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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2019 Volume 30 - No. 5 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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

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USA

ISIS claims responsibility for PH bombing 21 killed, over 80 injured during mass

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Federal employees head back to work after longest shutdown in history Five-week partial shutdown results in $11 billion loss, according to CBO ON Monday, Jan. 28, hundreds of thousands of federal government employees returned to work after the government reopened on Friday, Jan. 25. The five-week shutdown, which was the longest in United States history, cost the national economy $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Additionally, a quarter of that total — roughly $2.8 billion — is permanently lost. A chunk of the money included in that figure was delayed and will trickle back into the economy as the affected federal workers receive back pay. Although the White House indicated that back pay will be issued to workers “at the earliest date possible,” the date is to be determined depending on the agency. Though the government is open, agencies will need time to pick up where they left off. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said that it’ll take at least one year for the service to catch up to work that piled up during the shutdown. The IRS said that its backlog of unread mail

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Philippines rated 50th best country in the world – poll WASHINGTON – The Philippines has been rated the 50th best country in the world in a global survey of more than 21,000 people regarding their assessment of what shapes a country, from quality of life to economic potential. The survey was based on global perceptions that define countries such as trade, travel and investment, and other values and attributes including human rights, gender equality, religious freedom and the environment. The U.S. State Department lists a total of 196 countries, but the survey by the U.S. News & World Report in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and global marketing communications company VMLY&R referred to only 80 of them. Switzerland maintained its No. 1 rank-

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by AJPRESS THE Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a pair of bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu that has killed 21 people and left over 80 injured during a mass on Sunday, January 27. The first explosion went off inside the cathedral on Sunday morning, while a subsequent blast happened seconds later as security forces

rushed inside. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) speculate that the Abu Sayyaf Group carried out the deadly attack and are also looking into the possibility of a suicide bombing. However, hours after the bombings, the Islamic State said it was behind the incident, according to its news agency Amaq. Pope Francis expressed his “firm condemnation of this act of violence

that causes more mourning in the Christian community.” Despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal tirades against the Catholic Church, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Sunday’s attacks are not related to the president’s words. “In fact, the president is outraged. He’s so angry that they have not respected a place of worship – that’s why he declared war against all

these perpetrators,” Panelo told reporters on Tuesday. He added, “Those who will attack places of worship, especially with the Catholics, are doing it because they do not believe in that religion.” Various reports said 111 individuals were wounded in the twin blasts, while 16 civilians and five troops were among the fatalities. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP)

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Palace grateful for world support to combat terror by CHRISTINA

MENDEZ

Philstar.com

MANILA — With the outpouring of support from the international community after the twin blasts that killed 21 people in Jolo, Sulu last Sunday, January 27, the Palace welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to help fight terrorism in the country. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo yesterday cited the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. “So did U.S., and so did other governments – we welcome all of them. All of them have offered support in fighting terrorism,” he said, noting that the United States, United Kingdom and other countries also expressed concern over the recent developments in Mindanao. He was referring to U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim, United Kingdom Ambassador Daniel Robert Pruce and many others. “In other words, terrorism is a worldwide problem, hence all the countries of the world must unite and help each other in fighting it and stopping it,” Panelo said. Panelo said Russia and other countries have not

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BLAST SITE. President Rodrigo Duterte conducts an inspection inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu on Monday, January 28 where two explosions occurred inside and outside the church last January 27. Accompanying the President are Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

First EDCA facility opens in Pampanga PH Senate report recommends criminal liability age threshold to 12, stiffer penalties for parents by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States officially activated the first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a human assistance United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Philippine and disaster relief warehouse at Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana toss couns at the Basa Air Base Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga warehouse, symbolizing good luck and fortune for the newly-constructed on Tuesday, January 29. building.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

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Thousands join ‘Battle for Manila Bay’ solidarity walk MANILA — Some 5,000 volunteers gathered on Sunday, January 27, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for a solidarity walk to signify the start of the Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts. Multi-sectorial groups, stakeholders, officials and personnel of government agencies, religious groups, academe, students, civic and other non-government organizations attended the event to show their cooperation in the Save Manila Bay project. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu led the walk, together with TourVarious sectors walk together in support of the rehabilitation program of Manila Bay in Roxas ism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Boulevard on Sunday, January 27. The program, dubbed as “Battle for Manila Bay,” seeks to Puyat, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Acting Information bring the government and the community together to clean up the popular bay. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan and Communications Technology

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

CHILDREN as young as 12 years old who acted with discernment should be held criminally liable while parents of children in conflict with the law should suffer stiffer penalties. These were among the recommendations included in a 13-page report prepared by three committees— justice and human rights; women, children, family relations and gender equality; and finance — on a bill lowering the minimum

age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12. The report was signed by 11 of 21 committee members, including Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee on justice. Under the bill, a child below 12 years old at the time of the commission of an offense should be exempt from liability. But the child would still be subjected to an intervention program. “A child 12 years of age and above but below 18 years of age shall likewise be exempt from

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Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim. The walk ended at the Rajah Sulayman Park, where the officials gave their keynote messages and urged the public to further support the project. In his speech, Lim defined the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as a ‘Herculean’ task as it requires the effort of various government agencies and the public. “Sa amin sa MMDA kasama sa Senator Richard Gordon (center), chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human aming mandatos ang paglilinis ng Rights, together with Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, conduct a public waterways and sewerages, pero hearing Friday, January 25 on several proposals to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare

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Act of 2006.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

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january 31-february 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

From The FronT Page

Palace grateful for world support to...

PAGE A1 “I am delighted that we have finally undertaken the first among the many activities and projects under the EDCA,” Lorenzana said. The facility will house equipment and supplies that the Philippines and the U.S. could use to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian crises, the U.S. Embassy said.

“This project illustrates not only our commitment to the U.S.-Philippine alliance, but also both of our countries’ dedication to peace and stability in the larger IndoPacific region,” Kim said. The American envoy noted that the alliance between the two countries has effectively addressed security issues in the region in the past seven decades. Aside from the warehouse in

Pampanga, the Philippines and the U.S. are working on future EDCA facilities at Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. Under the EDCA, the Philippines allowed the U.S. to use five military bases in the country. The agreement also granted American troops increased presence in the Philippines through rotation of ships and planes for humanitarian and maritime operations. Amid several protests, the Supreme Court ruled with finality in July 2016 that the EDCA does not violate the Constitution. “EDCA did not go beyond the framework. The entry of U.S. troops has long been authorized under a valid and subsisting treaty, which is the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the high court said in its ruling. n

First EDCA facility opens... PAGE A1 notified the Philippines about the form of support they want to provide but the doors are open. He added the support usually comes in the form of military hardware and intelligence-sharing. “They have not said, but they are offering maybe, in terms of military equipment… Intelligence, if they have intelligence report which we don’t know, they will share,” he said. In his statement shortly after the Jolo bombings, Putin reiterated Russia’s readiness to further step up interaction with Philippine partners in combatting the terror threat in all its forms and manifestations. Putin expressed shock over the twin blasts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. France condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Jolo on Sunday as it assured the Filipinos that it stands alongside the Philippines in the fight against terrorism. “France extends its condolences to the victims’ families, as well as to the Filipino people. It stands alongside the Philippines in the fight against terrorism,” the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement. n

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

ISIS claims responsibilty for... PAGE A1

on Tuesday clarified that the number of wounded victims has been reduced. “The total number killed is 21 while wounded persons [were] reduced to 97 and 54 of the wounded victims remain confined in different medical facilities [and] those with minor injuries had been discharged,” PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac told reporters in press briefing held at Camp Crame. Since Sunday, Sulu’s capital town has been on lockdown, but Banac said it will be lifted once investigators are done gathering evidence at the cathedral. “The lockdown is just a precautionary measure in support of ongoing security operations to establish strong control points in ingress and egress to and from Jolo by putting up roadblocks and checkpoints. It also allows investigators more flexibility to move around,” PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement read by Banac. Albayalde told reporters that there are substantive leads police investigators are looking into, including surveillance camera footage of possible suspects seen in the vicinity of the cathedral minutes before the explosions. According to closed circuit television (CCTV) footage released Tuesday, January 29 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, one improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at the cathedral, while the second exploded 15

seconds later. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon initially identified six persons of interest based on the CCTV footage and an earlier intelligence report issued in 2018. “Dalawang grupo (two groups) So far, anim, six of them. Information from what I understand is that we have leads not only from the CCTV but we also have leads because we have a previous report from the intelligence community as early as August last year,” Esperon said as reported by Rappler. AFP WESTMINCOM Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana also released the images of the three suspects who were seen entering and leaving the church before the mass even started. The cameras have also zeroed on one other suspect who is known as Kamah. Kamah is allegedly a member of Ajang-Ajang faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He is believed to be the brother of fallen bandit leader Surakah Ingog, an alleged bombmaker slain in Sulu in August 2018. In the CCTV footage, Kamah is reportedly seen wearing a blue-green jacket, with his hair in a bun. He is seen at 8:30 a.m. walking with two other men, after 10 seconds, he hands out — a small item — before the second explosion occurs. Besana said the man who could be Kamah may have detonated the IEDs using the item in his hand before he escaped. Besana stated that the videos were only compressed and not cropped or trimmed so that they can send those to the other officials and reporters who are

not based in Mindanao. Duterte orders Abu Sayyaf takedown In line with the recent tragedy, Duterte ordered the military to take down the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) “by whatever means” after visiting the blast site on Monday afternoon. “I ordered you to destroy the organization. I’m ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang Abu Sayyaf (eliminate the Abu Sayyaf) by whatever means,” Duterte told reporters. He added, “Ang gawin ninyo, sabihin ninyo pagka-bobombahin mo ‘yang lahat. Paalisin mo ‘yung mga tao, ilagay mo dito kung saan ako, ako ang maggastos ng pagkain - lahat. Tapos plantsahin ninyo ng bala (What you do, I tell you, bomb them all, evacuate all residents. Let them stay where I am. I’ll pay for food, everything. Then prepare the bullets).” Panelo said that the move to heighten alert in the entire country is a necessary move to secure the public. The spokesperson believed that such is a “preventive measure.” “Kapag may nangyari doon at ang pinagdududahan mo ang ISIS, eh worldwide ang ISIS, you have to secure the entire Philippines. Kasi kung may nangyari doon, baka may mangyari ditto; alangan namang maghintay ka pa, gagawa ka ng preventive measures (If something happens and you assume the involvement of ISIS, since ISIS is worldwide, you have to secure the entire Philippines. If something happened there, it might happen here. You don’t have to wait. You have to ensure preventive measures),” Panelo said. n

Thousands join ‘Battle for Manila Bay’... PAGE A1 ngayon nagsasama tayong lahat, naniniwala ako wala nang dahilan para hindi tayo magtagumpay sa pagbabalik ng linis, kaayusan at kagandahan ng Manila Bay (It is included in the mandate of MMDA to clean the waterways and sewerages, but now that we’re all together, I believe there is no reason for us not to succeed in bringing back the cleanliness, order and beauty of Manila Bay),” he said. For his part, Villar said the event showed President Rodrigo Duterte’s firm decision and strong political will to clean the popular bay. “We will allocate heavy equipment, we will procure a new technology, trash skimmers — this will

collect garbage and full-time solely allocated for Manila Bay. This is just the beginning and you can expect us to allocate a bigger budget for Manila Bay,” he said. Meanwhile, Año said the rehabilitation of Manila Bay covers 190 kilometers involving three regions, 5,700 barangays and 178 local government units. “Sa DILG, bubusisiin natin ang establishments dito kung sila ay sumusunod sa (At DILG, we will scrutinize the establishments if they are in compliance with the) Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Solid Waste Management Act. Every week the barangay captains will conduct cleanup in their respective areas where there are rivers leading to Manila Bay,”

he said. Año clarified that establishments will be given enough time to correct their lapses but they will be shut down or sued if unable to comply within deadlines. For his part, Cimatu urged the public to take part in cleaning up Manila Bay. “As I declare the start of Battle for Manila Bay, I direct the DENR and the LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority) to issue a cease and desist order for those who violated environmental laws here in Manila Bay,” he added. Cimatu led an inspection of the food establishments circling the bay and the three drainage canals leading to it right after the event. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)

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Photos posted by several netizens show how the once heavily-polluted Manila Bay has been revived to its natural splendor through the efforts of government agencies and volunteers. Contributed photos by Antonio Jr. Ampoan Chua-so

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

M. ORIEL

AJPress

THE City of Los Angeles could soon have an 18-week fully paid parental leave policy through a proposed motion introduced during the city council’s meeting on Tuesday, January 29. The plan — introduced by City Councilmembers Nury Martinez (CD6) and David Ryu (CD4) — would allow new parents to be on leave for up to 18 weeks and not experience a reduction in pay. It requests the city attorney to explore a paid parental leave SENATE HEARING ON EXCISE TAX. Members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, headed by Sen. Sonny Angara (right), listen to the ordinance that would require views of medical practitioners and other stakeholders on the proposal to increase the excise tax rates on tobacco products on Tuesday, employers in LA to make up the January 29. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo difference between paid parental leave benefits and the employee’s weekly wages for up to 18 weeks. The motion also calls for rec-

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

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

victim is killed or raped, robbery with homicide or rape, destructive arson, rape or carnapping where the driver or occupant is killed or raped, or offenses under Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002. The DSWD will also be responsible for building, funding, and operating a “Bahay Pag-asa” (House of Hope). Every “Bahay Pag-asa” should have facilities such as gyms, libraries, and vocational training shops. The budget for building, funding, and operating the “Bahay Pag-asa” will be included in the DSWD’s annual budget. The mea-

Philippines rated 50th best country... PAGE A1 ing for the third consecutive year followed in order by Japan, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. The United States was in 8th

place, Singapore (15), China (16), Thailand (26), Malaysia (38), Vietnam (39) and Indonesia (43). The Philippines with a GDP of $313.6 billion, a population of

laws “to reflect a 21st-century economy and that means making our City more friendly for working parents.” “By providing full paid parental leave, we will empower LA’s hard-working mothers and fathers with the tools to be the outstanding parents they are, without fear of losing their paychecks,” the councilwoman said on Tuesday. Mayor Eric Garcetti applauded Martinez and Ryu for proposing the motion. “Nearly every other country in the developed world guarantees paid family leave. If Washington refuses to step up for children and parents, cities like Los Angeles will — because we know this is an essential investment in healthy families and a strong economy,” Garcetti said in a statement. ■

FOLLOWING TEMPORARY US BAN ON FILIPINO WORKERS

The hotline is separate from the existing 24/7 duty phone (mobile number +1-202-3682767), which receives and reby RAE ANN VARONA sponds to queries on consular AJPress matters and other embassy services as well as information THE Philippine Department of on the Philippines. (Inquirer. Foreign Affairs (DFA) is remindnet) ing Filipinos abroad to follow immigration rules after the United States imposed a temporary oneyear ban on new Filipino migrant sure also proposes higher penal- workers. The department said that Filities for “parental liability.” pinos living abroad — especially Under the bill, any person, including parents who exploit a those in the U.S. — must “follow child could face reclusion per- immigration rules and avoid staypetua if the crime committed is ing beyond what is allowed in their punishable by imprisonment of visas.” Acknowledging the reasons for more than six years. the ban, the DFA said that the PhilA penalty of reclusion temporal, meanwhile, would be imposed if ippines was open to working with the crime committed is punish- the U.S. in addressing the issues. “The Philippine Embassy in able by imprisonment of six years Washington, D.C. along with the or less. “The fact that the person who other Philippine Consulates Genexploited the child for the com- eral in the U.S., will continue to exmission of crimes shall be con- tend appropriate assistance to all sidered as a generic aggravating its nationals pursuant to law,” said circumstance,” the bill further the DFA in a release on Wednesday, January 23. read. ■ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently identified the Philippines as one of the foreign countries no longer eligi104,918,000 and a GDP per capita ble to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Nonimmigrant Worker Proof $8,360 was in 50th place. Each year countries shift posi- grams starting January 19, 2019 to tions in the rankings and the Phil- January 18, 2020. The DHS highlighted the high ippines was in 49th place in 2018. rate of H-2B overstays from the (Jose Katigbak/Philstar.com)

PH Senate report recommends criminal liability...

PAGE A1 liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless the child has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act,” the measure noted. Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, should establish a fund and manage a 24hour child-caring institution for children in conflict with the law who commits parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention where the

ommendations on how the city could implement the policy as well as for a study on how it would affect small businesses and non-profit organizations. “For too many Los Angeles families, raising a child and paying the bills is becoming an impossible choice,” Ryu said in a statement. “Families should not have to choose between parenting and a paycheck.” Currently California’s Paid Family Leave provides approximately 60 to 70 percent of prior pay up to six weeks to spend with a newborn, adopted or foster child. About 18.7 million state workers are covered under the program, which is funded through mandatory employee payroll deductions. Martinez said that introducing this motion is a way for labor

PH DFA reminds Filipinos to abide by immigration rules Philippines as being a reason for the decision. In 2017, the DHS estimated that nearly 40-percent of Filipino H-2B visa holders overstayed their authorized stay period. H-2B visas allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs, while H-2A visas allow them to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary and seasonal agricultural jobs. According to U.S. State Department statistics, the Philippines accounted for the majority of the visa types issued for Asia in 2017. Of the total 992 H-2B visas issued for Asia, 767 were for the Philippines. Of the total 95 H-2A visas, 64 were for the country. Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday, January 22 that while Malacañang Palace respected the U.S. government’s directive, it would seek to appeal the decision should the U.S. fail “to prove that there is basis to impose the ban.” While he did not mention why the U.S. may not have had a basis for its decision, he said that the DFA would be in charge of working with the U.S. in addressing the issues and filing the possible appeal. “If that is the law in the U.S. and if there were violations, then we

have to respect if they have basis for that. We will only react if our workers are being mistreated, maltreated or being discriminated against. And if they violated the law of the U.S., then they have to face the music,” said Panelo. In its notification, the U.S. agency went on to cite the issue of human trafficking as another reason to warrant the removal of the Philippines from the visa programs. The agency said that the U.S. Embassy in Manila issues the greatest number of T-derivative visas, which are reserved for family members of certain victims of severe forms of human trafficking. In reviewing the status of T-1 recipients whose spouses were issued T-2 visas in the same period, the agency said approximately 60 percent were found to have been trafficked to the U.S. on H-2B visas. It said the DHS and the U.S. Department of State “are concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines.” The same concern was also PAGE A4

january 31-february 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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Forum highlights ‘happy ending’ to Balangiga Bells saga

SCARECROW FEST. Performers dance for more than two hours during the Bambanti or Scarecrow Festival in Ilagan City, Isabela on Friday, January 25. The Bambanti or Scarecrow Festival of this province earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for the largest number of scarecrow dancers last Friday. Paulina Sapinska, official adjudicator and representative of Guinness, announced that the Bambanti Festival hit the world record for biggest number of dancers wearing scarecrow costumes in a single venue. Sapinska noted that a total of 2,495 participants wearing scarecrow costumes danced non-stop for more than two hours around the Isabela grandstand here, surpassing the five-minute dance of at least 250 persons earlier awarded by Guinness. Philstar.com photo by Victor Martin

Federal employees head back to work after... PAGE A1 from taxpayers skyrocketed to 5 million pieces of mail with an additional 700,000 pieces a day the IRS is still receiving. Among the agencies that were most harmed included the National Parks Service (NPS), which had to go five weeks without park rangers and various staff that maintain the parks. Joshua Tree National Park in California suffered “irreparable” damage after vandals littered, destroyed joshua trees, drove through unauthorized areas of the park and permanently destroyed sensitive ecosystems that included historic rock formations. “What’s happened to our park in the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years,” Curt Sauer, former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park, said at a rally on Saturday.

NPS employees are expecting their first paycheck with back pay on Wednesday, Jan. 30. For weeks, certain “non-essential” federal workers were either furloughed or worked without pay after President Donald Trump refused to sign the government spending bill before the deadline on Dec. 22, 2018. The bill presented to him lacked the $5.7 billion request for a border wall and increased border security, an indelible condition of the president. In December, he firmly maintained that he would not sign a spending bill to fund the government unless that bill included said border wall funding, stating that he would be “proud to shut down the government” if Congress didn’t comply with his request. After five weeks, Trump caved and signed a temporary spending

bill that did not include any funding for the border wall, which the administration has deemed necessary for national security reasons. Trump agreed to fund the government until Feb. 15, but the White House has alluded to the possibility of another shutdown if Democrats ignore wall funding in the next spending package, which both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer intend to do. “If you’re the president of the United States, and you know that you have to defend the nation, do you want to shut the government down? No. Do you want to declare a national emergency? No. But you do need and want to defend the nation,” White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Jan. 27. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

PH DFA reminds Filipinos to abide by... PAGE A3 found for the H-2A visa program as applications to the program increased fourfold from 2015 to 2018. In response to the concerns posed by the U.S. agencies, Panelo said there was not much the Philippine government could do if the concerns were based on conducted investigations. “When you say human trafficking, the U.S. government must have conducted [an] investigation on that. If their investigation yields that there was a violation,

oh I don’t think pwede tayong makialam doon (we can interfere),” said Panelo. He said that in the meantime, the Philippine government would look into its own anti-trafficking measures. “What we can do is to do our own controls here para hindi nakaka dating doon iyong mga trafficking na nanggagaling sa atin (so that trafficking victims here don’t reach there),” said Panelo. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. spoke out about the one-year ban and

blamed an unnamed labor attaché for the decision. “One of our labor attaches questioned such visas so I guess we got what we asked for,” tweeted Locsin as a response to a question on the issue on Tuesday. He said in a following tweet, “Thank you to the labor attache who denounced work/study J1 visas as slavery.” “She started the halls rolling. Salamat on behalf of Filipinos who won’t be allowed into the U.S. anymore. Good work. Shet,” he added. n

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A forum on Jan. 22 brought together renowned speakers who were among significant contributors to the successful effort to return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines in December 2018. The Philippine Embassy and the U.S.-Philippines Society cohosted “Return of the Balangiga Bells: A Historical Perspective and Significance” at the Philippine Chancery Annex. The Balangiga Bells were returned to the Philippines with an arrival ceremony in Villamor Air Base on Dec. 11, 2018, after having spent years in the United States as war trophies from the Philippine-American War at the end of the 19thcentury. They were handed over to the San Lorenzo de Martir Parish Church in Balangiga, Eastern Samar on 15 Dec.15, 2018. The panelists were Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Dr. Joseph H. Felter; Philippine Honorary Consul to Florida, Dr. Henry B. Howard; and Commanding Officer of Naval Supply Systems Command (1988-1991), Rear Admiral Daniel McKinnon, Jr. SC. USN (Ret.). Admiral McKinnon provided the historical background of the bells, while Consul Howard and Deputy Assistant Secretary Felter recounted the dedicated efforts

Panelists of the Forum on the Return of the Balangiga Bells, from left: Philippine Honorary Consul to Florida, Dr. Henry B. Howard; Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Dr. Joseph H. Felter; and Commanding Officer of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) (1988-1991), Rear Admiral Daniel McKinnon, Jr. SC, USN (Ret.). Inquirer.net photo

exerted by Filipinos and Americans alike who worked tirelessly for the bells’ homecoming. Representative Donald Bacon (R-NE 2nd District) who was present during the forum also underscored the significance of the bell’s return to PH-U.S. friendship and alliance in his brief remarks. Ambassador Romualdez again expressed the Philippine government’s gratitude to the United States for “doing what is right”, and further underscored the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries. “We never forget friends. Once you are a friend of ours, you are a friend forever. The latest survey indicates that 85 percent of Filipinos trust the United States as an ally. We trust that this country will do what is right”, the Ambassador remarked. “The return of these bells will

never be forgotten by the people of the Philippines,” he further emphasized. “The forum provided an unusually comprehensive and insightful happy-ending account of a successful effort by a committed team of players both inside and outside of government working for years against the odds with many dramatic near-misses along the way. Presentations underscored the significance of the Bells return in addressing a historical grievance, promoting reconciliation, strengthening people-topeople ties and fostering strategic cooperation. The US-Philippines Society and its members were privileged to have played a role in supporting this remarkable initiative,” said US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson who also served as moderator. n

Fil-Am arrested for allegedly stabbing to death his own mom SAN JOSE — A FilipinoAmerican man in this city was arrested for allegedly stabbing his own mother to death, authorities said Monday, January 21. San Jose police said officers responded on Thursday, January 17, to a possible dead body on the 1300 block of Darryl

Drive at about 9:24 p.m. Officers arrived and found 52-year-old Maribeth Garces Ablaza suffering from at least one stab wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators identified Michael Ablaza, 25, the victim’s son as the murder suspect. Homicide detectives arrested

him on Friday, January 18 and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. No other information was immediately available. Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283. (Inquirer.net)

reminded Filipinos in the U.S. to avoid unnecessary travel, limit exposure to the cold, and exercise fire safety. According to Consul General Gina Jamoralin, the temperature was reported by the National Weather Service at a record low of –25°F (–31°C) with wind chill factor of –50°F to –55°F (–45°C to –48°C) will hit starting late Tues-

day, January 28. The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago will be closed on Wednesday (Jan. 30) to ensure the safety of the public and its personnel. “Filipinos who may find themselves in emergency situations that would require the Consulate’s assistance may call (312) 800-3106,” the DFA added. n

DFA warns Filipinos in US to take precautions vs extreme cold by Christia

Marie Inquirer.net

raMos

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, January 30, advised Filipinos living in the Midwest of the United States to take extra precautions in the face of extremely cold weather expected to set in within the week. In a statement, the DFA also

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Dateline PhiliPPines

2018 Corruption Index: PH improves 12 notches to 99th by HeLen

FLores Philstar.com

E-MOTORCYCLES FOR MPD. Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (3rd from right) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua (4th from right) during the turnover of 50 electric motorcycles to the Manila Police District (MPD) during its 118th founding anniversary at its headquarters along United Nations Ave., Manila on Monday, January 28. Estrada said the donation will help the police patrol Manila’s streets and prevent criminality. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

China opens rescue center on Kagitingan Reef by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — Beijing has established a maritime rescue center on Kagitingan or Fiery Cross Reef, one of its military outposts in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. According to a report from Chinese state-run Xinhua, China’s Ministry of Transport opened the center to support rescue operations in the southern part of the disputed waterway. In July 2018, China sent a rescue ship to Zamora or Subi Reef, which has been modified to adapt to the natural conditions in the area. In charge of emergency re-

sponse operations, the Chinese ship was staffed with at least eight rescuers with diving equipment. Another ship was deployed to the region in October to replace the first vessel, Xinhua reported. The two Chinese ships have rescued 16 people and two ships in eight operations over the past six months, according to the report. Kagitingan Reef, which is also being claimed by the Philippines, had earlier been transformed into a fortified airbase with military installations. In December 2017, Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television showed an aerial shot

of the reef, where Beijing had installed military facilities such as early warning radars and closeproximity weapons systems. A report from Washingtonbased think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) indicated that China is likely using Kagitingan Reef as its intelligence hub in the Spratly Islands. “None of the other bases in the Spratlys so far has a comparable array, though smaller ones have been built on Subi and Mischief, suggesting that Fiery Cross might be serving as a signals intelligence/communications hub for Chinese forces in the area,” the AMTI said in a brief published February 2018. n

Ombudsman prosecutors urge court to order Revilla to pay in PDAF case MANILA — Prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman urged the Sandiganbayan to compel former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to pay for the civil liability on dismissed plunder case. The Star reported that the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor filed a Motion for Execution of Judgment before the Sandiganbayan’s Special First Division to ask the anti-graft court to issue a Writ of Execution against Revilla. The court, in a landmark ruling on December, acquitted Revilla in the multimillion-peso plunder case saying prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the former lawmaker “received, directly or indirectly the rebates, commission and kickbacks from his [Priority Development Assistance Fund].” Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that Revilla, through his aide Richard Cambe, received from businesswoman Janet LimNapoles a total of P224.5 million in kickbacks in exchange for the allocation of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus non-government organizations she controlled. The Sandiganbayan in 2015 ordered a freeze of P224 million in Revilla’s assets. The court convicted Cambe and Napoles and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment of 40 years. Revilla camp: No criminal liability, no civil liability Part of the dispositive of the ruling read: “In view of the discussion above, pursuant to Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code, accused are held solidarily and jointly liable to return to the National Treasury the amount of P124.5 million.” Revilla’s camp earlier argued that they should not be ordered to pay since the former senator

Former Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla all smiles as he leaves Sandiganbayan on the morning of Dec. 7, 2018. Philstar.com photo by Michael Marcelo

was acquitted from the case. “He (Revilla) has no obligation under the (Sandiganbayan) judgment to return anything. How can he be held civilly liable if he was not found criminally liable? The finding of the court is he did not receive any of the alleged kickbacks or commissions,” lawyer Ramon Esguerra told The Star. Revilla civilly liable, Ombudsman prosecutors say O m bu dsm a n pro se c u t o r s argued before the court that Revilla’s acquittal “was based merely on reasonable doubt and not due to the absolute failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt.” “This is why the judgment did not declare him to be without civil liability,” the motion further read. Citing jurisprudence, state prosecutors stressed: “[A] person acquitted of a criminal charge, however, is not necessarily civilly free because the quantum of proof required in criminal prosecution (proof beyond reasonable doubt) is greater than the

required for civil liability (mere preponderance of evidence.)” “It is evidence which is more convincing to the court as worthy of belief than that which is offered in opposition thereto,” they added. Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code discusses Civil Liability and provides: “Every person criminally liable for a felony is also civilly liable.” Evidence that is beyond reasonable doubt is required in criminal conviction. In civil cases, a “preponderance of the evidence” or that more convincing evidence is needed. State prosecutors also said that Revilla’s liability stem from his failure to safeguard and account to the millions of public funds that was funnelled through the pork barrel scheme. Revilla, after staying in detention for four years, walked free on the same day of the historic ruling He is gunning for another term at the Senate. — Kristine Joy Patag with reports from Elizabeth Marcelo/Philstar.com)

DOT revamps ‘It’s more fun’ campaign by neiL Jayson

serVaLLos ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has awarded the contract to revamp the agency’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign to BBDO Guerrero Inc., the advertising agency that created the brand campaign in 2012. BBDO Guerrero Inc. won the bidding against DDB Philippines Inc., TBWA/Santiago Mangada Puno Advertising Inc. and Weber Shandwick Philippines. The agency will be responsible for the development of a digital public relations campaign for the Philippines as a premiere sustainable tourism destination. Meanwhile, Touch XDA Inc. will serve as the media planning and buying agency that will steward the campaign’s strategic

international placements. DDB Philippines Inc., however, was chosen to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in the country, using a comprehensive research study as basis. “Expect that in the coming months and throughout the year, the DoT will be aggressive in promoting the best of the Philippines to our international source markets,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said. Puyat said the new brand would appeal to older markets and younger audience. The Tourism chief said the new campaign of the old tagline would focus on promoting tourism products, destinations and the DOT’s advocacy for sustainable tourism among local communities, stakeholders and visitors.“The concept of fun

is now redefined to include responsibility in taking care of our tourist destinations to sustain the ‘more fun’ experience for future generations,” she added. In its 2012 launch, the tagline was met with mixed response from netizens, with some saying it was ripped off from a 1951 Swiss tourism slogan. The campaign did not also fare well during the stint of former Tourism chief Wanda Teo, despite spending P650 million to revise and upscale the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in 2017 as the catchy slogan did not generate enough tourist arrivals. Puyat said it was important to have continuity with the campaign to establish a more permanent trademark and brand for the Philippine tourism industry. n

MANILA — The Philippines’ ranking has improved 12 notches in the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) conducted by the global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International. The Philippines obtained a score of 36 in 2018 from 34 in 2017, jumping from 111th to 99th out of 180 countries. The country’s score, however, is still far from the AsiaPacific regional average of 44, Transparency International noted. It said the Philippines received the same score in 2013 under the previous administration. The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people. It uses a scale of zero to 100, where zero is “highly corrupt” and 100 is “very clean.” The top 10 “least corrupt” countries are Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Singapore,

Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Canada and Luxembourg. The 2018 CPI showed that anti-corruption efforts are “stalled” in most countries, according to Transparency International. “The continued failure of most countries to significantly control corruption is contributing to a crisis of democracy around the world,” it said. “With several democratic institutions under threat across the globe — often by leaders with authoritarian or populist tendencies — we need to do more to strengthen checks and balances and protect citizens’ rights,” Transparency International managing director Patricia Moreira said. “Corruption chips away at democracy to produce a vicious cycle, where corruption undermines democratic institutions and, in turn, weak institutions are less able to control corruption,” Moreira said. Somalia, South Sudan and Syria are at the bottom of the index, with 10, 13 and 13 points, respectively.

The anti-corruption watchdog said full democracies score an average of 75, “flawed democracies” score 49; “hybrid regimes,” which show elements of autocratic tendencies, score 35; “autocratic regimes” perform worst, with an average score of 30 on the CPI. To make real progress against corruption and strengthen democracy around the world, Transparency International encouraged all governments to strengthen the institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances over political power and ensure their ability to operate without intimidation. It said governments should support civil society organizations, which enhance political engagement and public oversight over government spending, particularly at the local level. Transparency International also called on governments to support a free and independent media and ensure the safety of journalists and their ability to work without intimidation or harassment. n

Comelec warns Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa over biopic by sHeiLa

crisostomo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could be disqualified from the May 13 senatorial polls over his biopic being shown in movie theaters which started on Wednesday, January 30. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said if the movie is still being shown in cinemas when the campaign period for national candidates starts on Feb. 12, rules on electioneering shall have been violated. “Bottomline is exhibition of cinematographic works, from the start of the campaign period moving forward, that is when it becomes a violation,” he noted. But Jimenez maintained that

disqualification, in case of campaign violation, is not immediate and would have to go through a process that will determine who should be held liable for such a violation. “I don’t think that he will personally cause the exhibition of these materials. But if the lines of accountability are clear and traceable all the way up to the candidate, then the candidate might be called to answer for it,” he said. Under the Fair Election Act, no movie, cinematograph or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate shall be publicly exhibited in a theater, television station or any public forum during the campaign period. Duterte went on Tuesday, January 29, to the movie premiere of the biopic, “Bato,” which stars

action star Robin Padilla about the life story of Dela Rosa. Amid calls to boycott the movie, Duterte’s schedule was adjusted to enable him to attend the premiere at 8 p.m. at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The timing of the movie is being questioned due to its proximity to the 2019 senatorial elections. To accommodate the movie premiere in his schedule, the Chief Executive arrived on time for the groundbreaking of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital along Panghulo Road in Malabon. The schedule was adjusted 30 minutes earlier to 4:30 p.m. While the Palace has denied that Duterte has been campaigning, he even returned to the stage to endorse the bid of local officials and one senatorial re-electionist. n

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FEATURES

OPINION

Mass murderers

THE attack, aimed at a soft target, was meant to inflict maximum damage. As the Sunday morning mass got underway at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Sulu’s capital Jolo, a blast tore through the church. As pandemonium erupted and security forces rushed to the church, another explosion hit a military outpost just outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral. Police counted 21 dead and 100 others wounded. Many of the wounded remain in critical condition. Authorities have reportedly taken into custody the brother of an Abu Sayyaf subleader slain by the military. There have been about 10 armed attacks on the church since 2000, but last Sunday’s twin bombings exacted the most grievous toll. The attack shows how fragile the peace process is in Mindanao. Several threat groups are being eyed in the attack, which was staged with the entire Mindanao under martial law, and just days after Sulu voted in a plebiscite to reject the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Sulu is a part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but its rejection of the BOL indicates it is opting out of the proposed BARMM that will replace the

ARMM. Continuing extremist violence in the ARMM has been cited as one of the reasons for its supposed failure and the need to create a new autonomous region. The attack on the cathedral shows the persistent challenges in achieving enduring peace in Mindanao. It will need a lot of heavy lifting to achieve aspirations for peace in the troubled region. While the government moves to bring development to whatever autonomous region emerges, residents in the affected areas must work together with state agencies, civic groups and other stakeholders including foreign governments to confront armed violence. The coordinated effort can be applied in finding the mass murderers behind the attack on the Jolo cathedral. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Commentary

YEN MAKABENTA IN these days when like many, I find developments in Mindanao both hopeful and terrifying, I often turn to the writings of my former Jesuit teacher, Miguel Anselmo Bernad, S.J., particularly his essays on Mindanao, of which he was a native (Misamis, Misamis Occidental). Evidently, as his final book, he brought together his Mindanao essays in a single volume, The Great Island, Studies in the Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao (Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City, 2004). The book is a revelation and a treasure for me, because until I got hold of it, I had not realized how much historical writing Fr. Bernad wrote (he did much writing on literature), and how his

Philstar.com photo

Mindanao: How the great island was explored and evangelized

scholarship and insights help enlighten my own research and writing. Until I read The Great Island, Mindanao for me was just a big cliché, “the land of promise,’ dating back to the American occupation. An idea whose time has come The election of Rodrigo Roa Duterte as president in 2016 got me reading and researching on Mindanao in a hurry. I was tantalized by the thought that Victor Hugo could be right when he said: “You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.” Until DU30 stood for election, the closest Mindanao had gotten to electing a president was when Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez ran for president, but then fell short, because Ferdinand Marcos beat him to the Nacionalista Party presidential nomination in 1965. DU30 was the second serious Mindanao presidential aspirant, and this

time around the island would not be denied. To the credit of President Benigno Aquino III, he also got me researching and reading on Mindanao after his dramatic decision to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in one of the principal policies of his administration. The subsequent policy debate made me an avid reader of the history of the Muslims in Mindanao, particularly a volume titled The Moro Reader (Center for People Empowerment and Governance, edited by Bobby Tuazon, Quezon City, 2008). Moro Reader opened my eyes, though not completely, to the world of our Muslim communities, the different Muslim tribes, and their perennial struggle for their ancestral domain and statehood. The Great Island opened up for me the extent of the promise

and lament of Mindanao. Larger than 10 countries in Europe In a revealing preface, Fr. Bernad describes vividly the majesty of Mindanao. He wrote: “Mindanao is a large island, larger than 10 of the countries in Europe. It is larger than Ireland or Scotland, larger than Portugal, Hungary, Austria, or Denmark; very much larger than Switzerland, or the three countries — Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg — put together. “Mindanao is not only large. It is also rugged. Its many regions are divided from each other by high mountain ranges, valleys and plains — some of them huge in size — watered by streams and rivers. Until a few decades ago, most of its highlands and most of its plains were covered with thick forests. “With the regions thus isolated from each other, it is not surprising that the aboriginal population of the island com-

prised tribes speaking different tongues. “Today, immigrants or descendants from other parts of the Philippines make up most of the population of Mindanao. But there still are tribal groups, remnants of the original population. Part of the southeastern portion of the island and the southern half of the central plateau are peopled by Muslims. The vast majority of the island’s population is Christian, while the tribal groups in the highlands are animists. “The predominantly Catholic Christian population is under the jurisdiction of 20 bishoprics grouped together into five ecclesiastical provinces. They are headed by the archbishoprics of Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Misamis (Ozamis City). “The flourishing state of the Catholic Church today is the result of a long, and often painful process of Christianization that

started in the 16th century and continued until the 20th. “The building of the city and the civilization of Rome was indeed an immense undertaking, so was the evangelization of Mindanao. “The present volume is merely a modest collection of essays written at various times over a period of several decades, depicting some of the highlights in the exploration and evangelization of this great island. It is hoped that their compilation into one volume might be of help to scholars who will write a more comprehensive and definitive history of Mindanao.” It was Fr. Bernad who introduced me in my college years to the excitement of literature, so effectively that he diverted me away from the study of l aw or history. It does not surprise me that he is also the teacher who has opened my eyes to the history and grandeur of Mindanao. (ManilaTimes.net)

Why Duterte is good for the Church Working as a temp in Trump hotels is not the real deal

crimes.” I CONFESS to raising an eyeCardinal Luis Antonio brow at the disproportionate Commentary Tagle’s letter to his clergy outrage of some fellow Catholics reminds them that the Secover the President’s attacks on ond Vatican Council obliges our Church. More deserving of Catholics to respect “those outrage than what he says about who do not believe in God”; the Roman Catholic Church is that challenges to Catholic what his administration is doing ELEANOR R. DIONISIO belief must be met by diato the country: tens of thousands killed by police and unknown assailants; the dis- logue with challengers “sincerely searching for mantling of democratic institutions; the vilifica- the truth”; and that more important than to detion and persecution of dissenters, human rights fend the Church from criticism is to minister to advocates and other activists. Catholic outrage the poor. Still, I do not think the President’s attacks are about these far more iniquitous developments has been limited to a few bishops and marginal fueled by a sincere search for truth. Besides his alleged bad experiences with priests, he also groups of clergy, religious and laity. I also confess to a perverse satisfaction each knows the Church can be a crucible for dissent time the President ridicules the Church. Not be- and a powerful moral voice against government cause of his wit, which is far short of brilliant. excesses. So he means to bully the Church into Not because I agree with what he says; I admit silence. This strategy he gets from the Marcos playsome accusations are true, but as a Jesuit-educated and duly certified parish manang, I am book. The Marcos dictatorship deported misfirmly on the side of my flawed Church and its sionaries and threatened to tax Catholic institutions and legalize divorce. Worse, it arrested, maligned clergy in this war on Catholicism. Some satisfaction comes from a sense of vin- abducted and killed priests, religious and lay dication: I would love to cast on Catholics who leaders. But instead of subduing the Church, the Marvoted for him a look that says “I told you so.” But it also comes from the sense that my Church cos strategy alienated many Catholics, driving needed to be shaken. Too comfortable in its them to the side of the persecuted. And so the nominal majority, too preoccupied with its in- Church joined the uprising against the dictatorternal life and issues of sexual and reproductive ship. That history points to another opportunity for morality, too removed from the poor, the Church is now forced to confront its sins, its failures in the Church to find grace in Mr. Duterte’s war evangelization, and the pluralism of Philippine on Catholicism. The attacks on the Church are awakening Catholics to the administration’s desociety. Yet the Church can turn the President’s at- fects. The Church can refocus their attention on tacks into an opportunity for grace by reflecting the administration’s graver sins, and rechannel on and correcting practices inconsistent with its the energy generated by their anger into more ethics. The pastoral documents issued by the transformative action: the denunciation of its hubishops in July 2018, after the President’s “stu- man rights violations and antidemocratic moves, pid God” remark, are born of such reflection. In the rejection of candidates who support these their pastoral exhortation “Rejoice and be glad,” moves, the need to work in solidarity with those the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- threatened and bereaved by its deathly policies. Then Mr. Duterte would have strengthened pines admits: “We are a Church of sinners called to conversion and holiness at the same time. the Church in its true mission: “to proclaim We bow in shame when we hear of abuse being liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the committed by some of our fellow Church lead- blind, to let the oppressed go free.” ers… We hold ourselves accountable for their ••• actions, and accept our duty to correct them.” In Eleanor R. Dionisio is a consultant of the Archdiocesan Institute for his message “God is love,” Archbishop Socrates Research and Development, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan owns that and a proud member of the Public Affairs Ministry of Our Lady of the Church has “faults,” “mistakes and even Pentecost Parish, Diocese of Cubao. (Inquirer.net)

IT is all rooted in the so-called “American Dream,” the overwhelming sense of Filipinos to move to the United States when a window of opportunity opens. Filipinos with no opportunity to get petitioned by blood relatives in the US, or get married to an American citizen, or file for a green card after working in a U.S. government entity for at least 15 years — the three quickest routes — will have to settle for an entry route as a “temp,” or temporary worker. And those seeking entry as “temps“ mostly secure H-2A and H-2B visas to gain temporary employment in the US, the 2A covering agricultural workers and the 2B covering seasonal jobs, mostly in hotels, restaurants and construction. The H-1B, the visa type used by Pinoys with sought-after skills, sends the visa holder to the likes of Wall Street, big law firms, Silicon Valley, universities, the engineering and research hubs. Before Trump, the H-1B was a clear pathway to a permanent stay in the U.S. The two non-immigrant work visas are what preoccupy Philippine officialdom today after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) imposed a one-year ban on Filipinos seeking entry to the U.S. via the two visa types. The DHS said that 40 percent of Filipino workers who get visas under the non-immigrant work programs overstay and that was what prompted the one-year ban. The official response from our government is that it may, through the DFA, appeal the DHS ban. If I were the DFA, I would just file a routine appeal, then forget all about the ban. Many reasons for this. But first and foremost is this. There are jobs that are definitely better than holding a temp job in the U.S. OK, I will be more specific. President Trump is an immigration hardliner. He wants to wall in America to pre-

Opinion

MARLEN RONQUILLO vent immigrants, especially people of color, from moving into the U.S. But his businesses seek H-2B type visas. And when you get an H-2B, chances are you might be mopping the floors at the Trump hotels. Or dicing onions at his restaurants. Do you want a temp job at the hotels and restaurants of the man who abets the current anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions in the U.S.? The president who loathes people of color? Do you want to work as a temp at the Trump hotels? Trump welcomes temps who do the tough jobs of cleaning toilet bowls and vacuuming up the carpets in his hotels but that is all there is to it. Giving these workers a slim window for a permanent stay in the U.S. is against what Trump stands for. Along the vast agricultural stretches of California, you often see men and women in the orange groves, in the strawberry fields, in the pistachio plantations, with dusty pick-up trucks and old sedans parked nearby. Many of them are seasonal workers from Mexico and they come in under the 2A visas. While Mexicans dominate work in the fruit farms, there are seasonal workers from other countries as well, Filipinos and workers from African countries among them. The backbreaking jobs available under the 2A visas do not pay that much, probably less than what is paid the temps at the fast-food joints and Panda Express. The 2A workers have to pack their bags and leave the U.S. once the fruit-picking season is over.

By the time the 2A workers reach their home countries, little or none at all had been saved from the money sent during the work season. This is probably at the root of the decision of these temporary workers to overstay. Nothing or very little is left after the work season is over. The type of jobs available under the 2A and the 2B visas are not really the kind of jobs that would provide economic stability to the families back home. Working as temps, say, in the Trump establishments, as the headline says, is not the real deal. OK, what are alternative jobs for the footloose in the global job markets? With the Trump administration’s hardline policy, what are the options for those who are willing to take on tough jobs overseas, with North America as the desired place of work? One option is this. Move into Saskatchewan and other frontier employment areas in Canada as many young Filipinos not afraid of taking on tough jobs are doing right now. They move into that cold area to work on the canola fields, the piggery farms and various agro-forestry-related jobs. The stories the young Filipinos who have moved into these cold and frontier areas center on two themes — the challenge of winter on the negative side and the ease of assimilation on the positive side. They say you will not encounter law enforcers like Joe Arpaio. Or young men in red MAGA hats who — with smirks on their faces and venom in their threatening voices — essentially say you are unwelcome and you should return to your home country. There are more welcoming places of work than Trump’s America. And working as temps at the Trump establishments is not the real deal. (ManilaTimes.net)

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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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 31-FEBRUARy 6, 2019

January 31-FeBruary 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOurnaL

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 31-FEbRUARy 6, 2019

VEGAS&STYLE

Journal What to expect during the Year of the Earth Pig by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

LUNAR New Year falls on Tuesday, February 5, as we bid farewell to the year of the Earth Dog and usher in 2019 as the year of the Earth Pig (boar), according to the Chinese zodiac. Following the lunar calendar, the celebration lasts for two weeks until February 19 with each day bearing its own significance. Around the world, those who observe Lunar New Year will practice various rituals to ensure that the coming year is full of luck, fortune and good energy. Despite being popularly referred to as Chinese New Year, estimates reveal that one-sixth of the world’s population celebrates it, and that includes those outside of China. In the Philippines, many Filipinos, particularly those of Chinese de-

scent, recognize this new year holiday, with the government even designating the first day as a nonworking day. The festivities are abundant across the United States too. In Southern California, some events include the annual Lunar New Year Festival in Alhambra (Feb. 9) and a special new year performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Feb. 6 and 7), as well as tailored displays and special promotions at malls like The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Significance of the pig The pig (boar) — whose recent years are 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971,

1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 — is the 12th of the zodiac animals. In 2019, it is the year of the ‘earth’ pig. “The year of the pig will bring harmony and there will be plenty of wealth,” World of Feng Shui owner Peter Lung shared with the Asian Journal. “It will be a peaceful year starting from May, [but] there will be disagreement in the first quarter of this year.” Feng Shui Master Pun-Yin told the Asian Journal that the “overall rhythm is to recover and reconstruct” since it is the last of the 12 signs. “For those with the spiritual and relationship support, the draining and depleting energy could be minimized,” she added. Many Asian cultures regard the pig as a symbol of wealth and fortune. The characteristics and traits of the earth pig include being hard working, nurturing, sociable and trustworthy. Those born in the year of the pig will experience a “continuous awakening from the shock of the Earth Dog that started on Feb. 4, 2018 and ended on Feb. 4, 2019, which, sunk many emotionally and financially,” Master Pun-Yin said.

“When things get tough, the tough gets going, transforming deeply in order to get through the storm and [it will] be more down to earth going forward.” As for what this year will bring for those of other animal years, Lung said that Rooster, Dragon, Ox, Rat and Dog years will experience “excellent luck.” Those who were born in Tiger, Sheep and Monkey years need to pay attention to their health. For horses, they should control their temper and avoid legal matters, while snakes should lay low and budget their spendings, and rabbits “will have windfall luck and a good year for investment,” Lung said. Pigs are most compatible with tigers, rabbits, and sheep, while they clash with snakes and monkeys, according to the Chinese zodiac. All 5 elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth) are present, said Lung, so 2019 looks like a good year to “team up with others for a new project.” “Fire businesses, such as casino, entertainment and internet business, will capture lots of money luck. Water businesses including spas and transportation will have [a] big increase [in] profit,” Lung explained. “Earth businesses such as real estate need to have proper planning and strategies. Metal businesses, such as jewelry, banking and insurance are weak, it is not the right year for big risks. Wood businesses…will be slow…[and] should think longterm when planning.” How to prepare for the new year The days leading up to the Lunar New Year are essential. Like a common ritual for the January 1st New Year, decluttering — whether at home or at work — will help create space for the new year. However, cleaning should be done way before the first day of Lunar New Year because the superstition is that you could sweep away good luck. Other preparations include PAGE B4

Fil-Am Darren Criss wins SAG Award for Andrew Cunanan role Actor becomes first Filipino to pull off an awards season sweep by

ritChel MendiOla AJPress

F I L I PI NO-A mer ica n Da rren Criss won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series award during the 25th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, January 27 — completing his awards sweep for “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” In the series, Criss played Andrew Cunanan, the half-Filipino serial killer who murdered famed fashion designer Gianni Versace, in the second installment of FX’s “American Crime Story.” During his acceptance speech on Sunday, Criss said that dePAGE B2

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

Filipino-American creatives nominated in various Oscar categories by Jan

MilO severO Philstar.com

Matthew Libatique is nominated for Best Cinematography for his work in Lady Gaga’s “A Star is Born.” Photo from Facebook/ StarIsBornMovie

THE Philippines will be represented in the upcoming 91st Academy Awards as several Filipino creatives and their films have been nominated in various categories. Filipino-American Matthew Libatique is nominated for Best Cinematography for his work in Lady Gaga’s “A Star is Born.” He was also nominated at the recently concluded Critics’ Choice Awards but was bested by Alfonso Cuaron of the film “Roma.” Matthew was first nominated for an Oscar in 2011 for his work in “Black Swan.” PAGE B2

B January 31-February 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOurnaL

Features

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The story of tikoy: A Lunar New Year Largest Yusheng noodle toss in US delicacy turned Filipino favorite to be held at The Shops at Crystals by Rae

ann VaRona

AJPress

WATER, glutinous rice flour, and dark brown sugar. Three simple ingredients that when heated, mixed, poured into oiled or banana leaf-lined ramekins, steamed for an hour or so, and refrigerated for much longer, turns into a chewy and sweet cake that many look forward to during the Lunar New Year. Take it a step further by slicing it, dipping it in egg, and frying it on a skillet — the sticky treat transforms into a snack that’s gooey in the center, but caramelized on the outside, capable of bringing a taste of nostalgia to Filipinos of all ages. While it isn’t uncommon to eat tikoy throughout the year, it is undoubtedly the go-to dessert for Lunar New Year in many Asian countries including the Philippines where Chinese influence dates back hundreds of years. Like much of the Chinese dishes that have become a part of Filipino cuisine, tikoy is believed to likely have been brought to the Philippines during the late 19th century by Hokkien migrants from the Fujian province. The Filipino word tikoy comes from the Hokkien word tee keuh which translates to “sweet cake.” The founder of the famous Eng Bee Tin bakery, Chua Chiu Hong, is widely believed to be the one

Illustration by Kendrick Tan

responsible for its popularization when opened a simple stall in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown to sell traditional Chinese delicacies in 1912. Tikoy was, of course, included. Today, Eng Bee Tin — though still a leader — is just one of the many sellers of tikoy during the Lunar New Year. In fact, a quick walk through Ongpin Street in Chinatown, brings one to towers of red Tikoy packages, stacked up outside storefronts and ready to be given as gifts. But how did Tikoy become such an auspicious Lunar New Year staple in the first place? Origin stories of ‘tikoy’ Meaning “year higher, nian gao — the Mandarin translation from which tikoy was derived — has become the symbol of achieving something greater each year whether it be in health, in one’s career, monetary wealth, grades, or even a child’s height. And because Nian Gao is regarded as one of China’s oldest foods, how it came to be such a symbol traces back to numerous different stories, from historical to mythological. One origin story, which is told especially during Chinese New Year, involves a monster called Nian that stayed in a cave in the mountain, but would come out to hunt when it was hungry. But as animals went into hibernation during the winter, people feared that the monster would resort to eating humans t o f u l f i l l i t s

hunger. Along then came a villager named Gao who in anticipating the possibility of the monster coming down, left rice pastries outside the villagers’ doors for the monster to eat instead. Upon finding and eating the rice pastries, the monster became full and went back up the mountain. The villagers, who were spared the possibility of being eaten, celebrated their survival and named the rice pastries “Nian Gao.” Another origin story dates back to pre-Imperialist China where the rice cakes were said to have saved a besieged village of Wu (present-day Suzhou) from starvation. The story says that a general by the name of Wu Zixu gave instructions to the villagers of his town to seek refuge under the city walls, should they ever be attacked. After he passed away, the villagers did find themselves under attack and fell hungry. Upon remembering the instructions, they dug under the walls and found enough rice cakes to sustain them. To honor Wu Zixu, the villagers started a tradition of celebrating every New Year by making Nian Gao. Then there’s the old legend of a “Kitchen god” who dates back more than 2,000 years ago during the period of Confucius. According to legend, people would offer Nian Gao to the kitchen deity who would make reports on the family’s behavior throughout the year — much like the Western character Santa Claus. But as it usually is with legends and myths, what has stuck throughout the years despite the different origins stories, is the rice cake’s auspicious significance. As people get ready to celebrate this upcoming L u n a r N e w Ye a r w i t h tikoy, it is sure that its symbolism and ties to increasing prosperity in any aspect are something that will still be kept in mind.

The luxury-exclusive shopping center welcomes the year of the pig in style with Chinese traditions and festivities

LAS VEGAS – The Shops at Crystals invites tourists and Las Vegas locals alike to celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the year of the pig in style on Wednesday, February 6. Celebrations will include a Lion Dance from acclaimed Martial Arts Studio, Yau Kung Moon, a traditional Buddhist blessing from a Monk and the U.S.’ largest Yusheng Noodle Toss featuring boutique directors, community leaders, fashion influencers and more. The Yusheng Noodle Toss will kick off the center’s festivities from 11 a.m. to noon on Level 1 in front of Dior. The tradition of yu sheng is practiced during Chinese New Year with hopes for good luck and prosperity in the year ahead. Noodles are tossed with fish, fruits, vegetables and other ingredients with auspicious meaning around the plate and high into the air. This symbolizes the spreading of luck for the year ahead. The Shops at Crystals has partnered with Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant, who will cater the 50 foot-long table featuring over 50 participants. “We are looking forward to celebrating the year of the pig in a big way,” shared Monique Clements, Director of Marketing and Business Development for

The Shops at Crystals. “The center has traditionally paid tribute to Chinese New Year displaying elaborate displays and traditional events, but we are thrilled to add a Yusheng Noodle Toss of this caliber to the lineup this year with hopes it will bring us luck and delight our valued shoppers.” Following the noodle toss, for the eighth consecutive year, World Dance Champions and America’s Got Talent finalists, Yau Kung Moon will perform a traditional Lion Dance from noon to 1:30 p.m. The 40 person dance and martial arts troupe will parade through the center pausing at more than 40 luxury retailers who will “feed” the lion cabbage, ensuring good luck, good health and good fortune in the coming year. Once the dance concludes at 1:30 p.m., for the eighth consecutive year, Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist Monk from the Blue Lotus Temple & Meditation Center, will close the celebration with a traditional blessing wishing The Shops at Crystals and those that visit a prosperous new year. Shoppers and guests will find additional delight in the center’s festive décor, which includes a massive, custom made, LED Chinese gold dragon and floral carpet designed by acclaimed Las Vegas floral artist, Audra Danzak.

The Dragon stands at 24 feet tall and 53 feet long, and weighs more than 3,000 pounds. Additionally, the dragon is illuminated by more than 100,000 LED light points. Both will be on display Monday, Jan. 7 through March 4. Located adjacent to Aria Resort and Casino, in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Shops at Crystals is a stunning luxury retail property that boasts more than 324,000-square-feet of highly sought-after retail space. Luxury flagship stores including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Tiffany & Co. anchor the iconic shopping center, as well as 30 unique-tomarket luxury retailers encompassing Tom Ford, Céline, Saint Laurent Paris and Richard Mille. For more information, visit: simon.com/mall/the-shops-atcrystals. Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and an S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales. For more information, visit simon.com.

Philippines’ Karen Gallman wins Miss Intercontinental crown

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaRal Philstar.com

THE Philippines’ Karen Gallman was crowned Miss Intercontinental on Sunday, January 27 after a fierce competition in the Philippine capital Manila that ended a little past midnight. Gallman, 25, edged out more than 80 contestants from around the globe in the 47-year-old pageant, finishing ahead of Costa Rica and Slovak Republic. The FilipinoAustralian beauty queen made history as the first Filipina to win the international pageant. Asked to define success, Gallman stressed in her final answer the importance of setting goals. “For me, success is not just about winning in life but setting goals — smaller goals — and achieving your dreams and working hard for everything you want and always looking up to God and being thankful for everything. For me, that is success,” she said. Gallman’s Miss Intercontinental journey was closely followed in the pageant-obsessed Philippines, which is still ecstatic after Ca-

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

triona Gray won the Miss Universe crown and sash last month. Social media was filled with cheers as the Philippines’ Miss Intercontinental bet went through

each successive round and eventually won. At the heart of Gallman’s advocacy is improving education in the Philippines’ rural areas.

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is also nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. The film featured Filipino-American Hailee Steinfeld who voiced Spider-Gwen. Filipinos Louie del Carmen, Ryan Rubi and John Butiu formed part of the movie’s animation team. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation

Filipino-American creatives in...

“Ralph Breaks The Internet” is nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. One Filipino-American Hailee Stein- of its story writers is Filipina Josie Trinidad, Disney’s “Ralph Breaks The feld who voiced Spider-Gwen. while its special effects team was headed by Internet” is nominated in the Filipinos Louie del Carmen, Cesar Velasquez. Best Animated Feature category. Ryan Rubi and John Butiu formed Photo courtesy of Disney-Pixar

PAGE B1

One of its story writers is Filipina Josie Trinidad, while its special effects team was headed by Cesar Velasquez. Nominated in the same category is “Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse” which featured

part of the movie’s animation team. Meanwhile, two works by Filipinos are nominated in the Best Animated Short Film category: “One Small Step” co-directed by Bobby Pontillas and “Weekends”

by Trevor Jimenez. Popularly known as the Oscars, the Academy Awards will be held on February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Fil-Am Darren Criss wins SAG Award for... PAGE B1

spite play i ng Cu na na n who “used masks to destroy things,” his “goal is to hopefully create something positive, to use masks to create positive change.” “So for all of the friends and families that are still affected by the destruction that [Cunanan] wrought, I hope that they know our goal was not to make a spectacle of their tragedy, but to create a positive dialogue about social issues and bring to justice things that were in the shadows,” the Fil-Am actor said. With the SAG victory, the 31year old actor becomes the firstever Filipino to be recognized by the prestigious award-giving body. He also makes history as the first Filipino to pull off an awards season sweep by winning an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, and a SAG Award.

“It’s a shame that I’m the first,” Criss told reporters backstage when asked about his historic win, adding that “The roles are few and far between for someone of my ethnicity.” However, he said that “while that’s a tragedy, the winds are shifting and I’m very excited. It’s an honor, and it’s been the coolest year for representation across film and television and culture in general, and I think what’s really exciting about it is that it’s not just some kind of Hollywood agenda.” “I t h i n k consu mer s have shifted what they want to see; they want to see themselves, they want to see their stories told by new faces and serve that appetite. So to have been a small part of that is an extraordinary privilege that’s much bigger than myself,” Criss added. Criss is best known for his

run on Fox’s “Glee” from 2010 to 2015 before “American Crime Story.” In 2012, he made his Broadway debut by playing J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Earlier this month, he dedicated his Golden Globes win to his Cebuana mother. “As we’ve seen, it’s been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood. And I’m so enormously proud to be a teeny tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipina woman f rom Cebu t hat d rea med of coming to this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this,” Criss said during his speech. “So mom , I k now you’r e watching this. You are hugely responsible for all t he good things in my life. I dedicate this to you,” he added.

EntErtainmEnt

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ JANUARy 31-FEbRUARy 6, 2019

Former Miss Universe plans to join PH showbiz How Pops Fernandez qualified as judge in CBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by MJ

MaRfoRi ManilaTimes.net

IS she following the footsteps of Dayanara Torres? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what it looks like for Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler who is currently in the Philippines and staying for a month to explore career possibilities here. The Venezuelan beauty reached out to Arnold Vegafriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ALV Talent Circuit to help her out on her visit, and at a meet-and-greet said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actually the Philippines is always on my mind. Even during my tenure as Miss Universe, I realized how the Philippines has the biggest fanbase, pageant-wise. They love their queens. They are also very respectful. I received a lot of love from them during my year as Miss Universe, as well as after.â&#x20AC;? Fresh from winning the title in Moscow, Russia in December of 2013, Gabriela rushed to the aid of Typhoon Yolandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victims which happened at the same time. She quickly set up a Miss Universe relief fund to help out and was able to raise as much as $250,000 to send to the Philippines. It was only in March 2014 when she was finally able to visit the country together with the Miss Universe Organization. The party headed straight to Coron, Palawan

Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler Photo from Instagram/@gabrielaisler

on a charitable mission anew to help rehabilitate three coastal barangays. Over a week ago, she went back to visit the site in Coron and happily reported, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so elated when I saw the kids and the improvement in their lives. I remember before their kindness and good heart. When they had nothing because of Typhoon

Yolanda, they still went out of their way to offer me food. I would never forget that. Now, I feel fulfilled seeing them with houses and food and water. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also farming already.â&#x20AC;? Now that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crossed off her first agenda for her Philippine visit, Gabriela is looking into possible projects in Manila where she can put to use her hosting, modelling and acting skills. She realized she sought the help of the right agent in Miss World Philippines franchiseholder Arnold Vegafria telling In the Know she already has three photo shoots and an endorsement lined up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have an agency in New York and Venezuela so it is just but fitting to have one too here because I want to return to the Philippines more often.â&#x20AC;? When asked about her dream project in these shores, Gabriela replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a storyteller. I created a movement called Choose You, who concept is for the audience to put themselves first. I want to share stories about extraordinary women and what they go through to inspire more people. So I would really like to have a show where I can interview people about their personal missions and goal in life.â&#x20AC;?

Ariel, Gelli back on the big screen

WHILE it is almost a given that couples in showbiz always find themselves in a merry-go-round of changing partners, there are some who remain loyal to each other, while enduring the challenges of marriage and building a family like any regular husband and wife. Considered one of local showbizâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most enduring real-life couples are Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen who have been together for 26 years, 21 of those lawfully and faithfully married. Blessed with two sons, Joaqui and Julio, they lead a happy family life while also pursuing individual showbiz careers. Today, however, 22 years since they were last paired in the movie drama â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko,â&#x20AC;? they are back on the big screen, also as husband and wife, in the movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Sikrero Ng Piso.â&#x20AC;? A family-oriented comedy from MPJ Entertainment and JPP Dreamworld Productions, the movie is inspired by actual events on the smuggle of the Philippine

Almost 22 years since they last worked together in film, the real-life couple happily reunites in the movies. Contributed photo

peso coin in 2006. The Riveras agree itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a welcome and refreshing treat to be able to work together after so long, and in a comedy at that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been looking for a project thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light and easy because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always given heavy drama or romantic roles. This is a good change for me and I enjoyed it especially with my wife who is funny even off-cam!â&#x20AC;? related Rivera. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our dialogues went very

smoothly since kilalang-kilala namin ang isaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-isa.â&#x20AC;? As for de Belen, she admitted it felt weird to work with her husband again, especially with the difference in character of his role from real life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to overcome that weirdness while we were doing our scenes together because Ariel is so sweet and cheesy in this movie and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very different at home,â&#x20AC;? she laughed. (ManilaTimes.net)

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

NOW it can be told: Three months before Pops Fernandez (finally!) announced on her Instagram that she is sitting as a judge in the CBS talent search The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best, Funfare already broke the â&#x20AC;&#x153;scoopâ&#x20AC;? on Oct. 19, 2018. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Pops posted on her IG POPS FERNANDEZ (Concert Queen Official Page), complete with a photo showing her covered with a large Philippine flag: Representing the #Philippines as one of the 50 #walloftheworld judges in @theworldsbestcbs hosted by James Corden with the Hollywood superstars drew barrymore, faith hill and ru paul. Watch the BEST talents from all over the world compete for #theworldsbest titleâ&#x20AC;ŚWATCH the premiere on Feb. 3 right after the #SuperBowl... The show consists of 10 episodes. That Funfare â&#x20AC;&#x153;scoopâ&#x20AC;? titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pops qualifies for CBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; show â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bestâ&#x20AC;? (courtesy of this cornerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Very Deep Penetration Agent/VDPA in Hollywood) reported that when Pops flew to the States at that time, she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give any hint what she was going there for, except to say that she was taking a vacation. According to Funfareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VDPA, Pops actually passed the screening for the CBS talent competition The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best. Quoting a story about the project, the VDPA said â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bestâ&#x20AC;? hails from reality TV heavyweights Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, the forces behind two of the biggest talent competition reality series of the current unscripted wave, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Voiceâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;American Idolâ&#x20AC;?. Burnett is executive producing NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Voice which is overseen by Darnell at Warner Horizon; while Darnell in his role as head of reality at Fox, Darnell developed and launched American Idol and steered the show for its first 12 seasons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bestâ&#x20AC;? is described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a first-of-its-kind global talent competition that features acts from every genre imaginable, from every corner of the planet.â&#x20AC;? The contestants are tasked not only to impress the American judges (Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill) and 50 world experts (Pops among them. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; RFL) but

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

also to break through the â&#x20AC;&#x153;wall of the world.â&#x20AC;? One of the 25 participants from every field of entertainment will be chosen the winning act to be crowned as The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best. The other good news is that one of the 25 participants is our very own TNT Boys (Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez and Francis Concepcion) who were named Push Music Performance of the Year in the recently-concluded Push Awards for their performance of the Bee Gees song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Too Much Heavenâ&#x20AC;? in the ABSCBN show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.â&#x20AC;? Since its launch in 2017, the TNT Boys (TNT stands for Tawag Ng Tanghalan), they have performed in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Big Shots US,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;UK and Australia,â&#x20AC;? and starred in their first successful major concert at the Araneta Coliseum in November last year. They have also performed for heads of states including Pres. DU30, Singapore

Pres. Halimah Yacob and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill. Barrymore was reported to have raved about the performance of the TNT Boys in an exclusive teaser of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bestâ&#x20AC;? which she posted on her Instagram account to promote the airing of the show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, I have a soft spot for kids. I was a kid performer, but I have kids now. This is a whole other thing. You possess a gift, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just that good,â&#x20AC;? said Drew in the clip, which also showed judges Grammy-winning artist Faith Hill and drag queen superstar RuPaul beaming after the trioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Listenâ&#x20AC;?. The act also earned a standing ovation from the three superstar judges, as well as the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;wall of the world,â&#x20AC;? which features 50 of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment. That October 2018 scoop menPAGE B4

60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL.

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B January 31-February 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOurnaL

EntErtainmEnt

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

Enchong Dee bares nastiest rumor about him What to expect during the Year... by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

SINCE Cupid is all set to go “target shooting” in a few days, Regal Entertainment sets the Valentine mood in advance via its movie “Elise.” Janine Gutierrez and Enchong Dee headline the dramatic-comedy film, which opens on Feb. 6. It’s more than just a love story that is based on real-life events. It is also about the journey of childhood friends, Elise (Janine) and (Bert) Enchong. They grew up together, yet their dreams made them grow apart. But fate lets their paths cross again. Same feelings, different situation. Can their puppy love take them to the soul mate level? Love is not just finding the one who’s right. The time must also be ripe. Here’s my chat with Enchong: What was the nastiest rumor about you? That I sleep around. I just laughed it off because I’d rather eat, sleep and watch movies than do that. Tell us about your first love experience. The perfect adjective to use would be nakakakilig because when we’re younger, we experi-

ence a lot of firsts. And the thing is, any feeling that is new to our hearts is always memorable and powerful. And this feeling eventually changed my view toward love forever. How would you define a soul mate? A soul mate is a person with whom we have an unexplainable connection with, and someone we want to have for the rest of our lives. They can be a friend, a sibling or someone we have a romantic relationship with, etc. What’s your fave line and scene in your movie? The scene in the bed where Elise and Bert were sleeping and Bert said the line, “Kung ako na lang kasi sana ang minahal mo, ’di ka na iiyak pa.” Any funny off-cam moment with Janine? I always ask her what time she wants to go home, then we connive to hasten the “pack-up” moment (laughs). What’s something you want to do this 2019 that you have never done before? Learn to make pasta in Italy. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for love? Wait outside her house till she got home just to get a chance to talk to her.

Enchong Dee Photo from Instagram/@mrenchong_dee

What do you find hard to understand about women? Why do they need so much makeup in their life (laughs)? If you get a tempting offer from GMA 7, would you transfer? If I feel that I am no longer needed in the company I work for, I’d think about it. I love and need my job as an actor. What’s the biggest lesson you learned in 2018? Stand for what is right, not for what is popular.

Marian Rivera-Dantes: A ‘yes mom’ to Zia by IzA IglesIAs ManilaTimes.net

IN today’s world where parenting styles evolve with changing times, one thing holds true: That parents only want the best for their children. No matter what kind of parenting a mom or dad espouses, no one can question that at the heart of it all is putting their child’s wellbeing first, especially during the crucial growing-up years. The same can be said for TV personality Marian Rivera-Dantes who confidently takes on threeyear old daughter Zia’s transition into toddlerhood. Yes or no? The toddler years are fundamental in shaping the young lives of children, and it is during this stage of their development when going on adventures, exploring the outdoors, and meeting new people become vital. While it is normal for parents to say “no” to their kids out of concern for their health and safety, it must be considered that it is by saying “yes” to these activities

EMPLOYMENT

Marian Rivera with her daughter Zia Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera

that important strides in their cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development are met. Realization According to Dantes, letting Zia do things on her own — though it is not easy — will allow the toddler to learn many things not just about the world around her but also about herself. “Kapag three years old kasi maraming activities and maraming development ang nangyayari,

so kailangan, bilang nanay, makisabay ka,” Dantes shared at the media conference. “Nung first few years niya, may tendency ako na mag ‘no’ sa ibang mga gusto niyang gawin. Kasi syempre lahat naman ng nanay proteksyon ang kailangan mo para sa anak mo. Nagwo-worry ka sa mga bagay-bagay. “Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, bakit ko kailangan mag-alala, kung alam ko naman ang anak ko at doon siya matututo. Maganda din na hands-on ka sa anak mo at nakikita ng anak mo kung paano mo siya pinapalaki at inaalagaan,” she elaborated. And now that she has partnered with the milk brand, Dantes said she is assured Zia is getting the protection from within that she deserves and needs to make the most of her childhood. “Mas nagkaroon ako ng confidence sa sarili ko. Sabi ko nga bilang isang nanay, wala ka namang ibang hangad sa anak mo kundi puro kabutihan. Lahat ng mabuti para sa kanya ibibigay ko talaga,” the actress finally explained.

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

PAGE B1 settling debts, not saying negative words and avoiding the breakage of glass or ceramics. Lung recommends placing a red carpet or lighting a candle at the center of the home would in order to attract wealth and luck, as well as positioning a water fountain or fish tank at the East and center of the home On Sunday, February 3, Master Pun-Yin advises that individuals visit a place that has religious or spiritual significance or one with good energy. “Prepare…through donation, prayer, meditation and quiet sitting, and allow the body, mind and spirit to relax and be whole,” she said. ”Pray for clarity, empowerment and protection throughout the new Lunar Zodiac cycle and beyond.” On the eve of Lunar New Year, Monday, February 4, Lung said to bring in green plants or fresh flowers to your home. Master Pun-Yin further explained that on the eve, one should wake up earlier to have time to prepare the home with new flowers. For an entire year, starting on Feb. 4, three different tones of flowers (except white) should be placed in the North or South directions of the home or workplace to align with the positive energy in the year of the Pig. At 11:14 a.m. on that day, be near the flower to “tune into the divine and calming energy to embrace the arrival of a new cycle with confidence and optimism. When you feel your heart is settled, go back to your work routine,” she said. Before bedtime, again tap into the flowers’ energy and repeat your prayers and intentions in

order to “sleep more soundly and wake up more refreshed” in time for the new year. “For those who know how to nurture the mind and spirit, they would have the alertness and strength to ride over the storm of the depleting energy boar,” she said. Most families hold a reunion dinner at night and that is when they exchange gifts, like the ubiquitous red envelope. It is common to stay up late until the new year. On the first day of the Lunar New Year on the 5th, Master PunYin suggested tapping into the positive energy mentally through an early prayer by the flowers before going about the day. “This way, you maximize your chance to overcome challenges because you are humble enough to seek the divine connection and good Feng Shui to support you through a turbulence period of this Boar cycle that is full of conflict and fluctuation because on Feb. 4, 2019 at 11:14 a.m. is the energy of the ‘Fire’ and ‘Water’ colliding into each other,” she described. Lung also recommends opening the window or door from North to welcome the God Of Wealth and Northeast for God of Happiness. “Traditionally we will roll oranges from the front door in the morning, it means that the gold (color of the orange) will bring into your house wealth and luck,” he said. In the subsequent days, many follow certain rituals like visiting in-laws (Feb. 6). From Feb. 16 to 18, this is the time when people prepare for the Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the new lunar calendar (Feb. 19 this year).

PAGE B3 tioned that “The World’s Best” is being produced in partnership with MGM Television and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television, and with Burnett, Darnell, Alison Holloway, Brooke Karzen, Barry Poznick and Dan Sacks as executive producers. Casting for the show started just a few weeks after the new show was announced last February. Added the VDPA, “An L.A.based talent scout was asked by a friend of one of the show’s producers to recommend a Filipino

artist and the talent scout chose Martin Nievera to be interviewed by the executive producer. Martin impressed the executive producer but there was a hitch — conflict of schedules. It turned out that Martin was committed to do shows until Valentine’s next year so he couldn’t do the VTR scheduled this month and in November. Pops was the last to be interviewed and she passed. She’s now doing the VTR.” (The VDPA mentioned Lea Salonga and Billy Crawford as among those also recommended.) According to the same report quoted by the VDPA, “CBS, which

What to avoid in the new year Master Pun-Yin advises that in order to have clarity of the mind, one must avoid filling the mind with irrelevant information and issues of other people. “When your mind is calm, you would know the importance of building the reserve, being conservative and not react out of fear just because you need more financial security,” she said, adding this year’s cycle calls for being “flexible, creative, persistence and sizes every opportunity that could secure the standing…[so] don’t take [a] risk and let the ego or emotions get the better of you.” In order to preserve one’s energy, she also says to avoid individuals, events and activities that are draining and can bring out your anger. “When your core energy is strong through good Feng Shui that balance your own Five Elements Profile (Chinese Astrology), you could excel even when others are confused,” she said.

How Pops Fernandez qualified as judge...

SERVICES

finds early reality success with adventure competition series “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” as well as the voyeuristic Big Brother, has stayed away from the shiny floor/talent competition genre…but the time has come to take talent competition shows to the next level and bring in judges from around the world to decide on the ultimate winner.” By the way, it’s reported that each expert will be paid SAG/AFTRA scale with all travel expenses paid (i.e. flight, hotel, etc.) and given per diem for additional expenses.

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Options if your visa petition is terminated Your Immigration Solution ATTY. BEN LOVEMAN TERMINATION of an immigrant visa petition has been harming long-waiting visa applicants for years. Here is the problem: a foreign national waits years (sometimes decades) for their priority date to become current so that they may immigrate to the United States, only to find out that the visa petition filed by their family member or employer has been terminated. In this instance, the foreign national may have to start over from the beginning, which includes potentially waiting several more years. The good news though is that, with the right immigration attorney, a solution is available. Petitions for immigration benefits are filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Following USCIS’ approval, the petition will be transferred to the National Visa Center so that the Department of State can ultimately issue the visa that is required to enter the U.S. Well, did you know that the Department of State can revoke the approved petition if the beneficiary of the petition has not taken sufficient action? It’s true, and this revocation could mean several more years of waiting. The most frustrating aspect of this problem is that these revocations are not clearly authorized by law. In fact, we have been successful in having petitions reinstated that had been wrongfully revoked. First, some background information: the wait for a visa to lawfully immigrate to the U.S. may be several years long due to visa quotas and per country

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Fifth of a series) Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into. EVER wonder how the Peach Melba dessert got its name? It was said that the celebrated French chef Auguste Escoffier named the confection after his friend, the soprano Nellie Melba of Melbourne, Australia. She would dine in the restaurant where he was chef and would give him tickets to the opera where she was the main draw. Nellie Melba was the late 19th century equivalent of a celebrity these days that could pack opera houses for the elite in London, Paris and New York. On a historical note, Escoffier partnered with Cesar Ritz (from whose name the term “ritzy” is derived, to mean elegant and first class, and pricey as well) to establish the Ritz-Carlton Hotels chain. From the book, “Memories of My Life” by Auguste Escoffier, here’s the original recipe good for 6 that he created for Peach Melba. “Choose 6 tender and perfectly ripe peaches. The Montreuil peach, for example, is perfect for this dessert. Blanch the peaches for 2 seconds in boiling water,

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS WHENEVER I hear the notorious excuse or description “Filipino time,” I feel a grave insult is hurled at my people, even if the generalization is usually uttered by fellow Filipinos themselves. The defensive rationalization is usually accompanied by a snicker or laughter, a demeanor that trivializes the seriousness of the behavioral impropriety and rudeness. To accept the insinuation that tardiness is a natural trait of the Filipino is to malign our people and irresponsibly admit that we are not educated and cultured enough, and that we are socially uncouth, ill-mannered, and uncivilized. This is no laughing matter and I do not find this funny. And I vehemently object to this unfair characterization. I have been in the United States since 1963, and over the past 5 decades and a half, I have observed the transformation of Juan(a) de la Cruz, albeit sometimes with stubborn reluctance, to an individual more conscious of time,

limits. A person’s place in the line is determined by the date that the petition was filed. That date is known as the person’s priority date. When a person’s priority date is not current, the case is essentially on hold until a visa is close to being available. This is referred to as the priority date becoming current. At this time, the Department of State notifies the beneficiary of the petition that it is time to start the application process. The applicant then has one-year to respond and begin the process. The Department of State’s position is that they may terminate the visa petition if the applicant does not timely reply. And this termination could cause the beneficiary to lose their priority date and be required to start over from the beginning, including a new petition and years more of waiting. It is easy for the government to blame the applicant for failing to properly respond, or even for failing to properly update their address with the immigration authorities. But in many cases, the situation arises because the notification was not properly sent. And in other cases, termination occurs after the beneficiary does notify the government of their new address, only to have the government fail to properly process the new address. Regardless, an argument can be made that the law does now allow a petition to be revoked simply because a person did not timely respond. In other words, despite the government’s practice of revoking petitions and sending people to the back of the decadeslong line, there is likely no legal authority for such revocations. Fortunately, there is a way to have these petitions reinstated. First, a person may request reinstatement from the Department of State. It will be necessary to

provide an explanation for why the potential immigrant did not timely pursue their visa. This route is not always successful, especially when significant time has passed since the petition was revoked. If the Department of State is unwilling to reinstate the petition, the beneficiary may then seek reinstatement by filing a lawsuit in federal court. The arguments made in federal court are dependent on the facts of each case. Is it possible to argue that the Department of State failed to send the required notification? Of course, the potential immigrant who never received a notification may not know if notification was even sent. However, an experienced immigration attorney will know how to research and address this issue. If notification was properly sent, the next step would be to argue that the act of revoking the petition was unlawful. You and your loved ones should not have to wait in line twice because of the erroneous or unlawful revocation of a visa petition. If your visa petition was revoked for alleged failure to respond to notification, consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration ﬁ rms in the United States with ofﬁ ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)

The bucket list

Whip up your signature dish “Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories.” remove them immediately with a slotted spoon, and place them in iced water for a few seconds. Peel them and place them on a plate, sprinkle them with a little sugar, and refrigerate them. Prepare a liter of very creamy vanilla ice cream and a purée of 250 grams of very fresh ripe raspberries crushed through a fine sieve and mixed with 150 grams of powdered sugar. Refrigerate. To serve: Fill a silver timbale with the vanilla ice cream. Delicately place the peaches on top of the ice cream and cover with the raspberry purée. Optionally, during the almond season, one can add a few slivers of fresh almonds on top, but never use dried almonds.” Signature dishes are not just for the rich and famous. They are for you and me, as well. Choose just one dish. Just one from many possibilities… Choose a scrumptiously delicious one. Work on it many times until you can do it from scratch without looking at your cheat sheet and it becomes a masterpiece. Cook it for family gatherings or potluck events. Cook it until they clamor for you to bring it because your dish is memorable. You notice that people come for seconds until it’s all gone. Clean

plate and happy faces —the mark of a culinary success… Congratulations! You’ve created your signature dish. You have placed your name on it. Best of all, you’ve created gastronomic memories, quite hard to forget because, believe you me, the gut remembers. I have met many who have done this and it is a source of joy specially when shared with many. My friend Angel cooked Spanish Paella with original ingredients from Spain and with great flourish wearing a chef’s hat and risqué apron of washboard abs, in a class reunion held in their mountain view home. It was delicious and memorable. Two of my sisters, Olga and Evelyn, bake Sans Rival and indeed, nothing rivals their concoction. Fresh lumpiang sariwa, with many hours of chopping, slicing and dicing of the ingredients is my mother’s and eldest sister, Olga’s signature dish. There is Agnes Jovellana’s delightful original espasol which she prepares for her parties. My sister Mitch of San Antonio, Texas prepared Buttered Mochi and her baked dish was a hit. I do a simple potato soup with bacon that is popular in the winter time. The millenials in our family love it. My daughter-in-law Elia, prePAGE B6

“Filipino time” revisited of the value of punctuality, and of the proper respect for other people’s schedule. There is no question that environment plays a fundamental role, second to training at home and in school, in the development of the behavior, trait, character, attitude and thinking of an individual. With this particular “syndrome,” genetics cannot deservedly take the blame. The culpability rests on the “infected ones” and not on the entire Filipino people. While I can sense, and am proud of, the improvement in the matter of punctuality among many of our kababayan abroad and in the Philippines, especially among the younger generation, tardiness and the seeming lack of perception of time among a significant number of us is still rampant and bothersome. And what makes it more tragic is the apparent acceptance by many of our fellow Filipinos that being tardy is “normal, acceptable, excusable, or should be tolerated,” because, after all, “it is the Filipino time.” This vexing acquiescence is unfair and a disservice to our people and to our nation as a whole. I refuse to surrender, even for a moment, to the notion that we, as a people, are culturally, socially and

ethically inferior to the Americans or to any other civilized peoples of the world. Punctuality is not an exclusive trait of the people of the United States or of the Europeans. While I abhor the lack of punctuality among anyone and admit with embarrassment and dismay that many of us Filipinos (and other nationalities, of course) are guilty of this offensive bad habit, I still believe that, with proper training and discipline, starting from the nursery school, the Filipinos will be capable of developing the trait of punctuality, and discipline, among others, in them. About 13 years ago, my son, Phil, accompanied his 5-year-old daughter, Sam, to a nursery/kindergarten school class (dance) presentation on its foundation day. The “invitation” said 3:30 p.m. When they got to the school, there were only about a dozen other kids waiting, out of the two hundred or so participants expected. The program did not begin at 4:00 or 4:30, not even at 5:30. It started at 6:35, more than three hours late. This delay actually prevented Phil from attending a previous dinner engagement he had at 7:30 that evening. And this made me wonder. How PAGE B6

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2019

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 2

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

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

F E B R UA RY 8 -1 0

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

F E B R UA RY 9

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

Come and celebrate Hollywood glamour on February 9, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For information contact Marian at (818) 562-6819 or send an email to minobleza@yahoo.com.

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

F E B R UA RY 1 5

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

MARCH 30

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

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

A P R I L 25 -28

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

J U LY 24 -28

40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.

AU G U ST 1 - 9

University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.” On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.

AU G U ST 3 - 4

Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.com/.

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

B January 31-February 6, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOurnaL

PeoPle and events

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Orlando “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr A call for more Filipinos to join marrow donor program

rlandO “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr, 51, of Van nuys, Ca succumbed to cancer at Valley Presbyterian Hospital surrounded by his family on January 20, 2019. Orly is survived by his wife of 15 years, Shadouh lopez, sons Carlo Miguel (Migs) Farrales, Francis Martin (rap) Farrales, Orlando (Third) Farrales III, parents Orlando Farrales Sr. and Zenia Farrales, brother Florante Farrales, sister laarni Farrales, and nieces Zendy Farrales, Jennifer Custodio, Maricar Farrales, Jamie Joy Custodio, laura Marie agaceta, nephew Ervin rodriguez, and fur babies anya and Bilbo.

Orly was an affectionate husband, a devoted father and genuine friend to everyone. Orly loved the outdoors, off-roading, and most especially practical shooting. He worked as a general contractor for 13 years but was forced to give up the career he loved due to his health. Orly was always there to help relatives and friends with household projects, or anything else people needed him for. a special thank you to all the care teams & doctors at St. Vincent Medical Center, Vantage radiology, Harbor UCla Medical Center, Olive View Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital for their outstanding support and care. also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards neptune Society for being very accommodating and understanding during this difficult time. a celebration of life service will be at South Bay Community Church in Torrance on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 10:00 aM to 2:00 PM.

PAGE B5

The bucket list

pares her special recipe for Turkey with bacon on Thanksgiving and draws rave reviews from the family. My son, rene, prepares delightful chocolate ice cream, from scratch and there is never enough. a colleague, Malou Halili-Case who hails from Pampanga (famous for women who cook heavenly dishes) prepared dinuguan, on slow cooker and it was special and memorable. Team it up with puto and, Voila, you have a wonderful meal. If you don’t have any signature dish, get cracking and work on one, just one dish you can enjoy preparing and put your mark on. With time and practice, you will get better at it. Choose one that is popular with most taste buds. don’t let your ego rule trying to reinvent the wheel and try an exotic dish, like alligator soup, for instance. nix the labels low calorie, low fat, gluten free, low carb. It is a

bit of a downer when you have to work within limiting parameters. It doesn’t have to be original but it must be pleasing to most taste buds within your orbit of friends and family. Oftentimes, it could be just a tweak on an existing, tested recipe with a secret ingredient or a different technique of doing. Make it simple, easy and fun. Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories. remember that Jesus Christ in his time ate bread, fish and drank wine with his disciples on many occasions. Those were the staples of his time and salt was the flavoring. He multiplied the bread and fish as He fed thousands who followed him to hear his teachings. Jesus knew how important it was to make a connection. He still connects with us two thousand years later in the Holy Eucharist at Mass when bread and wine are consecrated and become His body

and blood. It is a daily reminder of how God loves us — so much He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may live forever. We use food to feed our bodies and make a connection with others. Partaking of the Eucharist to feed our souls in order to make a connection with the divine is the other aspect worth pursuing as part of our bucket list. Food is a blessing, a visual and visceral aid, that makes our life here on earth so wonderfully engaging. Make your signature dish and the joys they have caused to yourself and others part of the wonderful memories etched in your soul forever. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

TO honor the death of his mother from cancer, celebrated Filipino pop star Guji lorenzana encourages Filipinos worldwide to join the Be The Match registry to give kababayans worldwide a second chance at life. Every year, more than 12,000 patients are diagnosed with lifethreatening blood cancers – like leukemia and lymphoma – or other diseases for which a marrow or stem cell transplant may be their best or only hope for a cure. a family member is a match only 30 percent of the time. a stranger is a match 70 percent of the time. Before a transplant takes place, a compatible donor most be found – typically someone of the same ethnic heritage. To register, text: the word BEalrIGHT to 61474. Or, you can phone 1 (800) 5936667. despite more than 20 million people on the Be The Match registry, only 5 percent are asian and .4 percent are Filipino. Filipino patients, like 30-year-old Martin and 32-year-old desimond, urgently need to identify a marrow/stem cell match. Guji Lorenzana spreads the word lorenzana, a Filipino actor, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and dJ, visited Chicago and San Francisco to raise awareness and encourage Filipinos to join the registry. He wrote a song called “Be alright.” (available on YouTube) It started out as a love song to his mother who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. “This song was to help encourage her and be strong,” lorenzana says. “It was only after she passed that this song became not only something to honor her, but a song of hope and courage for everyone who was fighting too.” “I know how urgently some patients need a marrow match,” lorenzana says. “So, it’s imperative that Filipinos register.” lorenzana started the Be alright Campaign to spread cancer awareness and prevention worldwide. although he is still grieving the loss of his mother, lorenzana says, “Through my work with the Be alright Campaign and organizations like Be The Match and asian american donor Program (aadP), I am healing.” lorenzana created a public service announcement that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/Mg2VU4IKnQ How to donate april Cruz, who lives in northern California, donated marrow about 10 years ago. She is Filipina and Chinese. “I really encourage people to register,” Cruz says. “I see it as a human deed. I donated marrow to a complete stranger – someone who really needed my help to extend their life.” She never met the 27-year-old Filipino man she helped. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and lived until the two-year anniversary of the transplant. “You never know when someone in your family or a friend will need a donor,” Cruz says. “So, why not help those who need your help now?” Martin Martin is a 30-year-old Filipino diagnosed with mixed-phenotype acute leukemia. He lives in British Columbia. In 2010, he completed a B.a. degree in history at the University of British Columbia and, in 2014, completed the coursework to become a certified public ac-

Guji Lorenzana

Despite more than 20 million people on the Be The Match registry, only 5 percent are Asian and .4 percent are Filipino. Filipino patients, like Desimond (left) and Martin (right), urgently need to identify a marrow/stem cell match.

countant, later working as an accountant for an auctioneering firm. Martin was active in sports, regularly playing ultimate Frisbee, ten-pin bowling, and volleyball. In July 2018, just after his 30th birthday, he was told he had leukemia. Beginning treatment right away, he developed an infection, which caused further complications. In november 2018, Martin had a relapse and was told by his doctor that his leukemia is considered terminal. The doctors recommended going to palliative care or trying a different type of chemotherapy. Martin decided to try the different type of chemo. Presently, his doctors have not found a marrow/stem cell match for him. “I need a stranger to step forward,” Martin says. Desimond desimond is a 32-year-old Filipino and father of four children was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in april 2009. He lives in northern California. “My four kids are the ones that keep me motivated,” desimond says. “I am just hoping the timing will be right (finding a marrow/stem cell match), because I have been close to death a couple times now.” What’s the solution? Multi-ethnic people are more likely to die of leukemia and other

blood cancers. It is vital to have people from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds join the Be The Match® registry so everyone has an equal opportunity to survive blood cancers. aadP (www.aadp.org) is a 30-year-old nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, based in alameda, California, that works to educate the community about the need for more ethnic marrow donors and the importance of joining the Be The Match® national registry. aadP is the oldest nonprofit of its kind in the country. Help diversify the registry “For thousands of severely ill blood cancer patients, there is a cure,” Gillespie says. “Be the one to save a life! It is simple to register – just a swab of the inside of your cheek.” How you can commit to help • Find a registration drive in your area. http://www.aadp. org/drive/ • Text the word BEalrIGHT to 61474. Or, you can phone 1-800593-6667 to receive a home kit • You must be 18 to 44 years old and meet general health requirements • Encourage friends/family to register aadP is an official recruitment center of the Be The Match registry. (Contributed by Sally Douglas Arce)

“Filipino time” revisited

PAGE B5 can we teach our children about punctuality, the value of time, and the respect for other people’s schedule, if we, their elders, especially the school administrator and faculty, display before these young impressionistic minds our own careless disregard for promptness and our lack of respect for other people’s commitments? Many of us usually come up with a dozen excuses for our misbehavior or misadventures. For being late for our appointment, meeting or party, we blame the Spaniards, our society as a whole, the alarm clock, the traffic, the car battery, the baby sitter, or even the innocent baby itself. The usual rationale we hear from many is “they won’t start on time anyway; we’ll just waste our time waiting there.” and the vicious cycle goes on. Making excuses or shifting the blame does not accomplish anything and only makes matters worse. Perhaps, its time to look at the mirror to view the real culprit, make the accurate critical diagnosis, and self-prescribe the appropriate treatment --- promptly! let us set a good example for our children by showing them how we value and manage time, how time lost can never be recovered, and how we respect other people’s agenda. It’s about time we lost that bad reputation. The “Filipino time” syndrome is a disease only of those inconsiderate selfish compatriots of ours who simply don’t give a damn, and not

of the entire Filipino people. So, when someone is late for an appointment, I beg you to, please, not to mention the lame excuse “Filipino Time” when I am around, otherwise, I won’t be responsible for my inexplicable but prompt ferocious reaction. Discipline I often hear the comment that the Filipino people are not disciplined. against my better judgment, I had refused to believe it…until I experienced it first hand. Several times. and here are a couple of examples. I once took the WG&a Our lady of Fatima boat to Ozamiz for a business meeting in Oroquieta. Going down the stairs on the return trip to Cebu, I encountered a chaotic mob of “carriers” with pieces of luggage on their shoulders and around their arms and passengers alike inch their way recklessly to make their hurried exit, almost knocking people down the stairs. The jam slowed down the whole process quite a bit. Why we could not have spontaneously organized ourselves, formed a single line, and walked down the stairs in an orderly, more efficient, comfortable, safer fashion, and faster, is puzzling to me. Fortunately, the young children, the hope of our country, behave in a more civilized manner. When the teacher announces treats for them, these kids form a single line themselves, and take their proper turns in receiving the goodies. no shoving, no pushing, or taking

advantage of one another. Each simply waits patiently for his/her turn. Perhaps, we adults should watch more children’s television shows or go back to kindergarten to learn better manners. another observation: Unruly drivers of private cars or cabs who break traffic laws every chance and every which way they can, instantly become law-abiding and model drivers when they enter Clark Field airbase in the Philippines, where strict U.S.-style traffic rules are enforced with severe penalty. Once they get out of Clark, their reckless driving manners return almost instantly. This Jekyll and Hyde behavior is inspired by, and a reflection of, the lack of discipline and responsibility and dereliction of duty among most traffic law enforcement agencies in the country. Why our government, city mayors, and chiefs of police allow this ineptitude is beyond me. I guess when one is corrupt, only money, not the law or the safety of the people, matters. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 31-FEbRUARy 6, 2019

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