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JANUARY 24-30, 2019

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 30 - No. 4 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Democrats reject Trump’s proposal of temporary protection for immigrants, call it a ‘non-starter’ AS the government shutdown entered its 32nd day on Tuesday, January 22 — the longest its ever been in U.S. history — President Donald Trump’s most recent proposal to offer temporary protection for undocumented immigrants in exchange for border wall funding seems unlikely to succeed.

Lawmakers returned to Washington on Tuesday after the Martin Luther King holiday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expected to make a move to vote on the proposal offered by Trump on Saturday, January 19.

But Democrats maintained that they would reject the proposal, and called for the reopening of government to come before further negotiations.

PH may appeal US ban on Filipino workers

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

Following an announcement by the U.S. last week that imposed a one-year ban on new Filipino migrant workers starting this year, the Philippines said that it may ask the U.S. to reconsider the decision if it finds that there is no basis for the ban.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a notification last week that identified foreign countries whose nationals are no longer eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Nonimmigrant Worker Programs starting January 19, 2019 to January 18, 2020.

In listing the Philippines as one of the now ineligible countries along with Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic, the

agency reasoned that the Philippines had a high rate of H-2B overstays.

In 2017, the DHS estimated that nearly 40-percent of Filipino H-2B visa holders overstayed their authorized stay period.

H-2B visas allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs, while H-2A visas allow them to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary and seasonal

agricultural jobs.

According to U.S. State Department statistics, the Philippines accounted for the majority of the visa types issued for Asia in 2017. Of the total 992 H-2B visas issued for Asia, 767 were for the Philippines. Of the total 95 H-2A visas, 64 were for the country.

Philippine Presidential Spokesperson

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This file photo shows a group of children along Manila Bay. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

PH House changes proposed minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old

THE first Filipino-American paid commissioner for the city of Los Angeles has “voluntarily resigned” from his post on Friday, January 18, after being named in a federal search warrant.

Joel Jacinto, who was appointed to LA’s Board of Public Works by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2015, handed in his resignation letter on Friday effective immediately. “[Jacinto] voluntarily resigned as Commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works so as not to distract from the impor-

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 23, swiftly approved on second reading the bill that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the country after only two days of plenary deliberations.

The bill breezed through the lower house through vivavoce voting.

The approved bill now lowers the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12 years old, instead of nine. The amendment was done last minute at the plenary.

Under the controversial House Bill 8858, children as young as 12 years old who commit serious crimes with discernment would be mandatorily confined at Bahay Pag-asa — youth care facilities mandated by law to offer rehabilitation and intervention to children in conflict with the law.

The approval of the bill on second reading came only two days after it was passed by the House justice panel on Monday, January 21.

The proponents of the measure stressed that the bill was filed with the intention to reform children in conflict with the law and not to punish them, and to protect them from being used by criminal syndicates.

But some lawmakers and groups — especially those advocating a more “restorative” handling of children in

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Joel Jacinto, who was appointed to LA’s Board of Public Works

by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2015, resigned from his post on Friday, January 18.

AJPress file photo

Fil-Am commissioner resigns from LA Board of Public Works after being named in FBI warrant

Manny Pacquiao was declared the winner via a unanimous decision victory over Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to retain his secondary World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title on Saturday, January 19. Pacquiao earned the nod of all three judges with scores of 117-11, 116-112 and 116-112, improving his record to (61-7-2) and sending Broner to a three-fight winless streak (33-4-1).

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

Pacquiao ‘fine’ despite eye injury after win vs. Broner

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

MANNY Pacquiao’s camp on Monday, January 21, assured the public that the veteran boxer “is fine” after acquiring a reported career-threatening eye injury following his win against Adrien Broner on Saturday, January 19.

The Filipino boxer’s team told the New York Daily News that they were alarmed when the 40year-old boxer complained of pain and vision loss in his left eye on

Poll protest recount suspended SC orders gov’t, military: Submit 2018 reports on martial law

by PET, says Robredo camp

by RYAN

MACASERO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Supreme Court, acting in the capacity of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, ordered the suspension of the ongoing vote recount in the vice presidential election protest filed by defeated candidate former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo said.

Robredo’s lawyer Bernadette Sardillo said on Tuesday, January 22, they were informed by the revisors yesterday that the recount was suspended. “PET did not give them any reason for the suspension,” she said.

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by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

Vice President Leni Robredo Philstar.com photo

PATAG

MANILA — Days ahead of the oral arguments on martial law’s third extension in Mindanao, the Supreme Court ordered the government to submit the Department of the National Defense’s reports on the region in 2018.

On Wednesday, January 23, the SC en banc directed the Office of the Solicitor General to submit on Friday noon the Department of National Defense’s monthly or periodic reports last year on the implementation of martial law which were addressed to the Congress.

The high court said the justices would make a preliminary assessment on whether the reports, which

contain confidential matters of the State, should only be discussed in an executive session.

This is the third time the SC is asked to determine the constitutionality and factual basis of President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law declaration.

In 2017, the high court has upheld Proclamation No. 516 to place Mindanao under martial law for 60 days. It also upheld Duterte’s yearlong extension of military rule in the Philippines’ southernmost island.

In the two times the SC ruled on petitions related to martial law, it conducted oral arguments.

It may be recalled that during the oral arguments on the consolidated petitions seeking the nullification of

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Sunday morning, January 20. The team found out that the injury was a minor corneal scratch from the tape on Broner’s gloves.

Pacquiao’s camp said that the boxer is feeling better after he was seen without his eyepatch during the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Monday night, where the boxer once again ran into Floyd Mayweather.

The boxing champion is scheduled to return to the Philippines

later this week to see an eye specialist after defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title via a unanimous decision over Broner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The scores were 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

Boxing’s only eight-division champion Pacquaio – who was fighting for the first time as a 40-year-old, and the first time in the United States in more than

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january 24-30, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

From The FronT Page

Poll protest recount suspended by...

PAGE A1 The recount began last April in three pilot provinces in precincts in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental. The results of the recount in these provinces would determine the merit of the rest of Marcos’ protest.

Robredo, Marcos camps react Philstar.com reached out to both Robredo and Marcos’ law-

yers and neither knew the reason yet for the suspension of the recount.

“PET made the announcement yesterday morning at around 9:30 a.m. at the revision floor and said it was effective until further notice,” Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ lawyer, said in a text message.

Last week, Robredo’s lawyers filed a counter-manifestation for

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Philstar.com photo

Marcos’ petition for a technical examination of votes in parts of Mindanao.

Marcos’ petition in the PET in December asked for a technical examination of votes in precincts in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. They also asked the court to subpoena relevant documents in connection with the technical examination conducted in an unrelated election protest filed by ARMM gubernatorial candidate Sakur Tan against the region’s Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

Robredo’s lawyers said this move was Marcos “desperately trying to save his dying election protest.”

PET: Revision proceedings to resume on January 28 PET said in a press statement on Tuesday that it is near the end of the revision of ballots for the pilot provinces.

“Less than a year since it started. The revision involved 5,417 clustered precincts from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental and started in April last year,” they said.

“On January 21, 2019, the revision of ballots was completed except for a few ballot boxes,” the statement said.

The ballots not yet counted were referred to the tribunal for further action.

The revision proceedings for the remaining ballot boxes and decrypted ballot images will resume on January 28.

On Wednesday, Robredo’s lawyers will hold a press conference to discuss their supplemental manifestation to the suspension of the recount. n

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SEIZED FIREARMS FROM SECURITY AGENCIES. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Oscar Albayalde (middle) shows seized firearms totaling 1,025 from 96 private security agencies served cease to operate order in 2018 during a press briefing held at Camp Rafael Crame in Quezon City on Monday, January 21.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PH may appeal US ban on...

PAGE A1 Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday, January 22 that while Malacañang Palace respected the U.S. government’s directive, it would seek to appeal the decision should the U.S. fail “to prove that there is basis to impose the ban.”

While he did not mention why the U.S. may not have had basis for its decision, he said that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would be in charge of working with the U.S. in addressing the issues and filing the possible appeal.

“If that is the law in the U.S. and if there were violations, then we have to respect if they have basis for that.

We will only react if our workers are being mistreated, maltreated or being discriminated against. And if they violated the law of the U.S., then they have to face the music,” said Panelo.

In its notification, the U.S. agency went on to cite the issue of human

trafficking as a reason to warrant the removal of the Philippines from the visa programs.

The agency said that the U.S. Embassy in Manila issues the greatest number of T-derivative visas, which are reserved for family members of certain victims of severe forms of human trafficking.

In reviewing the status of T-1 recipients whose spouses were issued T-2 visas in the same period, the agency said approximately 60 percent were found to have been trafficked to the U.S. on H-2B visas.

It said the DHS and the U.S. Department of State “are concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines.”

The same concern was also

found for the H-2A visa program as applications to the program increased fourfold from 2015 to 2018.

In response to the DHS’ and DOS’ concerns, Panelo said there was not much the Philippine government could do if the concerns were based on conducted investigations.

“When you say human trafficking, the U.S. government must have conducted investigation on that. If their investigation yields that there was a violation, oh I don’t think pwede tayong makialam doon (we can interfere),” said Panelo.

He said that in the meantime, the Philippine government would look into its own anti-trafficking measures.

“What we can do is to do our own controls here para hindi nakaka dating doon iyong mga trafficking na nanggagaling sa atin (so that trafficking victims here don’t reach there),” said Panelo. n

PH House changes proposed minimum age of...

PAGE A1 conflict with the law — said the bill is an act of violence against children and appealed for a strengthened implementation of the current juvenile justice law.

In the upper chamber, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filed a bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to “above 12 years old,” while Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon wants to lower the age to 12 years old. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar. com)

Rep. Salvador Leachon of Oriental Mindoro 1st District (left), chairman of the House Committee on Justice, with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during the House deliberations on lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

SC orders gov’t, military: Submit 2018 reports...

PAGE A1 Proclamation No. 216, the SC held an executive session with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Eduardo Año, then-Armed Forces chief and currently Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary.

The two were the administrator and implementor of martial law, respectively.

Solicitor General Jose Calida then asked for a closed-door session, pointing to the sensitive details on matters that involve national security.

There are four petitions lodged before the SC challenging

Duterte’s martial law extension for 2019.

Two came from lawmakers at the House of the Representatives, one from the members of the “Magnificent 7” and one from the Makabayan bloc.

The Makabayan bloc in their plea recalled that the narration of Duterte, in his letter to the Congress requesting for the extension, “merely illustrates in general terms the continuing rebellion in Mindanao.”

Solons belonging to the progressive bloc said the president promised to submit a more detailed report to support the government’s

statement that there is continuing rebellion in Mindanao. But when Congress convened for a special joint session, they said “no such detailed report or any other report was given.”

They also argued that the incidents that supposedly show rebellion do not endanger public safety as a ground to impose martial law under the Constitution.

“The letter does not allege that the situation has deteriorated that the civilian government no longer functions effectively requiring the exercise of the powers of martial rule to ensure public safety,” they added. n

Democrats reject Trump’s proposal of...

PAGE A1 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif). said early Tuesday that Democrats were prepared to vote on more bipartisan bills to reopen the government, but were being hindered by the shutdown.

She said in a morning tweet that President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “need to stop holding Americans hostage.”

“Stop blocking these bills, and #EndTheShutdown now,” Pelosi added.

Trump too sent out a tweet, exclaiming “No cave!” while accusing Democrats of playing “political games.”

In the proposal announced Saturday, Trump said he would offer temporary legislative protection of three years for some 700,000 Dreamers — recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The Trump administration ended the DACA program late 2017.

Trump also offered an extension of the Temporary Protected Status program that blocks the deportation of eligible immigrants affected by armed conflict or natural disasters in their own countries. Roughly 300,000 under the program face expiration.

In exchange, Trump asked for $5.7 billion in funding for a wall on the Southern Border. He also requested funding for humanitarian assistance and drug-detection technology for securing ports of entry, additional border agents and immigration judge teams to address the backlog of 900,000

cases, and a system through which Central American minors may only apply for asylum in their own countries.

“This is common-sense compromise both parties should embrace,” Trump said.

But Democrats were quick to reject the proposal and continued to call on Trump to first address the government shutdown, which Trump did not do in his proposal announcement.

Since the government entered a partial shutdown last year on December 22, 2018, an estimated 800,000 furloughed federal employees have stopped receiving paychecks and many have picked up part-time jobs elsewhere as a result.

In response to reports of Trump’s proposal, Pelosi responded ahead of his speech and called it “a compilation of several previously rejected initiatives, each of which is unacceptable and in total, do not represent a good faith effort to restore certainty to people’s lives.”

“It is unlikely that any one of these provisions alone would pass the House, and taken together, they are a non-starter,” Pelosi said in a statement. “For one thing, this proposal does not include the permanent solution for the Dreamers and TPS recipients that our country needs and supports.”

Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill, also called on Trump to reopen up the government before heading with negotiations.

“First, President Trump and Senate Majority Leader McConnell must open the government

today. Second, I cannot support the proposed offer as reported and do not believe it can pass the Senate. Third, I am ready to sit down at any time after the government is opened and work to resolve all outstanding issues,” said Durbin.

But not all voicing disapproval of Trump’s proposal were Democrats.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter described Trump’s latest move as “amnestying millions of illegals.

“Trump proposes amnesty.

We voted for Trump and got Jeb,” tweeted Coulter.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) who was recently removed from his House committee assignments following racist views, criticized the tradeoff and tweeted, “Amnesty is traded for $5.7 billion (1/5 of a wall), wouldn’t be enough illegals left in America to trade for the remaining 4/5. NO AMNESTY 4 a wall!”

But McConnell, in announcing his intent to put the offer up for a vote in the week back from the MLK holiday, called Trump’s offer a “bold solution to reopen the government, secure the border, and take bipartisan steps towards addressing current immigration issues.”

Acknowledging the situation for the affected furloughed employees, McConnell said it wasn’t looking “any brighter and the crisis at the border isn’t improved by show votes.”

“The president’s plan is a path towards addressing both issues quickly,” said McConnell. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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DATELINE USA

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 24-30, 2019

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Trump eyes Fil-Am Utah attorney general and pastor for president’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs

by AJPRESS

NATIONAL ARTS MONTH. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Rafael (2nd from left), together with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Art Ambassadors Ian Veneracion (left) and Pia Wurtzbach (2nd from right), and NCCA Music Ambassador KZ Tandingan (right), each receive a native guitar, during the press conference for National Arts Month Celebration in February. The conference was held at the NCCA head office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, January 22.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Fil-Am commissioner resigns from LA Board of...

PAGE A1 tant mission of the Department of Public Works to deliver projects and programs to enhance the quality of life, economic growth, public health, and the environment to all Angelenos,” Thomas Brown, a lawyer representing Jacinto, said in an email to the Asian Journal on Friday.

The commissioner’s departure comes days after the Los Angeles Times broke a story that detailed an ongoing FBI investigation inside City Hall that seeks evidence of possible money laundering, bribery, kickbacks and extortion related to real estate projects in and around LA. Jacinto and his wife Ave were among the 13 individuals listed in the warrant, along with Councilmembers Jose Huizar and Curren Price; Ray Chan, the former deputy mayor for economic development and general manager of the LA Department of Building and Safety; Deron Williams, chief of staff to Council President Herb Wesson; and other city and business officials.

The warrant includes Chinabased real estate and development companies like Greenland USA, the developer of Hotel Indigo and the on-going Metropolis condo project next to LA Live; Shenzhen New World Group, which owns the LA Hotel Downtown and Sheraton Universal; Shenzhen Hazens, owner of the Luxe Hotel, which has plans to turn it into a two-tower, mixedused projects; and Oceanwide, which is developing three-tower Oceanwide Plaza across the Staples Center.

The ongoing and proposed projects of these companies were not directly specified in the war-

rant. But it did seek records relating to the LA Hotel Downtown, Sheraton Universal Hotel and Luxe Hotel.

Federal agents in November 2018 raided Huizar’s home and offices and obtained several boxes and other materials, according to various reports. Some of the councilman’s family members and staffers are named in the warrant as well.

The warrant — served in July and filed in federal court in November last year — asks Google for access to communications and data from Chan’s Gmail account.

The document was posted on Twitter on Saturday night, January 12 by Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at the George Washington University and was subsequently reviewed by the Times.

Jacinto told the Times on Sunday that he was unaware he was named in the federal search warrant.

However, if he is contacted by any federal agency, “he will fully and voluntarily cooperate as a witness against any individuals within city government,” Brown said in his email to the Asian Journal.

Prior to his position with the Public Works, Jacinto was executive director of Fil-Am community organization Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) for 25 years and was appointed by Garcetti in 2014 to serve on the Affordable Housing Commission.

Upon his confirmation by the City Council in 2015, Jacinto was in charge of overseeing the Bureau of Engineering.

“Since Joel was appointed, he hasn’t been working with SIPA in a professional capacity for

the past three years,” Lyle Del Mundo, who has been president of SIPA’s board of directors since 2016, clarified with the Asian Journal.

The five-member Board of Public Works is responsible for the design, construction, renovation and operation of public projects around LA like bridges and libraries.

As a Public Works commissioner, Jacinto helped push for street light installations in Historic Filipinotown and a sister river agreement between the LA River and the Philippines’ Pasig River.

“The news article was very sad, but I hope he is able to clear his name and I wish him the best,” Yey Coronel, executive director of the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. and former board member of SIPA in the mid-2000s, told the Asian Journal on Friday.

Considered a leader in the local Filipino-American community, Jacinto was “instrumental in the creation of Historic Filipinotown and worked closely with the City to enhance the public spaces in that neighborhood to reflect its character, such as creating decorative crosswalks, installing streetlight banners, and building a gateway sign at Silverlake Blvd. and Temple Street,” according to a 2015 release from the Mayor’s Office.

No individual or company mentioned in the warrant has been arrested or charged, as of press time.

Brown added in his email that Jacinto “hopes that he will be able to return to his position as Commissioner in the near future after any distraction related to his willingness to serve as a witness is completed.” (Christina M. Oriel/ AJPress)

TWO Filipino-Americans are among the 12 individuals President Donald Trump intends to appoint to his Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), the White House announced on Thursday, January 17.

A White House press release revealed the names considered for the commission, including Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Herman Martir, a pastor from Texas.

Reyes, whose father is of Filipino and Spanish descent, has been attorney general of his state since 2013 — during which he became the first ethnic minority to hold that position or any statewide office in Utah.

Martir, a pastor at Nations Worship Center in Fort Worth, Texas, is the president of the Asian Action Network and the Asian Prayer Network. He also founded Emerging Leaders International, “a coalition of leaders working together to bring transformation in the seven spheres of society (church, family, government, education, media, entertainment and business),” according to his bio on the AAPI Conservative Leadership Caucus’ website.

Both Martir and Reyes were part of Trump’s AAPI advisory committee during his 2016 presidential campaign.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) commended Trump on appointing Reyes and Martir to the

commission.

“We are proud that President Trump has selected two exceptional Filipino American leaders to represent our vibrant community on his AAPI Advisory Commission,” said NaFFAA National Chairman Brendan Flores in a statement.

“Attorney General Reyes and Pastor Martir are dynamic leaders of our community, equipped with a unique understanding of the issues and policies that affect the more than four million Filipinos and Filipinos Americans that call the United States home.”

The President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs, which was established by former President Barack Obama, seeks to work with all the agencies of the federal government to improve the health, education and economic status of AAPI communities.

Trump signed an executive order in September 2017 to re-establish the commission.

Earlier that year, 10 members resigned from the commission, citing their disapproval with the Trump administration’s policies.

Four existing members still remain, including Fil-Am entrepreneur Billy Dec of Chicago.

Others eyed for the commission according to Thursday’s release include Michelle Park Steel of California, Paul Hsu of Florida, Jennifer Carnahan of Minnesota, David B. Cohen of California, Grace Y. Lee of Michigan, George Leing of Colorado, Jan-Ie Low of Nevada, Prem Parameswaran of New York, Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa, and Chiling Tong of Maryland. Upon

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes

Herman Martir, a pastor from Fort Worth, Texas

appointment, Steel and Hsu would be designated as co-chairs of the commission.

The announcement also stated that Trump intends to designate Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao to co-chair the White House Initiative on AAPIs. The White House Initiative on AAPIs was first created by President Bill Clinton in 1999 and was renewed by subsequent presidents. ■

LA County leaders offer “oasis of support” to immigrants in the Trump era

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AMID the ongoing national conflict regarding immigration policy, Los Angeles County has vowed to protect immigrants rights by expanding legal resources, providing medical care and maintaining access to other public assistance programs for undocumented immigrants.

“We can’t afford to sit back. We have to stand up and speak,” LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said at a media roundtable in downtown LA on Friday, Jan. 18.

Speaking to various ethnic news

media, local leaders affirmed L.A. county’s role as an “oasis of support” for all residents regardless of citizenship status while calling out the Trump administration for its proposals to “strip immigrants” of their rights.

Anyone who lives in L.A. surely knows the region’s rich immigrant communities and their histories.

Rigo Reyes, executive director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, highlighted the scope of the issue in a county as large and as diverse as LA County. The county has a higher population than that of 42 states and 60 percent of residents of all children have at least one par-

ent who immigrated to the U.S. Immigrants also make up 42 percent of the county’s workforce, a figure that Reyes highlighted to show the clear influence of immigrants from all corners of the world.

Of the nearly 3.5 million immigrants living in LA County today, Filipino immigrants encompass a sizeable community; the Greater LA area has the largest concentration of Filipino immigrants in the world with more than 600,000 Pinoy immigrants, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

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january 24-30, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

New Human Rights Watch report: Rights crisis “deepened” under Duterte’s rule

by Nathalie

Robles

AJPress

A new report from the Human Rights watch (HRw) revealed that the human rights crisis in the Philippines has “deepened” as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte continues its bloody war on drugs campaign.

In its annual world Report, the HRw indicated that from June 2016 to 2018 under Duterte’s leadership, “the human rights crisis...deepened as Duterte continued his murderous war on drugs in the face of mounting international criticism.”

HRw Asia director Brad Adams said that the killing of drug suspects under the Duterte administration is merely a propaganda move. Such a move, according to Adams, is also used to silence those in opposition.

“President Duterte has used the killing of thousands of largely poor drug suspects as a tool to bolster his popularity. He’s also targeting anyone who might un-

dermine that popularity, from outspoken senators to journalists documenting his abuses,” Adams said as reported by The Philippine Star.

The human rights organization emphasized that there is no chance of stopping the Philippines’ controversial war on drugs anytime soon.

However, the new York-based watchdog urged concerned foreign parties to support the opposition groups that fight for justice.

“President Duterte has provided no indication of any letup in his murderous drug war. Foreign donors should support efforts by Philippine institutions, groups and the media who are pressing the government to stop the killings and bring those responsible to justice,” Adams said.

HRw executive director Kenneth Roth encouraged human rights advocates not to lose hope in a time like this. He assured the public that the rule of law is “gaining strength” amid the alleged injustice in the administration.

“In some ways, this is a dark time for human rights. Yet while autocrats and rights abusers may capture the headlines, the defenders of human rights, democracy and the rule of law are also gaining strength,” Roth said.

The 674-page HRw report also highlighted how the government tries to tackle dissenting opinions from its staunchest critics. Such critics include Senator Leila de Lima, who remained in detention due to “politically motivated” drug charges; former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was ousted from her position, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is facing several criminal charges.

“The trend is not all positive.

Today’s autocrats try to undermine democracy by scapegoating and demonizing vulnerable minorities to build popular support.

They weaken checks and balances on government power, including an independent judiciary, a free media, and vigorous civic groups,” the report stated. n

Filipinos in US urged to take precautions vs winter storm

by ChRistia

MaRie Inquirer.net

RaMos

situation in the U.S. as the second of a series of storms moving across the country was expected to bring THe Department of Foreign Af- a significant volume snow and ice fairs (DFA) advised Filipinos living in the north and heavy rains and in the United States, particularly in severe weather in the south into the Midwest and northeast Region, the weekend. to take precautions against a winter The DFA noted that the winter storm moving across the country storm might affect parts of new that might bring severe weather Jersey, southern Connecticut and into the weekend. southeast new York over the weekDFA said it was monitoring the end.

The Philippine Consulate General in new York, according to the DFA, advised the Filipino community to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel and monitor weather developments in their areas and ensure that they have a sufficient supply of basic items.

Filipinos who may need assistance may call 917-294-0196 and 917-239-4118, it added. n

LA County leaders offer “oasis of...

PAGE A3 American population swelling across the country, the Filipino immigrant population will continue to grow in the next few decades.

“It behooves us to make sure to promote the success of immigrants,” Reyes said, adding that the county’s primary goal for immigrant affairs is to guarantee services “from womb to tomb.”

Solis emphasized the administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that granted benefits — such as work authorization and protection from deportation — to eligible undocumented youth who arrived in the United States as children.

“I, too, am a daughter of immi-

grants,” Solis said, citing that her parents “sought opportunities going through discrimination” not unlike many immigrant families struggling to make it in America today.

Solis said that the board of supervisors voted on 34 motions that would protect immigrants’ rights.

It also established a Legal Justice fund that would provide legal counsel and representation for immigrants in court; so far, the fund has accumulated $5 million from the county and City of LA, and it is seeking another $5 million from foundations and private donors.

Roundtable panelists also clarified the status of the Public Charge policy that the Trump administration proposed in October 2018,

saying that, if put into effect, it would not be “retroactive” and that eligible undocumented immigrants should still make use of the county’s public services, like Medi-Cal, Section 8 housing, food stamps and other assistance programs.

“Our message is that nothing has changed,” said Roxana Molina, chief of the county’s Department of Public Social Services. “If you are in need of cash assistance [or] medical assistance, you have the ability to get these services.”

In reference to the continuing government shutdown, Molina also advised immigrants who receive CalFresh benefits (food stamps) to “budget their benefits wisely.” n

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UCI conducts investigation following tragic death of Fil-Am student The fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon suspended at UCI

by KlaRize

MedeNilla AJPress

A FReSHMAn at UC Irvine died following a party in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 12. eighteen-year-old noah Domingo — a Filipino-American who was studying biological sciences — was found unresponsive early Saturday morning following an off-campus house party.

A 911 call released on wednesday, Jan 16 revealed that the caller said that Domingo had gone to sleep but that “he just drank. He drank too much.”

The Orange County coroner found that the young freshman died about six hours before the 911 was made that Saturday morning.

The cause of Domingo’s death has not officially been determined as the results of a toxicology test are still pending as of press time.

UC Irvine is also conducting an investigation on Domingo’s tragic death, the university announced this week.

“Our hearts go out to the student’s family and community of friends who have been impacted by this incident,” wrote UC Irvine student affairs Chancellor edgar J. Dormitorio in a campus-wide email. “we will also closely examine the larger context in which this tragedy occurred,” Dormitorio wrote, adding that the university “will be working with the Greek community to help ensure that they are engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values.”

Domingo — who grew up in La Crescenta, California — began his

studies at UC Irvine in the fall of 2018, and, following his older sister Brianna (a fellow UC Irvine student), decided to join Greek life, their father Dale Domingo told the LA Times.

The father said that he was worried about the excessive drinking culture associated with university and Greek life, pondering whether his youngest child’s death could’ve “been prevented.”

“As a family, we’re hurting, but we’re also concerned,” Domingo said. “Could it have been prevented? Is there something we, as a family, can do to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again?” news of the bright young student cast a shadow over Domingo’s family, friends and the UCI community. A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up on behalf of the Domingo family and it has so far generated $32,537 in three days, more than triple the $10,000 goal.

As a biology major, Domingo had aspirations in sports medicine with the ultimate dream of becoming a team trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers. An avid sports fan and athlete, he had been a decorated member of the varsity boys basketball team of Crescenta Valley High where he attended before heading off to UC Irvine.

“It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I write this.

I’m sorry to tell you that we lost a great Falcon this weekend. noah Domingo, CV Class of 2018, passed away yesterday while at college,” Crescenta Valley Boys Basketball booster club President Torie Carlson wrote on Facebook. “noah was a four-year basketball and football player at CV. Last year, at the CV Boys Basketball

Noah Domingo was a freshman at UC Irvine, who passed away on Saturday, January 12.

Contributed photo

Awards Banquet, he was a corecipient of the Booster Club scholarship award for best exemplifying the attributes of being a CV Falcon - Pride, Tradition and Honor.”

During the fall quarter at UC Irvine, Domingo had begun initiating with the university’s chapter of the fraternity Sigma Alpha epsilon (SAe).

According to students present at the party, Domingo had attended a rush event (a party where Greek members can socialize outside the school setting) hosted by the fraternity, the website new University reported. new University also cited anonymous sources who said that “drugs and copious amounts of alcohol” were used at the party.

On Monday, January 14, UC Irvine has suspended SAe, according to Dormitorio who said that “this means that the fraternity has been directed to cease all of its activities pending the investigation of the Irvine Police Department and review of the incident.” n

Pacquiao ‘fine’ despite eye injury after win...

PAGE A1 two years – used effective jabs and sustained bodywork in his 70th professional fight that was watched by an announced attendance of 13,025 fans, including the retired Mayweather.

“I proved in my last fight against [Lucas] Matthysse and now I proved it again: The Manny Pacquiao journey will still continue,” Pacquiao told reporters after his win.

The boxer turned senator also expressed his plans to challenge Mayweather after his 2015 defeat that became the richest oneday sporting event in history. He

urged the undefeated champion “to come back to the ring and we will fight.”

“I’m willing to fight Floyd Mayweather again if he’s willing to come back to boxing,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, who was also in attendance on Saturday, was asked prior to the sixth round about a possible rematch against the Filipino boxer.

“You keep asking me about Manny Pacquiao,” Mayweather said, adding, “And right now I’m living a happy and healthy life.”

Pacquiao’s LA house robbed The Filipino boxer’s triumph was interrupted when his family

reported that their house in the Hancock Park neighborhood in Los Angeles was robbed the Las Vegas fight was taking place.

Police said that the break-in of the $2.17-million mansion was reported on Sunday afternoon and was found ransacked.

“A citizen contacted authorities to report the burglary on the 500 block of n. Plymouth Boulevard in the Larchmont area at approximately 4:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Pacquiao and his family are staying elsewhere while the investigation on the burglary continues. n

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 24-30, 2019

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Philippine passport data safe, DFA says

by Bernadette

e. tamayo

ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, January 21, said all passport data is “safe”.

The DFA gave the assurance during a meeting with officials from the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier claimed that a private firm took the entire database of passport holders after their contract was not renewed.

Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the DFA assured the NPC that “measures are in place to protect the personal data of passport applicants in the entire ISO-certified process.”

The DFA, represented by its Data Protection Officer Foreign RIVER CROSSING. Commuters prepare to take a boat ride after the Department of Public Works and Highways closed the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, also Affairs Assistant Secretary Meknown as the Rockwell Bridge. The bridge connects Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan dardo Macaraig and Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank Ferrer, made a full presentation on the passport

Bill legalizing medical marijuana passes second reading MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 23 approved on second reading a bill legalizing and regulating the use of medical marijuana.

House Bill 6517, backed by House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo, hurdled second reading through viva voce voting.

The proposed measure, once enacted into law, would provide patients suffering from serious diseases with alternative medicine in the form of cannabis.

The bill also provides for the establishment of the Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center licensed by the Department of Health to acquire, possess, manufacture and

sell cannabis to registered qualifying patients.

Arroyo, the bill’s author, revealed she had used medical cannabis patches to ease the pain in her cervical spine.

“I really believe in medical cannabis. As you know, I have my problem here and when I’m in a country that allows it, I put a pain patch. But here in the Philippines, I cannot do it,” she said.

She added: “So I authored that bill because I believe that it can help me and many other people.”

Marijuana is one of the prohibited substances under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

There is no counterpart bill in the

Senate yet but some senators threw their support behind the legalization of medical marijuana.

In 2017, the University of the Philippines Manila expressed objection to proposals to legalize medical cannabis as “this will expose our citizenry to unnecessary harm and the risk of poor health outcomes.”

“Studies on legalization of medical cannabis have shown an increase in cannabis use and dependence and diversion to recreational use in effect increasing access to a deleterious substance which has increased in potency over the years,” UP Manila said. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

MILF vows to continue ‘struggle’ if Bangsamoro Organic Law is rejected by al Jacinto ManilaTimes.net

MURAD Ebrahim, leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), cast a ballot for the first time on Monday, January 21, hoping that the rest of Muslim Mindanao voted with him to establish a truly autonomous region for the Bangsamoro.

Ebrahim cast his vote at the Simuay Junction Central Elementary School in Darapanan in Maguindanao’s Sultan Kudarat town, a stronghold of the rebel group.

Supporters took turns shaking his hands as they greeted the MILF chairman, who arrived with a group of bodyguards.

“As a revolutionary, we are prepared for whatever scenario, as long as the democratic processes is conducted in good manner, without intimidation, without cheating, we are determined to accept whatever is the result [of the plebiscite],” the 71-year old rebel leader said.

“Now if the BOL will not be ratified, we will continue to struggle until the [peace] agreement is implemented. It is the duty of the government to implement the agreement. We are only a partner, but the main responsibility is with the government, they have to implement the agreement,” Ebrahim said.

Leaders of Cotabato City, Isabela City in Basilan province, and Sulu and North Cotabato provinces are strongly opposed to becoming part of the new Bangsamoro region and campaigned for a “no” vote.

The plebiscite is a result of the March 2014 interim peace deal between the MILF and Manila.

The rebel group vowed to surrender a third of its huge weapons stockpiles if the organic law was ratified.

Rebel forces have tripled if not doubled, and now boast of armaments, including anti-aircraft machine guns, B40 anti-tank rockets, mortars and assorted high-powered rifles, as well as an army of civilian supporters, many of them counting on the prospects of better life with the new Bangsamoro region under MILF rule.

The new region will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) created following a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Ebrahim’s group originally was part of the MNLF under Nur Misuari, but broke away in the late 1970s, and fought the democratic government for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland.

Misuari eventually signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 and after the accord agreement was signed, he became the governor of the ARMM. Despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement with the MILF, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim

President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim upon his arrival at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on his way to attend the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Grenade attack, voting delays A grenade attack, harassments and intimidation marred the Bangsamoro plebiscite, however.

The grenade exploded outside the house of a judge in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, and another was lobbed, but did not go off, on the roof.

Reports claimed the judge was a known critic of the BOL, but police said the attack that occurred ahead of the referendum might also be connected to his work.

Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said the motive for the grenade attack was “something personal.”

A third grenade in front of a polling precinct was detonated by soldiers in Cotabato City, whose mayor, Cynthia Sayadi, had led residents in opposing the city’s inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro region to be run by the MILF. No individual or group claimed responsibility.

In Isabela City, a pregnant woman sought police help after a man grabbed her ballot and tore it to pieces inside a polling precinct.

She said the man was angered by her rejection of the BOL. The still unidentified man escaped after the incident.

In Marawi City, rains and cold winds did not hinder the people from trooping to the polling precincts, with some arriving as early as 6:30 a.m.

Sr. Supt. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, told The Manila Times there was no untoward incident in the conduct of the Bangsamoro plebiscite here.

In Kapatagan, the last town of Lanao del Sur towards Maguindanao province, Mayor Raida Maglangit told The Manila Times voters queued and left as soon as they cast their votes, to allow others to vote smoothly. “It is, indeed, very peaceful and orderly,” she said.

In Cotabato City, Mayor Sayadi told reporters some teachers who were supposed to function as election inspectors did not show up.

At least five dozen teachers did not report for election duty after receiving cell phone messages threatening them with harm if they

went to work.

Voters formed long queues in front of Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School and Sero Central School where around 8,000 people had to wait hours before casting their vote on the BOL because the teachers did not immediately show up.

Several men, believed to be illegal or so-called “flying” voters, were mauled outside a polling area in Cotabato after being caught by vigilant residents trying to cast their votes.

Turnout low in Lanao Sur, Sulu, Basilan Still, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday declared the plebiscite “peaceful.”

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said no major security issue occurred in the polling precincts, from the time the plebiscite started at 8 a.m.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, likewise said the plebiscite was generally peaceful in the areas covered by the proposed autonomous region of the Bangsamoro. All polling precincts closed at exactly 3 p.m., Besana said.

Among the hitches were delays in voting, lack of transportation and delay in the arrival of voting paraphernalia.

Besana also admitted that turnout in the provinces of Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Basilan was low.

The Commission on Elections said registered voters in the plebiscite covering the ARMM territory stood at 1,980,441. There were 71,124 voters in Isabela City and 113,751 in Cotabato City.

Another referendum is set on February 6 for Lanao del Sur with 352,494 registered voters and North Cotabato with 286,867 voters.

Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr. of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance, said that in three towns in Sulu — Luuk, Tongkil, and Panglima Estino — 100 percent, or more than 41,000 voters, turned out by 11 a.m. and voted “yes.”

The governor of Sulu, Abdusakur Tan 2nd, had petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the BOL unconstitutional, arguing that the 1987 Constitution authorized only one organic law for Muslim Mindanao, or the one that established the ARMM.

process.

“The Department remains in custody and control of passport data and that this has not been shared with or accessed by any unauthorized party,” Cato said.

“The Department is hoping that it was able to address the concerns of the Commission and remains ready to cooperate, especially with Congress, in any other investigation to be conducted on this issue,” he added.

Cato said the issue “resulted in improvements in the passport application process.”

He cited Locsin’s issuance of Department Order 03-2019 that eliminates the need to submit birth certificates upon renewal of passports.

“The Department gives its assurance that it will continue to endeavor to improve the delivery of its consular services to Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas,” Cato said.

Senators Leila de Lima, Risa

Hontiveros Baraquel, Aquilino Pimentel 3rd, and Antonio Trillanes 4th had filed their respective resolutions seeking an investigation of the passport controversy.

Trillanes said according to former DFA secretary Perfecto Yasay, the DFA and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement, which included the procurement and production of machine-readable electronic passports (MREPs).

The BSP awarded the main part of the project to FrancoisCharles Oberthur Fiduciare (FCOF) of France.

On Oct. 5, 2015, the DFA awarded the production of a new electronic passport system to APO Production Unit Inc. (APUI) on condition that no part of the contract can be subcontracted.

APU, however, sought the services of United Graphic Expression Corp. (UGEC) for the production of electronic passports.

PH’s legal victory in South China Sea recalled in new book

by Frances

mangosing Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines’ landmark victory against China in the South China Sea in 2016 is recalled in a new book launched on Tuesday, January 22.

“The South China Sea Arbitration: Understanding the Awards and Debating with China” is written by international relations scholar Dr. Alfredo C. Robles Jr., jointly published by De La Salle University Publishing House and Sussex Academic Press in the United Kingdom.

The book was released on January 22, the same day six years ago that the Philippines formally notified China that it is taking the sea dispute to international court.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, one of the leading figures in Manila’s arbitration victory against China, said the book was an “informative, edifying and analytical piece which is a ‘must read’ for all Filipinos who love our country.”

“It is as well essential read-

ing for all our friends around the world who have manifested interest in the most critical security in our region,” he said in his remarks.

Former President Benigno S. Aquino III also attended the book launch.

“Under the president’s mandate to defend what is ours, we were ultimately tasked to seek — as a last resort — a lawful and lasting resolution to the South China Sea disputed after all other peaceful means had been fully exhausted,” Del Rosario said.

The ruling, which came down on July 12, 2016, declared China’s nine-dash-line claims in the strategic sea route as invalid.

“Our arbitral victory was our contribution to the world in helping to promote an international rules-based system towards fostering peace, stability and prosperity for all,” the former Foreign Secretary said.

China propaganda One of the things detailed in the book was how China used disinformation and propaganda

to weaken Philippines’ victory in the arbitration case.

It was also revealed how China tried to influence the court without the knowledge of the Philippines; how it dismissed the verdict; and how the judges were not impartial.

The book also includes maps and tables about the geographical features in the South China Sea, as well as the consequences of its island building in the Spratly Islands.

“This well-researched writing is about a modern Goliath whose intentions, declarations and actions are to force a doctrine of dominance on our region and beyond,” Del Rosario said.

“At day’s end, Dr. Alfredo Robles Jr. has written a book about who we are as Filipinos…When confronted by a bullying Goliath, no Filipino would naturally want to be described as a willing victim nor as an abettor.”

“Dr. Robles courageously speaks truth to us, and challenges us to stand for this conviction: that at all times right will prevail over might,” he added.

A6

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JANUARY 24-30, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Juvenile justice

FEATURES

THE Senate has yet to pass its version of the bill, so the government isn’t about to lower anytime soon the age of criminal responsibility to nine years, as approved by the House of Representatives.

Even several senators objecting to the House measure, however, have expressed openness to lowering the age threshold from the current 15 to 12 or 11. So the threshold is likely to be amended.

A look at several countries could put this in perspective. The threshold age is 10 in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Switzerland and South Africa. It’s 7 in India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand for certain cases. In Greece and Indonesia, it’s eight. In the UK, there’s a range of 8 to 10. The threshold is 12 in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Turkey. It’s 13 in France; 14 in Austria, Germany, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and Vietnam. In the United States, 33 states have set no minimum age for criminal responsibility; for federal crimes, it’s 11.

President Duterte has often lambasted the principal proponent of the Juvenile Justice Act for the current age threshold, which he said has worsened

criminality and has been exploited by crime gangs that use children for their activities. Congressmen have stressed that the measure they have approved will not include imprisonment for juvenile offenders. It will also hold parents accountable to a certain degree for their children’s activities.

Law enforcers support the measure; human rights groups are up in arms. They will likely have to settle for a compromise. In case the measure is approved, the government must prepare to make it work by providing sufficient facilities for detaining and rehabilitating juvenile offenders. The country has lacked such facilities for a long time.

If the age of criminal responsibility is going to be lowered, the state must not lose sight of the fact that youths, while being held accountable for their acts, can still be rehabilitated and turned into responsible citizens. People deserve a second chance. This is true especially of juvenile offenders. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Day is one federal holiday in America that invites us immigrants to this great nation to introspect on something so profound I do not know if we have had a conscious effort to think about it before we chose to uproot ourselves from the Motherland and start a new life in this adoptive country.

Why did you choose to immigrate to America? What about it enticed you to start a new chapter of your life here, given so many other choices? What was the “promise” of America that just spoke to your heart and gave you that courage and faith that this great nation could be your new home?

What did you think was is America ‘s heart and soul and how did that converge with your own values and dreams?

Amid the contentious debate now dividing this nation espe-

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO ONE of the clearest indications that the P38-billion scheme for the production of the new machine-readable passports that former President Aquino III and his officials engineered is the following.

They strenuously concealed that it was a private firm United Graphic Expressions Corp.

(UGEC), and not the government corporation APO Production Unit (APU), that would print the 45 million passports at a cost of P38 billion from mid-2016 to 2026. Such monopoly operations would generate for UGEC a staggering P11 billion in profits.

The scheme represents one of the biggest deceptions ever to conceal corruption of the highest order. Aquino and his officials — mainly Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. and APU Chairman Milagros Alora — set up in November 2014 a dubious “joint venture,” without any bidding, with the formerly Malabonbased printing outfit UGEC. Billionaire Iñigo Zobel, the country’s 11th richest man, according to Forbes magazine, has been reported to have become only in 2014 its biggest stockholder through his family’s E. Zobel Inc. Zobel has not responded to these reports.

APU is one of only three state

Philstar.com photo

Dear Filipinos in America: What is the heart and soul of America to you? cially since President Donald Trump took office, allow me to share with you what stood out and spoke to my heart and soul about the true heart and soul of America exchanged online during the weekend and feel free to share your own thoughts: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

(Inscription on the symbol of America’s immigrant heritage - the Statue of Liberty, as watched over New York Harbor since 1886, and on her base is a tablet inscribed with words penned by Emma Lazarus in 1883) “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

(from the Declaration of Independence which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776) “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never

forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion— that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.“ (Gettysburg Address is a speech that U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg.)

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character….”

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal….”

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

(Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States.)

“America, we know, is composed of diverse community.

We have different languages,

different skills, different talents, and different religion.

But when our way of life is threatened, like the freedom and liberty that we all cherish, we come together as one.

And when we come together as one, we are invincible. We cannot be defeated. That’s why we need this national Navajo Code Talker Museum so that our children, the future generation, can go through that museum and learn why America is so strong.”

(Peter MacDonald who served in World War II as a Navajo code talker, made introductory remarks at a White House Oval Office event honoring the Native American who were recruited into the U.S. Marine Corps to transmit secret tactical messages, in front of Press. Donald Trump) *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Aquino and his officials concealed crony firm in passport scheme entities — the other two being the National Printing Office and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas — that the government has authorized to print “high-security” materials, such as excisetax stamps and passports. APU, however, turned over its printing contracts, first, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and trade and industry department, and later the gargantuan 10-year P38 billion job for the printing of the e-passports to the JV. Farce The JV is a farce. APU is a token partner with just 10 percent of its ownership, with 90 percent held by UGEC. Ninety percent and then 70 percent of its profits, under the terms of its agreement with APU, would go to UGEC. Even as UGEC charges the JV for the use of its machines, for P700 million annually.

As a result, this shadowy private firm generated P3 billion in income from 2015 to 2106, and if it continues this scheme, will get another P8 billion.

In effect, Aquino and his officials — mainly Coloma and Alora, both high officials in Cory Aquino’s government — had transformed a government firm into a façade of a private firm that has and will generate billions of pesos on the back of profit margins on the printing of 45 million Philippine passports.

This colossal case of corruption has been successfully concealed, with mainstream media apparently looking the other way when these were first exposed in

a congressional hearing in 2018.

It is so strange — or maybe not — that party-list representatives, Akbayan’s Ibarra Gutierrez in 2016 and Bayan Muna’s Carlos Zarate in 2017 had vociferously condemned early last year the passport scam, the latter even filing a resolution asking Congress to investigate. Quite suddenly though, the two became totally silent on the controversy.

A prime example of how Aquino went to great lengths to conceal the scheme was when he inaugurated on June 20, 2015 what he and his officials called the “APU High Security Printing Plant” at the Lima Technology Park in Batangas, which started producing en masse the e-passports in July 2016. Aquino was issued the first such e-passport on the day of his visit to the plant.

Boast In his speech, Aquino boasted that under his watch the APU had been turned around to generate income and that it had set up a high-security printing plant that could print the DFA’s new epassports.

Aquino didn’t mention at all though that the plant was almost entirely owned through the JV by UGEC and would get 70 percent of its net income for 10 years. APU’s equity in the JV was in the form of the one-tenth of the valuation of the land it had leased from the export-processing zone. Ninety percent of the JV’s managers and workers were employees of UGEC, with the APUs employees being there

merely as fixtures to portray it as a joint venture.

He could have boasted that the plant was a good example of a partnership between a government agency and an efficient hitech private firm. That he didn’t can only be explained by the fact that he deliberately wanted to keep from the public the fact that a crony firm really owned the plant and would get the P38billion printing contract from the DFA. PCOO’s head Coloma — under whose supervision and authority APU was — in several media interviews claimed the “APU’s High Security Printing Plant” as a stellar achievement, but never disclosed that it was run and was 90 percent owned by a private firm.

In the APU’s 2015 annual report — the last under the Yellow regime and by its chairman Alora — no report at all was made of that P38-billion e-passport contract from the DFA, its biggest print job ever, and its de facto sub-contracting to UGEC. Its only mention of the firm was that APU “received an unsolicited proposal from UGEC for a joint venture for the purpose of upgrading APO Lima’s plant into a high-security printing facility.”

No reply I asked Coloma, just before and after I wrote these articles on this fraudulent case, to give his side, with message relayed to his colleague at the Manila Bulletin where he is executive vice president. There has been

no reply.

I also asked Alora, an old acquaintance of mine as she has been a PR practitioner since the 1980s, to similarly respond through Facebook’s Messenger platform.

Alora answered four questions, the most important of which was on her justification for the subcontracting of the passportprinting to UGEC: “What APU and UGEC have is a joint venture and not subcontracting and approved by NEDA, Govt procurement board, DBM and DOST and other pertinent agencies.”

The Commission on Audit though claimed that one of the major “misrepresentations” — that is, lies — that APU told government regulators was even contained in its JV agreement, that the UGEC offer for a JV was “superior and more advantageous to APU“ than other offers.

The CoA said that there was no other offer made to APU. It was in fact secretly negotiated, agreed to, and implemented.

After those four questions, Alora blocked me from sending her messages in Messenger.

Most abominable I have investigated and written columns on several other scams and instances of corruption during the Aquino government, among them the grant of a P5-billion MRT-3 maintenance contract shepherded by a Liberal Party finance officer, the P4-billion purchase of the defective Dengvaxia vaccine, and the Disbursement Acceleration Progra

that was really the hijacking of government funds to projects that Aquino chose at his whim.

This e-passport printing case is the most abominable. This is not only because of the magnitude of profits — P11 billion — it would generate to enrich the already rich, at the expense of 45 million Filipinos needing that main document signifying one’s membership in the Republic.

It is most damnable in that the scheme was designed to be implemented whether or not the Yellow candidate won in the 2016 elections, since it practically hostages the government.

In fact, former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Cayetano declined to end the corrupt scheme even after he knew about it. He feared the fate of his predecessor Pefecto Yasay Jr. whom the Yellows successfully took out of his post because he wanted it ended. The ambitious Cayetano also didn’t want to risk his career being damaged if there was a disruption in the passport issuances.

Will the present foreign secretary who has built an image that he’s got huge balls end this colossal case of corruption?

The Duterte presidency would be blamed if it doesn’t stop the scam. The Yellow forces would even throw Coloma and Alora under the bus, and spread the lie that it was under Duterte’s watch that the scheme was implemented, and he and other officials profited from it. (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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Marc dela Cruz becomes first Filipino Fil-Am singer Angelica Hale carves to play Hamilton on Broadway name in ‘America’s Got Talent’ history

by Jan

Milo SeveRo Philstar.com

By Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

Marc dela Cruz on Saturday, January 19, made his debut as Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”

Dela Cruz is of Filipino-Japanese descent and born in Hawaii.

He is the first Filipino — and Asian-American actor, for that matter — to bag the lead role in the Tony Award-winning musical.

He took to Instagram his excitement and gratitude, calling the “Hamilton” cast as his “Ham Fam.” “Thank you to the Ham Fam and everyone who supported me from near and far on my first couple of outings going on as Alexander Hamilton,” his post read.

“This show continues to amaze and thrill me,” he added.

Actress Olivia Oguma praised Dela Cruz in a Facebook post.

“Tonight...we had the first Asian-American Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton on Broadway.

Just wanted to let everyone know.

Marc dela Cruz is the first Filipino-American to be cast as Alexander Hamilton in the hitBroadway show “Hamilton.”

Photos from Instagram/@marc_delacruz

Marc de la Cruz I have never been more proud of anyone. I’m so happy for you,” she said.

“Marc is not my friend—he is my brother, and someone we

consider a family member. I am so thrilled to have had him in my life for 11 years. His best performance to date will always be singing ‘We Kiss in the Shadow’ with me in our recording studio/bathroom in our hotel room in Minneapolis on the High School Musical tour, but his performance as Hamilton is a close second,” she added.

Dela Cruz had his Broadway debut in 2014, playing as Swing in “If/Then” alongside Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp. The musical was about the story of a divorcee urban planner named Elizabeth who moves to New York City for a chance at a new life.

He joined the cast of “Hamilton” in November 2018. He played various roles in the musical like King George, John Laurens, Philip Hamilton, James Reynolds, and Philip Schuyler, to name a few.

“Whether I’m on as Man 5 or as Ham, I love being able to help tell this story,” he said on Instagram.

FILIPINO-American singer Angelica Hale made history on “America’s Got Talent” after she recently became the show’s first two-time Golden Buzzer contestant, earning her a ticket to the finals.

“HUGE congratulations to @ angelicahale on becoming the first two-time #GoldenBuzzer in @ AGT history!” NBC Entertainment tweeted.

Judges and members of the audience gave the 11-year-old singer a standing ovation after she sang Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” for her comeback performance as a contestant of “AGT: The Champions.”

“Angelica, you are like the little boss lady that you are. You came here to win. I can see that. I can feel that,” said Heidi Klum, one of the four judges in the competition.

Judge Howie Mandel who

Fil-Am singer and “America’s Got Talent” contestant Angelica Hale Photo from Instagram/@angelicahale

pressed the golden buzzer said he would help Angelica win the contest.

“When people show up on this show, the level of competition is much higher. Just by the title, you are amongst champions. You show up and you ripped the ceiling off this theater. That was your fight song and if I can do anything, I am going to help you win this fight,” Howie said.

Angelica burst into tears when she learned that she is going to the show’s finals.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening to me. I never expected this to happen. I wanted to thank you so much. This is a dream come true,” Angelica said.

Angelica got her first Golden Buzzer during AGT season 12 in 2017 when she became the show’s youngest runner-up.

Dingdong Dantes calls for ‘enabling environment’ for children, not criminalization

by Jan

Milo SeveRo Philstar.com

ACTOR Dingdong Dantes is not in favor of lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to nine years old.

In his Twitter account, Dingdong shared a video of Chel Diokno where the human rights lawyer said that he opposed the proposal.

“Agree ako sa iyo, @ChelDiokno! Crucial stage ang childhood and adolescence to one’s development. These are periods where psychological, emotional, social and physical aspects are strongly influenced by the surroundings and are formed,” the matinee idol said.

In another post, Dingdong added that instead of passing the bill,

the administration should focus on creating an environment that will help the youth become more useful to the community.

“Instead of focusing on criminalizing children, the government should invest more on creating an enabling environment that will allow young people to be productive members of the society,” he said.

On Monday morning, the House committee on justice voted to approve a bill lowering the age of criminal responsibility to nine years from 15.

The approved bill now lowers the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12 years old, instead of nine. The amendment was done last minute at the plenary on Wednesday, Dingdong Dantes January 23.

GMA photo

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Getting your space in order Jiliane Patriarca, founder The Organization Organization, believes there’s a system for less clutter and more control

By Malou liwanag-Bledsoe AJPress

IT always happens — new year, new goals in trying to build our lives in order. Whether it’s financial, health or simply cleaning house; we always try to reach that goal of being organized.

Just as 2019 entered, online streaming service Netflix released “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” a reality series on the Japanese organizing consultant on the art of keeping your home and workspace tidy and organized. This sent waves of people trying to “declutter” their spaces, in the hope that they’d be able to streamline what they need versus what they want. Unfortunately, not all of us get to our goal and maintain it.

Professional organizer Jiliane Patriarca, founder of The Organization Organization (TOO) believes that being able to organize one’s space and maintaining it is achievable.

“I recently saw a post on social media that said, ‘A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.

A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action becomes a reality.’ I couldn’t agree with this quote more and I believe one can use it to achieve and maintain a New Year goal,” she said.

While many people think that hiring a professional organizer is expensive, Jiliane explained that

the savings are found in terms of time and money in the long run.

“According to the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), of which I am a member, we spend one year of our lives looking for lost items. That’s a year we could be spending traveling or writing a book! And according to the Becoming Minimalist website, households who rent additional self-storage unit spend an average of over $1,000 a year in rent.

If you’ve rented a storage unit for five years, that’s $5,000 that could have been spent on a trip around the world.

Professional organizers are efficient with time, strategies, and tools for organizing and its process. I am constantly keeping up with the newest organizing tools and ideas so that when I enter a client’s home, I can already envision a solution for their organizing problem in my head. Clutter and disorganization that has been sitting around for 20 years can be gone in a few days with a professional organizer,” she said.

Jiliane established TOO in 2014 to help others create the most intuitive organizing system and process. A daughter of Filipino immigrants, her journey to being a professional organizer was not planned, but more a realization during a time when she was searching for the right job. Her talent for organizing, however,

With our Professional Organizing packages, we can help you de-clutter, donate, and unpack to settle into your new home,” said Jiliane. “With our Legacy Systems services, we can help you organize your most important items and documents so that they can be easily found and utilized, not only by you but your loved ones, too. “ From ‘organized chaos’ to letting go We always hear people say that they’re in the state of “organized chaos,” meaning that no matter how cluttered their space is, they can still function efficiently.

Jiliane believes that there is such a thing and that people work differently.

“We are all individuals and the way we think, process, and file information differs. There are certainly people who know exactly where one piece of paper is in a stack of thirty,” she explained.

“The point, I believe, where a professional organizer is needed is when the ‘organized chaos’ gets in the way of healthy life and safe environment for oneself of their family, whether that be physically or mentally.

Of course, chaos always happens when people are stuck with thousands of things they claim to have some sort of sentimental or monetary value to them. As a professional organizer, Jiliane Jiliane Patriarca Photos from Jiliane Patriarca/The Organization Organization shared that she has worked with clients who have a hard time of photos of the trophies and keep letting go. them in an album, that way the “We’re human after all! When memory can still be brought back it comes to choosing what should when looking at the photo but the people just need an outside boost to stay and what should go, I think trophies aren’t taking up space get the ball rolling and that is one of it’s important to ask if the item anymore,” she explained. the biggest advantages of a hiring a brings back happy memories or “Our physical surroundings professional organizer. With no judg- not so happy ones,” she said. can affect us mentally and emoment, we can help get your office “Marie Kondo’s approach of only tionally. If you spend a lot of time space to a clean slate that will be eas- keeping items that spark joy is looking for things, still can’t find ier - and quicker - to keep organized. very similar.” those things, spend money buySome professional organizers can do For sentimental things that do ing new things you couldn’t find, the work at your home while you are bring back good memories, Jiliane or just want a fresh start the new at work, again saving you time. can offer options on how to store year brings 365 more chances to 4. For those who have very busy them without getting in the way make a change,” Jiliane said. schedules and don’t think a profes- of their space.

You can call (510) 292-0583 to sional organizer is the best route, I “...For those things that do schedule your free, 30-minute onwould say to start small. If you spend bring back good memories, I site consultation, visit their webfifteen minutes organizing and do explore alternative methods for site at www.TheOrganizationOrg. that six days a week, slowly but surely storing them with my client. com, or follow and message them you will start to see change. If you Maybe you love all of the trophies Instagram @TheOrganizationOrg. bring your family into the equation, your child won when they were TOO is also happy to offer 15 peryou can not only get more organiz- in elementary school but they are cent off on their three-hour initial ing done, but you get to spend time taking up too much space. My professional organizing package together! favorite solution for this is to take for Asian Journal readers.

was already in her before that.

Since it started, TOO has grown and is now offering clients to organize not only their homes or workspace, but their events as well.

“Life is full of changes — whether it be getting married, moving, having a new baby, or celebrating an anniversary. Our mission is to help keep you organized through it all and to be the people you trust to call at each of life’s transitions. We now offer Wedding Coordination and Event Planning, and our organizing services now extend to helping establish Legacy Systems,” Jiliane said.

“Weddings can be very stressful and it’s our job to stay organized so that you can enjoy your big day. I offer Day-of and Monthof Coordination packages and specialize in Fil-Am weddings,” she said and then added, “What are the candle, cord, and veil for?

Interested in an ube-flavored cake for dessert? You want to stream your wedding to the Philippines?

No worries, we can help you! “ The best part is that after the wedding and honeymoon, TOO can also help their newly married clients with organizing their home. “You’ve gotten married and now you and your new spouse are moving into your first new place. You have two blenders but only need one and aren’t sure of where to put all your clothes.

Some quick tips on how to start on organizing your space: 1. If your closet is an issue for you: • Switch from bulky, plastic hangers to thin, velvet hangers. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make more space.

• Turn all of your hangers in one direction and as you use clothes, put the hanger back in the opposite direction. Whatever hanger isn’t turned at the end of the year, donate!

2. If you want to get organized in your kitchen: • Make use of vertical space. Use command strips or hooks and nails to hang things like lids for pots, cookware, or kitchen tools.

• Lazy Susans are a quick and easy way to make things more accessible!

3. One option is to, of course, hire a professional organizer. Sometimes

A soul brother and a dear friend has gone ahead: The Benjie Lim I know

by Melandrew

T. Velasco

I

am lost for words to express my sadness on the passing of former Dagupan City mayor Benjie “BSL” Lim. my friendship with BSL goes way back to my Dagupan “Bangus” Jaycee days in the late 80s mentored by elders and dear friends like Tito meneses, Elmer Lorica, Paul Francis Co, the late Larry Cabuang and Oscar arcinue whose restaurant used to be the hub and meeting place of DBJ. I am lost for words to express my sadness on the passing of former Dagupan City mayor Benjie “BSL” Lim. my friendship with BSL goes way back to my Dagupan “Bangus” Jaycee days in the late 80s mentored by elders and dear friends like Tito meneses, Elmer Lorica, Paul Francis Co, the late Larry Cabuang and Oscar arcinue whose restaurant used to be the hub and meeting place of DBJ. Of course, BSL was the star of our club who went on to become Philippine JCI National President in 1990 (a feat duplicated by his son Brian Lim who became JCI Philippines NP in 2015 and as JCI World President in 2018). Together with another Dagupan Jaycee stalwart, then Vice mayor al Fernandez, the two combined forces to rally the people of Dagupan in the aftermath of the July 16, 1990 earthquake.

When Pangasinan’s FaVoRite son — Fidel Valdez Ramos — ran for president in 1992, Benjie Lim rallied our provincemates crafting the slogan “Cabalayen co. aroen co.

Natan Labat Pangasinan” while at the

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same time serving as provincial campaign manager. President Ramos appointed BSL as Duty Free Philippines (DFP) general manager. a seasoned and innovative marketing man, BSL steered DFP to world’s No. 4 and among the top revenue earners in the Ramos administration.

Unknown to many, I declined BSL’s offer four times to join him at Duty Free and I chose to stay in Dagupan and Pangasinan to work for mayor al Fernandez and then with then Provincial Police Director

Col. amado T. Espino Jr. who went on to become Congressman and Governor of Pangasinan.

During his stint at Duty Free, BSL occasionally invited me to dinner and karaoke in some watering holes in makati joined in by his fellow officials the likes of Emmy Bamba, Enchong Formoso, Tito meneses, among others.

It was in 1997 when BSL consulted me about his possible foray in politics.

I advised him to run for Congress in 1998, a post to be vacated by then House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. There were about eight congressional aspirants at that time with BSL lagging behind at the bottom in the survey. When he finally decided to run for Congress, I was part of the core group that managed his campaign working with Emmy Bamba, Raffy Baraan, Nestor Zabala, Jose Siy, among others. BSL won convincingly as he regaled the voters with his golden voice serenading them with his signature campaign song “Cuando, Cuando.”

In 2001, with JDV seeking his old post in

Congress, Dagupan leaders entered into a modus vivendi: JDV for Congress, BSL for city mayor and al Fernandez to DILG. Thus, LiFe was born or the LimFernandez tandem which I helped broker to include the entry of alvin Fernandez as BSL’s running mate.

The new 2019 LiFe version is the tandem of Vice mayor Brian Lim and alfie Fernandez. as an “outsider” not belonging to the established political clans in Dagupan, BSL shattered the glass ceiling in Dagupan politics and in the process, becoming the first Chinoy to be elected as city mayor. as Dagupan City mayor, BSL made a great impact starting off with a strategic planning among all stakeholders. I advised mBSL that we visit Dagupenos in america. at first, he was reluctant saying that our overseas citymates might not receive or accept him well.

Owing to his natural charm and sincere persona, BSL eventually captured the hearts and minds of US based Dagupenos as we relaunched Pawil Dagupan starting off with the awarding of “Pillars of Dagupan.” mBSL appointed me as Special Envoy to overseas Dagupenos as one peso a year city official.

We also successfully forged the sisterhood pact between the cities of milpitas and Dagupan with then City mayor Joe Esteves, a noble project and partnership continued until today capped by reciprocal visits and continuing study tours in the US among young Dagupenos.

I was also part in conceptualizing with BSL the “Bangus Festival” anchored on his vision to make the famous milkfish as a regular and favorite dish similar to Norwegian salmon. Looking back, it was a privilege working with the late manny Yao, Dea Que, Raffy B and Emy B that all efforts paid off with the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest barbecue grill in the world.

In the 2004 presidential elections, mBSL defied the odds as we both supported Philippine movie king and Pangasinense Fernando Poe Jr. He even served as the “waiter” for both FVR and FPJ when the two leaders met privately at the house of William Tieng at Forbes Park in December 2003. FPJ won a moral victory in Pangasinan with mBSL becoming a supporter and in the process became close to ms. Susan Roces

and now Sen. Grace Poe when they both served as guests in the april 2004 Bangus Festival. Our journey together continued when FPJ passed away on December 14, 2004 and served as opposition when “Hello Garci” broke out.

One unforgettable experience was when he boldly allowed the staging of anti-Gma rally at the city plaza bannered by Susan Roces, a move that further earned the ire of Palace tenants and their operatives.

In 2007, against the wishes of mBSL’s city hall officials and staff with still one more term as city mayor, he ran for Congress against Speaker JDV. It was a bruising fight in Pangasinan’s fourth district. Being quixotic ourselves, mBSL and I believed in our hearts that he could beat JDV. Even FVR was against BSL running against JDV. Hours after the canvassing of votes, I received a call from mBSL saying: “mTV, we did not make it this time.” my terse reply was: “ Don’t worry. They will have their comeuppance in the near future.” election report in Dagupan. after reading my report, FVR said: “ang titigas ng ulo niyo ni Benjie. I told you not to fight JDV. What now.

Can you both eat and live your principles?” after his defeat in the 2007 elections, BSL focused on his core business leading magic Group of Companies to expansion and greater heights. In December 2009, BSL informed me that he was filing his mayoralty bid in Dagupan with manang Celia running for Congress against manay Gina. Truth to tell, BSL was a reluctant mayoralty candidate as he would be pitted against a common dear friend then incumbent mayor al Fernandez.

In fact, I was brokering for an al Fernandez-Brian Lim tandem in 2010. mayor al was open to the idea at first until plans changed in the last minute with established political clans uniting again to thwart Benjie’s bid.

When BSL sought my opinion, I told him: “Listen to the voice and hankerings of the people. No matter what you’ll do, if destiny calls, you cannot go against the WILL OF THE WIND and you will once again become mayor of Dagupan.”

In 2013, I was not much of a help to mBSL in his fight against now incumbent mayor Belen Fernandez due to my busy

schedule in manila. When I visited him at his campaign headquarters at magic Guilig corporate office, mBSL told me: “mTV, this is the most expensive marketing expense for me to be running against a business rival. But I am enjoying it. Tough it may seem, just help me with your friends at PNP who have made it hard for me to campaign.” I tried to reach out to then Pangasinan PD marlo Chan to go easy in Dagupan and loosen up for mBSL. Unfortunately, my good friend General marlo did not heed my plea as he was following orders all the way from the Palace to insure the victory of mar Roxas’ supporters including then the Dagupan Vm. Then the unexpected happened on the eve of may 2013 elections as mBSL suffered a lifethreatening stroke that needed three operations, one at Villaflor Hospital and two at makati medical Center. all these years, I had several nights dreaming about a healthy BSL. I have always kept and considered him as a soul brother and a dear friend as we shared many memories together. He was humble enough to mine my wisdom and advices despite our 12-year age gap. as a friend, he was always there for me during my birthday celebrations and other special family occasions.

One of the most poignant memories was his dedicated song for me on my birthday in 2011 at Brother’s moustache singing James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend.”

I know that many of BSL’s friends have their own stories to tell about his kindness, good heart, friendship, sincerity and other attributes to remember the man.

Just the like the rest, I mourn his loss, celebrate his life and legacy and remember his memory with gratitude.

To conclude this tribute, let me share this wonderful thought on friendship written by amy marie Walz: “We all lose friends. We lose them in death, to distance and over time. But even though they may be lost, hope is not. The key is to keep them in your heart and memory.”

Farewell and thank you BSL. Rest now in God’s loving arms and may you continue weaving magic to many of us you have left behind. Indeed, LiFe goes on and so with the people of Dagupan. n

EntErtainmEnt

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Maricel Soriano gives Arjo Atayde’s acting a ‘Perfect 10’

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

‘Born Beautiful’ picks up where ‘Die Beautiful’ left off — Trisha’s passing (left, portayed by Paolo Ballesteros) and the ensuing chapter of best friend Barb’s life.

Photos courtesy of Cignal Entertainment

From ‘Die Beautiful to ‘Born Beautiful’: The LGBTQ struggle continues by tessa

Mauricioa-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IN 2016, creative partners Juna Robles Lana and Perci Intalan were floored when “Die Beautiful,” their gay-themed entry to the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival won the Audience Choice Awards and became a blockbuster hit.

Also known as the vehicle which catapulted “Eat Bulaga” cohost Paolo Ballesteros to stardom as the beautiful transgender Trisha Echevarria, “Die Beautiful’s” success for Lana and Intalan on the other hand was very personal. The pair of directors of course are life partners first and foremost, and in having struggled for acceptance among their family and friends — first as individuals and later as two gay men in love — it had become their mission to show society not only the collective plight LGBTQs endure, but ultimately how they are just the same as everyone in fear, emotions and desire.

“We’ve always known that the LGBTQ story is an important story to tell kaya we decided walang pipigil sa amin,” Lana told The Times. “Back then, hindi naman kami umasa na makakapasok ang ‘Die Beautiful’ sa MMFF, and more so that when it did — after we were told the selection committee had us tailing at seventh or eighth place [among the Magic 8] — pinanood siya ng napakaraming tao.”

“Die Beautiful’s” message in a nutshell is that transgenders like Trisha only want to love and be loved like any man or woman.

“That many people saw that, whether or not they agree with it, was a major step for us kasi it got the discussion going sa mga tao about LGBTQs and that’s a start para hopefully maintindihan at matanggap kami,” he added.

But as Trisha died at her most beautiful — dressed and made up as famously beautiful women through her wake — the struggle of LGBTQs merely continues according to Lana, ergo the need for a follow up. Shortly after “Die Beautiful’s” success, they announced they would bring to life another story and perspective of a woman who is living her life in

Martin del Rosario as Barbs from the “Born Beautiful”

man’s body.

That story is “Born Beautiful” — the narrative of Trisha’s equally fascinating best friend Barbs.

“The LGBTQs’ personal struggle — besides their ultimate struggle with society — doesn’t stop at a man coming out to say, ‘Babae ako.’ That’s very ‘70s already.

So way back when we did ‘Die Beautiful’ we committed to being progressive [in this advocacy], and Barbs’ story will show just that.

That life doesn’t get easy beyond coming out and self-acceptance.”

Now portrayed by Martin del Rosario [from “Die Beautiful’s” Christian Bables], Barbs initially finds herself with a good problem on her hands. She is torn between two men but as she tries to decide whom she loves more, a woman barges into her life and turns it upside down all over again.

“The point is that there are LGBTQs who will find themselves confused about their sexuality repeatedly, especially when faced with situations which bring them guilt. In the Philippines especially, there’s the issue of faith on top of everything. So as Christians and Catholics, they’re bound to ask themselves, will God accept me like this when He meant for me to PAGE B4

Piolo Pascual challenges basher to a fistfight

by Kate

Matriano Inquirer.net

PIOLO Pascual has had enough of people speaking ill of him and his son Iñigo. When a basher recently said the father and son are both gay, he challenged said netizen to a fistfight.

It all started when Piolo proudly showed off his and Iñigo’s first run for a financial services company in Jakarta, Indonesia, in a photo he shared via Instagram yesterday, Jan. 21. While his fans immediately showered them with congratulatory messages, one netizen, Leovi Reyes (@superleovi), posted a comment that irked Piolo.

“Mag-amang bakla (Gay father and son) [laughs],” Reyes said.

Piolo replied, challenging the basher to a fistfight, “Suntukan tayo! (Let’s fight!).”

The netizen continued goading the actor, repeatedly asking Pascual for the place where the fistfight will happen.

The netizen continued goading the actor, repeatedly asking Pascual for the place where the fistfight will happen.

Not long after, the actor replied again, asking the commenter to name a place. “Ikaw magbigay at pupunta [ako] now mismo (You give me [the name of the place] and I will go there immediately),” the netizen answered back.

The netizen went as far as to say that he’s getting impatient waiting for Pascual’s reply. He then asked the Kapamilya actor if the fistfight should happen in front of ABS-CBN. He later told Pascual he was at Timog. When the actor asked for his exact location, he told him he

Piolo Pascual and son Iñigo.

Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual

will just go to the place Pascual will name. “[Wala] ito, malabo na ‘to ako na nga pupunta eh (This is impossible, I already told him I will go [to where he is now]),” the netizen commented. Piolo replied, “Public mo account mo at intayin mo [ako d’yan] (Make your account public and wait for me there).”

Whether or not Pascual and the basher engaged in a fistfight is not known. The actor, however, took a screenshot of the netizen’s profile and shared it on Instagram Stories.

Piolo and Iñigo made headlines in 2017 after a video of them kissing on the lips went viral. He explained that he raised his son to be affectionate, the same way he and his siblings were raised by his parents.

Piolo is frequently called gay by naysayers and the actor is known to usually answer back.

Last year, he called out a netizen who claimed his “best friend” was his boyfriend. In 2015, the actor responded with sarcasm at another social media user who also called him gay.

WHAT else does Arjo Atayde need to prove when even Maricel Soriano is impressed with his acting skills?

The two stars play mother and son in “The General’s Daughter”, ABS-CBN’s newest primetime drama offering topbilled by Angel Locsin that is set to pilot on Monday, Jan. 21, after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano”.

Maricel had nothing but compliments for Arjo who portrays the role of Elai, Isabelle’s (Maricel) son who has autism.

“I am very impressed with Arjo,” began Maricel. “Ibang klase talaga siya because I seldom get to work with someone who’s really good at his craft, ‘yung talagang saludo ako. Arjo is excellent that I get affected when he acts.”

No wonder that when Maricel was asked to rate the Kapamilya actor’s acting ability on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the highest, it didn’t take her long and hard to think and say that Arjo deserves a 10. “He plays my son here and everytime I see him crying, it really breaks my heart that’s why I couldn’t stop myself from verbalizing my admiration for him.”

Equally impressed was director Manny Palo who shared how determined Arjo in making his portrayal of a special child as realistic as can be. The kind of preparation the actor did is far different from that of his co-stars. Direk Manny revealed, “While other actors prepared for their characters through

their immersion in military camp for trainings and proper handling of (military) equipment, learning protocols, etc., Arjo did a lot quite differently for his part. And he comes (to the set) prepared every day and already in character that sometimes, I get confused if I am talking to Arjo or I’m with his character (laughs).”

He further said, “At s’ya talaga ang tumawag sa akin asking for pegs. So we identified some films and then I contacted some people who we can talk to and then we had lunch at this restaurant and the next time na makita ko si Arjo, in character na siya.”

The restaurant direk Manny was referring to is located along Roces Ave. where Arjo did most of his preparation for the role.

“It’s hard to explain how challenging my part here is — from the preparation up to the actual work. But I know direk Manny is observant and he likes watching movies, ma-visual s’ya so from the beginning, I was trying to contact him but he was busy and then finally when I got to talk to him, he said that there’s this restaurant with servers who have the same condition as me (his character) and of the same age. So, I went there to observe and thankfully the owner was open to the idea that I got to talk to them. Sinamahan ako ni direk Manny.”

Apart from that, Arjo also watched a lot of movies and even videos on YouTube to learn the behavior of people with autism and understand his character well.

“I watched them every night and that was my assignment to

Arjo Atayde

myself before I slept and I was just like really studying the character from head to toe. I don’t know if possible to others but during the first day on the set, I was close to palpitating already and knowing that I was with direk Manny, Maricel and Angel, I was so pressured.”

Thanks to direk Manny and the production, everything turned out well for him. “But of course, it’s still not easy doing it. For me, it’s a continuous preparation, obser-

Photo from Instagram/@arjoatayde

vation and research.”

Aside from Maricel and Angel, Arjo also expressed delight at working in a soap with Albert Martinez, Tirso Cruz III, Eula Valdez, Janice de Belen, JC de Vera, Paulo Avelino, Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte.

“It’s an honor to be working with everyone and I know that we have the same purpose of giving you a good show and hopefully, to be at the top. We just have to work hard and pray together.”

B January 24-30, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

PeoPle and events

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Sheriff Joe Lombardo joins dialogue with AAPI community From ‘Die Beautiful to ‘Born...

PAGE B3

Shefiff Joe Lombardo and was joined by his Area Command Captains in attending the semi-annual Sheriff’s Asian Advisory Council hosted by the Asian American Group on Wednesday, January 16 at the Mint Indian Bistro Spring Valley. In their meeting with community leaders, they discussed current plans for China Town and the rest of the Asian communities. During the event, Sheriff Lombardo also addressed the over 200 members of the AAPI community and discussed the lower crime rates registered in 2018. He also discussed the rise in traffic fatalities.

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

be a particular gender? Barbs goes through that and she also goes through tragedies that causes her to blame it all on her sexuality. So like I said the struggle continues,” Lana continued.

To give a better picture where the movie finds Barbs, it begins seeing her try to move on after Trisha’s sudden death as a mortuary beautician at Happy Ending Funeral Homes. But when another friend dies, Barbs decides to start a new life as a straight man named Bobby, which triggers another chain of events that challenge his identity.

“I directed ‘Die Beautiful’ but this time, it’s Perci who‘s taken the helm of ‘Born Beautiful’. And I’m glad I was able to convince him to take the lead kasi karamihan ng ideas about Barbs and what she goes through came from him,” continued the proud partner.

“I can also say that mas matapang ito sa Die, and laugh-out-loud funnier too based on the reaction during last weekend’s uncensored screening for UP students.”

Asked for the wisdom of going all out comedy in pursuing an advocacy they are clearly very passionate and serious about, Lana was quick to reply, “Comedy is the best way to go to show something heavy like this. As a gay man, humor has always been my salvation, and I don’t think I could have ever faced and survived the struggles and problems I’ve had to go through — and continue to go through — without it.”

“Continue to go through, Direk?” The Times pressed the director for clarification.

“Yes, tuloy tuloy pa rin. You know even if Perci and I got married in New York, which of course isn’t recognized in the Philippines, our struggle to be accepted still continues. For one, we didn’t mean for anyone to find out we got married but when all the articles came out about it, yung reaction ng publiko na mababasa mo sa mga websites, parang hindi kami tao. Siguro na lang since Perci and I have been in showbiz for a long time, kinaya namin ‘yon, but it was a different story for our families, who already went through a lot in coming to accept us. They were so affected by what other people had to say that they had to question us all over again why we insisted on getting married when we were already living together.

“Hindi daw ba puwedeng ganun na lang? So we had to explain to them again na sa haba ng

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SERVICES

pinagsamahan namin ni Perci and the life we want to share together, importante yung commitment and significance ng kasal sa amin.

“So this never ending struggle, this is what pushes us to do movies like this kasi imagine those who don’t have a platform like we do to reach out to society for understanding?”

Just then, Lana’s eyes lit up from a message on his phone as he told the room, “Woohoo! R-16 na tayo!”

The message in turned out was from Intalan who was unusually missing from the media conference. Apparently he was at the MTRCB office waiting for a decision on theie appeal to reconsider the initial R-18 rating for Born Beautiful to at least at R-16.

“Halika na dito!” Lana happily told him on the phone, so that in the next 20 minutes, Intalan triumphantly joined the group explaining how he got the censors to change their decision.

“To begin with even if we were hoping for an R-16 rating, we accepted the R-18, because like Jun would say, given our storyline we’ve learned na wag na umasa basta tuloy pa rin ang pag-kukuwento ng buhay ng LGBTQ. But when we found out that ‘Born Beautiful’ is the only Filipino movie opening this week, we pointed out sa MTRCB it would mean that the major cinema venues like SM and other malls will have an all-foreign lineup kasi they don’t carry R-18 movies. So for the industry, we agreed to work together and thankfully, additional bleeps lang naman ang dinagdag namin at this version is no different in terms of scenes and length than the R-18.”

Indeed another major opportunity has opened not just for directors Jun Lana and Preci Intalan, but as advocates living the lives of LGBTQs in society as well.

“We’re not asking anyone who watches this to change their views about religion, or relationships, marriage and sexuality. We’re only asking them to take a look at our situation and from there learn to respect one another’s choices and beliefs,” Lana concluded, filled with renewed optimism for a future of true inclusivity.

The cast of “Born Beautiful” also includes Lou Veloso, Chai Fonacier, Kiko Matos, Akihiro Blanco, Elora Españo, Joey Paras, Jojit Lorenzo, Gio Gahol, VJ Mendoza with the special participation of “Die Beautiful” star, Paolo Ballesteros.

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 24-30, 2019

B5

Abuse does not take a holiday vacation Paco Catholic School Class of 1969 Your Immigration Solution ATTY. AMANDA C. KWONG A COMMON misunderstanding about domestic violence is that it spikes during the holidays.

But regardless of when abusive incidents are most common, the truth is that coercive control does not ever take a vacation.

Undocumented immigrants who have not been advised of their options by an immigration lawyer are especially vulnerable because they are often fearful of reporting domestic violence to the police due to their lack of lawful immigration status.

Undocumented immigrants sadly often suffer in silence because of their fears of coming forward. They mistakenly think there is nothing they can do and that enduring the abuse is their only option. But they do not necessarily need to continue being abused, or to continue to be threatened with deportation.

Rather, legal remedies do exist that could put an end to the intimidation, manipulation, economic abuse, or even the involvement of children.

What can be done to help an undocumented immigrant depends on a lot of factors, including where the noncitizen is in the immigration process.

For example, if an immigrant is married to a U.S. citizen and a petition for permanent resident status (green card) has already been filed, there is a natural inclination to stay in the relationship.

And understandably so, as the immigrant would feel that they could simply continue to endure the abuse for a little while longer since they are so close to getting their green card. But staying in the abusive relationship is not always required!

Non-U.S. citizens may be able to petition themselves based on the abuse that the U.S. citizen spouse has inflicted on them.

These self-petitions are filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigra-

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS LAST February 28, 2018, my wife, Farida, and I arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport from Manila, following our two medical missions in the Philippines. While waiting at the lounge for our flight back to Las Vegas, we received a call from our friend, Lynn Santos, a nurse, who relayed to us the sad news that a close mutual friend, a medical colleague who was 84 and recovering well from a stroke, had collapsed in a grocery store.

About half an hour or so later, while we were on board American Airline’s flight to Vegas, Lynn called again, this time to inform us that he had passed away.

A testament Our friend’s departure was a devastating loss to his family, friends, and the community. The health issues this physician and his wife of 53 years had experi-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Fourth of a series) Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.

AS you begin considering to pare down the stuff you have accumulated unwittingly over a lifetime, you begin to realize that perhaps going through experiences might be a more worthwhile pursuit.

Getting a massage is one of those supreme indulgences many people can’t seem to get enough of. Head massage, facial massage, whole boy massage, foot massage – there’s plenty to choose from in many spas that are becoming big business.

Some salons are offering these as part of their services because there is a real need for it.

People who are part of a worka-day world doing stressful jobs that have deadlines and quotas would probably love for their employers to give them vouchers to have a weekly or monthly massage as part of their benefits package. Their nerves and

“Undocumented immigrants sadly often suffer in silence because of their fears of coming forward. They mistakenly think there is nothing they can do and that enduring the abuse is their only option. But they do not necessarily need to continue being abused, or to continue to be threatened with deportation.” tion Service. There are several requirements that must be met to successfully file a self-petition, including proving that the foreign citizen was the victim of battery or extreme cruelty. Threats to have a person deported or turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can sometimes amount to extreme cruelty. These petitions can still be filed even if the marriage has been terminated, so long as the petition is filed within two years of the marriage being terminated.

The self-petitioner must also establish that there is a connection between the abuse and the termination of the marriage.

It is important to remember that you do not have to be married to a U.S. citizen to file a self-petition based on abuse. For instance, you may still be able to file a self-petition if you have suffered battery or extreme cruelty by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent, or by your U.S. citizen son or daughter.

There is also a way for abused spouses to get their green cards if they have already been placed in deportation proceedings before an immigration judge. They may be able to request a form of relief called “Special Rule Cancellation of Removal for Battered Spouses and Children.” There are certain requirements the noncitizen must meet to be granted this form of relief, such as three years continuous physical presence, good moral character, and the lack of any disqualifying crimes. The immigration judge must also decide to favorably exercise their discretion, and if they do, the applicant will become a permanent resident of the U.S. Occasionally, a person is abused after they have been ordered deported to their native country. Despite the outstanding order of deportation, a green card

may still be possible in this case, though it is significantly more complex. The noncitizen would be required to reopen their case in immigration court before they would be eligible for their green card. Be careful about submitting a poorly prepared request to reopen the case though, because there are limits on how many requests may be submitted. But it is still important to act timely because there are also strict time limits on when the request must be made. Regardless, it may also be advisable to obtain an approved self-petition before requesting the court case to be reopened.

The sad reality is that there are far too many victims of domestic violence, both documented and undocumented. For immigrants, please know that there are several potential immigration remedies for those who have suffered battery or extreme cruelty. Our office has successfully helped many immigrants find freedom so that they may continue to heal and feel safe. If you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, please contact an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney regarding possible options. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Aging: An equalizer enced as they grew older were a testament to the realities of aging.

This natural part of life, aging, is inescapable and an equalizer, as much as death is a part of life, without exception or exemption.

In certain ways and instances, we could perhaps alter the progress and reduce the odds to some degree, but the inevitable end is obviously beyond us.

As the clock ticks, we are older by the second. As we grow older, the expected normal wear and tear in our body progress faster and faster, including the reduction in the secretion of our various essential glands and the weakening of our immune system.

Our telomeres – caps at the ends of each strand of DNA that protect the chromosomes, similar to plastic tips at the end of shoelaces, which prevents them from fraying – get damage and the telomeres become shorter as our body is subjected to all assaults internally and externally. The shorter the telomeres, the shorter the lifespan.

The speed of the degenerative changes in us depends on our genes and to a great significant degree, on our lifestyle. That’s why the aging process varies in different individuals. While we cannot (yet) do anything about our genes at this stage in science and technology to extend longevity for everyone, we have enough evidence-based medical data today on how to achieve maximal health benefits through healthy lifestyle and extend our life, our telomeres, to the fullest possible.

Physiology of deterioration The degeneration starts in the basic cellular foundation of our body as we grow older, varying in different individuals since persons age at different speed, but in general the physiological changes start to manifest when we reach about 40 years of age, more obvious when we reach about 65. As we age, all the systems and essential functions of our body work less efficiently, at suboptimal level. InflammaPAGE B6

The bucket list

Pamper yourself with a massage ”I have a massage when I want to relax.

I love being pampered.

I love island massages when you’re outside in the fresh air.”

—Angie Stone muscles tied up in knots could be loosened up and made to relax with a massage.

If you haven’t had a massage in your life, indulge in one. It can be pretty pricey though since they go by hourly rates.

But if you do so only once in a great while, the experience of a full body massage can be exhilarating. There are kiosks in the mall that offer this. It is usually the men who patronize this since the public exposure may be a turn-off for ladies who may prefer the privacy of spas instead.

In a vacation at Boracay many years ago, on the spur of the moment, I had a massage by the beach done by a blind, elderly woman, licensed by the Philippine Department of Tourism. She was good. It was as though all the knotted areas in my neck and back disappeared.

Foot massages are wonderful as well. In the hands of an expert masseuse, a foot mas-

sage can feel like all the tired bones and muscles in the feet are given attention and care on a cellular level. Your feet, and by extension, the entire body, would become rejuvenated with the human touch.

If you walk, jog or run regularly as part of your fitness routine, try getting a foot massage sometime. Leg cramps may be a way of telling us that we need to treat our legs and feet with the same tender loving care we give our faces.

After all, the feet that carries our weight all day deserve some pampering. If you have happy feet, your day and even nights will be restful. You are likely to wake up energized ready to take on the next day.

Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

celebrates its 50th anniversary

AND so the story goes: “Once upon a time, there was this spitfire class of sixty-niners in a quaint, old place called Paco…”

Celebrating the 50th anniversary is the gold standard in most human achievements. This is why the Paco Catholic School Class of 1969 Steering Committee, headed

by Ramon Mojica, is pulling out all the stops in celebrating this milestone year.

If you are part of this group wherever you may be, mark these dates on your calendar. Be there or be square. Do what you need to do to be part of this event. You will pass this way but once.

• Saturday, February 09, 2019 – Kick off event: 9 a.m. Mass/Recollection to 12 p.m. Fr. Sonny de Claro, Pandacan Parish priest will officiate the mass.

• Monday, February 11, 2019 – Welcome Party at the Manila Polo Club from 6 to 10 p.m. Noel Onate had a lot to do with the choice of this venue.

• Wednesday and Thursday, February 13 & 14, 2019 – Overnight Stay at Graceland Resort in Tayabas, Quezon Province.

• Saturday, February 16, 2019 – Gala Night at Sofitel, 6 p.m. to 12 midnight with the FBC Rebirth Band providing live music. Former high school teachers and a principal were invited.

A little bit of a backstory about the school is in order.

In 1912, Paco Catholic School was founded by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (the acronym CICM is based on its Latin name). These were a group of European Roman Catholic missionary priests and nuns, mostly Belgians, Austrians and Germans steeped in Christian values and inflamed with the zeal of spreading the word of God in many nations at the time. Fortunately, one of these nations was the Philippines.

It was from a deep sense of Noblesse Oblige, French for “Nobility obligates.”

It was the era of personal sacrifice to do the missionary work of Jesus Christ. These religious men and women heeded God’s call, left their families and homeland and sailed the seas to bring good, solid, affordable Catholic education to many students in and around the neighboring districts of Manila. Just to give 1912 a historical perspective, it was the year that the Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean and the dark clouds of World War I were gathering in the horizon. That war occurred a short five years later.

Paconians owe a world of gratitude to Fr. Godofredo Aldenhuijsen, Fr. Prosper, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Smits, Mother Johanna, Sister Theophane, Sister Joza (pardon any misspellings, it was a long

time ago) and a host of other religious men and women, to whom God must have said when they passed and went on the express route to heaven, “Well done, you good and faithful servants.”

Father Godo who did the rounds of all the classrooms giving out white, green, yellow and pink merit cards for the deserving after every grading period instilled in Paconians a deep striving for excellence in whatever they do.

Today, Paco Catholic School (PCS) is considered a highly reputable, parochial school with a long and steady history of providing valuable Catholic education from Kindergarten to High School — just as the founders envisioned it.

For many graduates over the next decades, what they got was rare and foundational and without a doubt, a definite advantage to live humble and meaningful lives.

Of particular note is Fr. Tony Tanchoco who passed last year after an illness. Sister Anna Maria Cinco of Hijas de Jesus has been God’s tool in the canonization of a recent saint, Mother Candida, and continues to shine as a beacon of faith in her quiet ways. Her proficiency in Spanish and Italian is awesome.

To the eternal credit of the school’s founding pioneers along with highly qualified, dedicated, teachers, the Paconian influence, through the years, have struck deep making Catholic character formation a powerful work in progress honing God-given talents and shaping lives, its influence going far and wide in parts of the world wherever a Paconian lives his or her life.

The success of any event is rooted in intensely detailed preparatory grunt work while never losing focus on the goal. Planning for the 50th reunion started a year ago but picked up speed and intensity sometime July 2018 as the core group shepherded activities to shape the event and nail down the details while overcoming personal differences and fending off unintended glitches and curveballs.

Yet, half the fun of any adventure is getting there. So while laser-focused on the goal to pull off a memorable event for the books, they also had a ton of fun getting together for the meetings and learning from each other in the process. By and large, for the committee, it must have been a rewarding if mixed experience, still a ride worth taking.

The Steering Committee members, all of whom have been working tirelessly in a voluntary capacity, deserves a big round of applause, gratitude and recognition. Mon Mojica serves as the Grand Kahuna Coordinator

Calendar of Events across

overseeing various committees.

The Production Committee is headed by Butch Quizon and assisted by Marilyn Santos Lintag.

Mon De los Reyes headed the Venues Committee with Leonora Pechardo Gonzales assisting.

The Promotions Committee was headed by Marco Ibanez assisted

by Agnes Yabyabin Ponce. Alice Santiago Sanchez and Melen Siochi Caraballo have taken charge of the Yearbook Committee. The all-important Finance Committee is headed by Mon Mojica and assisted by Nanette Santos Villanueva and Melen Siochi Caraballo.

We stand on the shoulders of others, more so when we achieve something of real value. Special mention goes to Linda Gonzales del Villar who graciously hosted the initial meetings at her place in Makati.

There is the invaluable support from Noel Onate once again.

There is Cora Arroyo de Vera whose early, gargantuan efforts to gather information about every member of this class everywhere around the world for the 25th anniversary and countless other mini-reunions continue to pay off.

She had the tenacity of a pit bull.

Cora did so even before the advent of the Information Age and before Google ever came to be. She was the glue then and deserves emeritus level of recognition.

This is, by no means, an exhaustive listing and any missing shout outs for due recognition is inadvertent. My deep apologies …

There were active contributors to the Facebook page which kept the excitement simmering.

Most were silent lurkers but kept abreast of what was going on.

Generous monetary contributions to the pot were sent and all accounted for.

Tempus fugit. Time flies indeed. Through all these months, the fires were stoked and kept burning brightly. Time will hover (oh so) briefly on those few days in February next month, from the 9th to the 16th, when everything comes to a head and many, if not all, will be able to see each other face to face, even share a laughter or two and spend wonderful, precious time together.

With this milestone event, the PCS High School Class of 1969 will be given that rare chance to conjure, like magic, delicious, sparkling memories once more.

This time perhaps, many will do so with even greater feeling and a heightened sense of gratitude, even saying quietly to themselves, “By God, we made it! Salamat po.”

And so I will say it again: BE THERE OR BE SQUARE. (Written

by Monette Adeva Maglaya) ■

America

JA N UA RY 26

Event for recycling used oil filter in San Gabriel, CA The Los Angeles Department of Public Works is hosting the Recycling Used Oil and Used Filter Event on Saturday, January 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O’ Reilly Auto Parts located (965 E. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776). Participants who bring their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean.

JA N UA RY 27

“Journey for Justice” book launch in LA Get a first edition “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” written by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and writer Gayle Romasanta, on Sunday, January 27 at the launch in Los Angeles! It will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Park’s Finest (1267 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). The book tells the story of Larry Itliong’s fight for a farmworkers union, the birth of the farm workers’ movement, and more. Books will be sold and signed with a Q&A with co-author Gayle Romasanta). A percentage of proceeds from this book will be donated to the nonprofit organizations, Little Manila Rising and the Filipino American National Historical Society. For more information, please visit http://bridgedelta.com/.

JA N UA RY 3 0

California Small Business Summit in Los Angeles The California Small Business Summit is a full-day event in Los Angeles that will bring together 50 small business leaders on Wednesday, January 30 from across the state to discuss important issues facing small businesses and provide education to help entrepreneurs and local economies thrive. As small business owners, you’re critical to the success of our local communities, injecting life and vitality into your neighborhoods, providing quality jobs and boosting prosperity for all. Our Small Business Summit is a platform for you to participate in meaningful dialogue about issues facing California’s small business community and educational workshops on critical issues like access to capital, healthcare, retirement and much more. The format will be an interactive mix of panel discussions, presentations, keynotes and breakout sessions featuring expert advice from business assistance providers and other successful small business owners.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at California Endowment Center (1000 Alameda St., Los F E B R UA RY 1 5 Angeles, CA 90012). To register for tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/2TPbwP4.

F E B R UA RY 2

Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii’s gala in Waikiki, HI The Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii will hold its 41st inaugural and installation of officers on Saturday, February 2 at 5 p.m. It will be held at the Tapa Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815). Attire is formal. For more information, please visit http://pmah-hawaii.org.

MARCH 30

Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.

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

B January 24-30, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

PeoPle and events

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Dr. Noel Fajardo, Korina Sanchez lead fundraiser to benefit animal shelters in PH DR. Noel Fajardo of The Las Vegas Gastroenterology played host to help raise funds for the Philippine Animal Guardians for Humane Societies, a foundation founded by award-winning Filipina journalist Korina Sanchez.

The Yappy Hour with Korina Sanchez and Dr. Noel Fajardo invited local pet enthusiasts as well as generous donors to enjoy the breath taking view of the Waldorf Astoria’s sky bar on Friday, January 18.

Dr. Cora Aragon Soriano, Dr. Robert Paulino, Ron and Sheila Solis, Arnold Vegafria, Shirley Musni, JR Villablanca, and Nonito Donaire Jr. and his wife Rachel were among the guests who joined the fundraising event.

“Hello, fellow dog lover and animal welfare supporter! I’d like you to meet one of the loves of my life, my pet schnauzer Kolette. Life was never the same again since I adopted her five years ago. And the happiness she brings to my whole family’s life is immeasurable,” Sanchez said in her message.

“Since then, I’ve looked at street dogs and cats in a whole different way. And in the Philip-

pines, the problem is enormous.

Too many dogs and cats abandoned, hungry, sick, abused and suffering. This is when I decided to put up my own foundation to solicit donations legitimately for the poor animals in the Philippines. We have done a lot of meaningful work nationwide: rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs and cats to loving families,” she added.

Sanchez said that within a year, her foundation has sponsored improvements in dilapidated shelters in Tarlac, Quezon, Bulacan and Aklan, and rescued hundreds of dogs and cats, rehomed hundreds of them as well. Her foundation has vac- Award-winning Filipina journalist Korina Sanchez and Dr. Noel Fajardo of The Las Vegas cinated and spay/neutered pets Gastroenterology led the fundraising events to benefit select animal shelters in the Philippines. of poor communities who can’t AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal afford, distributed collars and leashes and dog food to these impoverished families who nonetheless.

“But then, of course, our work is fueled and can only go on by donations. I have held simple, informal fundraisers in New York and Tokyo where people are enlightened and love their pets, respect animal rights and are willing to help. One dog or cat, one miracle at a time,” Sanchez said.

Feb. 15 application deadline for 2019 Cox Diversity Scholarships nearing LAS VEGAS – Graduating high school students in Southern Nevada are encouraged to apply for one of 10, $3,500 Cox Diversity Scholarships from Cox Communications, Las Vegas. The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, Feb. 15, 2019.

Applications and submission instructions are available online from The Public Education Foundation at www.thepef.org/scholarships. From the homepage, go to “click-by-click instruction” to start the process.

A total of $35,000 in Cox scholarships will be presented

this spring and are being offered in partnership with The Public Education Foundation and the following Southern Nevadabased diverse organizations: 100 Black Men of Las Vegas; Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN); Asian Community Development Council; Chicanos Por La Causa; Girls on the Run; Junior League of Las Vegas; Nevada Hispanic Business Group; OCA Las Vegas; The Center and Urban Chamber of Commerce.

The competitive scholarships require applicants to be on track for graduation with a minimum

2.5 grade point average, provide demonstrated leadership and community service as well as submit an essay focused on a significant leader from their respective diverse community.

In 2014, Cox made and delivered a five-year pledge to award $175,000 in Cox Diversity Scholarships to fund higher education diversity scholarships. When the final budgeted scholarship was awarded in 2018, Cox renewed its five-year pledge and will again award a total of $175,000 in diversity scholarships through 2023.

Aging: An equalizer

PAGE B5 tion, the precursor of almost all diseases, invades the entire body.

All the glands in the body secrete significantly less, if not meager, hormones and other essential substances that regulate the various vital organs in the body.

Arteries lose their elasticity and hardened, causing high blood pressure and arterial blockages.

The blood gets thicker, increasing the risk for blood clots, coronary heart disease and stroke.

Joint lubricants decrease causing aggravating arthritic pains. Male and female hormones drop and lessen sex drive. The dermal collagen and oil production slow down and the skin loses turgor and moisture, becoming thinner and thinner, and wrinkles form.

Most of our biologic functions peak at age 30, declining in a linear fashion thereafter. This, however, does not materially affect our daily activities at this stage.

Only stresses and diseases, and not aging, impact the physiology negatively during this period.

Theory of aging There are a few, but the prominent one is the Free Radical Theory where oxygen-containing molecules called free radicals, with a life span of one-millionth of a second, and are toxic, are damaging our body. Free radicals attack the cell’s DNA, causing the cells to prematurely die.

Our body’s natural antioxidant (defense) system mops up free radicals before they could cause damage, but as we grow older, and continue to abuse our body through unhealthy lifestyle and behavior, our body’s immune system becomes less efficient,

allowing the free radical level to increase. This negatively impacts the normal cellular regulation and function, which leads to aging and its physical and physiologic consequences, as well as weaker defense system to diseases. On top of the damages from free radicals, external assaults are caused by sunlight, environmental pollution, stress, unhealthy lifestyle (high carbohydrate-low vegetable-low fruit and low nut diet, smoking, alcohol, soft drinks, lack of exercise, and substance abuse). Just to illustrate the damage: From using a single stick of cigarette alone, trillions of free radicals are generated. And if we added all the assaults listed above, many of which are self-inflicted, it would be clear why our body deteriorates as we grow older.

The human body is fundamentally a unique, amazing, efficient, and tough, machine, that can withstand a lot of abuses, but it also has its limit.

Discipline and resolve The harder part of the equation in slowing down aging and avoiding preventable diseases to solve is our lack of personal discipline and resolve. Today, most, if not all of us, know which items are good and which ones are unhealthy to eat or drink, and also know that regular physical exercise and de-stressing are fundamental to our health and longevity. Yet, somehow, we seem to always find enough reasons or excuse to justify our noncompliance with these known and proven scientific principles of healthy living.

As alluded to in the book “Let’s

Stop “Killing” Our Children,” inflicting harm to our body with self-abusive behavior and by living an unhealthy lifestyle is masochistic. Some of us appear to have programmed our mind to an auto self-destruct or suicidal mode and continue to do things, or perpetuate bad habits, that we know could maim or kill us.

The book also proposes healthy lifestyle and disease prevention should begin at the cellular (DNA) level starting in the womb and in the crib, to protect the integrity of the DNA as early as possible. Damaging the DNA-telomeres with our unhealthy habits and insults from our environment lead to major metabolic (diabetes, thyroid illness), pulmonary, cardiovascular (heart attack and stroke), and, especially cancer.

With volumes of evidencebased medical data on healthy lifestyle and with our more informed selves today, disease prevention is much easier to achieve compared to five or more decades ago. We no longer have any excuse not to maximize our health and longevity. To do otherwise is simply asinine. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 24-30, 2019

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B8 JANUARY 24-30, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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DATE OF COMPLETION Second Quarter of 2020 TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS PHASE 1 866 Units BUILDING 1 164 units

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