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Volume 11 – Issue 18 • 16 Pages

F E BR U A R Y 9 - 1 5 , 2 0 1 8

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USA

DATELINE Majority of AAPIs at risk for fraud, finds survey FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

SEVENTY-two percent of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) age 50 and up reported themselves or their families as having been targets of fraud, according to a new report by nonprofit advocacy organization for the age group, AARP. Of the respondents, 39 percent said they have been victimized by fraud, and a third of the victims averaged $15,000 in losses.

“Everyone in the AAPI community is at risk for fraud,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “This survey underscores the need to raise awareness around fraud and scams in order to protect against financial and nonfinancial loss.”

Despite 73 percent of AAPI adults saying they were confident in recognizing fraudulent offers, a majority of them were only able to answer at most half of the questions on a general fraud knowledge quiz.

Common types of fraud tactics targeting AAPIs in the age group were foreign lottery scams (36 percent), crisis-related charitable

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

ICC to begin ‘preliminary examination’ of PH drug war

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to begin its “preliminary examination” into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte under his ongoing campaign against illegal drugs.

Malacañang on Thursday, February 8, confirmed that the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) will look into the country’s situation to determine if there was a basis to conduct a formal investigation against the president.

In a press briefing, Palace

Spokesperson Harry Roque relayed that Duterte welcomed the ICC’s move as it would serve as an opportunity to belie allegations against him.

“The president and I met about this extensively for two hours last night. The president welcomes the preliminary examination because he is sick and tired of being accused,” Roque told reporters.

Clarifying the difference between preliminary examination and investigation, the Palace official emphasized that the former was “just collection and verification of information.”

“We note that this is only a

preliminary [examination]. The Office of the Prosecutor is merely exercising her mandate to determine whether there is reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation into a situation pursuant to criteria in the Rome Statute,” he explained.

While welcoming the ICC’s move, Malacañang, however, tagged the ICC’s move as a “waste of the court’s time and resources.”

Malacañang maintained that drug war-related deaths do not constitute “crimes against humanity” because “the ongoing The Philippine National Police (PNP) will educate its personnel more to war on drugs is an exercise of comply with standard operating procedures in an effort to address lapses

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in the re-implementation of Oplan Tokhang.

Inquirer.net photo

Duterte: PH will u PAGE A3 never reach progress without ‘dictatorial Filipina judge of Illinois’ Cook County style’ ofDleadership S

on trial for mortgage fraud charges

by

ANA IOSON AJPress

A FILIPINA judge of Cook County, Illinois is on trial after she was indicted on two counts of fraud last year.

Cook County Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien, 50, has been accused of carrying out a $1.4 million scheme over a decade ago that involved the purchase of two properties in Chicago’s South Side.

O’Brien is the first Filipina-American judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County after being elected to the bench in 2012.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Madden told jurors Tuesday, February 6 that while a lawyer for the Illinois Department of Revenue, O’Brien repeatedly lied about loan and refinancing applications for two investment properties purchased in 2004 and 2005.

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 7 said that the country will never reach any progress if he refrains from using a “dictatorial style” of leadership.

Speaking before former communist rebels in Malacañang, Duterte said he needed to act like a dictator for the sake of the country’s development.

“Sabi mo diktador, diktador talaga ako. Kapag hindi ako naging diktador, p*t*ng *na, wala magyayari sa bayan na ‘to. Totoo (You say dictator, well I’m really a dictator. If I don’t become a dictator, son of a b****, nothing will happen to this country. It’s true),” the president said.

He continued, “Kung ‘di ako magdiktador ngayong style ko na ‘to

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MEETING WITH LABOR STAKEHOLDERS. President Rodrigo Duterte convenes with the various government and non-government stakeholders from the labor sector at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, February 7. Among the issues discussed include contractualizations, wage setting, government cash subsidy, workers’ representation in Tripartite Bodies, recruitment and facilitation fees, and freedom of association in economic zones.

Malacañang photo by Rolando Mailo

US solons oppose return of Balangiga bells to PH

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

TWO congressmen from the United States expressed their objections to the possible return of the historic Balangiga bells to the Philippines, citing the alleged massive human rights violations of the latter country’s anti-illegal drugs

campaign.

In a letter, Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) had asked U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to “not provide certification” for the bells’ return until the Philippine government stops the drug war-linked killings.

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Online Filipinos among most ignorant on key issues, survey says

by AUDREY

MORALLO Philstar.com

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez (front, center; beside Consul General Ma. Theresa DizonDe Vega) delivered the keynote speech at the 4th Filipino-American Community General Assembly held Saturday, February 3. The assembly is a project spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General New York attended by almost 200 community leaders across the ten states covered by PCGNY. This year’s theme “Connecting and Collaborating for Change” also had speakers from the Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Social Security System, Pay-IBIG Fund New York, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Photo by Boyet Loverita

According to the Perils of Perception 2017, the Philippines MANILA — Filipinos are some ranked the third most inaccurate of the most mistaken online indi- among the 38 countries surveyed viduals on key global issues and in their perceptions of issues on features of their country, the 2017 subjects that ranged from murPerils of Perception survey by Ip- der rates, terrorist deaths, teensos showed, highlighting the gap age pregnancy, diabetes and how between reality and perception healthy people felt. among a nation’s citizens. u PAGE A3

Palace: PH ‘not too soft’ on China militarization

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Philippine government is not taking a soft stand on China’s reported continuous military build up in the highly disputed South China Sea, Malacañang assured on Wednesday, February 7.

Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque has denied criticisms that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is giving China leeway on its militarization activities in the region.

“We are not being too soft po pero meron tayong (but we have already) established policy,” Roque told reporters.

First, the Philippines is “one with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in recognizing that this is a concern or all ASEAN countries,

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A february 9-15, 2018 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

ICC to begin ‘preliminary...

PAGE A1 t the police power in dealing with the problem of drug trafficking.”

“Because the war against drugs is a lawful and legitimate police operation, it cannot be characterized as an attack against civilian populations,” Roque added.

The Palace official also stressed that the Philippine government has not shown unwillingness to prosecute erring officials.

“Remember, the International Criminal Court is not a court of first instance. All countries to the ICC signed up to it because they wanted the court to be a court of last resort,” he said.

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda earlier announced that the court will look into the country’s situation following a “careful, independent, and impartial review of a number of communication and reports.”

“The preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines will analyse crimes allegedly committed in this State Party since at least 1 July 2016, in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign launched by the Government of the Philippines,” Bensouda said in a statement.

She also noted since Duterte assumed presidency in July 2016, it has been alleged that

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“thousands of persons have been killed for reasons related to their alleged involvement in illegal drug use or dealing.”

“While some of such killings have reportedly occurred in the context of clashes between or within gangs, it is alleged that many of the reported incidents involved extrajudicial killings in the course of police anti-drug operations,” she added.

In April last year, lawyer Jude Sabio filed a communication before the ICC, accusing Duterte of masterminding mass murder “repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously” in the Philippines.

Months later, Senator Antonio Trillanes and Congressman Gary Alejano also sent a supplementary communication against the Filipino leader, urging the ICC to look into the country’s drug war.

In separate statements, Sabio, Trillanes, and Alejano welcomed the ICC’s decision to conduct a preliminary examination. “[Duterte’s] system of death squad killings since the Davao Death Squad (DDS) that he continued in the war on drugs will now be investigated by the ICC and justice will be done,” Sabio said, adding that he felt “elated and vindicated” by the news.

Trillanes, meanwhile, remarked that the latest development should “jolt Duterte into realizing that he is not above the law.”

“More importantly, this is the first step for the victims’ families’ quest for justice,” the senator continued.

Alejano shared the same sentiments, saying that the preliminary examination will serve as the “first step towards bringing justice to the families and all the victims of the war on drugs.”

“I am confident on the communication we sent to the ICC and strongly believe that President Duterte and those who perpetuate and defend this policy of killing should be held accountable before the law,” Alejano said.

“The ICC, stepping in, is a ray of hope amid the compromised rule of law under this administration.”

Established in 1998 under the Rome Statute, the ICC is a “court of last resort” that aims to hold those responsible accountable for crimes concerning the international community such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The Philippines has been among the state members of the ICC since November 2011. n

US solons oppose return...

cerns with the human rights record” in the Philippines.

“It is precisely because the Philippines is such a strong and vital American ally that we must consider how their recent human rights record could negatively affect U.S. security… We believe that human rights are inextricably linked to the national security interests of the United States,” they wrote.

They cited a report from a 2017 TLHRC hearing last year, which found out that more than 7,000 alleged drug dealers and users have been killed without charges or trial since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched his war on drugs.

While saying that they “recTwo lawmakers from the United States objected to the potential return of the Balangiga bells to ognize and appreciate” the efthe Philippines, citing the human rights violations linked to the government’s brutal drug war. forts to “resolve in an appropriPhilstar.com photo ate way a long-standing, highly

sentatives’ Tom Lantos Human Hultgren and McGovern—co- Rights Commission (TLHRC)— chairs of the House of Repre- expressed their “deepest con-

DAREDEVIL. Television host Gretchen Ho waves to the crowd on top of the flying circus plane to try the death defying stunt by Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers at the launching of Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers held at the Omni Aviation Field in Clark, Pampanga on Tuesday, February 6.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Duterte: PH will never reach progress... ngayon, walang mangyayari sa bayan natin (If I don’t use my dictatorial style now, nothing will happen to our country).”

Duterte made the remarks weeks before the country’s commemoration of the 32nd EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, a non-violent and bloodless revolution which ended the regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator.

Opposition lawmakers have constantly expressed fear that the proposed shift to a federal form of government might pave way for Duterte’s possible dicta-

torship.

Earlier in January, Senator Leila De Lima also warned that the constitutional democracy might be replaced with “constitutional authoritarianism” amid the impeachment moves against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“The weakening of the independent institutions of our system of checks and balance always precedes the coming of a dictatorship,” said De Lima, a top critic of the administration.

More recently, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also expressed fears of a “creeping dictatorship”

amid efforts of Duterte’s allies to amend the 1987 Constitution.

But Malacañang dismissed Duterte’s supposed “creeping dictatorship” as a “far-fetched idea” Duterte had repeatedly said in the past that he has no intention of going beyond his 6 -year term.

Rather than retaining his position, Malacañang claimed the president prefers to step down ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

In a speech last month, the president has also ordered the military and the police to “shoot him” if he became a dictator or stayed in power beyond his term ending in 2022. n

symbolic dispute” between the U.S. and the Philippines, Hultgren and McGovern asked Mattis to take the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines into consideration.

Under Sec. 2864 of the Conference Report, which accompanies the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, the transfer of Balangiga bells to the Philippines will be allowed under several criteria, among of which include “that the transfer is in the national security interests of the United States.”

“We only ask that when you consider Congress’ intent in determining whether such a return meets the United States’ national security interests, you recognize that these extra-judicial killings are a detriment to our security interests,” said Hultgren and McGovern.

The Duterte administration has maintained that it does not condone abuses and statesanctioned killings.

Latest data from the Philippine government showed that there were 6,309 drug-related deaths from July 1, 2016 to

January 17, 2018—among of which 2,235 were homicide cases under investigation.

In December last year, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said Washington remains committed to reaching a resolution that would allow the return of the Balangiga bells.

Duterte, during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2017, demanded the return the church bells, which were taken from the town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar during the PhilippineAmerican war in 1900s. n

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(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARY 9-15, 2018

A

NFALA calls on Congress to protect Dreamers, keep families together SAN FRANCISCO, California The National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) strongly urges our elected leaders to pass legislation that permanently resolves and protects the status of undocumented immigrant youth, also known as “Dreamers.”

Our nation’s immigration laws should be fair and humane and work to strengthen families. As it stands, President Trump’s immigration proposal tears families apart instead by tying the lives of Dreamers with severe family immigration restrictions.

Since 2012, approximately 900,000 Dreamers, including over 5,000 Filipino nationals, have benefited from the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[1] Thanks to DACA, undocumented youth have been able to attend college, serve in the military, and become entrepreneurs.

The administration’s decision to end the program puts the lives of Dreamers and their families in limbo. It is time for Congress to act and provide certainty for these youth, who for all intents and purposes, have been raised as Americans.

NFALA is deeply troubled by

proposals to restrict family immigration to spouses and minor children. Contrary to President Trump’s assertion that “a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives,” existing laws already limit family sponsorship to parents, siblings, and children. Family immigration is the primary route for recent Filipino immigrants to come to the United States. Grandparents often take care of grandchildren while parents work to support their families, and family members often work together to start businesses, create jobs, and pay taxes.

In 2016, 85 percent of Filipino nationals who obtained lawful permanent resident status did so through family preferences.

Sadly, many Filipino-Americans must wait well over 20 years to be reunited with their family members.[2] Any reforms to family immigration should maintain current family preferences and address excessive delays in processing family visas.

“Having just honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last month, we are reminded that individuals of every color, creed, and origin are

entitled to dignity and respect,” said David Mesa, NFALA President. “Dr. King’s Dream would have included Dreamers. Our nation is stronger when families are preserved and all are fully empowered to contribute to society.

President Trump and Congress must come to an agreement that acknowledges the contributions of immigrants and their families to the fabric of our nation.”

NFALA is the national voice for the Filipino-American legal profession. It advocates for justice, civil rights, and equal opportunity for the Filipino-American community. It cultivates high standards of integrity and professionalism among its members and strives for the advancement and success of Filipino-Americans within the profession. NFALA is a family, comprised of members throughout the United States, with the shared goal of increasing its national growth, impact, and visibility while also celebrating its members’ cultural heritage.

To learn more about NFALA, visit www.nfala.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@ NFALA1) and Instagram (@filamlawyers). n

Filipina judge of Illinois’ Cook County...

PAGE A1 t The Chicago Tribune reported that lawyers from either side mentioned O’Brien’s judicial position Tuesday because it was irrelevant to the case.

Madden said that O’Brien made money by selling the two homes in 2007 via kickbacks to a straw buyer, making at least $325,000 from the transactions in total.

“She used lies to buy and sell these properties,” said Madden.

O’Brien’s attorney Ricardo Meza dismissed the allegations, and instead called them mistakes.

“Mistakes are not fraud,” said Meza. “Whatever Jessica did, it was always done in good faith. If she made a mistake, she’s no different than anyone else.”

He added that prosecutors overplayed the amount lost in the case, saying “what happened here is the government got it wrong.”

An immigrant from Cebu, Philippines, O’Brien attended community college before going to Boston University where she got her bachelor’s of science in hotel and food management, as mentioned in her Asian Journal feature in 2016.

She then attended John Marshall Law School where she became the school’s first student to obtain a joint J.D./L.L.M joint degree in tax law. O’Brien went on to become the first Asian elected

president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and served on the Illinois State Bar Association’s board of directors. In 2008, she co-founded a foundation that gives scholarships to law students from diverse backgrounds.

While the alleged fraud was taking place, O’Brien worked fulltime as a special assistant attorney general for the state Department of Revenue. O’Brien also worked part-time for Amronbanc Mortgage Corporation as a loan officer, and owned her own real estate company under the name of O’Brien Realty LLC, according to feds.

The prosecutor said O’Brien embellished her income when applying for loans — she once left out a $260,000 mortgage on her primary residence.

Maria Bartko, co-defendant who was also working for Amronbanc, was then sold the properties through a straw buyer, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. A total of $73,000 of two undisclosed payments to Bartko were made out by O’Brien, said Madden.

Bartko pleaded guilty last month to one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution. As part of her plea deal, Bartko agreed to testify against O’Brien according to the Chicago Tribune report. Prosecutors said they do not plan to call her as a witness.

Online Filipinos among most...

PAGE A1 t The Philippines is behind only South Africa and Brazil in this dubious honor, according to Ipsos, while Sweden, Norway and Denmark had the most accurate perception.

“On many subjects – murder rates, terrorist deaths, teenage pregnancy, diabetes and how healthy people feel – things are NOT as bad as they seem,” Ipsos said.

Confident but mistaken Despite being among the most ignorant, respondents from the Philippines, India and Peru were among the most confident in their answers, the study said. Thirtythree percent from the Philippines said that they were confident in all of their answers despite being third in having the most wrong answers, it said.

“In contrast Norway, Germany and Sweden come out among the most accurate in the Index, but are among the least confident in their answers,” the Ipsos survey found.

The 38-country survey was conducted via the Ipsos Online Panel System while online or faceto-face methodologies were employed in a handful of nations.

In the Philippines, Ipsos said, 500 individuals aged 16-64 were included in the survey. In total, more than 29,000 interviews were conducted in the countries involved from Sept. 28 to Oct. 19, 2017.

Inaccurate estimates In specific issues, 49 percent of Filipinos thought that there were more deaths caused by terrorists after the September 11 terror attacks from 2002 to 2016 than the 15-year period (1985-2000) before it. The reality, however, was that there were fewer deaths, from 4,322 (1985-2000) to 3,468 (20022016).

Filipinos also overestimated the number of foreign-born individuals in their prison cells, according to the survey, with respondents saying 17 percent of incarcerated individuals came from other countries when in fact only 0.4 percent did.

In terms of the rate of teenage births, respondents in the Philippines thought that 40 percent of women aged between 15 to 19 gave birth to babies when in real-

ity it was only 6.3 percent, overestimating the figure by 34 percent.

Four in 10 Filipinos didn’t believe that some vaccines caused autism in healthy children. However, despite the claim being widely discredited, more than six in 10 Filipinos were either unsure of or believed the link.

The Philippines was also the country with the highest number of overestimation of the number of diabetic individuals out of every 100 people aged between 20-79, with the average guess pegged at 45 when in reality there were only seven, a difference of 38 percent.

The survey also revealed that only two percent of the global public would rank Filipinos as among the top three booziest in the world.

One in four Filipinos meanwhile thought the Philippines belonged to the top three consumers of liquor in the world even if it was only the 16th.

Respondents from the Philippines also overestimated by 16 percent the proportion of deaths by suicide among young women, with their average guess at 20 percent when in fact it was only at 3.5 percent.

Filipinos also tended to overestimate by 17 percent the proportion of deaths by suicide among young men, with average guess at 22 percent when in reality it was only at 4.3 percent.

In terms of the number of people who owned a smartphone per 100 individuals, the average guess among Filipino respondents was 86 when actually it was only at 23, resulting in a 63-point difference.

The survey said that only 38 per 100 Filipinos had Facebook, but respondents overestimated the number by 49 percent, with average guess at 87 out of 100 people.

Participants from the Philippines were also the ones who estimated the most the number of Filipinos who owned vehicles per 100 individuals, with average guess at 61 per 100 when in fact it was only eight.

Despite being predominantly a Catholic country, the Philippines still had some of the highest underestimation of the number of people who believed in heaven, hell and God, with respondents giving answers that were on average at least 11 points lower than actual figures. n

If convicted, O’Brien will most likely have to step down from the bench. Following last year’s indictment, O’Brien was reassigned to administrative duties. The trial is expected to last two weeks. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

HAPPY DAY. Health Secretary Francisco Duque (fourth from left) smiles as he is surrounded by senators shortly after his appointment was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday, February 7. President Rodrigo Duterte named Duque as Health chief after the appointments body rejected Paulyn Ubial amid allegations of corruption and incompetence. Sen. Gregorio Honasan 2nd, chairman of the CA Committee on Health, sponsored Duque’s confirmation. Senators Manuel Pacquiao, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor Ejercito, and Ralph Recto agreed that Duque is the “right man” to lead the DoH amid the controversy over the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Senate photo

Majority of AAPIs at risk...

PAGE A1 t donations (33 percent), virus tech-support (32 percent), IRS imposters collecting back taxes (24 percent), and phishing emails (20 percent).

Fraud conducted by family and friends, fraud regarding immigration help, and regarding missed jury duty fines were also experienced by those in the AAPI community.

The survey also reported that one out of three victims (34 percent) did not report or tell anyone about the fraud. This was especially true for those who spoke limited English, and who were less likely to tell authorities. Of those that did, 51 percent only told family or friends. A smaller percentage (38 percent) told both family

and friends, as well as authorities.

Emotional and health effects as a result of fraud were reported by 72 percent of the victims — anger, stress and anxiety, fear, shame or embarrassment, loss of confidence, and depression were common symptoms.

According to the 2017 Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy and Research, $16 billion were stolen from 15.4 million consumers in the U.S. in 2016. This was an uptick from the $15.3 billion stolen the year before from 13.1 million consumers. Over $107 billion has been stolen over the past six years.

AARP recommends that people always verify and research any organization, charity, or offers before sending money; be cautious

of suspicious emails and avoid replying or clicking on links; and beware of fortune tellers or psychics that may use superstition to induce fear. The organization also reminds that government agencies like the IRS will never notify people through email or phone calls, but only through direct mail.

If victimized or put in a fraudulent situation, AARP says it is important to report it.

The survey was done through collecting data of telephone surveys regarding consumer fraud and scams conducted by Asian American Decisions with AARP. A total of 1,120 phone interviews with AAPI ages 50 and older were conducted over the course of approximately one month in English, Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Dateline USa

A february 9-15, 2018 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

The flu season is getting worse, says CDC

by RaE

Photos by Jhay Otamias

Jerwin Ancajas: The portrait of a classy champion

by Ed dE la

VEga, ddS

JERWIN Ancajas — the young IBF World super flyweight champion from the Joven Sports Gym in Magallanes, Cavite — is increasingly being compared to the great Manny Pacquiao following his sensational knockout victory over the weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas.

To this writer, that is not only unfair because there is only one Pacquiao and one Ancajas. They will never be the same simply because they are two different personalities. And as good as Ancajas is, he is still far from winning eight weight division titles.

While it is true that they have similar backgrounds in that they came from poor families, are left handed, and both rose to fame through boxing, the comparisons stop there.

Yes, Manny Pacquiao is humble and overly generous. But in many aspects, when speaking

about “class”, he is different from Ancajas.

I am not saying Pacquiao has no class. That is far from what I am trying to say here. It’s just Ancajas is something else.

With modesty aside, over the years, I have made mouthguards for free for many Filipino fighters. Some think that I owe it to them to provide the mouthguards. Many are more are appreciative and grateful than others but no one is like Jerwin Ancajas.

From the time I took impressions to custom design and fabricate for him a two color mouthguard several days ago, I sense that there is something special about the kid. But, I just dismiss the thought as I felt he was just being shy and was just overwhelmed by the humble wall of fame at my office that is full of photos of the hundreds of fighters that I made mouthguards for. As he viewed the wall, he said: “Dami palang si-

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

kat dito (There are lots famous people here).”

About two hours after his outstanding knockout performance in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ancajas did something no boxer that ever set foot in my dental clinic ever did. Ancajas, using the cell phone of our mutual friend Jhay Otamias, personally called me to profusely thank me for the mouthguard I made him for the fight.

I was truly shocked by his gesture. How can a world champion be so humble to reach out to me and say thank you barely hours after his fight and in the middle of the victory frenzy that surrounds him?

The humble gesture of Jerwin Ancajas totally validated the value of all the hours I spent at my dental lab designing and fabricating free mouthguards for the Filipino fighters that came to me. His phone call to you was worth more than anything else.

In fact, it was priceless! n

ann VaRona AJPress

THE flu season comes and goes every year, but health officials are continuing to find this year’s as one for the books.

As of January 27, an additional 16 children in the U.S. passed away from the flu in that one week alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That brings the total to 53 flu-associated deaths among youth this season.

Hospitalization rates have not been this high since the center began tracking numbers 13 years ago. The report recorded the overall hospitalization rate being around 51 people per 100,000 — the highest rates were among adults aged 65 and up, aged 50 64, and children aged 0 to 4 years old respectively.

The season is also the most widespread.

“As of this week, overall hospitalizations are now the highest we’ve seen,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, acting director of the CDC, told reporters on Friday, February 2.

“Unfortunately, our latest tracking data indicate flu activity is still high and widespread.”

Widespread influenza activity was reported by 48 states and Puerto Rico, according to the latest CDC influenza surveillance report released weekly. Regional influenza was reported in Oregon and U.S. territory Guam, and local influenza activity was reported in Hawaii and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Virgin Islands have also been experiencing sporadic influenza activity.

CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nor-

dlund said that the season hasn’t even reached its peak yet.

“It is not going down yet,” said Nordlund. “Really, the bottom line is there is still likely many more weeks to go.”

Now in its 10th week since October, the flu season has three influenza virus strains going around being H3N2 (the main flu virus going around the U.S.), H1N1, and influenza B. The actual effectiveness of the flu vaccine has had many people feeling concerned and anxious. A new Canadian study on the flu vaccine found it to be only 10 percent effective against H3N2 among Canadian adults ages 20 to 64. Taking all age groups into account, the protection rate stretched to 17 percent. Efficacy rates in the U.S. have been estimated to be around 30 percent — updated estimates may come in the next coming weeks.

But Schuchat joins other health experts in encouraging people to get their vaccine. Nearly half of the children who passed were said to be healthy before getting sick, and 80 percent of them did not get a flu shot.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Thursday that despite reports of spot shortages of the vaccine, “at this time, there is no nationwide shortage.”

Schuchat recommended pa-

Installations on Johnson South Reef.

tients call more than one pharmacy for their prescription.

In addition to getting vaccinated (injection, not nasal spray),the CDC recommends taking preventative flu spreading efforts like washing hands with soap and water, avoid getting in contact with sick people, avoid touching our faces, and staying home if sick.

If already sick, the CDC recommends taking antiviral drugs if prescribed by a doctor.

There have been early signs of flu activity cooling up in the Western states, but Schuchat said, “we are not out of the woods yet.” Activity in the South has remained nearly static, while Eastern states have been seeing increases.

Schuchat said that warning signs can include a very high persistent fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing, or significant tiredness or confusion.

“This is a very difficult season,” said Schuchat who this week replaced Brenda Fitzgerald who resigned as director following a Politico report that she traded tobacco stock.

Schuchat addressed the leadership transition saying, “Despite recent leadership changes, [the] CDC remains committed to our 24/7 mission of protecting the health and safety of the American people.” n

Inquirer.net photo

Palace: PH ‘not too soft’...

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)ROORZ XV RQ

the freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea,” the Palace official said.

“Number two of course our common concern is peace security and stability in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes,” he added.

Malacañang issued the statement after ASEAN Foreign ministers raised concerns on China’s continued militarization amid an earlier agreement to establish a legally binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, which aims to ensure peace and stability in the area.

“Kasama tayo sa ASEAN. Yan po ang panawagan ng ASEAN. Kasama ang Pilipinas sa panawagan na yan (We are included in the ASEAN. That is the ASEAN’s call. The Philippines is one with the call),” Roque said.

ASEAN ministers on Tuesday, February 6, said China’s continued reclamation in south China sea has “eroded trust and con dence” among rival claimants. They further warned that such activities could raise regional tensions.

Ministers “took note of the concerns expressed by some ministers on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region,” Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in the statement.

An earlier Inquirer report showed photos that China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea are in the “final stages of development as air and naval bases.”

A United States-based analyst also warned that China will soon effectively control the South China Sea amid the reported continuous military build up in the heavily disputed waters.

“You’re gonna see more signaling [systems], intelligence [facilities] and things like that.

You’re gonna keep on seeing the increase of number of Chinese coast guards and the maritime militias and naval ships making calls to these. And little by little, the Chinese plan seems to be to establish de facto control,” said Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative director Gregory Poling.

He continued, “Maybe without provoking an immediate sharp clash but by sheer force of numbers, eventually there’s gonna be a Coast Guard and Navy ship close enough to intervene no matter what any claimants are trying to do anywhere in the [sea]. And they are gonna have the radars and patrol craft to make sure that nothing moves within the South China Sea without them seeing it.”

Responding to the report, Roque remarked that China’s military build up in the area is not “news” anymore.

“You know when I saw the headline, yes, it’s a fact perhaps, but is that news? I don’t think so. I think the moment that they start the reclamation, they declared that they will use it, they will have military facilities into the islands,” Roque said.

Malacañang likewise underscored that it cannot wage war and could only continue to rely on China’s “good faith.”

“Whether we like it [or not], they intended to use them as military bases, so what do you want us to say? All we could do is to extract a promise from China not to reclaim any new artificial islands,” Roque said.

He continued, “We cannot declare war. Not only is it illegal, but it is also it is impossible for us to declare war at this point.”

Expansion Despite concerns raised by its neighboring countries, a Chinese expert said Beijing’s artificial islands in South China Sea will be further expanded.

Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, noted in a newspaper report that “most of the construction on islands in the South China Sea were completed in 2015 and the pace then slowed.”

“The size of some South China Sea islands will be further expanded in future through more dredging in the South China Sea region,” Chinese publication Global Times on Monday, February 5, quoted Chen as saying.

Chen also pointed out that “civilian facility construction is the major focus of the South China Sea islands building and the portion of defense deployment is relatively small.” n

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A

Dateline PPalace: hiliPPines We can look elsewhere for military choppers

by KriStine Joy

Philstar.com

HEALTH PROTEST. Members of various groups and their children hold a rally in front of the Department of Health building in Manila to ask Health officials to hold a dialogue with parents of children who were administered with Dengvaxia. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Duterte rejects EU invite, expects to be ‘insulted’ there

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhiliPPine President Rodrigo has turned down an invitation from the european Union (eU) to attend the upcoming 12th Asiaeurope Meeting (ASeM) in October.

Speaking at the 45th anniversary of the national economic and Development Authority (neDA) on Tuesday, February 6, Duterte expressed his belief that he would only be insulted at the event.

“Tingin niyo sa akin ganun noon (You used to belittle me).

Why change your assessment of my persona? What am i supposed to do there? Ask me question(s)? insultuhin ninyo ako (insult me)? e pu**hin ko kayong lahat dun (I will curse at you there),” Duterte remarked. he went on to say, “hindi ako gaya ng ibang presidente na pwede mo lang... Bahala kayo diyan (I’m not like other presidents you can belittle. I leave that to you).” last month, eU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen disclosed that the bloc has sent

an invitation for Duterte to attend the ASeM. The eU ambassador hoped that after Duterte’s visit in europe, the president would come back to the Philippines “with a more positive understanding” of the eU. “he’s not been to europe, and i think he’s actually never been to europe, and when you think about the importance of the eUPhilippine relationship, it is probably starting to be noticeable that we haven’t had a visit from him,” Jessen then said.

Duterte, who assumed the presidency in 2016, had repeatedly lashed out at the eU for raising human rights concerns over his controversial campaign against illegal drugs, accusing the bloc of interfering in the Philippines’ domestic affairs.

The eU ambassador further remarked that Duterte could also use the invitation as an opportunity “to develop his understanding of europe.”

“We are not spending all our time criticizing the Philippines,” Jessen said back in January.

The ASeM is a dialogue forum

aiming “to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and europe.” it set to take place on October 18 and 19 this year at the bloc’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

‘Too presumptuous’ in the same speech, Duterte also assailed United States lawmakers for saying they would lead protests if he sets foot in Washington.

“Sabi ng dalawang senador doon (According to two senators there), ‘if that Duterte comes here, we will lead a protest.’ You know guys, you are too presumptuous,” the Filipino leader said.

Duterte was referring to Reps.

Randy hultgren (R-illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts), who have blasted the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines in connection with Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“Whoever told you that magpunta ako diyan sa lugar ninyo (that i will go to your place)?

Anong makuha ko diyan (What will I get)? Anong makita ko (What will I see)?” Duterte added. n

Robredo camp: Marcos signed wrong document by aJPress AFTeR challenging Vice President leni Robredo to withdraw all motions filed in relation to the electoral protest against her, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has allegedly signed the “wrong” document.

According to Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Marcos signed a “joint manifestation” instead of a “joint motion” to indicate the withdrawal of all motions filed before the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT) in a bid to hasten the ballot recount.

“Marcos presented us with a wrong document,” Macalintal said in a press conference on Wednesday, February 7.

Citing a Supreme Court (SC) decision in April 2005, Macalintal pointed out that manifestations are “usually made merely for the information of the court.”

“A motion is a pleading where a party asks the court to grant him the relief or remedies or what he wants from the court. A ‘manifestation’ is merely a pleading wherein the party merely makes a representation or statement which the court may just take note of without any action at all,” he explained.

Marcos earlier dared Robredo to “sign a joint motion withdrawing all our outstanding motions so we could go straight to the recount.”

On Tuesday, February 6, the former senator announced that he had signed a joint manifestation to withdraw all pending motions that may delay the election recount.

nicolaS cigaral Philstar.com

MAnilA — The Philippine government might tap Alibaba group’s financial technology solutions to help lower remittance costs for overseas Filipino workers through mobile payment technology.

According to the Department of Finance, Ant Financial Group, a unit of Alibaba owned by Chinese tech magnate Jack Ma, is keen in helping the Philippines bring inclusive financial services to OFWs. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez iii said the Overseas Filipinos Bank based in Manila could be the launching pad for

MAnilA — The Philippine government can consider other sellers of military helicopters, if the Canadian government refuses to push through with the deal, Presidential Spokesperson harry Roque said on Thursday, February 8.

Following the Canadian government’s announcement that it is currently reviewing its sale to the Philippine government of 16 Bell helicopters, Roque said: “if they don’t want to sell, we may consider the prospect of procuring them from other sources.”

Roque asserted that the government has always been clear on why it is purchasing Bell helicopters.

“They will be used to transport personnel, supplies, humanitarian missions, ferrying of wounded, injured soldiers and other forms of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Roque said.

Asked to expound on a military official’s statement that the choppers will be used for “internal security operations,” Roque said they can always considering purchasing from other sellers. internal security operations refer to counterinsurgency operations.

According to a report, the Philippines signed a deal with Canada on February 7 for the sale of 16 combat utility choppers worth $233.36 million, or roughly P12 billion pesos. last year, Duterte earlier promised that he would purchase 23 armed helicopters to help them fight terrorists and other enemies of the state.

Trudeau: Canadian government abides by rules on selling equipment Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during a talk at the University of Chicago institute of Politics, said that the Canadian government is “in the process of looking” into the deal.

Trudeau was asked American political analyst David Axelrod if he has any “concerns” on selling the Philippine government military choppers that might be used against Filipinos.

Trudeau, who raised human rights concerns to President Rodrigo Duterte last year, replied: “Absolutely.”

“We have very clear rules around who and what we can sell either arms of potential military vehicles like helicopters and controls—on what they intend to be used for and checks in how they are used,” Trudeau said. he added that the Canadian government will make sure any deal entered into by the their government are “abiding by the rules

and expectations that are not just values, but actual rules that the Canadian government has to follow.”

During Trudeau’s official visit in the Philippines last year for the 31st Association of South east nations, he said that he “impressed upon” Duterte the need to respect the rule of law to combat illegal drugs. n

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Former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the joint manifestation withdrawing all his motions filed with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

Inquirer.net photo

Macalintal said they invited the former senator to a restaurant on Wednesday to sign a joint motion but neither Marcos nor his lawyers showed up, and that the vice president’s camp only presented the already signed joint manifestation.

“Marcos’ failure to sign a real joint motion is a clear indication that he was merely bluffing when he hurled the challenge to file a joint motion to dismiss all pending incidents knowing fully well that he is the one with pending motion which may affect the recount proceedings,” Macalintal added.

Refusing to sign Marcos’ joint

manifestation, Robredo’s camp instead signed what Macalintal tagged “a true and correct Joint Motion with prayer to consider as withdrawn and abandoned and dismissed all pending motions that may cause a delay of the recount proceedings.”

Defending its submission of a manifestation, Marcos’ camp said its joint manifestation is “more sincere” because Robredo’s joint motion only covered pending motions and not future motions that may delay the recount.

Rodriguez also added that the vice president’s refusal to sign the joint manifestation shows “lack of good faith.” n

Philippines eyes Alibaba’s financial technology for OFWs by ian

Patag

a low-cost mobile payment system.

“There are over 10 million Filipinos working abroad, Ant Financial’s technology is helpful for them. The technology can help them manage their cash, their earnings wisely,” Dominguez said.

A delegation of finance and central bank officials from the Philippines met the Alibaba Group founder in hangzhou, China on February 1 to discuss digital innovations that can help empower micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. eric Jing, the CeO of the Ant Financial Services Group, said his company would be more than

willing to partner with the Philippines.

“We are excited to partner with you. Together we can launch a variety of services for the OFWs,” said Jing.

Ma visited the country last October 25, where he met President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang to talk about bringing in platforms to boost the Philippines’ mobile technology, internet banking and e-commerce industry.

Globe Capital Venture holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala-led Globe Telecom inc., is set to roll out a bigger financial technology business in 2018 after closing the deal with Ma’s Ant Financial Services Group. n

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A6 FEBRUARY 9-15, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Rule of law: The biggest mover THERE’S one thing that advanced economies have in common: the rule of law prevails. This is reflected in the annual Rule of Law Index, which was launched in 2016 by the World Justice Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization operating worldwide to advance the rule of law.

In the latest index, the best 10 performers are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Austria, Canada and Australia. At the bottom are Afghanistan, Cambodia and Venezuela. This year’s index is notable in that the Philippines merited special mention as “the biggest mover” as it plunged by 18 places to 88th out of 113 countries from its rank in 2016, and 13th out of 15 countries in East Asia and the Pacific.

The report said the Philippines saw substantial drops in ranking in four out of the eight factors measured in the index, placing 107th out of 113 countries in terms of order and security, 102nd in criminal justice, 99th in adherence to fundamental rights, and 59th in constraints on government powers.

The other factors used to measure adherence to the rule of law are absence of corruption, open government, regulatory enforcement and crimi-

nal justice. The index covers 113 countries and jurisdictions, based on surveys conducted in 110,000 households and 3,000 experts.

The country has had problems for a long time with the eight factors. Why is the rule of law important? The index was initiated by the American Bar Association, which counts prominent legal professionals as honorary chairpersons. The World Justice Project stresses that effective rule of law fights poverty and disease, reduces corruption and protects people from injustice.

The rule of law, the group stresses, underpins development, accountable government and respect for basic rights. It promotes peace and deprives insurgencies of several reasons to advance their causes through armed conflict. If the government is sincere in its effort to bring peace and development especially in conflict areas, it must do more to strengthen the rule of law. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Tensions in the US-China relationship

Political Futures

BY IAN BREMMER IN Davos and during his recent State of the Union address to Congress, Donald Trump made clear that he means to get tough with China. This U.S. president has an “outdated Cold War mentality,” responded China’s foreign ministry. Trade and investment relations between the world’s two largest economies are headed for trouble. Trump doesn’t want a full-scale trade war. Neither does Beijing. But even short of that, there is much damage that can be done.

Since announcing his presidential candidacy in 2015, President Trump has presented himself to U.S. voters as the consummate maker of deals, a tougher, shrewder and a better defender of the American people than any past president, Democrat or Republican. He knows that his popularity, odds of reelection, and presidential legacy depend on his ability to promote the interests of voters who believe that trade competition has undermined their lives and livelihoods. In that arena, fast-rising China and its state-dominated economy have emerged as the ultimate adversaries.

Trump has begun to argue that economic security is national security. That’s his warning to Beijing that righting the wrongs in U.S.-Chinese trade and investment relations is his highest priority. His first moves will

include announcements of trade enforcement actions and restrictions on Chinese investment in coming weeks. There will be continued discussion between Congress and the White House of how best to reform the process by which the U.S. government approves proposals for foreign investment. Trump will also push Beijing to change rules that force U.S. firms to transfer intellectual property (IP) to gain access to Chinese markets and to end IP theft.

With these changes, Trump hopes to impose enough pain on China and Chinese companies to force Beijing to take U.S. commercial complaints more seriously. He’ll begin with announcements of new tariffs and other restrictions on Chinese products entering the U.S. Only if these moves fail to win concessions will he threaten to make it more difficult for Chinese companies to operate and invest in the United States. These carefully calibrated measures are designed less to punish China than to push its negotiators to the bargaining table.

China will respond first with criticism and defiance, but both will be limited to avoid unnecessary provocation. President Xi will cast his government as a global leader in cross-border trade and investment and warn that Washington is headed down a dangerous protectionist path.

China will certainly challenge U.S. actions at the World Trade Organization.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping

He will also test the U.S. pain threshold. U.S. companies in many sectors will face new formal restrictions, but also audits, inspections, and other forms of bureaucratic assault that might move the U.S. business community to pressure Trump to tread more lightly. In particular, each government will target the other side’s tech companies.

Both sides have good reason to compromise. Xi Jinping will resist changes that prevent China’s government from providing subsidies for Chinese firms that can help build a modern, technologically dynamic Chinese

economy. But nor will he try to weaken the Chinese currency for tactical advantage or order a sharp slowdown in the purchase of U.S. Treasury bonds to up the ante. Both actions would be self-defeating. Instead, Xi will probably appeal to Trump directly with pledges to give U.S. companies expanded access to Chinese markets without forcing them to share IP and technology. Trump too has reason to compromise. He wants to win enough concessions from China to declare victory without jeopardizing the strong economic numbers that he believes can

White House file photo

bolster his popularity.

Here’s the problem: Each side believes the other is more vulnerable. Trump officials believe that China needs continuous access to U.S. markets to avoid a sharp economic slowdown that might provoke a political crisis.

Chinese officials believe their president is much less vulnerable to pressure than Trump, who must listen to continuous complaints from U.S. business leaders and face voters again soon enough. The risk of conflict rises when each side believes it holds the stronger hand.

Don’t expect a quick resolu-

tion. Neither side wants to look weak, at home or abroad. U.S.China frictions will likely last through 2018. Given the importance of relations between the world’s most important rising and established powers — for China, the U.S., and the entire global economy — let’s hope that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping can find common ground with enough space for both to stand proudly. *** Ian Bremmer is the president of Eurasia Group and author of Superpower: Three Choices for America’s Role in the World.

In a year of real optimism, what could go wrong?

Opinion

MARLEN RONQUILLO THE country’s sense of optimism rests on the economic fundamentals. Growth is steady, inflation can be contained, the central bankers are a responsible, able lot and the economic managers are not the type to go into the territory of reckless adventurism. In good times, the boring, orthodox types are preferable to those prone to brinkmanship and experimentation.

The reviews and the views on the TRAIN’s impact are mixed.

But right now, in the immediate, the wage earners who will get their tax breaks will surely ramp up the demand side as they are the people who spend all—I mean all—of excess income to acquire or buy services and goods.

But the TRAIN should think of a pause. The idea of a corporate tax cut amid the unprecedented corporate profits and the direction of the income gains (the

wealthy snap up everything) is a terrible and bad idea.

And Mr. Duterte, aside from leaving his economic policy team alone, does not have an EJK policy toward business people. He has struck fast friendships with 99 percent of the oligarchs and the plutocrats after the elections, save for one or two. Some of his people are dipping their so-so-clean-fingers into affairs at the customs zone, at the gaming and gambling agencies, at the revenue agencies. But these are moneymaking acts that would hardly dent the growth momentum.

There is corruption—what government does not have this Filipino SOP?—but not at the level of impunity. Or, maybe there are big-time acts of corruption going on but the media just missed them—as usual.

The optimism is real.

That Mr. Duterte is popular with decent to excellent approval and trust ratings has been the stuff of all the surveys—and there are no outliers disproving his popular support.

Even the most horrible and vulgar display of official turpitude by his subordinates do not personally affect him. Sub-cabinet people may fight it out publicly like palengkeras. Top officials may be purveyors of fake news and engage in the basest of actions. But none of this touches the president.

The usual Achilles heel that leads to the downfall of leaders—bank documents showing money moving under the name of that leader or members of the family—has not in any way affected Mr. Duterte.

The “ now” of the country seems to be Dickens’ “the best of times.”

But as the story of George W. Bush tells us, a leader’s sky-high approval and trust ratings, the kind that Bush the Younger had after 9/11, are not a permanent thing. In fact, the pedestal can easily crash down to earth and a drip-drip of bungling and failings could erode the highest of leadership esteem. Where is Bush the Younger now? In the list of the most mediocre of U.S.

presidents.

Nothing, except change, is permanent in this world and in this country.

So, in this current context of economist optimism and trusted political leadership, what could go wrong? Many, and one is happening right before our very eyes. Mr. Duterte’s tangle with the judicial branch of government and the constitutional bodies.

The effort to oust a chief justice via an impeachment effort on the say-so of Mr. Gadon is a farce, wrapped on some tortured legalese and is fueled by the general premise that Mr. Duterte hates CJ Sereno and therefore she has to go. That is not how a real impeachment effort works. The House of Representatives has to impeach her based on solid grounds. The HoR has to prove that she committed “high crimes” and treasonous acts. That she is not Ms Congeniality and is a strict scold who does not respect the intellect and legal acumen of her colleagues is her prerogative and

that does not constitute “high crimes.”

That the HoR did not even raise a holler on the other decisions of Court of Appeals Justice Normandie Pizarro after his scandalous Joel Reyes decision, while merrily soldiering on with the impeachment of the CJ, is a double standard that stood out like the behavior of a drunk in a churchyard. Other than the Joel Reyes case and the Marcos wealth case, Mr. Pizarro has cleared other controversial cases with mind-boggling decisions.

Only the HoR did not bother to inquire.

The firing of Mr. Carandang, the deputy Ombudsman, and the refusal of Ms Morales-Carpio to legitimize the firing of her No. 2, is the kind of rash decision that could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis. Instead of firing Mr. Carandang, Mr. Duterte should have come clean on his bank records to clear up the allegations of multiple bank transactions once and for all.

People won’t mind if Mr. Duterte is wealthy. He is past

70. He is a lawyer. And at that age, he is expected to have a decent amount of money. If he has P100 million in the bank, what is wrong with that? Mr. Duterte has been working all his life and to have money is not a sin.

The all-out war with the Left will not lead to a victory of any kind, moral or military. The Left has a permanent base, the academe and the hamlets of abject poverty and hopelessness. No amount of firepower, arrests and sieges of leftist strongholds will lead to victory against the nimble and resilient Left.

Mr. Duterte’s words in the early days of his government—that he is out to secure the “peace of the living“—should have been the operative policy with the Left, not a historically debunked mailed-fist policy.

If crude hits $80 plus per barrel, all the macro assumptions of the economic team will have to be revised, from positive to negative. Growth prospects will dim and all the well-laid plans— as the Bard said—will go awry.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARY 9-15, 2018

Ex-DOH Chief Garin welcomes civil suit over Dengvaxia mess

A

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Former Philippine Health Secretary Janette Garin welcomed the civil case filed against her in connection with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

The Public Attorney’s office (PAo) on monday, February 5, filed a civil case against Garin, Sanofi Pasteur executives, and officials of distributor Zuellig Pharma for damages over the death of a child who received the dengue vaccine.

Garin said the complaint would serve as a good medium to clear their names from all allegations hurled against them.

“I welcome the case. It’s a good forum for me and for the others accused – and wronglyaccused – to air our side,” the former health secretary told reporters in a media briefing.

She also maintained that the implementation of the government’s mass immunization under her term was done in good faith.

“Sa lahat po nangyayayari, isa lang po yung pinanghahawakan ko: Yung pagsasalita ng katotohanan – yung nag-desisyon kami base sa burden ng dengue that time (In all that’s happening, I only hold true at one thing: That I’m telling the truth – we made a decision based on the burden that dengue presented at that time),” Garin said.

She continued, “The desire to save lives, the desire to be of service – hindi po yung nasa gobyerno ka nakaupo ka lang hindi nagtatrabaho. Yan po ang ginawa namin at paninindigan ko yun (not just being in government and sitting there without doing your job. That’s what we did and I stand by it).”

PAo filed a civil case against Garin and other officials before the regional Trial Court (rTC) in Quezon City on behalf of the family of 10-year-old Anjielica Pestilos, whose death was allegedly triggered by the dengue vaccine.

Pestilos was among the 830,000 children who were administered with Sanofi’s Dengvaxia under the dengue immunization program launched by the administration of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2016, and was continued by his successor, President rodrigo Duterte.

But late last year, the Depart-

MARAWI HOUSING. Families displaced by the fighting in Marawi City last year will get to live in a single-detached housing unit in one of the temporary shelter areas in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Felicitas Sombrado, 53 years old, a parent whose child received the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine expresses frustration to former Health Secretary Janette Garin, who had just went up the elevator, as security guards restrain her at the lobby of Congress after the hearing on Dengvaxia on Monday, February 5.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

ment of Health (DoH) suspended the program following an analysis which found out that the vaccine could cause a more severe case of dengue when administered on a person who has not been previously infected with the virus.

Saddened Also on monday, Garin told media that she was “saddened” by the act of furious mothers who confronted her at the end of the this week’s House of representatives hearing into the government’s dengue-immunization program.

A group of frustrated mothers confronted Garin after the hearing, demanding accountability and “medical intervention” for their children who were administered Dengvaxia. The women later told media that none of their children had died but supposedly started to fell ill since being vaccinated.

“Ikinalulungkot ko na humantong sa ganito (We are saddened that it has come to this). We’re very much willing to talk and to discuss about things,” Garin told reporters.

She added, “Nakakalungkot na humahantong sa pananakit, humahantong ito sa panghahampas, sa panununtok, kasi nawawala tuloy yung hinaing kung ano talaga ang katotohanan, ano ang problema (It’s sad that it has come to assault, striking, punching, because the complaint is lost in what’s re-

Palace shrugs Trillanes’ new call to probe Duterte’s ‘unexplained wealth’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

mAlACAñANG on monday, February 5, downplayed Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s latest request for a Senate investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of President rodrigo Duterte and his family.

In a briefing, Presidential Spokesperson harry roque dismissed Trillanes’ accusations as old news. “lumang tugtugin, lumang balita para ng sirang plaka (It’s old news that sounds like a broken record),” roque said of Trillanes’ call for a Senate inquiry.

He also maintained that the president has “nothing to hide.”

He further noted that the senator does not possess any authenticated document to support his claims, as the Anti-money laundering Council (AmlC) had already denied that they provided Trillanes documents of Duterte’s bank transactions.

“Ang tanong, anung dokumento ang hawak ni Senator Trillanes, eh wala naman siyang authenticated documents (The question is, what document does Trillanes has on hand, when he has no authenticated documents),” roque stressed.

He continued, “Sinabi na nga ng AmlC hindi galing sa kanila ang dokumento at mali-mali ang datos na hawak-hawak ni Senator Trillanes (AMLC already said that the documents he had were not from them, and that his data were false).”

Trillanes recently filed Senate resolution 602, asking the Senate committee on banks, financial institution, and currencies to probe the possible violations of the Anti-money laundering Act by Duterte and his daughter, Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The senator has long accused the president of failing to disclose his wealth going back prior to the 2016 national elections, when Duterte was still the mayor of Davao City.

Duterte, for his part, has repeatedly denied the accusations and vowed to resign if Trillanes

could prove his claims.

In his resolution, Trillanes said the probe aims to “promote efficient compliance with the AmlA” and “further improve the said the law.”

“It is the state’s policy to protect the integrity and confidentiality of bank accounts, and ensure that the Philippines is not used as a money-laundering site for proceeds of unlawful activities,” the resolution further read.

Trillanes also cited a Vera Files report stating that Duterte and his daughter had at least P100 million in joint deposits and investments that were not disclosed in their Statement of Assets, liabilities, and Net Worth (SAlN).

Vera Files said its report was based on bank records previously released by Trillanes, who claimed that the same documents were from the AmlC. ‘Tragic waste of time’ opposing the Trillanes’ fresh call for investigation, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said it would just be a “tragic waste of time.”

Pimentel remarked that if Trillanes “really has the evidence, then he should bring an actual case in the proper body.”

“Senate is not the body for that. We are part of legislative action. But if this is part of just making this issue land in the news then this should not be allowed. It will be a tragic waste of time by the Senate,” Pimentel said.

Trillanes, in response, argued that his resolution was “valid.”

“Senator Pimentel, even as Senate president, has no power to disallow its referral. masyado namang syang ninenerbiyos agad para sa amo n’ya (He’s too nervous for his boss),” Trillanes said, apparently referring to Duterte.

Trillanes further pointed out that “it was Duterte himself who challenged the Senate to investigate his bank account.”

“So, ito na ang sagot sa hamon ng amo n’ya (this is the answer to his boss’ challenge),” he added. n

ally true, what the real problem is).”

Garin, however, questioned the intention of the group as they seemingly did not want a dialogue with her but was there to supposedly make a scene.

“Hindi ko kasi alam kung yung intensyon eh tototong makatulong sa tao o kung yung intensyon ay palakihin yung kwento at bigyan ng dagdag na kaba yung mga nanay (I don’t know if they really intend to help others or they intend to magnify the story and give more worries to mothers),” she said. n

Bong Go: Duterte just joking about senatorial bid

by RoSette

aDel

Philstar.com

mANIlA — Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday clarified that he has no plans of running for senator. “my running for senator is just a joke from PrrD (President rodrigo roa Duterte),” Go said in a statement sent to media.

“PrrD only mentioned it in jest in view of my demand for the Senate to conduct a full-blown public hearing and get to the bottom of the frigate controversy,” he said.

Go was referring to his alleged interference in the procurement

of a combat management system for two missile-capable frigates for the Philippine Navy.

Generally, frigates are warships that perform a variety of roles including escort and shore bombardment.

Go made the statement after President rodrigo Duterte last Tuesday said that attending a Senate probe to clarify his alleged interference in the deal is a “golden opportunity” for his senatorial bid.

The presidential aide said he is not interested in running because he is committed to assisting Duterte. “I am committed to stand beside him till kingdom come,” Go said.

Go insisted that he is only demanding a full-blown Senate hearing into the frigate deal issue to clear his name, and to prove that he did not intervene.

He earlier denied magdalo rep. Gary Alejano’s allegation that he had information or knowledge in the Navy’s purchase of combat management system for its ships. Defense Secretary Delfin lorenzana said he had mistakenly attributed a document from Go’s office asking about the deal to Go himself.

Duterte has twice defended his special assistant, saying Go is already a “yacht owner” and need not meddle in the frigate acquisition. n

A february 9-15, 2018 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

FEBRUARY 9-15, 2018

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY f E b R uA RY 9, 20 1 8

‘Kung hei fat choi’: All about the Lunar New Year T

he Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture and it is celebrated around the world. Said to have begun during the Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 B.C.), the centuries-old legend’s origins of the holiday varies from teller to teller, but the main theme is always the same — fear.

The story includes a terrible mythical lion-like monster named “Nian” (which is also the Chinese word for “year”), who preyed on villagers. A wise old man counseled the villagers by instructing them to make loud noises with drums and firecrackers to ward off the evil monsters. He also said that they should hang red paper cutouts and scrolls on their doors because Nian is scared of the said color. Since the defeat of the monster, the day has been named “Guo Nian” (“guo” meaning pass and “nian” meaning year) or “to pass over the year.”

Based on the lunar calendar, the event normally falls between January 21 and February 20. As with many festivals around the world, it is believed that how you spend

the start of the year affects its outcome. It is also one of the longest public holidays in China, where most people take time off from works for seven consecutive days.

This year, the holiday begins on February 16 and marks the beginning of the Year of the Dog. Following the Chinese lunar calendar, it was traditionally a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors.

The cycle of 12 stations or “signs” is the Chinese zodiac is part of the Chinese calendar. However, the calendar’s structure wasn’t static: It was reset according to which emperor held power and varied from one region to another. It was also a complex timepiece, which parameters were set according to the lunar phases as well as the

solar solstices and equinoxes. Yin and yang, the opposing but complementary principles that make up a harmonious world, also ruled the calendar.

Every new year was marked by the characteristics of one of the 12 zodiac animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

The Western-style Gregorian calendar arrived in China along with Jesuit missionaries in 1582. It began to be used by the general population by 1912, and New Year’s Day was officially recognized as occurring on January 1. China, however, continues to celebrate Lunar New Year with the traditional greeting, “Kung hei fat choi.” (AJPress)

Let the Year of the Earth Dog begin Eat your way to luck with these Feng shui master Thierry Chow gives her tips and forecast Lunar New Year dishes for the upcoming Year of the Earth Dog

by Rae ann VaRona

by Rae ann VaRona

AJPress

AJPress

DISCovErED in China some thousand years ago, feng shui (translated as “wind and water”) in simple terms is about examining how surroundings and the placement of things affects and influences people’s lives.

It’s something that to this day, many believers still look to in figuring out life’s concerns whether they be in health, wealth, relationships, and so forth. It’s also been going through a recent wave of renaissance.

At the forefront of the modern feng shui movement is Thierry Chow, a young fashion forward feng shui master whose approach to the ancient practice is as she describes, “creative and fun with a modern twist” — her Instagram bio reads “environmental curator.”

Despite having a contemporary approach and a style uncommon among geomancers, Chow’s knowledge of the ancient practice is nothing to be doubted. Her teacher, master Chow Hon-ming, is one of Hong Kong’s most prominent feng shui masters. His client list includes major banks and companies including Cathay Pacific and HSBC, according to a Time Out Hong Kong article.

Chow Hon-ming is also Thierry’s father.

“My dad has been in the industry for 30 plus years, and [has a] very traditional approach, which I think is very important,” Thierry Chow told the Asian Journal. Being the offspring in a new generation, Chow has made it a point to keep the tradition alive while incorporating modern elements that are more in tune with the 21st century.

Having graduated in Canada with a degree in design and art illustration, Chow went back to Hong Kong where she decided to pick up her father’s craft. Now, she’s regarded as one of the top must know feng shui masters in all of Hong Kong.

Most recently, Chow finished up a Hong Kong taping of Anthony Bourdain’s award winning travel and food show “Parts Unknown” — she can’t share much on what to expect, but encourages people to keep an

Thierry Chow

Artwork by Kendrick Tan/AJPress

eye out. She’s also just published her first book called “Love and Fate” that was self-written and illustrated, and is in the works of launching her own line of feng shui products.

So what does the feng shui guru have to say about this upcoming Year of the Earth Dog? “For the Year of the Earth Dog, we will be more focused on ecofriendliness and recycling, such as eco-friendly products and events,” said Chow, adding that this year will be all about pushing efforts on taking care of the planet.

For those born on a dog year, Chow said to “expect a lot of changes” — this year may not be as stable as they would typically hope. “But with focus, wisdom, and awareness, one will find peace through the dog year,” she added.

While feng shui advice is often personalized, Chow gave the Asian Journal some quick tips that all may find useful in garnering good energy in entering the year of the earth dog.

At home Getting rid of unwanted and unneeded items in our homes is very important when it comes to welcoming the new year. Chow said that our homes and what we have in them are a reflection of our inner experiences and who we are.

“A big purge can help with our internal health,” added

THIS year’s Lunar New Year falls on Friday, February 16, prompting an auspicious 15-day celebration of bold red lanterns, equally bold red door decorations, crackling firecrackers, gold inscribed money envelopes, and of course, food — lots of food.

The Lunar New Year continues for many to be all about honoring ancestors, spending time with family, getting rid of any bad luck from the past year, and making way for new good luck and fortune.

While the Lunar New Year is celebrated by several countries throughout Asia, many Filipinos have come to celebrate the holiday the Chinese way. In Manila’s ongpin Street — the world’s oldest Chinatown established in 1594 — the Lunar New Year is welcomed with the usual lion and dragon dances, drums, and again food which families gather around for on the eve of the holiday and throughout.

Here are some essential Lunar New Year foods to help you and your family eat towards a year of da ji da li (great luck and great fortune).

Longevity noodles Symbolizing wishes for a long, happy, and healthy life, longevity noodles are popular at celebrations like birthdays, newborn birthdays, weddings, and the Lunar New Year.

Because the length of the noodle refers to long life, they aren’t meant to be broken as doing so represents the risk of shortening one’s lifespan.

How the noodles are prepared varies. Some prefer noodles like the thin, long, and salty miswa noodles in soup, while others may prefer yi mien noodles fried and mixed with some vegetables.

Spring rolls Spring rolls are especially popular during the Lunar New Year and are named after the holiday’s other name, the Spring Festival.

Inside the spring roll wrappers made of water and wheat flour are often shredded carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, and pork which vegetarians can opt out of including. The rolls are then fried, taking on a golden brown color meant to resemble gold bars and welcome in wealth and prosperity.

Dumplings Stuffing dumpling wrappers with passed down jiaozi xian (filling) recipes is a tradition for many Chinese families and

Symbolizing wishes for a long, happy, and healthy life, longevity noodles are popular at celebrations like birthdays, newborn birthdays, weddings, and the Lunar New Year.

AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

Chow. “Donate your stuff to charity so others can reuse your things as a good action for the environment also.”

Spring rolls At work In line with the earth category on which the upcoming year falls, Chow recommends incorporating earth-friendly elements and ideas in our work spaces. Keywords include recycling, eco-friendly, reuse, gems, crystals, clay, jade, etc. one tip she gave was to place more plants indoor to improve productivity. “A great corner to place plants is the south corner of Nian gao a space,” said Chow. dates back to the Ming and Qing In your relationships and Dynasties, making it a symbol of social life family unity.

“Make sure to focus on the Shaped like the sycee, which people you love and enjoy being was a form of currency in China with,” said Chow. until the 20th century, dumplings She added that a good star for are also another dish that relationships is to be found in the symbolize wealth and prosperity. southeast corners of our homes Nian gao and offices. “Use those corners Translated to English, nian more,” she said. gao means “year higher” and For yourself symbolizes the idea of achieving “It is important to stay something greater each year healthy. Keep in mind, balance whether it be in health, in one’s is key,” said Chow. This includes career, monetary wealth, grades, exercising, eating well, seeing or even child’s height. both family and friends, and In the Philippines where it is keeping a nice and comfortable called tikoy, the steamed cake can home. be eaten as is, but is commonly Chow added, “This year, the sliced, dipped in egg, and pansickness stars are located in the fried. other variations put the north and west corners.” She cake between slices of sweet recommends not using these potato or taro, dipped in batter, areas of our homes or offices and deep-fried. for too long. If we must, she Good fortune fruits recommends placing a copper Mandarins, oranges, pomelos, clock in the corner to help kumquats, tangerines, grapefruits minimize bad energy. and other hardy winter citrus In your closet fruits are bound to be found Being that Chow is also a scattered around homes, temples, fashion guru, she encourages and dinner tables during the people this year to try wearing the following: checkered suits and blazers, oversized “boyfriend” suits and blazers, knee high boots, artist hats, and super bright electric colors of pink, green and purple. She also suggests keeping stone jewelry like jade, in your wardrobe. “They will become quite trendy,” Chow forecasted.

On your plate When it comes to incorporating feng shui through food, Chow said gaining personal well-being through what we eat is a matter of not only being mindful of what we eat, but of where we eat.

“Choose places that have good energy to eat and have coffee,” said Chow. “You will find The Chinese words for wealth and luck also sound similar to words for tangerine and orange.

Facebook.com/ThierryChowFengShui yourself charged positively.”

Dumplings

Tang yuan (sweet rice balls)

Lunar New Year holiday.

The luck of the fruits lies in their roundness and bright goldlike color. The Chinese words for wealth and luck also sound similar to words for tangerine and orange.

Ba bao fan Also known as eight-treasure rice pudding, the often colorful and beautifully designed dessert is basically sticky glutinous rice, studded with a combination of eight ingredients often including dates, dried apricots, lotus seeds, jujubes, dried plums, red bean paste, goji berries, and other sweet ornaments often used in Chinese medicine.

The mosaic-like dessert represents wealth or prosperity in that the number eight — pronounced “ba” — sounds like “fa” which means prosperity.

Fish Any impressive Lunar New Year meal will include a whole fish which if eaten, is said to welcome in a year of excess or abundance — the word for fish in any Chinese dialect sounds similar to the Chinese word “yu” which generally means surplus.

The fish can either be steamed with ingredients like ginger, cilantro, and green onions; or deep-fried like the dramatic “squirrel fish.”

Tang yuan (sweet rice balls) Depending on the region, these glutinous sweet rice balls are either eaten throughout the Lunar New Year period, or at the end of the 15-day celebration to welcome the beginning of the Lantern Festival.

A symbol of togetherness and reuniting with family, the balls are often served in sweet syrup and can be filled with sweet fillings like red bean paste, sweet peanut paste, and black sesame paste.

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ Several years ago, Filipina nurses had a fast track to green cards, as their priority was “current”. They could be immediately petitioned by hospitals or medical facilities for green cards and obtain work authorization even if they arrived as tourist. Those days are gone.

Now, because of the wait for a green card, hospitals are no longer willing to petition nurses. In addition, in order to practice, they must pass visa Screen, or NCleX. I’ve come across many Filipina nurses who steadfastly want to practice nursing. I admire and respect their resolve. However, jobs are not readily available in the U.S. for nurses, because hospital facilities don’t want to wait for years for the nurse to get a green card and pass for visa screen.

Filipina nurses make great ‘green card’ caregivers Obviously, a BSN graduate/ licensed nurse in the Philippines is qualified to provide caregiving in the U.S. The pay is probably higher than what they are earning in the Philippines. In addition, the waiting time or processing time for green card as between nurse and caregiver is the SaMe - about two years.

There are so many healthcare facilities in need of caregivers, which Philippine nurses would obviously qualify for.

If you have a relative in the Philippines who is a nurse, she/he may want to think about being petitioned as a caregiver, which is an equally rewarding career. Both jobs deal with taking care of the sick, the elderly and those in need of professional medical care. ***

Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney

(Advertising Supplement)

for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL

An Asian Journal Magazine

Her “American Dream” shattered when her case was denied and her two attorneys told her the only solution was to just “hide.” Mariel (left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status. Distraught and lost, especially after her first two lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-Last-Hope” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL who sought reconsideration and was able to get Mariel her elusive green card in record time. Watch Mariel’s dream come true on a encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Travel, Trade and Consumer Roadshow: Immigrant Living: 101 Philippine trade for the new generation and Beyond

by Andrew

J. MArtinez SoriAno

aS a young boy born and raised in Southern California, I loved my Filipino heritage for what I knew it to be - lots of food, traditions, family togetherness, and the foreign yet warmly familiar sound of the Tagalog language gracing my ears. I got a taste of trends and goingson in the Philippines from my grandparents’ Tv shows and grew up learning bits and pieces of Philippine society from brief exchanges with friends and family.

However, it wasn’t until I got to college and met Filipinoamerican peers from so many different walks of life that I realized there was a completely untouched of my roots I had yet to discover: the full extent of the beauty the Philippines had to offer socially and economically.

Not only is it a country rich in its people and culture, but also a treasure trove of brilliant inventions, wonderful goods, and undiscovered talent. as I graduated college, I found myself wanting to learn more, and how to connect the feelings of pride I had in my culture as a child with the real world applications of business, trade, and travel that the Philippines could be, is, and has been a major player in. I also always wondered how the Philippines could become

known elsewhere as more than a source of “goods from home” for scattered Filipinos who are the sons and daughters of immigrants worldwide; I wondered how they could become involved in western, specifically american, society, on a deeper level than before. enter the multi-city, multidate Travel, Trade and Consumer roadshow, being hosted by the Asian Journal, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The event will take place in august 2018 in Carson and San Francisco as well as on the east coast in New Jersey.

Facilitated and co-planned by eC Ferrer CHB, Inc., Planet63, american Pacific Container line, Pangasinan Brotherhood USa, and Pistahan Parade Festival and Fiesta In america; this topicallydiverse program intends to close the multi-thousand-mile distance between the U.S. and Philippine markets on a more intimate level.

Filipino products of all kinds, and talents and showcases in fields such as tourism, investment, studying abroad, philanthropy, and retirement; will be featured.

What’s more is that the program is emphasizing the participation and involvement of the youth such as myself to help introduce the american market and this

generation in general to the wonders of the Philippines, and this combination of traditional culture with a modern, youthful, and technological approach in the planning and theme is something completely unprecedented.

The goal of these events is to unite these separate markets on a more relatable level than ever - hopefully making “foreign” products less foreign, and introducing them to a whole new consumer audience who can discover something unlike anything they’ve experienced before. as a millennial living in the technological age, I have realized that the breaking down of cultural barriers is a step that is necessary for society to grow the way we want it to, and efforts such as these are something I am personally incredibly excited for.

This is only a brief intro to the hopes for this event, but over the next year, we hope to cover the various aspects of it and what benefit they could serve to these goals in particular, so please stay tuned for future features on the development and progression of this monumental event. 2018 is primed to be a year of change and innovation, and nothing is more significant in terms of change than bringing worlds together.

(Advertising Supplement)

Mark Bautista tells all in ‘Beyond the Mark,’ a much talked-about but kept-under-wraps memoir predicted to be ‘disturbing’ by ricky Lo Philstar.com

Mark Bautista says it straight (no pun intended): “Yes, I love both sexes,” short of outright admitting that he is gay or bisexual. and he adds that he’s happy that the truth has set him free, having unburdened a secret that has been gnawing inside him all of his 34 years until one day he recalled that he woke up to the reality that the “time bomb” inside him would explode any moment, that the Pandora’s Box of his existence would finally be pried open by a public that finds perverse pleasure in dissecting the sanctum of the stars’ personal lives.

Well, showbiz-watchers, titillated by the media that served piece meal juicy items about Mark, have actually been maybe unwittingly pushing Mark into, ehem, outing himself but Mark, bless him, kept quiet but not for long.

In “Beyond The Mark,” his much talked-about but keptunder-wraps tell-all (well, almost!) memoir, Mark is spilling the beans, so to speak, with meaty pork thrown in for good measure. like the favorite breakfast fare, Mark serves more beans than pork, and doesn’t that make the meat taste better? Yummy!

“I have a story to tell,” writes Mark on the back cover, “and no matter what others might think, I’m happy that I can share this with pride (from overcoming my personal struggles), joy (from discovering my life’s purpose), and peace (from finding the true essence of fulfillment).

Mark Bautista

For me, these are life’s great achievements. This has been my journey and my life, so far!” and, to quote the title of lea Salonga’s song, what a journey it has been!

I guess we all know the “beans” in Mark’s life that has been written and rewritten about: His childhood and growing-up years in Cagayan de Oro where, as a teen, he hosted a beauty pageant for girls in a neighbor’s house and tried dressing up his sisters’ Barbie and paper dolls; how life turned from rosy to messy after his father retired from being a seaman for two decades, with Mark and his sister disallowed to take exams due to their inability to pay tuition fees; how he and his brother Nigel took a cargo ship from Cagayan de Oro (couldn’t afford plane fare) to Manila to keep his appointment with destiny. The rest, oh well, we know the rest, don’t we? He finished second to Sarah Geronimo in the viva-sponsored talent search “Star For a Night” (by singing “One in

Philstar.com photos

a Million You”), essayed the title role in “lastikman” and, to fastforward, ruled the stage at the National Theater in london and wowed mixed audiences with his generously-praised performance as Ferdinand Marcos in “Here lies love,” the musical drama about the saga of Imelda Marcos.

Mark has such facility with the english language that reading his life story feels as if you’re eavesdropping on a confessional or poring over a juicy diary he has kept inside the baul for years.

He writes in a free-flowing and free-wheeling style that is at once honest, sincere, candid and unapologetic. You know, Mark is oh-so-sharing and oh-so-giving that he bares his heart and soul for all to see and to feel. and now, the “meaty” portions, dished out with love and care so that nobody gets hurt or cries, “Foul!” ...Stop the presses!

More confessions: • His first relationship was with a guy who became very Continued on Page 6

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 9, 20 1 8

Monette AdevA MAGlAyA WHaT does it cost to be kind to others?

We often think that being kind costs us something — whether it is time, money, connections or any of what we consider to be our personal resources becoming depleted.

But have we ever thought at all about the physical and psychological benefits of acts of kindness that flow right back to us? It’s one of those mysteries of the amazing human body. recent medical studies indicate that both the giving and receiving of kindness have positive effects on a person’s well being. It helps produce oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone in the human body that boosts our immune system and causes other good residual effects on blood pressure and the body’s general homeostatic balance. In

The power of kindness “Kind people are the best kind of people” - Anonymous women, it has positive effects on childbirth and lactation. Studies now seem to prove that it can help in autism and the ability to handle social anxieties.

This feel-good substance is produced in the human body by laughter and exercise and apparently, as medical studies are showing, also by acts of kindness, specially the pure ones, those that are done without any thought of payback or return.

Oxytocin running in our bloodstream is good for the heart and the mind as it counteracts the effects of free radicals wreaking havoc in our bodies as we go through the ravages of the aging process. It does not mean however, that kindness and the oxytocin it produces insures us against aging. all humans will get old and die eventually. C’est la vie.

It just means that the residual effects of habitual kindness can substantially slow down the aging process along with a good diet, and regular age -appropriate exercise.

Of course, wisely steering clear of moving vehicles, toxic relationships and such known elective, addictive poisons such as cigarette smoking, drugs and alcohol all help to arrive at a high quality of life in one’s sunset years.

In the same way joy shows in our faces, so does grief. Perhaps, the latter, even more so, can become deeply etched. No amount of plastic surgery can erase it.

During the greed of the nineteen eighties and nineties that spawned such film characters as Gordon Gecko, the saying was, “He who has the Continued on Page 4

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An Asian Journal Magazine

Carlo Aquino gives an inspired performance in new film

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY f E b R uA RY 9, 20 1 8

Marian Rivera: Success story of an actress

“gmA has been very transparent in dealing with me. They explain everything to me and i fully trust A smiling marian Rivera, who them as to the kind of roles they was stunning in her body-hugging have in mind for me. gmA has lace dress, added a feel-good vibe been with me all these years. it’s to the sunshiny yet cool weather where i was able to build a career, last monday, February 5 when she form relationships... until i had a appeared before select members of husband and a child. That’s why i feel the entertainment press a couple of minutes after renewing her contract confident that i am in good hands.

Whenever Triple A (headed by her with gmA network. manager Tony Tuviera) and gmA Present at the contract signing have a talk, panatag talaga ang loob with marian were gmA network ko.” she, too, takes delight in the fact chairman and CEO Felipe gozon, that the network doesn’t meddle in president and COO gilberto Duavit, her personal life. Proof to that is the sVP for Entertainment lilybeth Rasonable, CFO Felipe Yalong as well non-existence of a pregnancy clause in her newly-signed three-year as Triple A executives Rams David contract. and mike Tuviera.

Perhaps, curious minds are marian said that never did she beginning to conclude that marian is imagine herself jumping to another being accorded by the network with network, knowing how gmA has all the best since she is the Kapuso been all out in supporting her since Primetime Queen. For some, it would she started her career as a Kapuso easily make their heads too big for in 2007. in fact, her mother network their hats. But not for marian who had prepared an audio-visual feels the weight of the title “Queen” presentation that showed how bestowed on her. marian has evolved from a newbie “Actually, it’s a big word yet starring in fantasy shows until the i’m thankful. But for me, what’s present where the actress has important is how i am able to inspire proven her talent in dancing as well people through my work, especially as in the drama and comedy acting now that i already have a daughter departments.

(Zia, now three years old). it’s a big “i cannot think of any possible reason for me to transfer (to another responsibility for me to show what is good and what is right. i want to network),” began marian. “First of all, set a good example to the children it was gmA that gave me the break. because they, for sure, imitate secondly, i will forever be grateful whatever they see on TV. Ngayong to them; forever ’kong tatanawin nanay na ako, gusto ko gumawa na utang na loob na kung anuman ng mga may kabuluhan di lang sa meron ako ngayon ay dahil sa gmA trabaho kundi sa pagtulong na din ‘yun. The kind of trust they have sa iba.” in me when it comes to projects no wonder, marian is willing is more than enough so what else to share with younger artists how could i ask for? Binigay na lahat ng gmA so there is no reason for me not she was able to achieve the success she’s been enjoying these days. “i to stay.” am very proud to say that i started After her three-day respite, with TAPE until the time i got to work marian is certain that the coming here, with a mother role as my first months will be the start of her TV assignment. That means, the meetings with the network character you play is not so much concerning the different projects the basis of your success but it’s how being lined up for her. it doesn’t you are able to show your best in matter to the 33-year-old actress whatever gmA has decided for her to every character (you are portraying) and how you show your love for your start working on.

by tessa

Mauricio-arriola

ManilaTimes.net

AnYOnE who knows his or her modern day Filipino film history will remember Carlo Aquino as Vilma santos’ son in the multi-awarded movie adaptation of “Bata, Bata… Paano Ka ginawa” (1998) by noted novelist lualhati Bautista.

And while Carlo had steadily pursued his career since that pivotal dramatic project—where his young teenage character is made to choose between his mother and absentee father (Ariel Rivera)—it is surprising for a certain generation to believe he is

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

Marian Rivera Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera

work.”

Asked if there is one project wherein sees herself being paired up again with husband Dingdong Dantes, marian said a sitcom would be great but she would rather not work with him either in the big or on the small screen. “it’s not that i am avoiding (the opportunity) to work with Dong but i think it would be healthy for both of us if we work separately. You see, we are together at home at kung magkasama pa kami sa work nganga na lang kaming dalawa dahil wala na kaming pag-uusapan so it’s better for us not to be together in a show so when we go out for a date, there is more to talk about (laughs).” speaking of date, marian revealed that she and Dingdong plan to go out on a romantic date during their three-day getaway. Unlike in recent years, when marian preferred to stay at home than having some nightouts, she shared that she can now afford to go to bars with her husband to unwind. she said, “We now have more time together since i’ve already passed that (difficult) stage of pregnancy, giving birth to Zia. Lumalaki na si Zia, nakakausap na, kumakain na mag-isa so naiiwaniwanan na and i have overcome the separation anxiety. Sabi ko nga, i’m back, ha,ha,ha.”

WE ARE

HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

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Ask Carlo what he thinks of his lover boy status on screen and he will say, “never kong naisip na magiging romantic lead ako kasi karamihan ng mga ginagawa ko mga indies, at yung iba supporting roles ako palagi!

Ito, romantic-drama na, ako pa ang bida!”

Poking fun at himself, Carlo admitted at “st. gallen’s” grand press conference he isn’t heartthrob material. looking stylish in a burgundy blazer over a crisp white button-down shirt, he laughingly added, “Hindi kasi ako ganito at sanay na nag-aayos.

White t-shirt, maong and rubber shoes lang talaga ako, so kabilang ito sa adjustment. Kaya nga kinakabahan ako eh!”

Beyond the image, however, Carlo said he is grateful that producers Piolo Pascual and Joyce Bernal of spring Films, as well as partner company Viva, have given him the opportunity to tackle a completely different role and trust him enough to take the lead. After all, since sweeping the Best Child Actor Award across Philippine Cinema’s award giving bodies for “Bata, Bata,” critics have long believed Carlo’s talent to be hugely underrated. “i feel pressured, of course, pero although na-te-tensiyon ako, i’m happy sa akin napunta ang role ni Jesse [for ‘st. gallen’] kasi challenging siya. Mahilig ako rito sa music, kumanta, pero ang gusto ng dad ko (nonie Buencamino) mag-doktor ako. Then i meet Celeste (Bella) na kare-resign lang sa trabaho and we talk seriously about our lives. May koneksiyon agad between us.”

Filling in details about the plot, “st. gallen” writer and director irene Villamor (“Camp sawi”) said, “This movie is about the special connection shared by Continued on Page 6 Philstar.com photo

Ara mina conquers her fears up in the mountains

by MJ

Marfori

ManilaTimes.net

FROm mount Daraitan to Pulag, Ara mina is just a few mountains away to climbing them all! Who would have thought that the sexy 38-yearold actress is an adventure and thrill seeker?

That was what she told in the Know right after she finished her climb at mount Pamitinan in Rizal, trekking up the risky cliff.

“Actually, would you believe takot kasi ako sa heights? Kaya i really said to myself i will conquer my fears kaya ginawa ko yang shot. Ang trick lang diyan is to not look down.”

Ara is happily balancing her thrill for adventures with her showbiz career as she is about to start her new soap with Jm De guzman on ABs-CBn. she is also in the thick of expanding her pastry business Hazelberry Cafe

by Ara in Pampanga.

“We make pastries there and after more than a year, ready na ako na ipa-franchise,” she added.

Asked to share her secret to being a “celebreneur” what with her second branch of Hazelberry Cafe in Quezon City always jam packed, she replied. “i am very hands on. Naging minicommissary na yung bahay ko.

Ara Mina conquering her fears.

That’s where i bake mismo iyong mga binebenta ko.”

Because of her success in business while she continues to act, she is flattered that fellow celebrities turn to her for

The power of kindness

From Page 3

Fax résumé to:

now 32 years old and a romantic leading man at that. The Times may even remember a three-way boy group that had Carlo as lead singer, along with John Prats and stefano mori in the ‘90s! millennials, though, already know Carlo as part of the fourway psycho-thriller love story, “The Better Half,” with shaina magdayao, JC de Vera and Denise laurel, which captivated afternoon soap addicts on ABsCBn in 2017. For them, it is but natural to see his name beside Bela Padilla’s as co-headliner of spring Films and Viva Films’ new glossy title, “meet me in st. gallen.”

most TOYs, Wins!” in contrast, during this current supposedly more informed yet not necessarily wiser age of information, the saying is likely to read. “He who has the most JOYs, Wins!

Those of us who live in big cities and are subject to the stresses of the fast pace and killer demands of modern life to “perform and deliver” in our home and work environments are more than likely to suffer from diseases and infections. it’s the curse of big city living and the rat race.

Because of such demands that can exceed individual human capacities, many feel exhausted and cannot think beyond their personal needs and wants.

Remember too that this is the “selfies generation.” The trend these days in social media is to focus on the self. many are becoming stars in their deluded

minds and in the web firmament thinking that the number of “likes” they get is proof positive of their popularity and social status.

The result is that many are becoming hardwired and focused on just their individual images to the exclusion of others. This self-obsession— today’s equivalent of the biblical golden calf of idolatry— strangely leads to depression.

Those who have seen the light, however, and have decided that kindness is beneficial to others as well as themselves, practice it quite naturally, most times, without fanfare. After all, genuine kindness is often quiet and does not need to go viral.

But when acts of kindness captured on video do go viral because a disinterested third party uploaded the clip on the internet and is viewed by millions around the world, this becomes a teachable moment when kindness can become a ripple in a pond.

Photo from Instagram/@therealaramina

guidance.

“Kris Bernal recently got in the food business. may new restaurant din siyang balak itayo and humihingi rin siya sa akin ng advise.”

Kindness without an agenda can inspire others to be kind to the people in their immediate spheres of influence. it can inspire some to be kind to those that orbit around them daily at home and at work. You could say that kindness, like the flu, is truly contagious. Unlike the flu virus though, kindness is good all around.

A caveat though…… The hormone oxytocin is not a panacea for all kinds of social anxiety problems. Too much of it when taken by prescription, like any other substance on earth taken to extremes, can cause ordinary people to become oversensitive to the emotions of others resulting in a skewed perception of reality.

Perhaps, the best ways for this love hormone to flow in one’s bloodstream are still the natural ways through lAUgHTER, EXERCisE and KinDnEss. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Health@Heart

Time for a makeover

is, to a large extent, controlled by hormones in our body. These hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what PHILIP S. CHUA, types of food we eat and how MD, FACS, FPCS much calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we THE holidays may be behind do daily. Scientific researchers are us but the physical effects, among focusing on four specific substances others, will linger a while. Medically they call “fat hormones,” which our speaking, it is actually time for own endocrine glands in the body “damage control” for those of us produce. There are hormones that who have overindulged during make one eat and there are also the festivities. And I plead guilty to hormones that signal the brain to have succumbed to the temptation tell the person to stop eating. These myself. substances control hunger and The post-holiday “makeover” is just a healthy pre-emptive measure, satiety.

“Hunger hormone” more so for those who really want The hunger hormone is Ghrelin, to maintain their normal weight which is secreted by our guts or those who have diabetes, (stomach and intestines). When its heart disease, hypertension, level goes up, we feel hungry and hypercholesterolemia, etc. have the urge to eat. The level of As with anything else, damage Ghrelin goes up when we get less control is best as a preventive sleep or not enough sleep. This is strategy. However, special the reason why those who are trying celebrations and holidays, like to lose weight should get adequate birthdays, a wedding reception, amount (about 8 hours) of sleep.

Thanksgiving Day, and especially An unbalanced meal and stress Christmas and New Year festivities, also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food which could go on for more than deprivation obviously increases the a week, expose us to irresistible Ghrelin level, hence it is better to gastronomical temptations. keep the level of this hormone on For dieters, those who are an even keel and not fluctuate too watching their weight or counting much by eating regularly (or even calories, these occasions are tough.

Blessed are those strong-willed souls, more than 3 times a day) but at a controlled total calorie ceiling, to whether or not they carry a calorie counter on one hand and a scale on maintain health and body weight.

So, starving oneself is not a good the other. These health conscious individuals will reap their rewards in way to lose weight, since this will terms of stamina, energy, a stronger lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in immune system, and even longevity, the latter part of the day.

“Satiety hormone” as shown by medical statistics.

The opposite or counter Yoyo dieting is harmful hormone, which is called Leptin, Our physiology is at the signals the brain when to stop optimum when we consume just the eating.

It controls the appetite. This right amount of calories to maintain “satiety hormone” is produced by our normal weight and when our fat cells in the body.

When a person glucose (blood sugar) level is on an loses weight, the leptin level in the even keel most of the time. When blood stream also goes down. As a we overeat and then try to starve result, there is a “rebound” weight ourselves to compensate for our gain. The best strategy in losing and indiscretion, our blood glucose maintaining a desired weight level spikes up and down, described as yoyo dieting. This severe fluctuation is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, in our blood glucose level has and not more. In this manner, there adverse effects on our body and will still be an effective level of leptin on our immune system, and poses even greater danger for persons with in the body to control the urge to eat. diabetes.

Appetite suppressants: Eating several times a day, even Dangerous!

5 or 6 times a day, NOT exceeding Most appetite control pills, the total 24-hour caloric need of juices, solutions and powders on our body, is a healthier habit that the market are not physiological helps maintain our blood glucose and unnatural way to suppress level in a more stable, less erratic (by force) the appetite for weight pattern during the day. But the key control. While they are readily is calorie control, especially from carbohydrates, combined with daily available and very popular, they have potential adverse side effects exercise. on the heart, liver, kidneys and The “fat hormones” brain in the long haul. Some serious The urge to eat (hungry or not)

complications, and even deaths, have been reported from the use of these diet substances. Taking potential “poison” to be healthy does not make sense. Since greater calorie intake than output is the cause of increase in body weight, the safest, most natural, strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food).

The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous.

The healthier “makeover” for our post-holiday misadventures includes daily gradual incremental reduction in the food we eat, daily physical exercises, as simple and easy as brisk walking for about 30 minutes a day, and hitting the scale daily (yes, daily) to check on any progress. This will aid you greatly in making you more religious to your overall personal health program.

Drinking a lot of water (not fruit juices, and especially NOT soft drinks, which are toxic) can help a lot. Excess weight that does not come down only means a greater reduction in food intake is needed.

The excess weight gained over the holidays could be safely eliminated within a week. There is really no need to buy expensive prepared “diet” foods, which are nothing but high protein-low carbohydrate, calorie-portioned, meals. Rice, bread, soft drinks, and sweets are the top culprits that cause weight gain fast and increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses. With discipline and resolve, and daily exercise, anyone can achieve the same weight control by counting calories. You can shop for smaller sizes clothing later from the money you save with this DIY dieting strategy. For those really overweight to begin with, the same strategy (output of calories must exceed the intake) works like wonders. Simply put, more exercise and less food, until the scale tells you that you have achieved your dream weight (and body!) for the NEW YOU in the exciting new year. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

Robin Padilla leads fellow celebrities in big plans for Marawi naging personal advocacy na rin nila ito eh.”

The ever-patriotic actor and KEEPING his pledge, action devoted Muslim convert believes star Robin Padilla headed to war so much more needs to be done torn Marawi before January came to rehabilitated Marawi. “Lahat to a close. po ng nagawa natin napakaliit pa In the Know caught up with lang po. Andoon pa lang tayo sa the actor at the launch of a mga evacuation centers. Iyong health supplement for men una pong naayos natin iyong tubig in Quezon City and Binoe nila sa tulong po ng mga donors. proudly shared that director Napakapagpagawa po tayo ng Joyce Bernal and “Ultimate labing anim na deep well sa Heartthrob” Piolo Pascual evacuation centers para meron po even accompanied him silang regular na tubig.” to Mindanao to visit the With the trust of his celebrity displaced families. They friends, Robin sets the direction also looked for more where their accumulated funds ways in which they can should go, and for him, the make a difference. ultimate goal is to give Marawi’s Grateful his friends residents their own land. tagged along, Robin “Iyong tungkol po sa pabahay said, “Samahan ng mga namin andun pa rin po kami sa artista ang nagpunta so proseso po ng pagbili ng lupa kasi nakita rin sa ibat-ibang private tayo. Gusto natin iyong channel. Akala ko noong una, lupa ay mapupunta po talaga monetary support lang ang sa aawardan natin ng bahay. kailangan nila pero nitong huli, Nagkaroon kasi dati ng reports aba nagulat ako. Very involved na binabawi yung mga bahay sa pala sila Ma’am Sharon Cuneta evacuees sa ibang lugar matapos at marami pang iba. Parang ang ilang taon.”

ABS-CBN photo

by MJ

MARFORI ManilaTimes.net

Robin Padilla

‘Unkabogable’ Vice Ganda bogged down by kidney stones

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor and TV host Vice Ganda underwent a successful surgery to remove kindney stones, which caused him severe abdominal pain lately.

The announcement was posted through Team Vice’s Instagram account. The post said that the box office star cannot attend the Kannadiwan Festival 2018 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur because of the operation, but Vice promised to go there once he recovered.

Meanwhile, Vice’s Instagram story was filled with flowers

sent by different people, who supported him throughout the operation.

“Thanks to everyone who sent me flowers!!! Love you guys!” the “It’s Showtime” host wrote.

“And special thanks to all of you who prayed for me. Resting and recovering now. God bless you,” he added.

Can Vice Ganda make it to James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s “Revolution” concert?

Vice, Sarah Geronimo, Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, and Bret Jackson have been invited to guest in the concert on February 9.

5

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E B R UA RY 9, 20 1 8

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 1 0

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

F E B R UA RY 1 4

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

F E B R UA RY 2 0

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

F E B R UA RY 22

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

F E B R UA RY 24

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

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

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

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

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

MARCH 14

Philippine American Bar Association’s 32nd installation & awards gala The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) invites you to its 32nd Installation and Awards Gala on Wednesday, March 14. This year’s Gala will feature keynote speaker California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu, a menu of Filipino flavors, and special performances. During the gala, PABA also will formally unveil its new logo and website, both of which were developed by a Fil-Am-owned start-up and involve colors and designs deeply rooted in the cultural history of the Philippines. To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please visit: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/paba/giftstore.jsp.

MARCH 19

Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Stevenson Ranch, CA in Los Angeles on March 14 The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-night only event to be held at West Ranch High School (26255 Valencia Blvd.

Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381) on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library, which includes “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians in the processes. Tickets are $25 for seniors/students, $30 for general, and $35 for VIP. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets are available online at westranchmusic.com, by phone at (661) 222-1220 ext. 645, or at one of the locations: Nick Rail Music - 25868 McBean Pkwy., Valencia, CA, (661) 288-2345; Nationwide Insurance, 23236 Lyons Ave. #205, Newhall, CA, (661) 254-1714; Innovations Salon - 25830 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA. (661) 255-5580; or Bella Cucina - 27911 Seco Canyon Rd. in Saugus, (661) 263-1414.

Vice Ganda Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin

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

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 9, 20 1 8

Traditions for a perfect wedding Bela Padilla denies ‘romantic’ ties with Daniel Padilla, Zanjoe Marudo

By Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

By Monet

Lu

ONE of the biggest milestones in a woman’s life is her wedding day.

Even at a young age, many girls dream of their “perfect wedding.” They dream of that pivotal moment of seeing themselves walking down the aisle and seeing their groom at the end. They can only imagine the joy and excitement that they will experience until it is actually their wedding day.

Whether it is a royal wedding, a celebrity wedding, or a simple wedding, every bride has one thing in common: that indescribable and overwhelming feeling of bliss. In all my years in the beauty industry, I can say that nothing is more beautiful than seeing a woman transform into a radiant bride. Sharing my God-given ability and being given the chance of being part of such a grand journey—such as that of Fil-Am celebrity Joyce Jimenez and Paul Egbalic, Donita Rose and Eric Villlarama and a number of others—gives me inner joy and satisfaction.

Love is a very splendorous thing; it “makes the world go round.” The tradition of two people engaging in marriage, a symbol of unity and love, is a tradition that has lasted for many years. Today we combine the rituals of the past with the trends of the present to create a memorable experience.

Every couple’s “perfect wedding” is different than another’s, but often times we run into a number of similarities.

The veil and white wedding dress are symbols of the bride’s purity, innocence, and modesty.

The bouquet and flower décor represent happiness, growth,

fertility, and the preparation for starting a new life together.

Wedding rings are the love and bond between husband and wife, to be worn on the ring finger because of the “vein of love” that leads directly to the heart.

The wedding candle symbolizes unity as the two flames merge into one, unable to be separated.

A bride-to-be also has her different ideal look. I have encountered a number of different brides whose uniqueness brings out their beauty. One bride may prefer a trendy look that is sharp and smart with an edgy vibe. Another may prefer the glamorous and dramatic red-carpet fashion that is sexy yet mysterious. There is also the natural bride, with minimal make-up and a radiant smile that says it all. The preppy bride is calm, cool, and collected, remaining prim and proper with her polished look. My personal favorite is the classic bride, whose simplistic and sophisticated

ACTRESS Bela Padilla speaks up on rumors linking her to fellow soap opera star Zanjoe Marudo and even to her own second cousin, Daniel Padilla.

In a recent interview with Philstar.com for her new movie “Meet Me in St. Gallen,” Bela stressed that she has been loveless for a year now.

“Timing is everything,” she said, and this also applies in her love life.

It can be recalled that Bela told “Tonight with Boy Abunda” that she was offended when netizens tried to link her to Daniel following her Instagram post showing her and her cousin in the same picture.

“They were pissed off that Daniel was in a picture with another girl…Parang they were look is timeless, bringing out her putting color into it…Mag-pinsan kami, alam mo iyon?” she told the elegance and beauty. show’s host, Boy Abunda.

Whichever look is decided, On February 7, she the bride and groom usually announced on her Instagram choose to honor their heritage. account that “Meet Me in St. Attire differs by culture, whether Gallen,” in which she stars with it is the Indian sari, Japanese Carlo Aquino, has been graded kimono, or the Indonesian A unanimously by the Cinema kebaya and batik. As part of Evaluation Board.

Filipino culture, brides may wear In May, she vows to return a variation of the baro’t saya, such to the small, mountainous Swiss as the Maria Clara, while grooms city of St. Gallen, reconnect with wear the Barong Tagalog. new friends there, revisit its Regardless of what anyone’s breathtaking cathedral, stare once wedding day consists of, this fantasy coming to life is definitely more at the painting that caught a day to remember. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

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.

Bela Padilla

her fancy, and take in the chilly air again. Of course, she will also post lots of selfies in her social media accounts.

It will be one week of feeding the soul.

“I hope I meet someone (special) in St. Gallen. I think I’ll meet someone in St. Gallen,” Bela

Photo from Instagram/@belapadilla

said while flashing a bright smile.

As she herself has learned, things will fall into place when you are ready. What will be, will be.

Bela hopes that when that time comes, a pleasant surprise will make her heart leap and somersault all over again.

Philippines joins Dalton First Programme 2018 Multicultural Festival NEW YORK – The Dalton School, a private co-educational college preparatory school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, celebrated its 2018 Multicultural Festival on 27 January 2018 with the theme “Games Around the World, Together We Play.”

The parents and supporters transformed 15 rooms into display and demonstration areas representing diverse cultures of the Philippines, African-American community, West Africa, the Caribbean, China, Cuba, Iceland, India, Israel, Japan, Kashmir, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey. Philippine Consulate General Cultural Officer Olive Osias-Magpile participated in the activity. The Consulate likewise provided some resource materials for the Philippine exhibit space.

The Philippine room was filled with posters and maps of Philippine destinations. A display of indigenous games with play instructions allowed for guests to enjoy sipa, sungka, turumpo, bao, and pabitin. Kids decorated colorful jeepneys and turumpo at a craft workshop table. A collection of Filipino authored books served as a reading nook for parents and children.

The Liga Filipina, the Filipino Association from Columbia University, introduced the Tinikling to the kids with their

The Dalton day-schoolers enjoy learning the Tinikling dance from Columbia University’s Liga Filipina members during the 2018 Multicultural Festival.

PCGNY photos

performance using traditional and modern music. Many children volunteered to tap and slide the bamboo, tried to dance to the tempo and added creativity to their steps.

The Multicultural Festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the school through shared experiences and education. Dr. Devi Enerio-Ellant, along with other Filipino-American parents in the school said the event has become their inspiration to put the Philippines in the school’s program for their children to learn about their roots and appreciate their Filipino culture, heritage, and values.

The Philippine room showcases Philippine indigenous games, arts and crafts, story telling and interactive Tinikling folk dance.

Mark Bautista tells all in ‘Beyond the Mark’...

From Page 3 demanding, threatening to destroy Mark’s about-to-bloom career, so he broke up with him.

• He dated girls (one a singeractress whose mother didn’t like him “because of my sexuality” and a beauty-queen-actress) and he even courted Sarah Geronimo (his “Lastikman” leading lady) who politely told him that they should be better off as friends.

• He had a bromance (“That led to intimacy”) with another guy (no clue whatsoever) that ended when the guy’s girlfriend (also

no clue whatsoever) found out about it.

There was much speculation when Mark had a meeting with Anderson Cooper (described by Mark as “a smart, fearless and openly gay news anchor”) at Anderson’s office in New York where Mark was attending a class in direction. He dreamed of being a newscaster and he idolized Anderson — “I thought to myself that if ever I would come out and share the story of my sexuality to the world I might as well be interviewed by no less

than Anderson Cooper himself.”

Mark should have no fear that his revelation will have a negative impact on his person and his career. On the contrary, the purity of his “confession” will surely endear him all the more to his fans and friends.

“Nevertheless,” he writes, “I have since made peace with the self-knowledge that I love both sexes and, if given the chance, I would love to have kids and settle down and have a family.

But for now, I don’t want to label myself.”

Carlo Aquino gives an inspired...

From Page 5 two people who meet each other the first time when they’re both in a bad place. They feel something that night but go their separate ways and only meet again years apart, two other times. Each time, they ask each other the same question, ‘What do we do now?’, uncertain if their experiences in between have changed them or that connection they felt on Day 1.”

More importantly, the film highlights the importance of actual human interaction in the age of “Facebook friends.”

“Sa panahon ngayon, napakaimportante ng human connection kasi mas mararamdaman mo ang sincerity ng isang tao kapag kaharap mo, kausap mo. Lalo na ngayon na usong-uso ang social media. Iyon ang ipinararating ng pelikula namin,” rejoined Carlo.

Finally, Philippine cinema’s newest leading man pointed to the snow-covered setting of Switzerland’s “St. Gallen” as another major highlight of the movie, not only for intensifying emotions in the romanticdrama but for his unforgettable experience shooting there.

“Sobrang na-enjoy ko yung snow!” he laughed at himself again. “Naisip ko nga, para akong nagbalik sa pagkabata.

Noong kinunan din namin siya last year, I also enjoyed their Christmas village—very scenic and cinematic siya, maganda sa mata. Pag na-experience mo siya, iba yung feeling at mai-inspire ka talaga.”

As such, hopes are high that Carlo has turned in an inspired performance in Meet Me in St. Gallen, what with the many firsts the movie has given him at this point in his career.

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 9, 20 1 8

Philippines, a versatile destination at the New York Times Travel Show nEW YORK – The Philippines, through the Department of Tourism new York (PDOTnY), Philippine Airlines, and Virginiabased tour operator Travelwise, exhibited at the new York Times Travel Show last 26 to 28 January at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in new York.

On the first exhibition day, open exclusively to visitors from the travel trade, PDOTnY Tourism Attache Susan Del Mundo delivered a presentation at a panel “Focus on Asia” in front of some 30

travel agents.

A 5-minute DOT webinar video was shown after her speech, describing the accessibility of the Philippines through the major international airports in Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao, as well as gateways to several connections throughout the country. Some targeted destinations identified were Manila, Baguio, Banawe, Ilocos, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Puerto Galera, Palawan, Davao and Siargao.

The video as well gave the

audience tips on selling the Philippine destinations based on different product mixes: Culture and History; nature and Adventure; Diving; Health and Wellness; Beaches; Shopping, Leisure and Entertainment; Cruise; and MICE and Events.

The following days attracted travel bloggers, social media influencers, foodies and tour operators, flocking to the Philippine booth to get information on their next adventure.

The Philippine Consulate General new York was represented

by Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov and Ms Beverly Pellosis.

Tourism Attaches Purificacion Molintas and Richmond Jimenez from San Francisco and Los Angeles respectively were also on hand to assist during the three days.

The new York Times Travel Show, now on its 15th year, is participated in by over 550 exhibitors from more than 170 international destinations.

About 30,000 travel and industry Ms Susan Del Mundo provides travel trade practitioners marketing tools to help sell Philippine professional attendees come to the PCGNY photos 3-day event. destinations.

Virginia-based tour operator Travelwise specializes in Philippine tours and group excursions. CEO Mr Alvin Adriano answers inquiries from an interested visitor.

Ms Susan Del Mundo presents a video webinar to help travel agents and tour operators market the Philippines to their clientele.

PACCAL conducts Women’s History Month Orientation Session for its 2018 awardees In connection with the international celebration of Women’s History Month (WHM) on March, the month earmarked for the recognition of all women worldwide, the Pan American Concerned Citizens

Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) successfully held its annual Orientation Session last Sunday, January 28, 2018 at Fiesta Grill Restaurant in West Side Avenue in Jersey City for its roster of awardees.

PACCAL 2018 Women’s History Month Orientation Session

Slated on Saturday, March 24 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (160 Frontage Road, newark, nJ), PACCAL’s WHM Gala and Awarding Ceremonies is consistently one of the most awaited early spring events this

side of the eastern seaboard.

PACCAL prides itself for being the only Fil-American Jersey Citybased organization observing this international tradition solely dedicated to the recognition oo the unparalleled achievements

of women…not to mention their paramount roles in the wide-ranging aspects of the community and their enormous contributions to the society.

Photo above shows the Women Achievers, Honorary Chairs, Influential Women awardees, and PACCAL officers and members: Seated from left to right: Evangeline Cantalejo, Dr. Ime Cruz-Banting, Rosemarie Parreno (Influential Awardee), Dr. Francia De Vera, Emilia Quidit, nieva Q. Burdick, Consuelo Almonte (Honorary Chair), Virgie Alvarez, and nina Grajo.

Standing from left to right: Juneline Cantalejo, Mae Legaspi, Dr. Angelina Ricafrente (Honorary Chair), Ramona S. Gapasin, Rollie Javier, Rose P. Javier, Clifford Manapat , Rebecca

Samanyaphon, Arian Pandes Yap, Lumen Castaneda, Herbert Y. Magtoto, Zine Anciado , and Aquitito De Vera.

Awardees not in photo: Marissa De Guzman, Virginia Mayo-Policarpio, Florenda Pedron, Excelsa de Jesus, Lenn Almadin Thornhill, Begonia Jensen, and Lynn Ciocon (Influential Awardee).

Incidentally, PACCAL 2018 WHM Gala and Awards night fashionably adapted a beige and black motif with a powerful theme that best essay the prominence of women in our society: “Empowering women in her vital role in dismantling the structural, cultural, and legal forms of discrimination, abuse, and related issues…while inspiring those walking behind them!”

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