. (AJPress) ■

SF Mayor announces 151 units for housing for homeless, formerly homeless adults The City will fund new housing at The Abigail and The Post Hotels, including permanent supportive housing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Mayor London N. Breed on Tuesday, January 7 announced the City will open 151 units of housing for homeless and formerly homeless adults at The Abigail Hotel and The Post Hotel. Following the announcement, Mayor Breed toured The Abigail Hotel, which is undergoing renovations and will open this spring.

The City will provide funding to the Tenderloin Housing Clinic and Episcopal Community Services to lease the 62-unit Abigail Hotel and the 89-unit Post Hotel, respectively.

These new units are part of Mayor Breed’s efforts to open more than 450 additional units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) by the end of 2020.

“Shelter is an important part of our homeless response system and is essential for meeting the immediate needs of our neighbors in crisis, but housing is the solution to homelessness,” said Mayor Breed.

“These new homes not only provide permanent housing for formerly homeless people, they also open up more spaces in our shelter system for people who are currently living on the streets. Addressing this crisis requires more housing at all types, and these 151 homes will make an important difference for those who are ready to start the next chapter in their lives.”

“The journeys each of the people we helped out of homelessness 2019 give us hope as we begin the New Year,” said Jeff Kositsky, Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

“I’m excited that 2020 begins with a more coordinated, data-driven Homelessness Response System paired with more housing exits created through the courageous leadership of Mayor Breed and the compassion and hard work of our team, partners, and community.”

Permanent Supportive Housing provides long-term affordable housing with on-site social servic-

es to people exiting chronic homelessness. Currently, over 10,800 people live in the City’s PSH. Last year, Mayor Breed allocated $7.6 million in Educational Revenue Augmentation Funds to support the master leasing of 300 new units of PSH. The Abigail Hotel is a vacant 62-unit updated Single Room Occupancy Hotel in the Civic Center area. All rooms in The Abigail have a private bathroom and the building includes a spacious lobby and dining facility on the first floor.

Tenderloin Housing Clinic will manage The Abigail for residents of PSH who no longer need supportive services and can live independently. The units they vacate then become available to persons leaving shelters and the streets.

“The Tenderloin Housing Clinic began assisting Abigail Hotel tenants in 1980, when a new owner sought to illegally evict them and illegally convert to a 100% tourist hotel,” Randy Shaw, Executive Director, Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC). “This makes our leasing of the hotel for supportive housing particularly meaningful for THC and the legacy of Tenderloin activism.”

The Post Hotel is an SRO building in the Union Square area with 89 units, 65 of which will be available immediately once the building is ready for occupancy. Eligibility for the PSH units is determined by the City’s Coordinated Entry prioritization process, which is based on vulnerability, length of homelessness, and barriers to housing.

“Permanent supportive housing is a proven solution to ending homelessness for our most vulnerable neighbors. The opening of the Post Hotel will provide us with 89 solutions, moving us closer toward our collective goal of ending chronic homelessness in San Francisco,” said Beth Stokes, Executive Director of Episcopal Community

Services.

In 2017, Tipping Point Community launched its Chronic Homelessness Initiative to partner with the City to reduce chronic homelessness by 50% in five years. Tipping Point has worked closely with the City to deploy philanthropic dollars in support of the most effective and promising homelessness reduction strategies. Tipping Point is providing over $3 million to the City’s provider partners for a wide range of needs for the 300 master leased units, including apartment repairs and new furniture. The flexible funding provided allows the City to move forward knowing that these costs are covered, and that its resources will go to more fixed, long-term costs like supportive services and ongoing rental subsidies.

Daniel Lurie, Chairman of the Board of Tipping Point Community stated, “Homelessness is a complex challenge that requires the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to effectively address this crisis by creating the solutions necessary to meet the challenge. Public-private partnerships like this one demonstrate how we can better work together toward our common goal of reducing homelessness and making San Francisco a healthier, more vibrant city for everyone.”

Every night, the City provides shelter and housing to over 13,400 homeless and formerly homeless people across the community. This includes over 3,400 temporary shelter beds, and over 10,000 people in PSH. To expand this effort, Mayor Breed announced a goal to open 1,000 new shelter beds by the end of 2020. Since that announcement in October 2018, the City has opened 566 beds, currently has 24 beds under construction, and has announced 200 beds in the Bayview and has proposed 75 beds in a Navigation Center for Transitional Age Youth at 888 Post Street. ■

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

Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 10-16, 2020

A

Fecal bacteria in California’s waterways Facebook bans deepfake videos increases with homeless crisis

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

PrESIDENT Donald Trump, a self-described germophobe, has made no secret of his disgust with California’s growing homeless problem, which he has called a “disgrace” and “inappropriate” and equated to “living in hell.”

“We should all work together to clean up these hazardous waste and homeless sites before the whole city rots away,” Trump tweeted about San Francisco on Oct. 26. “Very bad and dangerous conditions, also severely impacting the Pacific Ocean and water supply.”

San Francisco officials were quick to dispute Trump’s claims.

But some of California’s most prized rivers, beaches and streams are indeed contaminated with levels of fecal bacteria that exceed state limits, threatening kayakers, swimmers — and the state’s reputation as a bastion of environmental protection.

The presence of fecal bacteria in water is usually the result of problems with sewer systems and septic tanks. But water quality officials agree that the source of at least some of the fecal bacteria is California’s growing homeless population, most of whom don’t have reliable access to toilets.

“I’ve carried 5-gallon buckets that were unambiguously being used as toilets,” said David Gibson, executive officer of the San Diego regional Water Quality Control Board, describing his experience cleaning up homeless encampments. “They were taking it to the San Diego river, dumping it there, and rinsing it out there.”

Fecal contamination of waterways is a widespread problem and becoming more urgent in states with large homeless populations.

In Seattle, homeless people living in rVs are accused of dumping raw sewage straight into storm drains, which flows directly to local waterways. In Oregon, workers cleaning up homeless camps along the Willamette river in Eugene routinely find feces and needles.

California has the largest homeless population in the nation, estimated at more than 151,000 people in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. About 72% of the state’s homeless slept outside or in cars rather than in shelters or temporary housing.

The Trump administration has fixated on California’s homeless population in particular as a potent source of pollution.

In addition to Trump’s tweets, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 26 alleging that the state’s lack of urgency on homelessness threatens public health by polluting nearby water with untreated human waste. It then issued a notice to San Francisco accusing it of violating the federal Clean Water Act. Jared Blumenfeld, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, responded by accusing the federal EPA of retreating on clean water protection, and called the administration’s focus on the environmental impact of homelessness “sensationalized” and “misguided.”

But concerns extend beyond the Trump administration. A record number of Californians — about 1 in 4 — believe homelessness and housing is the top issue facing the state today, up from 1% in 1999, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

When it comes to water, scientists look for E. coli and other bacteria to determine levels of fecal contamination. While E. coli is present in both human and animal feces, human fecal contamination is particularly dangerous because it can transmit diseases that affect people, including hepatitis A and cholera.

Most people are not at risk of getting sick unless they drink the water, or if pathogens enter open cuts or sores, said richard Ambrose, a professor in the department of environmental health sciences at UCLA. Homeless people face the highest risk because they are more likely to wash or wade in the water and have less access to toilets and showers, he said.

In the city of San Francisco, Trump’s favorite punching bag on the issue, fecal pollution on the streets gets swept into the storm drains after it rains and is routed to the same treatment plants as toilet water, which means Trump’s claims about the city’s water were inaccurate, officials say.

But that isn’t the case for most of the state’s cities and sewage systems. In San Diego, the state’s second-most populous county, dozens of homeless encampments line the 52-mile-long San Diego river, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Officials have for decades recorded high levels of fecal bacteria in the river that exceed state standards, Gibson said.

Last year, the regional water board ordered San Diego County, several cities and municipal agencies to determine the source of the contamination. In addition to investigating the condition of leaky sewage infrastructure, which fails

Along a section of the Los Angeles River that runs between Interstate 5 and the neighborhood Atwater Village, camping tents inhabited by homeless people pop up on islets in the middle of the concrete channel.

Photo by Anna Almendrala/California Healthline

In the city of Vernon, a homeless encampment is hidden under a bridge that crosses the Los Angeles River.

Photo by Anna Almendrala/California Healthline

when it rains, the order requires municipalities to evaluate how homeless people living on riverbanks, in parking lots, trailers and rVs may be contributing to the problem, Gibson said.

Farther north, in Sacramento, regulators have been measuring elevated fecal bacteria levels in the lower American river for more than three years. Located near downtown Sacramento, it is a popular destination for water sports, even as hundreds of homeless people camp nearby.

Some recreational areas, including Tiscornia Beach, where families picnic, BBQ and wade in the river, had E. coli levels so high in the past year that they hit the upper limits of what the water board’s laboratories could measure — more than seven times higher than the state standard, said Adam Laputz, assistant executive officer of the Central Valley regional Water Quality Control Board.

The board is conducting a three-year DNA analysis to determine whether the bacteria comes from people, birds or dogs, he said. “That source could be from a sewage collection that’s leaky, or it could be from leaky septic systems,” in addition to homeless encampments, he said.

If the source is human, the water board will embark on a new study to determine whether the source is an infrastructure failure or individuals.

In the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California, which have the largest homeless populations in the state, some cities conduct routine water monitoring. But the regional water boards, which make key water quality decisions for their regions and take enforcement actions when necessary, aren’t testing to determine if and how homeless encampments affect water quality.

Contamination from homeless camps is so easy to observe — and smell — that there is no “need to monitor to know there’s a problem,” said Thomas Mumley, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay regional Water Quality Control Board, which stretches from Napa County to Santa Clara County.

If there are no bathrooms in or near a homeless encampment, “we can assume there’s a discharge of waste” where there shouldn’t be, he said.

Bay Area regulators are working with some cities that are conducting pilot projects, such as offering free rV dump stations and providing sanitation services for encampments.

The board could one day require municipalities to adopt such projects or face fines, Mumley said.

“We’re cautious about using that authority,” he said. “We want public dollars going toward solutions, not just paying penalties.”

The Central Coast Water Board has already issued an order to the city of Salinas to map homeless encampments and focus more resources on their sanitation needs.

In Los Angeles, hundreds of homeless people camp within the Los Angeles river channel itself and thousands live nearby.

Along a stretch of the river that runs through Atwater Village north of downtown, one man, who called himself P. Dogg and said he had been homeless for three years, said that he bathes in the river when the water is “clear, not murky.”

Asked if he’s ever gotten sick from bathing in the river, he answered proudly: “Never once.”

While local testing of the Los Angeles river, San Gabriel river and the Ventura river Estuary wasn’t designed to measure the effects of homelessness, results suggest there have been significant impacts in some areas due to homeless encampments, said renee Purdy, executive officer of the Los Angeles regional Water Quality Control Board.

Purdy is working with area

communities that have installed portable toilets and organized trash cleanups with money initially budgeted for water infrastructure maintenance.

“The long-term solution is really to address the societal issue of homelessness,” she said.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

MISLEADING “deepfakes,” or manipulated videos that use artificial intelligence (AI) to show people saying or doing things they never did, will no longer be allowed on social media platform Facebook.

Monika Bickert, Facebook’s vice president for global policy management, announced yesterday the policy changes that will remove misleading manipulated videos identified as deepfakes in the social media platform.

The ban covers manipulated videos that have “been edited or synthesized – beyond adjustments for clarity or quality – in ways that aren’t apparent to an average person and would likely mislead someone into thinking that a subject of the video said words that they did not actually say.”

Also banned are media that are products of artificial intelligence or machine learning that merge, replace or superimpose content onto a video, making it appear to be authentic.

Bickert said the new policy is a result of collaboration among various efforts to improve the science of detecting manipulated media.

“Our approach has several components, from investigating AI-generated content and deceptive behaviors like fake accounts, to partnering with academia, government and industry to exposing people behind these efforts,” she said.

She said the new policy does not extend to content that is

Photo courtesy by nypost.com

parody or satire, or video that has been edited solely to omit or change the order of words.

“Consistent with our existing policies, audio, photos or videos, whether a deepfake or not, will be removed from Facebook if they violate any of our other community standards, including those governing nudity, graphic violence, voter suppression and hate speech,” said the Facebook official.

“Videos that don’t meet these standards for removal are still eligible for review by one of our independent third-party factcheckers, which include over 50 partners worldwide fact-checking in over 40 languages,” she added.

The Facebook official said that photos or videos rated false

or partly false by a fact-checker will have their distribution in the news feed significantly reduced.

Those who would share it will also see warnings alerting them that the content is false.

“This approach is critical to our strategy and one we heard specifically from our conversations with experts,” Bickert said of the policy against removing false content on the social media platform.

“If we simply removed all manipulated videos flagged by fact-checkers as false, the videos would still be available elsewhere on the internet or social media ecosystem. By leaving them up and labelling them as false, we’re providing people with important information and context,” she added. n

A

JANUARY 10-16, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Dateline PhiliPPines PH Supreme Court nixes plea for same-sex marriage by tetCh

torres-tuPas Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Supreme Court has dismissed with finality the petition to allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

In a two-page notice, the high court on Monday, January 6, said it opts to deny the appeals because “no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned decision.”

“No further pleadings or motions will be entertained” on the matter, said SC Clerk of Court Edgar Aricheta.

SC dismissed the same petition in September 2019 as it pointed out that the issue should be addressed to Congress.

The high court added that the petitioner, Atty. Jesus Nicardo Falcis III, also violated the principle of hierarchy of courts and failed to raise an actual justiciable controversy. The SC likewise said Falcis has no legal standing.

Falcis’ petition was filed in 2015. He wants the high court to nullify Articles 1 and 2 as well as Articles 46 (4) and 55 (6) of the Family Code.

Articles 1 and 2 limited marriages between man and woman while Articles 46 (4) and 55 (6) mentions lesbianism or homosexuality as grounds for annulment and legal separation.

According to Falcis, the Family Code — in limiting marriage between man and woman — is unconstitutional because it deprives him of his right to liberty without substantive due process of law and his right to equal pro-

In a two-page notice issued by the SC last Dec. 10 and made available on Monday, January 6, the SC denied “with finality the said motion for reconsideration as no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned decision.”

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

tection of the laws, as it violated Section 3(1) Article 15 of the 1987 Constitution.

The SC noted in its decision last year that it “recognized protracted history of discrimination and marginalization faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, intersex and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQI+) community, along with their still ongoing struggle for equality.”

But it also said LGBTQI+’s fight for their right against discrimination for their choice of relationships and official recognition of their partnerships “may for now, be a matter that should be ad-

dressed to Congress.”

“Legislation ideally allows public democratic deliberation on the various ways to assure these fundamental rights. The process of legislation exposes the experiences of those who have been oppressed, ensuring that this be understood by those who stand with the majority,” the high court said in the decision written by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

“Often public reason needs to be first shaped through the crucible of campaigns and advocacies within our political forums before it sharpened for judicial fiat,” he added. n

5 Pinoys lose homes in Australian bushfires

by Pia Lee-braGo Philstar.com

MANILA — Some 300 Filipinos have been evacuated while five lost their homes as bushfires worsened in Australia, an official of the Philippine embassy in Canberra said.

In an interview over dzMM, Consul General Aian Caringal said the evacuations were precautionary measures after two houses owned by Filipinos were damaged by bushfire.

He said the 300 Filipinos are being attended to by the local government and have been given temporary housing and emergency relief.

The Filipinos, residing in East Gippsland, Victoria, were evacuated to the nearby city of Bairnsdale.

Caringal said there are around 300,000 Filipinos in Australia, 75,000 of them workers and students. The rest are permanent migrants.

“During bushfire season, the local government has contingen-

cies in place,” he said. “We just need to coordinate with them. It’s more in coordination with local authorities and Filipino communities.”

Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.

The embassy, in coordination with the Philippine consulates in Sydney and Philippine honorary consulates in Melbourne and Adelaide, is closely monitoring the bushfire emergencies in parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

It said everyone is advised to follow the instructions of their local authorities and to take all necessary precautions and recommended actions.

Malacañang is moving to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Australia who are residing in areas affected by bushfires. “Our government is implementing measures to ensure that our countrymen are safe from the conflagration,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said at a press briefing

Monday, January 6. “More than five million hectares of land have been affected by the bushfires, according to earlier reports.”

Prayers The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recently urged Filipinos to pray for God to put out the bushfires.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Laity (ECL) chairman Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the blaze, if not put under control, could indicate that man is helpless against nature’s wrath.

It should also serve as an eyeopener on the effects of climate change.

Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos said the local diocese has offered prayers in solidarity with the Australians.

“In solidarity of the Diocese of Balanga to Australia, we have this prayer being recited in the diocese. The Diocese of Balanga did pastoral visitation in 2016 to the Bataeños residing in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,” he said. n

CA upholds Junjun Binay’s disqualification 13 other defendants.

In its May 2019 decision, the CA found Binay guilty of serious MANILA — The Court of Ap- dishonesty, grave misconduct peals (CA) has affirmed its de- and conduct prejudicial to the cision perpetually disqualifying best interest of the service in former Makati mayor Jejomar connection with the construction Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. from of the P1.3-billion building. holding public office over the CA magistrates affirmed the anomalous construction of the Office of the Ombudsman’s findMakati Science High School ing of guilt in 2017. building.

Binay allegedly entered into In a consolidated resolution is- a P165.26-million contract with sued last December but released service contractor Hilmarc deto media only on Monday, Janu- spite irregularities in the proary 6, the appellate court’s for- curement of construction matemer Eighth Division denied for rials for the project’s Phase VI. lack of merit the motions for reThe CA resolution was penned consideration filed by Binay and by Associate Justice Ronaldo Roby eveLyn

MaCairan Philstar.com

Former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “JunJun” Binay Jr. Philstar.com file photo

berto Martin. Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Ramon Cruz concurred with the ruling. n

FIRE VICTIMS. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go visits fire victims in Santa Ana, Manila. Go says he will push for the passage of disaster resiliency measures in 2020 after distributing relief goods and financial assistance to the almost 800 fire victims.

Philstar.com photo by End Gumban

Duterte to water firms: Accept new contracts or face gov’t takeover by ian

niCoLas CiGaraL Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 7, that President Rodrigo Duterte has told Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to accept the new water contracts prepared by the government or risk having their concession deals terminated.

Duterte has verbally attacked both Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc. after a Singapore-based arbitration panel ordered the Philippine government to indemnify the two water providers for losses they suffered from an unenforced rate hike.

The president has accused both companies of having government contracts with “onerous” provisions that are disadvantageous to the public.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Philippines’ water regulator, has rescinded the 15-year extension of

the water concession deals, derailing the two utilities’ long-term plans.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo warned both Manynilad and Manila Water that the government will take over the water sector and jail those involved in the crafting of the present contracts should the two firms reject the new agreements.

The existing contracts will expire in 2022.

“The chief executive is giving the water concessionaires the option of accepting the new contracts without any guarantee of not being criminally prosecuted together with those who conspired to craft the very onerous contracts which are void ab initio for violating the Constitution and the laws of the land,” Panelo said.

“Should Maynilad and Manila Water refuse to accept the new agreements, the chief executive will order the cancellation of

their present water contracts,” he added.

In 1997, Manila Water and Maynilad took over the water sector and improved services in the capital, which previously suffered from hours of shortages after the state-run MWSS inefficiently allocated water.

Justice Secretary Mernardo Guevarra earlier said the government will only consider giving the contracts to other water providers should renegotiation with the current concessionaires collapse.

“We have to go to court so that the rescission [of the contracts] may be actually done,” Guevarra said.

As of 2:36 p.m. Tuesday, shares in Ayala-led Manila Water were up 14.17%.

Meanwhile, shares in Metro Pacific Investments Corp. — which holds the majority of economic interest in Maynilad — were up 3.44% while DMCI Holding Inc., a shareholder of Maynilad, climbed 5.38%. n

Citing alleged violations, TWG says Angkas may be blacklisted

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — There is very strong possibility that motorcycle ride-hailing platform Angkas may be blacklisted over various violations, the interagency technical working group studying the viability of bikes-for-hire as public transport said on Tuesday, January 7.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member Antonio Gardiola, who also serves as the TWG chair, said Angkas broke the guidelines for the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxis.

He said initial investigations of the group showed that Angkas operated in areas outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, and imposed price surges.

When asked if the ride-hailing firm is running the risk of being blacklisted, Gardiola answered: “Very possible.”

Angkas allowed to operate until end of pilot test Angkas could be blacklisted when it applies for license once the regulations are in place, he said. But the company will still be allowed to operate during the extended pilot test, which runs

Angkas riders gather to protest the 10,000-rider cap imposed on the company by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Philstar.com photo by End Gumban

until March 23.

The report of the pilot test will be submitted to Congress on April 15.

Angkas was the sole service provider in the initial six-month trial run. The three-month extension of the pilot test includes newcomers JoyRide and Move It. The three companies were al-

located 10,000 drivers in Metro Manila each.

Angkas lamented the cap set by regulators will displace 17,000 of its riders.

The Senate committee on public services will tackle the bills proposing to regulate the use of two-wheeled vehicles as safe and alternative public utility vehicles on January 14. n

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 10-16, 2020

A

AĂąo wants purging of rogue cops stepped up

by Darwin

Pesco ManilaTimes.net

INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo AĂąo said on Monday, January 6, he wanted to step up the campaign to rid the Philippine National Police (PNP) of erring policemen. “We will intensify our internal cleansing program and I will not hesitate to do what is necessary until all bad ones are removed,â€?

AĂąo said in his speech in Camp Crame.

He said instilling accountability in the PNP remained a big challenge.

Aùo urged all policemen to be ethical at all times and always recite the police officers’ pledge.

PNP Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said going after rogue cops was one of their priorities in 2020. “Of equal priority in the operational thrusts for 2020 is the campaign against the few rogues in uniform who continue to resist change and reform,� Gamboa told a press briefing.

AĂąo warned policemen against accepting favors from illegal sources especially those involved in drugs and gambling.

Gamboa said the police should

Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo

Manilatimes.net file photo

have an active role in the fight against communist insurgency.

Last week, AĂąo said the PNP needed to review its strategies on combating drugs, organized crime, terrorism and the communist rebellion.

Weeding out the bad eggs in the police force can be intensified by strengthening the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the Internal Af-

fairs Service (IAS), he said.

There is also the need to modernize the equipment of the PNP in fighting the enemies of the state. “Let us be the messenger of good work. Palakasin pa natin lalo ang [mga] programa na nagbibigay ng magandang imahe sa PNP (Let us strengthen the programs giving good image to the PNP),�

AĂąo said. n

“We shall effectively counter their narratives through good governance, build community trust and earn the people’s respect,� he said during his assumption speech on Saturday at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

With martial law lifted in Mindanao, Santos called for vigilance, support and cooperation from Mindanaoans, which he said would be the key components in finishing off terrorism. “[These] are needed in order to suppress and prevent any future terrorist plans from occurring, and avoiding the unnecessary loss

of human lives and damage to property,� the new AFP chief said. “The AFP should always be battleready to counteract any threat that confronts our desire for peace.�

Santos noted that the military would reaffirm ties with its international allies and partners for defense cooperation, which is also needed in winning the fight against terrorism.

One of these allies is the United States, which had been training Filipino soldiers through various exercises including the yearly Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises. n

GETTING READY FOR TRASLACION. Workers of the Department of Public Works and Highways place a barbed wire on the steel support of the Ayala Bridge to prevent Black Nazarene devotees from climbing it up during the annual Traslacion on Thursday, January 9. The procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will pass through the bridge going to Quiapo Church PNA photo by Avito Dalan

AFP: Good governance needed to defeat terror Palace says De Lima should be on...

by DemPsey

reyes

ManilaTimes.net

THE Armed Forces leadership believes that good governance and public support are vital in the government’s drive against terror groups, according to Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., the new chief of staff.

Santos said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “will continue to be proactive against the local terrorist groups� such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and all terror organizations that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Robredo report on drug war PAGE A1 Of the report, he said, “She can’t lecture me on what to do. She has been there how many days? Seventeen or 18 days.�

In her 40-page report, the vice president claimed that the administration has barely scratched the surface of the Philippines’ drug problem despite all the money and resources put toward the campaign.

She was fired by Duterte from her ICAD post last year for several reasons, including the lack of trust and for allegedly consulting foreign groups about the situation. “Through the presentation of the findings and recommendations contained in this report, the hope is for our focus to be directed to the true and common enemy: the continued proliferation of illegal drugs that destroys the lives and futures of many Filipino families,� Robredo said.

If the drug war were an exam, the administration would have scored poorly at 1/100 as only 1% of the total shabu circulating in the country has been recovered between 2017 and 2018, according to the report. “Supply constriction, as an aspect of the overall strategy against illegal drugs, has been a massive failure,� it added.

Citing data from the Drug Enforcement Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP), drug users consume 3,000 kilograms of shabu per week or 156,000 kilograms per year.

However, Robredo pointed out that the same data revealed the government only managed to seize 1,344.87 kilograms in 2019, 785.31 kilograms in 2018, and 1,053.91 kilograms in 2017. “PDEA [Philippine Drug En-

Vice President Leni Robredo

forcement Agency] only recovered up to 1% of the total shabu supply in the past three years. That amount of drugs is worth billions of pesos,� she noted.

In a press conference on Monday, Robredo suggested that the campaign focus should be on bigger drug trade players instead of the everyday user. “If we really want to end the scourge of illegal drugs, we need to run after the big suppliers and not just the small-time pushers,� she said.

Furthermore, the report founded that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) was only able to recover P1.4 billion of drug assets. “Three kilograms of shabu (is) worth P25 billion per week, which means P1.3 trillion of shabu are being distributed around the country, but only P1.4 billion was restricted by AMLC, not even 1% of all the money that is revolving in the drug trade,� Robredo said.

She called for a “change in strategy,� which included stopping Oplan Tokhang and releasing a new policy that has clearer objectives and operational guidelines to

Photo from the Office of the Vice President

avoid the abuses associated with the campaign campaign.

Data from the Philippine National Police and PDEA released in December found that an estimated 5,552 people had been killed during government operations between July 1, 2016, and November 30, 2019. However, human rights groups have pegged the death toll to around 27,000 as of last June.

The vice president also suggested transferring the chairmanship of the ICAD to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), which would be “better equipped to plan an overall program.�

Duterte created the ICAD in 2017 under the chairmanship of the PDEA to lead the “effective conduct of anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of high-value drug personalities down to the streetlevel peddlers and users.� “It (drug war) is a failure, there are so many aspects, and like what we said in the report, there is too much focus in the street level.

Even if we do this every day and if we do not pay attention to supply constriction, then the problem would not end,� Robredo said. n

PAGE A1 retary has credible information have been involved in the wrong ful imprisonment of‌ Sen. Leila De Lima who was arrested in the Philippines in 2017.�

The sub-section refers to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act that authorizes the U.S. government to slap sanctions on persons tied to human rights violations, including barring them from entering the country.

According to Panelo, De Lima is just trying to make herself “relevant.� “If I were you, you should ignore her nonsense. She is just using you people to become relevant while in detention. You continue to give her attention and she is very happy about it,� he said. “As far we are concerned, she is an irrelevant political entity,� he added.

De Lima has accused several individuals behind her arrest and detention, including President Rodrigo Duterte, Panelo, former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Solicitor Gener-

Senator Leila De Lima

al Jose Calida, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Dante Jimenez, Rep. Rey Umali, former

Philstar.com photo

congressman Rudy FariĂąas, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy executive director and blogger Mocha Uson.

She said the list was reportedly being finalized and is set to be released. n

s )NTEG R ITY s (ONESTY s *USTICE s )FMQJOH UIF JOKVSFE BOE UIFJS MPWFE POFT

INJURED? ACCIDENT?

FREE CONSULTATION

No Attorney Fee Unless You Recover

We Advance All Costs

Home and Hospital Visits Available

t 803, */+63*&4 t "650.0#*-& "$$*%&/5 t .PUPSDZDMF "DDJEFOU t 5SVDL "DDJEFOU t #JDZDMF "DDJEFOU t 6OJOTVSFE .PUPSJTU t #PBUJOH "DDJEFOU

t #PBUJOH "DDJEFOU t 1FEFTUSJBO *OKVSZ $BTFT t 1SPEVDU -JBCJMJUZ t 4MJQ BOE 'BMM *OKVSZ t 'JSF BOE #VSO $BTFT

t )FBE *OKVSZ t %PH "UUBDL $BTFT t 4QJOF *OKVSZ t $BUBTUSPQIJD *OKVSZ t 8SPOHGVM %FBUI

: ( 5 1 6 : , )PYK (]LU\L :HU 1VZL *(

^^^ PUQ\Y `H[[VY UL`KPYLJ[ JVT

/&&)#%3 ). 3!. &2!.#)3#/ \ 3!,).!3 \ /!+,!.$ \ 0,%!3!.4/. \ -/$%34/

A6

JANUARY 10-16,2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FEATURES

OPINION

Ready for evacuation

THERE are anti-war protests in the United States, but no one can say if U.S. President Donald Trump is merely mouthing rhetoric when he threatens to launch airstrikes on 52 sites in Iran. Trump issued the threat over the weekend, saying the attacks would be launched if Iran retaliated for the killing of its top military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq.

While U.S.-led economic sanctions have curtailed Iran’s crude oil sales to the world, the fresh tensions could put a strain on oil production elsewhere in the Middle East, tightening global supply and raising prices. The tension is escalating at the same time that fuel excise taxes in the Philippines have increased under the tax reform package, guaranteeing higher pump prices.

Another cause for concern is the plight of the millions of Filipinos working in the Middle East.

There are only about 1,000 Filipinos registered to be living in Iran, and around 10,000 working in Iraq where Soleimani was killed. But armed conflict in one country in the region can spread to neighboring states, affecting the personal safety and jobs of an estimated 2.5 million overseas Filipino workers.

OFWs in the Middle East have enough prob-

lems without the conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Filipinos are still mourning the brutal killing of domestic worker Jeanelyn Villavende allegedly by her female employer in Kuwait. The Philippine government must mobilize its missions in the region to assist OFWs who want to get out of harm’s way in case armed conflict escalates.

It won’t be the first time that OFWs would be evacuated from the volatile region. Similar operations were undertaken during the Gulf War as well as the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq following the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001. Filipinos have also been evacuated at certain times from Libya and Syria. There is no reason for the Philippines to be unprepared for evacuation and repatriation in the latest conflict in Iran and Iraq. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective

Navigating the new year and new decade: A day at a time

and yet we already feel the heavyweight of what is going on in our life, in our country, in our world.

GEL SANTOS-RELOS Maybe you are battling sickness, or are mourning the HAPPY NEW YEAR! death of someone dear to you.

We are just starting the new Perhaps you have a child year 2020 and the new decade, who is off course, a marriage

that is not working, have lost a loved one, or feel betrayed.

Possibly you did not get the break or the promotion you were expecting, or have lost your job and wonder how you can support your self and your family who depend on you.

Or maybe you have been

READY, GET SET, BLOW. A child tries a horn at Divisoria in Manila, her way of welcoming the New Year. ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

On the move SEGUNDO ECLAR ROMERO AMERICAN writer Stewart Brand tells us: “This present moment used to be the unimaginable future.” We have ushered in the year 2020 and the Filipinos’ sense of control over their collective future remains as nebulous as ever.

Individuals and families do try to discern their alternative futures, “back-casting” from career and lifetime goals to the present, identifying those critical milestones and tasks they need to undertake to achieve their preferred future.

But Filipinos in collectives — neighborhoods, villages, communities, barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, agencies, departments — do not make any serious attempts to map their futures in a similar manner. Without an image of a collectively aspired-for future, there is hardly

Philstar.com photo

waiting for so long to be reunited with your family in the Philippines, but the current immigration system has made that dream so elusive.

And then your heart bleeds when you see young men and women being sent to harms way, especially if your son or daughter among them, for a war that you could not make sense of, and yet you see some leaders of the world using the lives of people as pawns to satisfy their political and personal interests and wonder how they even got elected to make such consequential decisions that affect the lives of families all over the world.

Your gut hurts when seeing pictures of the inferno ravaging states in Australia, burning millions of hectares of land, destroying thousands of homes, killing people, and extinguishing the lives of helpless animals like kangaroos and koalas.

You hear about the hurricanes, typhoons, floodings, earthquakes, and other natural disasters triggered by extreme climate change, threatening the lives and livelihood of mankind and the life of living things in the planet, and yet we see people in power denying and concealing even more scientific proofs of the climate crisis because they worship money and prioritize their immediate self-interest instead of investing in the lives of the

next generations.

AMID ALL THESE CHALLENGES, do not lose your faith. In both our personal lives and in what is going on around the nation and the world, know that we are not helpless.

Before we allow ourselves to be weary and depressed, we need to remember and make a list of the blessings we still have — our lives, our family, our job, opportunities, and choices we can still make to change a situation we are not happy about.

When we wake up every morning, we are reminded that this is another day to start again. Another day to smoothen our rough edges, make our crooked paths straight, and use our God-given talent to make our dreams come true.

I know how daunting it is to look at the hurdles we need to face because a lot of them are beyond our control. But then again, we need to focus on what we have control over, on what we can do right here and right now.

Break down your goals to yearly, monthly, weekly and then daily plans and “to do list.” Really focus on what you can do, without waiting for others to act because that will just paralyze you.

Every morning aspire to be the change you want to see in the world because the truth is, that is the only thing you can work on — your self. Choos-

ing to do the right thing even when others do not.

Do it faithfully and dutifully every day, giving your best even when it is difficult.

Believe that what you do your self will have an effect on others, and will inspire and move them to work on themselves, and this will trigger a domino effect.

And remember the “Lord’s Prayer” that says “give us this day our daily bread…” Have faith that the Lord our God will give us all the grace we need for each day, for tomorrow will be another day, another grace awaits. Do not let the fears or worries of tomorrow keep you from fulfilling what you are entrusted to do for today.

The past is gone, we cannot do anything about it. Today is our gift, make the most of it for it will be the foundation of our future. Today is all that we sure have to work on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May all that we do each new day we are gifted with, move to the direction of our prayers. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

Imagining Filipino futures any motivation and systemic process for strategic thinking and purposive implementation.

The year 2020 is as good a year as any for individuals and organizations in positions of leadership and in control of critical resources to attempt the conjuring of collective visions.

A good handle is to think of this engagement as “community future problem-solving.” Filipinos have taken to social media to try to participate in national future community problemsolving (West Philippine Sea, China, water and rice crises, natural and man-made calamities, graft and corruption, drugs and crime), but have not habitually initiated or engaged any such problem-solving at their community or barangay level. Why they have to do so is clear — future problem-solving at the national level is seldom fully understandable and directly actionable by citizens.

Local community problemsolving (bottom-up-budgeting, solid waste management,

flooded streets, lack of streetlights, unregulated karaoke singing, drugs and crime, poor or tardy delivery of public services) are within the collective local competence and efficacy of citizens.

How might such future local community problem-solving exercises be undertaken? The work of the Innovations at the Base of the Pyramid in Southeast Asia (iBoP Asia) team I headed at the Ateneo School of Government in 2013 is a good template. The project was undertaken for Metro Manila, using five informal communities as focal areas for drawing informal community participants — central (Welfareville in Mandaluyong), north (Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City), east (Banaba, Sto Niño, San Mateo), west (Estero de San Miguel, Manila), and south (Manggahan, Pasig City).

This project, the “Informal City Dialogues,” was a six-city project which the Rockefeller Foundation, on its centennial

year, launched covering Accra in Ghana, Bangkok in Thailand, Chennai in India, Lima in Peru and Metro Manila in the Philippines. The project sought to understand the relationship between the formal and informal in our cities to envision a different, more inclusive and resilient future.

To acquire deep and meaningful insights, the study sought to engage a diverse group of citizens representing public, private, civic, industry, nonprofits, local philanthropies, workers, street vendors, urban poor groups, academe, women and youth to formulate scenarios for the future of the city. The ultimate goal was to surface and encourage innovative solutions that will help cities build on the strengths of the informal city.

The whole process took two days of futures mapping, and two days of innovative community problem-solving workshops participated in by almost a hundred participants. These workshops were additionally

preceded by preworkshop community mapping workshops.

There is a certain level of system and methodology that must be used to make these exercises fruitful. The Scenarios Visioning Process used develops in the participants the realization that while we are unable to predict a single, specific future, we can conjure, anticipate and prepare for multiple, possible futures.

Futures mapping enables us to imagine what changes might take place in the coming decades and use those scenarios to guide strategies. Through futures mapping we can imagine what tomorrow might bring, inducing greater foresight in us today. Scenarios are not predictions; they are best understood as plausible, coherent and challenging descriptions of possible future worlds. They can help understand the shape and impacts of global trends, and inspire organizations or groups of people develop better strategies, and spur solutions — new products, services and processes — to

respond to collective problems and needs.

In the Informal City Dialogues futures mapping workshop undertaken for Metro Manila in 2013, four scenarios were formulated based on what the workshop considered to be the most important drivers that were also the most uncertain over the period 2013-2040.

These two drivers are population growth (slow or fast) and urban planning (effective or ineffective). See the scenarios here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/report/the-informal-city-reader/).

Futures mapping is a strategic way of renewing purposive civic participation at the local community level. It is a mechanism for awakening self-help, mutual help, and institutional help to anticipate and solve future community problems. This is one way to reverse the observation, “Filipinos have strategies for individual and family survival, but no strategy for national survival.” (Inquirer.net)

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

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com Northern California: 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136 Burlingame, CA 94010 Tel.: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 Las Vegas Sales Office: 2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

Manila Office: 2/F D&E Fort Palm Springs Cond.

30th St., Cor. 1st Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • 856-0397 Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York Office: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858 New Jersey Office: 2500 Plaza 5, Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 Tel: (212)655-5426 • Fax: (818)502-0858

ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer JOSEPH PERALTA Vice President & General Manager Northern California Asian Journal MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor MALOU LIWANAG-BLEDSOE Editor-in-Chief Northern California Asian Journal GERMAN P. PALABYAB Advertising and Business Development Director

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publitions, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publition by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applible law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publition of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publition.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, uses of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publition of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being ncellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republition of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publitions, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern lifornia Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern lifornia, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 10-16, 2020

A

Business news Central banking now closer to Filipinos Jollibee opens new US, Canada branches

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said its promotion of price stability, financial stability and an efficient payment system had brought central banking closer to the Filipino people this year.

In its year-end report, the BSP underscored that the Filipino people are the ultimate stakeholders of the country’s central monetary authority and primary financial system supervisor.

In terms of price stability, it said the average inflation rate of 2.6 percent for the first 11 months of the year is within the government’s 2 to 4% target.

“With low and stable inflation, Filipinos’ strong purchasing power is ensured. It also affords them a sense of security in making other economic decisions such as savings and investing,” the Bangko Sentral said.

It also said manageable inflation also boosted the government’s efforts to pump-prime the economy, redounding to more jobs and opportunities for all Filipinos.

With this positive policy environment, the BSP said it had cut the policy rate by a total of 75 basis points (bps) and banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by a cumulative 400 bps, bringing down the RRR for universal and commercial banks to 14 percent beginning December 6.

“A lower RRR promotes a more efficient financial system by lowering financial intermediation costs. The adjustment in RRR is also aimed at increasing domestic liquidity in support of credit activity in the economy,” it added.

Meanwhile, the financial system remains robust and well-capitalized, according to the central bank.

As of the first half of the year, the banking system’s total assets rose to P17.24 trillion as of end-June, 9.8 percent higher than the yearago level, on the back of robust lending and investment activities, with stable deposits and bond issuances as funding sources.

The share of banks’ total assets to annualized nominal gross domestic product stood at 95.8%.

Under the Basel 3 framework, the universal and commercial banks’ risk-based capital adequacy ratios, on both solo and consolidated bases, increased to 15.3%

by iris

Gonzales Philstar.com

and 16%, respectively.

2019 is also marked by the passage of milestone laws under the BSP’s legislative agenda.

The Bangko Sentral said amendments to its charter, the law strengthening the country’s gross international reserves and the Islamic banking law had enhanced its capability to carry out its mandate.

The central bank also said it continued to strengthen the country’s payment system by introducing policies and financial technology solutions attuned to the dynamic market landscape.

This year, it issued Circular 1033, which streamlines the process of securing licenses to engage in electronic payments and financial services, doing away with the tedious approval process of requiring conditional and final approval.

In line with this, the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board approved the applications of seven new non-bank electronic money instruments (EMI) in 2019, bringing the total number of non-bank EMIs to 19.

The Bangko Sentral also approved blockchain-based remittance platforms that “empowers Filipinos, particularly those living in rural areas, to transfer funds by simply going to their local rural and community banks at a more affordable rate.”

It also greenlighted the onboarding of other government agencies and other payment system providers to its automated clearing house PESONet to digitize government collections.

The BSP also issued this year the adoption of a national quick response (QR) code standard in the country to transform the fragmented QR-driven payment services into interoperable payment solutions, eliminating the need

JOLLIBEE, the flagship brand of Filipino-owned Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp., has expanded anew in the global market with openings in Chandler, the first in the state of Arizona in the U.S. and Regina, the first in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The two openings bring Jollibee’s total store count in the U.S. Manilatimes.net file photo and Canada to 50, and are part for merchants and customers to of the brand’s accelerated North maintain several accounts.

American expansion plan.

This led to the launch of the JFC plans to grow its North National QR Code Standard in American network to 250 stores November, which unifies the vari- or 150 branches in the U.S. and ous domestic cashless payment 100 branches in Canada. schemes use the code as a form As with other international Jolfactor. libee openings, eager customers Looking ahead, BSP Governor had lined up days ahead for a Benjamin Diokno said the central first-hand experience of Jollibee bank would continue to promote in their countries. price stability, financial stability “I waited in line for a long time and an efficient payment system. for my son and niece because “The important thing that we they have never experienced Jolcan do is to really keep inflation libee. My mom and dad usually low, because the most affected by took me to Jollibee when I was higher prices are the poor. Also, younger, and I want my son to exin the aspect of financial stability, perience it. I’m very ecstatic, and if you are an investor, you don’t with Jollibee, I feel like I’m back want uncertainties like high pric- home again,” said Irene Ballestees,” he said. ros-Shields, the first customer of Diokno also vowed to improve the country’s payment system by increasing the share of cashless transactions to total financial by riChMond MerCUrio transactions.

Philstar.com “My plan is [that] by the end of 2020, 30 percent of all financial MANILA, Philippines — Flag transactions are already digital — that’s the major goal. And at carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) the end of my term, at least 50 is proceeding with its plan to expercent are digital payments,” he pand its U.S. network this year.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Vilsaid.

Earlier, a United Nations (UN) laluna in a social media post said body commissioned by the central the airline would launch a Manila bank reported that the Philippines to Seattle service starting May. Seattle has long been in PAL’s made progress in digital payment pipeline for potential new servictransactions last year.

In its “The State of Digital Pay- es to other destinations in North ments in the Philippines” report, America.

PAL last year said it continUN-based Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) estimated the ues to review and consider posshare of digital payments to be 10 sible expansion of new routes in percent by volume and 20 percent its U.S. network, after think tank CAPA-Center for Aviation in a by value in 2018.

“This is nearly 20 times the es- June report said it dropped plans timated total monthly volume of for expanding its U.S. network.

Aside from Seattle, PAL was also digital transactions in 2013,” it previously considering launching noted.

In 2013, BTCA revealed that services from Manila to Chicago, electronic payment transactions Houston, and San Diego, as well in the country only stood at 1% of as potentially resuming Cebu to Los Angeles route which it briefly the total. n

Jollibee ended the decade with an opening in Regina, the first in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, where thousands of people lined up amid extremely cold temperatures. Jollibee photo

Jollibee Chandler, Arizona, who lined up three days prior to opening day, JFC said in a statement.

The Arizona line set a new record for Jollibee U.S. openings as even non-Filipinos lined up.

Jason Marx, a Canadian, was first in queue in Jollibee Regina, Saskatchewan and lined up for 19 hours before the opening.

“I’ve known about Jollibee for a while, but without any stores in Canada at that time, it was hard for me to try it,” Marx said.

JFC is now one of the world’s largest and fastest growing Asian restaurant companies with more than 5,800 stores across 15 brands in 35 countries.

In 2019 alone, the brand more

than doubled its store count in Canada. For 2020, the brand’s expansion in Canada will focus on Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.

At the same time, the brand’s areas of focus in the US will be in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Texas, Nevada, California and Hawaii JFC North America president Beth Dela Cruz thanked the customers who lined up for the new openings.

“Jollibee is a family brand so it means the world to us that members of the community linked up with their loved ones to come to our store and share in the joy that Jollibee brings.” n

PAL to pursue US network expansion

Philstar.com file photo

served in 2016 and 2017.

PAL has said that its non-stop U.S.-Manila flights remain highly popular for business and leisure travelers and Filipino balikbayans.

PAL is the only airline flying non-stop between the Philippines and the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Canada and London.

The flag carrier operates 57 weekly long-haul frequencies to North America, specifically to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Honolulu and Toronto, and five weekly flights

between Manila and London Heathrow.

Overall, PAL has a network covering more than 30 domestic and 40 international destinations with a young fleet of 98 advancedtechnology aircraft.

As the country’s only four-star global airline, it is ranked as the 30th Best Airline in the world, having been awarded the World’s Most Improved Airline honors for 2019 by Skytrax and the 4-Star Major Airline award from the U.S.-based Airline Passenger Experience Association. n

A

JANUARY 10-16, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

Friday, January 10, 2020

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

Revisiting the Asian Journal’s Something Filipino Magazine stories of 2019 by

AJPress

WITH the new year, the Asian Journal editorial team looks back at the Something Filipino (SF) Magazine stories from 2019.

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

The 52 features published have covered books by Fil-Am authors, single moms who run their own businesses, married couples who work together, a Netflix docuseries about Cebu’s infamous jail that has dancing prisoners, and Fil-Am chefs nominated for James Beard Awards and opening new restaurants.

While it’s difficult to narrow down the best features — as each one is compelling — we remember several stories that have been widely shared and talked about. To read these selected features & other stories in their entirety, visit: https://www.asianjournal. com/category/magazines/something-filipino-magazine.

Getting to know H.E.R., the Fil-Am R&B singer nominated for 5 Grammys

Fil-Am model Geena Rocero rewrites Playboy’s history as its first transgender API Playmate Over the summer, Fil-Am model and transgender advocate Geena Rocero became the first transgender Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Playboy Playmate, appearing as the centerfold of the magazine’s Gender & Sexuality issue.

In the issue, Rocero wrote about her “strict Catholic upbringing in the Philippines” and being inspired by seeing transgender beauty pageants on national television. “We spoke English in the Philippines, but when I moved to the United States at 17 and started hanging out with other teenagers, it was a totally different culture,” she said.

She plans to use this new platform to be more visible and continue fighting for trans rights. Since her viral TED talk in 2014, she co-founded Gender Proud, a media production company that tells stories about the global transgender community. “I have to speak about Caroline Tula Cossey

my background has brought me here because…compared to the other Filipinas I know back in the Philippines, they’re as hardworking but I think there’s just a lack of op-

portunity,” Aaron said. “How can I help in bringing more opportunity to other Filipinas who are as smart and as hardworking or as passionate in technology as me?”

Woman on a mission: How this Fil-Am engineer rose through the ranks at NASA

Josephine Santiago-Bond started off as an intern at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida 15 years ago. Today, she’s the head of the Advanced Engineering Development Branch at the center, a division she Photo from Instagram/@geenarocero helped create that extends engineering support to the because that was so critical for agency’s various missions in me. What a full circle moment, space, on Earth and other 2019 was quite the year for I was this young trans girl livplanets.

R&B sensation H.E.R., who was ing in Manila and dreaming of In her nearly two decades nominated for five Grammys one day becoming a model at the space agency, Sanand won two: Best R&B Album Josephine Santiago-Bond like Caroline and to now, be tiago-Bond shares a list of for her EP “H.E.R” and Best the one hopefully giving that ice and other compounds. several projects she’s worked R&B Performance for “Best inspiration to young trans girls, She and her team currently on: the tail-end of the hisPart” with Daniel Caesar. On not just in the Philippines but have a portfolio of 70 projects toric Space Shuttle program, top of that, she was featured on all over the world,” she said. that have to do with Earth, which ended in 2011; and the Spotify billboards for Best New “Their identities matter, they Mars, the moon, and space in formulation and launch of the Artist, performed at Coachella should pursue who they are. general.

Ares I-X in 2009, a 327-foot Valley Music and Arts Festival, There’s nothing wrong with “I always feel that I am valtall unmanned rocket that created her own music festithem, just keep being themH.E.R. grew up in the Bay Area of California with a ued, not only for my engineerwas part of the research on val (the Lights On Festival) in selves.” “good balance” of the Filipino and Black American ing and leadership skills, but the future of space exploraSeptember, and released a cultures. also as an Asian American and tion post-space shuttle.

She Fil-Am musical drama ‘Yellow Rose’ picked up by Sony Piccompilation mixtape called “I Photo courtesy of Facebook/OfficialHERMusic as a Filipina American, who also contributed to another tures Worldwide Acquisitions, has successful festival run Used to Know Her.” brings a unique set of experilunar exploration mission a look at her face. And unlike so Born in 1997, H.E.R. “Yellow Rose,” directed by ences and ideas to the table called Regolith and Environ— whose real name is Gabriella many stars, she’s never one to Filipina American Diane Paraevery day,” she said. “I’m ment Science and Oxygen overshare and maintains a low- gas, is a timely story about a “Gabi” Wilson — said she was not the only female Filipina and Lunar Volatiles Extracraised with a “good balance” of key profile. “I wanted the music Filipina teen named Rose from American, nor am I the first, tion (RESOLVE), which had the Filipino and Black American to be No. 1, I wanted it to get a small Texas town who fights who is in a leadership position aimed to put a rover on the the attention, the forefront, the to pursue her dreams as a cultures in her home. Those at NASA, which in itself makes surface of the moon in 2017 influences taught her how to be No. 1 focus, and I wanted peo- country music performer while me proud.” for nine days to map water ple to just listen and love the a hard worker as well as a love facing the threat of deportamusic because sometimes we for music and expression. tion. The film stars two-time #MagandangMorenx: How Asia Jackson is igniting a misFor most performances, she get caught up in the gimmicks, Tony Award nominee Eva sion to end colorism and challenge Filipino beauty standards the looks, and the glitz: these wears dark sunglasses. In her Noblezada, Tony Award Hearing similar experithings that don’t really matter album cover art, her eyes are winner Lea Salonga, Princess ences of Filipinos being to me,” H.E.R. shared. blacked out and you rarely get Punzalan and Dale Watson. In told not to play outside too October, Sony Pictures World- “Yellow Rose” stars Tony Award-nominee Eva Noblezada as Rose, an undocumented teenager and long or being scrubbed with ‘Float,’ Pixar’s first animated short with Filipino characters, wide Acquisitions that it has aspiring country singer. papaya soap, half-black and lands on Disney+ acquired all worldwide rights, half-Filipina millennial Asia America.” excluding the Philippines, to Social media was abuzz Jackson is trying to challenge Since premiering at the the film. when Pixar revealed that it 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific colorism— the prejudice or “’Yellow Rose’ has been would release its first-ever discrimination against indiFilm Festival (LAAPFF), “Yela labor of passion for over animated short featuring CGI low Rose” has won the Special viduals with a dark skin tone, 15 years and I’m thrilled that Filipino characters. “Float” typically among people of the Jury Prize at the 2019 Asian we can now share this very — written and directed by same ethnic or racial group. relevant story with the world,” American International Film Fil-Am storyboard artist Bobby Through the global digital Festival, the Grand Jury Prize said Paragas. “We have the Alcid Rubio — finally became movement #Magandangfor Best Narrative Feature at added honor of representavailable on streaming service Morenx, to open up a converthe 2019 Bentonville Film Fesing the real experiences of Disney+ this past November. In Asia Jackson Photo courtesy of Asia Jackson tival, 2019 CAAMFest and the sation and highlight the skin Filipino Americans, Asian the roughly seven-minute short, about. In my lifetime, I would diversity within the Fil-Am LAAPFF, with Eva Noblezada Americans, and all immia father tries to keep his infant like to see skin whitening community. taking Best Breakout Actor. grants seeking a better life in son’s special ability to float a “Float” will make history as the first Pixar animacompanies disappear. I want “In a general sense, I want secret. But once it gets out, the Discovering UNDISCOVERED SF: Food, fashion and Filipino to leave the world in a better tion featuring Filipino characters when it lands on to work as hard as I can to father must decide whether to Disney+ on November 12. Photo courtesy of Pixar culture make sure that no one feels state than when I came in. run and hide or to accept his bad about their skin color.

Colorism is such a huge issue One of the premier events ing to have my coworkers push son as he is.

That’s the legacy I want to for me and it’s something I that the Fil-Am community in this diverse person of color to Based on his own relationleave in this world,” she said. will continue to be passionate San Francisco looks forward be a lead,” Rubio said. ship with his son Alex, Rubio to is UNDISCOVERED SF, As “Float” has globally developed the story and made The multilayered Filipina American experience, as told by a celebration of everything the characters Filipino after be- been recognized as a win for rapper Ruby Ibarra Filipino every third Saturday Filipino representation, Rubio ing encouraged by colleagues, Scientist by day, Ruby Ibarra of the month from August to wanted the story to be univerand eventually submitted it to transforms into a musical force October. UNDISCOVERED SF sal and relatable regardless of Pixar’s SparkShorts program. by night, unapologetically is a seasonal night market that “I wasn’t even thinking of them culture and background. “At rapping in English, Tagalog highlights the diverse specthe end of the day, it is about being Filipino…This is just my and Waray about the Fil-Am trum of Filipino culture, featurthe bond between father and unconscious bias. I’m not used experience through her lens. In ing live music, food pop-ups, to seeing Filipinos as lead char- son. It’s about unconditional Ibarra’s debut album “Circa91,” artists, makers, performers, acters and it felt very empower- love…” he said.

All-time favorite lechon is one of the food offerings which was fittingly titled after local businesses, and commufrom vendors at UNDISCOVERED SF. the year her family migrated Pinay visionaries: A spotlight on Filipina American elected nity organizations. A project Photo by Mogli Maureal/IG: @themogli to the United States, she gets and appointed officials of Kultivate Labs, a non-profit raw about the layers of her the SOMA district. Launched business accelerator that adThe late Thelma Buchholdt personal identity and history. vances socially conscious com- in 2017, the seasonal night paved the way for Fil-Ams to She also sees her art form as a market has demonstrated merce, and Make it Mariko, serve in public office, when way to share stories not heard its value by generating an a Bay Area event production she was elected to the Alaska in the mainstream, whether it’s increasing economic activity, company, UNDISCOVERED House of Representatives in Photo courtesy of Ruby Ibarra receiving corporate donations the single Fil-Am mother or SF is a part of a multi-prong 1974, becoming the first Fil-Am that the Filipina has to always how colonization has affected for economic development strategy to build a thriving, woman legislator in America be on the sidelines and be Filipinos centuries later. sustainable community of eco- and drawing people to the and serving four terms until the backbone to the men and A standout track includes cultural district. nomic and cultural activity in 1980. Since then, Filipina Ameralways in the background,” “Us,” featuring Rocky Rivera, icans have occupied statewide This Filipina-American engineer makes it easy for you to Klassy and Faith Santilla, which Ibarra said. “To have a track like or local positions, whether binge-watch Netflix that, where we’re celebrating has taken a life of its own and through elections or appointsisterhood and feminism, we’re has become an empowering The next time you’re on ments, in states like California, showing, not just in rap, but in Filipina American anthem. This the video streaming service, New York and Nevada, to name our community that we’re out song was a way to “dismantle think of (and thank) Filipina Juslyn Manalo, Councilmember of Daly City a few. here.” the patriarchy and that notion American engineer Anne The 2019 Filipino American Aaron, the director of video History Month theme of “Pinay Books by Filipino and Fil-Am authors algorithms at Netflix, whose Visionaries: Celebrating Filipina job it is to ensure that your This year alone, The Asian American Women” recognized video is delivered at the Journal team has read (and the vital but underreported best quality using the least featured!) a plethora of books role of Fil-Ams in U.S. history, amount of bandwidth posby Filipino and Filipino Ameriespecially their work in public sible. Aaron took the No. 32 can authors across genres, office. The Asian Journal spoke spot on Business Insider’s including: “Loves You” (poetry) to several current Filipina Born and raised in the Philippines, Anne Aaron “43 Most Powerful Female

by Sarah Gambito; “The Body Americans who have been came to California in 2000 to pursue a master’s Engineers of 2017” and was Papers” (memoir) by Grace elected or appointed to public degree and doctorate in electrical engineering at named in Forbes’ inaugural offices about their contribuStanford University. Photo courtesy of Netflix Talusan; “I Was Their Ameri“The World’s Top 50 Women can Dream” (graphic memoir) tions and what needs to be visuals. In addition to lauding in Tech” list in 2018.

by Malaka Gharib; “Patron Sonia Delen, member of State Bar of California done for more Pinays in these women’s accomplishments in At the company’s Los board of trustees Saints of Nothing” (young types of leadership roles.

STEM, Aaron’s background Gatos headquarters, Aaron adult fiction) by Randy contributed to our community Filipina means to me is adds another layer as a FiliRibay; “Why Karen Carpenand to U.S. society because we is at the helm of a 16-person a great honor to be part of pina and immigrant to which team comprised of software ter Matters” (biography/ have been able to influence, a culture that dates back to “I Was Their American Dream” by Malaka Gharib she says she feels “a bit of engineers and researchers memoir) by Karen create, lead and empower in leadership with the BaybayRépublique” (cookbook) by responsibility” given her viswho focus on video encodTongson; “Somewhere in the so many facets and sectors. It lans and we were in a matriarMargarita “Marge” Manzke; ing and experiment and tailor ibility in the community.

Middle” (memoir) by Deborah is time to celebrate and give chal society. With this year’s and “Rice. Noodles. Yum.: “I feel fortunate, but also algorithms based on the type Francisco Douglas; “No Forks tribute to these women,” said Fil-Am History Month theme Everyone’s Favorite Southeast at the same time, I do think of content so that it’s preGiven” (cookbook/stories) by Juslyn Manalo, councilmember celebrating Pinay Visionaries, about that, like what about sented at optimal speed and Continued on Page SF6 Yana Gilbuena; “Baking at we must honor those who have of Daly City, California.

community

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

Changing visa categories and priority dates

category and/or priority date: • F-1 petition (single child of U.S. citizen) converts to F-3 (married child of U.S. citizen) upon the beneficiary’s marriage, and they are subject to the F-3 priority dates.

Atty. MichAel • F-3 petition converts it Gurfinkel, eSQ to F-1 upon the termination WHEN a petition is filed of the beneficiary’s marriage for a family member, the (by divorce, annulment, death beneficiary (the person beof spouse, etc.), and the ing petitioned) is assigned beneficiary is subject to the a “priority date,” which is F-1 priority dates, which are their “place in line” for a much faster. (I have previvisa. They can apply for their ously written articles that immigrant visa or green card if a person is under an F-3 only when their priority date petition but their marriage is is current (or visa is available), effectively “over,” because Bahalana Mother took her tiMe in petitioning her Makulit daughter. nanay rosita (2nd from right) went to the u.S. in 1984, leaving behind her which can take many, many their spouse abandon them, children. It was in 1994 when she finally got her green card, and she was able to get all her children, except for Apet (left) who aged out at that time. disappeared, or there’s no Nanay became busy juggling two jobs, so she kept putting off the petition for Apet, even when Apet kept hounding her mother. At Apet’s urging, Nanay finally years.

Some people mistakenly reached out to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) in 2005 to consult and sign up, but it took Nanay another two years before she more love, they may want to completed the forms and sent the necessary documents. Meanwhile, Apet was anxious and wanted to expedite the process, so she wrote to the National Visa believe that the circumstanc- consider terminating the marCenter (NVC) without the knowledge of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, when the visa was not even available, creating confusion with the NVC. es that existed at the time riage rather than staying in After follow-ups and monitoring by Atty. Gurfinkel and his team, they were able to reunite Apet and Nanay Rosita in the US, and were also able to bring in the petition is filed should the longer F-3 category.

Apet’s daughters, Tracy and Nicole (2nd from left). Watch this family reunion, years in the making, on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at apply throughout the entire • Immediate relative 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) process. For example, if they petition of minor child of U.S. were petitioned as single, but citizen (IR) converts to F-3 if later got married, they should the child marries before their still be processed as single. If visa is issued. they were under 21 when the • F-2B petition (single petition was filed, but later adult child of green card aged out, they should still be holder parent) is automaticonsidered a minor. If the cally void and terminated petitioner was alive when the if the beneficiary marries petition was filed but later before the petitioner natudied, they should still be enti- ralizes or visa is issued. It tled to a visa without humani- does not matter that the Immigration Attorney Michael tained as their legal counsel.

NANAY Rosita left her tarian revalidation, since the beneficiary was “single” Atty. Gurfinkel emphaJ. Gurfinkel and retained him children in 1984 to find petition was filed while the when the petition was filed. sizes that nothing is more in 2005. However, Nanay was greener pastures in the U.S. petition was alive.

If they get married before important than family and not able to fill out the necesShe took various jobs while This viewpoint is not visa issuance (or before the he reiterates that, “There’s sary forms and send in the she was TnT, until she finally correct. It is not the circumpetitioner naturalized), the always an excuse not to required documents because got her green card in 1994. stances that existed when the petition becomes void as of do something, but when it she was busy juggling two She then was able to petition petition was filed that apply their wedding day. If the Fcomes to your family, forget jobs until 2007 when she her younger children, but to a person’s petition or case, 2B beneficiary marries after the excuses and do somewas unable to bring her older finally filed the petition. but instead the circumstances the petitioner naturalizes, the thing. See an attorney who Meanwhile, Apet was daughter, Apet, to the U.S, that exist when the visa bepetition converts to F-3. can evaluate the case and getting anxious through the as she had already aged out. comes available. If there are • Unless eligible for bensee what the options are.” years, and in 2017 when Apet was devastated and efits under the Child Status Watch how the Law Offices of certain changes or developit was getting close to her kept asking her mother when Protection Act (CSPA), minor Michael Gurfinkel was able to ments, it could result in their priority date, she joined a she can follow, to start workchild who turns 21 years of reunite the family on a brand- petition being reclassified Facebook ® chat group that ing on the petition for her. into a different category and age (ages out), results in an IR where people were giving her new episode of CITIZEN But work kept Nanay Rosita child converting to F-1 (unless PINOY – this Sunday 6:15 pm either make the waiting time advice, and she even wrote busy, so she kept postponfor a visa faster or longer. he was under 21 years of age PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru the National Visa Center ing.

The following are some when the petition was filed) , select Cable/Satellite providwithout consulting with the Finally, after much prodchanges in circumstances that F-2A converting to F-2B, or a ers). ding from Apet, Nanay Rosita Law Offices of Michael J. derivative beneficiary falling Gurfinkel whom they have rereached out to leading U.S. (Advertising Supplement) could affect a person’s visa

Immigration Corner

Lessons learned: Family should always come first on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy!

off their parent’s petition.

• Naturalization of the petitioner results in an F-2A petition converting to IR (if the beneficiary is still under 21 years of age), or an F-2B petition converting to F-1 (unless the beneficiary elects to remain in the F-2B category).

I realize the laws concerning visa categories, conversion of petitions, and priority dates can be very complex and confusing. If there have been any changes in a person’s circumstances that may affect the waiting time on their visa, they may want to consider consulting with an immigration attorney, who can evaluate their case and determine if they are in the proper visa category and/or eligible for a faster visa category. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

Showbiz predictions, vibes and visions for 2020 by aRlo custodio ManilaTimes.net

WHAT will happen to ABSCBN stars when the network franchise expires on March 30 and more…

Although unpublished, spirit questor-psychic Nick Nangit fearlessly declared days before the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 coronation night that three of the new queens will win in their respective contests.

It was not to doubt his abilities then, but The Manila Times waited for the fulfillment of his prediction to establish his credibility.

First to compete was Michele Gumabao in the Miss Globe contest in Albania on October 22. She finished Top 15. Eva Patalinjug followed on October 25, unplaced in the Miss Grand International held in Myanmar. On November 9, Ahtisa Manalo almost became the seventh Filipina Miss International when she placed First Runner-Up in Japan. On December 9, Jehza Huelar ended in Top 10 in the Miss Supranational pageant in Poland.

With four down and only Manalo in the winning circle, the attention was on Catriona Gray. Auspiciously, with her beauty, poise and intelligence, the Filipino-Scottish, Australiaborn, model-singer became the fourth Filipina Miss Universe on December 17 in Thailand.

On Jan. 27, 2019, Karen Gallman became the first Philippine bet to win the Miss Intercontinental pageant after 46 years on home soil.

The win of three of the 2018 Binibini queens cemented Nangit’s stock as a reliable seer.

One of the predictions he also shared that time was the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia – not by sickness but caused by something else, he said. On June 8, Garcia tripped on a cable wire while taping a teleserye for GMA Network.

The accident made him comatose and he died several days later on June 20.

community SF Aga is box office king!

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

by Ricky caldeRon ManilaTimes.net

THE 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival officially ends on January 7 and barring any untoward incident, a new box office king will be crowned in Aga Muhlach.

His movie, “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” has emerged as the frontrunner in the box office race. It continues to lure in movie audiences. Never mind if it did not win any award, Anne Curtis although it earned a Best AcPhoto from Instagram/@annecurtissmith tor nomination for Aga. For the longest time, Aga has not had much success at the box office. His last two Kris Aquino Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino movies laid big, fat eggs but he certainly scored a jackpot and redeemed himself as he made his version of the popular Koream movie the current box office champion of MMFF 2019.

“Miracle in Cell No. 7” Coco Martin ABS-CBN photo has toppled “The Mall, The Merrier” from the number one slot. While the MMDA has yet to release the total amount earned by any of the entries, unconfirmed reports on social media indicate that Aga has indeed topped the filmfest.

The icon that he is, Aga has wrested the “crown” from long-time title holder, Piolo Pascual Maine Mendoza Vice Ganda.

Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm What does this develophost.

Nangit, a CPA-lawyer who ment tell Vice Ganda? There For this issue, Nangit shares is a saturation point, he can’t graduated from the University his vibes and visions for the of the Philippines, said that he be number one all the time. year, focusing on the enterwas born with psychic abiliHe can’t give his audience tainment industry in general ties. He honed these further the same kind of movies of and showbiz personalities in by becoming a spirit questor, rehashed jokes year after particular. under the mentorship of Tony year. His audience has grown Quality in the movie indusPerez in 2004. He was elected tired of his antics and shetry in general will stagnate in later to the group’s Council nanigans. It’s about time he the coming Year of the Metal of Elders. When this group of levels up.

Rat because the themes that young psychic volunteers was the source. Viewers will still be will be mostly presented in disbanded, he continued to duped into watching feel-good theaters may become munrepresent and render its public dane and boring, not blending films without realizing they are service on the occult, paranorfed nonsense. Risks that a Rat with the year’s element. mal and divination. is known for may be taken.

Metal represented by Besides his profession and Their benefit will come only, if avocation, Nangit is also a clas- money will circulate that will only make a few happy but not new and unusual indigenous sical concert pianist and radio

Aga Muhlach

ABS-CBN photo

As for Aga, he may have lost the Best Actor awards to Allen Dizon (who won for “Mindanao”) but he won the hearts of the public. He will get his just reward in due time. As of this time, the Box Office King title is more than enough. Besides, he has nothing to prove anymore, acting-wise.

As for Vice, it’s about time he goes back to the drawing board. It’s time

to reassess his career and where it is going. It’s time for reinvention and innovation. He can’t afford to just rest on his laurels and be content with the thought that he can always be number one.

There is still hope for Vice Ganda. If he can be convinced to do a good comedy film or a remake of a classic film like “Ang Tatay Kong Continued on Page SF6

stories are told with twists and turns that excite the cunning attitude of the Rat. Unknown personalities and pairings may rise. The time for boldness has come again.

There will be a lot of

movement by the ABS-CBN stars after its franchise expires on March 30. A few will go streaming or transfer to other media outlets, but their programs will be difficult to Continued on Page SF6

SF

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

Showbiz predictions...

From Page SF5 sustain. Many will lie low or move to other platforms or new endeavors just to save their downhill careers. It will be a time of freezing fire for their celebrities whose signs are presumably correct.

Vice Ganda, being a Dragon, may make a sudden turnaround.

Anne Curtis, a Monkey, will focus on love and family but will feel low during the Venus and Mars Retrogrades.

Coco Martin, a Scorpio Rooster, may go behind the scenes but will find ways to make it big again with his ideas of grandness and travel.

Regine Velasquez, a Dog, may pair with other younger singers to still be in the loop.

Sarah Geronimo, another Dragon, may tie the knot soon and enter a quiet life of motherhood, while lying low in the music industry.

Piolo Pascual, also a Dragon, may be involved in another controversy. There is much movement for him on all sides.

Kris Aquino, a Pig, will fare better than last year, but will lose luster with her series of irrelevance. She will always try to make a comeback, but her

between. If they proceed, it will be fun with only a few closest to them in attendance.

Aga Muhlach, a Rooster, will attempts will likely flop. embark on a new journey with GMA stars will feel happier family by his side. than their ABS-CBN counterDeaths will be among the parts, but with so much fish in females of advanced age. the ocean, many of them may Illness looms among a few of resort to treachery or get into them. A series may happen the flesh trade just to survive.

Maine Mendoza, a Pig, may before death strikes the men.

Yin before yang. feel sad with having to choose Accidents involving water between love and career. It may be sadder for Arjo Atayde and travel by land are in the horizon toward the second who could be feeling lost and quarter onwards. immobile.

Two Filipinas will win in inAi-Ai delas Alas, a Dragon ternational beauty contests, but as well, will fare better and their chances will be dimmed should be given more serious if they are not true to their work that will bring out her nature. full potential. Her kindness will The separation of Miss Unihave immense rewards.

Vic Sotto, a Taurus Horse, is verse Philippines from Binibining Pilipinas Charities will be admonished to take care of his good, but filled with intrigues health and avoid long travels.

Jennylyn Mercado, a Rabbit and troubles, typical of a Rat Taurus, may feel her career and year.

Manny Pacquiao, a Horse, finances standing still, but her family’s love will strengthen her. may be overwhelmed by the challenges he will face, but he She will survive. will be helped by the love of Dennis Trillo, a Rooster, may try other more challenging his mother Dionisia and family. endeavors that may also involve He should take care of his head and spine. some scandals.

President Rodrigo Duterte There could be a fulfillment and his daughter Davao City of a wedding this year for Tom Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will Rodriguez, a Libra Rabbit and Carla Abellana, a Gemini Tiger. be a very good tandem. An Aries for new beginnings and They both already enjoy being a Gemini for planning will do together without further need wonders for the country. of having a piece of paper in

The attorney-client relationship application? And, more importantly, that a rejected The CTV application could lead to Files the issuance of a Notice to Appear (NTA)? In September 2018, changes in policy were put in place allowing immiAtty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ gration officers to reject visa applications immediately due AS attorneys, we get fran- to missing or inaccurate information. Previously, USCIS will tic or panicked phone calls from our clients worried about issue “Requests for Evidence” (RFE) if there are missing their cases. It’s a natural reinformation, allowing applisponse – nobody wants to be in a place of unknowing – and cants to address gaps in their we try our best to walk people paperwork. “Notices of Intent to Deny” were also issued, through the process. For the as per prior guidance, which most part, the panic comes gave applicants a 30-day from information gathered warning that their application from the wonderful world of would likely be rejected. the internet: someone read Applications affected by this article or watched that these policies and its recent video, then later fears are confirmed upon speaking with changes in policy apply to: (i) a neighbor’s-husband’s-third- applications and renewals of temporary (non-immigrant) cousin who had the “same visas, and (ii) permanent exact situation.” Oh boy. resident status (immigrant) Most attorneys cannot visas. Securing such visas are speak about cases they have required in order for non-U.S. not handled. Each case is citizen foreign nationals to unique – one tiny fact, one legally live and work in the tiny detail could change the United States. course of a case. And, in imCan USCIS refer a file to migration cases where the deportation for the issuance threat of deportation is very of a Notice to Appear after real why would you gamble with your life? Or your family’s the case has been denied?

Yes. The U.S. Citizenship life? and Immigration Services New Policy for Rejecting (USCIS) may also issue an NTA Incomplete or Inaccurate when it finds a noncitizen has Filings.

Did you know that a single not complied with regulations governing admission or error could mean a rejected maintaining lawful status after

admission.

Consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before filing anything.

First things first, do not file anything with USCIS or any other government entity without first seeking advice. Filing for applications “frivolously” can and will come back and haunt you. While certain applications are available online making it easy to access, individuals must nevertheless proceed with caution when filing for any application with USCIS. Just because it is easier now to file for an application does not mean that you should. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www. chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Aga is box office...

From Page SF5 Nanay” by the late Comedy King Dolphy, where he can show that he can act, as in really act, then there is hope for redemption.

Since he only makes one movie a year and he has a lot of time to prepare for the December filmfest, then he can really scout for a good script and a good director.

There is no harm in trying something new. Maybe his fans have grown tired of his antics. Maybe his fans also want him to do something

else, not the usual stuff that Vice Ganda gives them during the festival.

Now that his myth of invincibility has been shattered — by someone more iconic, no less — will Vice Ganda embrace the fact that he is as human as everybody else and needs to go down from his imagined pedestal?

Is he wise enough to realize that? Or is he still blinded by fame and continues to believe that he is still up there, safely ensconced at the top?

Revisiting the Asian...

From Page SF2 Asian Dishes” (cookbook) by Abigail Sotto Raines. More recent releases have included “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion” by Jia Tolentino, “Lalani of the Distant Sea” by Erin Entrada Kelly and “From Rufio to Zuko” by Dante Basco.

“There are not many representations of Filipino Americans in literature and in our culture and I was very aware of that. It took me a long time to come to peace with what I was going through because I knew it would

be read as representative in some ways for Filipino Americans, which it should not be because this is just one unique, specific story,” said Talusan. “It is not representative, but I knew that it could be taken that way.

Sometimes there’s pressure because there’s so few of us in publishing that we should tell only certain kinds of stories or those that are happy and make us proud of who we are. I would argue that this story does make me proud of who I am because we all go through difficult things and hardships.”

Fil-Am Bailey Munoz wins ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Season 16 In September 2019, Fil-Am Bailey “Bailrok” Munoz was hailed the champion of the 16th season of “So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).” The 19-year-old succeeded Filipina American Hannahlei Cabanilla who won the previous season in 2018. Aside from being named “America’s Favorite Dancer,” Las Vegas-native Bailrok also took home a $250,000 grand prize and a cover article in Dance Spirit. Bailrok revealed that finding a whole new strength in himself was his favorite part of his SYTYCD journey. “I really wanted to show that I could do it, that I could [overcome] obstacles I was

Bailey “Bailrok” Munoz won “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 16.

Photo from Instagram/@danceonfox

faced and to give it my 100% every time I was on that stage,” he said.

Filipino literature stays alive at San Francisco’s Arkipelago Books There are only two bookstores dedicated to Filipino literature in the United States, both in California: Philippine Expressions Bookshop in San Pedro and Arkipelago Books in San Francisco. Named after the Philippines’ group of islands, Arkipelago Books sits inside the Bayanihan Community Center in the heart of the South of Market (SOMA) Pilipinas, the 10-block Filipino Cultural Heritage District in San Francisco. The bookstore, a pillar of the San Francisco Fil-Am community for over 20 years, continues to live on through its current second-generation owners, Lily Prijoles and Golda Sargento after original owner Marie Romero retired in 2017.

“The bookstore being what it

Yana Gilbuena delivering her new book ‘No Forks Given’ to Arkipelago Books co-owner, Lili Prijoles before the book launched in April 2019.

PapaLoDown Agency photo

is, is a place where Filipino and Filipino American and Philippine international books go.

It’s a really interesting position that we’re in. The diaspora is so massive, yet connected through online,” Sargento said.

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020

SF

My Unforgettable Camino Experience by I want readers to imagine and reflect on a world devoid of suffering. absolutely no suffering, just a perfect world to live in. a world where sacrificing in the name of love for another does not exist. a world where there is no pain nor adversity, where the possibility of learning and growing a family without overcoming obstacles would be denied. would you consider living in that world? I would not live in such world. we have and still experience situations that cause us to suffer, but the benefits of finding real meaning in suffering remain. Sometimes we have to endure pain and suffering, which in turn translates into a joy that we might not have otherwise felt. no one likes to suffer.

But it helps us grow and mature as a person. I also believe that suffering is an important part of any journey.

Exerting a great deal of effort, every pilgrim experiences difficulties, both physical and emotional. Some overcome extreme knee pain and excruciatingly painful blisters on their feet, while others get knocked out as they navigate through rocks and crevices in bad weather.

For many, just catching their breath and feeling their lungs about to implode while struggling to scale new heights that appear to endlessly torment them can be among the many forms of sacrifices. These are some of the most common experiences shared by thousands of pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago.

Known in English as the way of St. James, it is a network of pilgrim’s ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of the Santiago de Compostela where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. This is the biggest and most important pilgrimage known to the Catholic faith as it draws 250,000 pilgrims from all over the world annually. Many follow its route as a form of purification or retreat for their spiritual growth.

If millennials have a powerful symbol in “YOLO or You Only Live Once,” this group of talented baby boomers (55 to 75 years old) comprising golfing buddies affiliated with the Cebu Country Club have their own version, “wwC,” a symbolic cry that stands for “while we Can!” They are collectively known as the “Caminoans,” highly successful entrepreneurs and C-level executives that recently completed their annual Camino pilgrimage in Europe (their fifth year in a row). I joined this group, got inducted and the experience blew me away. after walking the equivalent of a third (80 kilometers in three days) of what my fellow Caminoans went through, I experienced a life-altering en-

counter that will forever change the way I view life. By walking an average of six to eight hours daily, I placed myself in deeper seclusion, enabled me to contemplate about my personal life journey minus all the distractions. when you meditate, it gives you a lot of introspection and provides one the opportunity to discover oneself. as you reflect, you begin to notice the things that really matter most in life are those that come from your heart like being a good parent, a spouse or a sibling. I am sure I was not the only pilgrim that felt this longing for a meaningful existence.

My interest started when Gothong Southern Shipping founder Bob and Joy Gothong shared a movie of “The way,” an inspiring film about a father (Martin Sheen) that walked the Camino de Santiago with his son’s ashes. His estranged son had died

while traveling the “El Camino” from France to Spain. what piqued my curiosity further was when Finisterre Memorial and anseca Group Chair Jun Selma regaled me with remarkable stories of the Caminoan’s past experiences.

On Being a “Caminoan” Finisterre Memorial and anseca Group Chair Jun Selma casually asked me late July if I can squeeze a few days off to join him in Europe for a visit to a mystical place called Finisterre, a rock-bound peninsula on the west coast of Galicia, Spain. In Roman times, the place was believed to be the end of the known world. Jun explained to me that he was completely awed during his first visit that it inspired him to mount and develop an exciting project in Minglanilla, Cebu called Finisterre Memorial Gardenz in honor of his late and beloved mother, narding Selma. after a couple of weeks, Jun excitedly followed it up with a formal invitation for me to join their annual pilgrimage walk in September. He told me that I will be joining distinguished fellow “caminoans” headed by Cebu Country Club President Bob Gothong, Joe Soberano, nonoy tirol, Vic Yuvallos, Ramon Villordon Jr., Kim Kwang Seok, Shean Bedi, and Fr. Joe Quilongquilong (JQ). I was also told that this was an all-male pilgrimage as an all-female group led by Joy Gothong were also en route to Europe to do their Camino walk. naturally, I was honored but I felt it would take a miracle for me to clear

Prof. EnriquE Soriano, Family Business Coach my schedules as my calendar for 2019 and half of 2020 have already been booked for engagements in asia. Despite the constraints and what looked like an unseen hand working to clear my schedule, everything fell into place and I was given the green light to join the group.

In the weeks leading to the El Camino walk, I was impressed by the commitment and devotion of the “caminoans” going about their assigned tasks. Their send-off and get together event hosted by Jun on the eve of their departure to France plus the way the two-week event was thoroughly organized was a pleasant surprise. and to top it off, if not for the constant bugging of top John Hay Golf executive Shean Bedi, a colleague during my property days a decade ago, I our desire on being the most would not have made it. He was successful chief executive offithe quintessential project man- cer (CEO) in our industry. ager, making sure all logistical Sadly, I became a victim of all these material obsessions more than 20 years ago. These fixations happened early on in my corporate career and I paid dearly for it. I suffered a complete depletion of energy and had to retire at a relatively early age of 40.

Ominously, it happened when I was at the peak of my corporate career either as country CEO, president and or a member of the board of directors of market-leading organizations. all throughout our life journey, we always think we cannot live without them. But in reality, we really have a lot of things that we don’t need. In fact, these material desires distract us and slow us down. Ultimately, they take out the happiness and love issues were covered.

There were moments where for family.

In my years coaching famiI ask myself, how can this band of successful individuals un- ly-owned businesses in asia, I characteristically subject them- have witnessed how founders selves to the grueling walk for and business owners callously two consecutive weeks? Clear- drive their children to excel in ly the group’s enthusiasm and business, but regrettably and their willingness to go through woefully failing to inculcate pain and suffering moved me. good old-fashioned family valThe most authentic moments in life are not the comforts that we all experience in our daily lives but what happens once we have been tested and after enduring and overcoming a crisis.

In essence, real life is the real pilgrimage and it actually began even before we started the walk. to my mind, there is no such pilgrimage without experiencing setbacks and difficulties. and there is no pilgrim that will embark on a journey without a purpose or goal. Our respective journeys in life is our authentic pilgrimage and I believe the Camino de Santiago walk is meant to inspire and re- ues such as good parenting, mind us that our sacrifices are love, family unity and stewnothing compared to what the ardship. applying these valpilgrims went through more ues will determine the kind of family and business we all have than a thousand years ago. long after the senior leader has We Can Live Without Them In the days leading to the passed on. when parents do Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, not express real love towards I constantly asked myself, “Do I their children, family harmony is threatened. In the end, real need everything I have?”

The insignificant load that we wealth is all about simplicity actually carry take up so much and real happiness comes from space in our hearts starting the heart. as St. Ignatius once with the way we live our lives, said, “Happiness does not dethe compulsion to have more pend on how many things you wealth by working so hard at have but on how much we love the expense of family time, our God and others.”

Our problems are nothing penchant to have an extravagant During my Camino de Sanlifestyle, our insatiable craving to keep up with the Joneses and tiago walk, there were times I wanted to stop, but for as long as my wobbly legs could still manage to hold up, even if I fall one more time, I knew I will rise up and walk. It was my desire to continue walking. Just as in life, you just can’t quit. whatever curveball is thrown at you, you just can’t stop. You can pause but you just can’t say I’ll stop as life’s challenges will keep coming at you. I can’t do this anymore was never an option.

Though my days were limited, all the sacrifices I went through during the walk and the brutal climb at the Pyrenees (the mountain range that separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe) was a test of my faith and endurance. and being a first-time Caminoan, I felt like I was experiencing my own

calvary. Overall, the exhaustion we felt during the journey was a striking resemblance to the sacrifices that millions of pilgrims experienced in their Camino journey during the past 12 centuries. as Joe Soberano, a fellow Caminoan and founder and CEO of listed firm Cebu Landmasters, said, “Everytime I embark on this pilgrimage, I am constantly reminded that I am nothing compared to the thousands of pilgrims who have suffered and endured more adversities.”

So true. Our problems are just a shred compared to the challenges of others.

Suffering Passes The first time I came in contact with pain and suffering during the Camino de Santiago walk, it was really traumatic. But the realization that you can still continue despite pains felt from all over your body, that you can’t wait for the pain to subside before taking the next step the following day is in itself a lesson. For some pilgrims, having horrible blisters during the walk was an ordeal.

Thankfully, I did not suffer any but the pain and exhaustion were so difficult to bear. when faced with pain, there is a temptation which leads us to become self-centered. It’s a situation where you always think about yourself and indulge in self-pity.

I considered the last day, the scenic St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles (navigating the scenic but very brutal route napoleon) the most difficult part of my pilgrimage (I only joined the group in the last phase but still managed to log in almost 80 kilometers). The morning started with a really steep climb of 1,450 meters and downhill of 500 meters. Midway into the walk, one can easily get lost as the road becomes narrow, rugged and very muddy. There was a point where the high altitude became so torturous and my lungs were ready to surrender.

But meditation and introspection and pulling myself into a state of silence made the walk more bearable. I then found my rhythm and stayed focused.

For the distinguished Caminoans who braved the 10-day, 206 kilometers walk, it is just but fitting to recognize their own journey of pain and sacrifice. Congratulations to Jun Selma, Bob Gothong, Jose Soberano III, nonoy tirol, Vic Yuvallos, Ramon Villordon Jr., Kim Kwang Seok, Shean Bedi, and Fr. Joe Quilongquilong (JQ). to Caroline, our skill-

Day 1 - 08 kilometers Day 2 - 19 kilometers Day 3 - 24 kilometers Day 4 - 18 kilometers Day 5 - 23 kilometers Day 6 - 18 kilometers Day 7 - 18 kilometers Day 8 - 22 kilometers Day 9 - 26 kilometers Day 10 - 30 kilometers ful French guide and driver Stephan, thank you! You all have my respect and admiration!

Suffering passes, but having suffered remains In our life journey, we do encounter difficult and tense moments because of personal tragedy, family conflict or a reversal of fortune. But whatever pain and suffering that we are all going through must never defeat us. The expression “whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” is completely true.

The way a person deals with emotional pain or any type of pain shows a person’s true c h a r a c t e r.

How an individual overcomes these challenges with hope will define his or her resiliency and strength in the face of mounting adversity.

I can forget many things about the pilgrimage, but I will never forget the masses or rosaries on the bus, while walking on uneven roads, on top of a mountain or in several Romanesque centuries-old churches. It was an experience like no other!

It dawned on me that the masses are really special as it puts ourselves in deeper seclusion because we distance ourselves from all distractions.

The purpose of the pilgrimage is not to get to Santiago, the real purpose is all about self-discovery and an encounter with someone. I have noticed that the goal we seek happens during the Holy Mass officiated by our spiritual advisor, a well-loved Jesuit priest and theologian Fr. JQ as he connects our daily Camino of life. Summarizing the regular homilies and trying to make sense of our daily physical struggles, Fr. JQ contextualized a pilgrim’s journey by connecting all our sacrifices to our life journey, constantly making us realize that “suffering passes, but having suffered remains.” His messages are personal and really hit home! to those who are contemplating on embarking on this Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, do it. It is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is like a vitamin for your soul. as fellow Caminoan, Jun Selma would forcefully say, wwC (while we can)! BUEn CaMInO!

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 10, 2020