013019 - Southern California Midweek Edition

January 30-February 1, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 7 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

ISIS claims responsibility for PH cathedral bombing that killed 21

by AJPRESS

THE Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a pair of bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu that has killed 21 people and left over 80 injured during a mass on Sunday, January 27.

The first explosion went off inside the cathedral on Sunday morning, while a subsequent blast happened seconds later as security forces rushed inside.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) speculate that the Abu Sayyaf Group carried out the deadly attack and are also looking into the possibility of a suicide bombing.

However, hours after the bombings,

DATELINE

the Islamic State said it was behind the incident, according to its news agency Amaq.

Pope Francis expressed his “firm condemnation of this act of violence that causes more mourning in the Christian community.”

Despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal tirades against the Catholic Church, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Sunday’s attacks are not related to the president’s words.

“In fact, the president is outraged. He’s so angry that they have not respected a place of worship – that’s why he declared war against all these perpetrators,” Panelo told reporters on Tuesday.

He added, “Those who will attack places

of worship, especially with the Catholics, are doing it because they do not believe in that religion.”

Various reports said 111 individuals were wounded in the twin blasts, while 16 civilians and five troops were among the fatalities. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday clarified that the number of wounded victims has been reduced.

“The total number killed is 21 while wounded persons [were] reduced to 97 and 54 of the wounded victims remain confined in different medical facilities [and] those with minor injuries had been discharged,” PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac told reporters in

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BLAST SITE. President Rodrigo Duterte conducts an inspection inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu on Monday, January 28 where two explosions occurred inside and outside the church last January 27.

Accompanying the President are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Bureau of Immigration on alert vs foreign terrorists

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by EVELYN

MACAIRAN Philstar.com

Federal employees head back to work after longest shutdown in history

MANILA — Not discounting the possibility that foreign terrorists might attempt to enter the country, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente on Tuesday, January 29 placed personnel at international ports on heightened alert.

Five-week partial shutdown In a statement, the BI commissioner results in $11 billion loss, also ordered the beefing up of security after the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu last Sunaccording to CBO The Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu explosions occurred inside and outside day, January 27.

ON Monday, Jan. 28, hundreds of thousands the church last Sunday January 27.

“I have instructed our port operations Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain of federal government employees returned to work after the government reopened on Friday, Jan. 25.

The five-week shutdown, which was the longest in United States history, cost the national economy $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Additionally, a quarter of that total — roughly $2.8 billion — is permatration.

by HELEN FLORES nently lost.

The CPI ranks 180 countries and terPhilstar.com A chunk of the money included in that figure ritories by their perceived levels of public was delayed and will trickle back into the econoMANILA — The Philippines’ ranking sector corruption, according to experts and my as the affected federal workers receive back has improved 12 notches in the 2018 Cor- business people. pay. Although the White House indicated that ruption Perceptions Index (CPI) conducted It uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero back pay will be issued to workers “at the earli- by the global anti-corruption watchdog is “highly corrupt” and 100 is “very clean.” est date possible,” the date is to be determined Transparency International.

The top 10 “least corrupt” countries are The Philippines obtained a score of 36 in Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Singau PAGE A4 2018 from 34 in 2017, jumping from 111th pore, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Canada and Luxembourg. to 99th out of 180 countries.

The 2018 CPI showed that anti-corrupThe country’s score, however, is still far from the Asia-Pacific regional average of tion efforts are “stalled” in most countries, according to Transparency International.

44, Transparency International noted.

“The continued failure of most countries It said the Philippines received the same score in 2013 under the previous adminisu PAGE A4

division to alert all its personnel and be on the lookout for suspected foreign terrorists who might attempt to enter the country,” Morente said.

Morente added that foreigners who cannot satisfactorily explain their purpose in visiting the country would be returned to their port of origin.

BI Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina said he has directed all immigration officers to be meticulous in performing their tasks.

2018 Corruption Index: PH improves 12 notches to 99th

Plan for 18-week fully paid parental leave introduced in LA

THE City of Los Angeles could soon have an 18-week fully paid parental leave policy through a proposed motion introduced during the city council’s meeting on Tuesday, January 29.

The plan — introduced by City Councilmembers Nury Martinez (CD6) and David Ryu (CD4) — would allow new parents to be on leave for up to 18 weeks and not experience a reduction in pay.

It requests the city attorney to explore a paid parental leave ordinance that would require employers in LA to make up the difference between paid parental leave benefits and the employee’s weekly wages for up to 18 weeks.

The motion also calls for recommendations on how the city could implement the policy as well as for a study on how it would affect small businesses and non-profit organizations.

“For too many Los Angeles families, raising a child and paying the bills is becoming an impossible choice,” Ryu said in a statement. “Families should not have to choose between parenting and a paycheck.”

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Poll: Filipinos want criminal liability age threshold at 15

by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — A majority of Filipinos want the minimum age of criminal responsibility to remain at 15 years, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Among those who agreed that juvenile offenders should be placed in jail if they “raped a person,” “killed someone,” “acted as drug couriers,” “snatched a cellphone” and “stole food,” the median age of criminal liability is 15 years, SWS president Mahar Mangahas said.

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FOR THE BAY. Government personnel and members of various groups join a solidarity march at Rizal Park before the start of the bay clean-up on Sunday, January 27. The start of the massive rehabilitation scheme that aims to restore the bay’s “beauty and bounty.” As the clean-up unfolded, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) ordered the closure of three restaurants in Manila for polluting the bay. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

Manila Bay rehab begins

by CATHERINE

MODESTO ManilaTimes.net

THOUSANDS of volunteers descended on Manila Bay on Sunday, January 27, the start of a massive rehabilitation scheme that aims to restore the bay’s “beauty and bounty.”

As the clean-up unfolded, the Laguna Lake Development AuAmong those who agreed that juvenile offenders should be placed in jail if they “raped a person,” “killed someone,” “acted as drug couriers,” thority (LLDA) ordered the closure “snatched a cellphone” and “stole food,” the median age of criminal liability of three restaurants in Manila for u PAGE A3 is 15 years, SWS president Mahar Mangahas said.

Philstar.com photo polluting the bay.

Several Cabinet members joined volunteers and government workers collect trash on the first leg of a rehabilitation program seen to last years.

Similar clean-up activities were held in Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, national police chief

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From the Front Page

Manila Bay rehab...

Ramnir Ravino, an illegal settler who regularly takes a dip at the PAGE A1 dents also lent a hand, “to give bay, expressed hope that he would Oscar Albayalde, Tourism Secre- respect to the city they live in,” see cleaner waters in the coming tary Bernadette Puyat, Information said Tourino Dilaga, chairman of years. and Communications Technology the Indonesian Diaspora Network Cimatu said an interagency task acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. and Manila chapter. force would clean the waterways Metropolitan Manila Development Flocerina Noveda, 81, a vendor first. He added that the DepartAuthority chairman Danilo Lim near Manila Bay, said her group, ment of the Interior and Local Govjoined the early morning solidar- Mga Manininda ng Manila Bay, ernment would discuss with mayity march from the Quirino Grand- had been joining clean-up activi- ors the relocation of thousands of stand in Manila to Baywalk. ties because they believed it was informal settlers on the bay and Indonesian expatriates and stu- their duty to do so. waterways.

Rio said sensors would be installed to monitor the fecal coliform levels. Cimatu had pegged the coliform level at 330 million most probable number (mpn)/100 milliliters (ml), way above the standard of 100 mpn/ml.

Closed On Sunday morning, the LLDA ordered the Aristocrat in Malate, Manila, Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin and the San Miguel by the Bay restaurants closed for polluting the bay.

LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina said the water supply of the three establishments had been cut so that these restaurants would no longer discharge their waste into the bay.

Medina said all three commercial establishments had prior water pollution cases.

“We are going to discuss with them the parameters where they failed.If ever they are able to comply, they have to inform us that they are ready for another inspection by submitting a letter,” Medina said.

If they pass the second round of inspection, the establishments will be allowed to resume operations.

The LLDA also issued notices of violation to a motel, a restaurant and several enterprises in Pasay City owned by SM Investments Corp.

They are the Aliw Inn, SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s corporate offices, SM Mall of Asia and SM Ferry Terminal and SM Development Corp.’s Sea Residences Condominium.

Medina said LLDA inspection teams had investigated 43 hotels and 286 establishments surrounding Manila Bay to determine if they complied with environmental laws.

Last week, the Manila Zoo, which connects to the Estero de San Antonio Abad, one of the bay’s sources of pollution, was indefinitely closed by the city government to pave the way for the construction of a sewage treatment plant. n

ISIS claims responsilibilty for...

PAGE A1

press briefing held at Camp Crame.

Since Sunday, Sulu’s capital town has been on lockdown, but Banac said it will be lifted once investigators are done gathering evidence at the cathedral.

“The lockdown is just a precautionary measure in support of ongoing security operations to establish strong control points in ingress and egress to and from Jolo by putting up roadblocks and checkpoints. It also allows investigators more flexibility to move around,” PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement read by Banac.

Albayalde told reporters that there are substantive leads police investigators are looking into, including surveillance camera footage of possible suspects seen in the vicinity of the cathedral minutes before the explosions.

According to closed circuit television (CCTV) footage released Tuesday, January 29 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, one improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at the cathedral, while the second exploded 15 seconds later.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon initially identified six persons of interest based on the CCTV footage and an earlier intelligence report issued in 2018.

“Dalawang grupo (two groups) So far, anim, six of them. Information from what I understand is that we have leads not only from the CCTV but we also have leads because we have a previous report from the intelligence community as early as August last year,” Esperon said as reported

by Rappler.

AFP WESTMINCOM Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana also released the images of the three

President Rodrigo Duterte salutes one of the wounded soldiers during his visit to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu on Tuesday, January 28.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

suspects who were seen entering and leaving the church before the mass even started. The cameras have also zeroed on one other suspect who is known as Kamah.

Kamah is allegedly a member of Ajang-Ajang faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He is believed to be the brother of fallen bandit leader Surakah Ingog, an alleged bombmaker slain in Sulu in August 2018.

In the CCTV footage, Kamah is reportedly seen wearing a bluegreen jacket, with his hair in a bun. He is seen at 8:30 a.m. walking with two other men, after 10 seconds, he hands out - a small item – before the second explosion occurs.

Besana said the man who could be Kamah may have detonated the IEDs using the item in his hand before he escaped. Besana stated that the videos were only compressed and not cropped or trimmed so that they can send those to the other officials and reporters who are not based in Mindanao.

Duterte orders Abu Sayyaf takedown In line with the recent tragedy, Duterte ordered the military to take down the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) “by whatever means” after visiting the blast site on Monday afternoon.

“I ordered you to destroy the

organization. I’m ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang Abu Sayyaf (eliminate the Abu Sayyaf) by whatever means,” Duterte told reporters.

He added, “Ang gawin ninyo, sabihin ninyo pagka-bobombahin mo ‘yang lahat. Paalisin mo ‘yung mga tao, ilagay mo dito kung saan ako, ako ang maggastos ng pagkain - lahat. Tapos plantsahin ninyo ng bala (What you do, I tell you, bomb them all, evacuate all residents. Let them stay where I am. I’ll pay for food, everything.

Then prepare the bullets).”

Panelo said that the move to heighten alert in the entire country is a necessary move to secure the public. The spokesperson believed that such is a “preventive measure.”

“Kapag may nangyari doon at ang pinagdududahan mo ang ISIS, eh worldwide ang ISIS, you have to secure the entire Philippines. Kasi kung may nangyari doon, baka may mangyari ditto; alangan namang maghintay ka pa, gagawa ka ng preventive measures (If something happens and you assume the involvement of ISIS, since ISIS is worldwide, you have to secure the entire Philippines. If something happened there, it might happen here. You don’t have to wait. You have to ensure preventive measures),” Panelo said. n

Bureau of Immigration on alert vs...

PAGE A1 “They were reminded to make sure that only aliens who are properly documented and are legitimate travelers with valid reasons in coming here are admitted,” Medina said.

Medina added that frontline

personnel were also told to be careful in scrutinizing travel documents.

Aside from BI officers performing primary line duties, Medina said members of the travel control and enforcement unit and border control and in-

telligence unit have also been alerted.

“The intelligence community has been very helpful. This is a shared fight to protect our country,” Medina said. (With reports from Rudy Santos/Philstar.com)

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A3

Community hospitals link arms with prestigious facilities to raise their profiles

by SANDRA

BOODMAN Kaiser Health News

AFTER seven years of a vigorous fight, Jim Hart worried he was running out of options.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 60, Hart had undergone virtually every treatment — surgery, radiation and hormones — to eradicate it. But a blood test showed that his level of prostatespecific antigen, which should have been undetectable, kept rising ominously. And doctors couldn’t determine where the residual cancer was lurking.

“I didn’t like the sound of that,” said Hart, a retired international oil specialist for the federal government. “I wanted it gone,” he added, especially after learning that he had inherited the BRCA2 gene, making him vulnerable to other cancers.

So when Andrew Joel, Hart’s longtime urologist at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, mentioned the hospital’s membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network and suggested consulting specialists at the Rochester, Minn., hospital for a second opinion, Hart enthusiastically agreed.

A Mayo immunologist told Joel about a new PET scan, not then available in the Washington area, that can detect tiny cancer hot spots. Hart flew to Mayo for the scan, which found cancer cells in one lymph node in his pelvis.

He underwent chemotherapy at Virginia Hospital Center and five weeks of radiation at the Mayo Clinic. Since September 2016, there has been no detectable cancer.

“This collaboration was sort of a magic process,” Hart said. “I feel very fortunate.”

‘Benefit by association’ Hart’s experience showcases the promise of a much-touted but little understood collaboration in health care: alliances between community hospitals and some of the nation’s biggest and most respected institutions.

For prospective patients, it can be hard to assess what these relationships actually mean — and whether they matter.

Leah Binder, president and chief executive of the Leapfrog Group, a Washington-based patient safety organization that grades hospitals based on data involving medical errors and best practices, cautions that affiliation with a famous name is not a guar-

antee of quality.

“Brand names don’t always signify the highest quality of care,” she said. “And hospitals are really complicated places.”

Affiliation agreements are “essentially benefit by association,” said Gerard Anderson, a professor of health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “In some cases it’s purely branding and in other cases it’s a deep association.”

A key question is “how often does the community hospital interact with the flagship hospital? If it’s once a week, that’s one thing. If it’s almost never, that’s another,” Anderson said.

Feeling ‘plugged in’ To expand their reach, flagship hospitals including Mayo, the Cleveland Clinic and Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center have signed affiliation agreements with smaller hospitals around the country. These agreements, which can involve different levels of clinical integration, typically grant community hospitals access to experts and specialized services at the larger hospitals while allowing them to remain independently owned and operated. For community hospitals, a primary goal of the brand-name affiliation is stemming the loss of patients to local competitors.

In return, large hospitals receive new sources of patients for clinical trials and for the highly specialized services that distinguish these “destination medicine” sites. Affiliations also boost their name recognition — all without having to establish a physical presence.

In some cases, large hospital systems opt for a different approach, largely involving acquisition. Johns Hopkins acquired Sibley Memorial and Suburban hospitals in the Washington, D.C., area, along with All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. The latter was re-christened Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2016.

New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has embraced a hybrid strategy. It operates a ring of facilities surrounding Manhattan and has forged alliances with three partners in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida.

“Every one of these models is different,” said Ben Umansky,

managing director for research at the Advisory Board, a Washington-based consulting firm.

Local hospitals, he said, particularly those operating “in the shadows of giants,” may be better able to retain patients “by getting a name brand on their door. … There is a sense that they are plugged in.” (Virginia Hospital Center, for example, competes with Hopkins, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which has an alliance with the Cleveland Clinic, and the Northern Virginia-based Inova system.)

Doctors can obtain speedy second opinions for their patients and streamline visits for those with complex or unusual medical needs, processes that can be daunting and difficult without connections.

Dr. Michael Kupferman, senior vice president of the MD Anderson Cancer Network, said it seeks to “elevate the quality of cancer care” by forming partnerships with “high-quality [hospitals] to keep patients at home and provide the imprimatur of MD Anderson.”

Virginia Hospital Center’s association with Mayo is “not just a branding affiliation, it’s a deep clinical affiliation,” said Dr. Jeffrey DiLisi, senior vice president and chief medical officer at the Arlington facility.

Despite extensive marketing, many patients seem unaware of the linkage. “We still think a lot about ‘How do we communicate this?’” DiLisi said.

Although affiliation agreements differ, many involve payment of an annual fee by smaller hospitals. Officials at Mayo and MD Anderson declined to reveal the amount, as did executives at several affiliates. Contracts with Mayo must be renewed annually, while some with MD Anderson exceed five years.

Acceptance is preceded by site visits and vetting of the community hospitals’ staff and operations. Strict guidelines control use of the flagship name.

“It is not the Mayo Clinic,” said Dr. David Hayes, medical director of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which was launched in 2011. “It is a Mayo clinic affiliate.”

Of the 250 U.S. hospitals or health systems that have expressed serious interest in joining Mayo’s network, 34 have become members.

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SENATE HEARING ON EXCISE TAX. Members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, headed by Sen. Sonny Angara (right), listen to the views of medical practitioners and other stakeholders on the proposal to increase the excise tax rates on tobacco products on Tuesday, January 29.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

PH Embassy in DC adds a 24/7 line for gender-based violence victims WASHINGTON, D.C.– During the Public Forum on Gender-Based Violence held at the Embassy annex building on Dec. 1, 2018, the Philippine Embassy announced the launch of a Violence Against Women desk where victims and concerned parties may report to seek assis-

tance and support.

To reinforce the desk and enable victims and other distressed Filipinos staying outside the DC area to reach the Embassy, the diplomatic mission set up a 24/7, joint VAW and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (mobile no. +1-202-769-8049).

The hotline is separate from the existing 24/7 duty phone (mobile number +1-202-3682767), which receives and responds to queries on consular matters and other embassy services as well as information on the Philippines. (Inquirer. net)

Poll: Filipinos want criminal liability...

PAGE A1

Sixty-three percent of the respondents agreed that minors should be jailed for rape while 22 percent disagreed and three percent were undecided.

The survey found 59 percent who believed that minors who “killed someone” should be jailed, 24 percent disapproved and four percent were undecided.

For children who acted as drug couriers, 49 percent agreed they should be jailed, 35 percent disagreed and four percent were undecided.

“For these couriers, less than half said they should not be jailed.

Half of the people are thinking ‘pinilit lang yun’ (they were forced) or ‘may bully’ (there’s bully in) the neighborhood. They did not do that on their own accord,” Mangahas said in a press conference at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Quezon City.

For cellphone snatching, 28 percent agreed and 62 percent

disagreed that they should be jailed. For those who “stole food,” eight percent agreed and 84 percent disagreed they should be imprisoned.

Among those who disagreed on imprisonment, more than seven in 10 Filipinos said juvenile offenders should be placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Eleven percent said they should be placed in barangay custody.

Two to five percent of the respondents supported moves to place them in Bahay Pag-asa facilities.

The survey, which was funded by the European Union and Spanish Cooperation Agency, has an error margin of plus or minus six percentage points.

“The least reliance is on Bahay Pag-asa, which may be interpreted as a low awareness of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-

Dumpit said.

“The information that there is no responsibility or accountability for children who commit crimes is a false assertion,” Dumpit added.

She said the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act was enacted into law to ensure that juvenile offenders are attended to and guided through interventions and diversion programs so that they would be redirected to be responsible members of the community.

“Lowering the age of criminal liability is against our obligation as a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The results of this survey show that the public opinion is toward 15 as the minimum age of criminal responsibility,” Dumpit said.

The survey was conducted in Metro Manila from July 13 to 16 and in other parts of the country from Dec. 18 to 22 last year. It used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide. ■

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Metro Board approves proposal to decriminalize ExpressLanes The one-year pilot program will allow drivers without transponders to use ExpressLanes without ticket or fine

THE Metro Board of Directors last week approved a proposal to enact a one-year pilot program to test decriminalizing the I-110 and I-10 ExpressLanes.

The proposal was introduced

by LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn back in April 2018.

“Using our ExpressLanes can be daunting to someone who is not a savvy ExpressLane driver,” said Hahn. “The signage is confusing and I know there are plenty of people who have not gone through the trouble of getting a transponder. My hope is that this pilot program makes

our ExpressLanes more userfriendly and less punitive.”

Metro’s ExpressLane current model requires every user to have a transponder installed in their vehicle. If they do not, cameras take photos of the car’s license plate and send the driver a $25 fine in the mail. If a CHP officer pulls over a car in the ExpressLane without a transponder, the driver can get a $250 citation.

Hahn’s “Pay-As-You-Use” model would allow a driver without a transponder to use the ExpressLane without fear of a fine or

ticket. Metro would simply send a bill in the mail to the driver with instructions to pay the congestion fee with an additional $4 administrative fee.

Metro’s Board of Directors unanimously approved Hahn’s proposal to implement this model as a one-year pilot program.

The department will use the pilot to study the impact on congestion and ExpressLane use.

It will also need an estimated nine months to set up this program and do extensive public outreach to avoid driver confusion. n

Foreign governments express condolences, anger over Jolo attack

MORE foreign governments expressed their condolences to the victims of the bombing of the Jolo cathedral as they reiterated their support to the Philippines’ ongoing fight against terrorism.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian President Vladimir Putin, France, Japan, and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) condemned the bombing of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral on Sunday that killed 20 people and injured over 100 others.

“An attack on people attending Sunday services is a despicable act of cowardice. My deepest condolences to all the families affected by this tragedy,” Trudeau said on his Twitter account.

In a statement published on the Kremlin website, Putin on Sunday said, “A crime committed against civilians who gathered for a church service is shocking by its

cynicism and cruelty.”

“I expect that its perpetrators and masterminds will get a punishment they deserve. I would like to confirm readiness for further building up cooperation with Philippine partners in the fight against all forms and manifestations of a terrorist threat,” Putin said.

Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koji Haneda on Tuesday said, “Such terrorist attack shall never be tolerated. Japan firmly condemns this terrorist act in the strongest terms.”

He said Japan stood with the Philippine government and the Filipino people “in overcoming this difficulty.”

“Japan will continue to support the Philippines in achieving sustainable peace and stability in Mindanao in accordance with the ongoing political transition process under the Bangsamoro

Organic Law,” he said.

Yousef Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed his “deep indignation” at the twin bombings.

In a statement the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said, “France extends its condolences to the victims’ families, as well as to the Filipino people. It stands alongside the Philippines in the fight against terrorism.”

United Kingdom’s Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said, “the UK stands with the Philippines against terror and hatred.”

“Our condolences to the victims [of] bombing of Jolo Roman Catholic cathedral in [the] Philippines during Sunday Mass,” said Hungary’s Ambassador to the United Nations Katalin Bogyay. (Bernadette Tamayo/ Manilatimes.net)

Plan for 18-week fully paid parental leave....

PAGE A1 Currently California’s Paid Family Leave provides approximately 60 to 70 percent of prior pay up to six weeks to spend with a newborn, adopted or foster child.

About 18.7 million state workers are covered under the program, which is funded through mandatory employee payroll deductions.

Martinez said that introducing this motion is a way for labor laws

“to reflect a 21st-century economy and that means making our City more friendly for working parents.”

“By providing full paid parental leave, we will empower LA’s hard-working mothers and fathers with the tools to be the outstanding parents they are, without fear of losing their paychecks,” the councilwoman said on Tuesday.

Mayor Eric Garcetti applauded

Martinez and Ryu for proposing the motion.

“Nearly every other country in the developed world guarantees paid family leave. If Washington refuses to step up for children and parents, cities like Los Angeles will — because we know this is an essential investment in healthy families and a strong economy,” Garcetti said in a statement. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

HIGH ALERT. Members of Manila Police District monitor the United Nations Avenue on Monday, January 28, after a nationwide heightened alert status was ordered following the tragic Jolo Cathedral bombing on Sunday, January 27.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

2018 Corruption Index: PH improves...

PAGE A1 to significantly control corruption is contributing to a crisis of democracy around the world,” it said.

“With several democratic institutions under threat across the globe — often by leaders with authoritarian or populist tendencies — we need to do more to strengthen checks and balances and protect citizens’ rights,” Transparency International managing director Patricia Moreira said.

“Corruption chips away at democracy to produce a vicious cycle, where corruption undermines democratic institutions and, in turn, weak institutions are

less able to control corruption,” Moreira said.

Somalia, South Sudan and Syria are at the bottom of the index, with 10, 13 and 13 points, respectively.

The anti-corruption watchdog said full democracies score an average of 75, “flawed democracies” score 49; “hybrid regimes,” which show elements of autocratic tendencies, score 35; “autocratic regimes” perform worst, with an average score of 30 on the CPI. To make real progress against corruption and strengthen democracy around the world, Transparency International encouraged all governments

to strengthen the institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances over political power and ensure their ability to operate without intimidation.

It said governments should support civil society organizations, which enhance political engagement and public oversight over government spending, particularly at the local level.

Transparency International also called on governments to support a free and independent media and ensure the safety of journalists and their ability to work without intimidation or harassment. n

Federal employees head back to work after...

PAGE A1 depending on the agency.

Though the government is open, agencies will need time to pick up where they left off. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said that it’ll take at least one year for the service to catch up to work that piled up during the shutdown.

The IRS said that its backlog of unread mail from taxpayers skyrocketed to 5 million pieces of mail with an additional 700,000 pieces a day the IRS is still receiving.

Among the agencies that were most harmed included the National Parks Service (NPS), which had to go five weeks without park rangers and various staff that maintain the parks.

Joshua Tree National Park in California suffered “irreparable” damage after vandals littered, destroyed joshua trees, drove through unauthorized areas of the park and permanently destroyed sensitive ecosystems that included historic rock formations.

“What’s happened to our park in

the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years,” Curt Sauer, former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park, said at a rally on Saturday.

NPS employees are expecting their first paycheck with back pay on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

For weeks, certain “non-essential” federal workers were either furloughed or worked without pay after President Donald Trump refused to sign the government spending bill before the deadline on Dec. 22, 2018.

The bill presented to him lacked the $5.7 billion request for a border wall and increased border security, an indelible condition of the president.

In December, he firmly maintained that he would not sign a spending bill to fund the government unless that bill included said border wall funding, stating that he would be “proud to shut down the government” if Congress didn’t comply with his request.

After five weeks, Trump caved and signed a temporary spending bill that did not include any funding for the border wall, which the administration has deemed necessary for national security reasons.

Trump agreed to fund the government until Feb. 15, but the White House has alluded to the possibility of another shutdown if Democrats ignore wall funding in the next spending package, which both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer intend to do.

“If you’re the president of the United States, and you know that you have to defend the nation, do you want to shut the government down? No. Do you want to declare a national emergency?

No. But you do need and want to defend the nation,” White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Jan. 27. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Community hospitals link arms with...

PAGE A3 For patients considering a hospital that has such an affiliation, Binder advises checking ratings from a variety of sources, among them Leapfrog, Medicare and Consumer Reports, and not just relying on reputation.

“In theory, it can be very helpful,” Binder said of such alliances. “The problem is that theory and reality don’t always come together in health care.”

Case in point: Hopkins’ All Children’s has been besieged by recent reports of catastrophic surgical injuries and errors and a spike in deaths among pediatric heart patients since Hopkins took over. Hopkins’ chief executive has apologized, more than a half-dozen top executives resigned and Hopkins recently hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct a review of what went wrong.

“For me and my family, I always look at the data,” Binder said. “Nothing else matters if you’re not taken care of in a hospital, or you have the best surgeon in the world and die from an infection.”

Cancer during pregnancy Bryan Mills, chief executive of Community Health Network, was unhappy with his oncology service. Specialists at the Indianapolis-area hospitals he headed were competing against each other and patients were being illserved. So Mills cold-called MD Anderson and, in 2012, Community joined its network.

“We needed something we could rally around,” Mills said.

“This is really not about a competitive advantage to me, but about providing optimal care,” said Mills, whose network competes with three other systems including one run by the University of Indiana, which operates a National Cancer Institute-designated center.

“One hundred percent of the work we do is audited by MD Anderson,” Mills said. “We can get second opinions almost instantly.”

Mills said he believes that the affiliation, which is prominently displayed on Community’s website, has attracted patients. In 2012, he said, Community treated about 2,000 cancer patients.

In 2018, the number was 5,000.

Among them is Kamaljit “Kelly” Kaur. Shortly before Christ-

mas 2015 the Greenwood, Ind., licensed practical nurse was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease usually discovered at an advanced stage.

At the time, Kaur was 35 and five months pregnant with her third child.

Kaur said that her Indiana doctors conferred with MD Anderson oncologists and used “their guidelines to treat me. I felt comforted by that, like it was the right choice for me.” Her biggest concern, she said, was the health of her baby.

During the final months of her pregnancy, Kaur received weekly chemotherapy. Her son was born healthy and at full term in February 2016. She then underwent a bilateral mastectomy, followed by more chemo and radiation.

Kaur said she has been cancerfree since January 2017, when she finished treatment. The collaboration, she said, “helped me get through this.”

Kaur’s Indiana oncologist, Dr. Anuj Agarwala, said he thought the MD Anderson involvement was helpful, because it reassured Kaur and him by concurring with his recommendations. He said he presented his treatment plan to specialists in Houston and “they didn’t change anything.”

Overall, he said, “it really doesn’t affect what I do very much. We are following national guidelines and not giving off-thewall treatment.”

Initially, Agarwala said, some Community oncologists bristled at having their charts audited by Houston specialists, a resistance he said has diminished.

The affiliation has strengthened safety measures involving the administration of chemotherapy and has made the informed consent process more rigorous, Agarwala said, to the benefit of patients. “Overall it has been a valuable relationship.”

“The population I work with don’t have the resources to get care outside of their hometown,” he added, “and feel more confident with the input of a worldclass institution.”

So did Dr. James Ouellette, a cancer surgeon with Premier Health in Dayton, Ohio, which joined the MD Anderson network in 2016.

In November 2018, Ouellette removed a huge and rare malig-

nant tumor from Joanne Dotson’s abdomen during a four-hour surgery. The solitary fibrous tumor was in a dicey location: It had grown so large it was displacing Dotson’s liver and compressing her vena cava, a major vein that carries blood to the heart.

Dotson, 70, said she had never heard of MD Anderson until her doctors mentioned it.

The affiliation, she said, did not affect her choice of hospital or surgeon, in whom she had confidence.

“I wasn’t even worried,” she said. “His hands are God’s hands,” she said, referring to Ouellette.

Her surgeon felt differently.

“While I was very glad Mrs. Dotson wasn’t worried, I was, with a big surgery like that,” Ouellette said. Before the operation, Ouellette said he conferred with an MD Anderson surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist about how best to treat the grapefruit-size growth.

As a result of those discussions, Ouellette said, he altered the initial treatment plan.

Getting a vibe Virginia Hospital Center officials say that only a handful of the approximately 170 patients, the vast majority with cancer diagnoses, who annually receive second opinions from Mayo wind up getting treatment there. Most of those who do, DiLisi said, received care unavailable at his hospital.

“The patients [that affiliates] send us are more complex patients,” said Mayo’s Hayes. “We have a broad and deep bench of specialists.”

Even so, it’s often doctors who suggest a second opinion, not patients who request one. Joel said he mentions the option to those urology patients from whom he gets “a vibe” that they might be interested.

DiLisi said that the affiliation can save patients time and money.

“We get them as good a second opinion as they would get at Hopkins,” DiLisi said, without incurring the costs and additional testing involved. “And they don’t have to drive to Baltimore.”

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. n

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Duterte again shuts door on peace talks with communists amid attacks

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has again shut the door on the peace process with the communist rebels amid their continued attacks on government troops and civilians.

In a speech during his visit to Jolo, Sulu a day after twin explosions hit a Roman Catholic church in the town, Duterte assailed the communist group’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), for attacking military and police personnel.

“Ganun rin sa NPA. Hindi na ako makipag-usap sa inyo. Eh walang magawa eh. MagpakaSIN TAX COALITION RALLY. Dr. Anthony Leachon (left, foreground), PhilHealth Board independent member and a convenor of the Sin Tax Coalition, leads hundreds of doctors, youths, and health advocates in a rally from the World Trade Center to the Senate grounds in Pasay buti ka, pasunud-sunuran ka lang, City on Tuesday, January 29. Leachon said the proposed Universal Health Care (UHC) is at risk of not being implemented if the senators istorya ganun. You practically fail to pass the Tobacco Tax Bill during the 17th Congress, which ends in three session days before the Senate adjourns to give way to the begged na… ‘Adre mag-istorya election period.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan lang tayo (Also with the NPA. I will never talk to you. I can’t do anything. You do something good to them you follow their whims, that’s it. You practically begged…

Comrade, we are just fooling each is now redefined to include reinternational placements.

by Neil JaysoN servallos DDB Philippines Inc., however, sponsibility in taking care of our other),’” Duterte said.

ManilaTimes.net was chosen to promote sustain- tourist destinations to sustain the THE Department of Tourism able and responsible tourism in ‘more fun’ experience for future (DOT) has awarded the contract the country, using a comprehen- generations,” she added.

In its 2012 launch, the tagline to revamp the agency’s “It’s More sive research study as basis.

“Expect that in the coming was met with mixed response Fun in the Philippines” campaign to BBDO Guerrero Inc., the ad- months and throughout the year, from netizens, with some sayvertising agency that created the the DoT will be aggressive in ing it was ripped off from a 1951 promoting the best of the Philip- Swiss tourism slogan. brand campaign in 2012.

The campaign did not also BBDO Guerrero Inc. won the pines to our international source bidding against DDB Philippines markets,” Tourism Secretary fare well during the stint of former Tourism chief Wanda Teo, Inc., TBWA/Santiago Mangada Bernadette Romulo Puyat said.

Puyat said the new brand despite spending P650 million Puno Advertising Inc. and Weber Shandwick Philippines. The would appeal to older markets to revise and upscale the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” agency will be responsible for the and younger audience.

The Tourism chief said the campaign in 2017 as the catchy development of a digital public relations campaign for the Phil- new campaign of the old tag- slogan did not generate enough ippines as a premiere sustainable line would focus on promoting tourist arrivals.

Puyat said it was important to tourism products, destinations tourism destination.

Meanwhile, Touch XDA Inc. and the DOT’s advocacy for have continuity with the camwill serve as the media plan- sustainable tourism among lo- paign to establish a more permaning and buying agency that will cal communities, stakeholders nent trademark and brand for the steward the campaign’s strategic and visitors.“The concept of fun Philippine tourism industry. n

DOT revamps ‘It’s more fun’ campaign

PH won’t host UN migration meet

by BerNadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SAYING the Philippines needs money to fund infrastructure programs, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. turned down the invitation for Manila to host an international conference on migration in 2020.

“Over $1 million saved,” Locsin tweeted on Monday, referring to his decision to decline the invita-

tion of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) to host the event.

“Turning down a migration conference for Ecuador but hosted by us in Manila [was] another giant saving,” he said.

“My refusal to travel with scores of staff that burden our embassies abroad [was] a milestone,” he added.

In a letter dated Jan. 26, 2019 to PH Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. ManilaTimes.net photo PAGE A7

“Tapos in return ito ang ibigay ninyo sa akin. Mga kabaong pati iyong mga naputol mga paa. Ay p***** i**. Hindi ako… ‘Di na bale ako makulong pagkatapos nito.

Akin lahat ‘yan, akin lahat (Then in return you give this to me: Coffins and dismembered limbs. Son of a bitch. Not me… Never mind if I go to jail after this. That’s all mine, all mine),” he said.

Duterte made the statement the same day a roadside bomb struck police vehicles in Magpet, North Cotabato.

A police officer was killed while eight others sustained injuries in the incident believed to have been perpetrated by NPA rebels.

A firefight between the police and an undetermined number of NPA rebels, led by a certain Commander Alon, ensued after the blast but the insurgents withdrew afterward.

This came few weeks after the President said he would “leave

even a small opening” for the resumption of the peace negotiation as long as the communist rebels won’t demand a coalition government.

The peace talks between the government and the communist group broke down in November 2017 as the administration cited its continued attacks again state forces despite ongoing negotiations.

In November 2018, Duterte formally ended the government’s peace talks with the communists and ordered the military to “destroy” the rebel group a month later.

The government then pursued localized talks with the rebels.

The NPA rebels have been waging war against the government for the past 50 years, which is considered as the world’s longestrunning communist rebellion.

(Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes. net)

A6 JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Mass murderers

FEATURES

THE attack, aimed at a soft target, was meant to inflict maximum damage.

As the Sunday morning mass got underway at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Sulu’s capital Jolo, a blast tore through the church. As pandemonium erupted and security forces rushed to the church, another explosion hit a military outpost just outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral.

Police counted 21 dead and 100 others wounded. Many of the wounded remain in critical condition. Authorities have reportedly taken into custody the brother of an Abu Sayyaf subleader slain by the military. There have been about 10 armed attacks on the church since 2000, but last Sunday’s twin bombings exacted the most grievous toll.

The attack shows how fragile the peace process is in Mindanao. Several threat groups are being eyed in the attack, which was staged with the entire Mindanao under martial law, and just days after Sulu voted in a plebiscite to reject the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Sulu is a part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but its rejection of the BOL indicates it is opting out of the proposed BARMM that will replace the

ARMM. Continuing extremist violence in the ARMM has been cited as one of the reasons for its supposed failure and the need to create a new autonomous region.

The attack on the cathedral shows the persistent challenges in achieving enduring peace in Mindanao.

It will need a lot of heavy lifting to achieve aspirations for peace in the troubled region. While the government moves to bring development to whatever autonomous region emerges, residents in the affected areas must work together with state agencies, civic groups and other stakeholders including foreign governments to confront armed violence. The coordinated effort can be applied in finding the mass murderers behind the attack on the Jolo cathedral. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Mindanao: How the great island was explored and evangelized

Commentary

YEN MAKABENTA IN these days when like many, I find developments in Mindanao both hopeful and terrifying, I often turn to the writings of my former Jesuit teacher, Miguel Anselmo Bernad, S.J., particularly his essays on Mindanao, of which he was a native (Misamis, Misamis Occidental).

Evidently, as his final book, he brought together his Mindanao essays in a single volume, The Great Island, Studies in the Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao (Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City, 2004).

The book is a revelation and a treasure for me, because until I got hold of it, I had not realized how much historical writing Fr. Bernad wrote (he did much writing on literature), and how his

scholarship and insights help enlighten my own research and writing.

Until I read The Great Island, Mindanao for me was just a big cliché, “the land of promise,’ dating back to the American occupation.

An idea whose time has come The election of Rodrigo Roa Duterte as president in 2016 got me reading and researching on Mindanao in a hurry. I was tantalized by the thought that Victor Hugo could be right when he said: “You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.”

Until DU30 stood for election, the closest Mindanao had gotten to electing a president was when Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez ran for president, but then fell short, because Ferdinand Marcos beat him to the Nacionalista Party presidential nomination in 1965. DU30 was the second serious Mindanao presidential aspirant, and this

time around the island would not be denied.

To the credit of President Benigno Aquino III, he also got me researching and reading on Mindanao after his dramatic decision to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in one of the principal policies of his administration. The subsequent policy debate made me an avid reader of the history of the Muslims in Mindanao, particularly a volume titled The Moro Reader (Center for People Empowerment and Governance, edited by Bobby Tuazon, Quezon City, 2008).

Moro Reader opened my eyes, though not completely, to the world of our Muslim communities, the different Muslim tribes, and their perennial struggle for their ancestral domain and statehood.

The Great Island opened up for me the extent of the promise

Why Duterte is good for the Church

and lament of Mindanao.

Larger than 10 countries in Europe In a revealing preface, Fr. Bernad describes vividly the majesty of Mindanao. He wrote: “Mindanao is a large island, larger than 10 of the countries in Europe. It is larger than Ireland or Scotland, larger than Portugal, Hungary, Austria, or Denmark; very much larger than Switzerland, or the three countries — Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg — put together.

“Mindanao is not only large. It is also rugged. Its many regions are divided from each other by high mountain ranges, valleys and plains — some of them huge in size — watered by streams and rivers. Until a few decades ago, most of its highlands and most of its plains were covered with thick forests.

“With the regions thus isolated from each other, it is not surprising that the aboriginal population of the island com-

Opinion

Commentary MARLEN RONQUILLO ELEANOR R. DIONISIO I CONFESS to raising an eyebrow at the disproportionate outrage of some fellow Catholics over the President’s attacks on our Church. More deserving of outrage than what he says about the Roman Catholic Church is what his administration is doing to the country: tens of thousands killed by police and unknown assailants; the dismantling of democratic institutions; the vilification and persecution of dissenters, human rights advocates and other activists. Catholic outrage about these far more iniquitous developments has been limited to a few bishops and marginal groups of clergy, religious and laity.

I also confess to a perverse satisfaction each time the President ridicules the Church. Not because of his wit, which is far short of brilliant. Not because I agree with what he says; I admit some accusations are true, but as a Jesuit-educated and duly certified parish manang, I am firmly on the side of my flawed Church and its maligned clergy in this war on Catholicism.

Some satisfaction comes from a sense of vindication: I would love to cast on Catholics who voted for him a look that says “I told you so.” But it also comes from the sense that my Church needed to be shaken. Too comfortable in its nominal majority, too preoccupied with its internal life and issues of sexual and reproductive morality, too removed from the

Philstar.com photo

poor, the Church is now forced to confront its sins, its failures in evangelization, and the pluralism of Philippine society.

Yet the Church can turn the President’s attacks into an opportunity for grace by reflecting on and correcting practices inconsistent with its ethics. The pastoral documents issued by the bishops in July 2018, after the President’s “stupid God” remark, are born of such reflection. In their pastoral exhortation “Rejoice and be glad,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines admits: “We are a Church of sinners called to conversion and holiness at the same time. We bow in shame when we hear of abuse being committed by some of our fellow Church leaders…

We hold ourselves accountable for their actions, and accept our duty to correct them.” In his message “God is love,” Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of LingayenDagupan owns that the Church has “faults,” “mistakes and even crimes.”

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s letter to his clergy reminds them that the Second Vatican Coun-

cil obliges Catholics to respect “those who do not believe in God”; that challenges to Catholic belief must be met by dialogue with challengers “sincerely searching for the truth”; and that more important than to defend the Church from criticism is to minister to the poor.

Still, I do not think the President’s attacks are fueled by a sincere search for truth. Besides his alleged bad experiences with priests, he also knows the Church can be a crucible for dissent and a powerful moral voice against government excesses. So he means to bully the Church into silence.

This strategy he gets from the Marcos playbook. The Marcos dictatorship deported missionaries and threatened to tax Catholic institutions and legalize divorce.

Worse, it arrested, abducted and killed priests, religious and lay leaders.

But instead of subduing the Church, the Marcos strategy alienated many Catholics, driving them to the side of the persecuted. And so the Church joined the PAGE A7

IT is all rooted in the so-called “American Dream,” the overwhelming sense of Filipinos to move to the United States when a window of opportunity opens.

Filipinos with no opportunity to get petitioned by blood relatives in the US, or get married to an American citizen, or file for a green card after working in a U.S. government entity for at least 15 years — the three quickest routes — will have to settle for an entry route as a “temp,” or temporary worker.

And those seeking entry as “temps“ mostly secure H-2A and H-2B visas to gain temporary employment in the US, the 2A covering agricultural workers and the 2B covering seasonal jobs, mostly in hotels, restaurants and construction. The H-1B, the visa type used by Pinoys with sought-after skills, sends the visa holder to the likes of Wall Street, big law firms, Silicon Valley, universities, the engineering and research hubs. Before Trump, the H-1B was a clear pathway to a permanent stay in the U.S. The two non-immigrant work visas are what preoccupy Philippine officialdom today after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) imposed a one-year ban on Filipinos seeking entry to the U.S. via the two visa types. The DHS said that 40 percent of Filipino workers who get visas under the non-immigrant work programs overstay and that was what prompted the one-year ban.

The official response from our government is that it may, through

prised tribes speaking different tongues.

“Today, immigrants or descendants from other parts of the Philippines make up most of the population of Mindanao. But there still are tribal groups, remnants of the original population.

Part of the southeastern portion of the island and the southern half of the central plateau are peopled by Muslims. The vast majority of the island’s population is Christian, while the tribal groups in the highlands are animists.

“The predominantly Catholic Christian population is under the jurisdiction of 20 bishoprics grouped together into five ecclesiastical provinces. They are headed by the archbishoprics of Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Misamis (Ozamis City).

“The flourishing state of the Catholic Church today is the result of a long, and often painful process of Christianization that

started in the 16th century and continued until the 20th.

“The building of the city and the civilization of Rome was indeed an immense undertaking, so was the evangelization of Mindanao.

“The present volume is merely a modest collection of essays written at various times over a period of several decades, depicting some of the highlights in the exploration and evangelization of this great island. It is hoped that their compilation into one volume might be of help to scholars who will write a more comprehensive and definitive history of Mindanao.”

It was Fr. Bernad who introduced me in my college years to the excitement of literature, so effectively that he diverted me away from the study of l aw or history. It does not surprise me that he is also the teacher who has opened my eyes to the history and grandeur of Mindanao.

(ManilaTimes.net)

Working as a temp in Trump hotels is not the real deal the DFA, appeal the DHS ban. If I were the DFA, I would just file a routine appeal, then forget all about the ban. Many reasons for this. But first and foremost is this. There are jobs that are definitely better than holding a temp job in the U.S. OK, I will be more specific. President Trump is an immigration hardliner. He wants to wall in America to prevent immigrants, especially people of color, from moving into the U.S. But his businesses seek H-2B type visas. And when you get an H-2B, chances are you might be mopping the floors at the Trump hotels. Or dicing onions at his restaurants.

Do you want a temp job at the hotels and restaurants of the man who abets the current anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions in the U.S.? The president who loathes people of color? Do you want to work as a temp at the Trump hotels?

Trump welcomes temps who do the tough jobs of cleaning toilet bowls and vacuuming up the carpets in his hotels but that is all there is to it. Giving these workers a slim window for a permanent stay in the U.S. is against what Trump stands for.

Along the vast agricultural stretches of California, you often see men and women in the orange groves, in the strawberry fields, in the pistachio plantations, with dusty pick-up trucks and old sedans parked nearby.

Many of them are seasonal workers from Mexico and they come in under the 2A visas. While Mexicans dominate work in the fruit farms, there are seasonal workers from other countries as

well, Filipinos and workers from African countries among them.

The backbreaking jobs available under the 2A visas do not pay that much, probably less than what is paid the temps at the fast-food joints and Panda Express. The 2A workers have to pack their bags and leave the U.S. once the fruit-picking season is over.

By the time the 2A workers reach their home countries, little or none at all had been saved from the money sent during the work season.

This is probably at the root of the decision of these temporary workers to overstay. Nothing or very little is left after the work season is over.

The type of jobs available under the 2A and the 2B visas are not really the kind of jobs that would provide economic stability to the families back home.

Working as temps, say, in the Trump establishments, as the headline says, is not the real deal.

OK, what are alternative jobs for the footloose in the global job markets? With the Trump administration’s hardline policy, what are the options for those who are willing to take on tough jobs overseas, with North America as the desired place of work?

One option is this. Move into Saskatchewan and other frontier employment areas in Canada as many young Filipinos not afraid of taking on tough jobs are doing right now. They move into that cold area to work on the canola fields, the piggery farms and various agro-forestry-related PAGE A7

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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Grand Opening of Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang’s Solo Exhibition

DEVOTION TO CHILD JESUS. Thousands of Santo Niño devotees join the procession of the carrozas for the 40th Fiesta del Sto. Nino of the Congregacion del Nombre de Jesus from the Philtrade grounds in Pasay City to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, January 27.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

House passes bill creating National Commission of Senior Citizens

by Pathricia

ann Inquirer.net

roxas

MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on Tuesday, January 29, on third and final reading a bill creating the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).

The lower chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 8837 with 175 votes in the affirmative. The bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” and abolish the National Coordinating Council and Monitoring Board.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate approved on third and final reading their counterpart measure, Senate Bill No. 2159.

Senior Citizen Rep. Francisco Datol Jr., an author of HB 8837, said that with both chambers’ approval of the proposal, they are now confident that Congress

would ratify it before it goes into recess on February 6.

“This bill is a fitting early Valentine’s offering to our beloved seniors because the NCSC will become the strong national implementation and coordination body linking all the senior citizens’ affairs offices of local governments nationwide,” Datol said in a statement.

“I hope President Duterte will constitute the NCSC by appointing its chairman and commissioners by this coming summer so that we could have a fullyoperational NCSC by around Grandparents Day on September 18 with the approval of the implementing rules and regulations by that time,” he added.

HB 8837 aims to “create a cohesive government agency that will implement and enforce the laws and monitor compliance, to properly address the needs of

senior citizens.”

It specifically aims to create the NCSC as an attached agency to the Office of the President “responsible for the implementation of policies, plans and programs for the welfare of senior citizens.”

Members of the said commission would be appointed by the President and would serve a term of six years, according to the bill.

HB 8837 also seeks to transfer the functions and programs being undertaken by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for senior citizens.

Congress needs to convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the proposed measure before both chambers could ratify it and send it to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature and enactment into law. n

Bicol Saddle (Bicol Shelf), Bicol Shelf ( Bicol Saddle) and Isabela Ridge (Isabela Seamount).

Protest came too late In February 2018, the Philippine government protested China’s moves to name five undersea features in Benham Rise. Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana brought this up with his counterpart in Beijing.

Manila’s protest, however, came a few years too late as Beijing’s proposals to rename undersea features in the area were submitted to the SCUFN as early as 2015.

Following the Philippines’ protest, China insisted that it followed the rules of the SCUFN in naming five features in Benham Rise, which is part of the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.

“According to the deliberation rules of this organization, the relevant countries and individuals may submit naming proposals on the unnamed undersea features which are twelve nautical miles away from the littoral states,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang earlier said.

Under the guidelines of the IHO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), undersea features name proposals can be submitted to the SCUFN for consideration for inclusion in a digital gazetteer.

Application forms for name proposals are available on the official website of the GEBCO. The forms note that they would only be forwarded to the IHO-ICO if

“the undersea feature is located inside the external limit of the territorial sea” and “if at least 50 percent of the undersea feature is located outside the external limits of the territorial sea.”

Lawyer Harry Roque, presidential spokesperson at the time, played down China’s naming of the features, arguing that “China has given names to many things.”

“Siopao, mami, all these were named by the Chinese. Hototay soup, but this did not mean that they owned these,” he said.

In April 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf approved the Philippines’ submission to include Benham Rise as part of its extended continental shelf. This enabled the country to explore and develop natural resources in the area.

President Rodrigo Duterte would only issue an executive order officially changing the Artistic Conception in Ink name of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise on May 2017 following reports that Chinese survey ships have conducted oceanographic research in the region.

The president would also later on order the halt of all marine explorations and studies by foreign scientists in underwater plateau to give Filipino scientists a chance to explore the area. This order, however, came after Beijing completed its research in the region.

In May 2018, the president attended the ceremonial sendoff for a contingent of Filipino scientists headed to the Philippine rise for marine surveys and studies. n

PH follows China, moves to name Benham Rise features by camille

anD

Diola Patricia lourDes Viray Philstar.com

MANILA — Following China’s footsteps, the Philippines recently submitted name proposals for undersea features on Benham—also called the Philippine Rise—off the coast of Aurora, that Beijing had earlier named.

Early last year, the International Hydrographic Organization rejected the Philippines’ bid to reverse the aproval of China’s proposals to name undersea features Haidongqing Seamount, Jinghao Seamount, Tianbao Seamount, Jujiu Seamounts and Cuiqiao Hill in Benham Rise.

According to documents seen

by Philstar.com, the Philippines’ National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA) submitted names for 16 undersea features during the IHO’s Subcommittee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN) meeting on Oct. 25, 2018 in New Zealand.

NAMRIA geophysicist Dennis Arsenio Bringas represented the Philippines in the meeting in Wellington, New Zealand, according to the SCUFN. Eleven of these undersea feature name proposals are associated with Benham Rise — Katmon Hill, Yakal Seamount, Mayapos Seamount, Kalantas Seamount, Mahogany Seamount, East Luzon Trough, Molave Saddle, Molave Spur, Narra Saddle, Narra Spur and Palanan Saddle.

Other name proposals from the Philippines were Isabela Seamount (Isabela Ridge), Banaba Seamount (Palawan Trough),

PH won’t host UN migration...

PAGE A5

Unctad Secretary General Mukhisa Kiyuti, Locsin said the Philippines appreciated being chosen as host of the 15th Session of the Unctad and the World Investment Forum in 2020.

“I regret to inform you, however, that the Philippines is unable to host the Conference at this time to give priority to the

country’s national development programs,” he said.

He was referring to the government’s need to save money to fund its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure project, a centerpiece program of the Duterte administration.

“Rest assured that the Philippines will continue its strong support for Unctad and is committed

Why Duterte is good for...

PAGE A6 uprising against the dictatorship.

That history points to another opportunity for the Church to find grace in Mr. Duterte’s war on Catholicism. The attacks on the Church are awakening Catholics to the administration’s defects.

The Church can refocus their attention on the administration’s graver sins, and rechannel the

energy generated by their anger into more transformative action: the denunciation of its human rights violations and antidemocratic moves, the rejection of candidates who support these moves, the need to work in solidarity with those threatened and bereaved by its deathly policies.

Then Mr. Duterte would have strengthened the Church in its

to actively participate in Unctad 15,” Locsin added.

The DFA chief said his decision was final.

“I have said again and again, but the idea just won’t die. Well, this should kill it,” the DFA chief said. “We don’t need another conference freezing traffic and gobbling gobs of cash. No!” Locsin stressed. n

true mission: “to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.”

••• Eleanor R. Dionisio is a consultant of the Archdiocesan Institute for Research and Development, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, and a proud member of the Public Affairs Ministry of Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Diocese of Cubao. (Inquirer.net)

Working as a temp in Trump hotels is...

PAGE A6 jobs.

The stories the young Filipinos who have moved into these cold and frontier areas center on two themes — the challenge of winter on the negative side and the ease of assimilation on the posi-

[WORLD News Thailand] The solo exhibition of Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, co-sponsored by the Department of Culture of Thailand and the Rare Art, Inc. of the United States, is being held ceremoniously at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center of the Department of Culture in Thailand between January 23-27.

The grand opening ceremony took place at 11 AM on January 23 and was attended by over 200 dignitaries, business leaders and celebrities. Honored guests include Mr. Surasak Pimpasing, Executive Vice President of Narai Property; Sunny Chau, Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Mr. Jassim Ahmed, Ex Secretary General of the Islamic Financial Services Board; Dr. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, President of the Thai Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Shanghai Sodtivarakul, President of the Chao Chaw Association of Thailand; Professor Cao Yun-Hua, Head of Academic Affairs Division, Mahidol University, Center of Chinese Studies, Former Dean of Overseas Chinese College of International Relations, Jinan University, China; Hon. K. Taveechai Charoenbundit, Senior Judge of the Thai Supreme Court; Mr. Swang Vongsrirungruang, President of the Hang Association of Thailand; Mr. Somboon Suriyaburaphakul, Honorary President of the World Wong Clan Association; Mr. Zhen Miao-Jin, Chairman of the ThaiJian Zhe Hu Commercial Association; Mr. Giang Yuen-Chin, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Hakka Association of Thailand; Mr. Qi Xiaoyun, President of the Thai-Wenzhou Trade Association; Mr. Chen,

tive side.

They say you will not encounter law enforcers like Joe Arpaio. Or young men in red MAGA hats who — with smirks on their faces and venom in their threatening voices — essentially say you are unwelcome and you

should return to your home country.

There are more welcoming places of work than Trump’s America. And working as temps at the Trump establishments is not the real deal. (ManilaTimes. net)

New York Academy of Art Certificate for Dr. Wang

Hann-Chuan, Vice President of the Thai-Taiwan Business Association; amongst others.

Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang is a distinguished art master of world renown and is highly recognized by the art world both in the East and in the West. The Thai Department of Culture is sparing no effort and giving great importance to the organization of this exhibition. The Thai Department of Culture is broadcasting the exhibition announcement on the video wall of the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center on an ongoing basis. Such an announcement and related information are published on the official website of the Department of Culture. Official notice has also been issued to all universities, informing them to display the poster of Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang’s art exhibition in their campuses.

The artistic accomplishment of Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang has been acclaimed by Professor Stephen Farthing, an art scholar of world authority, who remarked that “Dr. Wang’s paintings may draw heavily on the traditions of Eastern art, but they present themselves as extraordinarily Western ideas and images.” Professor Farthing has served as the Rootstein Hopkins Research Chair of Drawing at the University of the Arts in London, and is an Academician of the Royal Academy of Arts in the U.K. He also said that Dr. Wang’s mastery is of exquisite magnificence and her paintings “reach across cultures to celebrate the space that exists intellectually and emotionally between representation and abstraction, between a fact and an idea.”

On July 30, 2008, the United States Congress recognized Dr. Yuhua Wang as a “great artist and sculptor” and officially chronicled such recognition in the Congressional Record. The same record also mentioned that Dr. Wang “takes great pleasure in helping others, is a selfless person whose moral character is noble, and has made great contributions to the development of cultural exchange between the East and the West.”

The ink paintings of Dr.

Fruits in a Bamboo Basket

Yuhua Shouzhi Wang are characterized by an out-of-this-world aura that she created effortlessly; the compositions are audacious and elegant, held together by the fluidity of the ink without a trace of the brushes. The distinguished style brings about magnificent ambience filled with vivacious energy. Her super-realist techniques brought about an artistry that has never been achieved by any famous classical painters in the past. The paintings by Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang are created from the foundation of Superrealism. Her art transcends the art of noble style and grand ambience.

Such achievements have established Dr. Wang as an international master in the art world.

In appreciation of Dr. Yuhua Shouzhi Wang’s extraordinary contributions to the arts, the New York Academy of Art especially presented a Certificate of Appreciation on January 22. The Academy recognized Dr. Wang’s distinguished talent and as an international artist who is among the top of her field.

This exquisite world class exhibition has brought astonishment and shock to the Thai art world.

The exhibition will close at 5 pm on Jan 27. All are welcome to visit. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity.

Exhibition Venue: Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center Exhibition Dates: Jan. 23-26, 10 am to 7 pm daily; Jan. 27, 10 am to 5 pm Source: www.udnbkk.com n

A january 30-february 1, 2019 • SoCal aSIan jOurnaL

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

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-FebRUARy 1, 2019

B

BUSINESS& DON'T FILE BANKRUPTCY COMMUNITY Journal

Local businessmen warn vs high sin tax proposals “We do not support rushing the passage of bills that will increase taxes on tobacco products at a time when rampant smuggling of these products continue,” Federation of the Philippine Industries Inc. chairman Jesus Arranza said in a position paper submitted to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Philstar.com file photo

by Zinnia

Dela Philstar.com

Pena

LocaL businessmen have opposed a proposal pushing for a further increase in alcohol and cigarette excise taxes, saying such a move may lead to even higher incidence of illicit trade.

“We do not support rushing the

passage of bills that will increase taxes on tobacco products at a time when rampant smuggling of these products continue,” Federation of the Philippine Industries Inc. chairman Jesus arranza said in a position paper submitted to the Senate Ways and Means committee. arranza said the government

is losing over P200 billion in duties and taxes each year because of unabated smuggling at the ports.

He cited a study conducted by the center for Research and communication Foundation Inc. of the University of asia and the Pacific which found that excise

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Japan’s ANA investing $95 million in Philippine Airlines

by RichmonD

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MaNILa — The parent firm of Japan’s biggest airline all Nippon airways (aNa) is making its entry into the country’s largest airline, acquiring a minority stake in flag carrier Philippine airlines for $95 million. aNa Holdings announced the investment yesterday through the acquisition of 9.5 percent outstanding shares in PaL Holdings, the listed parent company of the country’s flag carrier. aNa Holdings will acquire the shares from Trustmark Holdings corp., which is owned by the Lucio Tan family and is the largest shareholder in PaL Holdings.

“We are honored and excited that ANA Holdings will acquire the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp., which is owned by the Lucio Tan family and is the largest shareholder in PAL Holdings.

Philstar.com photo

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B january 30-February 1, 2019 • SoCal aSIan jOurnaL

Business news

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Your Outlook on PH most ‘optimistic’ Minding Finances

by Tyrone Jasper

Manilatimes.net

piad

The Philippines has the most positive economic outlook for 2019 among its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN), a survey by audit firm Grant Thornton showed.

Grant Thornton said 66 percent of the Philippine respondents were “optimistic” on the country’s economic condition for 2019.

The figure is the highest in the Asean region. It was followed by Indonesia’s 61 percent. Both Malaysia and Vietnam recorded 38 percent while Singapore, 18 percent. Thailand scored the lowest at -1 percent.

In global ranking, the Philippines was fifth along with Brazil.

Ireland was the most optimistic with 80 percent.

Majority or two-thirds of the Filipino business leaders surveyed by the audit firm said they were “very optimistic” about the economic condition this year with their revenues expected to grow more than 5 percent.

Seventy percent expect their revenue base to continue strengthening this year, which

Atty. RAymond BulAon Grant Thornton said was in contrast to the “more reserved global outlook” of 39 percent.

“Following a period of heightened optimism and strong economic growth, the global outlook for businesses in 2019 is markedly more reserved as the economic cycle cools and political uncertainty begins to bite,” it explained. The global outlook for 2019 was lower than previous year’s 54 percent.

Twenty-two percent forecast the same revenue level while 5 percent expect to have decreased topline figures for 2019.

Sixty-six percent plan to hike selling prices of products and services while 52 percent expressed interest in increasing exports this year, which would aid in growing their revenue base.

Majority of the business executives also said they planned to hire more in 2019 and hoped to boost their salaries over the

year.

In terms of research and development, 63 percent were keen on exerting more effort.

Fifty-nine percent, meanwhile, were looking forward to investing more on information technology this year.

“While the general outlook for the Philippine economy remains very optimistic, financial constraints are seen as the most significant external barrier to expanding internationally,” Grant Thornton noted.

Other factors seen hampering expansion were corruption concern, regulatory restrictions and trade tariffs.

In the Asean region, optimism stood at 42 percent overall, which is below the 64-percent record last year.

The survey was conducted during the second half of 2018 with 5,000 business leaders coming from 35 countries as respondents. n

Orlando “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr

O

RlANDO “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr, 51, of Van Nuys, CA succumbed to cancer at Valley Presbyterian hospital surrounded by his family on January 20, 2019. Orly is survived by his wife of 15 years, Shadouh lopez, sons Carlo Miguel (Migs) Farrales, Francis Martin (Rap) Farrales, Orlando (Third) Farrales III, parents Orlando Farrales Sr. and Zenia Farrales, brother Florante Farrales, sister laarni Farrales, and nieces Zendy Farrales, Jennifer Custodio, Maricar Farrales, Jamie Joy Custodio, laura Marie Agaceta, nephew ervin Rodriguez, and fur babies Anya and Bilbo.

Orly was an affectionate husband, a devoted father and genuine friend to everyone. Orly loved the outdoors, off-roading, and most especially practical shooting. he worked as a general contractor for 13 years but was forced to give up the career he loved due to his health. Orly was always there to help relatives and friends with household projects, or anything else people needed him for.

A special thank you to all the care teams & doctors at St. Vincent Medical Center, Vantage Radiology, harbor UClA Medical Center, Olive View Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian hospital for their outstanding support and care. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Neptune Society for being very accommodating and understanding during this difficult time. A celebration of life service will be at South Bay Community Church in Torrance on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. n

ACCORDING to a new report, the number of seniors filing bankruptcy is increasing rapidly. The average senior who files bankruptcy these days owes approximately $17,390 according to the report (Although I have to say that most seniors who come to me for debt help actually owe a lot more!).

Some of the reasons mentioned are increased financial risks during retirement age, insufficient income (Social Security benefits are almost never enough to cover all personal living expenses unless seniors are getting financial help from family) and rising medical expenses. When seniors who are still working lose their jobs, it is also difficult or impossible for them to seek new employment as they have to compete with much younger applicants.

It is even more difficult for struggling seniors who have not stashed money away for retirement or a savings account because they usually have no other financial resources other than their Social Security benefits. So a lot of them resort to bankruptcy in order to wipe out debts they can no longer pay or perhaps restructure them in a way that makes them affordable. Unfortunately, by the time they file, a lot of them have also used up whatever savings they have and they do not have enough years (unlike younger people) to be able to get

Why more seniors are filing bankruptcy back on their feet.

Another common reason for seniors filing bankruptcy is medical debt. Unpaid medical bills can lead to lawsuits and eventually a judgment that the creditor can enforce by wage garnishment. In California for example, a judgment creditor can take up to 25% of the debtor’s disposable income. how would you survive if you were already struggling as it is and then lose 25 percent of your available income? Facing unscrupulous debt collectors, seniors worry about their future knowing that they can’t pay their bills. Of course, the debt collectors don’t care; they just want their money and seniors seem to be an easy target for collection harassment.

If you’re a senior who owns your home, your home is likely your biggest and most important asset. Fortunately in California, the law allows you to protect up to $175,000 of the equity in your primary residence. In most cases, this amount is sufficient to keep your home safe. If it’s not enough because you have more than that amount in equity, you should speak with an attorney who can help you explore other options to protect your home from creditors.

A lot of seniors are unaware that their retirement plan is exempt even if they file bankruptcy. Under federal law, most retirement plans including 401K/403b plans and IRA’s cannot be touched. So instead of

taking money out of your retirement plan to pay debts that you cannot afford (and still possibly end up filing bankruptcy later on, anyway), it is better in most cases to file bankruptcy now and leave your retirement money untouched.

If you are reading this article and can relate to what I am saying here, my advice to you is to seek help as soon as possible if you are in serious debt trouble.

Do this before you deplete any retirement money or savings, not after. If you’ve tried your very best to repay your debts but nothing seems to be working, I can help you figure out all your options. If you have parents who are in this situation, I also encourage you to help them get the assistance that they need.

I can do a thorough analysis of your debt situation and give you my best recommendations.

Since 1997, I have helped more than 5,000 clients in finding the best solution to their financial problems. Call my office at 1866-477-7772 and request a free consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt.

For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

Local businessmen warn vs high sin...

PAGE B1 t

and value-added tax losses due to illicit trade of cigarettes increased from P2.6 billion in 2012 to P19.9 billion in 2014 and P17.9 billion in 2015, the same period when taxes of sin products significantly increased.

“The findings in the study reveal a worrying scale of smuggling in the Philippines. The data collected validate the detrimental effect of illicit commerce, including billions of pesos in foregone tax revenues and loss of legitimate employment.

The study showed that the total number of displaced workers due to cigarette smuggling from 2013 to 2015 was 6,381.

Arranza said “the series of law enforcement actions against

smugglers and illicit traders of cigarettes in 2018 are proof that criminal elements are making tons of money in this industry.”

“Finance Secretary [Carlos] Dominguez himself recognized that the increase in tobacco excise taxes “has incentivized illegal traders to increasingly resort to smuggling and tax evasion,” Arranza said.

“As DOF (Department of Finance) noted, the successive tax increases on tobacco products have already emboldened criminal elements to smuggle in or manufacture cheaper illegal cigarettes,” he added.

President Duterte earlier agreed to certify as urgent the proposal of the DOF and Department of health to jack up sin taxes.

The house version of the sin tax reform bill, which the lower house passed on third and final reading before the Christmas break, seeks to impose an additional tax of P2.50 for every pack of cigarettes.

At the Senate, Sen. Manny Pacquiao proposed to increase the excise tax on cigarettes to P60 per pack while Sen. JV ejercito proposed to raise the cigarette excise tax to P90 per pack.

The DOF earlier said it was eyeing to raise an additional P61.3 billion in revenues from the second round of increased “sin” taxes proposed under its comprehensive tax reform program. The figure is expected to increase further to P77.6 billion by 2021. n

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Senior needs Chapter 13 relief for $24K credit cards Japan’s ANA investing $95 million in... least. Despair and depression would be a more accurate deDebt scription of how she feels right Relief now. I tell her not to feel so bad because truthfully, she owes her creditors money only, not her enjoyment of life!

“We have strength for all ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG things in Christ who empowers THE client is 65. She still us — he infuses us with inner works middle management and strength and we are self-sufearns $37,000 yearly. Although ficient in Christ’s sufficiency!” she is married, I would say that — Philippians 4:13 I wanted to say this because she has some kind of money agreement with her beloved the client was so depressed husband that arrangement and I could see her depression works well for one side only, clearly on her face. Please, it’s not the end of life and of the and that’s not her side.

She herself owes $24,000 world, as we know it. We all of credit cards. She needs to can rely on Jesus who will help pay at least $800 a month of us. So, cheer up! Together, we minimum interest payments to can solve this problem and get keep the $24,000 current every rid of this burden.

For the husband’s part, he month. With her monthly gross of $3,000, her net take-home gives her $1,000 a month as his pay is $2,500, more or less. share of all the household exFrom her net pay of $2,500, penses plus the mortgage. And she has to pay 100 percent of he doesn’t want to file bankthe mortgage of $1,600, leaving ruptcy even if he himself owes her $900 for utilities, food and $40,000 of credit cards. Supmonthly necessities for both posedly the $1,000 a month he gives her is half his take-home herself and her husband.

The client feels overwhelmed pay. The other 50 percent he by the burden of paying $900 uses to pay his $40,000 of creda month for credit cards at her it cards, which require at least age of 65. In the next year, she $1,200 a month of minimum can retire and get full social payments. He’s still short $200. security benefits. SS benefits, Perhaps he drives for Uber for of course, will be about $1,600 the extra $200?

Well, let’s just say the wall is in her case, which is less than her current take-home pay of about to break even if Mexico $2,500. If she still has to worry did pay for it. Even if the POabout $24,000 of credit cards TUS used American-made cenext year, half her social securi- ment and American citizen ty would have to go to card pay- workers, the wall will still break ments. This is not something under the load of too much she looks forward to, to say the credit card debt for this fam-

Barrister’s Corner

spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account. Another exIN the absence of a premari- ample would be if you purchase tal agreement, the general com- a piece of real property during munity property presumption the marriage under “your name under California family code alone” and have your spouse section 760 controls which pro- sign a “quit claim” deed, your vides “ ….all property, real or spouse may still have a claim personal, wherever situated, for a half interest in your real acquired by a married person property. Another example during the marriage while do- would be if you owned a busimiciled in this state is commu- ness prior to marriage, but due nity property.” Family Code to your hard work, long hours 760. This becomes a problem of labor, and efforts, the busiif you are the spouse that has ness grew exponentially during the substantially higher income the marriage, your spouse may or the one who accumulates the still have a claim for an interest majority of the assets during in the business. the marriage. You are called Signing a premarital agreein family law lingo “the in ment may serve as added prospouse.” The other spouse (or tection to the future “in spouse” in our lingo also called the “out and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” gets a half interest on spouse” by avoiding or altering everything accumulated during the applicability of California the marriage even if the asset community property law to asis under your name alone or it sets 1) already owned by each was accumulated solely due to and 2) to property and income your sweat and hard work. The to be acquired or earned durout spouse, who stayed at home ing their marriage. Premarimost of the marriage, gets a tal agreements may validly one half interest on all the ac- provide that the earnings and cumulations during the mar- accumulations of each party riage under California commu- during marriage will remain nity property law. For example, that party’s separate property, if you opened a savings account free of any claims, community during the marriage under your property or otherwise, of the name alone for which you re- other party. Premarital agreeligiously and diligently stash ments may also serve to preaway 25% of your earnings serve a person’s estate for his during the marriage while your or her heirs, free of the other spouse blows away his/her sal- party’s inheritance claims. ary during the marriage, your Pursuant to Family Code

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Fifth 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.

Ever wonder how the Peach Melba dessert got its name?

It was said that the celebrated French chef Auguste Escoffier named the confection after his friend, the soprano Nellie Melba of Melbourne, Australia. She would dine in the restaurant where he was chef and would give him tickets to the opera where she was the main draw.

Nellie Melba was the late 19th century equivalent of a celebrity these days that could pack opera houses for the elite in London, Paris and New York.

On a historical note, Escoffier partnered with Cesar Ritz (from whose name the term “ritzy” is derived, to mean elegant and first class, and pricey as well) to establish the Ritz-Carlton Hotels chain.

From the book, “Memories of My Life” by Auguste Escoffier, here’s the original recipe good for 6 that he created for Peach Melba.

“Choose 6 tender and perfectly ripe peaches. The Montreuil peach, for example, is perfect for

u PAGE B5

Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?

ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

ily. Can the client file for bankruptcy herself to handle her $22,000 of credit cards? Yes. Non-filing husband will be left to his own resources to handle his $40,000 of credit cards.

They have $230,000 of equity in their house. Her homestead exemption is $175,000, so that still leaves $55,000 of non-exempt equity.

This means that she cannot do a Chapter 7 to discharge the $24,000. If she did Chapter 7, the trustee would sell her house, give her $175,000 in cash then use the rest of the sale proceeds to pay off the $24,000. Who wants to lose their house because of credit cards? Certainly, not this client and none of my clients want to lose their house in a Chapter 7. She can, however, file for Chapter 13. In Chapter 13, she will pay $400 a month for 60 months. At the end of the plan, she will be fully paid, because there is no interest in Chapter 13, and the court will give her a discharge order, meaning no more credit card debt! This is $500 less than $900, which is a minimum interest payment only. After paying $900 a month for 60 months, or $54,000, she would still owe the very same $24,000 at the age of 70.

Whereas, if she made all the Chapter 13 plan payments of $400 for 60 months, she would have paid $24,000 only which is all principal, and at the age of 70, she would owe ZERO credit cards. So, I hope the client will feel a lot better now that there

1612(c ),“ Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following:(1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located.

(2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property.(3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.(5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.(6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.(7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b).

Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 pre-

u PAGE B5

The bucket list

Whip up your signature dish “Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories.” this dessert. Blanch the peaches for 2 seconds in boiling water, remove them immediately with a slotted spoon, and place them in iced water for a few seconds.

Peel them and place them on a plate, sprinkle them with a little sugar, and refrigerate them.

Prepare a liter of very creamy vanilla ice cream and a purée of 250 grams of very fresh ripe raspberries crushed through a fine sieve and mixed with 150 grams of powdered sugar. Refrigerate.

To serve: Fill a silver timbale with the vanilla ice cream. Delicately place the peaches on top of the ice cream and cover with the raspberry purée. Optionally, during the almond season, one can add a few slivers of fresh almonds on top, but never use dried almonds.”

Signature dishes are not just for the rich and famous. They are for you and me, as well.

Choose just one dish. Just one from many possibilities…

Choose a scrumptiously delicious one. Work on it many times until you can do it from scratch without looking at your cheat sheet and it becomes a masterpiece.

Cook it for family gatherings or potluck events. Cook it until they clamor for you to bring it because your dish is memo-

rable. You notice that people come for seconds until it’s all gone. Clean plate and happy faces —the mark of a culinary success…

Congratulations! You’ve created your signature dish. You have placed your name on it.

Best of all, you’ve created gastronomic memories, quite hard to forget because, believe you me, the gut remembers.

I have met many who have done this and it is a source of joy specially when shared with many. My friend Angel cooked Spanish Paella with original ingredients from Spain and with great flourish wearing a chef’s hat and risqué apron of washboard abs, in a class reunion held in their mountain view home. It was delicious and memorable.

Two of my sisters, Olga and Evelyn, bake Sans Rival and indeed, nothing rivals their concoction. Fresh lumpiang sariwa, with many hours of chopping, slicing and dicing of the ingredients is my mother’s and eldest sister, Olga’s signature dish. There is Agnes Jovellana’s delightful original espasol which she prepares for her parties. My sister Mitch of San Antonio, Texas prepared Buttered Mochi and her baked

u PAGE B5

PAGE B1 t

a premier airline group such as ANA Holdings has decided to purchase shares in PAL Holdings. The Philippines and Japan have a longstanding relationship with complementary strengths,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said.

For PAL, the only four-star airline in the country, the investment

by ANA Holdings is expected to usher in the dawn of a new era of growth for the company, which has embarked on a full-scale expansion program that has seen its fleet and network grow to almost 100 aircraft and 80 destinations in four continents.

Bautista said the announcement also coincides with this week’s commemoration of the 70th year of PAL’s service to Japan which dates back to the launch of the airlines’ first Manila-Tokyo flight on Jan. 26, 1949.

“It is a great privilege to celebrate this historic occasion by strengthening our ties with ANA, as we aim to build a relationship that is mutually beneficial with an

eye to a more progressive future,” Bautista said.

Bautista earlier said the entry of a strategic investor may benefit PAL in terms of the partner’s contribution in equity, management, route development or possible membership in an alliance.

For ANA Holdings, meanwhile, the acquisition underscores its belief in the dynamism of the Asian region and the potential of PAL, as well as its confidence that the country’s air market will continue to serve as an economic leader for the ASEAN region.

ANA Holdings president and CEO Sinya Katanozaka said his group is looking forward to expanding its business relationship with PAL so that it can continue serving its passengers even better.

“Asia is a key growth market and we believe Philippine Airlines is in an excellent operational position to capitalize on both the strong uptick in air traffic growth as well as the vibrant, expanding Philippine economy,” Katanozaka

Calendar of Events across

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said.

In line with its mid-term corporate strategy for 2018-2022, the ANA Group is expanding its international group network and strengthening its partnerships with foreign airlines to provide further convenience to its passengers.

ANA currently operates 14 flights weekly on two routes to the Philippines, while PAL operates 84 weekly flights on nine routes to Japan.

The two carriers have codeshare operations on Japan-Philippine routes and domestic routes within Japan and the Philippines, linking a total of 16 Japanese and 11 Philippine destinations.

PAL has been in search for a strategic investor for the past several years, but nothing has materialized prior to its announcement of ANA’s entry.

In late 2013, PAL also entered in talks with ANA when PAL was then under the control of businessman Ramon Ang, but the discussions did not materialize. ■

America

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 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.

Free legal clinic in Los Angeles The public is invited to a FREE legal clinic of Saturday, February 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pilipino Workers Center (153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026). Find out what your rights are as an immigrant (regardless of your status) and get legal advice from an attorney on how to handle immigration and deportation issues. Call (213) 250-4353 to schedule an appointment with an immigration attorney.

F E B R UA RY 8 -1 0

“Journey for Justice” book launch in Delano, CA Bridge and Delta Publishing in partnership with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and PapaLoDown Agency takes “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” on a 15-city national book tour, starting with Delano, California, on February 8, 2019. This is the first nonfiction illustrated children’s book about Filipino American history, and the first book ever written about Larry Itliong. The children’s book written by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Ph.D. with Gayle Romasanta and illustrated by Andre Sibayan tells the story of forgotten United Farm Workers (UFW) cofounder, Larry Itliong, his migration to the United States and his lifelong fight for a farmworkers union. To celebrate these milestones and to honor Larry Itliong’s death anniversary (Feb. 8) and Dr. Dawn Mabalon’s six-month death anniversary (Feb. 10), and to kick off the Journey for Justice FANHS national book tour, a three-day event with a historical tour of Delano, panel discussions, children’s readings, Q & A with the co-author and illustrator, dinner, performances, a dedication mass for Larry Itliong and Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, and closing reception will be held from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. The historic Filipino Community Hall (“Filipino Hall”) in Delano, where the historical vote to go on strike occurred on September 7, 1965 (1469 Glenwood Street, Delano, CA 93215) will host most of the programming. All events, except for the dinner on Saturday night ($15/$6), are free to the public. Co-sponsors for the Delano event include: Filipino Community Delano, Delano Union School District, Delano Joint Union High School District, Bakersfield College Little Manila Rising, UC Davis Carlos Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, Pin@y Educational Partnerships. For additional information visit www.bridgedelta.com.

F E B R UA RY 9

St. Finbar Church in Burbank, CA celebrates its 9th Annual Valentine Dinner Dance

Come and celebrate Hollywood glamour on February 9, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

For information contact Marian at (818) 562-6819 or send an email to minobleza@yahoo.com.

5th Filipino American Community General Assembly in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York is inviting all Filipino American community organizations in the U.S. Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont) to the annual General Assembly (Connecting and Collaborating for Change) on Saturday, February 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Philippine Center in New York. Please register your organization at newyorkpcg.events@dfa.gov.ph with the subject 5th Filipino American Community General Assembly.

F E B R UA RY 1 5

Franchising Retail & Trade Conference in Cerritos, CA The Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) hosts this highly anticipated business event at the Cerritos Sheraton located at 12725 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, CA 90703. Attendees will have access to opportunities in business match making & referrals, roundtable discussions, entrepreneurship training programs, and networking & business connections with participants representing both the United States and the Philippines. Business owners, entrepreneurs, corporations, and the general public are all invited to attend. The Philippine Retailer Association (PRA) and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) will be present to network with the US business community. Also present will be local franchisor and franchisee business owners, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), the National Diversity Coalition (NDC), the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Philippine Consulate Los Angeles Office, Philippine Dept. of Trade & Industry (PTIC) Los Angeles, and the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).Basic entry is only $10 but can and will vary depending on the participation experience desired. Registration for the Conference is simple and is processed online at by going to https://cofacc.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/.

United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.

A P R I L 25 -28

Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.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 30-February 1, 2019 • SoCal aSIan jOurnaL

PeoPle & events

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

City of Alhambra seeks youth to design 2020 Rose Parade float The City of Alhambra and the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce are launching a contest to help design the City’s 2020 Rose Parade float. Each year the Rose Parade unveils a new theme and each float sponsor is expected to come up with a design for their float that works in harmony with the theme of the parade. The theme for the 2020 Rose Parade

EMPLOYMENT

is “The Power of Hope”, with hope anything is possible.

Having proudly sent the City’s 91st Rose Parade float down Colorado Boulevard this past January 1st, it is already time to begin planning for the 2020 parade. With this year’s theme focused on the Power of Hope, the design contest is open to any student who attends elementary

school in the City of Alhambra.

This contest will run from February 18, 2019, to March 15, 2019. Students attending an Alhambra Unified School District elementary school within the City of Alhambra will receive their application in their classrooms. Applications can also be picked up at City Hall, Almansor Park, Alhambra Park, Joslyn Center, and the Civic Center Library. The artwork is to be drawn or attached to the back of the application form and the art can be submitted in any medium such as crayons, markers, digital design, or pencil.

The lucky student whose artwork is selected will receive two tickets to the 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena, where they can proudly watch the City of Alhambra’s float sail down Colorado Boulevard knowing that they inspired the design of that float!

For more information, please visit the Alhambra City News website at www.alhambracitynews.org or call the City of Alhambra Parks and Recreation office at (626) 570-5044. n

EMPLOYMENT

Keeping Ballona Creek clean: Culver City Rain Garden Restoration The City of Culver City is co-hosting monthly rain garden clean-up events with The Bay Foundation throughout 2019, and details on the first four of the year have been released. “Through our Rain Garden Restoration events, the City and The Bay Foundation invite members of Culver City’s community to help support a healthy wildlife and environment,” said Thomas Small, Mayor of Culver City. “This is a wonderful handson habitat restoration effort to maintain one of our treasured spots: Ballona Creek. I applaud volunteers for their contribution to our community.”

Each Culver City Rain Garden Restoration will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the following Saturdays: • February 23 • March 23 • April 13 This Culver City Rain Garden captures rain and surface runoff, filters noxious contaminants that would otherwise flow into the Ballona Creek and beautifies the urban landscape. Volunteers will be responsible for weeding, watering and maintaining the gardens to keep local waterways clean and support newly-planted natives.

Volunteers may receive commu-

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

nity service credit for their hours of service.

The entrance to the volunteer site is at the end of Pearson Street at Ballona Creek. Since the site doesn’t have an actual address, 10101 Jefferson Boulevard is provided for GPS-purposes. Gloves and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water, snacks and sunscreen as well as required to wear closetoed shoes.

Interested community members can sign up and/or learn more by going to: https://www.santamonicabay.org/get-involved/volunteer/ #volunteer. n

B january 30-February 1, 2019 • SoCal aSIan jOurnaL

Senior needs Chapter 13 relief for $24K...

PAGE B3 t

is light at the end of the tunnel.

She can look forward to a good retirement with no credit cards to bother her.

Formerly rich seniors need Chapter 7 relief The next clients are spouses who are both 64. They have a million dollar house, which unfortunately also has a million dollar mortgage. This mortgage was taken 10 years ago with nothing down and interest only for 10 years. The problem is two months from now, 10 years would have been reached and the interest-only portion expires. When the interest-only portion expires, guess what?

You have to start paying the principal too.

With principal payments, mortgage payment will double, from $3,000 to $6,000. It’s time to let the house go. There is minimal equity. Clients have listed the house for sale for over a million with no offers.

Just some dogs sniffing around, and stray cats looking for food.

No serious buyers. As POTUS would tweet out “NOT NICE!” There is a second mortgage of $150,000. And credit cards of $60,000. If the house is not timely sold for the right price, the right price being, at least $1.15-M, then eventually the first mortgage holder will foreclose. When that happens, they will not owe anything on the $1.0-M first mortgage, but they will still owe the $150,000, which becomes an unsecured debt, like a credit card debt.

So, if the house is not sold, clients will owe about $200,000 of unsecured debt.

I suggest a Chapter 7 to wipe out all debt. Let the house go if it is not sold, and go look for another residence now that is more reasonable in mortgage payments. They have two successful children who will help them purchase the new house anyway. God blesses them

with two children who care for them. What more can they ask for? Good health and children who care for them. Our God has blessed them with abundance.

Yes, I did not forget that clients were formerly rich. They had $750,000 of retirement funds. But alas, they lost all of it in the stock market. I feel bad for them losing this fortune.

Losing this fortune is another story. But they do have two children who are good enough to buy them a new house, so that makes up for the lost fortune. God takes care of them through their children. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

Do I need a premarital agreement before...

PAGE B3 t marital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable.

Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. 1615(c) (1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. (2) The party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. (3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations he or she was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written.

The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement.

The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that he or she received the information

required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information.(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs(1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant. In addition, the parties are required to provide each other with full disclosure of all material financial information.

A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code 1612(c).

If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of

The bucket list

PAGE B3 t

dish was a hit. I do a simple potato soup with bacon that is popular in the winter time. The millenials in our family love it.

My daughter-in-law Elia, prepares her special recipe for Turkey with bacon on Thanksgiving and draws rave reviews from the family. My son, Rene, prepares delightful chocolate ice cream, from scratch and there is never enough. A colleague, Malou Halili-Case who hails from Pampanga (famous for women who cook heavenly dishes) prepared Dinuguan, on slow cooker and it was special and memorable. Team it up with puto and, Voila, you have a wonderful meal.

If you don’t have any signature dish, get cracking and work on one, just one dish you can enjoy preparing and put your mark on. With time and practice, you will get better at it. Choose one that is popular with most taste buds. Don’t let your ego rule trying to reinvent the wheel and try an exotic dish, like alligator soup, for instance.

Nix the labels low calorie, low fat, gluten free, low carb. It is a bit of a downer when you have to work within limiting parameters. It doesn’t have to be original but it must be pleasing to most taste buds within your orbit of friends and family. Oftentimes, it could be just a tweak on an existing, tested recipe with a secret ingredient or a different technique of doing. Make it simple, easy and fun.

Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories. Remember that Jesus Christ in his time ate bread, fish and drank wine with his disciples on many occasions. Those were the staples of his time and salt was the flavoring. He multiplied the bread and fish as He fed thousands who followed him to hear his teachings. Jesus knew how important it was to make a connection. He still connects with us two thousand years later in the Holy Eucharist at Mass when bread and wine are consecrated and become His body and blood. It is a daily reminder of how God loves us — so much He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may live forever.

We use food to feed our bodies and make a connection with others. Partaking of the Eucharist to feed our souls in order to make a connection with the divine is the other aspect worth pursuing as part of our bucket list.

Food is a blessing, a visual and visceral aid, that makes our life here on earth so wonderfully engaging.

Make your signature dish and the joys they have caused to yourself and others part of the wonderful memories etched in your soul forever.

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

Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail HYPERLINK “mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com” kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

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

$30 million in tax savings unclaimed

by LA County homeowners How homeowners can save on their property taxes

OVER $30 million dollars worth of property tax savings go unclaimed each year by eligible homeowners in the County of Los Angeles. In an effort to raise awareness among the estimated 435,000 homeowners who likely qualify for the savings, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang along with the Board of Supervisors have declared the month of January as Homeowners’ Exemption Awareness Month.

“It is not surprising that the savings program goes unnoticed as homeowners usually only contact the Office when they are buying or selling their property.

Being that they are already inundated with paperwork, our application can easily get lost in the shuffle,” said Assessor Prang.

This is how it works: This exemption reduces a property’s taxable assessed value by $7,000, resulting in a $70 savings on the annual tax bill. Homeowners need only apply once in order to receive the savings each year or until a change in ownership is recorded. The only eligibility requirement is that the property is the owners’ principal place of residence as of January 1st.

“We estimate that one in three families do not take advantage of saving $70 each year, totaling almost $1,000 over the average length of homeownership.

This savings can potentially go towards investing in easy home improvements such as, purchasing a new water heater or installing new sprinklers. I encourage every homeowner to apply,” said Assessor Prang.

In addition to County efforts, Assessor Prang is partnering with local cities to facilitate similar outreach, focusing on those with the highest percentage of unclaimed exemptions.

The number of homeowners who do not take advantage of the program is concerning.

In the City of Palmdale for example, 14,095 likely eligible homeowners have not filed, leaving just under $1 million in unclaimed exemptions. For a complete list of all 88 cities and the number of unclaimed exemptions, contact Special Assistant Angelina Romero at PIO@assessor.lacounty.gov or by calling (213) 974-3101.

For questions regarding the Homeowners’ Exemption Application form and filing information, please call (213) 9743415. n

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

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-FebRUARy 1, 2019 B

The

Asian Journal

mdwk The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019

What to expect during the Year of the Earth Pig by

Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

LUNAR New Year falls on Tuesday, February 5, as we bid farewell to the year of the Earth Dog and usher in 2019 as the year of the Earth Pig (boar), according to the Chinese zodiac.

Following the lunar calendar, the celebration lasts for two weeks until February 19 with each day bearing its own significance. Around the world, those who observe Lunar New Year will practice various rituals to ensure that the coming year is full of luck, fortune and good energy.

Despite popularly referred to as Chinese New Year, estimates reveal that one-sixth of the world’s population celebrates it, and that includes those outside of China. It is considered one of the most prominent festivals across the globe.

In the Philippines, many Filipinos, particularly those of Chinese descent, recognize this new year holiday, with the government even designating the first day as a non-working day.

The festivities are abundant across the United States too.

In Southern California, some events include the annual Lunar New Year Festival in Alhambra (Feb. 9) and a special new year performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Feb. 6 and 7), as well as tailored displays and special promotions at malls like The Americana at

Brand in Glendale, Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Significance of the pig The pig (boar) — whose recent years are 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 — is the 12th of the zodiac animals. In 2019, it is the year of the ‘earth’ pig.

“The year of the pig will bring harmony and there will be plenty of wealth,” World of Feng Shui owner Peter Lung shared with the Asian Journal. “It will be a peaceful year starting from May, [but] there will be disagreement in the first quarter of this year.”

Feng Shui Master Pun-Yin told the Asian Journal that the “overall rhythm is to recover and reconstruct” since it is the last of the 12 signs.

“For those with the spiritual and relationship support, the draining and depleting energy could be minimized,” she added.

Many Asian cultures regard the pig as a symbol of wealth and fortune. The characteristics and traits of the earth pig include being hard working, nurturing, sociable and trustworthy.

Those born in the year of the pig will experience a “continuous awakening from the shock of the Earth Dog that started on Feb. 4, 2018 and ended on Feb. 4, 2019, which, sunk many emotionally and financially,” Master Pun-Yin said.

“When things get tough, the tough gets going, transforming deeply in order to get through the storm and [it will] be more down to earth going forward.”

As for what this year will bring for those of other animal years, Lung said that Rooster, Dragon, Ox, Rat and Dog years will experience “excellent luck.” Those who were born in Tiger, Sheep and Monkey years need to pay attention to their health. For horses, they should control their temper and avoid legal matters, while snakes should lay low and budget their spendings, and rabbits “will have windfall luck and a good year for investment,” Lung said.

Pigs are most compatible with tigers, rabbits, and sheep, while they clash with snakes and monkeys, according to the Chinese zodiac.

All 5 elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth) are present, said Lung, so 2019 looks like a good year to “team up with others for a new project.”

“Fire businesses, such as casino, entertainment and internet business, will capture lots of money luck. Water businesses including spas and trans-

Illustration by Kendrick Tan

portation will have big increase for profit,” Lung explained.

“Earth businesses such as real estate need to have proper planning and strategies. Metal businesses, such as jewelry, banking and insurance are weak, it is not the right year for big risks. Wood businesses… will be slow…[and] should think long-term when planning.”

How to prepare for the new year The days leading up to the Lunar New Year are essential.

Like a common ritual for the January 1st New Year, decluttering — whether at home or at work — will help create space for the new year.

However, cleaning should be done way before the first day of Lunar New Year because the superstition is that you could sweep away good luck.

Other preparations include settling debts, not saying negative words and avoiding the breakage of glass or ceramics.

Lung recommends placing a red carpet or lighting a candle at the center of the home would in order to attract wealth and luck, as well as positioning a water fountain or fish take at the East and center of the home.

On Sunday, February 3, Master Pun-Yin advises that individuals visit a place that has religious or spiritual significance or one with good energy.

“Prepare…through donation, prayer, meditation and quiet sitting, and allow the body, mind and spirit to relax and be whole,” she said. ”Pray for clarity, empowerment and protection throughout the new Lunar Zodiac cycle and beyond.”

On the eve of Lunar New Year, Monday, February 4, Lung said to bring in green plants or fresh flowers to your home.

Master Pun-Yin further explained that on the eve, one should wake up earlier to have time to prepare the home with new flowers. For an entire year, starting on Feb. 4, three different tones of flowers (except white) should be placed in the North or South directions of the home or workplace to align with the positive energy in the year of the Pig. At 11:14 a.m. on that day, be near the flower to “tune into the divine and calming energy to embrace the arrival of a new cycle with confidence and optimism. When you feel your heart is settled, go back to your work routine,” she said.

Before bedtime, again

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

tap into the flowers’ energy and repeat your prayers and intentions in order to “sleep more soundly and wake up more refreshed” in time for the new year.

“For those who know how to nurture the mind and spirit, they would have the alertness and strength to ride over the storm of the depleting energy boar,” she said.

Most families hold a reunion dinner at night and that is when they exchange gifts, like the ubiquitous red envelope. It is common to stay up late until the new year.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year on the 5th, Master Pun-Yin suggested tapping into the positive energy mentally through an early prayer by the flowers before going about the day.

“This way, you maximize your chance to overcome challenges because you are humble enough to seek the divine connection and good Feng Shui to support you through a turbulence period of this Boar cycle that is full of conflict and fluctuation because on Feb. 4, 2019 at 11:14 a.m. is the energy of the ‘Fire’ and ‘Water’ colliding into each other,” she described.

Lung also recommends opening the window or door from North to welcome the God Of Wealth and Northeast for God of Happiness. “Traditionally we will roll oranges from the front door in the

morning, it means that the gold (color of the orange) will bring into your house wealth and luck,” he said.

In the subsequent days, many follow certain rituals like visiting in-laws (Feb. 6). From Feb. 16 to 18, this is the time when people prepare for the Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the new lunar calendar (Feb. 19 this year).

What to avoid in the new year Master Pun-Yin advises that in order to have clarity of the mind, one must avoid filling the mind with irrelevant information and issues of other people.

“When your mind is calm, you would know the importance of building the reserve, being conservative and not react out of fear just because you need more financial security,” she said, adding this year’s cycle calls for being “flexible, creative, persistence and sizes every opportunity that could secure the standing…[so] don’t take risk and let the ego or emotions get the better of you.”

In order to preserve one’s energy, she also says to avoid individuals, events and activities that are draining and can bring out your anger.

“When your core energy is strong through good Feng Shui that balance your own Five Elements Profile (Chinese Astrology), you could excel even when others are confused,” she said.

The story of tikoy: A Lunar New Year delicacy turned Filipino favorite

Today, Eng Bee Tin — though still a leader — is just one of the many sellers of tikoy WATER, glutinous rice flour, during the Lunar New Year. In fact, a quick walk through Ongand dark brown sugar. pin Street in Chinatown, brings Three simple ingredients one to towers of red Tikoy that when heated, mixed, packages, stacked up outside poured into oiled or banana storefronts and ready to be leaf-lined ramekins, steamed given as gifts. for an hour or so, and refrigerBut how did Tikoy become ated for much longer, turns into such an auspicious Lunar New a chewy and sweet cake that Year staple in the first place? many look forward to during Origin stories of ‘tikoy’ the Lunar New Year.

Meaning “year higher, nian Take it a step further by slicing it, dipping it in egg, and gao — the Mandarin translation frying it on a skillet — the sticky from which tikoy was derived — has become the symbol of treat transforms into a snack achieving something greater that’s gooey in the center, but each year whether it be in caramelized on the outside, health, in one’s career, moncapable of bringing a taste of nostalgia to Filipinos of all ages. etary wealth, grades, or even a child’s height.

While it isn’t uncommon to And because Nian Gao is eat tikoy throughout the year, regarded as one of China’s it is undoubtedly the go-to oldest foods, how it came to be dessert for Lunar New Year in many Asian countries including such a symbol traces back to numerous different the Philippines where Chinese stories, from historical to influence dates back hundreds mythological. of years.

One origin story, Like much of the Chinese which is told especially dishes that have become a during Chinese New Year, part of Filipino cuisine, tikoy involves a monster called is believed to likely have been Nian that stayed in a brought to the Philippines cave in the mountain, but during the late 19th century would come out to hunt

by Hokkien migrants from the when it was hungry. But Fujian province. The Filipino as animals went into word tikoy comes from the hibernation during the Hokkien word tee keuh which winter, people feared that translates to “sweet cake.” the monster would resort The founder of the famous Eng Bee Tin bakery, Chua Chiu to eating humans to fulfill its hunger.

Hong, is widely believed to Along then be the one responsible for its came a villager popularization when opened named Gao who in ana simple stall in the heart of ticipating the possibility of the Manila’s Chinatown to sell monster coming down, left rice traditional Chinese delicacies pastries outside the villagers’ in 1912. Tikoy was, of course, doors for the monster to eat included. by rae

ann VarOna AJPress

instead.

Upon finding and eating the rice pastries, the monster became full and went back up the mountain. The villagers, who were spared the possibility of being eaten, celebrated their survival and named the rice pastries “Nian Gao.” Another origin story dates back to pre-Imperialist China where the rice cakes were said to have saved a besieged village of Wu (present-day Suzhou) from starvation.

The story says that a general by the name of Wu Zixu gave instructions to the villagers of his town to seek refuge under the city walls, should they ever be attacked.

After he passed away, the villagers did find themselves under attack and fell hungry. Upon remembering the instructions, they dug

villagers started a tradition of celebrating every New Year by making Nian Gao. Then there’s the old legend of a “Kitchen god” who dates back more than 2,000 years ago during the period of Confucius. According to legend, people would offer Nian Gao to the kitchen deity who would make reports on the family’s behavior throughout the year — much like the Western character Santa Claus.

But as it usually is with legends and myths, what has stuck throughout the years despite the different origins stories, is the rice cake’s auspicious significance.

As people get ready to celebrate this upcoming Lunar New Year with tikoy, it is sure that its symbolism and ties to increasing prosperity in any aspect are something that will still be kept in mind.

In a video he posted on his Instagram account, Darren Criss expressed his gratitude for being named best actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Screengrabbed from Instagram/@darrencriss

Fil-Am Darren Criss wins SAG Award for Andrew Cunanan role

Actor becomes first Filipino to pull off an awards season sweep by ritChel

MendiOla AJPress

under the walls and found enough rice cakes to sustain them.

To honor Wu Zixu, the

FILIPINO-American Darren Criss won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series award during the 25th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, January 27 — completing his awards sweep for “The Assassination Illustration by Kendrick Tan of Gianni Versace: American

Crime Story.”

In the series, Criss played Andrew Cunanan, the halfFilipino serial killer who murdered famed fashion designer Gianni Versace, in the second installment of FX’s “American Crime Story.”

During his acceptance speech on Sunday, Criss said that despite playing Cunanan who “used masks to destroy Continued on Page 3

Filipino-American entertainment creatives nominated in various Oscar categories Fil-Am Darren Criss wins SAG Award...

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019

From Page 2 things,” his “goal is to hopeby Jan Milo Severo fully create something posiPhilstar.com tive, to use masks to create positive change.”

THE Philippines will be “So for all of the friends represented in the upcoming and families that are still af91st Academy Awards as sevfected by the destruction that eral Filipino creatives and their [Cunanan] wrought, I hope films have been nominated in that they know our goal was various categories. not to make a spectacle of Filipino-American Matthew their tragedy, but to create a Libatique is nominated for positive dialogue about social Best Cinematography for his issues and bring to justice work in Lady Gaga’s “A Star is things that were in the shadBorn.” ows,” the Fil-Am actor said.

He was also nominated at With the SAG victory, the the recently concluded Critics’ 31-year old actor becomes Choice Awards but was bested the first-ever Filipino to be

by Alfonso Cuaron of the film recognized by the prestig“Roma.” ious award-giving body. He Matthew was first nomi“Ralph Breaks The Internet” is nominated in the also makes history as the first nated for an Oscar in 2011 for Best Animated Feature category. One of its story Filipino pull off an awards his work in “Black Swan.”

Matthew Libatique is nominated for Best Cinema- writers is Filipina Josie Trinidad, while its special season sweep by winning an Disney’s “Ralph Breaks The tography for his work in Lady Gaga’s “A Star is effects team was headed by Cesar Velasquez.

Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Internet” is nominated in the Born.”

Photo from Facebook/StarIsBornMovie Photo courtesy of Disney-Pixar Critics’ Choice Award, and a Best Animated Feature catSAG Award. egory. One of its story writers “It’s a shame that I’m is Filipina Josie Trinidad, while the first,” Criss told reportits special effects team was ers backstage when asked headed by Cesar Velasquez. about his historic win, adding Nominated in the same catthat “The roles are few and egory is “Spider-man: Into the far between for someone of Spider-verse” which featured my ethnicity.”

Filipino-American Hailee SteinHowever, he said that feld who voiced Spider-Gwen. “while that’s a tragedy, the Filipinos Louie del Carwinds are shifting and I’m men, Ryan Rubi and John Butiu very excited. It’s an honor, formed part of the movie’s and it’s been the coolest year animation team. for representation across film Meanwhile, two works by and television and culture in Filipinos are nominated in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is also nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. The film general, and I think what’s the Best Animated Short Film featured Filipino-American Hailee Steinfeld who voiced Spider-Gwen. Filipinos Louie del Carmen, Ryan really exciting about it is that category: “One Small Step” Rubi and John Butiu formed part of the movie’s animation team. it’s not just some kind of Holco-directed by Bobby PontilPhoto courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation lywood agenda.” las and “Weekends” by Trevor “I think consumers have cars, the Academy Awards will Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Jimenez. shifted what they want to see; California.

Popularly known as the Os- be held on February 24 at the they want to see themselves, they want to see their stories told by new faces and serve that appetite. So to have been a small part of that is an extraordinary privilege that’s much bigger than myself,” Criss added.

Criss is best known for Here’s what Pops posted wood superstars drew barby ricky lo his run on Fox’s “Glee” from on her IG POPS FERNANDEZ rymore, faith hill and ru paul.

Philstar.com 2010 to 2015 before “Ameri(Concert Queen Official Page), Watch the BEST talents from can Crime Story.” In 2012, he NOW it can be told: Three complete with a photo showing all over the world compete for made his Broadway debut by months before Pops Fernanher covered with a large Philip#theworldsbest title…WATCH playing J. Pierrepont Finch dez (finally!) announced on her pine flag: the premiere on Feb. 3 right in the revival of “How to Instagram that she is sitting as a Representing the #Philafter the #SuperBowl...

Succeed in Business Without judge in the CBS talent search ippines as one of the 50 The show consists of 10 Really Trying.”

The World’s Best, Funfare #walloftheworld judges in @ episodes.

Earlier this month, he already broke the “scoop” on theworldsbestcbs hosted by That Funfare “scoop” titled dedicated his Golden Globes Oct. 19, 2018.

James Corden with the HollyContinued on Page 5

How Pops Fernandez qualified as judge in CBS’ ‘The World’s Best’

win to his Cebuana mother.

“As we’ve seen, it’s been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood. And I’m so enormously proud to be a teeny tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipina woman from Cebu that dreamed of coming to

this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this,” Criss said during his speech.

“So mom, I know you’re watching this. You are hugely responsible for all the good things in my life. I dedicate this to you,” he added.

entertainment Philippines’ Karen Gallman wins Miss Intercontinental crown The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

THE Philippines’ Karen Gallman was crowned Miss Intercontinental on Sunday,

January 27 after a fierce competition in the Philippine capital Manila that ended a little past midnight.

Gallman, 25, edged out more than 80 contestants

from around the globe in the 47-year-old pageant, finishing ahead of Costa Rica and Slovak Republic. The FilipinoAustralian beauty queen made history as the first Filipina to win the international pageant.

Asked to define success, Gallman stressed in her final answer the importance of setting goals.

“For me, success is not just about winning in life but setting goals — smaller goals — and achieving your dreams and working hard for everything you want and always looking up to God and being thankful for everything. For me, that is success,” she said.

Gallman’s Miss Intercontinental journey was closely followed in the pageant-obsessed Philippines, which is still ecstatic after Catriona Gray won the Miss Universe crown and sash last month.

Social media was filled with cheers as the Philippines’ Miss Intercontinental bet went through each successive round and eventually won.

At the heart of Gallman’s advocacy is improving education in the Philippines’ rural areas.

Karen Gallman, 25, edged out more than 80 contestants from around the globe in the 47-yearold pageant, finishing ahead of Costa Rica and Slovak Republic.

Photo courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas

Photo courtesy of Manfong Ieong

The Americana at Brand welcomes Year of the Pig with 10th annual celebration By ajPress

LEADING up to the Lunar New Year on Feb. 5, The Americana at Brand in Glendale, California held its popular celebration for the holiday on Sunday, January 27.

This is the property’s 10th year to hold an afternoon full of cultural activities to mark the holiday — from a lion dance to stage performances to red envelope giveaways.

“For the Americana, we are a central gathering place for the community…This is one of the largest events that we put on every year,” James Little, general manager of The Americana at Brand, said. “It’s a great way for the community to come out and enjoy an afternoon of dancing and some great food as well.”

On Sunday, DJ and TV host Aaron Yang emceed the afternoon, which kicked off with lion and dragon dances around the property. The traditional lion dance is performed at new year ceremonies in order to drive away evil spirits and channel good luck and fortune for the year ahead.

The green lawn at the center of the Americana was transformed into a festival area complete with a stage where traditional Chinese and Korean dances, as well as a performance from K-pop dance team Koreos, took place.

Families enjoyed different booths available like face painting, sugar painting, dough figurine making and food from Asian vendors picked in collaboration with KTOWN Night Market, like Belly Bombz.

“We have thousands of folks who come out every year for the Lunar New Year celebration and we have a month full of promotions with our retailers and restaurants,” Little said.

Until February 27, several stores at The Americana at Brand are offering special Lunar New Year offerings, like 15 percent off your order at Katsuya and Le Pain Quotidien, complimentary lemonade with any purchase at Lemonade, and 20 percent off one item at H&M, among others.

The Year of the Pig begins on February 5 and will end on January 24, 2020.

AJPress photos by Christina Oriel

Photos courtesy of Manfong Ieong

Enchong Dee bares nastiest rumor about him

by Dolly

anne carvajal

Inquirer.net

SINCE Cupid is all set to go “target shooting” in a few days, Regal Entertainment sets the Valentine mood in advance via its movie “Elise.”

Janine Gutierrez and Enchong Dee headline the dramatic-comedy film, which opens on Feb. 6. It’s more than just a love story that is based on real-life events.

It is also about the journey of childhood friends, Elise (Janine) and (Bert) Enchong.

They grew up together, yet their dreams made them grow apart. But fate lets their paths cross again. Same feelings, different situation.

Can their puppy love take them to the soul mate level?

Love is not just finding the one who’s right. The time must also be ripe.

Here’s my chat with Enchong: What was the nastiest rumor about you?

That I sleep around. I just laughed it off because I’d rather eat, sleep and watch movies than do that.

Tell us about your first love experience.

The perfect adjective to use would be nakakakilig because when we’re younger, we experience a lot of firsts.

someone we have a romantic relationship with, etc.

What’s your fave line and scene in your movie?

The scene in the bed where Elise and Bert were sleeping and Bert said the line, “Kung ako na lang kasi sana ang minahal mo, ’di ka na iiyak pa.”

Any funny off-cam moment with Janine?

I always ask her what time she wants to go home, then we connive to hasten the “pack-up” moment (laughs).

What’s something you want to do this 2019 that you have never done before?

Learn to make pasta in Italy.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for love?

Wait outside her house till she got home just to get a Enchong Dee chance to talk to her.

Photo from Instagram/@mrenchong_dee What do you find hard to understand about women?

And the thing is, any feeling Why do they need so much that is new to our hearts is always memorable and power- makeup in their life (laughs)?

If you get a tempting offul. And this feeling eventually changed my view toward love fer from GMA 7, would you transfer? forever.

If I feel that I am no longer How would you define a needed in the company I work soul mate? for, I’d think about it. I love A soul mate is a person and need my job as an actor. with whom we have an unWhat’s the biggest lesson explainable connection with, and someone we want to have you learned in 2018?

Stand for what is right, not for the rest of our lives. They for what is popular. can be a friend, a sibling or

entertainment 5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019

How Pops Fernandez qualified as...

From Page 3 “Pops qualifies for CBS’ show “The World’s Best” (courtesy of this corner’s Very Deep Penetration Agent/VDPA in Hollywood) reported that when Pops flew to the States at that time, she didn’t give any hint what she was going there for, except to say that she was taking a vacation.

According to Funfare’s VDPA, Pops actually passed the screening for the CBS talent competition The World’s Best.

Quoting a story about the project, the VDPA said “The World’s Best” hails from reality TV heavyweights Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, the forces behind two of the biggest talent competition reality series of the current unscripted wave, The Voice and American Idol.

Burnett is executive producing NBC’s The Voice which is overseen by Darnell at Warner Horizon; while Darnell in his role as head of reality at Fox, Darnell developed and launched American Idol and steered the show for its first 12 seasons.

“The World’s Best” is described as “a first-of-its-kind global talent competition that features acts from every genre imaginable, from every corner of the planet.” The contestants are tasked not only to impress the American judges (Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill) and 50 world experts (Pops among them. — RFL) but also to break through the “wall of the world.”

One of the 25 participants from every field of entertainment will be chosen the winning act to be crowned as The World’s Best.

The other good news is that one of the 25 participants is our very own TNT Boys (Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez and Francis Concepcion) who were named Push Music Performance of the Year in the recently-concluded Push Awards for their performance of the Bee Gees song “Too Much Heaven” in the ABS-CBN show “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.”

Since its launch in 2017, the TNT Boys (TNT stands for Tawag Ng Tanghalan), they have performed in “Little Big Shots US,” “UK and Australia,” and starred in their first successful major concert at the Araneta

Gemelia Holgado-Aguilera, MD by : RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJ Press

To be a successful internal medicine physician, you must apply your scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illnesses.

Sometimes, chronic illness and health problems are not what they seem — this is where an internist comes in.

Think puzzles, with the internist being the one to solve the picture that usually leaves the others baffled, utilizing extensive knowledge and experience to determine the exact problem and best solution.

Being an internist is not an easy work — you are heavily relied upon for professional advice and support by other types of specialty doctors, but somehow, Dr. Gemelia Holgado-Aguilera manage to do it effortlessly.

Pops Fernandez sits as one of the 50 judges in the show with more than 25 participants from around the world.

Photo from Instagram/@popefernandezofficial

Coliseum in November last year. They have also performed for heads of states including Pres. DU30, Singapore Pres.

Halimah Yacob and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Barrymore was reported to have raved about the performance of the TNT Boys in an exclusive teaser of “The World’s Best” which she posted on her Instagram account to promote the airing of the show.

“You know, I have a soft spot for kids. I was a kid performer, but I have kids now.

This is a whole other thing.

You possess a gift, you’re just that good,” said Drew in the clip, which also showed judges Grammy-winning artist Faith Hill and drag queen superstar RuPaul beaming after the trio’s performance of “Listen”. The act also earned a standing ovation from the three superstar judges, as well as the show’s “wall of the world,” which features 50 of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment.

That October 2018 scoop mentioned that “The World’s Best” is being produced in partnership with MGM Television and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television, and with Burnett, Darnell, Alison Holloway, Brooke Karzen, Barry Poznick and Dan Sacks as executive producers.

Casting for the show started just a few weeks after the

new show was announced last February.

Added the VDPA, “An L.A.based talent scout was asked by a friend of one of the show’s producers to recommend a Filipino artist and the talent scout chose Martin Nievera to be interviewed by the executive producer. Martin impressed the executive producer but there was a hitch — conflict of schedules. It turned out that Martin was committed to do shows until Valentine’s next year so he couldn’t do the VTR scheduled this month and in November. Pops was the last to be interviewed and she passed.

She’s now doing the VTR.” (The VDPA mentioned Lea Salonga and Billy Crawford as among those also recommended.)

According to the same report quoted by the VDPA, “CBS, which finds early reality success with adventure competition series “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” as well as the voyeuristic Big Brother, has stayed away from the shiny floor/talent competition genre…but the time has come to take talent competition shows to the next level and bring in judges from around the world to decide on the ultimate winner.”

By the way, it’s reported that each expert will be paid SAG/AFTRA scale with all travel expenses paid (i.e. flight, hotel, etc.) and given per diem for additional expenses.

Boundless excellence Dr. Aguilera is an internal medicine specialist born in the Philippines on February 15, 1950. She is married to Roger Aguilera with two children — Paul Vincent and Julie Anne. She is fluent in both English and Tagalog.

As a student, she was a leader, a school paper editor, as well as a university scholar. She was also part of the Dean’s List of Honor Students in the College of Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas.

She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1972, and received her medical degree from the same university in 1976.

Her post-graduate experiences started with a rotating internship at the Santo Tomas University Hospital in Manila from 1976 to 1977. This is followed by a residency in Pediatrics at the Makati Medical Center from 1978 to 1979. She did an externship in Internal Medicine from 1979 to 1980, and a residency from 1980 to 1983 both at the Santo Tomas University Hospital. After, she did a research fellowship in Adult Cardiology at the Philippine Heart Center for Asia in Quezon City.

Dr. Aguilera moved to Los Angeles in 1984 where she did a research fellowship in Cardiology at the UCLA/King Drew Medical Center for two years.

This is also where she did her internship in Internal Medicine from 1988 to 1989, and residency from 1989 to 1991.

Her excellence in the field of medicine led her to receiving various honors, awards, and distinctions such as the Bristol Award in Infectious Diseases from the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Young Investigator Award from the Philippine Heart Association, a Charles Drew Award for Academic Excellence during her internal medicine residency program at the King Drew Medical Center, and a Pamana Award for Outstanding Civic Leadership.

Dr. Aguilera defines the word dedication aptly,

especially in her field. She boasts of research works that have been presented at the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Meetings. Aside from that, she has a number of publications to her credit in various medical journals.

She is currently a member of several organizations including the California Medical Association, UST Medical Missions, and UST Alumni Association.

Compassion and care In 1991, Dr. Aguilera opened her solo practice at 3761 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, California where she not only specializes in Internal Medicine, but also practices Primary Care.

As a primary care physician, her priorities are providing complete patient care and ensuring the health and happiness of her patients. She is known for communicating and listening to her patients well, taking the time to get to know them and their medical history for optimal management of their health.

Providing compassion and care is her life mission as a primary care physician and it shows in how she fosters long-term relationships with her patients. She never neglects to establish trust with them, and makes them feel at ease and reassured that their health problems are being attended well with the kind of caliber only she and her team can deliver.

Despite being in the field of medicine for 27 years, her pursuit for knowledge is still strong. She keeps herself updated with new medical information in order to provide better professional advice to other specialists, informed diagnosis, and overall health care for her patients.

There is no more important aspect of a person’s life than his/her health, and Dr. Aguilera ensures her patients live happy, healthy lives under her care. (Advertising Supplement)

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 30, 2019