013118 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

January 31-February 2, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 10 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Organizations ramp up awareness of human trafficking among API community AS Human Trafficking Awareness Month winds down, the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force (API-HTTF) of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) announced on Monday, January 29, its new outreach campaign to further raise awareness of human trafficking in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in Los Angeles County.

With over four million people living the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Los Angeles has become an epicenter for human trafficking. For one, it has one of the largest immigration populations in the world, as emphasized by Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer on Monday.

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Filipino linked to foiled NY terror plot faces murder, kidnap raps

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

A FILIPINO doctor accused of financing a thwarted jihadist plot in New York in 2016 has been indicted by the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) over a separate Islamic State (IS)-inspired kidnapping and murder case.

Maranao doctor Russell Salic has been charged for his alleged involvement in the abduction of six and the murder of two sawmill workers in April 2016 in Lanao del Sur, located in the southern part of the Philippines.

Salic, along with 53 other suspected Filipino extremists, is facing six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and two

counts of murder before the Malabang, Lanao del Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 11.

The case against Salic stemmed from complaints filed by abducted sawmill workers Gabriel Permitis, Alfredo Cano-os, Esperanza Janubas, Adonis Mendez, and Julito Janubas.

In their sworn statements, the complainants said they were abducted on April 4, 2016 by Maute extremists, a group that has previously pledged allegiance to the IS movement.

According to the complainants, two other hostages—Jaymark Kapampangan and Salvador Hanubos—were beheaded six days later while the rest of them were eventually freed.

While in captivity, the complainants testified that they saw Salic cleaning and guarding firearms.

But Salic, in his counter-affidavit, denied their allegations, saying that “in his entire life, he never stepped foot in Butig, Lanao del Sur, neither has he cleaned any firearm.”

The doctor further claimed that he was on duty as a resident physician at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro City on April 4, 2016, and that he attended an orthopedic convention in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on April 5.

Salic said he returned to NMMC on April 10.

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In this Nov. 7, 2017 file photo, Russell Salic, a Filipino doctor accused by U.S. authorities of plotting attacks in New York City, including concert venues and Times Square, arrives at a trial court for his extradition hearing.

Philstar.com photo

CA Senate approves bill that hampers ICE from probing state buildings

Duterte on EU invite: Thanks, but no thanks

by LEILA

B. SALAVERRIA ManilaTimes.net

New bill prevents immigration officials from easily searching schools, courts and other state offices to detain undocumented immigrants

IN California, immigration officials — including agents of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) — may soon need to provide a warrant if they want to search any state buildings for undocumented immigrants.

On Monday, January 29, the California Senate approved Senate Bill 183 by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), which requires federal immigration officials to present a valid warrant in order to perform any surveillance on property owned/leased and occupied by the state.

The facilities include public schools (including any of the California Community College campuses) and state courts to name a few.

The Trump administration’s iron fist on

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MAYON ASESSMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte, during the situation briefing on the Mayon Volcano Alert Level 4 Camp Gen. Simeon Ola on Monday, January 29, urges the members of his cabinet as well as local government officials of the Bicol region to address the concerns of the families and invidividuals affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption. Among the issues that the president pointed out include the delivery of relief goods, health concerns, and sanitation of evacuation centers, delivery of relief goods and livelihood programs for workers and farmers, among others.

PNA photo by Alfred Frias

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte spurned an invitation by the European Union to attend the Asia-Europe meeting in Belgium later this year, calling the bloc “imperialist.”

Mr. Duterte, who had thrown expletives at the European Union for criticism of the bloodshed that marked his war on drugs, said the bloc wanted to impose its values on other countries.

“Well, I just don’t like their attitude. That’s all,” the president said.

“So why would I go there to discuss a matter which I hate to talk about in front of them,” Mr. Duterte said upon arriving from India.

Expensive trip He also said a trip to Europe

Marcos presents proof of Robredo’s Filipino solon charged for allegedly alleged cheating in 2016 elections leading an anti-Trump protest

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

FORMER Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 29 presented what he claimed as “evidence” to support his electoral protest against Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

In a press conference, Marcos showed “highly questionable” copies of several ballot images from 12 towns in Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental, which supposedly indicate fraud during the 2016 polls.

Among the electoral documents presented by Marcos’ camp include a ballot image from San Nicolas, Iriga City in Camarines Sur. Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shows the press evidence that votes for In the document, the oval him were not counted in two of three pilot provinces for the recount he sought as part of his corresponding to the slots for electoral protest against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

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Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate was accused of inciting “attack” against police officers during an A FILIPINO lawmaker has been anti-Trump rally held on Novemcharged for supposedly organiz- ber 13, 2017 along Taft Avenue. ing a violent rally against United The complaint was filed by States President Donald Trump PO1 Ariel Miranda Ortega, who during the Association of South- was among the police officers east Asian Nations (ASEAN) hurt during the demonstration.

Summit held in Manila last year. u PAGE A2 Rep. Carlos Zarate

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Inquirer.net photo

House OKs bill legalizing church-sanctioned annulment

by DELON

PORCALLA Philstar.com

MANILA — An overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives approved Monday night the proposed law that would make it easier for couples to avail themselves of the sim-

pler and less costly process of church annulment without going through judicial litigation.

The plenary approved on third and final reading substitute House Bill 6779, or “An Act Recognizing the Civil Effects of Church Annulment Decrees,” Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez

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Philstar.com photo

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From the Front Page

Filipino linked to foiled NY...

PAGE A1 The DOJ, however, said that the complainants have no reason to fabricate their testimonies. “[Salic’s] negative assertion cannot prevail over the testimony of victims/testimony of victims/ complainants... describing in suf-

ficient detail his active participation in the commission of the crimes charged,” the DOJ added.

Salic is also facing separate criminal charges filed by the United States justice department over his alleged involvement in a plan to carry out at-

Duterte on EU invite...

PAGE A1 would be expensive.

The European Union, an influential bloc of 28 European countries, wants to “impose their own values, ethos, policy.”

“You have always been imperialists ever since,” he said.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen earlier said the group had sent an invitation for Mr. Duterte to attend the Asia-Europe meeting in October,

which could give Mr. Duterte the chance to have a “more positive understanding of the European Union.”

Beholden Duterte said he would not accept any aid from the European Union if it came with conditions.

“I will not allow the government to be beholden to anyone except to the people,” he said of his rejection of P383 million in EU aid.

tacks in the name of IS group in May 2016.

The Filipino doctor was accused of sending money to fund foiled attacks targeting New York’s subway and Times Square. U.S. authorities are currently seeking his extradition. n Jessen on Wednesday confirmed that the aid, EU-Philippine Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA), had been rejected by the Philippines.

Jessen said the Duterte administration was offended by the phrases “rule of law” and “human rights” found on the TRTA document.

The EU envoy said the Duterte administration also wanted to reject at least P2.4 billion in aid meant for sustainable energy projects. n

Filipino solon charged for allegedly...

PAGE A1 Also named as co-respondents in the complaint were Vencer Crisostomo of Anakbayan, Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna, and Einstein Recedes of Student Christian Movement (SCM).

“Sila po ang nag-uutos at naguudyok sa mga raliyista na lusubin ang police line (They were

the ones who urged rallyists to attack the police line),” Ortega claimed.

He also remarked that the protesters are inciting violence but he and fellow members of the ASEAN crowd dispersal management team exercised maximum tolerance.

“Dahil sa ginawang paglusob ng mga raliyista sa amin, at ginawa nilang pamamalo, ako ay

nagtamo ng sugat sa braso, na may hiwa at pasa, at nawalan ng malay (Because of the protesters’ attacks, I got cuts and bruises in the arms, and I also lost consciousness),” Ortega said.

Zarate, for his part, dismissed the charges against him as “nothing but a calibrated harassment against members of the Left.”

“Just to ensure that I would not

House OKs bill legalizing church...

PAGE A1

where church-decreed annulments will be as good as courtsanctioned rulings.

Of the 292 members of the House, 203 voted for the bill.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank my colleagues for the swift passage of the bill without jeopardizing the indissolubility of marriage,” Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez, one of the main authors of the bill, said.

HB 6779 provides that whenever a marriage, duly and legally solemnized by a priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of any church or religious sect in the Philippines, is subsequently

annulled or dissolved in a final judgment or decree in accordance with the canons or precepts of the church or religious sect, the said annulment or dissolution shall have the same effect as a decree of annulment or dissolution issued by a competent court.

The measure also provides that the status of children of marriages who are subject of the Church annulment decree will be determined in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 209, the Family Code of the Philippines.

Its main objective is to do away with the costly and prolonged judicial process of an-

WAR-TORN. Damaged houses and buildings are seen months after state forces liberated Marawi City from the clutches of ISIS-inspired groups. Government troops, lawmakers and members of the media visited parts of Marawi City, where the fighting between state troops and the Maute Group ocurred from May to October in 2017.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

be able to attend and question these baseless and trumped-up cases, the subpoena was served today when the hearing was held,” Zarate said in a statement on Tuesday, January 30.

Zarate was scheduled to face

the prosecutor on Monday, January 29, but the subpoena was only served the day after.

The lawmaker also claimed that there were more protesters injured than the cops during the confrontation.

Zarate went on to say, “Together with my co-accused, I will face these cases knowing that we did nothing wrong; we’re just exercising our freedom of expression and right to assembly.” n

Marcos presents proof of Robredo’s...

PAGE A1

Robredo and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were both shaded, but only Robredo’s was enclosed with a square among other vice nulment.

“Once this bill becomes a law, presidential candidates.

Marcos questioned why the a declaration of nullity decreed by the church will hold as much vote-counting machine (VCM) weight and have the same ef- did not void the vote because of fect as a civil annulment. This multiple marks.

“Some of the ballots, even if removes the burden of undergoing the civil annulment pro- three names for vice president cess,” Romualdez, a nurse by were shaded, as long as there was a ‘square’ beside the name profession, said.

She was one of the main au- of Mrs. Robredo, the vote will be thors, along with House Deputy counted in her favor,” Marcos’ spokesman Atty. Vic Rodriguez Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia.

The two female principal au- said.

He continued, “The question thors sponsored the measure which was endorsed by the now is what is the significance House committee on population of that box? They always say that and family relations headed by we should shade the oval shaped Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, also spot [to indicate our choice candidate]. Nothing was mentioned one of the co-authors. n

about a square.”

Marcos also contested a ballot image which showed that the oval to his name was the only shaded slot for vice presidency but the VCM counted it as an undervote.

The former senator asked, “Why did the votes for me became undervotes and were not counted? Why were the spoiled ballots counted for Robredo?

Why did ballots with the same ballot numbers register different results?”

For Marcos, who lost to Robredo by only more than 260,000, such ballots images just prove how her camp “had manipulated the voting and trampled upon the true will of the people on their choice for vice president.”

He further alleged that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic conspired

with Robredo to cheat in the 2016 elections.

Robredo’s camp, for its part, labeled Marcos’ latest accusations as “highly ridiculous if not outright frivolous.”

“Knowing the propensity of election losers in our country in filing all sorts of complaints in open display of unwillingness to accept defeat, they could have used such alleged questionable feature of the ballots in filing their election protest,” said Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s lawyer.

Macalintal added, “The best evidence to prove if ‘hundreds upon hundreds’ of ballots contained the questionable features raised by Marcos are the copies in the custody of the PET (Presidential Electoral Tribunal) and not the self-serving copies of Marcos.” n

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Dateline USa

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Treating domestic violence as a medical problem

by AnnA

GormAn Kaiser Health News

PDEA Director Aaron Aquino (right) presents to the media P34 million worth of crystal meth (shabu) believed to be shipped into the Philippines by the powerful Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel.

Inquirer.net photo by Jhoanna Ballaran

US gov’t intel helped PDEA seize P34-M shabu in Cavite, says embassy

by Julius

n. leonen Inquirer.net

COOPERaTIOn between United States’ Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) operatives and Philippine authorities has led to the arrests of two drug suspects packing P34 million worth of shabu suspected to be from a Mexican drug cartel.

To recall, agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement agency (PDEa) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized about

P34 million worth of shabu in Trece Martires, Cavite on Thursday, January 25.

The drugs were suspected to be smuggled by the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel from California into the country, PDEa Director General aaron aquino said. according to the U.S. Embassy, the HSI provided the PDEa and the BOC an intelligence report that two parcels of crystal methamphetamine were being shipped to the country.

CA Senate approves bilL...

PAGE A1 immigration and undocumented criminals provided the main motivation for Lara — who has penned several immigrant rights bills in the past year — to author the bill. SB 183 was designed to maintain ease within immigrant communities, arguing that ICE agents subvert the state’s services and resources California, a designated sanctuary state, has previously objected to certain tactics used by ICE, whose threats have established a mounting fear among immigrants all over the state.

“Federal immigration officials are creating a climate of fear that undermines the fundamental institutions of California’s democracy,” Lara said in a statement.

“Senate Bill 183 guarantees a safe environment so students can attend classes, parents can pick up their children from school, and people can report crimes or go to court without the terror of being targeted by federal agents based on their immigration status.”

The hope, Lara suggests, is that immigrants can still utilize many of the state’s services and resources without fear of en-

“With the shipping and locator information, PDEa intercepted the parcels and seized approximately six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated value of P34 million,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

The PDEa then launched a controlled delivery operation in Cavite and arrested the two suspects, who were Philippine citizens, for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002. n countering federal agents.

“Trust in government is essential to the security of all Californians, and I refuse to let ICE’s campaign of intimidation erase the efforts of state and local government to bring immigrants and their families out of the shadows,” Lara added.

The Senate approved SB 183 in the middle of the hot debate over immigration including the fate of DREaMers after the termination of DaCa, the border wall and completely reforming the ways in which immigrants are allowed to apply for citizenship.

SB 183 is now on its way to the state assembly. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Fanny Ortiz, a mother of five who lives just east of downtown Los angeles, spent nearly a decade married to a man who controlled her and frequently threatened her. Then, she said, his abuse escalated. “He would physically hit me in the face, throw me on the wall,” she recalled.

Ortiz, 43, eventually left the marriage, taking her children with her. a few years later, she learned that the East Los angeles Women’s Center offered domestic violence services at the Los angeles County-USC Medical Center, near her home. now she goes to the hospital campus for weekly therapy sessions, which she said have helped stop her suicidal thoughts.

“I was afraid to talk,” Ortiz said. “now I am more open to talk about things that I was holding in.” nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced serious physical violence at the hands of a partner.

They often end up in the emergency room or the doctor’s office.

But they don’t typically volunteer the reason for their injuries, and doctors don’t always ask about abuse in the home. That failure of communication means the patients may miss out on the help they need. yet a growing number of health providers and anti-abuse agencies in California and around the country are collaborating to identify victims and get them help. More doctors now screen their patients for signs of abuse and more agencies place victims’ advocates inside health centers.

Education and counseling for people experiencing violence is also more widely available in clinics and hospitals. about four years ago, the East Los angeles Women’s Center opened offices on the campus of L.a. County-USC, a busy public hospital. Since then, center staff members have trained more than 2,500 doctors, nurses, social workers and others to identify victims of domestic violence.

They also respond quickly to calls from the medical center’s emergency room, inpatient hospital and outpatient facilities to help patients in crisis.

Today, the women’s center has embarked on an innovative approach: In February, it plans to open a short-term shelter for abuse victims on the medical center grounds. The 10-bed shelter fills a serious need, said Deirdre anglin, an emergency room physician at L.a. County-USC. “We sometimes have patients in the emergency department who don’t have a place to go, and in the evenings and nights all the shelters in L.a. will be filled,” anglin said.

Victims of abuse can suffer long-term health problems, including chronic pain, frequent headaches, depression, diabetes and asthma. and they have higher health costs than people who have not experienced abuse. So “it makes complete sense to have the health care providers acting as allies and partners in treating domestic violence,” said Peter Long, CEO of the Blue Shield of California Foundation. (The foundation provides support for Kaiser Health news coverage in California.)

The foundation has funded 19 partnerships between health cen-

Fanny Ortiz (right), who left an abusive marriage after nearly a decade, meets weekly with therapist Brittany Martinez at the East Los Angeles Women’s Center. The office is located on the campus of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

Photos by Anna Gorman/Kaiser Health News

The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is opening a domestic violence shelter on the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center campus. The proximity makes it easier for doctors to ask patients about violence, said Rebeca Melendez, director of wellness at the center’s hospital office.

“They don’t need to know all the answers,” she says. “They just need to call us.”

ters and domestic violence agencies around the state, including the L.a. County-USC office of the East Los angeles Women’s Center. Similar partnerships operate in Illinois, Maryland and other states.

Last year, the East Los angeles Women’s Center served 600 victims of domestic violence at the L.a. County-USC hospital campus. nearly one-third were homeless or couldn’t go back home for safety reasons. advocates say that hospitals and clinics are ideal settings to respond to the needs of abused women.

In the San Gabriel Valley, the yWCa sponsors domestic violence support groups at a community clinic, while the clinic offers health education for survivors of abuse at the yWCa. In Sacramento, a native american health center works closely with a domestic violence group a few blocks away.

Doctors have an “unprecedented opportunity to promote prevention and to respond because they are seeing patients that may not ever reach out to a domestic violence agency or police for help,” said Lisa James, director of health for Futures Without Violence, which runs a national resource center dedicated to improving the response of medical professionals to domestic violence. “They can provide this critical lifesaving intervention.”

The proximity of the East Los angeles Women’s Center to the hospital and clinic buildings on the L.a. County-USC campus makes it easier for doctors to ask their patients about violence, said Rebeca Melendez, director of programs for the center’s office at the medical center. The medical providers know where to turn for guidance – and that the help is nearby.

“They don’t need to know all the answers,” she said. “They

Organizations ramp up awareness...

PAGE A1 “We’ve become a location where traffickers think we are easy prey,” said Feuer whose latest effort against human trafficking resulted in a San Fernando Valley Motel 6 paying $250,000 to settle a human trafficking lawsuit last august.

“This should outrage all of us here,” he added. according to the latest complete data report by the national Human Trafficking Hotline (nHTH), California received the most number of phone reports (4,188) in the U.S. in 2016.

While many of the potential victims came from the U.S., many asian countries topped the list of nearly 60 other origin countries of potential victims.

China had the third highest number of cases following the U.S. and Mexico, while the Philippines held the fifth highest. Thailand, Vietnam, India, South Korea, and Japan also held spots.

Vishal Dasa, who now a member of Coalition to abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CaST), came to the U.S. to pursue his master’s degree only to be exploited by the president of a small university that boasted a roster of 50 faculty members, and claimed on its website to be a “Christian higher education institution.”

“I thought it was a legitimate university,” said Dasa who paid for his tuition fees upon the belief that

he would be enrolled in a post-grad healthcare administration program taught by professors from Stanford and UC Berkeley. “The classes never began.”

Instead, Dasa was put to work handing emails and phone calls, creating false admission documents, and then moved to hard labor jobs like washing utensils, painting walls, building furniture, and moving heavy office equipment for no pay.

Despite realizing the abnormality of the situation, Dasa and other falsely lured students were blackmailed and threatened with their immigration status if they spoke out.

Stephanie Ong, a young Filipina in her 20s, came to the U.S. in 2014 on a J-1 Visa after graduating from the Philippines with a degree for restaurant management, but instead found herself working in housekeeping.

It was an injury that ultimately led to her escape, which her employer persistently tried to prevent.

“They threatened me that I am going to be abducted and deported, and I was just so helpless I had to work even when I was injured,” said Ong who was tearing up while sharing her personal experience.

The injury got so bad, she felt paralyzed and had to call 911 from bed.

For former California assem-

just need to call us.”

This growing collaboration between the medical profession and anti-abuse agencies is driven in part by the affordable Care act, which requires that health plans cover domestic violence screening and counseling.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends doctors routinely question women about violence in the home and refer them to services if needed. The task force concluded in 2013 that intervention could reduce violence and abuse as well as mental and physical health problems.

Organizations such as the american Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the american Medical association also recommend routine screening and counseling for domestic violence.

In the past, patients would go to health centers with such problems, but providers did not feel comfortable asking questions about abuse at home, said Long, of the Blue Shield of California Foundation.

“They didn’t feel they had the time and they didn’t feel they had the resources to do something about it,” he said. nor did they always have a place to send patients who were abuse victims.

Treating patients who are in abusive relationships is “very challenging,” said anglin, the ER physician. “There is no pill to give.” But asking about violence needs to be part of a physician’s job, she said.

“Part of what we need to do is try to identify patients who may be in a dangerous situation … so we are not just sending these patients back to the same situation they were in only to come back worse off another time.”

This story was produced by Kaiser Health news, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n blymember Mike Eng, his initial encounter with human trafficking came by way of his immediate circle.

Eng was just opening up a poverty-law office on Los angeles’ Temple Street with asian americans advancing Justice - Los angeles’ (advancing Justice - La) Stewart Kwoh when he got a call from a friend who lived in Beverly Hills, expressing that she wanted to sponsor someone for a green card.

Being a friend, Eng helped her and wrote the necessary papers only to have the individual working for her as a caregiver come to the office.

“She was someone who was extremely withdrawn, very depressed, had some marks on her neck that I didn’t even ask about, and then I heard her story,” said Eng. “and that opened me up to the whole idea of human trafficking.” according to the nHTH data, labor trafficking made up 14 percent of reported cases, with most happening within the domestic work and agricultural sector. The other 70 percent of reported cases were of sex trafficking.

Panida Rzonca, directing attorney at Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC), shared that the organization is currently working on what may be the largest transnational sex trafficking case in U.S. history in which hundreds of Thai victims were rePAGE A5

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Arroyo: ‘Let me be the last victim of persecution’ Palace to Rappler on seeking CA relief: ‘Good luck’

by Ma.

by aLexis

Reina Leanne ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net

FORMER president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called for an end to the use of the justice system for political persecution, saying she hoped she would be the “last victim.”

Arroyo made the statement during a general assembly of retired regional trial court (RTC) judges on Saturday at the Manila Hotel, noting that cases against her successor, Benigno Aquino III and his political allies, were being handled fairly.

She thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for providing “the enabling environment that freed the judiciary from the reign of fear.”

“I’m not saying that political figures should be immune from prosecution, but I’m saying that

the process should be fair and even-handed — as I believe that the cases against Noynoy Aquino and his allies now are undergoing a fair and even-handed due process,” Arroyo said.

Aquino, who succeeded Arroyo as president in 2010, is facing before the Sandiganbayan a graft case and charge of usurpation of official functions in connection with the botched police counterterrorism operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.

“Many ask how I feel about the Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Inquirer.net photo persecution I underwent. Any rancor I have is not personal. My emy. The whole thing of using porancor is more against the whole litical power to persecute political system of persecution using the enemies using the justice system justice system. I don’t wish what must stop. Let me be the last vichappened to me on my worst en- tim,” Arroyo said. n

Organizations ramp up awareness...

PAGE A4 cruited in Bangkok and distributed throughout the U.S. by way of Los Angeles.

One victim left her family in Thailand to pursue a massage job in the U.S. — a common venue for sex trafficking.

It wasn’t until she her trafficker brought her to buy intimate clothing did she realize she was brought to the states for foreign sex work. Her passport was then confiscated and she was told she would have to pay back $35,000 dollars — her trafficker bought her for $15,000.

“I didn’t dare say anything because I was afraid of being killed,” Rzonca quoted the survivor saying. “I had no friends I could trust. No one wants to mess with a contract girl for fear of being hurt or killed. My traffickers are so well connected and I didn’t think I could ever escape. Now, I feel that I have passed the worst moments in my life and I can finally move on.”

Importance of awareness Dasa’s trafficker was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison, nearly 40 people behind the Thai sex trafficking ring have so far been indicted, and Ong was able to get the help she needed and is slowly trying to get her life back to normal — that includes working during the day, studying to be a pharmacy

technician at night, while continuing the process of obtaining her green card.

She also got her T-Visa in 2016 which encourages victims of serious crimes like trafficking to stay in the U.S. and assist law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases. A U-Visa can also provide similar protections.

While Ong is still in the process of recovery challenged by major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she echoed others in saying awareness of human trafficking and what services are provided to victims was a big part of combating the problem.

“The greatest thing that has happened to me were the people in the community that have helped me and supported me in fighting for the justice that I deserve,” said Ong who was redirected to the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Advancing Justice - LA after finding the NHTH number on a flier given to her.

Aquilina Soriano-Versoza, executive director at PWC, said that 32 trafficking survivors like Ong found help through the center last year alone.

“Raising awareness so everyone is conscious in what to look out for and how to help when they think there’s a victim of human traffick-

RoMeRo, edu Punay Philstar.com

MALACAñANG wished online news outfit Rappler good luck on its effort to seek the reversal of the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s order revoking its corporate registration for alleged violation of the constitutional ban on foreign ownership of media firms in the country.

“Good luck to them. After all, the noise that they’ve created, they are certainly hoping that they could influence the Court of Appeals,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

In a 70-page petition for review, Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC) asked the appellate court to void the decision issued by the SEC last Jan. 11.

The petitioners, through law firm Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRA), argued ing is very important,” said Feuer. that the SEC issued the assailed Many times, victims are unsure order hastily and that it violated of what exactly trafficking looks their constitutional right to due process. like as was the case for Dasa.

They alleged that the SEC came “How could it happen to me when I have heard about trafficking?” asked Dasa. “The thing is, for internship credit or similar.

I was lacking awareness of what Eng also shared a few warning exactly trafficking was.” signs of potential human trafficking It wasn’t until the U.S. Depart- which were having ones passport ment of Homeland Security told confiscated, having to do services Dasa that he might be a victim of beyond the scope of what is initialtrafficking, did the idea click. ly asked, being moved to work in “You don’t have to be shackled, other areas especially residences, enclosed, or kept in one place to and having to make payments for be a human trafficking survivor,” immigration papers despite never said Versoza. “There’s different actually seeing them. types of force and fraud that also Eng added that the issue of hucoerce and keep people in these man trafficking remains vulnerable conditions.” to things like immigration policy Eng said the most common situ- which he linked to the simple conation in which potential abuse oc- cept of supply and demand, with curs is when a green card is prom- the supply being green cards and ised to a caregiver who is induced work permits. to marry the petitioner — a situa“The greater the demand and tion particularly common among the lesser the supply, the larger the his clients from the Philippines. crisis,” said Eng. “The gentleman may be 85, and As for the victims themselves, the potential fiancé may be in her Ong encouraged them to take the twenties,” said Eng. “This is a po- first step in seeking help. tential abuse because in exchange “I’m calling out to the people for petitioning this person for a who are currently in the situation green card, he will then tell me of any form of human trafficking that, ‘I’m not really marrying her to and abuse, please have the courgive her a green card, I’m ‘marry- age to come out and speak up, and ing her because I need a caregiver seek for help,” said Ong. and I can’t afford anyone else’.”

“One step of getting help is you Other common situations are making the initial step of helping when employers promise green yourself to be out of the situation, cards despite not being able to, and trust in God and He will do the and when students are lured into rest for you.” (Rae Ann Varona / “practical training” in exchange AJPress)

Palace Communications officials Martin Andanar (upper left) and Lorraine Badoy (lower left) and Rappler Chief Maria Ressa (right) appear before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media on Tuesday, January 30. Ressa claimed the State had enabled an ‘information ecosystem’ spreading ‘fake news.’

ManilaTimes.net photos by Bob dunno

up with the revocation order in the absence of a formal charge, which was supposed to be required in the commission’s rules.

“There was also no formal administrative action filed against Rappler and RHC before the SEC. Without an administrative action, surely, no administrative action, including the suspension or revocation of the corporation’s franchise, could have been imposed by the SEC,” the petition read.

“Since no administrative charge was instituted against Rappler and RHC, they were not provided

with sufficient notice of the formal charge against them (because none was issued) and the opportunity to be heard,” it stressed.

Rappler also argued that the SEC erred in canceling Rappler’s certificate of incorporation and voiding the Omidyar Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs).

“The Omidyar PDR does not confer upon Omidyar control, much less ownership and management, over Rappler. As such, the SEC has no basis to declare void the Omidyar PDR,” the petiPAGE A7

PNP chief: Bloodless drug war ‘impossible’ by dana

sioson AJPress

AS the Philippine National Police (PNP) resumed its controversial “Oplan Tokhang” on Monday, January 29, the country’s top cop admitted that it is “impossible” to conduct a completely bloodless anti-illegal drugs campaign.

But while saying that he cannot guarantee zero casualties, PNP Chief Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa vowed that the police will do everything to make the drug war “less bloody.”

“We are just giving you the assurance that what we’re going to make the anti-drug campaign less bloody because we are not dealing a person in his right mind,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino during a press briefing at Camp

Crame in Quezon City.

The PNP chief even remarked that he’s willing to give up his post to anyone who can handle drug war operations without anyone getting killed.

Dela Rosa challenged, “Give me someone who can do it, a commander who can do it, and I’m willing to give up my post if you can tell me that there’s a person who can be successful in conducting anti-drug operations without casualties.”

“That’s impossible,” he stressed.

This week, the PNP resumed its controversial Oplan Tokhang under new rules and guidelines that require stricter observation of human rights.

On the first day of the re-implePAGE A7

A6 JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

HIV epidemic

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FEATURES

HERE’S another reason to take precautions against the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus: health experts warn that a drugresistant HIV strain is on the rise.

Mutation to resist drugs is a common characteristic of viruses and bacteria, so the emergence of the new HIV strain is not unexpected.

This makes safe sex and other precautionary measures all the more important to prevent the spread of HIV. Six months ago the United Nations’ health ministry reported that for the past six years, the Philippines has registered the fastest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the AsiaPacific, with 10,111 new HIV cases recorded in 2017 alone.

There are no signs of a let-up, and the toll keeps growing. From January to November last year, AIDS claimed 428 lives in the Philippines.

Since January 1984 when the Department of Health began keeping a registry of the affliction, 49,733 HIV cases have been recorded in the Philippines, with 4,942 cases developing into fullblown Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

and 2,397 deaths. In recent years, the fastest rate of infection has been recorded among men having sex with men, with most of the patients not yet in their 30s.

Health experts have always stressed that HIV can be prevented through the use of condoms and other safe sex practices as well as regular screening for the sexually active. Despite the development of potent drug cocktails against the virus, there is still no guaranteed cure for AIDS. But early diagnosis and treatment can prolong lives.

Other countries such as Thailand have shown that it is possible to reverse a rising tide of HIV cases. Many AIDS victims died at the prime of their lives. With heightened efforts, this tragedy can be eased. Health experts have warned that the Philippines’ HIV/AIDS problem has reached epidemic proportions. The country must move quickly to prevent more deaths. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

US-PH cooperation goes beyond military alliance EARLIER this week, I Babe’s was invited as a special guest Eye at a reception View hosted by the US National Guard Bureau (NGB) chief, BABES ROMUALDEZ General Joseph Lengyel, and his charming wife Sally. The reception at Fort Lesley J. McNair was correspondingly held to celebrate the partnership between the Philippines, Hawaii and Guam via the “State Partnership Program” (SPP) spearheaded by the US Department of State and Department of Defense, and with us were Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and the State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Southeast Asia W. Patrick Murphy.

As chief of the NGB and member of the joint chiefs of staff, General Lengyel also serves as military advisor to President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the National Security Council. I had a very engaging conversation with the general who told me that he will be traveling to the Philippines on the first week of February for meetings with officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department

of Defense to discuss the SPP involving a wide range of issues that include humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), as well as capacity building and security cooperation.

The last time the general visited the Philippines was more than 30 years ago and so he is really looking forward to his upcoming trip which we anticipate to be very productive.

Filipinos are familiar with the National Guard and know it as a reserve military force whose members hold fulltime civilian jobs while serving part time as airmen or soldiers.

People know that the National Guard (from 50 states plus the U.S. territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as well as the District of Columbia for a total of 54 separate units) can be called upon during times of crisis or natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

However, not many Filipinos know about the State Partnership Program sponsored by the US Department of Defense with guidance from the foreign policy goals set by the State Department, and managed and administered by the National Guard Bureau that also provides the personnel.

The SPP came about in 1993 at

the Baltic region in Europe (after the collapse of the former Soviet Union) when the US European Command decided to set up the “Joint Component Contact Team Program” made up of reserve component personnel as they were deemed to have a less aggressive posture and thus, would encourage security cooperation. A subsequent proposal by the National Guard Bureau to pair up NG units with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (nations that were formerly part of the USSR or the Soviet Union) gave birth to the SPP, which soon became a key security cooperation tool by the United States. Through the SPP, cooperation across all levels of international civil-military affairs are facilitated, and people-to-people ties at the state level are also enhanced and encouraged.

Simply put, the SPP pairs up specific National Guard units with a particular country for nation building and other activities aimed at strengthening linkages and security partnerships. In 2001, the SPP was established in the Philippines with the Guam and Hawaii National Guard units as partners. Underscoring the deep relations between our country and the United States is the fact that the SPP with the Philippines is the first and therefore the oldest in the

Asia Pacific region.

Over the years, the Philippines has been one of the most active as far as the SPP is concerned. In September last year, air defense experts from the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) shared air defense skill – the fifth time in a row – to members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), with the level of engagement and interaction heightened as the focus has expanded to include training, checklists, procedures, and aerospace medicine (also known as flight or aviation medicine). Aside from discussions and Q & A sessions, these exchanges involve tours and inspections on air defense system components, with the focus going from the tactical to the operational and strategic.

One of the most tangible aspects of the SPP was demonstrated in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda when airmen and soldiers from the Hawaii National Guard and the Guam National Guard worked with elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct a humanitarian assistance project by helping rebuild the Marasbaras National High School in Tacloban. Super Typhoon Yolanda – the strongest typhoon ever in history to make landfall and the fourth strongest storm ever recorded in the world – destroyed seven class-

rooms in three buildings. Let’s not also forget the timely arrival of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier that saved thousands of lives.

It took two months for the three buildings to be rehabilitated, with new roofs constructed, electrical and lighting fixtures installed, comfort rooms built, ceiling fans provided, etc. – but the impact is lifelong for the students who will all benefit from the project. As noted by the now retired Maj. Gen. Benny Paulino who was the Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard during that time, the school buildings represent “a new beginning” for the students of the public school who had to attend classes outdoors. “Education is not just the key to ensure the next generation prepares for the future, it’s the best indicator that a disaster area is turning normal,” also remarked then Hawaii National Guard Adjutant General Darryl Wong, who retired in 2015.

More than anything, such humanitarian projects demonstrate the lifechanging impact of the partnership between the Philippines and the United States – one that has endured and gone way beyond our military alliance. (Philstar.com) *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com.

Congress should set up Vaccine Injury Compensation Program – funded by Sanofi and Aquino Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO THE Senate blue ribbon committee’s investigation of the Dengvaxia debacle should not only unearth information for the courts to convict and throw in jail former President Benigno Aquino 3rd and his accomplices for what is turning out to be the most horrible case of corruption in the country.

The committee should recommend the enactment of a law that would set up a program to assist and compensate not only the victims of this diabolical mass-vaccination program, but of other vaccinations in the past and in the future.

About 20 countries in the world, including Germany (the first to do so, in 1961) and the US (in 1986), have set up what they call the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

The program was set up in these countries because of the recognition that while vaccines—such as those against smallpox, measles and tetanus—have indisputably prevented certain diseases and saved the lives of millions, they are not without risks, and in many cases resulted in horrible,

adverse effects on people.

The program addresses two different issues.

First, it allows those injured by vaccines, because of its sideeffects, to seek compensation and hospital care without having to go through the tedious, and very expensive, process of suing pharmaceutical firms which, after all, are huge corporations with well-funded legal war-chests.

Second, the VICP has the effect of encouraging the production and supply, as well as acceptance, of vaccines as there is a mechanism for compensating victims without resulting in severe financial costs to the manufacturers.

In the U.S., the process for claiming a vaccine injury involves the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, its Department of Health and Human Services, and a special court-appointed “master” who decides whether the petitioner should be compensated.

Since it was set up in 1986, the VICP in the US has so far paid out a huge $3.5 billion in 5,825 cases out of 19,021 petitions, an indication that even the most trusted and time-tested vaccines still carry some risks.

We definitely need such a VICP as vaccinations here are so routinely administered to the poor, as what happened in the Dengvaxia program when that new vaccine was so carelessly administered to 830,000 youth,

whose trusting parents agreed to do so as these were undertaken through the school system.

The poor obviously don’t have the financial and legal means to pursue compensation if they suffer injury because of the side-effects of a vaccine. Not only that. The poor family of someone injured from the sideeffects of a vaccine would probably be spending their entire life-savings for the necessary medical costs.

The Dengvaxia debacle has also revealed a crucial weakness in our health system: We don’t have a monitoring system for each child vaccinated to determine if he or she has been adversely affected by a vaccine.

In the Dengvaxia program, the health department has been unable still to report to the public exactly who were vaccinated with the defective drug, whether they had dengue or not when they were vaccinated, and whether they have contracted dengue since. Without such data, nobody really knows if that Dengvaxia administered to 830,000 people even works. And Sanofi had claimed it worked in its trials for jut 30,000 people.

The law that set up the US’ VICP, The National Vaccine Injury Act, was a comprehensive one, which our lawmakers should emulate. The law, other than setting up the monitoring system, included a num-

Inquirer.net photo

ber of regulations related to informed consent and adverse event reporting. For example, the act required that providers administering certain vaccines provide a vaccine information statement to the vaccine recipient or a legal guardian.

The U.S. VICP was funded through a 75-cemt tax per dose on vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for routine administration to children.

Such a tax in our own VICP is

certainly inconceivable. If administered by private doctors, such a tax would only raise the cost of vaccines, discouraging their use. Most of our vaccination programs are undertaken by government, so that the exercise would only mean government taxing itself.

The initial fund for the VICP should logically and morally be raised from the P3 billion paid to Sanofi for its defective Dengvaxia, most probably in anomalous circumstances that the Senate

should unearth. Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd in fact has already announced that his department will ask for a full refund “because the purported or reported or claimed protection [of Dengvaxia]wasn’t felt and wasn’t there. ” If ever Aquino and his accomplices are convicted of corruption for this Dengvaxia racket, part of their punishment should be the imposition of huge penalties that would be used to fund our VIC. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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A

DOLE to put up more offices to protect overseas Filipino workers

by Mayen JayMalin ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — The government is putting up additional Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to better serve and monitor overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is planning to establish this year new POLOs in Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

“We will set up a new POLO in Florida so we could address the concerns of our Filipino seafarers there and another in Frankfurt, Germany,” Bello said.

He said there is a POLO in Tokyo, but the DOLE intends to set up another in Osaka.

“We do not have a POLO in New Zealand and our workers there are under our POLO in Australia,” Bello said.

He said POLOs would be established in countries with large concentration of OFWs. The DOLE chief said President Duterte wanted the government to provide better services for OFWs and would not hesitate to stop deployment in countries that do not treat Filipino mi-

grants right.

The DOLE suspended the deployment of newly hired workers to Kuwait following the suspicious deaths of seven Filipino workers in the Arab country.

Meanwhile, Bello said the agency sent a team to Saudi Arabia to monitor the conditions of OFWs. He said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Hans Cacdac visited Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.

“DOLE sent teams to various countries to conduct periodic inspections and see the actual condition of our OFWs,” he said.

Bello said he earlier sent a three-man team to Hong Kong.

He said they have not monitored high incidence of abuses among OFWs in other countries except in Kuwait.

Visa status Philippine embassy officials in Moscow and the Russian Labor Ministry met to discuss possible solutions to the visa status of a majority of OFWs in Russia, who are not properly documented.

The embassy said efforts to address the problems of OFWs resumed when Ambassador Carlos Sorreta met recently with Mikhael

Kirsanov, chief of the Russian employment department.

A majority of Filipino household workers in Russia are not properly documented as there is no visa category applicable for them.

“We agreed to work together to find a solution to this problem.

Solutions could include modification by the Labor Ministry of existing quotas, amendments to Russian migration laws and the conclusion of a labor agreement between the Philippines and Russia,” Sorreta said.

“We will continue with our efforts but what is crucial at this point is that we are able to show respect for the current Russian laws and there is no increase in the number of undocumented Filipino workers,” he said.

Sorreta attributed the progress that the embassy achieved to the closer ties between the two countries and the OFWs’ respect for Russian laws as well as better performance of their duties.

Aside from Sorreta, the meeting was attended by Consul Jeff Valdez and Russian labor officials Oleg Gubarev, Gennady Sedakov, Dmitry Mylnikov and Stanislav Stepakov. n

Palace to Rappler on...

PAGE A5 tioners claimed.

“At most, Clause 12.2.2 of the Omidyar PDR is in the nature of a negative covenant put into place to protect the interest of Omidyar, as investor. This is why Omidyar’s approval is confined only to acts that may prejudice its rights under the Omidyar PDR,” they further explained.

it “is not engaged in the business of mass media.”

It stressed that the “mass meThe petitioners pointed out dia” as contemplated in the delibthat the SEC has no finding that erations of the constitutional comOmidyar had actually exercised mission covered only print and control of the media outfit. broadcast media and that the SEC Rappler also argued that it can- erred in classifying it as part of this not be covered by Presidential category based only on the outfit’s Decree No. 1018 or the imple- previous statement claiming it to menting law of the ban on foreign be “mass media.” ownership in media entities under Rappler said it has its own kind Article XVI, Section 11 (1) of the and is the country’s first “all-digital 1987 Constitution simply because news organization.” n

SENATE TRAINING ARM. Senate Secretariat officials led by Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo (5th from left) discuss the proposed Senate Institute on Legislative Studies and Training Center (SILSTC), during the hearing on Tuesday, January 30. Also in photo are (from left to right) Senate Office of the International Relations and Protocol Director General Antonio de Guzman Jr., Senate Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Relations Enrique Luis Papa, Senate Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services Arnel Jose Bañas, Senate Legal Counsel Maria Valentina Santana-Cruz, Senate Deputy Secretary for Legislation Edwin Bellen, Senate Tax Study and Research Office Director General Rodelio Dascil, and Senate Economic Planning Office Director General Ronald Golding. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

INVESTIGATING THE BOC. Senator Richard Gordon chastises former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Chief Nicanor Faeldon during the resumption of the inquiry into the alleged corruption at the BOC and the P6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment from China, Monday, January 29, 2018.

Gordon earlier said that that the committee had decided to transfer Faeldon to a city jail for refusing to testify on the accusations made by Sen. Panfilo Lacson that there was corruption in the BOC. Faeldon has been detained in the Senate since September of last year.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

PNP chief: Bloodless...

PAGE A5 mentation, the PNP said it has conducted 36 separate anti-drug operations across the country and was able to arrest 52 alleged drug offenders with no casualties. More than 563 drug personalities also surrendered.

Oplan Tokhang, which means “knock and plead,” is an anti-illegal drugs initiative in the country wherein authorities knock on the doors of suspected drug users or pushers and ask them to surrender.

Under the new supplemental operational guidelines, Tokhang operations must be led by a police commissioned officer and be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Implementers are also required to be in proper PNP uniform.

The use of body cameras and other similar gadgets during operations, however, was only encouraged and not required.

“I express optimism that this time, police interdiction operations against illegal drugs will be carried out with greater efficiency, and with less violent confrontations between law enforcers and offenders through better equipment to ensure the personal safety of our personnel, such as body armor, body camera, communications and fire suppression, complemented by skills training and enhanced

capacity,” Dela Rosa said.

But despite the new supplemental operational guidelines for Oplan Tokhang, the PNP chief noted that the flow of antidrug operations still depends on the reactions of drug personalities.

He went on to say, “It would be better if we can only take over the minds of the drug personalities and tell them not to be violent, not to fight back, so there will be no bloodshed in our anti-drug operations, but our situation in the ground is very volatile.”

Dela Rosa further emphasized the need for the cops to defend themselves from drug suspects who chose to retaliate.

“We also have to protect ourselves, preserve our own life, and life of the people that’s why I cannot give you 100 percent or foolproof anti-drug campaign will be bloodless,” he explained.

Dela Rosa’s remarks came after Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles made an appeal to the PNP to follow proper procedures in its revamped anti-drug operations.

In an article posted on the CBCP website, Valles also asked the PNP to make sure that the anti-drug activities this time around won’t “waste any lives.”

“We pray that the police fol-

low the prescribed steps in implementing the law… steps that should be done in exercising their responsibility as policemen,” Valles said.

He continued, “Let us inspire them to follow the necessary steps when they need to apprehend and as much as possible, we make sure that we do not waste any lives.”

Less controversial In a separate statement, Malacañang expressed optimism that the anti-illegal drugs campaign will be less controversial this year.

“We’re we are hoping that they have learned from their past experience. The PNP has said they want this Tokhang operation to be less bloody, we are hoping it will be,” Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Since the start of the drug war in 2016, the PNP has claimed nearly 4,000 casualties during legitimate anti-drug police operations.

But the figure was heavily disputed by human rights organizations, including United Statesbased Human Rights Watch (HRW), which has pegged the number of casualties at around 12,000.

Roque went on to say, “We are certainly hoping that it will be less controversial because controversy will only blur the real intentions behind the Tokhang which is really the fight against dangerous drugs.” n

A January 31-February 2, 2018 • La MIDWeeK aSIan JOurnaL

sefood city fpfc

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B

Subic-Clark railway project approved by mayvelin

u. caRaballo ManilaTimes.net

THE P57.6-billion SubicClark Railway Project has moved closer to being rolled out after gaining approval from economic managers, a Cabinet official said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters that the project had been greenlit by the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC CabCom) that he chairs.

“That will be part of the railway network, connected hopefully when it’s all completed … from Batangas to Subic to Metro Manila,” he added.

The proposed railway, which will link the Subic Bay and Clark freeports and other major economic hubs in Central Luzon, is expected to help make the region into a new growth center that will also decongest Metro Manila.

Funding sources for the project, which is targeted for com-

ManilaTimes.net file photo

pletion by April 2021, have yet to be determined.

Projects approved by ICCCabcom, which is in addition to the Finance chief includes the Executive Secretary and the Socioeconomic, Budget, Trade, Agriculture and Energy secretaries and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor, are subject to final approval by the NEDA Board headed by the President.

Dominguez said the NEDA ICC CabCom also approved an increase in the estimated cost of the Metro Manila Subway Project to to P365.96 billion from P355.59 billion.

“They feel that there will be a P1.3-billion additional cost that had not been originally es-

u PAGE B2

Minimal impact seen from US tariffs

der an “America First” policy aimed at protecting U.S. manufacturers.

THE United States’ new safe“If these measures represent guard tariffs on imports of large one step in a series of protecresidential washing machines tionist trade policy decisions by and solar panels won’t signifi- the United States (Aaa stable), cantly affect the Philippines’ possibly resulting in retaliatory overall trade flows, Moody’s action by other countries, they Investors Service said. will negatively affect Asian Trade protectionism, how- sovereigns’ and manufacturever, remains a risk for the re- ers’ credit profiles given the gion, the debt watcher said. region’s trade-reliant indusOn Monday, January22, U.S. tries and economies,” Moody’s President Donald Trump ap- noted in a report. proved new safeguard tariffs For instance, it said that some on imported large residential Asian economies including washing machines and so- Thailand and the Philippines lar panels, primarily affecting would also be subject to the South Korea and China, unu PAGE B3 by mayvelin

u. caRaballo ManilaTimes.net

ECOP bucks passage of security of tenure bill The bill seeks to strengthen the security of tenure of employees in the private sector to address the problems of labor-only contracting and end of contract or “endo.”

Philstar file photo

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

EMPLOYERS have expressed grave concern over House Bill 6908 or the Security of Tenure Bill on becoming a law, warning of its detrimental impact to the economy and job creation.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Donald Dee told The STAR the group has “serious problems” with HB 6908, which the House of Representatives approved on second read-

ing last week.

The bill seeks to strengthen the security of tenure of employees in the private sector to address the problems of labor-only contracting and end of contract or “endo.”

“If they are really going to approve that, we have a problem. We have a big problem with it if they pass it the way they passed it,” Dee said.

Dee said ECOP has already made their position known to Congress regarding the bill previously, but the congressmen refused to listen.

“We have serious problem with it and we’re trying to work it out explaining to the honorable congressmen that what they are doing is really detrimental to the economy and to job creation,” he said.

“We’re now working and talking to them.

Are you serious about this because this will cause trouble,” Dee added.

HB 6908 seeks to amend Article 106 of Presidential Decree 44 titled “Contractor” so that whenever an employer enters into a contract with a person for the performance of the

u PAGE B2

PH outshines peers in RE space – study

by JoRdeen

Sheex lagaRe ManilaTimes.net

DESPITE risks and obstacles in executing projects, the Philippines continues to outperform its regional counterparts in Asia’s renewable energy (RE) space, according to a BMI Research study.

“The country continues to be a regional outperformer in RE investment, but is still characterized by elevated country risks and project-implementation hurdles that will stymie growth,” Fitch-owned BMI said.

“President Rodrigo Duterte has established ambitious infrastructure develop-

ment plans, and the renewables market is supported by a robust regulatory framework, including already high electricity tariffs, a feed-in tariff (FiT) program, and tax exemptions for renewables developers,” it noted.

Although the FiT scheme for solar projects has ended, the Department of Energy (DoE) is set to sign a circular extending this to developers with stalled biomass and runof-river hydropower projects.

Despite the study’s optimism, however, visibility on the project pipeline post-2020 remains muted.

Industry-specific risks, such as inefficient

ManilaTimes.net file photo

grid infrastructure and high legal risks, are expected to hamper RE growth.

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B JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

BSP sees steady remittance growth

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

REMITTANCES are expected to continue growing despite the setbacks arising from the ban on deployment to Kuwait as well as the imposition of higher fees on remittances, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Monday, January 29.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said remittances from overseas Filipinos are expected to expand by four percent this year, continuing to be a major source of foreign exchange for the country.

Guinigundo said the decision of Malacañang to ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait would have minimal impact as the cash remittances from Kuwait account for only about three percent of the total.

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding.

This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain. You and your spouse get tired of bickering and being mean to one another that you both decide to compromise each other positions and resolve all issues in your divorce case through settlement.

Shortly thereafter, the divorce judgment is finally entered by the Court and you get a sigh of relief. Later you discovery that “Oops!,” your ex-spouse had community asset and/or debt that was left out of the divorce judgment.

This may be a pension, retirement account, a hidden bank account, or a piece of real estate property which was not divided in the judgment. What is one to do in this situation? The answer can be found in California Family Code §2556.

California Family Code §2556 provides “In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for nullity of marriage, or for legal separation of the parties, the court has continuing jurisdiction to award community estate assets or community estate liabilities to the parties that have not been previously adjudicated by a judgment

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

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said remittances from overseas Filipinos are expected to expand by four percent this year, continuing to be a major source of foreign exchange for the country.

Philstar file photo

“On the ban on deployment of OFWs to Kuwait, the impact may not be significant. Prospective workers may still be deployed to other countries with demand for Filipino workers,” he said.

Last Jan. 19, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued Administrative Order 25 ordering the Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA) to stop the

in the proceeding.” California Family Code §2556. Even if the parties did not expressly reserve jurisdiction on that piece of asset, the Court retains the power to divide a specific property if there is a community interest in it.

The Court’s “continuing jurisdiction” over omitted community estate assets or debts is invoked by filing a post judgment Motion, or Request for Order in the divorce case. Family Code §2556 provides “A party may file a postjudgment motion or request for order in the proceeding in order to obtain adjudication of any community estate asset or liability omitted or not adjudicated by the judgment.” The postjudgment partition of the unadjudicated community estate claims is properly entertained by the court even absent an express reservation of jurisdiction in its prior judgment. Marriage of Moore & Ferrie (1993) 14 CA4th 1472, 1483, 18 CR2d 543, 549, fn. 9. The postjudgment motion is available to any omitted asset or debt not adjudicated by the divorce judgment. However, Family Code §2556 does not extend to division and adjudication of any separate property. Marriage of Klug (2005) 130 CA4th 1389, 1396, 31 CR3d 327, 331–332.

If an asset was partially omitted, the Court can still divide and adjudicate the portion that has been omitted postjudgment un-

der family code §2566. Community Property adjudicated under § 2556 shall be divided equally “unless the court finds upon good cause shown that the interests of justice require an unequal division of the asset or liability.”

Family Code §2556.

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Dealing with assets omitted from a divorce case

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

The ‘Selfies’ generation idolatry on steroids (Part 2 of 2)

“Vanity of vanities; All is vanity.”

–Ecclesiastes

(Continued from last week’s issue) Poor Echo! Her heart broke into a million little pieces. Beauty and light dissolved into darkness for her until nothing held any meaning. Refusing food and drink, Echo grew pale and consumptive and faded away, leaving only her far-off voice in the distance. It is said that Echo haunts the mountains where she answers all who call but only with the last words.

Narcissus meanwhile continued to break one hapless heart after another in the most mean spirited away, until one day, one totally aggrieved nymph with her heart shattered, prayed to the powers that be, for vengeance, to inflict punishment on Narcissus to make him feel the pure pain of unrequited love, to make him feel how it is to give love and have it flung back in his face. Her prayer was heard and in a world of swift and even-handed justice with no lawyers, judges and jury to cloud the issue, appropriate punishment was served.

One day Narcissus chanced

upon a pool with water so clear, it looked like a mirror. Bending over to drink, Narcissus saw his own reflection, thought it was a water nymph, and forthwith, was smitten with the image on the pool. He fell in love with the image of himself, hook, line and sinker, not unlike celebrities who read their own press and believe them to be true. But I digress.

Narcissus tried to embrace his own reflection in the water but his attempt to touch or kiss his beloved ended in frustration each time. The image in the water dissolved into ripples, disappeared and came back on.

Narcissus had to be content just by looking at the mirror image of himself in the pool, day and night, without ever knowing the joy of touching or being loved in return. He now knew, up close and personal, the excruciating pain of multiple rejections from the same object of his affection.

Still he persisted, becoming rooted to the spot by the pool. He now knew how it is to be on the receiving end of rejection. He slowly

pined away, losing his youth and beauty and withering away on the same spot by the pool’s edge with Echo still hovering over him and repeating his poignant last word, “Alas!” as he lay dying.

As the woodland creatures prepared to bury his body, Narcissus’ body was nowhere to be found and in its place, stood a flower, bending over the pool, as though admiring itself. Gardeners know this flower as Narcissus.

Hence, we call those who exhibit the same folly these days as narcissistic. The irony of it is that others clearly see it for what it is but the afflicted individual is blind to this egocentric flaw in himself, thinking the world revolves around him.

In today’s world, there’s opportunity to cash in on this tragic human flaw and use vanity and self-image as hot buttons to sell their wares: beauty products and services, diet pills and machines and illusions of power and beauty, with remarkable merchandis-

PAGE B1 t

in Taguig City up to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City. The subway will help decongest traffic on EDSA and connect Metro Manila’s major business centers to the country’s premier international gateway.

The first tranche of the 104.5billion yen (about $929.1 million) loan for the first phase is expected to be signed before the end of the month, contingent on the approval of the Monetary Board and the issuance of a Special Presidential Authority. n

employed under him.

The bill also inserted a new Article 303-A titled “Administrative Penalties” which cites the penalties the Department of Labor and Employment shall impose on erring principal employers, job contractors, manpower agencies, workers’ cooperatives, and any other similar entities.

The biggest labor coalition NagKaisa last week gave its full support for the passage of HB 6908, saying they look forward to the enactment of the new measure imposing higher penalties for employers engaging in laboronly contracting scheme.

NagKaisa said they support

the provisions imposing a fine of P30,000 for each worker engaged in labor-only contracting arrangement, but the total amount shall not exceed P5 million.

ECOP has also expressed opposition to 10 Senate bills proposing new employee leaves and increasing of existing ones that were tackled by the , Employment, and Human Resources Development last week, saying any further reduction in the number of working days through additional leaves would have a critical impact not only on business productivity, but also on their cost of doing business. n

u PAGE B4

Subic-Clark railway project...

estimated and this should cover any potential damage to subterranean cables,” he said.

The first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City through the FTI complex

ECOP bucks passage of security...

PAGE B1 t

former’s work, the employees of the contractor shall be paid in accordance with the Labor Code and other laws. Contracting out of the same work contracted out by the employer is prohibited.

The House of Representatives said in the event the contractor fails to pay the wages, allowances and benefits of his employees based on the Labor Code and other laws, the employer shall be jointly and severally liable with the contractor to such employees to the extent of the work performed under the contract, in the same manner and extent that he is liable to employees directly

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Business news

Client files Chapter 13 while hoping for a loan modification of mortgage

Other case involves Chapter 7 relief for $78K credit card debt THE client has had an ongoing “battle” with Wells Fargo for justice on her mortgage since 2007. It’s been nine years since she made the mistake of refinancing her fully paid house with World Savings Bank. Yes, the client was already a senior nine years ago when she decided to borrow $250,000 against her house, which had no more mortgage! Apparently, a relative had asked her for some money to finance a business, and being the doting aunt that she was, she gladly, but mistakenly, obliged. The question then was where should she get the refinance loan? She spoke to an agent of a very popular mortgage loan broker who offered her a fixed 30-year mortgage at 2 percent per annum. The broker told her that the interest rate was so low, it would make her cry, that the mortgage payment would be fixed for 30 years, and that she could even choose from several amounts of mortgage payments, depending on which one she would be most comfortable with.

She signed all the loan documents without reading them as most seniors would do. After paying for two years, she noticed that the loan balance, instead of decreasing, was increasing!

Eventually, she got a letter from Wells Fargo informing her that the bank had taken over the loan. In addition, Wells Fargo said that she had a default of $20,000, and that if this amount was not paid in full immediately, foreclosure of her residence would ensue. When she called the famous loan broker to ask what was going on, she was told that the loan broker was being criminally indicted for a massive loan mortgage fraud scheme. It was only then that client realized that she had been duped. She

did some research and found out that Wells Fargo had taken over the loans of World Savings, including hers, and that Wells Fargo was actually trying to make things right for the victims of this “massive” fraud as part of the settlement with the Attorney General’s office as well as part of the Federal “bail out” funds.

She called Wells Fargo and was given the runaround. Wells Fargo wrote her many letters saying that they were going to look into the matter and would get back to her within 30 days.

The 30 days dragged into seven years without any resolution.

Wells Fargo started foreclosure proceedings and the client paid off the entire default of $57,000.

It was back to square one for a while then the problem resurfaced. The client hired a succession of lawyers who all went against a brick wall because the client did not want to sue; all she wanted was to have the matter amicably resolved by negotiation.

Now there is a default of $40,000, and Wells Fargo wants to foreclose yet again. She now retains me for a Chapter 13 to stop the foreclosure and to negotiate a settlement with the bank without a lawsuit. Fortunately, I was able to get some positive response from the bank saying that they are now having their legal department look into it and that they would propose a settlement by next week. It remains to be seen whether the bank is now serious in resolving this matter,

or if they are bluffing again.

Chapter 7 relief The second client is 74. Her husband left her 20 years ago.

She was able to sell the family home a couple of years ago with a net profit of $200,000. Then, disaster struck. Her only son got sick, lost his job because of his illness and became her dependent. She had to take care of her 40-year-old son, who moved in with her. Medical insurance would not pay for a lot of the expenses. So, the $200,000 evaporated after three years.

After that, she relied on credit cards to pay for her son’s medical bills. Fortunately, her son got well and will be joining the workforce again. The problem is she now owes $78,000 of credit cards. The minimum payment is $3,000 a month. She only gets social security of $1,800 and a pension of $500. She is able to pay her rent of $800. But there is just no way she can pay the $78,000 of credit cards. So at 74, the client decides to wipe out all her credit card debt and obtain a fresh start! *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader.

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

BMI said.

The study came after the DoE issued last December Department Circular DC2017-12-0015, which details new rules governing the establishment of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for on-grid areas.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the circular has a “no higher rates” provision and outlined various safety nets to protect consumers.

The circular requires all distribution utilities (DUs), retail electricity suppliers and other

participants, including powergeneration companies serving directly connected customers, to get a certain percentage of their electricity requirements from eligible RE sources.

These include biomass; wasteto-energy technology; wind, solar, ocean and geothermal energy; run-of-river and impounding hydroelectric power systems; and other globally accepted resources and technologies as specified in Republic Act 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. n

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

PH outshines peers in Re space...

PAGE B1 t

“Furthermore, project implementation across the infrastructure space continues to be plagued with delays and bureaucratic setbacks,” the study said.

The country ranked 28th in the company’s Global Renewables Risk/Reward Index and ninth among Asian countries.

The Philippines’s relative outperformance against its peers in [Southeast Asia] is highlighted by its strong showing in our Renewables Risk/Reward Index (RRI), particularly for ‘rewards,’”

Minimal impact seen from US...

PAGE B1 t tariffs because they accounted for more than 3 percent of total US imports of washing machines and solar panels, above the level that would allow them to benefit from an exemption for developing countries under international

trade rules.

However, Moody’s said that the tariffs announced so far would have a negligible credit impact on rated Asian manufacturers because their direct exposure to the U.S. was small.

Citing United Nations Com-

trade data, it said “the tariffs will not affect the trade flows of these two countries (Thailand and the Philippines) meaningfully because their exports of relevant products to the U.S. as a share of their total exports are very small.” n

People and Events

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2018

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 3

TFCU talks heads to UC Davis TFCU Talks will be in Davis, California on Saturday, February 3, 2018. An affiliate of ABSCBN International, TFCU Talks Davis will feature a lineup of top industry leaders to connect, inspire, and empower college students and young professionals to help them realize their full potential. TFCU Talks Davis is co-presented by Mga Kapatid (My Brothers and Sisters) - a social, political, cultural, and academic organization for the Pilipino-American community at UC Davis. The event takes place at the Wyatt Pavilion Theatre in UC Davis (Arboretum Dr, Davis, CA 95616). Speakers include Christine Gambito (comedian, YouTube personality), Sydney Loyola (trans choreographer), Rudy Corpuz Jr. (co-founder of United Playaz), and Mike Sagun (career coach). TFCU Talks Davis is an exclusive free event with limited seating - first come, first served. For all ticketing information, and to reserve your spot, please visit tfcudavis.eventbrite.com.

F E B R UA RY 5

FACC-SLAA’s monthly general meeting in Torrance, CA Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will host its second Pinay Empowerment BrunThe Filipino American Chamber of Commerce – SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) invites you to attend its upcoming FACC-SLAA February 2018 Monthly General Meeting. This meeting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 5, and will be held at Janice Jimenez’s office at 1001 W Carson Street, Suite S, Torrance, CA 90502.

F E B R UA RY 7

City of Carson’s 4th annual Military Career Day Join the 4th annual Military Career Day in Carson, California on Wednesday, February 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It will be held at Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center (801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745). Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, California National Guard, and more will be giving information on career options and various opportunities. For further information, call (310) 952-1743.

F E B R UA RY 1 0

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

F E B R UA RY 1 4

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

F E B R UA RY 2 0

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

- first come, first served. For all ticketing information, and to reserve your spot, please visit tfcudavis.eventbrite.com.

F E B R UA RY 22

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, February 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

F E B R UA RY 24

Filipino well-being training summit in Los Angeles “Kataas-taasang pagsasanay para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino” — Understanding Obstacles; Charting New Paths.

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

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

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

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

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

B JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

‘Healthy tree, healthy me’ THE City of Temple City is once again hosting its annual Arbor Day poster and photo contest for students in the third to eighth grades.

This year’s theme is “Healthy Tree, Healthy Me!” Students in the third to fifth grades are encouraged to submit an original poster that speaks to the theme. The same goes for the photo contest that is open to those in grades six to eight.

Contest rules, along with the submission form, can be downloaded at http://www.ci.templecity.ca.us/DocumentCenter/ View/9817. All submissions are

processing and issuing of overseas employment certificates to all Kuwait-bound workers as President Duterte cited the cases of sexual abuse of Filipino domestic workers.

There are about 276,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait.

Latest data from the central bank showed cash remittance coursed through banks climbed

EMPLOYMENT

Utility billing alert for residential rubbish services

Residential rubbish billing changes will result in multiple bills

due to Live Oak Park Annex no later than Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.

A winner will be selected for each grade level, and their poster or photo will be displayed at the city’s Arbor Day celebration

on March 7. Contest winners will also receive a $100 check and an opportunity to submit their artwork in a statewide competition.

For more information, email Tony Villalobos or call (626) 6567321. n

BSP sees steady remittance...

PAGE B2 t

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

four percent to $25.32 billion from January to November last year compared to $24.34 billion in the same period in 2016.

On the other hand, personal remittances including houseto-household as well as capital transfers rose 5.1 percent to $28.24 billion from $26.88 billion.

Amid the steady growth, Guinigundo said the amount of per-

sonal and cash remittances from Filipinos abroad would continue to exceed receipts from the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

Revenues of the BPO sector grew 8.5 percent to $16.9 billion in the first nine months of last year and likely ended 2017 with $22 billion, while remittances amounted to $25.32 billion from January to November last year.n

EMPLOYMENT

AS of January 1, 2018, the City of South Pasadena transferred billing of residential rubbish services (solid waste) directly to Athens Services. Athens Services has an exclusive franchise as the City’s rubbish services provider.

This transfer of residential rubbish billing to Athens Services will create greater statement transparency, facilitate enhanced customer relationships, and streamline utility billing processes.

We kindly ask that you bear with us during the transfer of billing services that will result in multiple utility billing statements to residential customers during

the first two months of 2018.

What this means is that you will receive your regular utility bill for water, sewer, and the final rubbish charges from the City for the two months of prior service (November and December 2017). However, you will also receive a new quarterly rubbish billing statement from Athens Services in late January for rubbish services covering January, February, and March of 2018.

After March, your bi-monthly water utility bill will no longer have rubbish charges as Athens will conduct all rubbish billing moving forward.

There will be NO overlap of service periods and you will NOT be double-billed for rubbish services. Athens will send the next quarterly billing statement for rubbish services in April for services in April, May, and June of 2018.

For more information a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the transition can be found on the City’s website.

You may also contact the City via email at utilities@southpasadenaca.gov, or call the Finance Department (626) 403-7250, or Athens Services directly at (888) 336-610.n

The ‘Selfies’ generation idolatry on...

PAGE B2 t

ising success. Self-improvement is great but only if it comes quietly from the inside out.

Pray that both the “once young” and the young ones don’t fall prey to the trappings of extreme self-absorption that rule

the global culture of the present Age of Selfies. In biblical times, it was called idolatry. What we have now is IDOLATRY ON STEROIDS, self-love of biblical proportions.

Self love taken to extreme, is something that might account for much of the social problems afflu-

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

ent societies with only one or two self-absorbed children per family, experience and suffer from today.

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

B JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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Photos courtesy of Garrett Gee/the Bucket List Family and Discovering Routes

cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 31, 2018

From tech entrepreneur to travel journalist:

Garrett Gee and his ‘bucket list’ by

I

Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

n nearly three years, Garrett Gee and his wife Jessica have traveled to 45 countries and have been on over 150 flights with their two toddlers in tow, digitally documenting the adventures along the way as the “Bucket List Family.

Their travels have been widely followed on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, as they’ve spent days in places such as Nepal, Greece, Indonesia, and Germany.

For Gee — a 28-year-old Utah-native who is Filipino from his mother’s side — a trip that continues to be memorable was in 2016 when the family was en route to Turkey as political unrest transpired.

“We were on the plane so we weren’t connected to the Internet and didn’t hear anything about the unrest in the air. By the time we landed in Turkey, the U.S. government had put an alert, like evacuation warnings for Americans to get out of Turkey as soon as possible,” he told the Asian Journal in an interview. “There was no flight to get us out so we were stuck in Turkey for 24 hours during the evacuation. We were terrified and we didn’t sleep that night.

Just going through something that scary and emotional really made us closer.”

However, the family ended up staying in Turkey for five days, during which they realized that the country “wasn’t a scary place” that the media had been portraying it as.

“When people ask us ‘who are some of the nicest people and cultures in the world?’ We have an ongoing list but number one for… the nicest, most affectionate and loving people in the world are the people of Turkey. So that was a big life lesson to us as a family, you can’t really judge people based on what you hear or what you hear in the media and the rumors.

You have to find [out] and learn for yourself,” Gee said.

Lessons like this are what continue to drive the Bucket List Family and the invaluable reallife education that their young children are receiving, being exposed to different cultures and customs around the globe.

From tech to travel Gee and Jessica had met in Russia as missionaries serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and married in 2009 while both attending Bingham Young University (BYU) in Utah.

As a freshman at BYU, Gee founded Scan, a QR code-scanning mobile app. Four years later, the app was acquired by Snapchat in 2014 for $54 million.

“There are some weird thoughts that come into your

Photos courtesy of Garrett Gee/the Bucket List Family and Discovering Routes

Garrett Gee (center right) with his daughter Dorothy, wife Jessica, and son Manilla

mind when you sell your company, especially when it’s for a lot of money. There’s kind of a lot of soul-searching during that time,” Gee recalled, noting that he didn’t want to spend his earnings on material possessions like a house or car as young families were doing. “And one of the things that I realized, I had the fortune, opportunity and position for whatever I want to do next in life, like how I want to live my life, where I want to live my life, what career, what industry.”

That led him to “pick an industry [he] was absolutely passionate about” — one that allowed him to pull away from sitting at a computer all day and instead use that time to spend with his growing family.

From there, the Bucket List Family was created in 2015 — an online journal (blog, YouTube, and social media accounts) that follows Gee’s global adventures with wife Jessica (“Settie”), daughter Dorothy, and son Manilla. At the time, Dorothy and Manilla were 3 and 1, respectively.

The family sold all of their belongings for $45,000, which funded six months of travel to places like Thailand, Australia, Tahiti and Hawaii. The money — an undisclosed amount — Gee made from the Snapchat purchase hasn’t been used for any of their trips and remains in a savings account.

“Living as a travel journalist has enabled me to all day, every day be together with them,” he said.

In their travels, the family of four focuses on three aspects: adventure, culture, and service.

At the end of 2015, they were able to cover LASIK surgery for five individuals and helped build a school in Nepal in 2016.

Another one of their missions is to debunk the idea that travel has to be expensive or that you need to pack a lot of possessions when going abroad.

“Along the way we figured out there are tons of things you can do to save money and be more frugal as you travel. And you don’t need that much stuff, so we tried packing in a more minimalistic way to the point where now as an entire family, we just have the two bags that we travel with, which is more than enough,” Gee said.

He added that vacations don’t necessarily mean eating out every night, going to theme parks or on pricey tour groups.

“Our favorite way to travel is to experience something local and a lot of that means going to the smaller cafes or the farmer’s market, just going to the park and doing the things that local people do like going to the beach. Most of the things are free so when you do it that way, traveling is very affordable,” he said.

Now with a sizable online following — the Instagram account reached 1 million followers in late January this year — the family partners with brands to get trips sponsored, which Gee said was one of their goals once the $45,000 ran out.

Last summer, the family won Disney’s 30 Stays in 30 Days contest which granted them a month at Disney World, staying at a different hotel each night and exploring the four theme parks and two water parks.

In raising two young children in a hyper-connected world, the Gees hold standards about privacy, what they share, and not using technology excessively while on their travels. Instead of doing daily videos, they publish longer weekly videos, which lets them “be a regular family” and balance between documenting and savoring the present moment.

“Then we combine those [videos and photos] into one weekly video. So, you know, we don’t have our cameras out too much more than the average family and then we have that kind of relief in our minds to live regular lives and keep our lives more private,” Gee said.

As for safety, they are cautious about not posting in real-time.

“If we’re posting on social media that we’re at a current location, we always post delayed,” he explained. “Nobody could ever find us or track us based on our location that we’re posting online. But then that’s our privacy, something you kind of give and take or you forfeit when you put your lives out there so much on social media.

I think for us it’s been finding that balance and drawing that line about how much we want to post on social media.”

Discovering roots In 2017, Gee starred in a web series called “Discovering

Garrett and Miristi was joined by their mother Mel Gee Henderson for the final episode of “Discovering Routes.”

Routes,” developed by ABSCBN Global Studios, Myx TV and Go Button Media, in which he and his older sister Miristi (a yoga and dance instructor) journeyed across the Philippines to learn more about their Filipino heritage.

The idea came after ABS-CBN profiled Gee, and then reached out again and proposed doing a follow-up, documentary-style story.

“Everyone in the world has plugged into the Bucket List Family YouTube channel, and is familiar with Garrett the dad, Garrett the traveler, and Garrett the tech entrepreneur. Seeing him with his sister and interacting with his mom — just seeing him in that space really reminds me that people are so multifaceted and that who Garrett has become today as a very special business person and travel adventurer is very largely rooted in how he was raised in his family and they’re very, very wonderful people,” Keesa Ocampo, executive producer of “Discovering Routes,” told the Asian Journal.

The 20-webisode season, which was shot over 17 days and made its debut last September, featured stops in Coron, Palawan to visit the Tagbanua tribe and Kayangan Lake, harvesting rice at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and dancing to Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” alongside inmates at a maximum-security prison in Cebu. In the final episode aired in November, the siblings were joined by their mom, Mel Gee Henderson, in Iloilo to participate in the Pintados de Passi festival.

“Growing up really close to my Filipino grandma, I instantly felt a sense that I belonged in the Philippines. The more people I met and the more halohalo I ate, I became convinced that the best things about me are from this culture,” Miristi said.

In addition to it being his first immersive trip to the Philippines and feeling like he fit in spiritually and physically, Gee said the “one-on-one time” with his sister was “rare and unique” and strengthened their relationship.

Ocampo added, “The way that Garrett and Miristi are portrayed is exactly how they are. They’re funny, they’re compassionate, they are emotional and revealing, but at the same time, very adventurous and mischievous like that’s exactly who they are. And on the part of the network, it’s such an honor to be able to develop a very trusting relationship with them to create something that’s entertainment but also very real.”

As for a Philippines trip for the Bucket List Family, Gee said it’s bound to happen, but

it wouldn’t be treated like any other trip.

“A lot of people ask us, we’ve been to 45 countries so far away, why haven’t we been to the Philippines? The honest truth is because the Philippines is such a special place to me.

I didn’t want to make it just like one of the many countries we’ve visited. I wanted to give it special attention and special planning and special preparation. We’re just waiting for that special time when we as a family can go and spend a really long time there,” he said.

2018’s bucket list The family announced that it is expecting a third child, another boy, this year and intends to find a house for the brief period Jessica can’t travel.

But Gee remarked that he doesn’t anticipate their jaunts to wind down.

“We know that we’re going to continue to travel because it’s just become a part of who we are especially as a family,” he said.

The family recently revealed that the baby will be named Calihan (“Cali” for short), and he already has an Instagram account with over 57,000 followers, as of this writing.

This past January, the family uploaded a close to 30-minute video answering commonly asked questions from followers, including what their 2018 will look like (Central America trips and trapeze lessons are among the plans) and how they’ll educate their kids as they approach school age (leaning toward traditional schooling).

However, the parents agree that nothing beats what the children are learning through world experience.

“I wish every parent could be able to let their kids experience travel because during these developmental years, they’re coming into a space emotionally and mentally, and it’s just so cool that they’re growing up not really understanding the differences of countries and nationalities. To them, it’s just one big open world. I think it’s been really special for them,” Gee said.

At not even 30 years old — having achieved success in the tech industry and traveled to 45 countries — what else remains on Gee’s “bucket list”?

“Now I think the next chapter needs to be me using those opportunities and gifting them to others, sharing them with others and hopefully enabling other people to do the same and make the most of their life,” he said. “Just trying to serve others, you know speaking out humanitarian opportunities and charity opportunities. And then also hopefully inspiring others and empowering them to follow in our footsteps.”

entertainment 3

How they remember Maryo J. delos Reyes

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 31, 2018

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

For the first time in the many years he had been managing talents (among them the Masculados, ruru Madrid and rep. Yul Servo), director Maryo J. delos reyes treated the movie press to a grand Christmas party last year at the sprawling garden of Annabel’s restaurant, highlighted by a raffle of prizes and other attractions.

Last Wednesday, January 24, two days before he flew to Dipolog City, Maryo hosted a belated New Year party for those close to him and gave each of them a memorable gift: An angel with a cut knee to his manager June Torrejon-rufino (who collects angels and anything related to it), a small tray for GMA executive Lilybeth rasonable, a Daily Bread book for balikbayan friend Dante Dizon; also a book for Honey Tirona (sister of Maryo’s dear friend, scriptwriter Jake Tordesillas who died in June last year); and a figurine from russia to writer Senedy Que. Until Maryo died of two massive heart attacks last Saturday night, January 27, while dancing at a friend’s birthday party at a Dakak resort in Dipolog City, those two events were nothing unusual to Maryo’s friends, except that, when they recall now, he was extra nice and treated everybody in a special way.

“Since July last year,” June told Funfare, “Jake’s close friends would get together once a month to reminisce about shared fond memories and to give emotional support to Maryo who and not quite recovered from the death of Jake with whom he lived for 45 years.

Jake’s death left Maryo devastated.

“Before our party broke up, Maryo told us that he went through Jake’s personal items and decided to give a memento to each one in the room.”

Maryo’s driver has a story to tell.

“Sir Maryo was crying all the time. Pag sinusundo ko siya sa bahay niya (at Filinvest Village in Quezon City), nakikita ko siyang umiiyak at umiiyak pa rin siya pag hinahatid ko na sa bahay.”

Aga Muhlach

Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes

Albert Martinez

Inquirer.net photos

The multi-talented Bruno Mars went home with a whopping six awards, including three wins in the award show’s major categories at the 60th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 28.

Bruno Mars scores big at 2018 Grammys The Fil-Am superstar wins six Grammy Awards, including ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ by kLaRize MedeniLLa AJPress

Vilma Santos

Maricel Soriano

Maryo’s untimely passing at age 65 (he would have turned 66 on oct. 17) shocked the industry that loved him dearly, especially actors who have worked with him.

• Albert Martinez (directed

by Maryo in “Linlang” and “Magnifico” and in the teleserye “Habang Kapiling Ka”): Another pillar of the industry gone too soon…

• Gabby Concepcion: I did so many movies with him, one of them the comedy-drama “Pepe en Pilar” with Maricel (Soriano) in California, USA. It was in December. I did not feel I was working because we had so much fun, especially between takes. We were laughing all the way. His death came as a big shock to me because I was scheduled to start shooting a movie with him in March.

• Maricel Soriano: When we were shooting “Pepe en Pilar,” I had to learn how to dance the “La Cucaracha” and how to speak Spanish in some scenes.

Direk Maryo would watch me

Charo Santos-Concio

and couldn’t stop laughing. His laughter was contagious. Every time we worked together, we always had a heart-to-heart talk about our lives. Those are the times that I remember fondly about direk Maryo. (Maricel did 11 movies with Maryo: “Schoolgirls,” 1982; “Ang Boyfriend Kong Kano,” 1983; “Minsan May Isang Ina,” 1983; “Pepe en Pilar,” 1983; “Saan Darating ang Umaga,” 1984; “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit;” “Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday,” 1984; “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,” 1984; “Stupid Cupid,” 1988; “Dinampot Ka Lang sa Lusak,” 1991; and “A Love Story,” 2006.)

• Aga Muhlach: Working with Maryo was life-changing.

I practically grew up under his guidance. I was a teenager when he directed me in Bagets.

That was the time I was going through growing-up pains. In the early ‘80s, medyo nag-rebelde ako. That was the time he directed me in “Joey Boy Munti,” Continued on Page 4

THE 60th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 28 proved to be a big night for the multi-talented Bruno Mars, who went home with a whopping six awards, including three wins in the award show’s major categories.

The half-Filipino/half-Puerto rican maestro of nostalgic pop swept the night with his highly-acclaimed third studio album 24K Magic which won the coveted Album of the Year; and, singles “24K Magic” and “That’s What I Like” won record of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively.

“I’ve been knowing these guys for over a decade,” Mars said in his speech, referencing the innovative process of pop music production that involves a large collaborative team of specialized writers. “All the music-business horror stories you’ve seen in the movies, we’ve been through all of them. It’s an honor to share this with you all tonight.”

In addition to the wins in the three major categories, he also took home Best r&B Song and Best r&B Performance for “That’s What I Like” and Best r&B Album for 24K Magic.

Earlier in the night, Mars

Photos from Instagram/@brunomars

performed alongside hip-hop sweetheart Cardi B for the remix of the swing beat single “Finesse.”

Mars’ wins mark the first time a Filipino-American has won multiple accolades in the major categories at the Grammy Awards. Most recently, Mars — along with renowned producer Mark ronson — nabbed record of the Year in 2016 for the catchy “Uptown Funk.”

The Grammy Awards were criticized for not awarding enough female artists for the major awards, given the current social climate regarding gender

disparity in the entertainment world.

However on Sunday, Mars — who is arguably the most internationally popular Filipino of the generation — hit important milestones in regards to ethnic representation; he was the first artist of color in a decade to win Album of the Year.

Though Mars gained international fame as a soloist less than a decade ago in 2010 with his debut studio album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” Mars has received a total 11 Grammy Awards so far, the most of any artist of Asian descent.

4

features The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 31, 2018

LBC ties up with PAL for Balikbayan Promo 2018 Balikbayans get a chance to fly for free through LBC-PAL promo

TWO of the country’s biggest names in business are working together to bring joy to their loyal customers.

LBC, the leader in “Padala” and Philippine Airlines, Asia’s first airline, have launched the “LBC Moves with PAL Balikbayan Promo” that gives their loyal customers the chance to fly for free.

From February 1 to April 30, 2018, each full rate sea cargo transaction automatically generates one ticket entry. On the Grand Draw on May 5, 2018, one winner will be picked from each of these airports to fly for free to the Philippines: SFO Airport: North California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois. LAX Airport: Southern California, Nevada, Florida. HNL Airport: Hawaii; and, JFK Airport: New York, New Jersey, Virginia. * The names of all four winners will be posted on LBC’s website and Facebook page.

Meanwhile, LBC is also

offering $5.00 OFF for SEA CARGO shipments to all PAL passengers. All they need to do to redeem the discount is show a used boarding pass at their nearest LBC branch between February 1 to April 30, 2018.

JV Valino, Sales & Marketing Specialist of LBC New York and New Jersey, enthused: “We are excited to collaborate with PAL who share the same values as ours. We both strive to serve our customers better every single time, especially those who have stayed loyal to us all these years. This promo is our way of showing them our appreciation”.

For complete details of the LBC-PAL promo, visit the LBC website or inquire with an LBC representative at a branch nearest you. *Travel tax may apply.

LBC LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money

Hayden Kho shares Korina Sanchez’s transformation story BROADCASTER Korina Sanchez’s giant billboard along EDSA has been a top-trending topic on social media for weeks.

Many netizens thought Korina, now 52, has looked years younger in the controversial billboard. Some have even mistaken her for celebrity stylist and “it” girl Liz Uy. In a recent interview with Philstar.com during the launch of Watsons Philippines’ “Happy New You” campaign, Dr. Hayden Kho of the Belo Medical Group gave the lowdown on what really went behind Korina’s transformation.

According to Kho, Korina said that she did the transformation because she is “tired of looking old and out of shape.”

“So, she (Korina) decided

that it’s time that she works out, to take care of her skin and her body, and she went to Dr. Belo, she went to Vicki, and asked kung anong pwedeng gawin,” Kho narrated.

Thus, starting four months ago, Korina underwent noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments to make her skin tighten and more glowing, Kho added.

Like Korina, one can achieve physical transformation this year by taking the right supplements, makeup and personal care products, said Watsons Group marketing manager Karen Fabres.

“There are many ways to transform yourself in a different extent. Physical transformation is one,” said Kho.

remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 60 years.

Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-todoor delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter).

(Advertising Supplement)

99 Ranch Market announces grand reopening of Market Hacienda Heights Store HACIENDA HEIGHTS—99 Ranch Market is excited to announce the completion of its Hacienda Heights store’s renovation. The branch has been part of the Hacienda Heights community for over 20 years and has grown significantly over the years. 99 Ranch Market continues to provide wide selection of high quality Asian and American products at competitive prices. With the solid traditions and mission, we also seek for continuous innovation to meet the high expectation of our customers.

We are proud to present the modernly-designed and newlyremodeled storefront as a way to thank our valued customers for shopping with us. Produce Department now carries a new organic section in order to provide more choices for the health-conscious consumers.

Seafood Department now offers both free frying and steaming services. Tea and coffee are now also available at our very own BF Bakery. 30,000 sq. ft.

store space and more than three months of ceiling-to-floor renovation, Hacienda Heights is thrilled to mark its new beginning with its newly-improved version.

The grand reopening celebration is set of February 3-4, 2018. During the grand reopening event, all departments offer special promotional items at discounted prices. The store will also be presenting engaging performances and appealing giveaways, which includes a Photobooth, In-house DJ, and Balloon Animal Artist with the following giveaway promotions: - Spend $20, receive a small gift by playing a fun prize drawing. (2/3 only!)

- Spend $30, receive a free Crystal Geyser NAtural Alpine Spring Water.

- Spend $50, receive a free dozen of eggs.

- Spend $70, get a roasted duck for only $9.99 (original price is $17.99). Offer is limited to the first 100 customers.

- Spend $120, get a compli-

mentary Zojirushi food jar. Offer is limited to the first 50 customers. Restrictions apply. Please see store for more details on these promotions.

99 Ranch Market Hacienda Heights address is 1625 Azusa Ave. Hacienda Heights, California 91745. Business hours are 9am-10pm on weekdays and 8am-10pm on weekends. For more information, plea contact 99 Ranch Market’s Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-6008292 or visit our website at www.99ranch.com.

99 Ranch Market 99 Ranch Market was established in 1984, with its first store in Westminster (Little Saigon), California. With the support of our loyal customers and hardworking employees, we have grown to become the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, with over 46 store locations in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington State, and have recently expanded to Oregon.

(Advertising Supplement)

Morisette is destined for Hollywood!

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

FANS of the singer Morisette better enjoy the artist performing on home turf while they can because the vocal power house may just be leaving for Hollywood real soon!

In the Know has been given the green light to report that Mori is on her way to an international career after Mariah Carey’s producer Rhett LawHayden Kho Philstar.com photo rence flew into the Philippines over New Year just to watch her “Physical transformation is perform live. important if you’re not happy “Mr. Lawrence discovered with how you look and how you me online when I did a cover feel about the way people look song with Mr. Arnel Pineda for at you. It’s not very important for most people, but I think, if it bothers you and there’s a solution that’s not unethical naman or immoral, and you can redefine yourself through cosmetic procedures, then go for it.” (Deni Rose Bernardo/Philstar. com)

Morisette Amon with renowned Hollywood music producer Rhett Lawrence.

Wish FM, which was ‘I Finally Found Someone.’ He also watched my ‘Birit Queens’ concert in the States,” she humbly yet excitedly said.

The visit came as a shock for Morisette since the music bigwig’s arrival was unannounced. “No one knew he was here over the New Year,” she exclaimed.

Sitting down with him, Morisette said she appreciates how Lawrence doesn’t impose a certain style on her, or even suggest she take a cue from Photos from Instagram/@itsmorisette Mariah or another one of his

famous talents, Kelly Clarkson.

“He likes me not just because kaya ko sumipol like Mariah but because he said I deliver a song differently.”

After Lawrence returned to the States, Mori got busy preparing for her first major concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum on February 20. Excited as she is for on the prospect of going international, she knows well enough to see to the task at hand first and give it her hundred percent—an attitude that will surely help her out when the time comes.

Xian Lim leaves Star Magic for Viva XIAN Lim has decided to leave ABS-CBN’s Star Magic where had been a contract star all his years in showbiz and is now officially part of the Viva Artist Agency, under the Viva Entertainment Group.

A contract signing was held last Tuesday, January 23 with head honcho Vic del Rosario and his daughter Veronique del Rosario-Corpuz, who heads Artist Agency.

Xian said he thought long and hard before deciding to change management.

Roving Eye asked him what he thought Viva can do for him that the media giant was unable to, given the fact that ABS-CBN was unable to build him up in the league of Piolo Pascual or John

Lloyd Cruz.

He replied, “I believe Viva can give me more opportunities in terms of better choice of roles, as well as the chance to work with other stars I haven’t worked with before. I am open to trying out roles that will challenge me as an actor.”

Truth be told, nothing much has happened to Xian’s career in 2017 besides some guest stints in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and a birthday concert. Most likely, it was the lack of good projects that prompted Xian to pack his bags and leave Star Magic. All the same, he said he bid his bosses goodbye in ABS-CBN with respect and told him he always be grateful to the network.

Roving Eye can only hope

Xian Lim

How they remember Maryo J...

From Page 3 a heavy drama, followed by “Avel Morado” and “Sinungaling Mong Puso.” Parati siyang nakaalalay sa akin. Many years later, after I lost weight, we worked together again in “A Love Story.”

Maryo was tatay-tatayan ng lahat; maalaga sa mga artista. I was telling him that in the next two years, gusto ko uli gumawa kami ng pelikula… And now, he’s gone. I was in bed early Sunday morning when Lea (Salonga) told me about Maryo’s passing, from New York (where Lea is starring in the musical “On This Island”).

I said, “Oh my God, it hurts, it really hurts so badly!!!”

• Vilma Santos: Sad! I was on leave from work for more than a week kasi I had an attack of vertigo. Check-up muna din ako.

Anyway, nabigla ako sa pagkawala ni Maryo. I enjoyed our working relationship. Sa kanya ako nakaranas ng nag-iisang workshop sa buhay ko bilang artista para sa movie na “Tagos ng Dugo” kasi puro lalaki ang leading men ko at pito sila.

“Sinungaling Mong Puso”

with Aga was also my favorite because Mother Lily gave me a bonus when the movie made a lot of money. It has been a while since I last saw him but I will definitely miss him kasi napakagaling niya hindi lang bilang director kundi bilang tao. Clannish din siya. Mahal niya at halos permanente ang grupo niya sa showbiz.

In spite of his status as a great filmmaker, napaka-humble niya. I will miss him.

• Gloria Romero: Napakasakit, napakalungkot! Mahilig kumain si Maryo. He was so mabait that many people would send him food on the set. He didn’t want to eat alone. He would invite us to his tent to share his food. He would always bring me pasalubong kahit saan siya galing. I would tell him, “Ang sweet mo naman!” The last time I saw him was at Jake’s wake.

He was a perfectionist. Hindi puede sa kanya ang puede na, okey na. Pinipiga talaga niya ang mga artista niya. He never got tired training new talents.

He didn’t want fake tears, so in drama scenes he would en-

ManilaTimes.net photo

that with this turn of events, Viva will be able to make Xian’s star shine brighter. Perhaps they will since they announced at the contract signing that the actor’s first movie with them will be with Sarah Geronimo and James Reid.

(ManilaTimes.net)

courage his actors to shed real tears. He was also a jolly person, especially between takes.

I remember when Nida (Blanca) and I were shooting “Waray vs. Biday.” In the scene, manganganak na ako at isasakay ako sa kalesa kasi walang taksi.

The horse was thin, payat na payat, so I was nervous. True enough, during the shoot, nagcollapse ang pobreng kabayo at munti na akong mahulog! Tawa kami nang tawa ni Nida!

• Charo Santos-Concio: I starred in High School Circa ’65, his first directorial job, with Eddie Rodriguez, Liza Lorena and Roderick Paulate; and in the epic drama “Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan.” Maryo J. was a very collaborative director who loved to engage his actors in conversations about people and life. He valued the opinion of his actors and creative team, thus helping create a more textured picture of the frailties of humanity. He did not think that world of himself, always ready to listen; he was kind and humble. I will miss a dear friend!

entertainment

Alex Gonzaga keeps it real

by Samantha

Beltran Philstar.com

When it comes to producing this generation’s flock of stars, it is but surprising that YouTube gets thrown into the mix. Through the years, the popular streaming service has produced its fair share of YouTubers that have since found worldwide fame; Justin Bieber certainly comes to mind. even vloggers once relegated to the corner of the internet with a small yet steady following are also thrust into the spotlight, where a whole new tribe of fans await. Unconventional as their path to popularity may be, for many “online influencers,� it would seem that the lights and cameras of the showbiz industry are still the pinnacle of stardom. not for Alex Gonzaga. The actress and host is doing a whole 360-degree turn, taking the online realm by storm as she subverts the typical vlogger trope; she’s a mainstream celebrity crossing over to YouTube instead of the other way around.

It’s hardly an original move as stars have typically relied on social media to stay relevant with their fans, but it’s a platform that Alex naturally shines in.

Alex’s vlog is only five months old, and unlike the bigscale productions she’s accustomed to in her television work, Alex has one main collaborator, Winnie Wong of penelopepop. com, who does most of the groundwork: she shoots, edits, handles Alex’s vlog-assigned e-mail and helps run Alex’s channel.

Despite the skeletal team, Alex has already amassed over 400,000 followers since launching her channel in July last year, a seriously impressive feat for a self-confessed vlogging newbie.

It was her knack for improvised one-liners and wacky Instagram stories that led to the idea of pursuing a vlog channel.

According to Alex, her vlog materialized during a spontaneous moment over dinner. As Alex shares, “Isasama ko dapat ‘yung ate (Toni) ko, sabi ko, ‘Ate, let’s make a vlog,’ pero sabi niya, ‘hmmm, not my personality.’ Tapos ‘yung isa naming kasama, si Winnie, sabi niya, ‘Let’s make a vlog. I’ll edit for you, I’ll do everything. You just have to shoot.’ everything just immediately fell into place.�

Alex doesn’t consider herself a full-blown comedian, just a personality who happens to have a sense of humor. It’s this same comedic timing that endears her to viewers and sets the tone for several of her videos. Some quick clicks to her page and one can already see the kind of content viewers expect from Alex; one of her most-viewed videos is a vlog

natural and organic as possible. “When I feel like it’s become work or when I already feel so pressured, I might stop. Gusto ko kasi sa vlogging good vibes lang siya, hindi siya planado.

Kasi for me, nakikita ka na sa TV, and sa TV it’s well-planned, so dito naman sa YouTube medyo mas candid.�

Perhaps what makes Alex a charming character to watch in her vlogs is the candid and raw attitude she displays, especially since finding her footing in comedy wasn’t always easy. “There The actress and host is doing a 360-degree turn, was a time in my life about two taking the online realm by storm as she subverts years ago when the managethe typical vlogger trope.

Photo by JP Talapian ment in my network thought people viewed me as just an OA entry entitled “how I make person,� Alex admitted. “They my nephew love me,� which said, ‘hindi ka genuine sa tao, entails Alex doing all sorts of antics to make her one-year-old hindi ka authentic. Akala nila nagpapatawa ka because may nephew Seve laugh. Another tinatago ka or nakasanayan mo popular video shows Alex and her mom, fondly called Mommy lang. hindi authentic sa’yo ‘yung Pinty in a pseudo-cooking show pagpapatawa.’ So I had this format detailing Mommy Pinty’s process in my life where I was like, Ito ba talaga? nakakapagspaghetti recipe, featuring less patawa ba talaga ako?’ hinanap of the actual cooking and more ko talaga ‘yung sarili ko, and of the familial chaos that takes then, I realized that it’s really (my place in the Gonzaga home, thing) to make people laugh. So with sister Toni quipping, “Eto I think with my vlog, napakita ang pinaka-magulong cooking ko sa tao na this is the real me, show.�

I’m not pretending. This is my Although she figures in the authenticity.� public eye and her vlogs zero For now, the actress-host in on her daily life, Alex doesn’t is playing it by ear and taking make her videos all about one video at a time. As for us, herself, nor is she concerned we’re keeping one finger on the about perfection. her videos “subscribe� button and our eyes are peppered with self-deprepeeled. cating humor and an effortless wit, which almost feels like we’re peering into a behindthe-scenes montage, exclusive access into an otherwise normal life. As Alex puts it, “My vlog is the unfiltered version of myself.� “I think you owe it to your audience to be authentic and genuine,� Alex shares, adding, “Because first of all, pinaka-hate ko yung pagiging pretentious.

Ayokong magpretend na mabait ako, masama ako‌ ayoko ng may pretension ako. So pag nararamdaman ko na may pretension na, like ‘This is my house, it’s so clean‌.’ I find it so hypocritical.â€? Less than a year after jumpstarting her channel, Alex already knows what kind of content she wants to create more of, and what she’s not so keen on. For starters, she’s already figured out that her viewers enjoy seeing her videos more when she’s with off-camera friends and loved ones.

A typical shoot day doesn’t require much planning, especially since someone like Alex relies much on spontaneity for content. There are times when she comes up with an idea and then they shoot about a week later; other times it’s just an opportunity presenting itself, like when she’s in the dressing room with a celebrity friend and they have some time to kill. For now, Alex plans to keep the content as

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 31, 2018

Ruru, Gabbi, Janine—and a dog GMA brings together hot young stars and a furry friend in ‘Sherlock Jr.’ Starting this week, GMA network will take viewers on a fun investigative journey with a new prime time series that brings together a star-studded cast and one smart canine in “Sherlock Jr.� headlining the show are two of the network’s brightest young stars and one of today’s hottest love teams, Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia, with the special participation of beautiful Janine Gutierrez.

As for TVLandia’s newest furry resident, a wonderfully trained golden retriever named Serena—Siri for short—hopes to entice animal lovers to the primetime habit.

Madrid breathes life to Sherlock “Jack� Jackson, Jr., a clever investigative reporter who never backs out from solving mysteries. Besides being a good son and brother, he is also a devoted boyfriend to fellow reporter Irene, portrayed by Gutierrez.

Finally, Garcia plays the role of Lily, a jolly and bubbly veterinary clinic assistant, who Jack will come across as he learns to love and depend on the beautiful Serena, fur, paws, bark and all.

Lending stellar support to the young leads are Comedy Queen

Ruru Madrid

Janine Gutierrez

Gabbi Garcia

AiAi de las Alas as Jack’s hopeless romantic mother; Tonton Gutierrez as a high-profile politician; Andre Paras as a policeman and Jack’s best friend; as well as Roi Vinzon, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Rochelle Barrameda, Matt evans, Kate Valdez, Alyana Asistio, and Sofia Pablo.

According to the production notes, “Sherlock Jr. aims to stir

viewers’ interests with a thoughtprovoking storyline in an actionfilled mystery and drama, and more importantly, show how love and family are some of life’s greatest joys.�

The series is an original concept of Aloy Adlawan and is under the helm of director Rechie del Carmen. (ManilaTimes.net)

GMA photos

DEAR ROSALYNN

A Documentary of First Lady Rosalynn Carter One of the most accomplished and inspiring First Ladies in United States history, Rosalynn Carter has worked tirelessly throughout her life to make the world a better place. We invite you to join the students and staff of St. Genevieve Parish Schools as we honour her at the premiere of our documentary Dear Rosallynn, February 2, 2018 at the Rose Bowl. )URP EULQJLQJ PHQWDO LOOQHVVHV RXW RI WKH VKDGRZV DQG Ć“JKWLQJ IRU EHWWHU PHQWDO KHDOWK FDUH WR DGGUHVVLQJ RXU QDWLRQĹ?V FDUHJLYLQJ FULVLV Ć“JKWLQJ IRU ZRPHQĹ?V ULJKWV DQG LPSURYLQJ WKH ORW RI WKH ZRUOGĹ?V SRRUHVW SHRSOH 5RVDO\QQ &DUWHU KDV EHHQ DQ XQVWRSSDEOH IRUFH IRU JRRG Learn about her incredible life, and discover more about two of her greatest loves, her precious hometown of Plains, Georgia, and the boy she met there over 70 years ago, Jimmy Carter.

Friday, February 2, 2018 11:30 AM Welcome Ceremony 12:15 PM PREMIERE of Dear Rosalynn documentary 1:30 PM Luncheon with Rosalynn Carter At the Rose Bowl Locker Room

$150/PERSON 1HW SURFHHGV EHQHĆ“W WKH ,QVSLUDWLRQ %XLOGLQJ &DPSDLJQ of St. Genevieve Parish and Schools $25/PERSON Film Only Attire: Smart Casual FOR TICKETS: www.sgps.org/rosalynn Rain or Shine

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 31, 2018