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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US missionaries of Quiboloy’s KJC ‘traumatized’ by raids

Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

WHO: NCoV cases to peak this month

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — The spread of the novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019 nCoV ARD) is expected to peak this month before it tapers off and is put under control, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO)

said.

WHO representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe told an inquiry of the Senate committee on health on Tuesday, February 4, that the rate of detected cases was increasing by about 10 percent a day.

What’s positive is that the mortal-

ity rate appears to be declining from three percent to two percent, Abeyasinghe told the panel chaired by Sen. Christopher “Bong� Go. Globally, there have been over 24,300 laboratory-confirmed cases of nCoV infections with 490 deaths – almost all of them in China except for

the Chinese man in Manila and one other male in Hong Kong. “We just need to manage (the situation) now, and ensure that we reach the peak of transition, which, according to some independent experts and research institutions, the prediction is u PAGE A2

MISSIONARIES of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) Christian church in Los Angeles and in Hawaii said they were “traumatized� by the surprise raids of armed federal agents on their offices and compounds last January 29.

The raids stemmed from a human trafficking investigation that led to the arrests of three church leaders for allegedly participating in an immigration fraud scheme that brought KJC followers to the United States to raise funds for an alleged bogus charity.

In a statement, Annabelle Juarana, a church missionary in Van Nuys neighborhood in Los Angeles said she had “never experienced anything like thisâ€? when armed men broke This ďŹ le photo shows the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, a specialty tertiary government hospital that is also a referral facility for infectious and down the door to her house and aimed guns communicable diseases.

Philstar.com photo by End Gumban at them.

Kapitanna, 22, said they were lined up outside to be handcuffed and helicopters were

60-year-old Chinese woman is third Jollibee adding 25 new nCoV case in PH branches in US, Canada u PAGE A2

by RITCHEL

FAST food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is setting up 25 stores in the U.S. and Canada this year as part of its ongoing expansion overseas. “We’re opening 25 this year in Canada and U.S. for Jollibee,� Beth dela Cruz, president of JFC North America — Philippine brands told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of Tortazo, the firm’s new food concept with renowned chef Rick Bayless.

She said the planned number of stores to be opened this year is the company’s biggest in a single year.

Since the start of the year, Jollibee has opened stores in areas including Arizona in the U.S., Regina in Canada, and Maui in Hawaii.

Dela Cruz said another Jollibee outlet is slated for opening in Houston, Texas next month.

To date, there are 50 Jollibee stores in the U.S. and Canada.

The company’s target is to have a total of 250 stores for all its brands in the U.S. and Canada by 2023, Dela Cruz said.

Of the 250 stores, 150 will be located in the U.S. while 100 will be in Canada.

MENDIOLA

AJPress

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, February 5, confirmed the third case of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines — a 60-year-old Chinese woman who came from Wuhan and traveled to Cebu City via a flight from Hong Kong on January 20. “The DOH confirms that a sample from a 60-yearold female tested positive for the 2019-nCoV. This is the third case of nCoV in the Philippines,� said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo.

According to him, the Chinese tourist initially tested negative after she was admitted to a hospital in Bohol for a fever and runny nose.

After the Chinese woman was discharged, she returned to China through a flight from Cebu on January 31.

On January 30, the DOH confirmed the first 2019nCoV case in the Philippines — a 38-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in the country via Hong Kong last January 21.

Her companion, a 44-year-old male, was confirmed to be the second case as well as the first confirmed carrier of the virus in the country.

The second case passed away on February 1 after he was confined for fever, cough and sore throat.

According to Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the World u PAGE A2

u PAGE A2

ADDRESSING PUBLIC CONCERNS. President Rodrigo Duterte answers queries from members of the media during a brieďŹ ng on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) at the MalacaĂąang Palace on Monday, February 3.

MalacaĂąang photo by Toto Lozano

PH House panel approves divorce bill

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

A HOUSE committee on Wednesday, February 5, approved three measures seeking the legalization of divorce in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.

House bills 100, 838 and 2263, which seek to legalize divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country, were approved by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations.

The bills will be consolidated by a technical working group

before being discussed at the plenary.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a staunch advocate of the divorce bill in the country, will head the technical working group.

He also authored HB 100 or the u PAGE A2

‘Healing priest’ Fernando Suarez passes away at 52 MANILA — Embattled “healing priest� Fernando Suarez passed away on Tuesday, February 4, after suffering from a heart attack. He was 52.

Radyo Veritas, a Catholic-owned radio station, reported that Suarez was playing tennis at the Ayala Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa City when he collapsed and suffered from a heart attack.

The priest, known for performing faith healing in the country, recently made it to the news after The “Healing priest� Fernando Suarez

u PAGE A3

Philstar.com photo

US envoy lauds alliance with PH amid Duterte threat vs VFA

ment (VFA) with Washington.

Speaking at an event commemorating the World War II internment MANILA — U.S. Ambassador camp at the University of Santo to Manila Sung Kim lauded the Tomas early this week, Kim, withdecades-old alliance with the Phil- out directly mentioning the VFA, ippines, amid President Rodrigo highlighted the importance of the Duterte’s threat to terminate the military alliance of the two councountry’s Visiting Forces Agreeu PAGE A2

by FRANCES

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CALL: U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim speaks on Monday, February 3, at a ceremony honoring the American civilians interned at University of Santo Tomas during World War II. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

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From the Front Page

WHO: NCoV cases to peak this...

PAGE A1 that they may be reached within the next 10 days,” Abeyasinghe told the Senate.

“After that, we expect that the prevention and control measures that have been instituted in China and outside will result in a gradual decline of cases,” he said.

He noted that the WHO’s Emergency Committee declared last Jan. 31 that the nCoV outbreak can be controlled.

A critical factor in attaining that is the countries’ ability to test for nCoV infections to determine the trajectory of the outbreak, he said.

Abeyasinghe said China’s capacity for testing of the virus has been “greatly enhanced and expanded” that it has confirmed infections in a significantly larger number of people with mild symptoms.

“And this is why we are seeing such an expansion of the number of people being reported as

positive,” he said, adding that WHO welcomes this because being able to clearly identify those infected is critical to containing the outbreak.

Center for Disease Control Meanwhile, an infectious disease expert from the University of the Philippines - Manila supports a proposal to create a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that would handle outbreaks in the country.

Edsel Maurice Salvana, director of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP Manila’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), said the need for a CDC arises in times of such outbreaks as the novel coronavirus.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Cafe Adriatico, Salvana said the Department of Health (DOH) does not enjoy the same powers as the CDCs in the United States which can mobilize the military and police in containing a disease outbreak.

“We need a body that has the

military and police powers to arrest a person, who for instance, is resisting isolation,” he said, adding that in the US, CDC staff wear military uniforms. “(The) CDC is a public health insitutiton that responds to oubreaks and epidemic and ensures public safety during these times. They are hard trained to carry out their difficult functions that some medical personal may not do,” he added.

Last Jan. 29, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed House Bill 6096 that seeks the creation of a Philippine CDC which will absorb the newly established Communicable Prevention Bureau, Disease Emergency Management Bureau and the Epidemiology Bureau and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine of the DOH. Salvana said such a CDC must have its own “public health function, laboratory capabity and quarantine powers,” among others. n

PH House panel approves divorce...

PAGE A1 Absolute Divorce Bill.

“It is safe to say that a divorce bill has been approved by the panel subject to consolidation by a TWG, which will meet on 12 February 2020,” Lagman said.

Other members of the TWG include Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, A Teacher Party-list Rep. Victoria Umali, Negros Occidental Rep. Juliet Ferrer, and Bukidnon Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba.

Lagman urged the other lawmakers to stop talking about divorce “as if it were the greatest of all tragedies” in the upcoming

plenary session.

“Divorce is not a monster that will destroy marriages and wreck marital relationships. Let us be clear about this — the monsters that lead to the demise of a marriage are infidelity, abuse, financial problems, lack of intimacy and communication, and inequality,” he said.

“Divorce may be distressing but it is far from a death sentence.

In fact, it can often save people from relationships and situations that can inflict more long-term emotional, psychological and physical damage,” he also noted in his sponsorship speech.

spired terrorists took over the city of Marawi, our alliance didn’t skip a beat,” Kim said.

He said it was the “enduring military alliance” that allowed them “to provide valuable advice, assistance, and equipment in support of AFP’s [Armed Forces of the Philippines’] efforts to liberate Marawi from terrorist control.”

Another particular example that highlighted the importance of the alliance, he said, was the response to Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) in 2013, one of the world’s strongest typhoons in history.

Kim said the U.S. immediately dispatched 13,400 U.S. troops, 66 aircraft, 12 ships to typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas to support relief efforts.

60-year-old Chinese woman is third...

PAGE A1 Health Organization’s Representative in the Philippines, his death is the first new coronavirus-related death outside of China.

As of this writing, the number of persons under investigation (PUI) in the country for possible 2019-nCoV has risen to 133 — of which 63 are Filipinos while 54 are Chinese.

Stop xenophobia President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, February 3 asked Filipinos to stop their xenophobia against Chinese nationals after

Meanwhile, Rep. Eddie Villanueva (CIBAC Party-List) said the passage of a divorce bill is unnecessary, reasoning that it does not address the issues of high cost of litigation and slowgrinding disposition of cases.

“Why pass the divorce bill when it will not really solve the real issues of those wishing to get out of unfortunate wedlock — the high costs of professional fees and the slow disposition cases? The divorce bills filed in Congress simply enumerate and consolidate remedies for broken marriages already existing in our PAGE A1 current laws,” he said. n

netizens called for the government to bar all Chinese from entering and sending those in the country back to China amid the 2019-nCoV outbreak.

“If the question is if I will bar Chinese from entering, the answer of course is no. That is an utter disrespect to a human being… This kind of mentioning the Chinese and blaming them, it’s like xenophobia,” he said during a late night press briefing with Cabinet officials at Malacanang.

“We are a community of na-

tions. We cooperate. China has been kind to us, we can also show the same favor to them. Stop this xenophobia,” he added.

According to Duterte, the posts against the Chinese were in “bad taste.”

He also reminded the public that the Chinese were not at fault for the emergence of the disease.

“It happened in China — at least the first [case] — but that is not the fault of anybody. Not of the Chinese, not the Filipinos, not of anyone,” Duterte said. n

US missionaries of Quiboloy’s KJC ‘traumatized’...

US envoy lauds alliance with PH amid...

PAGE A1 tries and the benefits of American presence here.

“The alliance remains as important today as it was 75 years ago, as we work together to respond to humanitarian disasters, counterterrorism, and keep the Indo-Pacific region free and open for all nations,” he said in his speech on Monday, Feb. 3.

The VFA, which was ratified in 1999, covers the conduct of American troops in the Philippines, who come here for joint exercises, training and disaster response activities.

“The profound importance of our alliance became evident to me shortly after my arrival in the Philippines three years ago, when crisis broke out in Mindanao. As ISIS-in-

Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE)-trained personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from its health service unit are ready to assist other government agencies in the repatriation of Filipinos in China and other countries affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV). Some of the personnel who are ready for deployment don face masks and protective clothing during an event after the flag-raising ceremony at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday, February 3.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

“We helped evacuate 21,000 Filipinos from impacted communities and brought in food, water, doctors, and medical supplies to assist those who remained,” he said.

Duterte threat vs VFA But these kinds of activities and assistance of the Americans here cited by Kim may be affected in the future because of the possible termination of the VFA. Duterte earlier threatened to end the military pact after the U.S. revoked the visa of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, his close political ally and former police chief.

The U.S. did not cite a reason for the visa cancellation, but it was likely because of Dela Rosa’s role in implementing the administration’s highly-criticized drug war.

It has also made no comment on Duterte’s threat to junk the agreement.

The Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement is set to report to the President this week on the impact of the possible scrapping of the VFA with the United States. n

circling the compound, telling them to raise their hands.

“This was something that we only saw in the movies and now it was happening to us. We’re just church missionaries here, we have no guns or anything. We have nothing to hide,” Kapitanna said.

He added they were gathered in the worship center and were all questioned by the agents if they were forced to do fundraising against their will and if there were documents taken from them.

Diana Lozano, a 78-year-old U.S. citizen, said she denied to agents that they were held against their will and forced to do fundraising. She added that she keeps her own travel documents like many other missionaries of the church.

Jennifer Calloa said they were traumatized by the early morning raid. She also said the federal agents made them “feel like we were the worst criminals.

She further said that senior citizens and very sick people were left to stand outside in the cold morning air without jackets.

“I told the FBI that there was

An FBI agent, who took part in a raid on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 29, fixes a tarpaulin cover on its fence.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

no need to let us go through this, letting us feel like we were the worst criminals. I told the agents that we could have let them in the gate, accommodated them willingly and answered all their questions if we had known they wanted to come in,” Callao said.

“They told me they were informed that we had heavily armed guards here. We told them they were misinformed about us here.

They were very apologetic and

said they were just doing their job,” she added.

KJC’s congregation in Waipahu, Hawaii, was also raided by more than 50 FBI agents.

Chelcey Guerrero said two agents held her and her oneyear-old baby Moanna at gunpoint. The agents also pointed their guns at her father, Rolando Guerrero, who was deaf and could not hear the agents’ in-

u PAGE A3

Jollibee adding 25 new branches...

PAGE A1 While the number of Filipinos is among the considerations of JFC in selecting a location for Jollibee stores, she said the brand is also attracting non-Filipino customers.

“What we are finding right now is there is a lot of non-Filipinos who actually go to us. NonFilipinos wouldn’t line up on the first week [of store opening] because the lines are like two to four hours wait and then after the line has slowed down a bit, you get the locals,” she said.

Dela Cruz said there are some areas where there are more nonFilipino customers than Filipinos like Manhattan.

In terms of bestselling products at Jollibee’s U.S. and Canada stores, chicken joy tops the list, followed by peach mango pie and spaghetti.

“But non-Filipinos are saying they like the palabok because it’s unique,” she said.

Apart from Jollibee, JFC’s other brands in the U.S. are Red Ribbon and Chowking. (Louella Desiderio/Philstar.com)

COMING TOGETHER. With chef Rick Bayless’ renowned expertise in Mexican cuisine and Jollibee Foods Corp.’s scalability, the Tortazo brand is poised for further growth and success. In photo are (from left) Ernesto Tanmantiong, CEO, Jollibee Foods Corp., Bayless and Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and founder, Jollibee Foods Corp.

Contributed photo

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PH to keep custody of convicted US soldier in transgender slay if VFA terminated

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

MIGRATION. Migratory birds settle along the coastal areas of Paranaque City. The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) is closely monitoring 65 areas across the country that could be possible entry points for the H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu.

The monitoring was launched after the avian flu was reported in China’s Hunan province.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Kaiser Permanente announces support for legislation banning flavored tobacco, Newsom’s youth vaping prevention efforts California Senate Bill 793 would prohibit menthol cigarettes and many vaping products

OAKLAND – Taking a strong stand to protect the health and safety of California’s youth, Kaiser Permanente on February 5, 2020 announced it is the first major health care provider to support California Senate Bill 793 by state Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state.

Under SB 793, flavored tobacco products include menthol cigarettes, flavored chewing tobacco products, and many vaping products.

“Flavors are proven starter products for youth and have no place on the market whatsoever,” said Bechara Choucair, MD, senior vice president and chief community health officer for Kaiser Permanente. “Kid-friendly flavors mask the poison, entice kids to experiment with tobacco products and potentially addict them for life.”

The Food and Drug Administration reports that 70% of youth e-cigarette users cited appealing flavors as the primary reason for use; and according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 high school students are current e-cigarette users, a rate that has more than doubled in the last two years. Even more alarming is the rise in e-cigarette use among middle school students, which has tripled since 2017.

The most current update from the California Department of Public Health shows that 199 vaping-related lung illnesses and four deaths have been reported in California since fall 2019. Dozens of young people have been admitted to intensive care units and even required mechanical ventilation.

For many years, Kaiser Permanente health care providers have routinely cautioned patients, especially youth and their parents and guardians, about the harmful effects of nicotine products, which include: • Risk of life-long addictions and an increased likelihood of becoming a smoker of traditional cigarettes.

• Potential for serious and even fatal damage to lungs.

• Harm to brain development.

• Other unknown long-term

risks.

“As health care professionals at Kaiser Permanente, we are proud to work for an organization that supports this stand against flavored tobacco products,” said Renee Fogelberg, MD, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Adult Clinical Lead Tobacco Cessation, The Permanente Medical Group. “The more than 15,000 flavors available on the market today have enticed our youth and fooled others into thinking these items are safe. They effectively created a new generation of smokers, turning back the progress that has been made in the last few decades.”

Kaiser Permanente also offered its continued support to efforts by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to curb the use of vaping products by youth altogether.

“Kaiser Permanente applauds Governor Newsom’s commitment to ban flavored tobacco products in the state by January 2021, his recent actions to make public health alerts and inform consumers, and newly proposed actions to further curb e-cigarette use by minors,” Choucair said. “We are honored to join the broad coalition of advocates for these efforts, including physicians, advocacy groups and public health organizations, who are all committed to reversing this troubling and preventable threat to the lives of 9 million California young people.”

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and notfor-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia.

Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease

PAGE A1 Diocese of Cubao issued a sanction against him and banned him from public ministry in the diocese.

Other priests belonging to his group known as the “Missionaries of Mary of the Poor” were also sanctioned.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines earlier said several other bishops

banned Suarez from conducting masses in their diocese in the past for various reasons He was also banned by Bishop Jose Cabantan of Malaybalay for conducting healing masses without the necessary permit from his diocese.

The late priest was ordained in 2002 at the age of 35. (Philstar. com)

‘Healing priest’ Fernando Suarez...

US missionaries of Quiboloy’s...

PAGE A2 structions.

KJC said federal agents also visited their compounds in San Francisco, Delano, Virginia, Houston, Missouri, and New York while the raid in Los Angeles was taking place.

Ruby Ragel, 70, said FBI agents visited her home in San Bernardino.

FBI was reportedly acting on an affidavit filed before the United States District Court against KJC for conspiracy to commit immigration fraud last January 27.

KJC founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, denied the allegations, insisting that “under no circumstances does the Kingdom of Jesus Christ or its members engage in any act that violates the law.”

He added the filing of a criminal complaint was part of a “grand

Apollo Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

conspiracy of lies concocted by men and women who were once part of KJC but struck alliances with forces jealous of the meteoric rise of Pastor ACQ and the KJC.” (Daphne Galvez/Inquirer.net)

prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. n

THE American soldier convicted of killing Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude will stay under the jurisdiction of the Philippines even after the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States is formally terminated, Malacañang on Thursday, January 30 said.

According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the country won’t lose custody of U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, who is currently detained at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Pemberton was sentenced to serve a jail term of up to six years by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court in 2015 after he was found guilty of killing Laude.

“We acquired jurisdiction over him and therefore the jurisdiction remains. You must remember that the VFA states that we cannot acquire jurisdiction unless of particular importance and we already did that,” he said, adding that the agreement’s termination “will not affect the acquisition of jurisdiction by the Philippine courts.”

The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines.

Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they com-

Joseph Scott Pemberton

mit crimes in the Philippines.

On Jan. 23, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA after the U.S.’ cancellation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa, giving the U.S. a month to “correct” the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa.

However, Duterte recanted his statement the next day, saying he is no longer waiting for the U.S. to “correct” the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa and ordering the termination of the VFA. Panelo, for his part, stressed that the VFA termination has no impact on the country’s other defense deals with the U.S. “It (VFA) refers to privileges of military personnel with respect

Photo from Olongapo City Police

to [the] acquisition of jurisdiction in relation to the commission of crimes as well as the movement of their aircrafts and vessels. The other agreements will remain,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who was the legal counsel of the Laude family, called for the transfer of Pemberton to the state penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

“I call on the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to exercise vigilance as U.S. authorities will definitely attempt to spirit him out of the country to prevent his detention in Muntinlupa where he truly belongs,” Roque said. n

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D ateline PhiliPPines Fewer Filipinos jobless in 2019 – SWS De Lima asks SC to reverse ruling on habeas data plea vs Duterte

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

THERE were fewer Filipinos who were without work in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The poll, conducted from December 13 to 16 among 1,200 respondents nationwide, showed the unemployment rate at 17.5 percent, which translates to 7.9 million jobless adult Filipinos.

This was lower by 4 percentage points than the 21.5 percent, or an estimated 10 million adult Filipinos, recorded in September.

The SWS defines jobless Filipinos as those who either voluntarily left their previous jobs, lost their jobs because of retrenchment and those who are seeking jobs for the first time.

The survey found that 8.1 percent or some 3.7 million of the total number of unemployed Filipinos voluntarily left their old jobs, 5.9 percent or about 1.7 million were retrenched, and 3.5 percent or some 1.6 million were first-time jobseekers.

Around 3.7 percent or an estimated 1.7 million retrenched workers did not have their con-

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Job seekers looking for a job abroad.

tracts renewed, 1.3 percent or an estimated 613,000 got laid off, and the remaining 0.9 percent or about 399,000 had employers who closed operations.

The SWS joblessness rate went down by 10 points in Metro Manila and 8 points in Balance Luzon.

Adult joblessness in Metro Manila fell from 24.5 percent to 15 percent, and 25 percent to 17.3 percent in Balance Luzon. But it rose from 11.8 percent to 15.7 percent in the Visayas and 19.9 percent to 20 percent in Mindanao.

Adult joblessness in December was higher among women.

Joblessness rose among those

ManilaTimes.net photo

aged 35 to 44, from 17.3 percent to 19.2 percent, but it fell among those aged 18 to 25 (from 44.9 percent to 31.8 percent), those aged 25 to 34 (30.9 percent to 20.7 percent), and among 45 year-olds and above (14.0 percent to 11.8 percent).

Meanwhile, SWS noted that 53 percent of adult Filipinos were optimistic, while 12 percent were pessimistic on job availability in the next 12 months.

The December survey had sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. n

DICT: P300-M confidential funds ‘legitimately used’ by ian

niColas Cigaral Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology on Wednesday, February 5, defended the agency’s controversial disbursement of P300 million in confidential funds, saying the money was “legitimately used.”

This was after former DICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, who recently quit his post, flagged the agency’s “questionable” spending on surveillance, which he said is not included in the mandate of the DICT. Rio, a veteran of military communications, said the function of the DICT’s cybersecurity office is to secure the country from cyber threats, not to engage in intelligence activities.

‘Information is key component of cyber security’ In a statement, the DICT hit news reports that “may have inaccurately

misled the public” and argued that “[a] key component of cyber security is information gathering.”

“The information systems in our country needs continuous monitoring so that both domestic and foreign cyber threats and cyber-attacks can be identified, addressed, and promptly neutralized to protect the safety and security of our nation,” the department said.

The DICT explained that the P300-million confidential fund was disbursed in three tranches.

The Commission on Audit allowed the spending of such funds and only told the DICT “to be more efficient in processing the relevant documents,” the department said.

“In sum, the Confidential Expense allocated in the 2019 [General Appropriations Act] was legitimately used for cybersecurity and the protection of our national security, with the safety of our government’s information facilities and institutions, and the welfare of our people, being the

Department’s utmost priority,” the DICT said.

“Rest assured, that proper procedures were followed, and the disbursements were regular in accordance with applicable accounting and auditing laws, rules, and regulations,” it added.

According to a February 3 report

by CNN Philippines, state auditors have called out the DICT after “[c]ash advances worth P300 million have been reportedly released to Secretary Gringo Honasan in late 2019, charged against the confidential funds” of the agency.

Rio, who led the entry of a third telco player in the country when he briefly took over as DICT acting secretary, had warned that such funds are not subject to regular audit. Reports say DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan put the controversial amount in the agency’s budget when he was still a senator.

Senators said the Senate may look into Rio’s allegations. n

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Patag

MANILA — Detained Sen. Leila De Lima has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its dismissal of her plea for habeas data against President Rodrigo Duterte, calling the ruling a “twisted” application of presidential immunity.

De Lima, through her lawyer Chel Diokno, filed a motion for reconsideration on Wednesday, February 5, urging the SC to reverse its Oct. 15, 2019 ruling that junked her petition citing Duterte’s immunity from suit while president.

“The resolution twisted the doctrine of presidential immunity out of all sense of meaning, gave Mr. Rodrigo Duterte a blanket license to slut-shame and discriminate against any women who tickles his fancy, and deprive petitioner (and other similarly situated women) of an effective remedy,” the senator said in her motion.

De Lima sought relief from the SC to compel Duterte to give her access to information collected in the allegations thrown by the government against her.

She specifically cited statements from the president saying he “will have to destroy her in public” and calling her an “immoral woman” with “a very sordid personal and official life.”

‘Unbridled powers’ The SC, in junking De Lima’s plea, stressed that the presidential immunity “makes no distinction with regard to the subject matter of the suit; it applies whether or not the acts subject matter of the suit are part of his duties and functions as president.”

Senator Leila de Lima

But De Lima reiterated that her case presents a “novel issue of transcendental importance” as it questions acts of a president “that are clearly and obviously outside the scope of official conduct.”

She said that the dismissal of her plea has also “inoculated the President from accountability for egregious conduct, and placed an insurmountable barrier to the search for truth and the vindication of basic rights.”

With the SC ruling, Duterte was also given “untrammelled and unbridled power to slut-shame, discriminate, insult and offend and bad-mouth” De Lima so long as he remains as the incumbent president, she argued.

The senator noted that Duterte, on January 23, referred to her in a speech where the president insinuated sexual actions and cursed her.

She also raised that the SC resolution gives Duterte power to verbally attack any other woman

Philstar.com photo

who will be left with no legal remedy for relief so long as he sits as president.

De Lima also claimed that since she was left with no legal remedy against Duterte, the ruling violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a treaty signed in 1986.

The treaty imposes upon states that ratified it the duty to protect civil and political rights, including the right to dignity, gender equality, freedom from discrimination and freedom from unlawful interference with one’s privacy.

De Lima has been detained at the police headquarters in Quezon City due to the government’s drug charges against her. She is accused of having a hand in the proliferation of the drug trade inside the national penitentiary during her stint as Justice secretary, an accusation she has denied.

De Lima earlier accused the government of using public resources to pin her down. n

In its 4 p.m. advisory on Wednesday, February 5, Phivolcs said the current activity of Mayon was “likely caused by hot magmatic gases heating the overlying atmosphere.”

Photo courtesy of Philvolcs

Mayon crater ‘glows’, sign of ‘remnant magma’ moving up — Phivolcs A “CRATER glow” has been detected on Mayon Volcano in Albay over the past two days, an indication that “remnant magma” may be moving up to the shallow levels of the edifice, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday, February 5.

In its 4 p.m. advisory, Phivolcs said the current activity of Mayon was “likely caused by hot magmatic gases heating the overlying atmosphere.”

Since the end of its magmatic eruption in March 2018, Mayon has shown declining earthquake activity and sulfur dioxide emission.

Phivolcs noted, however, a “slight swelling” or inflation on the edifice in February 2019.

“These observations indicate that Mayon’s recent behavior has been mainly driven by changes occurring within magma already emplaced beneath the edifice rather than by renewed magma intrusion events,” it said.

Phivolcs said that Alert Level 2 remained over the volcano because it was at a “moderate level of unrest”.

Phivolcs recommended that entry into the six kilometer-radius permanent danger zone and a precautionary seven kilometer-radius extended danger zone in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, stretching from Anoling, Camalig to Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo, was prohibited.

It reminded the public that “sudden explosions, lava col-

lapse, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and ashfall could occur without warning and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon.”

Phivolcs advised people residing close to these danger areas to observe precautions against rockfalls, PDCs and ashfall.

“Active stream/river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during extreme weather conditions when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall,” it added.

Phivolcs assured the public that it was closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s condition and any development would be relayed to all concerned. (Franz Lewin Embudo/ManilaTimes.net)

DOLE to recommend partial lifting of deployment ban in Kuwait by ratziel

san Juan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday, February 5, said that it will push for the partial lifting of the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait.

Once the partial lifting of the ban is issued, the deployment of skilled, semi-skilled and professional workers to Kuwait will be allowed.

Meanwhile, newly-hired household service workers are still covered by the ban.

“Balik manggagawa workers category, on the other hand, will be the subject of discussion and decision of the POEA governing board,” the department said in a release.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he will endorse the easing of the prohibition to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Governing Board after Kuwaiti officials approved of signing an agreement on the standard employment contract for Filipino household service workers.

“I had a fruitful meeting with my counterparts in Kuwait. Both sides agreed on the harmonized standard employment contract. I will talk with the POEA governing board to recommend the partial lifting of the ban,” Bello said in the department release.

The said contract prohibits employers from keeping any personal identity documents belonging to the worker, such as a passport. It also provides that workers are entitled to own a phone and be able to use it outside of working hours as long as they maintain the secrets and privacy of the household.

Moreover, employers cannot assign a domestic worker to render labor outside of the State of Kuwait or transfer them to another employer without the said worker’s written consent. Otherwise, the OFW will be repatriated to the Philippines at the expense of the employer.

“The employer should ensure the OFWs adequate life and is obliged to provide the medical treatment and nursing by registering her in the health system

applicable in Kuwait,” the department said.

Provisions on working conditions include the guarantee of a paid full day per week break, at least an hour break after five consecutive hours spent working, at least eight consecutive hours of night rest, and no work in excess of 12 hours a day.

However, Bello said that a total lifting of the ban would only happen if the Kuwaiti government provides an official status report on the cases of Jeanelyn Villavende, Constancia Dayag and Joanna Demafelis.

DOLE enforced the total deployment ban in January in relation to the Kuwaiti government’s alleged attempt to cover up the circumstances of Villavende’s death.

“In the case of Villavende, I wanted some validation of their claim that they (accused employers) are formally charged and they are behind bars. We have to be contented who have been charged and what are the nature of the charges,” the Labor secretary said. n

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A

‘NEDA not consulted on ‘Duterte Legacy’ numbers’ by ian

President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates incoming Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo during the Change of Command ceremony at the Naval Station Jose V. Andrada in Manila on Monday, February 3.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

PH will show flag ‘at all times’ in West Philippine Sea – Navy chief

by FrancEs

Mangosing Inquirer.net

MANILA — The new flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy has vowed to continue to assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, who took the helm of the Philippine Navy on Monday, February 3, said that they would continue to establish their presence in the West Philippine Sea, which refers to the part of the South China Sea that is claimed by the Philippines.

“We will continue to maintain the nine occupied features in the West Philippine Sea. We will continue to replenish and rotate our personnel in the West Philippine Sea,” he told reporters after the change of command ceremony.

“At all times, we will show the

flag in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The Philippines occupies nine features in the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan Island Group: Pagasa Island (Thitu), Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal), Lawak Island (Nanshan), Parola Island (Northeast Cay), Patag Island (Flat), Kota Island (Loaita), Rizal Reef (Commodore), Likas Island (West York), and Panata Island (Lankiam Cay).

Each of the outposts is manned by a small group of Navy and Marine troops. They serve there for a tour of duty that lasts from three to six months.

The biggest of the Philippineheld islands is Pag-asa, which is inhabited by about a hundred civilians and a small batch of troops.

A rusty transport ship BRP Sierra

Madre was intentionally grounded to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal.

‘Indisputable sovereignty’ But China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. This is manifested in their aggressive actions in the disputed waters.

This claim was invalidated by the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands in 2016, but China has ignored the ruling. President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, has chosen to set it aside in exchange for loans and economic investments from Beijing.

He also argues that the alternative is war, which the Philippines cannot wage because he believes it is no match for China. n

House OKs revival of good manners subject

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday, February 3, approved, on third and final reading, two measures seeking to revive the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) subject in the grade school curriculum of the country and the bill on electronic violence against women and children.

The House plenary voted unanimously to pass House Bill 5829, which reintroduces GMRC as a separate subject from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

The proposed measure provides for the inclusion of the GMRC subject in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s K-12 program.

The bill said GMRC, defined as “basic social values and etiquette,” is necessary “to develop the character of the youth by making them recognize their intrinsic human value, enabling them to cultivate their ability to make excellent choices for themselves in relation to the greater community, thereby creating a culture of respect and love for oneself, for others and the country.”

At the same time, an overwhelming number of legislators also approved HB 5869 or the amendments to the Anti-VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) Law. Militant party-list women’s group Gabriela hailed the passage of the measure.?“Violence is a stark reality that women have to struggle with every day,” Rep. Arlene Brosas said, as they seek to address the loophole in RA 9262 of the 2004 VAWC Law which failed to mention online or electronic violence that could cause lasting mental, emotional or psychological distress. n

nicolas cigaral Philstar.com

MANILA — The country’s socioeconomic planning agency was not consulted when the government’s lead communications arm presented the administration’s midterm accomplishments during its “Duterte Legacy” campaign in January, the state’s chief economist said.

This as the Presidential Communications Operations Office received backlash from critics who say some data on the government’s “achievements” were not presented properly and needed clarifications.

In an interview with ONE News’ “The Chiefs,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the legacy numbers that were presented by PCOO during its campaign were “not shown to me for comments.”

Pernia, who heads the National Economic and Development Authority, also said some data should have been presented with proper context.

Research group IBON Foundation was among those who called out the PCOO for “reverting to a really crude propaganda tactic of repeating a lie often enough for people to believe it.”

IBON’s criticism triggered retaliation from PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, who tried to red-tag the think tank and accused it of working “to overthrow governments.”

“Even that 64 airports, of course, that’s ambiguous,” IBON Executive

The Presidential Communications Operations Office, the government’s lead communications arm, received backlash from critics who say some data on the government’s “achievements” were not presented properly and needed clarifications.

Philstar.com photo

Director Sonny Africa, referring to one of Duterte’s legacy numbers, told “The Chiefs” in a separate interview.

“But the impression that it’s trying to create is under Duterte’s watch, 64 airports were built. If we check government data, there are over 80 airports in the country. Are

you saying 64 of these 80 were built under Duterte?” Africa said. “It’s a sort of pattern of disinformation using government funds.”

Prior to questions over the “Duterte Legacy” data it released, the PCOO previously drew flak for some blunders in the past which it admitted and apologized for. n

PH House okays bill punishing ‘electronic violence’ against women, children THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill defining electronic violence against women and their children and prescribing corresponding penalties.

Voting 227-0-0 on Tuesday, February 4, lawmakers passed House Bill 5869 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act. The bill seeks to amend Section 3, paragraph (a) of Republic Act (RA) 9262 (the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) by defining psychological violence as acts or omission which “may be committed through physical, verbal, emotional, electronic or information communication technology (ICT)-related means or other

means causing or likely to cause the mental or emotional suffering of a woman and her children such as intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, verbal abuse and marital infidelity.”

It further amends the provision to read as follows: “It includes the act of causing or coercing a woman and her children to witness the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a member of the family to which the woman and her children belong, or to witness pornography in any form or to witness abusive injury to pets or to unlawful or unwanted deprivation of the right to custody and/or visitation of common children.”

The fact sheet regarding the bill stated in part that the bill would

impose the penalty of prision mayor “for acts causing and threatening electronic violence against a woman and her children”.

Under the bill, electronic violence or ICT-related violence is defined as “any act or omission involving the use or exploitation of data or any form of information and communications technology which causes or is likely to cause mental, emotional, or psychological distress or suffering to the woman and her children…”

The bill seeks to amend Section 5 of RA 9262 by including inflicting electronic violence and threatening to cause electronic violence among the acts of violence against women and their children. (Reina Tolentino/ManilaTimes.net)

House leaders back disaster resilience department

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA — More lawmakers are pushing for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) to handle the government’s response during calamities.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez both said the recent eruption of Taal Volcano showed the need to immediately establish the office.

Salceda, chairman of the House ways and means committee, said the proposed measure would enable the national government to better address calamities in the future. As one of its main proponents, he believed the effects of the latest calamity could have been mitigated or even avoided if the measure was passed earlier on.

“It could have been better (if there’s DDR already). As you can see now, affected communities are evacuating but don’t really know where they should go,” he said. “Let’s pass the DDR and put Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-

physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) under the DDR.” Gomez, for her part, said the DDR would address fragmentation in government’s response, citing the lack of evacuation capacity and the low quality of temporary accommodations.

“We have to recognize that our current system carries with it structural silos that create natural limitations to the disaster risk reduction, response, relief, recovery and rehabilitation processes,” she said in a privilege speech earlier this week.

“Our status quo is functionally fragmented, with various functions under the theme of disaster resilience housed under different departments. On top of this, the overall responsibility and management for disaster resilience does not fall under one single Cabinet secretary,” she pointed out.

As chair of the committee on disaster management, Gomez explained that the DDR will converge with the Climate Change Commission and will have joint supervision over key units such as the PAGASA

and Phivolcs of the Department of Science and Technology, Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Health Emergency Management Bureau of the health department and the interior’s Bureau of Fire Protection.

“These integrations will hopefully be the preliminary phase to a holistic approach to one of the biggest threats to our safety and to our country’s economic growth.

With the DDR, we would be able to establish frameworks for disaster relief, response, recovery and rehabilitation. This means we don’t have to reinvent the wheel all over again each time there is a disaster,” she added.

The proposed DDR will integrate the Climate Change Commission, National Disaster Risk Reduction, People’s Survival Fund, Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Efforts, and Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery under the DDR. The House plenary tackled the measure during its session in Batangas City last month, but failed to pass it on second reading. n

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FEBRUARY 7-13,2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Second worst in the world

FEATURES

THE five-minute challenge of driving along EDSA from Cubao, Quezon City to Makati by December last year was not met. And now traffic congestion in Metro Manila has been ranked as the second worst in the world.

Netherlands-based location technology provider TomTom, in its latest Traffic Index covering 416 cities in 57 countries, ranked Metro Manila behind only Bengaluru in southern India among the most traffic-choked mega cities in the world. In Southeast Asia, only the Indonesian capital of Jakarta was also included among the 10 worst in the TomTom Traffic Index, ranking 10th. Thai capital Bangkok, which now has a subway system, placed 11th.

Last year, traffic navigation app Waze also ranked Metro Manila as the worst place in the world for driving, with motorists taking an average of 4.9 minutes to negotiate a single kilometer – and this was in September, before the Christmas season traffic congestion.

TomTom reported worse congestion during the evening rush hour than in the morning rush, with 6 to 7 p.m. on Fridays as the worst time with an average of 143 percent road congestion.

Filipinos are aware of the costs of traffic gridlocks. A 2018 study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency said traffic jams were costing the country a staggering P3.5 billion in “lost opportunities” daily, with the figure projected to triple by 2030.

The government is hoping that new bypass roads combined with road clearing operations and better enforcement would ease the gridlocks. Tolls on bypass roads, however, are keeping away motorists, who refuse to leave their vehicles at home due to the acute inadequacy of public transportation. A subway can ease road congestion, but this project is just getting started.

Motorists have called for the opening of selected streets in gated villages all over Metro Manila to serve as alternative routes. They argue that any road that has become heavily commercialized, such as those in the country’s largest subdivision, BF Homes in Parañaque, must be declared as a free public thoroughfare. Political will, however, has been spotty or lacking in heeding such calls.

There are other measures that can be undertaken within the relatively short term. Upgrading railway services must be given urgency, both for passengers and cargo. Water transportation can use a boost, along the Pasig River and in Manila Bay. The TomTom Traffic Index merely reflected what everyone in Metro Manila already knows: traffic congestion is a serious problem still begging to be fixed. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The tragedy of our ‘China first’ policy

Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN THEY say the greatest heartbreaks are born out of initial hope, and that the true character of a man is revealed only when given absolute power. What began as a potentially noble effort to reduce our hackneyed dependence on a superpower ally soon degenerated into a mind-boggling, brazen policy of subservience to an authoritarian superpower ever-creeping into our national waters.

No wonder China has described President Duterte as its “most respected friend.” Ironically, the more Mr. Duterte acquiesces to China, the harder the potential backlash against not only Chinese citizens, but also our Filipino-Chinese countrymen. When people feel that their government is failing them, they tend to take matters into their own hands. As Newton’s basic third law of motion dictates: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

There is no definitive “Duterte algorithm” at play. Yet, there are patterns of thought and behavior worth analyzing. Mr. Duterte’s most revealing speech was arguably the press conference he

gave in Palawan a month before his decisive election.

Many remember that speech for his headline-grabbing “Jetski” comment, when he claimed that he “will ride a jet ski” and “carry a flag” to the Spratlys where he will warn the Chinese “suntukan o barilan (fist fight or gun fight)?”What many overlooked, however, was his shockingly transparent signal of transactional acquiescence to China: “[If you] build me a train around Mindanao, build me train from Manila to Bicol… build me a train going to Batangas, for the six years that I’ll be president, I’ll shut up [on the West Philippine Sea disputes].”

A month earlier, in one of a series of interviews with Filipino statesmen and experts conducted by Chinese media, Mr. Duterte made it clear that “What I need from China is help to develop my country.” In exchange, as the Chinese narrator put it, “he says he would not count on the Americans coming to the Philippines’ rescue, and would have even considered dropping an arbitration case the Aquino administration filed against China.”

I watched that interview closely, partly because the news package included interviews with me as well as Sen. Grace Poe, then

THE Washington, D.C. meetings we arranged for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin was, in my view, highly productive and our messaging extremely successful.

We first had a meeting at the State Department with Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun (Secretary Pompeo was out on a five-nation tour) wherein we discussed matters of mutual interest on a wide range of topics that include the new coronavirus outbreak, which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a global public health emergency. The number of cases continues to spike with the death toll rising in Wuhan, China which has been pinpointed as the epicenter of the outbreak.

A fairly large number have reportedly died with the number of confirmed cases continually rising. In several countries that include the U.S., the infection is now spreading through human-

the other top contender for the presidency.

Almost four years later, China is yet to build any major infrastructure project in the Philippines. For years, I warned that China could take Mr. Duterte for a ride with empty infrastructure promises in exchange for major geopolitical concessions. I called this the “Chinese chimera” phenomenon.

Instead, what we have gotten is the influx of Chinese online casino workers, and more recently, prostitutes, who have upended the socioeconomic landscape in major cities. The Pogos and such types of shady, low-quality investments have created hundreds of thousands of jobs for the Chinese, but not much for Filipinos.

Nonetheless, enough people in power have benefited from these dubious businesses, so much so that Mr. Duterte decided to stand up to China, for the very first time, when President Xi Jinping, who has banned gambling at home, pushed for their closure.

Unable to boast of any bigticket Chinese infrastructure investments, Mr. Duterte has instead resorted to the bogus claim that if we resist China in the West Philippine Sea, there will be war. Never mind that

President Rodrigo Duterte and People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping discuss matters during the bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing last August 29, 2019.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

none of our neighbors who have directly challenged China faced even the threat of war in the past three decades. Nor did the Benigno Aquino III administration, which had the audacity to take China to an international arbitral tribunal.

The hollow nature of Mr. Duterte’s “independent” foreign policy has been on full display in recent months. When a suspected Chinese militia boat rammed a Filipino fishing boat within our exclusive economic zone last year, the president chose a com-

bination of prolonged silence and perplexing meekness to downplay the situation as “a little maritime incident.” It exactly mimicked the Chinese talking points, which dismissed it as an “ordinary maritime accident.”

Even more shockingly, when neighbors and major countries began shuttering their borders to China amid the new coronavirus epidemic, the Duterte administration worried about the “political and diplomatic repercussions” of any serious countermeasure against inbound travel

from China. As Beijing began to lock down Wuhan and surrounding areas following a weeks-long cover up, the administration still welcomed more than 100 Chinese from the area.

Time and again, the president has seemingly prioritized diplomacy with China over the protection of his own people.

What we desperately need today is an end to this “China first” diplomacy in favor of a more balanced, self-respecting and truly mutually beneficial relationship with Beijing. (Inquirer.net)

Secretary Locsin’s Washington meetings

Babe’s Eye View AMBASSADOR B. ROMUALDEZ

Philstar.com photo

to-human contact. The World Health Organization also made an appeal to the global community to “show solidarity and cooperation.”

The denuclearization issue with North Korea was also discussed, considering that the situation continues to be a security challenge in the Asia Pacific region. In fact, Undersecretary for Defense and Policy John Rood asserted that North Korea poses an “ongoing, credible threat” to the U.S. and its allies, most especially South Korea and Japan.

Security analysts agree that the threat of a nuclear arms race is real, with North Korea as well as Iran perceived to be “inciting” this race.

For the most part, the meeting was productive, and both parties reaffirmed the value of the alliance between the US and the Philippines based on deep ties, shared values and the historic friendship between the two nations and their people.

Most importantly, we all recognize the value of mutual respect especially with regard to each nation’s sovereignty as befitting

equal partners and allies.

We later had a conversation with U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, who requested to speak to us. Senator Risch emphasized that we must continue to work together on areas of mutual interest, and that the sovereignty of each nation must be respected.

The most significant part of the meetings we arranged for Sec. Locsin was our meeting at the White House with National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. Ambassador O’Brien expressed keen understanding of President Duterte’s concerns and sentiments on sovereignty.

He of course pointed out that the White House has no control over what the U.S. Senate does in terms of resolutions filed. Ambassador O’Brien told us he is looking forward to the meeting between President Trump and President Duterte in Las Vegas this coming March.

Status of Senator De Lima’s case Just recently, I sent out to U.S. senators a status update on the

criminal cases that have been filed against Senator De Lima, all of which I obtained directly from the courts themselves. Here are the highlights: On Criminal Case No. 17-167 pending before Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court presided by Acting Presiding Judge Grace Chavez-Ty, the senator and numerous coaccused are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs – an offense where bail may be denied when evidence of guilt is strong. About 10 hearings have been conducted after the case was transferred from Branch 206 to Branch 256 on Feb. 14, 2017 as a result of Senator De Lima’s motion to inhibit then Acting Presiding Judge Lorna Domingo, which the latter granted. The next hearings are scheduled this Feb. 21 and 28 for continuation of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence.

All accused were present during court proceedings.

On Criminal Case 17-166 where the senator and Jose Adrian Dera are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case pending before Muntin-

lupa RTC Branch 205 and filed on Feb. 17, 2017. More than 20 hearings having been conducted since then. The latest hearing was scheduled on Jan. 24. Both co-accused were present during court proceedings.

In Criminal Case 17-165, Senator De Lima and Ronnie Dayan are also accused of conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case filed on Feb. 17, 2017 but received by Branch 205 from Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC on Jan. 22, 2018.There have been approximately 15 hearings conducted, including motions, since September 30, 2019. A hearing was scheduled last January 24 for the presentation of evidence by the prosecution. Both the senator and Dayan were present during court proceedings.

Many people have told me they find it rather ironic that our judicial system — patterned after the United States — is being assailed by U.S. senators. Except for the fact that we do not have a jury system, we have the same process. We have lower courts (municipal trial courts), regional trial courts, the Court of Appeals

as well as the Sandiganbayan that has jurisdiction over graft and corruption cases involving government employees.

The Supreme Court, which like in the U.S. is the final arbiter of the law, is consistently working to introduce reforms that, in the words of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, would “provide swift, efficient, fair and responsive justice for all regardless of stature.”

A major priority is de-clogging court dockets from the Supreme Court down to the lowest courts.

Another reform initiative is automation via the eCourts project to make monitoring and processing of cases more efficient through technology. Misfits and the corrupt will also be weeded out through a system that allows the court to initiate investigations even in the absence of complaints.

As I have consistently said, we will continue to engage with all the branches of the U.S. government on any issue, with the clear understanding of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty. (Philstar.com)

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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Friday, February 7, 2020

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

Remembering Harana: A lost Filipino tradition of courtship through song

by Rae

Miranda through the radio.

His singing style has been described as being similar He himself got involved in the local music scene as a child, to American crooners Perry Como, Nat King Cole, and Bing which gave him even more Crosby. insight into the Philippines’ Also born in 1946 in Cavite unique music scene. was Romeo Bergunio who was “I was 9 years old and I remember being amazed at how a winner of his town’s harana competition. Bergunio learned everyone played different instruments — octavina, the laud, harana songs — including never before recorded songs double bass, even a banjo,” said Aguilar, whose instrument — from his father and grandof choice back then was the oc- father.

The three joined Aguilar tavina, a guitar-shaped Filipino in performing as the Harana instrument.

“It was only when I got old- Kings, traveling around the er did I realize what a privilege Philippines to reintroduce origiit was to be part of this circle,” nal harana love songs to Filipinos including to a young man he added, noting that many in in the historic city of Vigan. the group were in their 60s or Capturing a real Harana on 70s. “I felt like I got a pretty film, the Harana Kings helped good glimpse of history, kind the young man named Brian of like a time machine.” court a classmate of his by Remembering a dying performing “O, Ilaw” (“Oh, tradition Radiant Light”) to her and later Strike up a conversation her parents. with any Filipino who experi“It was so genuine and enced harana’s golden age, Brian was so painfully shy,” said and they’ll likely light up with Aguilar. “I think it’s very rare stories of how either they to capture that shyness born out of being in love, and it was really brave of him to let us do the serenading for him,” added Aguilar.

“Imagine going under the window with a bunch of wooed their significant other old men in tow, he could have as a haranista, or were wooed been easily laughed off. He themselves. was really game and it shows In the award-winning 2013 the length he’d go to express documentary “Harana: The himself to the girl.”

Search for the Lost Art of ‘Not just any love song’ Serenade,” Aguilar met with It’s undisputed that Filipipeople who reminisced on the nos have and continue to be days they met their spouse fans of love songs, and even through harana. the dedicating of love songs.

One woman, Liwayway This is evident by the songs at Espino, talked about how she the top of Filipino charts today never minded when haranistas where almost all have to do would disturb her sleep, and with expressing strong feelings how news of one being serenaded would quickly become for another.

However, harana music is the talk of the town the next not just any love song, exmorning.

“This is the experience I will plained Aguilar. A traditional harana song itself has very never forget from my youth,” particular characteristics. said Espino.

A crash course in harana Aguilar’s most significant would highlight that truly auencounters during his search thentic haranas are marked by for harana were when he met a distinctive style or “stamp of three men considered to be authenticity” as Aguilar once expert haranistas in their comwrote. For one, the haranas munities. follow a 2/4 habanera rhythm.

There was Felipe Alonzo This differs from the 3/4 timing from Ilocos Sur, who grew up in the 1930s, learned the guitar of another traditional form of love song, the kundiman. himself, and eventually began When it comes to arrangerecording Ilocano haranas for ment, haranas begin with a Villar Records. solo guitar introduction, folThen there was Celestino lowed by verse one and verse Aniel, born in 1946 in Cavite, two, another solo guitar in the who learned songs by artists middle, then back to verse two like Ruben Tagalog and Larry

ann VaRona / AJPress

WITH Valentine’s Day approaching, we look back at a Filipino tradition that illustrates one’s love in the form of romantic songs.

In 1997, Filipino band Parokya Ni Edgar came out with a song that would become one of the Philippines’ most popular love songs to date.

The song describes a scene in which a young man in old faded jeans, carries roses, and nervously prepares to serenade a lady he likes in the cold and star-lit night, hoping she’d fall in love with his song and him.

The chorus, like the opening lines of the song, asks in Tagalog, “Uso pa ba ang harana?” (“Is harana still in style?”)

While the sound is one reminiscent of 90’s MTV, the song was meant to encapsulate the awkwardness, vulnerability, and even transparency felt by previous generations of Filipinos who wooed significant others through serenades.

Harana, as the song introduces, is an old Philippine tradition of courtship in which a man bears his heart in song to a woman (and sometimes vice versa), while standing underneath her window at night. Its music — unlike the Parokya Ni Edgar song — featured sweet habanera rhythms and impassioned lyrics.

While it’s difficult to pin exactly when harana first began in the Philippines, the practice is believed to have started in the 1800s and was influenced

by Spanish folk songs. By the 1930s, it reached its peak across Philippine provinces.

However, the tradition has become nonexistent, remembered only by those who have been fortunate enough to experience or engage in harana, or learn about it growing up.

Critically acclaimed classical guitarist Florante Aguilar was among those who heard about harana while growing up in the Philippines’ Cavite province in the 1970s. This encouraged him to learn more about the music form after being away from the Philippines for 12 years.

“During fiestas, our neighbor’s gardener who was a bandurria player, would get together with his friends and play rondalla and harana music in his shack by the gardens,” recalled Aguilar.

“Harana, as the song introduces, is an old Philippine tradition of courtship in which a man bears his heart in song to a woman (and sometimes vice versa), while standing underneath her window at night.”

AJPress illustration by Godwin Gasacao

until the end. Some flexibility allows short exchanges between voice and guitar in the middle of the song.

Another way to distinguish a true harana song is to look at its lyrics.

“A good clue is in the lyrics, which places the singer right in the middle of serenading,” said Aguilar.

Harana lyrics also use pure and archaic Tagalog words no longer used in everyday conversations.

Classic examples of traditional harana songs are Ruben Tagalog’s “Dungawin Mo, Hirang” (“Look Out the WIndow, My Love”), and “Kay Lungkot Nitong Hatinggabi” (“How Sorrowful is the Night”) — all of which are accompanied by a guitar or two.

Harana also adheres to a certain process that emphasizes the formality of the practice.

The first stage is the Panawagan or announcement that the haranistas are outside the window. This is followed by the Pagtatapat or proposal, which takes place inside the house, and only if the serenaded opens the window and is invited into the house. Following the proposal may something be the Panagutan, or response by the serenaded, and then again by the haranistas. The final stage is the pamaalam, or the farewell.

Modern ‘haranistas’ While the days of true haranistas may exist today only in movie scenes, or reminis-

cent stories, the practice of serenading loved ones thrives, but in a more modern way — booked online and delivered to loved ones along with flowers, chocolates, and even teddy bears.

In Cebu, a company called Harana.ph has been offering serenading packages to Filipinos for over six years.

Watch any of their videos and you’ll see heart-felt reactions of loved ones reveling in the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs being sung by talented singers.

“We basically have three packages, including our Premium Package where the singer is a voice coach of one of the most popular TV shows in the Philippines,” said Jane Soco, Harana.ph’s managing director.

Their services have proven to be most popular outside of the Philippines by customers looking to find a unique way to show their appreciation for loved ones back home.

“Eighty-percent of our customers are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are unable to be with their loved ones during special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day, said Soco.

When it comes to song requests, OPM songs like “Ikaw”

by Yeng Constantino are among customer favorites.

Unending love for ballads While there’s no telling whether harana will find its way back into the hearts of

future generations, there’s no question that Filipinos will continue to have a sweet spot for “hugot” inducing songs — songs that tug at the emotions.

“I submit that the Filipinos’ penchant for sad and pensive songs is a manifestation of the primeval kundiman sentiment,” said Aguilar. “It’s a direct result of the national affinity for sad songs dating back to pre-colonial times.”

“We believe that music is a language we can all speak and understand,” said Soco. “Since Filipinos are known to be one of the most talented people in the field of music and continuously indulge in enjoyable recollections of past events in our lives, we still get ‘kilig’ whenever we see someone serenading their loved ones.”

“Kilig” is a Filipino term that describes the feeling of romantic excitement.

“Celebrating special occasions in the Philippines will be more fun with a little twist of harana,” added Soco.

And for those interested in learning more about the country’s unique past tradition of harana, Aguilar encourages people to listen to some of the great original harana compositions by artists like Ruben Tagalog.

And of course, there’s the Harana Kings’ album “Introducing the Harana Kings” which features 14 tracks recorded by Aguilar, Alonzo, Aniel, and Bergunio.

Marcelito enters Yassi excited to work with ‘America’s Got Talent’ finals Hollywood stars

By Jan

Milo SeVeRo Philstar.com

FILIPINO singer Marcelito Pomoy has advanced to the grand finals of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” after another stunning performance in the semis.

Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Alesha Dixon, together with the studio audience, gave Pomoy a standing ovation after he sang Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partiro.”

“I gotta say that I believe that you have the best shot of winning this whole thing. This is the semifinals and you raised your game. The woman in you was just as good as she was the last time. But you as a man, you went up a notch. She tried to stay up with you but she couldn’t,” Howie said.

“Absolutely brilliant song choice. It really enabled you to shine. I just love everything about you Marcelito. That was a fabulous performance, well done,” Alesha said.

“Marcelito, I’ve been wait-

By Dolly

anne CaRVaJal Inquirer.net

Marcelito Pomoy

ing for you all day to come on the stage. For me, you are my favorite,” Heidi said.

For Simon, Marcelito needs to shine more in the finals because the surprise factor is now gone. He, however, believed that Marcelito will have a massive career in the future.

“Marcelito, there’s no denying that you have unique, incredible special talent, so if you made it to the finals, I think you have to take a bigger risk

YASSI Pressman is excited about the possibility of working with Hollywood actors in “Ang Probinsiyano.” “We have not been informed who our foreign guest stars will be,” she quips. “But working with Hollywood peeps would be a plus factor for us.”

I asked her if their longrunning series is about to end this year. Yassi says, “Perhaps having Hollywood actors is a signal that we want to wrap it up with a Photo from Instagram/@marcelitopomoy8 bang.” because the surprise is over, What could be a bigger but I do believe the gift that finale than that? you have, you have a massive Thrill is gone career in front of you,” he said.

I cornered a former costar Also advancing to the grand of James Reid and Nadine finals are Hans, Tyler ButlerLustre in their defunct series, Figueroa, Alexa Lauenburger, “On The Wings of Love,” Sandou Trio Russian Bar and for his sentiments about the Duo Transcend. All of them will “JaDine” breakup. be competing with the four He mused, “Since James golden buzzer acts Angelina admitted that they have been Jordan, Boogie Storm, V. Unliving together for years, beatable and Silhouettes next probably the thrill and exciteweek. ment have waned. If a couple

Yassi Pressman

lives together, somehow you ‘lose’ the mystery. Although I hope it’s just a cool-off phase because they were such a cute and cool cou-

Photo from Instagram/@yassipressman

ple.”

Too bad that JaDine’s “wings of love” are now making them fly in opposite directions.

Supreme Court clears way for new public charge regulations

61, such that the USCIS (or the against the person.)

As part of the public charge Embassy) could deny the visa, based on the “likelihood” of the evaluation, USCIS will conbeneficiary becoming a public sider the alien’s age, health, private health insurance, assets, charge at any time in the future.

If you’re considering petieducation, credit score, ability tioning family members, you to speak English, employment Atty. MichAel should do so as soon as poshistory, etc., to determine the Gurfinkel, eSQ sible, because any application likelihood that the person will or petition already pending with THE U.S. Supreme Court become a public charge at any USCIS as of the effective date recently cleared the way for the time in the future. Some of the will still be evaluated under the Trump Administration to enforce “negative factors” include if a old, more lenient standards on new (and tougher) public charge person is over 60 or under 18 public charge. regulations, which USCIS anyears of age. Aliens must also You should also seek the nounced will become effective submit a Declaration of Self-sufadvice of an attorney in conon February 24, 2020. The new ficiency (Form I-944). nection with petitioning family regulations expand the list of According to USCIS, members and/or preparing public benefits as well as the “self-sufficiency has been a affidavits of support, as the factors USCIS officers may concore tenant of the American attorney could help evaluate sider to determine if it is “more dream. Self-reliance, industriand identify any potential public likely than not” a person will ousness, and perseverance laid charge issues, which could result ever become a public charge the foundation of our nation (or dependent on taxpayers for and have defined generations of in a denial. *** care and supMichael J. Gurfinport). kel has been an The plan is According to USCIS, “self-sufficiency attorney for over to deny green 35 years and is cards unless has been a core tenant of the American licensed, and an the person dream. Self-reliance, industriousness, and active member proves they of the State Bars are self-sufperseverance laid the foundation of our of California and ficient or relies nation and have defined generations of New York. All imon family for migration servsupport, and hard-working immigrants seeking ices are provided not on public opportunity in the United States ever since.” by, or under the assistance. USsupervision of, an CIS will be active member of evaluating the State Bar of whether a hard-working immigrants seekCalifornia. Each case is different and person would be considered ing opportunity in the United results may depend on the facts of the “inadmissible” to the U.S. States ever since.” In other particular case. The information and “based on his or her likelihood words, the Trump administraopinions contained herein (including of becoming a public charge at tion wants to stop situations testimonials, “Success Stories”, enany time in the future…” where a person is petitioned dorsements and re-enactments) are of “Public charge” means a for a green card, and as soon a general nature, and are not intended person had received certain as they get that green card, to apply to any particular case, and do public benefits for over 12 they apply for as many public months in a three-year period. benefits as possible, considering not constitute a prediction, warranty, These benefits include: those benefits to be “free,” but guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attor• Supplemental Security in reality, are being funded by ney-client relationship is, or shall be, Income (SSI) taxpayers. Trump doesn’t want established with any reader.

• Cash benefits for income new immigrants living off of WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com maintenance taxpayers. Instead, they either Follow us on Facebook.com/Gurfinkel• Temporary Assistance to must support themselves or Law and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Needy Families (TANF) seek support from their family Call Toll free to schedule a consultation • Supplemental Nutritional members, especially from the for anywhere in the US: Assistance Program (SNAP or one who signed the affidavit of 1-866-487-3465 food stamps) support.

(866) – GURFINKEL • Medicaid and certain housBut what will happen after ing benefits. (Medicaid for aliens February 24, 2020, when people Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW under 21, pregnant women, petition their elderly parents as YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES. and emergency medical servimmediate relatives? It’s likely (Advertising Supplement) ices would not be considered the parents are retired or over

community

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

Immigration Corner

AFTER HER PARENTS’ DEATH, A DAUGHTER DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO SALVAGE THEIR PETITION AND REALIZE THEIR PARENTS’ DREAM – ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Ismael (left) was petitioned by his father back in 1996. He patiently waited for his petition to be current. However, when their mother passed away in 2009, their father’s health started to deteriorate, too. Tatay Samuel died in 2014, and his petition for his son Ismael “died” with him. Ester (3rd from left) promised their parents that she would do whatever it takes to get their eldest brother, Ismael, to join the rest of the siblings and their families in the U.S. That was their parents’ dream and Ester intended to honor that. She went through two lawyers who filed for humanitarian reinstatement, but got denied. She filed the humanitarian reinstatement on her own, but that was also denied. She even asked the help of a congressman, but the most it got them was a status update. As a last resort, Ester went to consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right). See how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to help Ester fulfill her promise to their parents and bring Ismael and his wife, Glen (2nd from left), to the U.S. on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Real Estate Knowledge MArtin SAntiAGo, Broker-ASSociAte UNPERMITTED work is a blanket term that applies to any modifications made to the home that should have been permitted but were not. The permitting laws are different depending on the area, so what might require a permit in one place may not in another.

Work done without obtaining permits and inspections is unlawful, and failure to obtain permits may result in the recording of a notice against the property or a misdemeanor citation. Notices recorded against your property could impact refinancing or any future sale of your property. Additionally, insurance companies may not cover any claims that originate from illegal work.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, improvements done without permits can prove to be an expensive and time-consuming hassle.

What do to if you are

Legalizing unpermitted work

a buyer? If the deal seems reasonable enough, maybe it is worth it to you to get the home and accept the risks involved. You could always plan on correcting the issue later

on. As long as you are willing to spend the money, you can usually get permits. Most communities would rather have you point out the fact work Continued on Page SF6

SF

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

James Reid on breakup: ‘I got a lot of figuring out to do’

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar JAMES Reid, one half of the erstwhile loveteam JaDine (with Nadine Lustre), broke his silence on their recent breakup.

According to PEP.ph, the actor said that one of the reasons is that he needs to find himself apart from their loveteam, which was formed in 2014 and introduced in the film “Diary Ng Panget.”

“I still love her. It’s just my perspective on love has broadened,” Reid was quoted

by PEP.ph as saying.

“We’ve been in a love team for so long. And that’s been my whole life… I can’t even begin to think of who I am or what I am supposed to be outside of that love team, which is scary.

And that’s why I said I got a lot of figuring out to do,” the actor continued, while refusing to go into more details about why they had to part ways.

While wondering if some people might say he’s heartless, Reid said that he does not want it to seem that him wanting to know who he is without Nadine is the main reason for their break-up.

“There are too many to point ouit, but that’s all I’m able to share without going into depth,” he revealed.

As for Nadine, she has maintained that their parting was amicable.

“I’ve learned so much from him. I’m always going to be thankful that that guy came into my life, no matter what happens,” the actress was quoted as saying. *** On the other side, it seems that everything is going well with Jennylyn Mercado and

EMPLOYMENT

Dennis Trillo, after getting back together a few years ago.

Now in their 30s, the couple, who has worked on projects like “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak” and “Now and Forever: Dangal,” first got together when they were in their 20s.

It seems that love is easier to manage the second time around for Dennis and Jennylyn, and they are serious about their commitment to each other.

One secret to their relationship success, according to the couple in an interview with PEP.ph, is the conscious decision to not let the little things bother them.

“Huwag masyadong palakihin ‘yung mga petty na bagay.

Kasi sa experience namin, ‘yun yung mga lumalaki… Ultimo suot. ‘Bakit gano’n, ganyan?

E, eto…’ Tapos ang laki na.

Magbi-break. Dahil ang sa

suot. Hahaha!” the couple said.

Aside from that, both Dennis and Jennylyn admit to their relationship being on stable ground due to their outlook on life.

Dennis shares: “Siguro ano, pinakamatinding lesson diyan sa lahat ng partners, or lahat ng nasa relasyon, kailangan isipin mo palagi kung gaano mo kamahal ang isang tao.

Kung gaano kahalaga para kahit ano man problema niya, kung gaano ka man kagalit sa kanya dun sa moment na iyon, at the back of your mind, ‘Uy, ganito ko siya kamahal, e.”

“Dapat laging mananaig yung feeling mo na yun kaysa sa negative na superficial…

Dami na rin naming pinagdaanan, ilang years na rin relationship namin. So, siguro dun sa mga panahon na yun napatibay namin siya nang husto. Talagang solid na siya.”

Gerald Anderson plays a leading role in The Filipino Channel’s “A Soldier’s Heart.”

Manila Bulletin File Photo

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING

James Reid says he still loves Nadine Lustre despite their breakup, and that he needs to find himself apart from their love team.

Inquirer.net File Photo

Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado say that sweeping petty things aside helps keep their relationship healthy.

Philstar.com File Photo

Jason Abalos portrays a rich fatherly role in the newest GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Anak ni Biday at Anak ni Waray.”

Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino now portrays the lead role in the newest The Filipino Channel teleserye “Love Thy Woman.”

SERVICES

Visit Auschwitz and swear never to take your life for granted (Conclusion of 3 Parts)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from the previous week…)

It is said that 1.3 million were in Auschwitz, of which over a million Jews either died of starvation, exhaustion, or shot directly for any arbitrary infraction. Most were herded like sheep and silenced by the gas chambers.

There were 13 other death camps and starvation camps in other parts of Europe but Auschwitz was Nazi Germany’s massive, industrial model for the final solution, devised by Adolf Eichman, of exterminating the Jews in Europe. In all, 6 million Jews died in the holocaust, estimated to be about a third of the Jewish population at that time. To give one an understanding of that number, the city of Los Angeles has a population of 4 million people.

Sleeping arrangements were 4 to 5 decks high, about 5 or 6 people cramped on a deck. The weakest prisoners would be sleeping in the lowest bunk. Prisoners were starved to death especially in the winter. Most were so hungry, they ate grass in the spring and snow in the winter.

The weak prisoners, men, women and children, marked for disposal were fooled into thinking they were taking showers not knowing that they were headed for the gas chambers. The bodies were incinerated in 5 massive crematories. It was a mark of pride for the German crematory company, Topf and Sons, to dispose of the remains of the dead—a maximum capacity of cremating close to 5,000 human remains per day. A

Edmund Burke once wrote, Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”

I would like to add, “One must learn from it as well.

Otherwise, the whole cycle repeats itself.” few remaining survivors of the camp remember being given the task of shoveling the ashes for final disposition.

Ashes were often mixed with Auschwitz soil around the crematories. Some of the ashes were scattered in a nearby river. The verdant trees now lining the riverbanks seem to be silent, living witnesses.

Lt. Col. Rudolf Hess was the ruthless camp commandant. Hess lived in luxury in a bungalow with his spouse and five children right there at the camp. Just before the Russians liberated the camp, Hess tried to obliterate evidence but Auschwitz was a crime too massive to hide. Like a cornered rat, he tried to escape but he was captured and in 1946, was meted out swift justice. He was hanged right there near his bungalow at Auschwitz. A marker tells the story.

The story of Auschwitz was documented in black and white film by a young Russian photographer, Alexander Vorontsov, who came with the Russian Army which liberated the camp. It is through the filter of his eyes and his lenses that we have the images of the horror that was Auschwitz, a crime against humanity that beggars belief.

If your circumstances permit you and would like an understanding and appreciation of our own life on earth as it relates to those within your immediate orbit, carve out time to see Auschwitz.

You will come out of the ex-

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS

WITH the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection, which has a scary treacherous incubation period of up to 14 days and where victims could spread the virus even before perience quiet and somber. It any symptoms appear, avoiding exposure to the virus is is like going through a silent, day-long spiritual retreat that the next best thing to vaccination (which might be available will stay with you forever. soon).

Auschwitz gives you a As of February 3, 2020, deeper understanding of the new estimates report 75,000 human story, our story, as it cases of nCorona virus infecunfolds even now. We see tion in Wuhan, Hubei, China, increasing incidents of a turn with 362 deaths (including the towards socialism by leftists, first death outside of China, a which is communism lite and a marked rise of anti-Semitism 44-year-old in the Philippines), 11 cases in the USA, and 150 fueled by raging radical Islamic terrorism. The level of cases in 24 other countries, making it a pandemic. hatred is on the rise.

During the SARS outbreak, Most importantly, for ALL freedom-loving people every- there were 8096 cases, with 349 deaths This has been surwhere, the push towards glopassed by the nCorona virus balism for a one-world order, infection of today. The MERS, with the elite, unelected few calling the shots over hapless, between June 2012 and December 2019, has 2499 Cases, ordinary working people on with 861 deaths. The plague how we are to live our lives on planet earth at every level, (Black Death) of 1347 (the late must be met by a stern, effec- Middle Ages), one third of the population of Europe was tive, concerted pushback. wiped out.

How about HELL NO!” Putting all these in the Auschwitz is a stark proper perspective: In the reminder of why this should United States, in the 2019never happen again. As the 2020 flu season, 180,000 few survivors, now in their patients were hospitalized eighties and nineties are dyand 10,000 died, according to ing and fading away, Auschthe CDC. This, however, does witz must serve as an eternal not mean we could lower our red flag that this horror of guard when it comes to the a story can and will have nCorona infection. sequels in the future if we do Well-known protection not address this threat head aids to prevent germ contamion and reject it. nation or infection are masks, Finally, if your heart is gloves, condoms, etc. But in he right place, Auschwitz they are useless and ineffecwill tug at your heartstrings. tive, if not used properly.

There still won’t be any anIn the health/medical and swers to the question WHY. food industry, these proSuffice it to say, that evil tective aids are utilized to exists and can take root and protect and prevent infection fester in the human heart if Continued on Page SF6 for the public, the consumers,

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

community SF Of masks, gloves and condoms

less for the users, in general.

Masks and gloves are worn by healthcare providers, especially in the operating rooms and surgical areas, ERs, ICUs, etc. to prevent germs from infecting patients. In food service, as in restaurants, fast-food chains, etc., masks and gloves are used to prevent bacterial contamination of food items, which would cause gastrointestinal infection, some being serious or even fatal. And the same thing with condoms, which are used to prevent both partners from acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If not used properly and making sure the condom does not touch any surfaces with germs (practically all surfaces, tables, beds, doorknobs, handles, rails, etc.) or contaminated fingers, this protective rubber, is useless.

As a cardiac surgeon who had acquired a “sterility radar-detector” discipline from decades of training and practicing sterile technique, I could quickly discern even a tiny (subtle) breach in sterility among those using masks or gloves. The general public is obviously not trained to a degree of sophistication about sterility like a trained surgical nurse or surgeon would be, so lay people could easily misinterpret or misunderstand or minimize the significance of “total” sterility. It is either sterile or not. Ninety-nine percent “sterile” is not sterile.

Allowing 100 germs out of a million to contaminate is not sterile. Like pregnancy, it is either pregnant or not pregnant.

The Mask There are a variety of masks on the market: the popular round-of-the-mill surgical masks, the favored more effective N95 respirator masks, cold avenger pro soft

shell masks, and more sophisticated and specialized ones.

Masks of any type must be worn properly, covering the nose and the mouth, snug-fit, to filter air that is inhaled and exhaled. Sometimes we see people with masks on, with their nose exposed. That is wrong – it defeats the purpose of wearing a mask. The goal is to filter outside air before it is inhaled, and for those with respiratory infection, to filter the bugs in, minimizing the dose of the bacteria that is exhaled, to protect the healthy ones.

Gloves To show concern for the health and safety of their customers, food handlers in some restaurants use gloves.

But, like masks, if gloves are not used properly, bacterial contamination of food will never be contained or minimized. All bacterial infection from contaminated vegetables, poultry, and meat results from contacts with germs and inadequate washing and cleaning. Water is an effective cleansing agent. Refrigeration is essential in food preservation. Ultraviolet C lamps have been used to help sterilize food raw items in farms, warehouses, factories, and even in stores. UVC light kills bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi and some parasites.

Frequently, I observe food handlers wearing gloves touching utensils, microwave door handles, chopping board, table, and other items, as they touch the food items they are preparing, like sandwiches, the bread, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, peppers, and the wrappers. The proper use of gloves in this situation starts with clean gloves that are held only at their “entry edge,” without touch-

Continued on Page SF7

Love and deportability: Divorce, people & events domestic violence and immigration laws Alden eyes director’s chair

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

The CTV Files

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

ALDEN Richards is the exact definition of a breakthrough artist. Growing up, he wanted to be a pilot but his mother urged him to pursue acting instead.

After his mother died, he decided to fulfill his mother’s wishes for him to support his family financially and eventually decided to join various male pageants in Laguna then worked as a part-time commercial model in 2010.

After doing modeling stints, bearing his real name Richard Faulkerson Jr., he auditioned and landed a role for his first afternoon soap, “Alakdana” in 2011.

He showcased undeniable acting skills both in television and film, the reason why he was predicted that he would be the next big star of GMA Network.

And so he did not disappoint. With numbers of onscreen starrers and musical career, added to that the success of the much-talked about phenomenal love team AlDub with Maine Mendoza, Richards was able to triumph on what his mother wanted him to achieve — to be regarded as one of the country’s best actors.

A full decade in showbiz The year 2015 saw him rise

Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ

Alden Richards

in popularity on a different level due to the AlDub fame. But 2019 is by far considered his best year in showbiz for his portrayal of Ethan Del Rosario in “Hello, Love, Goodbye” — unquestionably the highest grossing Filipino film of all time, where he was paired with Kathryn Bernardo, also a big star from the rival television network.

Richards celebrates his 10th

WHAT if I do not have legal papers, and my spouse is abusive?

If safety is a concern, we urge people to seek help first, particularly if there are minor children who may also be at risk of abuse. For non-emergency calls, individuals may dial 2-1-1 to seek help finding resources for health, mental health, or temporary shelter.

Options available for victims of abuse: VAWA SelfPetition The spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, or the parent of Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02 a U.S. citizen, who is battered or subject to extreme cruelty year in the biz this year, and as may file a self-petition indehumble as he is, he is on his way pendently of the abusive U.S. in doubling up his efforts for the citizen or Lawful Permanent craft that he loves so much to Resident. do.

The spouse or child must “Last year sobrang damdemonstrate that he or she ing dumating na blessings and resided with the U.S. citizen or opportunities sa akin. Hindi po Lawful permanent spouse or nawala yun. I mean, I have very parent; was battered or subject good people behind me to give to extreme cruelty during the me advice kung ano yung mga Continued on Page SF7 marriage (or, in the case of a

spouse self-petitioner, the child was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty); the marriage was entered into in good faith; s/he is otherwise eligible for immediate relative or preference status; and has good moral character.

In certain cases, though an individual has not suffered any physical harm, abuse can still be argued depending on the circumstances, since “abuse” is not limited to physical harm. Each application will be reviewed and examined on a case-by-case basis, and given the whole picture, an individual might just be able to show that he or she is a battered spouse or has suffered extreme cruelty from their U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident husband/ wife. If so, a VAWA Self-Petition will enable him/her to adjust his/her status without having to rely on their spouse.

California Divorce – “No Fault” California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce.

What needs to happen is that the other party (your soon-to-be ex-spouse) needs to be served with process. In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure that the other party has notice of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an action of divorce) and that s/he is given time to respond. However, there is no requirement for the other party to respond. There is no requirement that s/he sign any document at all. All that needs to happen is that s/he is properly served with process according to the rules.

Deportability Issues for Green Card Holders with Domestic Violence Conviction(s) A non-citizen, even if a Law-

ful Permanent Resident (green card holder) for ten years, is liable to be deportable if s/he commits or is convicted of certain crimes, even if it’s “just a misdemeanor.” A conviction for domestic violence can make a non-citizen deportable.

A Criminal Conviction’s Negative Impact on Immigration Status The Record of Conviction (ROC) details an individual’s criminal history – his/her arrest, what s/he plead to, and the final judgment/sentence. The relief(s) available to an individual facing removal/deportation proceedings will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction.

If you are a non-citizen, it is best to consult both with a criminal attorney and with an experienced criminal immigration attorney who handles deportation defense before pleading to anything in criminal court.

No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent family law and immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore your options and possible legal ramifications that you might be facing. As always, be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com; www.chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Legalizing...

From Page SF3 was done without permits and get the problem squared away. The town will be able to collect their fees for the permits along with re-assessing the property for increase tax dollars.

What to do if you are a seller? Change of ownership does not make unpermitted work legal. Selling as-is could require you to offer a discount, sometimes a severe cut, to attract buyers willing to take on all the risks associated with the non-permitted work.

It’s not advisable to attempt to sell the home without disclosing the unpermitted work, because doing so puts you at serious risk of a lawsuit. In fact, you will need to include the unpermitted work in the listing for the home. Not disclosing property defects is a way a lot of people get themselves into hot water.

Legalizing unpermitted additions can be very tricky and expensive. The major problem is that the city did not approve the project plans and they did not inspect the actual construction to make sure that it was done correctly and per the drawing specifications. This can be particularly disturbing because no one inspected the structure to make sure it is safe and can withstand gravity and lateral loads (earthquakes and wind). This is arguably the most important part of a building because people’s life are at stake if the structure was not properly installed.

Steps to get a permit:

1) Meet with a planner.

Similar to a regular building permit process, one should first meet with a planner at the Planning Department to see if the illegal addition is within the zoning ordinances.

2) Hire an architect. This step can technically be done prior to the meeting with the planner. However, if one is on a tight budget, they may consider meeting with a planner on their own.

3) Submit plans for review & approval. Once all the drawings and pertinent documents are completed, then the owner will need to submit for plan check. After the approvals are granted from each of the plan checkers, the building permit is issued after the building permit fees are paid.

4) Pass inspections. Once the building permit is issued, an owner can call for an inspection.

5) Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. Once the final inspection has been approved and signed off, the certificate of occupancy will be issued. Now, your work is finally permitted. *** Martin Santiago is a broker associate at Compass Burlingame, a full-service residential brokerage firm. He is also an International Associate at the American Institute of Architects. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be a formal legal advice nor the formation of a broker-client relationship. Call or email Martin at (415)850-7704; teammsquare@ gmail.com; www.teammsquare.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Visit Auschwitz...

From Page SF5 you let it.

In the darkness, the slightest flicker of light makes your heart glad. In the horror of Auschwitz, you will begin to appreciate your own Godgiven life as your own light. If you live in the light of freedom right now and would like to preserve it for the succeeding generations, treasure it, defend it and—if you have to—fight for it.

If you believe that Jesus

Christ who came in the flesh to conquer death over two thousand years ago, is the center of your being because his message is one of love and kindness for all humanity, you will be deeply convinced yet again, that even in the darkest of days, death can never extinguish the light. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

SF to host annual citywide summer resource fair for families with children Resource Fair, pop-up events will provide information about the city’s 140+ summer programs

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee on Tuesday, February 4 announced the City will host a citywide Summer Resource Fair and a series of Pop-Up events for families to learn about summer programs for their children.

The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (RPD), and Livable City are hosting the Resource Fair and related events. The 2020 Resource Fair is produced in conjunction with San Francisco’s “Child and Youth Friendly City Initiative,” which Mayor Breed and President Yee launched on World Children’s Day in November 2019.

“Every young person should have access to fun and enriching programs during the summer and throughout the year,” said Mayor Breed. “Our summer programs give kids the chance to discover new hobbies, make friends, and stay active and engaged during the summer. These events are a great way for families to learn more about all the resources that are available for their children this summer, and I encourage all families in San Francisco to attend.”

“As part of the Child and Youth Friendly City Initiative, Summer Resource Fairs not only connect families to summer programs, but also bring an element of play, creativity, and community-building to neighborhoods across our diverse city,” said President Yee. “I hope that these pop-ups will spark everyone’s imagination on what is possible when we look at the world through the eyes of a child.”

The annual Citywide Summer Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, February 8th at the County Fair Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Resource Fair will feature representatives from over 140 exhibitors, and is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees.

The Summer Resource Fair and pop-up events are free, fun and family-friendly events that connect parents and families to a variety of summer program opportunities for their children in science, art, technology, sports, music, the outdoors, and more. Program representatives will be available to provide useful information, demonstrations, play activities, and free giveaways.

Many of the programs and services featured at the Sum-

mer Resource Fairs are free or low cost, and many of them will enroll participants on the spot. Interpretation services will be available on-site in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish.

The City provides over 20,000 publicly funded summer program slots from a variety of providers. These programs include community-based summer programs funded by DCYF, summer programs and day camps provided by RPD, schoolbased summer programs, and programs provided by licensed childcare providers.

The goal of all of the providers is to ensure that children and youth, particularly those from working and low-income families, have enriching, safe, and fun activities to participate in during the months that school is not in session.

“Children who are not enrolled in summer programming – particularly children from low-income families – may experience summer learning loss,” said Maria Su, DCYF Executive Director. “By fifth grade, summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers academically. This is why summer programs, especially those that are free or publically funded, are so important. They keep children intellectually active during the summer, and provide safe, fun environments for them to play, learn, and grow.”

“Summer is all about finding opportunities for our children to get out and play,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager, Recreation and Parks Department. “Summer Resource Fairs provide access to summer programming for all San Francisco families, regardless of income or location.

We’re proud to work with our partners in DCYF and Livable City to make sure that every child has access to enriching and inspiring camps and programs.”

The Summer Resource Fair series includes the following events: Saturday, February 8, 11am - 2pm: Citywide Summer Resource Fair at the County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue.

Saturday, February 29, 11am - 3pm: OMI Lunar New Year Celebration and PopUp Resource Fair at Minnie & Lovie Ward Rec Center, 650 Capitol Avenue.

Sunday, March 8, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Mission Pop-Up Resource Fair, Valencia Street between 14th and 15th Streets.

Of masks, gloves...

From Page SF5 ing the palm and finger parts of the gloves. Once worn, they much touch only food items, and not anything else.

So, the practical way to do is to glove the non-dominant hand, which will handle food items only, and the dominant ungloved hand to hold the knife, and other utensils, the edge of the plate or paper wrapper, the microwave door handle, etc. Obviously, the gloved hand (or one of the fingers) must not be used to scratch oneself. The glove should be changed every couple of hours, since they too could harbor germs from the atmosphere.

If gloves could not be used properly, it is better not to use them at all, and simply wash the hands before preparing any sandwich or handling any food item.

Indeed, the sight of gloved hands among food handlers could give a false sense of security…and carelessness among food handlers.

No material things on earth, including money, are worth more than health and life. Billionaires in their hospital or death beds, including cancer victim Steve Jobs, iconic Apple founder, knew only too well how wealth

becomes meaningless and useless to a dying person.

Jobs was quoted as having said these last words as he was dying: “I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes my life is an epitome of success.

However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death….(and paraphrasing: that family, loved ones, are our true wealth.”

While fact-checking found this famous quoted statement, which went viral on the internet, to be false, the wisdom, the truth, validity, and eloquence in it are touching, inspiring, and an eye-opener.

So, let’s take good care of ourselves, our health, our life. After all, we have only one life to live. No spare. No back-up. *** For a gift of health, visit philipSchua.com. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Friday, March 13, 5pm 7pm: Friday Fun Fest and PopUp Resource Fair at Tenderloin Rec Center, 570 Ellis Street.

Saturday, March 14, 1pm - 3pm: Membership Drive and Pop-Up Resource Fair at Stonestown YMCA, 333 Eucalyptus Drive.

Sunday, March 29, 11am 4pm: Sunday Streets Excelsior Pop-Up Resource Fair at the Persia Triangle, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street.

Saturday, April 11, 11am - 2pm: Pop-Up Resource Fair at Bernal Heights Rec Center, 500 Moultrie Street.

Sunday, April 19, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Tenderloin Pop-Up Resource Fair, Location to be determined.

Sunday, May 3, 11am - 4pm: Sunday Streets Bayview/Mission Bay, Location to be determined.

For more information about the Summer Resource Fair Series, visit DCYF’s website: www.dcyf.org.

(From SF Mayor’s Office of Communications)

people & events Alden eyes...

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020

From Page SF5 magandang kunin at mga dapat hindi muna kunin for now,” Richards told members of the press during his contract signing as brand ambassador of Embassy Whiskey.

“Ang daming learnings po ng 2019. Siyempre hardships, mga trials pero what keeps me going is the people whose behind my back — my supporters, my fans, family and of course, the people who encourage me that I can do more and be better with the craft that I am doing now,” he continued.

“For 2020, sana ganun pa rin. I’m not expecting anything pero I will work hard this year, harder than I did in 2019,” Richards added.

From a charming teenager when he entered the industry, Richards was seen by many viewers grow up into a full-fledged leading man. Now 28, he said he is not closing any doors to take up more mature roles any time soon.

“Not necessarily naman na you’ll be doing mature roles or different roles doesn’t mean hindi mo na puwedeng gampanan yung roles na nagampanan mo nung nagsisimula ka,” he pointed out.

“So I’m not closing doors,

I’m still going to do roles na nakasanayan sa akin makita on TV. Pero I’m opening doors to other experiences as well. So kung may offer na maganda naman yung material yet medyo malaki ang demand to be more mature in a role, siyempre I would consider it,” the actor noted.

Directing a consideration With his success in acting — and also hosting — many are wondering what other careers he still wanted to pursue besides what he is comfortable doing.

“I [still] want to be a pilot.

It has always been my dream.

But now since my field of work is acting, I’m looking into the possibility of directing too,” he averred.

“I’ve lived my 10 years in showbiz acting, doing my job in front of the camera. So I think it’s a very interesting angle also to do things behind the camera — how is it working with an actor, with your staff and a team.

It’s like how the writer writes the story, visualizes and creates the concept of the story, but then it’s the director that gives life to the story along with the actors,” he further explained.

“So parang nai-imagine ko minsan na ako yung nagse-set up, I call the shots, I motivate actors kasi I’m so in love with the

craft, I’m so in love with acting and I want to share it with a lot of people, yung mga tao na really wanted to do acting as well.

So parang mabibigyan ako ng authority to coach someone if I’m a director and not a co-actor.

Kasi I don’t usually give instructions to people especially kapag we’re on the same level as actor to actor. But if you’re a director, that’s a different story. If you’re a director, conversation-wise, you can give pointers and advice to them. So baka naman pilot-director,” he continued.

Richards said he is also open to the possibility of learning how to write scripts.

“I’m more on making concepts for films and shows, pero pagdating sa linyahan, medyo inaaral ko pa siyang mabuti. But with the projects that I’ve done in the past 10 years, sometimes there are directors that I’ve worked with who give authority to the actor to revise the lines.

Kasi napakaganda po pag meron tayong mga katrabaho na ganun, that somehow he feels entitled to the role.

“The job we’re doing kasi, siyempre iba yung pag ikaw yung actor, yung character mo mas kilala mo at masarap mabigyan ng permission to do such things when it comes to creative collaboration. So, soon baka scriptwriting din,” the debonair Alden Richards enthused.

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 7, 2020