012418 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

January 24-26, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 9 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

USA

DATELINE 7 Fil-Am medical missionaries dead in Cebu after car crash FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

A WEEKEND getaway in Cebu quickly turned into a tragedy after seven FilipinoAmerican medical missionaries were killed in a car crash in the nearby town of Alegria last weekend.

On Saturday, January 20, a group of 10 physicians and nurses from the United States were in the town of Oslob, located 73 miles south of Cebu City. The group was on its way to Kawasan Falls in Badian that morning when the driver of their rented Toyota Grandia van reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

The car then crashed into a roadside mahogany tree between 11 a.m. and noon, less than 10 miles away from the destination.

According to local officials, five passengers were killed on the spot while the other five passengers were transported to hospitals;

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Pilot from California gets life in prison for buying and raping Filipino children

Duterte tells troops: ‘Shoot me if I become a dictator’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to shoot him if he becomes a dictator or stays in power

“Kaya ako ‘pag sumobra, gusto kong mag-diktador, barilin ninyo ako. Hindi ako nagbobola (If I overstay and wanted to become a dictator, shoot me, I am not joking),” he added.

Duterte had repeatedly said in the

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Vote for DACA fix, CHIP reauthorization pushed back to February 8

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

A SACRAMENTO man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday, January 23, after being convicted for buying Filipino children for pornography and sex — federal prosecutors described the case as “lurid, willful, and disturbing.”

Prosecutors said Michael Carey Clemans, 57, was found guilty in September of attempted travel and travel with intent to engage in sexual conduct, buying children, and conspiracy to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

“His true plan was to find girls, virgins, and then go have sex with them,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Andre Espinosa on Tuesday as reported by the Associated Press.

“A 57-year-old man doesn’t have sex with a seven year old girl — he rapes her,” Espinosa added.

Clemans’ defense attorney Daniel Olmos argued for reconsideration of Clemans’ sentence for helping authorities capture co-conspirators, but U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez Mendez described Clem-

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AFTER CLAIM AGAINST DRILON

Palace: Let Napoles speak to find out ‘whole truth’ behind PDAF scam CORRALES Inquirer.net

I am now asking the [AFP] and the PNP not to allow me or anybody else to mess up with the Constitution,” Duterte said.

The president further stressed that it is both the military and the police’s “solemn duty” to “protect the Constitution and the people.”

US Congress passes bill to end gov’t shutdown

AFTER receiving backlash for allowing the government to shut down on Friday, January 19, a bipartisan group of United States Congress members presented a bill on Monday, January 22 that would reopen the government and allow thousands of furloughed federal employees to return to work.

Members of Congress were to put together a spending package by midnight on Friday, but due to disagreements with certain bills and a refusal

by Senate Democrats to support a stopgap funding measure to extend the deadline, the shutdown went into effect.

Through bargaining with other Congress members behind closed doors (and knowing that the repercussions of a shut down worsen as time goes on), key lawmakers on Capitol Hill voted overwhelmingly on Monday to break the filibuster and reopen the government.

“Should we have ever shut down the government? Absolutely not,” said Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV), who was a leader in negotiating a way out from the shutdown.

Senate Democrats relented to joining the Republicans to allow the passage of a short-term spending package that would provide government

by NESTOR

beyond his term expiration in 2022.

The president made the remark in his speech during an army base visit on Monday, January 22, in Compostela Valley province.

“Kapag ako sumobra sa aking termino, isang araw lang (If I extend my term of office, even for a day),

4, revealed that she gave P5 million to Sen. Franklin Drilon MALACAÑANG wants the as campaign donation during Ombudsman to investigate all the 2010 elections.

Napoles, who is accused of those involved in the Priority Development Fund (PDAF) funneling pork barrel funds scam regardless of their politi- to ghost projects, is currently detained at the Camp Bagong cal affiliation.

“We want the truth and noth- Diwa in Taguig City for plunder ing but the whole truth to come charges.

Drilon has denied he received out in this PDAF scam,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry campaign funds from Napoles, Roque said in a Palace briefing. saying the allegations were This development came after “fake news intended to harass alleged pork barrel mastermind the opposition.”

But Roque said Napoles’ acJanet Lim-Napoles, in an interview with broadcast journalist cusations against Drilon must Erwin Tulfo over state-run PTVu PAGE A4

TIENDA PARA SA MGA BAYANI. President Rodrigo Duterte flashes his signature pose with 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Noel Clement, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Rey Guerrero, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) Commander Lieutenant Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and other EastMinCom personnel during the establishment of the TienDA Para sa mga Bayani at Camp General Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Compostela Valley Province on Monday, January 22.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Palace defends decision to grant China research access in PH rise

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

In this Feb. 27, 2015 photo provided by fisherman Renato Etac, Chinese Coast Guard members approach his fellow fishermen near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. More than once, the Chinese approached Etac’s boat and pointed their rifles at him, but he says he knew they would not fire and start a war. Philstar.com photo

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, January 23, has defended its earlier decision allowing China to carry out research in the Philippine Rise, formerly referred to as Benham Rise, which is located off Eastern Luzon.

In a press briefing, Palace

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Aquino admits mistake over claim that Ona attended Sanofi meeting

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

FORMER Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has admitted that he made a “mistake” when he claimed that former Health Secretary Enrique Ona was present during his meeting with Sanofi Pasteur executives four years ago.

During a Senate hearing last month, Aquino confirmed that Ona was present during his meeting with officials of Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, in Beijing in November 2014.

But on Monday, January 22, DENGVAXIA HEARING. Former Health Secretary Enrique Ona (right) takes his oath during the resumption of the Senate probe into the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine. Also called to the the former president declared probe were Janette Garin, former Health Secretary, the incumbent Health Chief Francisco that he made a wrong claim.

The former president explained Duque III, and Paulyn Jean Ubial, also a former Health Secretary.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan that he has to rely on records

provided to him as he pointed out that the meeting happened years ago. According to Aquino, he was given a briefer that Ona was present during the November 2014 meeting.

“I have to rely on the records that we possessed and unfortunately, sometimes there’s a mistake. Di ba, it’s human to err (It’s human to err, right)?” Aquino told Inquirer.

He also noted that he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the records.

“Parang pwede ko bang sabihin sayo lahat ng ginawa ko on that day in a period of six years?

Remembering sinong kausap, saan kayo nag-usap, anong oras kayo nag usap, anong pinag-usapan nyo? (It’s like, would I be able

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A January 24-26, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIan JOurnaL

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From the Front Page

Duterte tells troops...

PAGE A1 past that he has no intention of going beyond his six-year term, which is set to end on June 30, 2022.

Earlier this month, Duterte’s allies in Congress raised the possibility of extending the president’s term as part of the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

But even if extending the president’s term would be allowed in the new Constitution, Malacañang clarified that Duterte is already averse to the idea. Rather than extending his term, Malacañang claimed that Duterte prefers to step down ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Sison ‘stuck in history’ In the same speech, Duterte also scoffed at Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, who recently urged the youth to hold a mass protest against the supposed looming

dictatorship under the present administration.

“Sison said I should see a doctor and have my head examined.

Hey, Sison, if you were bright, you should have become president already,” Duterte said.

The CPP founder on Sunday, January 21, called for the youth to imitate the riots of the “First Quarter Storm” (FQS) of 1970 against the Duterte administration, referring to the series of heavy demonstrations that led to the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law in 1972.

In an interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday, January 21, Sison said the youth “should launch huge mass marches and rallies in the National Capital Region and in the provinces, like during the First Quarter Storm (FQS) of 1970.”

“With the signal act of the student youth, the rest of the people — workers, the peasants, women, youth of other sectors,

cultural workers, professionals and religious — will participate in the mass-protest movement,” he added.

But Malacañang downplayed Sison’s call, saying the CPP founder was “stuck” in the past.

“Again, we don’t attach too much importance to Joma Sison. I hope he has enough grandchildren to heed this call,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing.

Roque continued, “The problem with Joma Sison is he is stuck in history. He never moved beyond the First Quarter Storm.”

Sison has been in self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987.

In December last year, Duterte also classified the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as “terrorists” following the termination of peace negotiations between the government and the communist group. n

Palace defends decision to grant China...

PAGE A1 Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that “you do not need a permit for any Filipino corporation to conduct scientific investigation in Benham Rise because it is ours so that’s not something that a consent has to be given by the government.”

But according to Roque, Filipinos have no financial capability to pursue such costly research in the Philippine Rise. “[N]o one has applied. And no one can do it because, apparently, it’s capital intensive,” the Palace official said.

Malacañang also said that China was qualified and passed the guidelines set by the Philippines.

Among these guidelines, according to the Philippine government, is that Filipino researchers must be allowed to join Chinese researchers during explorations. All findings must also be shared with the Philippines.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has earlier expressed alarm over China’s involvement in the Philippine Rise research,

noting that the Manila and Beijing have territorial disputes in some parts of the South China Sea. In a statement on Monday, January 22, Pangilinan remarked that “history and experience tell us that China is not exactly the most trustworthy partner for such an activity.”

“What will the country stand to gain from this marine scientific research? Why do we need to partner with China?

Can’t the Philippines do it on its own? What is in store for China after the research? How long will this be carried out, and what will be the coverage of the research? What are the mechanisms and guidelines in place in the conduct of the activity?” Pangilinan said.

The senator further asked, “Most importantly, what would be the impact of such joint undertaking on the Philippines’ national interest and security?”

In a separate statement, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano revealed that the Philippines also approved research requests

from the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Cayetano told the Philippine Star that Malacañang has already approved 13 research applications from the United States, nine from Japan, and four from South Korea.

In a bid to debunk critics’ claims of the Philippine government’s supposed bias in favor of China, Cayetano also noted that only two out of 18 applications from China were approved.

The Foreign Affairs secretary further allayed fears that China would exploit Philippine resources amid access to the country’s waters.

“They all must comply with Philippine laws or we would bar them at Benham Rise,” Cayetano said.

In May last year, President Rodrigo Duterte officially renamed “Benham Rise” to “Philippine Rise” in a bid to uphold the country’s sovereign rights.

Located along the Pacific Ocean 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Isabela, the Philippine Rise is believed to be rich in mineral and gas deposits. n

SENATE LEADS GULAYAN FESTIVAL. Senator Joel Villanueva graced the 7th Gulayan Festival as guest of honor and speaker on Monday, January 22, in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Villanueva is author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1431 or the Tulong-Trabaho Bill which seeks to narrow the gap of unemployment in the country by providing free technical and vocational education covering agricultural scholarship trainings to the poor and unemployed Filipinos and skills upgrading to currently employed individuals.

Senate photo

Pilot from California gets life in prison..

PAGE A1 ans as a “danger particularly to children” and said Clemans’ crimes were greater than his assistance.

“He has taken away the childhood of those victims,” said Mendez.

“Clemans committed unspeakable acts in pursuit of his sexual obsessions with children,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California McGregor Scott on Tuesday. “He is a sophisticated offender who leveraged technology and the economic disadvantages of the Filipino children he targeted to commit his crimes.”

According to court documents, Clemans began conspiring with a woman in the Philippines starting June 2014, to produce child pornography. At

the time, Clemans was residing in Bangkok, Thailand where he worked as an airline pilot.

In April 2015, Clemans returned to Sacramento but continued chatting with the Filipina woman online where Clemans discussed ways to get and rape minor girls, including orphans and typhoon victims.

“Clemans instructed the Filipino woman on how to find vulnerable victims, directing her to look for orphans and victims of typhoons,” said court documents.

His Filipina co-conspirators Lyan Tandeg and Shellina Atad, were arrested and charged in November of 2015 for trafficking and child pornography.

Tandeg was paid nearly $6,000 to buy photography equipment and conduct sexu-

ally explicit photoshoots of the young victims. Victims were as young as seven years old.

“He gave her [Tandeg] explicit instructions on how to photograph their naked bodies so he could determine which ones would come to the Philippines to rape,” read documents. Clemans also indicated in the chats that he was “particularly interested in very young virgins.”

Over 27,000 child pornography photos were found on Clemans computer.

According to the Associated Press, investigators were able to find three of the photographed children who were aged 7, 9, and 10. Prosecutors brought them to Sacramento to testify at Clemans’ trial. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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A

A January 24-26, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIan JOurnaL

Dateline USa

IMF slightly raises growth projection for PH

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral

ity continues to firm up,” the IMF said. “Risks to the global growth forecast appear broadly The International Monetary balanced in the near term, but Fund has upgraded its 2018 remain skewed to the downside growth forecast for five major over the medium term.”

Southeast Asian states, includThe country’s gross domesing the Philippines. tic product — or the value of In an economic outlook up- all finished goods and services date published on January 22 produced in the country — (Washington time), the IMF grew 6.6 percent in the fourth slightly hiked its 2018 eco- quarter of 2017, decelerating nomic growth projection for from the upwardly revised 7 Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phil- percent in the previous three ippines, Thailand and Vietnam months. by 0.1 point to 5.3 percent from The October-December GDP 5.2 percent. settled below market estimate The multilateral lender kept of 6.7 percent, but nonetheless its 2019 forecast at 5.3 percent. matched the growth rate record“Global economic activ- ed in the same period in 2016.

PAGE A1

Philstar.com

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7 Fil-Am medical missionaries...

The fourth quarter figure PAGE A1 placed the country’s full-year two died on the way to the hosGDP performance to 6.7 per- pital. Three passengers sustained cent, slower than 2016’s 6.9 severe injuries while the driver percent but still within the — identified as 24-year-old Gilbert government’s 6.5-7.5 percent dela Cruz — survived with minor growth target range in 2017. injuries.

The Philippines has a 7.0-8.0 Among those killed included percent growth target in 2018. Dr. Nunilo Rubio, 74, of Chicago; Last year, Manila-based Aurora M. Gagni, 63, a registered Asian Development Bank raised nurse from Orland Park, Ill.; husits 2018 GDP forecast for the band and wife Reynaldo and Dicountry to 6.8 percent from 6.7 ane Pascual of White Plains, NY; percent.

Joseph and Juvela huang and Meanwhile, the World Bank’s Berniti Rojas, according to Inexpects the country’s economy quirer. to grow 6.7 percent in 2018 The three passengers treated for and 2019, before clocking a tad injuries were Dr. Rubio’s wife Dr. slower growth rate of 6.5 per- elenita Rubio and husband and cent in 2020. n wife Fred and Nora Tsai of Chicago.

The traveling group were a part of 48 volunteers of an annual

Aquino admits mistake over claim...

to tell you all about everything I did on that day in a period of six years? Remembering who you talked to, where you talked, what time you talked, what you talked about?),” Aquino remarked. he went on to say, “I will have to rely on what records tell me and these records were looked at by people who were helping me and somebody made a mistake.”

While clearing Ona from attendance allegations, Aquino maintained that it was the for-

mer health secretary who first brought up the anti-dengue vaccine to him.

“I reiterate my position that this matter [Dengvaxia] was brought up… by Ona in a letter or memo dated August 23, 2010. And up to that time that he resigned, he was the one giving me updates on this new weapon against dengue,” Aquino said.

The Senate is currently conducting a probe on the controversies hounding the Dengvaxia, following an analysis which found out that the vaccine could

medical mission organized by the Philippine Medical Association of Chicago (PMAC) and it’s Women’s Auxiliary that was expected to begin on Monday, January 22 in Camiguin Island.

Once a year, the volunteers help treat thousands of poverty-stricken patients and bring along dozens of balikbayan boxes of medical supplies and medicine. Many of those who passed away were respected professionals in the medical world and had partaken in past PMAC mission trips.

In an interview, Dalisay Villalon, a registered nurse and past president of PMAC Auxiliary expressed sorrow for the lives lost and honored them for their efforts in helping the less fortunate.

“The death of these seven volunteers shocks me to no end,”

Villalon said. “I [had] to double check what I read online. Sadly, it shows the volatility of man’s life, but our desire to serve the poor and the sick should continue as it will be this year for the PMAC despite this tragedy. The missionaries will continue healing even as we mourn those who passed on.”

According to Alegria Chief of Police efren Diaz, dela Cruz admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, but he denied drug usage.

Additionally, he said that he only had an hour’s sleep before he was to drive the travelers early the next morning.

Dela Cruz is currently in custody awaiting charges against him for reckless driving that resulted in multiple homicide and injury.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

cause a more severe case of dengue when administered on a person who has not been infected with the virus.

The analysis prompted the Philippine government to halt its massive dengue immunization program, which was first launched in early 2016 under the Aquino administration and former health Secretary Janette Garin.

Garin served as the Department of health (DOh) chief until June 2016 after Ona resigned in December 2014. n

Palace: Let Napoles speak to find out...

PAGE A1 be investigated.

“It is something that it should be investigated. This is information, which for the first time was revealed by Janet Lim-Napoles,” he said.

“And I think the Constitution in providing for accountability of public officers is the legal basis for the relevant government agencies to conduct an investigation,” he added.

Roque welcomed Napoles’ latest revelation.

“I would hope the Ombudsman on its own would conduct its probe and I think the DOJ also on its own should also conduct its own probe,” he said.

“Obviously, Janet Lim-Napoles is the central figure in this scam. Let her speak and I am sure that in addition to what she has to say she would have Pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, in an interview with broadcast journalist Erwin physical evidence to back up Tulfo over state-run PTV-4, revealed that she gave P5 million to Sen. Franklin Drilon as a whatever it is that she alleges,” campaign donation during the 2010 elections.

Inquirer.net photo he added. n

President Donald Trump signed a bill Monday evening, January 22, that would extend federal funding until Feb. 8, as well as fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for the next six years.

White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

US Congress passes bill to end...

PAGE A1 funding until February 8. Democrats agreed to the terms as long as Republican leaders promised a solution for undocumented youth, known as DReAMers.

In other words, the GOP had to commit to finding a legislative solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was terminated by the Trump administration last September.

The bipartisan group of senators that ended the gridlock included more than 20 lawmakers that met behind closed doors. Among the Democrats included Sens.

Tim Kaine of Virginia and newlyelected Doug Jones of Alabama.

The Republicans included Trump critics like Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Bob Corker of Tennessee.

“Shutting down the government was inappropriate, but I am encouraged by the bipartisan discussions that have occurred over the past few days. I will continue working with my colleagues on a solution to the number of challenges still before us,” Corker tweeted on Monday.

For some, the sound of bipartisanship to coalesce a solution to a problem in an age where partisan politics can muddy legislative progress was a sign of good things to come.

Although the Senate’s vote was a short-term solution to the shutdown, some don’t agree with the Democrats’ decision to extend the funding, arguing that putting off the DACA fix prolongs the uncertainty felt by many undocumented youth, 800,000 of whom received benefits from DACA. Legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles denounced the vote as extends the state of uncertainty so many DReAMers have been in since DACA’s termination.

“A number of Republicans have continuously promised to provide a resolution for DACA recipients within the negotiations about a government spending bill,” Advancing Justice-LA wrote in a statement. “Today, a resolution for

DACA recipients slipped through our fingers when Senators got cold feet.”

Advancing Justice-LA also criticized Congress’ inability to pass the DReAM Act — which would provide DReAMers a pathway to citizenship — despite overwhelming support for it.

“The plan to bring an immigration bill to a vote as standalone legislation in the Senate is not guaranteed, and it does not include a path forward for the house,” Advancing Justice-LA added. “The majority of Americans support a solution for DACA recipients and we have the votes in both houses to get the DReAM Act passed into law, [but] the president and Speaker [Paul] Ryan continue to obstruct a solution.”

Also, a promise guaranteed in the stopgap measure was a longterm solution for the Children’s health Insurance Program (ChIP), a bipartisan-created public health insurance program for children of low-earning families that was not reauthorized by Congress in 2017.

The bill passed on Monday guarantees six years of federal funding for ChIP, which was ended on Sept. 30, 2017 when lawmakers failed to reauthorize it for the first time in two decades, which outraged public health professionals.

Approximately 1.3 million children in California are enrolled in public health programs through ChIP, the highest enrollment rate of any state that runs out of funding this year, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Additionally, about 3 out of 4 of those children are children of color.

The program provided a whole host of medical services for underprivileged children: routine check-ups, immunizations, emergency services, prescriptions and inpatient and outpatient hospital care to name a few.

In addition to providing coverage for children, ChIP also provides for more than 370,000 pregnant women a year.

This measure relieves some stress for states (who share re-

sponsibility for funding ChIP), many of which have been depleting their remaining funds for their state’s ChIPs. Federal funding — which is an estimated $124 billion — will continue through 2023. For the first two years, federal funding will pay for at least 88 percent of the program’s expenses in all states; after that, the federal government’s share will decrease over two years.

What happens when the government shuts down? hearing of the government shutting down rightfully terrified people across the nation. The shutdown is over, but the frenzy still begs the question: what does it mean when the government shuts down?

The government shuts down when Congress and the White house fail to pass a spending package that funds government operations and agencies across the country.

When the government shuts down, only “essential” federal employees are to report for work while “non-essential” employees will be placed on furlough. For example, if the government shutdown had persisted, more than half of workers from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were to be placed on furlough.

Most workers from other federal offices — like the Dept. of education, National Transportation Safety Board and Consumer Product Safety Commission — were furloughed. Over the weekend, tourists hoping to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York weren’t able to visit because the national landmark was one of the federally-funded sites closed by the shutdown.

The furlough continues until Congress can agree on a bill that would extend government funding.

The last time the government shut down was in Oct. 2013 when for 16 days, the government shutdown largely impacted government employees, agencies and federally-funded buildings and landmarks. n

DEVELOPING HALAL. Pakistan International Halal Certification Theological Director Mufti Zeeshan Abdul Aziz discusses the Halal and Finance Natural Allies in Global Halal Market during the World Halal Assembly Philippines 2018 with the theme “Developing Halal Premium Brand thru Science, Technology and Innovation held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Alvarez on zero budget threat: ‘It was a joke’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has dismissed his recent threat to cut the budget of lawmakers who will oppose the proposed shift to a federal form of government as a mere “joke.”

In a television interview on Monday, January 22, Alvarez clarified that he was “not serious” when he previously warned solons that they may receive “zero budget” if they refused to support the federalism initiative of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Alam mo… ‘pag nag-speech ka, kailangan mo ng konting birubiro, di ba? ‘Yun lang naman ‘yun eh, ewan ko ba kung bakit sineryoso nila yan (Sometimes you need a joke when making a speech, right?

That’s all it is about. I don’t know why they took it seriously),” Alvarez told ABs-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

Last week, the House speaker said he would respect politicians who will not support the push for federalism but added that they, in

turn, must also respect his decision to give no funds for projects in their provinces.

He pointed out that it would be “unfair” if both supporters and critics of federalism get funding from Congress. “siyempre, ‘yung ibang probinsya ayaw nilang makisama, o ‘di zero sa budget... Alangan namang pantay? (Of course, provinces that refuse to cooperate, will get zero budget...Should there be equal treatment?),” Alvarez said in a speech on Thursday, January 18.

He continued, “Kung ayaw

‘nyong sumama, okay. Ginagalang ko ‘yun, karapatan ‘nyo ‘yun, pero ang sabi ko nga, igalang ‘nyo rin ang karapatan ko para ma-zero kayo sa budget, ‘di ba? (If you won’t go along with the plan, it’s okay. I respect that. It’s your right, but you should also respect my right to give you zero budget, right?).”

But Alvarez later dismissed his threat as “empty words,” noting that he could not decide alone on the distribution of the government’s budget. He further pointed out that budget proposals needed concurrence of the senate.

Malacañang, for its part, said the House cannot decide alone on budget matters because Congress consists of two chambers.

“With regard to the budget, the passage of such law needs the concurrence of the House and the senate,” Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said. “For us, it is hard to happen because in order to give a zero budget, FIERY PERFORMANCE. Street dancers and a fire-breather perform along ROTC Hunters Street during the procession of the feast of Sto. Niño the senate and the House [have] in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City on Sunday, January 21.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon to agree.” n

personalities killed in anti-drug operations. This is an increase of 85 deaths since last september, when the police said that 3,850 had “died during police operations.”

Meanwhile, the authorities have arrested 119,361 drug personalities in 81,919 anti-drug operations they conducted in the last 18 months and a half of the government’s drug war.

Government data also said 87 security personnel have been killed in action during the period.

Another 226 have been wounded in operations.

The #RealNumbersPH campaign was launched in May 2017 to give the public what the government says is accurate data on the war on drugs.

The Department of Justice meanwhile said that the agency has received 96,943 cases between July 2016 and september 2017. of those cases, 96,242 have been resolved, posting a disposal rate of 98.25 percent. Disposal, according to Justice undersecre-

tary Reynante orceo, means that a case has been filed in court. It can also mean a case has been dismissed. orceo said that 1,701 cases are still pending with the department.

“These pending cases would involve motions for reconsideration filed at the local prosecutor, and some have reached DoJ for an automatic review; and some of which [have] reached the supreme Court via petition for certiorari,” orceo added.

According to PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management data in the #RealNumbersPH release, 21,908 cases have been referred to the prosecutors while 42,182 cases have already reached trial courts.

Another 416 cases remain under investigation.

The Duterte administration’s bloody drug war is currently facing two consolidated petitions challenging its constitutionality before the supreme Court. some of the cases cited in the case are operations conducted in san Andres Bukid, Manila. n

House Speaker Pantaleon Alavarez Philstar.com photo

Gov’t: 119,361 ‘drug personalities’ Mocha Uson to critics: Why not nabbed, 3,987 killed in drug war talk about Dengvaxia or Drilon?

by KriStine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — There have been 6,309 drug-related deaths from July 1, 2016 to Jan. 17, 2018, the government said on Monday, January 22.

The latest data release is up by 74 deaths against police data released last september.

According to Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management released at the #RealNumbersPH briefing at the Palace on Monday, there have been 2,235 “drug-related incidents or cases” among homicide cases under investigation. of those, 413 have already been solved, while 1,822 cases are still pending resolution.

The PNP said last september that there had been 2,290 “drugrelated deaths” among deaths listed as homicide under investigation. The latest figure is also slightly lower than the earlier report that covered the period of July 1, 2016 to sept. 16, 2017.

There have also been 3,987 drug

MALACANANG communications assistant secretary esther Margaux “Mocha” uson has defended her Thomasian alumni award for government service. on her Facebook page, uson asked why people were deviating from other issues such as the dengvaxia controversy and the alleged contribution of Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged mastermind in the illegal disbursement of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), to sen. Franklin Drilon’s senatorial bid.

“Itong mga ito ay nakakatawa na,” (These people are already becoming laughable) she wrote.

“Press freedom ng press freedom pero malaya naman silang nakakapagpahayag ng kanilang damdamin at saloobin. Pati yung award dinamay.” (They keep calling for press freedom, but they are still free to express their thoughts and views. They even keep mentioning my award.) “una sa lahat, wala naman nawala sa kaban ng bayan sa award na iyan,” uson said.

(First of all, nothing was lost

in the people’s purse for this award.) on Monday afternoon, January 22, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Malacañang welcomed the award to uson, saying that President Rodrigo Duterte made the right choice when he appointed her to the government.

Further backlash usT journalism society president Patricia Lee Yanga hit back at uson’s claims, saying that she is very one-sided “It only shows that she really doesn’t deserve the award she was given,” she told The Manila Times on Tuesday, January 23. “she can’t take criticisms and napakaone-sided niya naman mag-isip.” (She can’t take criticisms and she only thinks of just one side of the story.) “she only looks at what she wants to believe that is true. she doesn’t see that we do say something about other issues,” said Yanga, who is among those who have expressed disdain over uson’s award. “she doesn’t see that we aren’t for any political

agenda, we are for the truth.”

The usT Journalism society issued a statement on Monday that the award given to uson was a “serious insult” to Thomasians in government. “uson, who has been using her blog to peddle inaccurate information, malign critics of the Duterte administration, and discredit media practitioners who are performing their role as independent monitors of power, does not in any way represent the Thomasian core values of compassion, competence, and commitment,” the statement read. uson, along with senator Joel Villanueva, Rep. Lito Atienza, Rep. Tom Villarin, and Health secretary Francisco Duque have received the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government service from the usT Alumni Association on sunday. uson’s award caused a stir among students and alumni of usT. Villarin returned his award as a sign of protest. (ManilaTimes. net)

A6 JANUARY 24-26, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Economic Cha-cha

FEATURES

BUSINESS groups have expressed their views on Charter change, and it would be prudent for lawmakers to consider those opinions. Cha-cha is supposed to be about uplifting the lives of the people — not just of the power elite, whose personal and family fortunes depend on maintaining their grip on political power, but of the millions of ordinary Filipinos who need meaningful jobs and livelihood opportunities.

The investors are the ones who can provide those jobs and other opportunities for legitimate income generation. In the past decades, however, the Philippines has progressively slipped in national competitiveness, with investors including some Filipinos taking their businesses to neighboring countries.

Despite sustained economic growth — one of Asia’s fastest — the country trails its neighbors in attracting job-generating investments. Even with economic powerhouse China becoming less attractive for foreign investors, the businesses aren’t going to the Philippines but to countries such as Vietnam.

Some of the disincentives to investments in the Philippines can be corrected by amending restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.

There are only a few such provisions, and amending them can be done relatively quickly if Congress convenes a constituent assembly, with the two leg-

islative chambers voting separately and independently.

In a joint statement over the weekend, three of the nation’s top business groups – the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines – issued a statement of support for economic Cha-cha through a constituent assembly.

For a change in the form of government and other radical reforms, however, the business groups said longer deliberations are needed, through a constitutional convention. While this mode is longer, involves elected delegates and is more costly, it would be a “justifiable” investment in something that could result in “significant social returns in the long run,” the joint statement declared.

Their sentiments are shared by many, who are ministration lawmakers. The case for economic worried by the undue haste by which Charter Cha-cha is clear, but still murky for federalism. change for federalism is being pushed by pro-ad- Proponents of a federal system should consider

Editorial

US Indo-Pacific strategy

Babe’s Eye View BABES ROMUALDEZ EVERY year, the executive branch of the U.S. government is supposed to submit a National Security Strategy (NSS) report to the U.S. Congress, outlining the administration’s goals, objectives, worldwide interests and policies that impact the security of their nation.

Many administrations however have not been submitting these reports on time, or worse, have not made any at all. President Barack Obama for instance submitted the NSS only twice during his eight-year tenure – specifically in 2010 and 2015.

Last December, the administration of President Donald Trump released its NSS report and as expected, it generated — continues to generate, actually — varied opinions and disparate comments on several issues. One of the most widely discussed however is the prominence given to the

Indo-Pacific region, described in the document as stretching from the west coast of India to the Western shores of the United States representing “the most populous and economically dynamic part of the world,” and where “a geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place,” the NSS report goes.

It was actually Hillary Clinton — during her stint as State Secretary — who highlighted the term “Indo-Pacific” and its importance to global trade and commerce during a speech in Hawaii in 2010. Over the years, the term “Indo-Pacific has become increasingly used in diplomatic and security circles to indicate a wider area encompassing Australia, Japan and India as a counterpoint to “Asia-Pacific” where China is perceived to be predominant.

“Although the United States seeks to continue to cooperate with China, China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to

heed its political and security agenda… Its efforts to build and militarize outposts in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability,” the report said, which also accused China of seeking to “displace the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reach of its state-driven economic model and reorder the region in its favor.”

Not surprisingly, China reacted strongly, saying in a statement that, “It is completely egotistical for any nation to put its interests above the common interests of other nations and the international community. It will lead to a path of self-isolation,” adding that the U.S. is being contradictory as it says on one hand that it wants to develop a partnership with China but on the other, “takes an oppositional stance.”

The fact is, U.S. allies like Australia and Japan are increasingly using the term “Indo-Pacific” in their policy papers and in discussing security strategies. As early as

2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — who is advocating a “free and open Indo-Pacific” — has been urging India to work with Japan in promoting freedom and prosperity in the “broader Asia” where linkages between the U.S., Australia and other Pacific nations would result in a vast network that would allow the free-flow of goods and people.

PM Abe’s strategy calls for a “democratic security diamond” involving Japan, Australia, the US and India. Senior diplomats of these nations met in Manila last November and agreed to uphold a rules-based, free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

I met with Matt Pottinger, the U.S. National Security Council’s senior director for East Asia and adviser to National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster at the White House, where we briefly discussed the Indo-Pacific strategy. Malaysian Ambassador Tan Sri Zulhasnan Rafique also hosted another meeting with NSA Director Pottinger and the other ASEAN ambassadors, where

Philstar.com photo

the points raised by the business groups and assess where they want to take the latest effort to change the Constitution. (Philstar.com)

the underpinnings of the U.S. strategy in Asia was discussed, along with the common challenges that nations face such as rogue regimes and terrorism, and how nations can strengthen alliances to defeat these threats.

In any case, there is no doubt that India is pleased with President Trump’s national security strategy that “welcome(s) India’s emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic partner.”

Interestingly, the first foreign trip of President Rodrigo Duterte this year will be to India for the India-ASEAN summit, underscoring the great importance that the Philippine government places on its relationship with India. In November last year, the two nations inked four agreements to boost bilateral relations most especially on defense. Last December, members of the Indian and Philippine coast guards also conducted bilateral maritime exercises in Manila Bay. Not many are aware that India reached out to the Philippines following the siege of Marawi City, offering $500,000 financial assistance to help fight the ISIS-affiliated terrorist groups

that attacked the city. What is doubly significant is that it was the first time India extended aid to another nation to fight terrorists – also underscoring the growing role of the Indian government in Southeast Asia.

In my view, President Duterte’s upcoming visit to India clearly demonstrates the wisdom of the president’s pragmatic foreign policy approach, proving that our self-interest is paramount in establishing warm relations with rival countries like India and China.

In his message preceding the contents of the 55-page NSS report, President Trump said he envisions “a world of strong, sovereign and independent nations, each with its own cultures and dreams, striving side-by-side in prosperity, freedom, and peace — throughout the upcoming year.”

It is clear that if leaders uphold cooperation, respect the dignity and sovereignty of each and every nation and develop an effective mechanism to settle disputes through dialogue — this vision of peaceful coexistence might just be realized soon, not only throughout this year, but for many years to come. (Philstar.com)

Philippine foreign affairs: Who’s in charge here? ing what it calls freeFIRST, let’s get dom of navigation opsomething straight. Commentary erations, or “fonops,” Last time we sailing into waters checked, Secretary claimed by China, Alan Peter Cayetano like the area within was in charge of for12 nautical miles, eign affairs, while or 22.22 kilometers, Secretary Delfin from Scarborough Lorenzana handled RICARDO SALUDO Shoal. The fonops national defense.

So, some seasoned government show that Washington does not recwatchers must have been puzzled ognize Beijing’s territorial claims.

So, the USS Hopper was not entirewhen Secretary Lorenzana last month wanted to file a diplomatic protest ly innocent in sailing near the shoal, over reported Chinese militarization since it was out to challenge China’s assertion of sovereignty. But it was in the Spratlys.

The defense chief was doing his job not defending or advancing Philipmonitoring Chinese construction of pine sovereignty, since Washington facilities on reclaimed land at Fiery does not intervene in our territorial Cross Reef, which might have military disputes.

Hence, it was a China-U.S. matter, uses. But the diplomatic action over the island activities—that was up to plain and simple, and how the Philthe Department of Foreign Affairs, not ippines responded to it was a matter of foreign, not defense policy. Now, the Department of National Defense.

There’s more. Just last weekend, under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Secretary Lorenzana reportedly sid- independent foreign policy of mained with the United States when China taining neutrality and cultivating decried the sailing of a U.S. guided- good relations with all major powers, missile destroyer near Scarborough taking sides is best avoided.

As news headlines declared, howShoal. Now, that seemed like a DFA, ever, Secretary Lorenzana “defendnot a DND matter.

Asked if the Philippines was con- ed” the U.S. warship’s sailing “even cerned about the USS Hopper sailing in territorial waters.” Now, whose near the shoal, Secretary Lorenzana waters he is referring to? Since Chisaid: “No, for as long as they are on na was the one objecting to the U.S. innocent passage. International law warship, most people would think allows innocent passage even in ter- Secretary Lorenzana referred to Chinese territorial waters around the ritorial waters.” shoal.

Not-so-innocent passage In fact, the Philippine position is The U.S. Navy has been conduct-

that Scarborough Shoal is our territory, and China has no right to protest sailings of any vessels around the shoal. Moreover, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or Unclos, does not accord territorial waters to shoals and other marine outcrops.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque and maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, both international law professors at the University of the Philippines, asserted that the shoal was Philippine territory.

Batongbacal defended the USS Hopper’s freedom of navigation, while Secretary Roque declined to take sides: “We do not wish to be part of a U.S.-China intramural.”

A US push to revive EDCA? Despite the Palace position texted to media, however, one leading newspaper headlined: “PH defends ‘innocent passage’ of U.S. warship near Panatag.” And there may yet be more Lorenzana statements seeming to show the Philippines disputing China and supporting America.

That was certainly his perspective a year ago, when he announced a U.S. plan to build facilities on Philippine bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Soon after, he sparked the first controversy over Chinese research at Benham Rise, now Philippine Rise.

President Rodrigo Duterte had to intervene. He erupted over possible U.S. nuclear weapons brought into Philippine bases. The U.S. Embassy

denied it, but that stalled U.S. construction of base facilities. And the President disclosed that he gave permission for Chinese research in Benham Rise.

Now, Secretary Lorenzana is again criticizing China, even with burgeoning ties under President Duterte.

Would this lead to renewed warnings about China and calls to implement the EDCA? After all, Washington needs air and naval bases in the country more than ever, for possible conflicts over Korea and Taiwan.

Other prominent figures have lately called for a tougher stance against Beijing. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who spearheaded the winning case in The Hague against China’s “nine-dash line” claim over most of the South China Sea, recently said the government should not allow new Chinese research in Philippine Rise since Beijing won’t accept the July 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said that the DFA recently allowed a research ship of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, but rejected a French foundation seeking permission, supposedly in the same area.

It turned out that the French research was to be in “a sensitive area” in Palawan, as Secretary Cayetano put it. Its vessel was also too small to accommodate a Filipino scientist, as required by the DFA and agreed

by China. UP researchers will be on board the Chinese ship.

As for the PCA ruling, Secretary Roque, a professor in international law, said that the decision is binding and valid even if Beijing rejects it.

But more important, President Duterte’s reversal of his predecessor’s rabidly anti-China, pro-U.S.policy has eased tensions, and led the Chinese to halt reclamation in the Spratlys, and allow Filipino fishermen back to Scarborough Shoal—actions that even Western analysts see as compliance with The Hague decision.

Now, with North Korea’s missile threats, most Filipinos would be scared to host American forces likely to be targeted by Pyongyang.

But the U.S. and its supporters won’t stop trying to get the EDCA going. And the Seventh Fleet’s freedom of navigation operations could do just that.

Fonops stir up Beijing and escalate tensions. And China’s People’s Daily newspaper, the country’s largest, has warned of massive military build-up if “wanton” provocations intensify.

So, if Washington sends more USS Hoppers to raise the temperature, Beijing may just take the bait and deploy more ships, planes and missiles, or even impose restrictions like the air defense identification zone it declared over the East China Sea near Japan in 2013.

All the more reason to keep cool heads in Asian capitals, and get the Code of Conduct between our region and Beijing done fast. (ManilaTimes. 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.

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 24-26, 2018

A

House sees Sereno impeachment by March

by Delon

Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives may elevate the impeachment complaint lawyer Lorenzo Gadon filed against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to the Senate by the last week of March, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez disclosed.

“Before we go on break (for the Holy Week), we might be able to file it because we have already started (drafting) the articles of impeachment,” Alvarez said in Filipino during a press conference in Iloilo City last week.

He advised Sereno not to be impatient or get frustrated as she will definitely be given her day in her preferred venue – the Senate impeachment court.

“I think she wants it rushed to the Senate where she thinks she has the numbers. But for me, let us do this properly… people are watching us (on TV). Her accusers are presenting their evidence and her colleagues have spoken.

This is the first time in the history of the Supreme Court,” Alvarez said.

Her psychiatrist, he added, would also appear before the committee to shed light on whether or not Sereno met the minimum requirements to become chief justice.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House committee on justice, earlier said the impeachment complaint is just a matter of formality following the strong

belief of Alvarez that the issues raised against Sereno stand on strong and solid ground.

In last week’s hearing, at least two SC officials said Sereno’s acquisition of a P5.1-million Toyota Land Cruiser might have violated the Government Procurement Reform Act. “It was already pre-determined, your honor,” Ma. Carina Cunanan, procurement head and assistant chief of SC’s administrative services, told the committee.

When questioned, she conceded it was a “directive” from the Chief Justice’s camp but downplayed the infraction.

“We had to ask the office of the end user what vehicle they would prefer in the event we procure a vehicle. So it was them who said Land Cruiser,” Cunanan recalled.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas pointed out that, under existing procurement laws, preferring a brand in biddings is strictly prohibited and that only specifications should be stated in the notices to be fair to other equally reliable brands.

Although there was already an endorsement to get a Land Cruiser, lawyer Thelma Bahia, head of the SC bids and awards committee, said they did not specify the brand and just stated the specifications when the procurement of vehicle notice was posted.

“That’s how you skirt the law,” Fariñas said as Bahia confirmed

Alvarez on Cha-cha: No need to wait for Senate

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — There is no need for the House of Representatives to wait for the Senate in introducing amendments to the Constitution, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said on Monday, January 22.

In a press briefing in the afternoon, Alvarez said that the House has started “making a proposal to the people to revise the Constitution.”

Alvarez, citing Article XVII Section 1 of the Constitution, stressed that the two houses— House of Representatives and the Senate—are not mandated to convene and that only a vote of 3/4 is needed from both houses.

One of the modes to amend the charter prescribed under the 1987 Constitution is through a constituent assembly.

Under a constituent assembly, the senators and representatives in Congress will act as members of the body which will discuss the proposed changes. Some solons prefer this as it is supposedly a more efficient and cheaper means of altering the country’s basic law.

But Alvarez insisted that there is nowhere in the language of the Constitution that says that the two houses should

convene to introduce changes in the Constitution.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, meanwhile, said: “The interpretation of the Senate, and my personal interpretation, is voting separately.”

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also expressed qualms over the possibility of joint voting, saying that such a setup would render the Senate irrelevant because of the sheer superiority in numbers of the House.

Over the weekend, Sen. Panfilo Lacson stressed that the lower house cannot decide for both houses of the Congress, “not in the passage of the budget of law, as in any piece of legislation and certainly not in revising or amending the constitution.”

But Alvarez said: “It is only a proposal, not an ordinary legislation that you will tell me is bicameral.”

The House Speaker also said that he never said the Senate cannot join. “We welcome everyone, but it is them who do not want to join,” Alvarez said in Filipino.

Malacañang, which earlier expressed the Duterte administration’s desire for a constitutional change to shift to federalism, said it would not meddle in the clash between the House and the Senate. n

Palace hails retention of EU trade perks despite concerns on EJKs MANILA — The Philippines Tuesday, January 23, hailed the retention of duty-free privileges for most of its exports to the European Union despite concerns over alleged “extrajudicial killings” in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The European Commission announced on Monday, January 22, that Philippine shipments worth an estimated P120 billion ($2.35 billion), about 66 percent of annual exports to its number-two trading partner, would carry no duties.

The decision followed a fraught review in which the Europeans raised the issue of Duterte’s anti-crime crackdown. This has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and drawn criticism from human rights monitors that he was mounting a crime against humanity.

“We are elated that GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences)+ was retained,” Duterte spokesman Harry Roque told AFP on Tuesday.

The GSP+ review, held every two years, hinged on Philippine compliance with its obligations under 27 international conventions, including on human rights.

The duty-free privileges covered 1.67 billion euros’ worth of Philippine exports to the EU in 2016, the commission said.

The commission concluded Monday that the Philippines had made progress on labor rights, environmental protection, gender equality, people trafficking, health, education, social-economic rights and the fight against corrup-

tion, an EU statement said.

“However, extrajudicial killings, in particular in the fight against illegal drugs, related impunity, as well as the possible reintroduction of the death penalty and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility are of serious concern.”

Philippine authorities said Monday they had killed 3,987 suspects in anti-drug operations since Duterte came to power in mid-2016.

An unspecified number of people had also been killed by unknown suspects in 2,235 “drug-related incidents” that are being investigated by the police.

Duterte has also asked Congress to reimpose the death penalty, preferably by hanging, and to lower the minimum age of suspects who can be prosecuted for crimes.

Congress has suggested anyone aged nine or older should be prosecuted for violating laws.

Duterte is sensitive to foreign criticism of his crackdown, calling then-U.S. President Barack Obama a “son of a whore” in 2016 and threatening to expel European ambassadors last year.

Last year the EU delegation in Manila also announced that the Duterte government had formally made it known it would no longer accept new grants from the EU because of its criticism of the crackdown.

Asked about the issue of the drug killings raised by the trade review, Roque said: “We will address those concerns.

(Philstar.com)

that only supplier Toyota Makati showed up during the bidding.

Gadon claimed he has proof that Sereno violated the procurement law.

“The initiatory document, the first endorsement clearly states Toyota Land Cruiser, even the color pearl white, even the engine displacement and the amount. It’s attached in the records your honor,” he told the lawmakers.

ABS party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera said that the P6-million budget the SC prepared for the purchase of vehicles was specifically meant for the purchase of a Toyota Land Cruiser. Apart from the Land Cruiser, Sereno is using another vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai Starex Gold.

‘Personal opinions’ Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, downplayed the testimonies of six high court justices, saying these were not enough to impeach the chief magistrate because they are “based on purely personal opinions.”

“Most of the things they have said are disagreements with the Chief Justice on how the rules of the Supreme Court would be interpreted. Some of them are complaints about management or maybe leadership style,” Lacanilao pointed out.

The SC justices who testified before the House committee on justice were Teresita Leonardode Castro, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin and Samuel Martirez.

Lacanilao claimed that some

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES. Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo shares a laugh with former President Benigno Aquino III during the oath-taking of new members of the Liberal Party over the weekend in Quezon City.

ManilaTimes.net photo

incumbent justices had an axe to grind because Sereno “leapfrogged over other senior associate justices” and would serve as the high court’s chief for 18 years or until she reaches 70, the mandatory age of retirement.

He was disappointed that the justices were allowing themselves to be part of a process that is threatening the independence of the judiciary as a coequal branch of government.

“We feel like this is a problem with the independence of the Supreme Court now because they (justices) have gone to

Congress and laid themselves out,” Lacanilao said in a statement.

“In fact, many of them appeared in public and did not appear well. The mystique, mystery of being a Supreme Court justice is gone because some of these justices have already come out and shown they are also weak and have personal grudges they cannot overcome.

They have personal issues against the Chief Justice,” he added.

Despite repeated calls for her to resign, Lacanilao said the Chief Justice is staying put

and would continue to fight for judicial independence even if attacks against her at the ongoing impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives have gone “below the belt.”

“Officials of Congress have asked her to resign. We feel it’s below the belt. This is just a squeeze play for her to resign…

That’s not going to happen…

We will ask Congress to actually prove any complaint that they have and (we will face them) in the Senate, and we know we have a strong case,” Lacanilao said. n

A January 24-26, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIan JOurnaL

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B

Dominguez defends balance between business tax cuts, perks

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

EVEN as the planned cut in corporate income tax rates will depend on the revenue gains of the second tax reform package, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III expressed confidence that investors will understand the government’s thrust of balancing the grant of fiscal perks.

Asked last week if investors could be deterred by the conditional reduction in corporate income taxes, Dominguez replied: “No, I don’t think so. I think it focuses the issue—what do you want: lower income tax, or less incentives that are targeted, time-bound and measured? So it focuses the mind.

So if you are a company, you will balance it—do I really need this incentive, or am I better off with lower income tax? So it’s always a balanced approach giving them a choice.”

For the second tax reform package as a whole, Dominguez told reporters that “our plan is

Inquirer file photo

always to have two sides of the coin—one revenue raising, one revenue reduction.”

“We will balance it; our approach is always balanced,” Dominguez said, citing the same tack in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, which slashed personal income tax rates but jacked up taxes on consumption. Based on DOF presentations before industry associations, the second package aims to broaden the tax base by repealing 150 special laws on investment tax incentives and consolidating them into a single omnibus law.

u PAGE B5

Government pushes new cell tower scheme for level field, better service by reielene JOy iGnaciO ManilaTimes.net

THE Duterte administration announced on Friday a major policy shift in the telecommunications sector to speed up the rollout of crucial infrastructure and provide a “level playing field” for an expected challenger to PLDT and Globe Telecom.

In a press conference, Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, a musician and entrepreneur who advises President Duterte on economic affairs and telco concerns, spoke of the country’s upcoming adoption of a common tower policy.

The rules, expected to be released next month, would upend decades of telco investment tradition in the country, which was mainly left in the hands of the service operators.

Under a common tower policy, the government will tap a third party group which will finance and build “independent” cell towers, which will then be leased to operators such as PLDT, Globe and new entrants.

“This paves the way for a level playing field for a third player,” Jacinto said, noting that a telco startup would no longer need to worry about setting aside heavy

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Philippine economy likely grew by 6.7% in Q4 — Moody’s In its latest Asia-Pacific Economic Preview report, the economic research and analysis arm of Moody’s said the Philippines’ gross domestic product in the last three months of the year may have expanded by 6.7 percent, slower than the revised seven percent GDP growth the previous quarter.

File photo by Philstar

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

THE country’s economy likely grew by 6.7 percent in the last quarter of 2017, according to Moody’s Analytics.

In its latest Asia-Pacific Economic Preview report, the economic research and analysis arm of Moody’s said the Philippines’ gross domestic product in the last three months of the year may have expanded by 6.7 percent, slower than the revised seven percent GDP growth the previous quarter.

This is, however, higher than the 6.6 percent growth recorded in the comparative quarter of 2016.

“The Philippine economy likely grew 6.7 percent year-on-year in the December quarter, after a 6.5 percent lift in the prior three quarters. Domestic demand likely remained the major driver of growth, with exports also providing lift thanks to strong demand for electronics and components,” Moody’s Analytics said.

In particular, Moody’s said consumer

spending likely remained firm as households benefited from steady inflows of overseas Filipino remittances and a healthy labor market.

Investments also stayed solid on the back of the government’s Build Build Build program, which got a further boost late last year with the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. “Growth prospects got a further boost late last year with the passage of the first tax reform bill, which will help fund President

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Banks tighten standards for commercial real estate loans

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

LOCAL banks continued to tighten their credit standards for real estate loans to corporations in the fourth quarter of 2017, results of a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey showed.

Based on the central bank’s Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) for December 2017, banks saw a net tightening of their overall lending standards for commercial real estate loans from October to December using the diffusion index approach.

This is the eighth consecutive quarter that more banks have tightened their real estate loan standards.

“The tighter overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans reflected respondent banks’ wider loan margins, reduced credit line sizes, stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants, shorter loan maturities, and increase in use of interest rate floors,” the BSP said.

Over the next quarter, the BSP said more banks expect a continued net tightening of credit standards.

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Based on the central bank’s Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) for December 2017, banks saw a net tightening of their overall lending standards for commercial real estate loans from October to December using the diffusion index approach.

Photo file by Philstar

Asian Journal Launches the 2018 Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program Starting in the USA Dare to lead, dare to inspire, dare to be great.

As part of their continued mission to empower Overseas Filipinos and to promote tourism, investment, studying abroad, entrepreneurship, and retirement in the Philippines, the Asian Journal officially launches the 2018 Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program.

The Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program seeks highly competitive and ambitious Filipino women and men who aim to fuel the economic growth and development of the Philippines, inspire their local Filipino communities, and thus, transform the Filipino future. The program welcomes women and men in four different age brackets to apply—that no one is too young or too old to create a positive change in the world and pursue their dreams, goals, and ambitions.

Individuals selected to participate will receive prizes, invaluable professional networks and career opportunities in addition to a 14-Day all expense paid trip to the Philippines which will be filled with cultural immersion, exploration of tourist destinations, philanthropy and humanitarian work, artist, business, and leadership training, to investment insights.

“In its pure essence, the Love of Country Ambassadors Program is about the sustainability and continued progression of the Overseas Filipino Community, Balikbayans, and also supporting the present and future economic health of the Philippines. Our great nation relies heavily on the support of overseas Filipinos to provide a quality of life for their loved ones back home. They pay for real estate, health insurance, a car, education, food, a smartphone, internet—you name it. But with immigration policies becoming stricter worldwide, the volatility of the global economy and geopolitics, coupled with an ageing population such as the baby-boomer generation preparing for retirement and a disconnected 2nd and 3rd generation of overseas Filipinos, we may see a profound slowdown in remittance,” said Roger Oriel, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Journal Media Group.

“This not only supports loved ones, but drives consumption which supports many businesses and so there is a ripple effect.

If consumer spending is down, think about all those jobs in the Philippines and the loved ones that those jobs support. So number 1, our program hopes to ignite, drive, and fuel foreign travel, investment, studying abroad, entrepreneurship, and retirement in the Philippines. And number 2, the opportunity to win a free trip to the Philippines is truly a gift to all Overseas Filipinos—our modern day heroes,” he continued.

The Concept of the Program

In an interview with Raphael John Oriel, the program’s cofounder, current Editor-in-Chief of Balikbayan Magazine, and Chief Business Development Officer of the Asian Journal Media Group said, “For several years now, one of the recurring questions that I’ve encountered from both readers and clients was how can we connect Overseas Filipinos back to the country, especially those who have already assimilated to the country they moved to or were born and raised in—that 2nd and 3rdgeneration of Filipinos. I see on my Facebook that my Filipino friends and family go travel to other Asian Countries and I’m thinking, why? How do I make them choose the Philippines instead? Why are they going to Thailand or Hawaii or wherever really instead of going to the Philippines? So for quite some time now, I’ve been studying what other countries do. So when I travelled to Israel for 3 weeks a few years ago to study and learn about their culture and tourism, I came across their program, Birthright

Israel, which is an incredibly brilliant and spectacular program that truly connects and educates young Jewish people all around the World. It’s fascinating—those who participated in that program either visit Israel once a year, invested in the country, or actually moved back. But the most important thing was having an amazing sense of cultural pride after the program. After that trip, I returned to the Philippines and attended a beauty pageant—one of the more popular ones in the country. I spoke to many of the contestants after the competition and came to learn that there is no life sustainability or career support after they participate in those programs. The women who participate in those things end up getting exploited—have no choice but to become escorts, lack college degrees so they can’t find jobs, or even end up as single mothers. It made me incredibly angry—so we designed a program to help resolve some of these pressing issues. To be clear, I’m certainly not saying that beauty pageants are evil because they’re not. I have good friends in that industry who are truly good people. And those who participate can be incredibly inspiring and can receive a livelihood after joining. But there’s a dark side to that light. Our program, despite having a coronation and gala night is not a beauty pageant—our program is a cultural pageant and educational tourism program.”

The Trip To The Philippines

“We are greatly looking forward to welcoming our inaugural class’ arrival in the Philippines. We’re putting together a comprehensive, exhilarating, challenging, yet fun 14-day cultural and adventure tour of the Philippines. Our goal is to create lifechanging experiences and have our delegates say that they don’t want to leave or can’t wait to come back. And lastly, to encourage their friends, families, and colleagues to participate in our program. We are starting with the Filipino-American community this year, but by next year in 2019, we are looking to activate the program all throughout the World,” said Shannon Bridgman, Program Director of the 2018 Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program and former Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2016.

The Asian Journal Media Group, now approaching three decades in business, is a leading Filipino multimedia agency serving the global Filipino industry. Asian Journal publishes over 7 million weekly communaity newspapers annually in the USA from California, Nevada, New York, to New Jersey. In addition to this, the Asian Journal also publishes a quarterly magazine that is distributed in 60 countries and 101 cities throughout the World in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Promotions Board, and Department of Tourism of the Philippines.

The Founders of Pageantry Global, Inc. and 2nd batch of participants of the Love of Country Ambassadors in different categories (Mrs. Love of Country, Miss Youth Love of Country and Miss Love of Country Ambassadors met at the office of Asian Journal Publications, Inc in Glendale, California last weekend for orientation.

(L-R) Jacqueline Albay-Yenney, Jeddah Berame, Maria Arianna Conechado, Kimberly Pearl Marquez, Nathalie Berry, Gabbie Pangan, Trinity Foliente (CEO of Pageantry Global, Inc.,), Cora Aragon (President of Pageantry Global, Inc.,), Ammilyn Deita, Angel Soliven, Hannah Angelica Marte

(Cultural Pageant Coordinators) Ruby Pangan, Bettie Francisco and Priscilla Marte, (LOC Ambassadors) Participants Jacqueline Albay-Yenney,Jeddah Berame, Maria Arianna Conechado, Kimberly Pearl Marquez, Nathalie Berry, Gabbie Pangan, Trinity Foliente, (CEO of Pageantry Global, Inc.,) Cora Aragon (CEO and President of Pageantry Global, Inc.,) respectively and other participants Ammilyn Deita, Angel Soliven, Hannah Angelica Marte, the Parents of the candidates are Lorna Conechado, Amelia Deita and Mayette Pacis

To know more about Asian Journal and the Love Of Country Global Ambassadors Program, visitAsianJournalMediaGroup. com and LoveOfCountryAmbassadors.com. The deadline for applications is March 18, 2018. To learn more about applying visit LoveOfCountryAmbassadors.com/apply.

(L-R) Hannah Angelica Marte, Maria Ariana Conechado, Angel Pacis, Kimberly Pearl Marquez, Gabbie Pangan and Nathalie Berry

B JANUARY 24-26, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

‘Container shipping to grow 4% in 2018’

by Reicelene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

THE global container shipping sector is expected to register a net fleet growth of about 4.1 percent in 2018, which “leaves little room for fundamental market-balance improvements,” shipping association Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) said.

According to Bimco, the 2017 demand growth rate is heading for 5 percent, considered the highest in six years.

“After a terrible 2015, port throughput has gone up, growing as much as 7.7 percent (quarteron-quarter) in the third quarter of 2017,” Bimco said, citing data from Alphaliner.

“As demand rebounded, combined with a multi-year low fleet growth rate in 2016, the fundamental market balance improved. In 2017 we have not seen such an improvement. The fundamental balance seems almost unchanged, as the reactivation of idled ships lifted actual fleet growth beyond the nominal TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) growth

Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious infrastructure development program,” the research firm said.

Currently, the estimated incremental revenues to be raised from the law is about P89.9 billion.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), part of the additional revenues to be generated from the tax reform law will

meRcuRio Philstar.com

File photo by faq.ph

rate of 3.3 percent,” it added.

Bimco noted that the ordering drought ended in September, as there were 20 new orders for 22,000 TEU ships scheduled to be delivered from 2019 to 2020.

The association said the nominal fleet growth level for the industry over the next few years is about 4 percent. This means increased earnings must come from continued cost-cutting

exercises and permanent slowsteaming to maintain fuel costs on a tight leash.

“On top of that, operational efficiency gains and positive demand growth gain more boxes on the individual ships. The latter means harvesting some of the economies of scale the industry relies heavily upon, with the large volumes coming from front-haul trades,” it added. n

be used to fund the government’s Build Build Build program.

Under this program, the Duterte administration is planning to spend up to P9 trillion on infrastructure until 2022.

“That will go some way to improving the country’s poor infrastructure, which has long prevented the Philippines from reaching its potential,” Moody’s said.

The Philippine economy expanded by seven percent in the third quarter of 2017, based on the revised figures of the Philippine Statistics Authority. This puts the government on track to meet its 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent full-year growth target.

The government is scheduled to announce the country’s last quarter and full-year GDP growth on Jan. 23.n

cized PLDT and Globe for having “slow and expensive” internet service.

At present, Globe and PLDT build and control their own cell sites, where radio equipment are installed to support services to subscribers such as calls, text messaging and internet services—where demand continues to explode.

In recent years, operators have complained about regulatory bottlenecks slowing down the construction of new cell sites, thus, preventing them from providing better services to the public. For example, telco operators need to secure over 25 permits from lo-

cal government units to build a single cell site—a process that could take over eight months.

PLDT and Globe presently have about 20,000 towers combined across the country—far below the 70,000 sites in Vietnam or the 90,000 sites in Indonesia, said Eliseo Rio Jr., acting secretary at the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“As a telco, we are required and must have our own network.

Each telco has a specific design of its network to provide services to its customers,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said on Thursday, January 18.n

Government pushes new cell...

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cell towers, which cost around $100,000 (P5 million) per site.

Jacinto said US-based American Tower Corp., a global operator in this business with over 149,000 sites in its portfolio, had offered to participate. He noted that the Philippines needed an additional 50,000 cell towers, which would cost around $5 billion.

Other tower operators are welcome to participate, Jacinto said, adding that the government may also decide to invest in the venture.

Jacinto said more competition would ultimately result in lower prices and better internet quality for subscribers, which have criti-

Philippines EU GSP+ status hangs in the balance

by Richmond

Philippine economy likely...

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

THE status of the country’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) with the European Union (EU) continues to hang in the balance as the trade bloc hit anew human rights conditions in the Philippines, but lauded the government’s fight against corruption and efforts in promoting labor rights.

The second biennial GSP report released by the European Commission and the European External Action Service highlighted the country’s progress in areas such as gender equality, trafficking in persons, labor rights, health, education, socioeconomic rights, fight against corruption, and protection of the environment.

However, the EU expressed grave concern over cases of extrajudicial killings, in particular in the fight against illegal drugs, and related impunity for those responsible.

The EU also raised serious concern over the possible reintroduction of the death penalty and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility in the country.

“The way the campaign against illegal drugs is conducted is a matter of grave concern, in particular the large number of drug-related killings as well as the sharp increase in prison overcrowding.The significant increase in the number of drug-related killings since the election of President Duterte, in particular during law-enforcement operations; the apparent lack of due process and restraint during these operations; and the fact that these deaths are not investigated in a transparent, impartial and effective manner thus allowing to bring perpetrators to justice raises serious concerns regarding the right to life,” the report said.

“Together with statements by the President that can be seen as incitement to killings and fostering a culture of impunity, the conduct of the war on drugs raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to human rights,” it added.

The report also pointed out how the potential re-introduction of the death penalty would be a

The second biennial GSP report released by the European Commission and the European External Action Service highlighted the country’s progress in areas such as gender equality, trafficking in persons, labor rights, health, education, socio-economic rights, fight against corruption, and protection of the environment.

File photo by Philstar

major step backwards for the country as it would raise questions regarding the Philippines’ international commitments.

“Implementation and monitoring of laws remains a challenge, especially in the provinces. The human rights framework is fragile, with the Commission on Human Rights and other oversight bodies under threat,” the report further stated.

The EU said it would pursue in the coming months “a frank dialogue” with the Philippines with regards to the human rights issues and also “increased pressure in that respect.”

Meanwhile, the EU recognized that legislative framework for fighting corruption has been further strengthened by President Duterte’s administration.

“With regard to the fight against corruption, the Philippines is addressing the challenges it is faced with through improvements of the government bureaucracy, including freedom of information and customs,” it said.

The EU also took notice of government efforts being put in place to ensure the application of labor standards in the Philippines, as well as strong measures being undertaken to address en-

vironmental and climate change concerns with its ratification of the Paris Agreement.

“The government’s socioeconomic plan addresses some of the pertinent labor issues and has ended the practice of repeated hiring of workers on five-month contracts to avoid the obligation to regularize their employment status, the so called ‘endo’ scheme,” the report said.

The second biennial GSP report covering the period of 2016 to 2017 includes detailed assessments of each GSP+ beneficiary’s progress and shortcomings as regards the implementation of 27 international conventions – seven conventions on human rights, eight fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization, eight conventions on environmental protection and climate change, and four conventions on good governance.

The European Commission said the report does not constitute a “pass or fail” test, but instead assesses in a factual and objective manner the progress being made or lack thereof by each beneficiary country in implementing the 27 conventions.

“If needed, the GSP report is

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BUSINESS NEWS

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

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

THE client is a specialty food retailer who started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50,000 each for a total of $250,000 for a food business that sells a specialty product that everyone likes to eat.

The problem with a business that’s based on a retail outlet in a commercial center is that the business lives or dies depending on the foot traffic of the commercial center. If the foot traffic is slow, there’s practically nothing the business can do to sell more. Indeed, if the foot traffic is slow, even if the business gives away the product for free, it will still be stuck with inventory. Every businessperson knows that when you go into business, you make money; break-even or you lose money. If the business is losing money, the owners will have to continue financing the loss by giving new money to cover the loss. There are no two ways about this. Some businesses make money from day one. I have a client who opened a specialty restaurant with a $100,000 investment, and in the first year, he made $500,000 of profit. The problem was that he had partners who decided to compete with him by opening their own.

On the other hand, there are businesses that never make money, no matter what the owners do to improve it. It’s just a money loser. In this case, the client had a good concept but made the mistake of opening the business in a commercial center that had slow foot traffic. How did the client end up in such a sorry commercial center? Apparently, there was some misrepresentation on the part of the commercial center owner who said that the foot traffic had doubled in the last 12 months, without stating any figures. When you say double, it does not really mean anything, does it? If the foot traf-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA A ‘SELFIE’ is a do-it-yourself self-portrait using a handheld digital camera or the now ubiquitous cellphone. A ‘selfie’ can be taken for laughs. But more often than not, it is for the purpose of immediate electronic posting in any one of the social networks, usually Facebook or Instagram for all to see. In our electronic world, it is a way of attracting or demanding attention, sort of saying to your world of followers or connections, “Look at me. Look at me.”

The most famous ‘selfie’ is the one taken by one of 3 heads of state (USA, Denmark and the UK) during the funeral of Nelson Mandela. That ‘selfie’ created a big flap for its impropriety considering the somber occasion. It also reportedly became a source of jealousy and frosty discord in the White House. The blonde Danish head was flanked by 2 men in that photo while Michelle Obama sat on one side of the President, looking appropriately somber and visibly unimpressed by the juvenile stunt.

I have used that cellphone feature myself a few times. It is convenient not to have to impose on someone else to take a photo

What’s New ARLENE AL-OS, CPA, MBA Audit Issues: If you claim deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, and employee business expenses in Schedule A of your Federal Form 1040 do not be surprised if you received a letter. Starting January 1, 2018 California will be sending letters related to these deductions.

Beware of double dipping your deductions. Some taxpayers claim medical expenses for premiums paid with pretax dollars, donations made to non-qualified charities, and uniforms not required by the employer and profession.

Head of Household Issues: Attach fully completed FTB Form 3532 for Head of Household (HOH) Filing Status. You may be denied for HOH for failing to complete the Form and receive a notice from FTB. Customer Service Dashboard Enhancements: If you want to know the time frame of your refund, how long payments are

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 24-26, 2018

B3

Can the family court deny a custodial mom’s Food retailer client seeks Chapter 7 relief enforcement of a child support order against dad? fic was 20 people a month showing up in the place last year, and this year there are 40 people showing up monthly, the traffic doubled, but it’s still not enough to sustain a profitable business that relies on “good” foot traffic.

The five partners checked out the center a couple of times for foot traffic before making the plunge, and for some reason, they must have seen “good” foot traffic. But when they actually started doing business, the center was almost a ghost town most of the time. The only good month was December when they made some money.

The rest of the year, the partners had to cover a deficit of $3,000 monthly. This is not a big loss, but this becomes $36,000 a year, or $72,000 loss in two years. Including the initial investment of $250,000, the partners are staring at a $320,000 loss in two years.

The kicker is that the lease is for another four years at $5,000 a month. So, even if they stop the business, the business will still owe $240,000 on the commercial lease! Add that to the $320,000 of lifetime savings that already evaporated into thin air, the partners are looking at a potential loss of half a million dollars. Even good business may suffer serious setbacks initially.

Even, Walt Disney’s first venture into the famous mouse did not work, and Mr. Disney had to file for Chapter 7 for a fresh start. After bankruptcy, Disneyland opened in 1956 in Anaheim. Now, of course, Disney is a multibillion-dollar business with theme parks internationally now. Who knows, my clients may now file for Chapter 7 relief but their business may later on become successful beyond their wildest imaginations. This is America after all where capitalist dreams still come true. One may be bankrupt today but become a billionaire in the future. Just look at the failed business as a practice test that makes one better prepared to become successful later.

Another problem that surfaced is that each partner signed a personal guaranty for the commercial lease. So, each partner is on the hook for $250,000 each!

Business people should never execute a personal guaranty for the debts of the business. It’s a good idea to incorporate the business so the business can assume its own liabilities. There is absolutely no sense that the shareholders should personally guaranty the debts of the business. If the business goes down, only the business files for bankruptcy. The investors keep their good credit and have no personal liability. If the landlord asks you to guaranty personally the proposed lease of the premises by your company business, just say no. You will not regret it. If the landlord will not lease the premises to the business without your personal guaranty just look for another place where you do not have to give a personal guaranty.

I have had a client who was on the hook for $800,000 for unpaid commercial lease by way of personal guaranty when all he had to do to prevent this from happening was to not execute the personal guaranty. Think twice before you sign that personal guaranty. *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader.

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

The ‘Selfies’ generation idolatry on steroids

In this case, grandparents were actually taking care of child

IN the case of In re Marriage of Wilson, the Mother was attempting to enforce child support arrears against the Father for the period in which the child was not living with the Mother but instead was living with the Grandparents. The Father filed a request for an order in court, seeking a stay of enforcement of the child support arrears on the ground he had overpaid Mother; equitable set-aside of the child support arrearages on the ground Minor had lived with Grandparents since she was two years old; credit for child support charged during the time Minor lived with Grandparents; and set-aside of interest on arrearages. In re Marriage of Wilson, 4 Cal . App. 5th 1011, 1014, 208 Cal . Rptr. 3d 779, 780, 2016 Cal . App. LEXIS 910, *3-4. The trial court denied Father’s request because Father did not support child in his home. In appeal, the appellate court held that a family court had to consider whether it would be inequitable to allow a minor’s mother to enforce some or all of the child support arrears incurred during a certain period the minor lived with her paternal grandparents during that period and that her father had contributed to her support by providing money to the grandparents, and there was no evidence in the record that, during the period at issue, the mother provided any support for the minor.In re Marriage of Wilson, 4 Cal . App. 5th 1011, 1011, 208 Cal . Rptr. 3d 779, 779, 2016 Cal . App. LEXIS 910, *1 Fam. Code, § 3651, provides that, with certain exceptions, a support order may not be modified or terminated as to an amount that accrued before the date of the filing of the notice of motion or order to show cause to modify or terminate. However, it is within the court’s equitable power to deny enforcement of the arrears on equitable grounds under certain circumstances. However, it is

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES within the court’s equitable power to deny enforcement of the arrears on equitable grounds under certain circumstances. (Jackson v. Jackson (1975) 51 Cal.App.3d 363, 366–367 [124 Cal. Rptr.

101] (Jackson).)In re Marriage of Wilson, 4 Cal . App. 5th 1011, 1016, 208 Cal . Rptr. 3d 779, 782, 2016 Cal . App. LEXIS 910, *8 The appellate court found merit, in the peculiar circumstances of the case, in the father’s position that the trial court’s discretion to deny enforcement of a support order is not limited to circumstances in which the obligor parent cares for a child in his or her own home, but is broad enough to embrace a situation in which neither parent is raising the child at home. The record did not foreclose a conclusion that the father’s obligation to support the minor during the relevant period was discharged, in whole or in part, through the grandparents’ care of the minor on his behalf and through the payments he made to them during the period for which the mother sought arrears. Moreover, there was no evidence in the record that, during the periods at issue, when the minor lived with the grandparents, the mother provided any support for the minor.

If the mother was seeking child support arrears for times that she neither cared for the minor nor provided for her financially, enforcement of the arrears might well be nothing more than a windfall to the mother, bearing no relation to any support or care the minor actually received during her childhood. In re Marriage of Wilson, 4 Cal . App. 5th 1011,

1011, 208 Cal . Rptr. 3d 779, 779, 2016 Cal . App. LEXIS 910, *1 The appellate court agreed with father’s contention that the family court’s discretion to deny enforcement of a support order is not limited to circumstances in which the obligor parent cares for a child in his or her own home, but is broad enough to embrace a situation in which neither parent is raising the child at home. In re Marriage of Wilson, 4 Cal . App. 5th 1011, 1011, 208 Cal . Rptr. 3d 779, 779, 2016 Cal . App. LEXIS 910, *1. The bottom line, parents that owe substantial arrears in child support may have a defense against enforcement under In re Marriage of Wilson if the child was not actually living with the custodial parent but was instead living with the Grandparent and where the non-custodial parent is actually paying the Grandparent for the support of the child. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is n ot a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Philippines EU GSP...

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mitments,” it said. led by Lopez and Special Envoy Trade officials earlier ex- to the EU Edgardo Angara, met taken into account by the Com(Part 1 of 2) mission when considering if pressed optimism that the coun- with trade institutions and parthere are sufficient grounds for try would retain its GSP+ status liament ministers in Brussels last initiating the procedures for with the EU given its economic September to give a clearer picture of the real situation in the temporarily withdrawing GSP+. benefits. of yourself on your cellphone. AlFor the Philippines, its GSP+ Philippines, particularly on EU’s This could happen if a GSP+ though I must say the results of beneficiary does not make prog- status allows the country to ex- concern on alleged violations of all those close-up ‘selfie’ shots and Myself at center stage. The ress (without legitimate and port 6,274 eligible products human rights in the country in with a moon face and all the eye songs and stories in popular me- objective reasons) or if there is duty-free to the EU market. relation to President Duterte’s bags and the wrinkles magnified dia all amplify and sell the story serious backtracking on comThe Philippine government, war on illegal drugs. ■ are strong arguments against of self-love as the highest form of selfies. love. It isn’t.

Not to worry though, vanity We have all the electronic tools will always find a way. There are for self-absorption at hand these telescopic, retractable stick-like days: camera phones, computers, gadgets you can buy that you can tablets, Facebook, Twitter, Instaplace your cellphone at one end gram, Snapchat and other forms that enables one to take shots of of social media and the unceasyourself farther than your arm ing, unrelenting advertising mesand hand can manage. There are sages that prick and capitalize on even apps you can use to correct our vanity. Advertisers know our that physical limitation of arm’s hot buttons and the messages length. they cleverly craft and send are The ‘selfie’ is a telling indicator designed to keep pressing those of the age we live in. We cry for buttons until we succumb and and demand attention from oth- buy what we are being sold. ers. There are those who are fallSelf-absorption is certainly not ing in love with their own imag- a new phenomenon. It is probes, their own thoughts and their ably written in the human DNA cyber persona thinking they have from the beginning but is just thousands of followers. Some more widespread because of the even think they have become available technological platform legends in their own minds. They to profess self-love. believe the world revolves around Advanced, wealthy civilizathem and that their personal hap- tions in history have fallen for piness is paramount. the same trap. Maybe it’s time JA N UA RY 25 Following the lead of celebri- to dredge out those stories from ties in the sports and entertain- mythology, told and retold from Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA ment world, we are being led to the distant past, so we can betThere will be an immigration forum on Thursday, January 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the believe that life is all about I, Me u PAGE B5 Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Canprocessed, the wait time to con- nia nonresident is allowed OSTC didates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE for net income taxes paid to taxtact the FTB, visit the FTB Cusimmigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many payer’s resident state that is also tomer Service Dashboard. changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administrataxed in California if the resident The “Customer Service Dashtion and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its board” was launched in March 1, state 1) does not tax income of rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be availCalifornia resident or 2) allows 2017 with estimated time frames able. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect for your wait time. For more in- OSTC to California resident on immigrants and their families. income sourced within the state. formation go to: https://www.ftb.

California Competes Tax ca.gov Asian American Professional Association intro session in Rosemead, CA Use of Schedule X to Amend: Credit: The credit is an income Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) introductory session on ThursStarting January 2018, use new or franchise tax credit, available day, January 25! Hear from Paul Park, Founder and CEO at American Dream Builders Now Schedule X to amend personal to businesses that stay or expand Inc. As a “Gold Miner” Paul’s mission is to search and help develop hidden potential, inspire, income tax return. You will no in California. Applications for are and motivate others to dream big. He believes “If you can dream it, you can do it. Build your longer use Form 540X to amend accepted through calcompetes. dream and it will build you.” During the second half meet and interact with AAPA Mentors! your income tax return. You may ca.gov from January 2, 2018 Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with the program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will be at Southalso e-file amended income tax through January 22, 2018. For ern California Edison, GO-1 Employee Lounge at 2244 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA. returns beginning tax years 2017 additional information go to the It is free and open to all professionals. To RSVP, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ California Competes Tax Credit and later. aapa-introductory-session-tickets-40791228663.

Electronic Payments through webpage at Go-Biz Electronic Fund Withdrawal *** JA N UA RY 28 (EFT): Starting January 2018, Disclaimer: Any accounting, business EFT is available for both estimate or tax advice contained in this payments and extensions pay- communication is neither intended as SIPA hosts Pinay Empowerment Brunch in Los Angeles ments for both business entities a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will host its second Pinay Empowerment and individual. issues, nor a substitute for a formal Brunch on Sunday, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at BARKADA (1253 Delayed Form 1099G: You opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxVine Street, Hollywood, CA). The event will feature a panel with Cher Calvin (KTLA 5 TV), will report the tax refund in the related penalties.

Isa Fabro (Chef, Unit 120), Janelle S. Foster (BET/Viacom), and Kimmy Maniquis (California year you actually received it al*** Conference for Equality & Justice). It will be moderated by Rob Asghar (author/commentathough you may received the Al-os & Associates Accountancy tor whose work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, etc). To purchase Form 1099G at a later date.

Corporation provides accounting and tickets, please visit: https://sipa.ticketsocket.com/event/PINAY-EMPOWERMENT-BRUNCHDeductions for Taxes Paid tax services to individuals, corporations, II. $30 online pre-sale/$40 general admission. Ticket includes a gourmet Pilipino brunch by or California Other State Tax LLCs and business entities. The Firm has Barkada.

Credit (OSTC) Legal Ruling a niche in defending taxpayers audited 2017-01: California resident is by the IRS and other governmental If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the allowed to OSTC for net income agencies. details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com taxes paid to other state. Califor(Advertising Supplement)

“Vanity of vanities; All is vanity.”

–Ecclesiastes

Calendar of Events across

America

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California updates: Part 1

B4 JANUARY 24-26, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

People and Events

Artesia Park tee-ball field undergoes renovation Diamond Bar City commission recruitment

RENOVATIONS are underway to restore dirt infields on the tee-ball baseball fields at Artesia Park. When complete, the project will allow for better utilization of the fields by providing teeball players with dedicated dirt fields, while also freeing up the larger baseball fields at the park for other divisions.

This project is a great example of the City and the community coming together to provide

EMPLOYMENT

great opportunities for the City’s youth. The City would like to thank the wonderful tee-ball program volunteers that helped clear the fields prior to renovations.

The restoration of dirt infields on these tee-ball fields is the first step to providing a renovated and dedicated tee-ball baseball field. The current renovations are expected to be completed by March 10, 2018 – Opening Day for City of Artesia softball and baseball programs. ■

EMPLOYMENT

THE biennial recruitment to fill 15 seats on the three Diamond Bar City Commissions – Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Traffic and Transportation – is currently underway.

Commissions act in an advisory capacity to the City Council. The Planning Commission advises on planning and land use matters, the Parks and Recreation Commission advises on matters pertaining to recreational facilities and programming, and the Traffic and Transportation Commission advises on traffic flow and transportation system matters.

Diamond Bar residents who are at least 18 years of age, registered to vote, and interested in being considered for one of these commissions are encouraged to apply. Appointments will be made by the City Council, and commissioners will begin their two-year terms in March.

Applications are available for pickup at City Hall, 21810 Copley Drive, and must be completed and returned to the City Clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7.

Photo courtesy of diamondbarca.gov

All commission meetings are held at City Hall in the Windmill Community Room and begin at 7 p.m. Planning meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month; Parks and Recreation meets on the fourth Thursday of the month; and Traffic and

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

Transportation meets on the second Thursday of the month.

For more information about City Commissions, visit www. diamondbarca.gov/commissions.

Questions about the recruitment may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at (909) 839.7010.

B JANUARY 24-26, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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Show us the food waste: Automated green carts accepting food waste

IN neighborhoods all over Culver City, the residential automated green cart can be used for food waste. To divert usable material from the landfill the City encourages residents to include food waste in their green bin for collection. Encouraging people to use the green bin for food waste, and not just yard waste, is a great way to capture food waste and divert more from the landfills.

Why the change?

Thanks to our conscientious Culver City residents, the City’s green bin program has been successful in diverting green yard waste from the landfill. Introducing food waste to the cart is the next level of diverting organics (food scraps) from the landfill.

The City is offering pails for purchase that can be placed on the counter for containment of food waste until you are ready to place it into the compost bin or in the city green cart. We suggest using a newspaper, or BPI-certified compostable liner to help keep

Dominguez defends...

PAGE B1 t

It will likewise repeal exemptions of government-owned and/or controlled corporations, proprietary educational institutions and hospitals, regional headquarters, regional operating headquarters, incomes of resident foreign corporations from foreign currency transactions, nonresident cinematographic film owners, lessors or distributors, as well as owners or lessors of aircraft, machineries, vessels and other equipment.

While cutting down on incentives, the second tax reform package will bring down the corporate income tax rate starting Jan. 1, 2020 by 1 percentage point for every reduction in investment tax perks equivalent to 0.15 percent of gross domestic product in 2018 or an estimated P26 billion.

“The goal is to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent by 2022, while expanding the base by 0.75 percent of GDP or P130 billion in 2018 prices,” the DOF said.

Dominguez said the DOF expects the target to cut the foregone revenues from fiscal incentives to be easily attainable.

The second tax package will also improve compliance by simplifying the tax rules for corporations, including slashing the optional standard deduction to 20 percent of gross income for both individuals and corporations from 40 percent at present; allowing deductions, including net operating loss carryover and depreciation; as well as defining medium and large (on a

conglomerate basis) taxpayers.

To avail of incentives, investments must be performancebased, with an independent body or the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) to measure it; time-bound, to enjoy fiveyear income tax holiday and/or reduced rate with no extension except for the capital equipment duty perk; targeted, or based on the three-year investment priorities plan (IPP) covering both local and foreign investors that will serve both domestic and international markets; as well as transparent, with the name of beneficiaries and tax incentives to be reported by the FIRB. Also among the proposed reforms under the second tax package include a regular review to be undertaken by the FIRB on all tax and other perks given away by the various investment promotions agencies (IPAs).

Under the DOF proposal, the Secretary of Finance can cancel or suspend the grant of incentives upon the review and recommendation of the FIRB, a power that the official does not have at present and currently held only by IPAs. Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs House ways and means committee, confirmed to reporters last Friday that they already received last week the DOF’s draft bill containing the second tax reform package.

Cua said Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua will brief the House leadership about the new tax package on Wednesday, January 24.. n

The ‘Selfies’ generation...

PAGE B3 t

ter understand how to deal with this interesting yet disconcerting trend and see how too much self-absorption driven by obsession can eventually lead to despondency and unhappiness.

The antidote to self-absorption, just like for many ills that plague our world today, is still the same as it was in the past — love and concern for others, interest in the well-being of someone or being involved in something bigger, higher, loftier than one’s self. The idea of sacrifice still remains the most concrete, visible form of love for another. In an age of instant gratification, sacrifice has become passé, a thing of the past. And that, perhaps, is the reason for much of the world’s troubles these days.

In the end, happiness finally comes with the humble awareness and quiet appreciation of what was, what is and what is yet to come — right now, right here where we live our days and nights, just within the small circle consisting of ourselves and our loved ones, without demanding attention from others. Do remember that not everyone is rooting for you.

If we think we have become stars in the firmament because of our own self-absorption, here’s a story from Greek mythology to help bring us down a notch back to terra firma with a soft, gentle thud.

Long ago when enchanted creatures peopled the earth, there was a nymph called Echo.

She probably rated a nine and a half on a 10 point-attractiveness scale, gorgeous, knowledgeable and perfect in every way except for one thing — she was a chatterbox without equal. She liked to hear herself talk far too much and perhaps, with a tinge of hubris, would insist on having the last word in every conversation.

Juno, the queen of the Gods, was so irked by Echo’s habit that she meted out a punishment

just for her. Echo will no longer be able to talk, except for one tiny concession — she will be able to say only the last word.

In the same forest where the nymphs lived, there was a young man named Narcissus who was so classically handsome and perfectly proportioned that all the nymphs oohed and ahhed and fell in love with him at first sight.

Picture Michelangelo’s marble sculpture of “David” in flesh and blood. If he were real person today, he would have made the cover of People’s Sexiest Man of the Year.” His fans became legion. All that adulation got into his head.

He became extremely vain. No nymph was good enough for him.

One day, Echo espied Narcissus while he was hunting with his peers and fell in love with him like a ton of bricks. She longed to tell him of her feelings, but in her afflicted state, she became painfully shy and simply contented herself silently watching him from a distance, shadowing Narcissus’ every move. Narcissus, however, became aware of her shadowy presence and talked her out of her hiding place. Echo could only repeat the last words of what Narcissus was saying in their conversation so she may have came out sounding like a mindless idiot, vexing the vain Narcissus.

Besotted with love for the hunk however and believing Narcissus’ plea that she come out so they can be joined together, she finally overcame her crippling shyness and revealed herself. However, Narcissus felt she wasn’t good enough for him and snubbed her.

He scorned her for her bold presumptuousness and repudiated her. He sent her away in the most cutting words swearing he would rather die than be with Echo.

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

food waste from sticking to your pail. Residents can purchase kitchen counter pails from Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations.

To purchase, please call (310) 253-6423. The cost is $10; cash or check only. Checks must be made payable to the City of Culver City, and the price is subject to change.

Hint: Collect your food waste in a liner and put it in the freez-

Photo courtesy of culvercity.org

er, if you are concerned about smells or fruit flies. Residents can place the yard waste with organics in the green bin, but should consider grasscycling and/or using a backyard composter if space permits. Grasscycling means you leave mowed grass on the lawn to decompose. It releases valuable nutrients back into the soil! n

Banks tighten standards for commercial real...

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In terms of demand, the diffusion index approach showed a number of banks indicated increased demand for commercial real estate loans during the period.

The strong demand was driven by the increased investment in plants and equipment, improvement in borrower firms’ economic outlook, and attractive fi-

nancing terms and lower interest rates, the BSP said.

The central bank said a number of banks also anticipate demand to continue to increase in the next quarter.

Meanwhile, lending standards for real estate loans to households remained unchanged in the last three months of 2017.

“The unchanged credit standards for housing loans was at-

tributed by respondent banks largely to unchanged profile of household borrowers, their stable economic outlook as well as unchanged tolerance for risk for the said type of loan,” the BSP said.

Over the next quarter, banks also foresee unchanged credit standards for housing loans.

“At the same time, results continued to show increased demand for housing loans in the

fourth quarter of 2017 as well as expectations of a sustained increase in demand for the said type of loan in the next quarter,” the BSP said.

The BSP started conducting the SLOS in 2009 with the goal of gaining a better understanding of banks’ lending behavior, which it described as an important indicator of the strength of credit activity in the country. n

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AdAm JAcobs And Reggie de Leon:

The Fil-Am stars of disney’s ‘Aladdin’ national tour by

chrisTiNa M. oriel / AJPress

F

OLLOWING the five-month residency of Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton,” the Hollywood Pantages Theatre transformed into ‘a whole new world’ this January with the arrival of Disney’s “Aladdin.”

Adapted from the 1992 animated classic and centuriesold folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” the staging of “Aladdin” takes the audience to the made-up city of Agrabah. There, you meet Aladdin (Adam Jacobs) — nicknamed a ‘street rat’ for his thievery and other maneuvers — and his three friends Babkak, Omar and Kassim (Zach Bencal, Philippe Arroyo and Mike Longo). As the story goes, Aladdin meets the Genie (played by Michael James Scott who received a lot of roars and standing ovations on opening night) who grants the former three wishes, including transforming into Prince Ali in a bid to wed Princess Jasmine (played

by Courtney reed until February 18 and Isabelle McCalla for the remainder of the run).

“Aladdin” opened on Broadway in 2014 and remains a resounding hit, like many of Disney’s productions. The musical continues its first national tour this year, including a three-month stop in Los Angeles, where it formally opened on Thursday, January 11.

For the Filipino-American community in Southern California, beyond the visual overload and energetic numbers (the iconic “A Whole New World” number is as shining, shimmering splendid as anticipated), seeing Fil-Am talent take on principal roles is not to be glossed over.

Fresh off opening week, the Asian Journal interviewed Jacobs (whose mother is Filipina) and reggie De Leon (Iago) about bringing their respective characters to life and representing Fil-Ams on stage.

Adam Jacobs on becoming Aladdin Jacobs, who originated the

title character on Broadway for which he received a 2014 Drama Desk Award nomination for “Outstanding Actor in a Musical,” said characterizing Aladdin continues to be satisfying years and hundreds of performances later.

“It’s [a] very physical…[and] very demanding role. So you have to have comedic chops, you have to be athletic, and you have to sing and dance. Do it all, right? It’s a very demanding role but because of that, it’s super rewarding,” Jacobs told the Asian Journal. “It’s the best role I’ve had in my career so far.”

The actor from Half Moon Bay, California — who previously played Simba in the national tour of Disney’s “The Lion King,” Marius in “Les Miserables,” and Sky in “Mamma Mia!” — was scouted for Aladdin back in late 2010 then went through a few rounds of auditions before he secured the role.

In working with director Casey Nicholaw (who won a Tony Award for “The Book of Mormon”) and book writer Chad Beguelin, Jacobs said there was an opportunity to develop and interpret the character as his own.

“The three of us went through and saw what worked and what didn’t. It’s such an amazing experience to be able to create a role because you have that opportunity to sort of make it your own and you can shape it,” he reflected.

“You try something out and it doesn’t necessarily work. We went through so many different versions of lines. It’s such a cool thing to be able to take it and really hone your strengths.”

In addition to “A Whole New World,” Jacobs’s favorite num-

ber includes “Proud of Your Boy,” which Aladdin sings to his mother who passed away.

Of “Proud of Your Boy,” he said, “Aladdin’s saying, ‘I’m gonna make you proud,’ and fulfill that promise and to stop stealing. I sing that pretty much early in the first act and it’s his whole motivation turns into the whole show. It’s a beautiful song and it’s my favorite song to sing.

You have this amazing music of Alan Menken.”

There’s also “Friend Like Me,” a nearly 10-minute scene alongside the Genie, which on opening night resonated with and wowed the audience.

“So couple those numbers with the amazing set and the costumes. I think people are blown away by the costumes pretty much more than anything else when they come see it.

They’re pretty incredible,” he said. “On one pair of pants, you have over a thousand Swarovski crystals. They didn’t skimp going from Broadway to the tour, which is great. A lot of tours scale down when they bring it on the road but not Disney — Disney can luckily afford to do it so it’s pretty nice.”

Now in LA, Jacobs’s daily routine is filled with being a dad and “chasing down” his 4-yearold twin sons, then he switches to “Broadway-mode and [does] a show for 2,703 people every night.”

“I have my tricks and things that I do to get into my own headspace. I have juggling balls which help me get into it. I have my stretching routine and a mini-gym set up which is just cables and weights and so I have a whole physical routine and a vocal warm-up that I do for my pre-show rituals,” he described.

Isabelle McCalla and Adam Jacobs take on Jasmine and Aladdin in the national tour of Disney’s “Aladdin.”

Fil-Am Adam Jacobs as the title role of Aladdin, performing “Proud of Your Boy.” Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann The ensemble opens Act I with “Arabian Nights.”

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin

In playing a prominent role, Jacobs is keen on talking about his Filipino heritage and being one of the leading Fil-Am talents on Broadway.

“I’m very proud to be able to represent Filipino Americans on stage. There aren’t that many but I think on Broadway, you know, at least [when] you’ve been living in New York and working on Broadway and it’s slowly starting to become more inclusive…[and you] see more roles for Asian-Americans and it’s good and it’s what needs to happen and the theatre world always seems to be a step ahead of the TV and film world.

I’m hoping that that will follow soon,” he said.

His sister Arielle Jacobs (“Wicked,” “In the Heights,” and “Into the Woods”) will begin playing Princess Jasmine on Broadway this February. Aside from his breakthroughs on Broadway, Jacobs shared that one of his proudest moments was when he and Arielle did a cabaret show in San Francisco in which they sang “about our family coming to the United States” and paid tribute to their 92-year-old grandfather who is a World War II veteran.

“It’s pretty cool that we were able to share that with him and give that to him — what a joyous special moment,” he said.

Reggie De Leon as comic relief Iago For De Leon, who brings Iago (Jafar’s sidekick parrot) to life with punchy, comical bursts, performing at the Pantages is a “full-circle” moment.

It’s the theater where De Leon Photo by Deen van Meer — who was born in Hollywood and grew up in Santa Fe Springs — saw his first major musical, “Phantom of the Opera.”

“Now I’m here and get to be on the other side of the curtain and perform for hopefully the next generation of theater artists out there. We [have] a lot of wonderful kids coming to see the show. It’s just a very cool thing. A really, really neat experience like coming full-circle,” De Leon told the Asian Journal.

De Leon caught the “actPhoto by Deen van Meer ing bug” at age 20, beginning

Reggie De Leon as Iago

with starring in the Inland Valley repertory Theatre’s production of “The King and I.” His resume has since spanned stage (“La Cage Aux Folles,” (“Beauty and the Beast,”) television (“Mom,” “Young & Hungry,” “Melissa & Joey,” “Modern Family”), film, and live shows at Disneyland and California Adventure (“Snow White: An Enchanting Musical,” “Frozen: Live at the Hyperion”).

He was urged by friends to audition for Iago, which was being played by fellow Fil-Am Don Darryl rivera on Broadway.

“I kind of always kept my eye on [the role] because I had a number of friends tell me that whenever ‘Aladdin’ was auditioning that I need to go in because if it’s like if you were to see a picture of Don rivera and me,” he said. “Even I have a difficult time… it’s difficult to discern who’s who. I would get a picture of him and be like, ‘That’s me!

Oh wait no, that’s Don.’ So we look very similar. We also have very similar mannerisms.”

De Leon recounted that in LA, he initially auditioned to be a Broadway replacement for Iago. However, a year later, he tried out again for the part in New York for the national tour and was eventually invited for a callback, which Disney flew him out for. In the span of a few days, he officially got the role.

“I was just enamored with Don Darryl’s interpretation of it. And of course, growing up watching the movie, Gilbert Gottfried left an indelible mark in my mind with the character. I love Iago. So he was a really fun character and is definitely one of my favorite characters in the movie,” he said. “So I kind of try to incorporate a little bit of both of their work and of course, bring my interpretation to it as well. So in the end, it’s sort of like a fusion: Don Darryl, Gilbert Gottfried and myself, if that makes any sense.”

With daily performances from Tuesday to Friday and twice a day on Saturday and Sunday, De Leon emphasized the importance of keeping energetic and healthy to deliver strong performances.

Photos by Deen van Meer

“It’s not really fair to call it work because basically I just feel like I get to play with my friends for two and a half hours. I just consider myself so blessed to be here and to be a part of this family because we really have become a family. You know when you’re on the road, you’re away from your family and so by extension, your co-workers and castmates become your family.

We have a wonderful, wonderful bond,” he said.

As “Aladdin” stays in Los Angeles until March, De Leon and Jacobs invite Fil-Ams to come out and enjoy the performance.

“It’s cool when I go to the stage door and greet a lot of Filipino Americans who just feel happy to see somebody of Filipino descent standing up there. I always go to the stage to greet the fans, it’s just part of my routine,” Jacobs said. “I like to do that and see how the show has impacted them.”

De Leon remarked that in the first week alone, he’s “had close to 100 family and friends already come and see the show.”

“If you’re a fan of Disney, you grew up in the time of the movie, and you have that nostalgia feeling about it. It’s a really fun two and a half hours and that will take you away from all those troubles you might be experiencing in the world today,” De Leon said. “And to be able to see some Filipinos on stage representing is kind of a cool thing.

I know I’m always so proud, whether it be theater, film or a TV show, and I see a Filipino out there because it’s challenging.

It’s not easy to make a career out of this. And when somebody is able to, it’s like a victory for all of us.” *** Disney’s “Aladdin” will be at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a 12-week engagement until Saturday, March 31. Performances are held Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m, Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with individual tickets starting at $39. There is also a daily digital lottery for a limited number of $25 orchestra seats.

Korina Sanchez reveals diet and active lifestyle Gerald and Kim on moving on and being friends large part of ‘dramatic’ transformation

by Tessa

Mauricioa-arriola ManilaTimes.net

by Niña

V. GuNo

Inquirer.net

KOrINA Sanchez’s new thin and tanned look has stunned and surprised many, especially as she was made the face of a celebrity cosmetics clinic.

The newscaster shared that apart from procedures that tightened and lifted her skin, she had been dieting and exercising with discipline.

“There are no shortcuts to getting fit,” she said in an earlier Instagram post.

In an Instagram post, the 53-year-old said the “dramatic” transformation involved physical activities like deep sea diving, walking and hiking.

And for the tan: “I stayed under the sun a lot by choice because I like having color.”

“The improvements were a process,” she explained.

Her new look began turning heads even in 2017 when she graced the Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho wedding in France.

In a September 2017 post, she said she abides by a keto-

Korina Sanchez

genic diet with the help of an app.

But while she was 15 pounds lighter, the weight loss had an effect on her face.

“My face was starting to tumble down,” she revealed.

It was then that she turned to cosmetic procedures, giving her a fresh look despite de-

IN the summer of 2017, popular actors Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson were feeling a bit jittery. They had been cast in the new ABS-CBN series “Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin,” which meant they would be working together again after a lengthy seven years, and more significantly a highlypublicized breakup.

The Times attended the media conference announcing the show back in May last year where the exes made a genuine effort to make light of their past in front of the press, both agreeing they looked forward to giving the fans of their onscreen tandem—where their relationship had begun as well—the reunion for which they had patiently waited.

Just before the weekend— eight months since successfully airing on ABS-CBN’s daytime linePhoto from Instagram/@belobeauty up—Kim and Gerald faced the press anew, this time completely cades on the screen. at ease with each other, excited She said part of the shock to end the series amid high ratfactor of the billboard ad was ings. possibly also because she “There were many firsts for showed more skin than usual Kim and I in doing the show,” and that her hair was in curls.

Gerald recalled. “It was our first “Alam niyo na (as you know), a time to be assigned to a daytime newscaster is always in corposlot, and I must admit at the start, I was a little sad not be on prime rate attire, balot na balot (all time like before. I was also very covered up), haha!”

time after so long—and yes, after we broke up,” he chuckled, reading The Times’ mind, “we realized that despite everything we’ve been through—all the issues from the past—that we really love what we do, and we didn’t let any of that get in the way of working together. All we wanted was to give our best in show, for our viewers and I’m happy everything turned out really well.”

In a separate conversation, Kim shared Gerald’s sentiments as she revealed, “We’ve really both matured—that’s what I realized.

Not just in acting but as individuals as well. We were able to set aside all the issues from before, and even during our run, and just focus on the work. So instead of feeling sad the show’s ending this coming week, I’m just thankful that it was successful and grateful Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu ABS-CBN photo for the opportunity to keep doing nervous knowing the audience in what I love.”

Indeed, 2017 was a banner the mornings are different, but as year for Kim, especially in the last ‘Ikaw Lang ang Iibign’ went on, quarter where, besides “Ikaw I realized it doesn’t matter what Lang Ang Iibigin,” she had her timeslot you get so long as the first ever solo starrer on the big show satisfies the viewers. It felt screen with “The Ghost Bride” good to do something new and from Star Cinema. to entertain a new audience.”

“To this day, I’m still thrilled Addressing the “Kimerald” to see myself on TV and in the [the Kim-Gerald tandem’s nickcinema, and I’m looking forward name] reunion, the “Pinoy Big to an-other year of projects this Brother” discovery continued, “On working with Kim for the first 2018,” she added.

entertainment 3

Judy Ann Santos faces all her fears

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 24, 2018

by Gabbie

TaTad Philstar.com

JUDY Ann Santos-Agoncillo, whether in films or in her many advertisements, has always evoked the image of The Ultimate Filipina. She’s the woman you put a ring on, the woman you bring home to mom, the woman you’d like to call mom, the kumare you run to when things are dicey and a compassionate shoulder is necessary. And to sit down with her is to know that what you see is what you get for the most part, with a little bit extra.

For instance, when Ms. Santos-Agoncillo talks about dealing with criticism, she shares instances when she regularly had to come face to face with writers who would publish the most ridiculous and unnecessary insults and lies about her. At a press conference, she ran into one particular writer who didn’t think she knew who he was and, playing dumb, asked her what she thought about others saying she was suplada and fat.

She quickly and without hesitation replied, “Ah, ’yung sinulat mo?” It’s worth noting that as she tells this story, it is without any air or trace of salacious excitement, no “Look at me, I’m so wicked.”

“She’s not here to cause a scene; she’s just not here to take anyone else’s sh*t. She shrugs lightly and says, “Kung matapang ka sa papel, kailangan matapang ka sa personal.”

That has always been the draw when it comes to Ms. Santos-Agoncillo, lovingly referred to by many as Juday: that she is so real. She says that she thought she was ready for her current circuit doing promos for her new film, but finds herself coping by eating everything in sight. “Isang mall show namin, pag pasok ko ng backstage, may donut, may chicken, may cake, may dinuguan. Tinira ko silang lahat,” she says, positively tickled. “Sirangsira ’yung diet ko, pero ang happy ko. Sabi ko, ‘Bibigay ko na nga to sayo Juday, okay lang yan. Pagkatapos ng lahat nito, tawagan mo na lahat ng coach mo.” She talks about her husband having to set her straight every so often because she can fetch every excuse in the book to avoid working out. But she says that

Atom Araullo to appear in new travel, adventure show NewS reporter Atom Araullo will soon add a new show in his growing portfolio.

Atom is set to launch and host AXN’s “Adventure Your way,” a weekly 30-minute travel show that aims to explore new adventures in Philippine destinations. AXN is yet to announce the airing date of the show.

The show promises to be distinct by making viewers participate in its directions.

Destinations will be chosen from suggestions on social media. “each episode features Atom taking on challenging activities as he tries out the adventure of your choice without any itinerary and with only his phone and soIn her latest film, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo stars opposite Angelica Panganiban in “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes” — a story of two women who find out that their husbands are having an affair with one another.

Philstar.com photo by Regine David

she has designated 2018 as the year to face all her fears, and she’s started by buying a white bathing suit. She says that when she turns 40, she wants to take a photo in that bathing suit and be proud of the shape she’s in.

No more fears Facing her fears includes the work she’s done on her current film, Jun Robles Lana’s “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes,” starring opposite Angelica Panganiban.

It’s the story of two women who find out that their husbands are having an affair with one another, and how they plan to exact revenge. “Sa pelikula na ‘to, si Lianne, ang ganda ganda ng character niya at hindi ko siya mabitawan, pero kaya ko ba siyang gawin? Si Lianne, hindi mo siya pwedeng gawin ng half-hearted ka. Kasi ‘pag nagdalawang-isip ka, liligwakin ka ng pelikula. Ikaw ’yung rotten tomato sa basket ng magagandang hinanda ng pelikula. If you’re not fully involved in this project, sayang ’yung pagod ng lahat ng tao kung ikaw ’yung kaisa-isang taong hindi gumawa ng trabaho ng tama,” says Ms. Santos-Agoncillo. “’Yung mga paboobs, ’yung mga mura, hindi ko naman ginawa yan sa kahit anong

pelikula nung bata pa ako! And it’s actually refreshing.”

Ms. Santos-Agoncillo says it took some convincing for her to take on the role, not only because it was unlike anything she’d done before, but because her having slowed down in making films to take care of her young family made her more open and vulnerable to criticism. “You can make one film after another na patsepatse lang trabaho mo, but sometimes when you take a break and just do one film at a time, mas mapapansin pa trabaho mo. So I had to really tell myself, what’s important is ginawa mo ’yung film kasi gusto mo.” She adds, “Most of my life has been dedicated to making films and teleseryes, and wala akong masyadong chance pumili ng gusto kong gawin. Pinipili ako ng trabaho at pinipilit ako ng manager ko na. ‘Gawin mo to.’ So ngayon, nasa sitwasyon ako na pipili ako ng trabaho hindi dahil pihikan ako, kundi dahil I gave so much of my life already to this business. I have three lives na binubuo, including my marriage, and kung gagawa ako ng pelikula, it should be something really worth it.”

Continued on Page 4

Atom Araullo

cial media to guide him,” AXN’s news release read.

Araullo was a news reporter for ABS-CBN before he jumped ship and joined another television giant, GMA Network.

Philstar.com photo

He went on to film documentaries on international issues.

He also launched a web series under GMA Network, “Adulting with Atom Araulo.” (Camille Diola/Philstar.com)

Agot Isidro ‘gender bends’ in ‘Changing Partners’

by Jerry

donaTo Philstar.com

AS Alex, Agot Isidro “gender bends” (or defies gender stereotypes) in the 2017 Cinema One Originals Film Festival entry, Changing Partners. Her character challenges the binary (male-female) notions about gender as well as those roles played by Jojit Lorenzo, Anna Luna and Sandino Martin. The Dan Villegas musical film will have its mainstream theatrical release starting Jan. 31.

“Alex is a cougar in a hetero relationship,” Agot laid the groundwork, so to speak, of her character who finds love in Cris, during a media call. “She is older than her partner. I also play Alex, the gay female, who is in a

Agot Isidro co-stars (from left) Sandino Martin, Jojit Lorenzo and Anna Luna. Philstar.com photo

relationship with a younger gay female.” Don’t get (mental) crosseyed. There’s more to it.

According to Agot, the female Alex “is successful, careerdriven. If that’s the case, she is not quite able to focus on love,” and, as you and I know, she

meets a younger man.

“She has just fallen in love — umibig lang talaga, tinamaan (lang) siya,” she added. In the name of love, lovers oftentimes are brave — and blind.

“To the point that she has a bit neglected her career, she Continued on Page 4

4

features The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 24, 2018

This Filipino invention is helping people drive greener for cheaper one may be ready to make such a big purchase. In fact, many drivers have been opting out of purchasing them.

GLOBAL warming is Despite the fact that elecundoubtedly one of the most tric vehicles have been on the pressing issues being faced by market for quite a while now the world today, and accordoften supported by governing to the U.S. Environmental ment incentives, many drivers Protection Agency (EPA), the have remained hesitant to nation’s transportation sector purchase a new electric car. Of — which includes cars, trucks, trains, planes, ships, and freight the nearly 34 million vehicles sold in the past two years in — is responsible for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. global warm- the U.S., almost all of them run on gas as reported by Busiing emissions. That makes transportation the second lead- ness Insider. Tesla for example, perhaps the most prominent ing source of greenhouse gas emissions, following electricity. maker of electric vehicles, saw an initial decline in total vehicle And as cars have become deliveries despite coming out a necessity for many of us, it’s with its cheaper Model 3 car. no surprise that our personal So how then, can everyday vehicles play a major role drivers do their part in helpas a contributor to climate change. In every gallon of gas, ing the environment without our cars and trucks emit around spending too much? In comes Filipino inventor Dennis Alvarez 24 pounds of carbon dioxide who found a way to help drivand other global-warming ers drive greener for cheaper gases, altogether accounting through his breakthrough Philfor nearly one-fifth of all U.S. ippine produced bio synthetic emissions, according to the engine lubricant.

Union of Concerned ScienIC Green — which stands tists (UCSUSA). Furthermore, for Internal Combustion Green over 19 pounds per gallon technology — blends a balof heat-trapping emissions anced formulation of mineral come straight out of our car’s based and bio synthetic oils tailpipes. that allow for a more responAs a result, we experisive engine, thus optimizing ence increasingly intense heat the combustion process and waves, rises in sea levels, and generating a more powerful air quality related health problems such as asthma in many of engine with noticeably reduced emissions. our nation’s communities.

Tested by organizations like While efforts to combat the Philippine Department Of global warming and air quality Transportation and Communihave heightened, they can be cations’ Land Transportation pretty costly. Electric and hybrid vehicles, for example, have Office, as well as the Philippines’ authorized Caterpillar been at the forefront of clean dealer Monark Equipment Cordriving efforts, but not every-

by RAE ANN VARONA AJPRESS

Mr. Dennis Alvarez with inventor and former boxer George Foreman

Filipino autoguru Ben Alameda

poration, IC Green products have been proven to protect, lubricate, maintain normal engine temperatures, and even clean engines.

Specific benefits include a saving of up to 25 percent of fuel costs, quick and responsive acceleration, savings in maintenance costs, reductions of up to 80 percent in emissions, reduction in engine wear and tear, a nearly 50 percent reduction of engine noise, prolonged engine life, and the lengthening of time between oil changes.

Though fairly new to the American market, Alvarez and his IC Green team have already garnered a number of awards and recognitions internationally. The most recents include winning a silver medal in 2017 at the second annual International Innova-

before.

In Alameda’s first test, he took off in a 2012 Honda Fit — engine oil at 50 percent of its service or mileage life — and drove a total of 475 miles from Palmdale, California to Las Vegas, Nevada and back just to see how much of a difference adding IC Green to his engine actually made.

What he found was an impressive increase of an additional 5.4 miles per gallon — a total of 54 extra miles per tankful — and a six-degree-fahrenheit decrease in oil temperature. Similar results were made on his drive back to Palmdale.

“Anytime there are gains in mileage, it is an obvious result of a more efficient running engine,” explained Alameda. “Meanwhile, a drop in oil temperatures also prolongs oil life between change intervals, providing added protection and a longer lasting engine with fewer serviceable problems in the long run.”

And because the car consumed less gas per mile driven, less carbon pollutants were emitted thus helping preserve fuel resources and

tion Competition in Toronto, Canada; a bronze iENA medal in 2015 by the International Federation of Inventors Association in Nuremberg, Germany; and a gold medal award at America’s largest invention trade show, InventHelp’s 2014 INPEX show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“Very few products sold today have gains without negative consequence, and this one proves it has that in every bottle,” said Filipino autoguru Ben Alameda, who has become a firm believer of the IC Green products.

Having been featured in over 50 automobile publications, appeared in a number of television shows on channels like the Filipino Channel and the Discovery Channel, topped numerous car races, and spent 29 years with the LAPD, Alameda knows his way around cars and has become a respected name in the automobile industry.

After hearing about IC Green from a friend and learning about its Filipino inventor, Alameda decided to test the products out — much like he did with many car products

energy.

In Alameda’s second test, he repeated his drive on newly installed oil, and added IC Green’s gas additive as well. Again, more miles per gallon and a decrease in temperature was the result — this time with a gain of 6.5 miles per gallon, or an additional 65 miles per tankful.

“That is an additional one hour of travel time per tankful which is significant when you are trying to gain mileage and less wear for your vehicle’s engine,” shared Alameda.

For IC Green, the goal is all about helping everyday drivers save fuel, save their engine, and ultimately help save the earth in an easy and affordable way. With IC Green, anyone can — as the products’ slogan says — “Fight pollution, with the now solution.”

Those interested in learning more about or purchasing IC Green products such as the Green Oil Enhancer, the WOW 10 Motor Oil Enhancer, or the Fuel Power Booster, can visit www.ICGreenAmerica.com, email admin@icgreenamerica. com or call (562) 402 - 7778.

(Advertsising Supplement)

Judy Ann Santos faces all...

From Page 3

Is it worth it?

She seems to be incredibly happy with her decision, and lauds the film in its handling of LGBTQIA matters. “We really live in a modern world, and it’s nice to see that being bakla isn’t funny anymore. It isn’t a punchline, and it goes so much deeper than someone just being lesbian or being gay. There are so many classifications that, to me, it gets confusing.” She stops for a bit and asks questions from others in the room as to whether someone who is transgender can be a lesbian (yes), and whether there are more lesbian sub-groups apart from butch or femme (yes).

“Can you imagine, for someone who’s transgender, na feeling

mo tutubuan ka ng pechay kasi alam mong babae ka, pero yung katawan mo lalaki? Gaano kahirap at gaano kasakit nun para sa isang tao? And all these classifications and groups deserve a lot of understanding and respect.

I’m glad to be part of a film that’s helping to explain at least some of these things.”

Audiences also seem to be happy with her decision, as praise for her work in the film has been nonstop. Praise that, she admits, never gets old. “I looked up to women like Maricel, Sharon, Vilma and Nora. I was blessed to grow up around actors na very professional, maayos trumato sa mga tao at kapwa artista. May sinabi si Angelica na you get bits and pieces of each person that

you idolize; hindi mo iniidolo yung kabuuan niya. But I can say na sa buong oras ko sa industriyang to, wala akong nakasamang unprofessional na artista. It was such a privilege to witness stars at their finest. Kaya nahimay ko sila at pinasok ko sila sa tinahak ko sa industriyang to.”

“Now, I get comments from young actresses like Angelica saying I’m their idol and ‘#goals.’

Of course, may kilig yun, hindi naman pwedeng hindi kiligin, ano ba! And it makes me think, ang layo layo na siguro ng narating ko para ako yung maging example nila. Okay, I did something right.” She then smiles, pats herself on the shoulder, and with a laugh, says, “In fairness sayo, Juday.”

Agot Isidro ‘gender bends’ in...

From Page 3 is just not bothered whatever one says,” shared Agot. “She just shrugged it off because she loves the person. Oo, nag-let go siya kumbaga. Actually, it’s a big investment for Alex kasi parang di-ne-fy niya yung sasabihin ng mga tao, pati kasi yung may economic aspect, mas mayaman yung Alex eh. Hindi niya iniinda yung sasabihin ng tao na baka pineperahan ka lang. So, she has really invested a lot in this relationship.”

So, what’s clear is Agot inhabits two personas and so Alex does. “It’s one story. Yes, I played both gay and straight,” she said.

“Changing Partners,” based on the PETA musical created

by Vincent de Jesus, is another welcome narrative to the growing gender discourse and its fluidity. It will engender talks to further understand the intricacies of gender — as well as relationships.

Aside from the movie title, what piques one’s attention is

the “game” being played on the characters’ names. There are two Alexes and two Crises.

“Androgynous,” as Agot put it.

The names Alex and Cris can refer to a girl or a boy, and even the name of another character, Angel.

With that, “Changing Partners” presents an interesting plot — laced with twists and turns as for perspectives — that compels audiences to sit down from the beginning till the end.

Whether the story is about a couple or two couples, the audience is given the liberty to find the answer and navigate the narrative that touches on gender and romantic relationships. If Rashomon presents two versions of truth, “Changing Partners” gives one reality or truth: Love is love — regardless the gender of the giver and receiver of it.

What were her lessons learned about love during filming “Changing Partners”?

“Ang mga natutunan ko

at natutunan ko rin sa totoong buhay that love is sacrifice, love is masakit but also love is masarap at sumasakit in the end,” answered Agot. “But I think it’s a reality that everyone goes through. It’s very universal. Lahat ng tao nakakadama ng ganyan.”

As for those who live and love the way Alex and Cris do in the movie, Agot had this to say: “It’s a choice. I don’t judge anyone (when we speak of) gender choice or preference. Girl na girl ako. But I have strong relations or relationships, friendships with any of the sexes or genders.

I’m not judgmental when it comes (to gender preference). I don’t see any problems having friendships or good relations with all genders…Hindi natin alam ang ganyang pangyayari.

Love is love. You don’t know what will hit us. Sana hindi ako i-judge later on, kung ganun ang (mang)yayari. We should be open-minded. For now, I’m a girl.”

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 24, 2018

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 24, 2018