February 20-22, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 13 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
USA
DATELINE I-15 freeway connecting Nevada and CA reopens after snow-related incidents
SC upholds 3rd martial law extension
THE Supreme Court on Tuesday, the four consolidated petitions—from February 19, voting 9-4, upheld the lawmakers, human rights lawyers constitutionality of the extension of and Mindanao residents—challengPresident Rodrigo Duterte’s martial ing the constitutionality and factual law in Mindanao until the end of basis of martial law. The SC upheld constitutionality of 2019. This is the third time that the high Duterte’s martial law declaration and court affirmed the constitutionality its subsequent year-long extensions AFTER multiple crashes due to extreme and factual basis of martial law rule until the end of 2017 and of 2018, respectively. snowy and icy conditions at the California-Ne- in the region. Parties submitted their respective In a full court session, the SC junked vada stateline on Monday, Feb. 18, Caltrans has reopened the I-15 freeway after a fourhour closure that caused heavy delays in both directions. The closures took place at Sloan Road and Rose Parkway just southwest of Las Vegas Monday morning from about 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Caltrans instructed commuters to take the Primm exit and “find a warm place to pull off and hold on place.” The closures stalled droves of Californians returning home after the long weekend wherein the greater Las Vegas area received a few inches of snowfall. And it looks like it’s not stopping anytime soon. According to the National Weather Service, Las Vegas is expecting rainfall and snowfall on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. On the night of Sunday, Feb. 17, the NWS ManilaTImes.net photo reported ice and snow on roads adjacent to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio Mountain Pass which caused multiple accidents. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Palace: First daughter California sues Trump Sara Duterte could administration over be the next president national emergency by NATHALIE
declaration
ROBLES
AJPress
THE news of President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration has now reached a legal challenge in the form of a lawsuit on Monday, Feb. 18 led by the attorneys general of 16 states including California. The states claim that the president’s efforts in redirecting federal dollars for the $5.7 billion-wall at the United States-Mexico border by way of national emergency are “unlawful and unconstitutional” according to the lawsuit. The State of California — led by CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra — filed the lawsuit in the Northern District of California in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday and plans to take the administration to court to stop the president from utilizing the powers provided by a national emergency declaration. By declaring a national emergency, Trump has special powers that could divert taxpayer funds from other federal budgets to pay for the construction of the wall.
PALACE spokesman Salvador Panelo said that first daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio might become the next leader of the country, following his father President Rodrigo Duterte’s footsteps. “I will not be surprised if she becomes president of this country after her father. There are many admirers of Inday Sara – admirers and supporters,” Panelo said as reported by The Philippine Star. The presidential spokesperson and legal counsel said that the female Duterte has garnered many supporters due to the similar characteristics she exudes that remind the public of her father. “In fact, there is even a movement launching her to be the next president. Many believe in her. They see in her the character of the father: formidable, intelligent, courageous — braver than the president, I heard,” Panelo said in English and Filipino. Panelo said that the current Davao City mayor’s tough and strict methods earned her the trust and admiration of her constituents. The younger Duterte has been recently seen campaigning for senatorial candidates under the political party Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP). “Definitely, Mayor Sara is very strict. You know what
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memoranda on February 4. AJ Carandang’s first SC decision SC Public Information Chief Brian Hosaka, in a press briefing, said that Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang penned the decision. Carandang is the most junior member of the current SC justice bench, Hosaka said that he has no information on the arguments that the SC delved into when they voted on the
petitions earlier on Tuesday. A copy of the full text of the decision has yet to be uploaded as of this story’s posting. The SC held oral arguments on the petitions on January 29. It was attended by top military officials, including Maj. Gen. Pablo Lorenzo, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for intel-
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‘IT’S STILL MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES’. Department of Tourism Secretary (DOT) Bernadette Romulo Puyat and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año lead the launching of the refreshed “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign to promote sustainable tourism in the country. The event also unveils the new logo of the campaign and a tour of the newly-renovated National Museum of Natural History on Monday, February 18 at the National Museum, Manila. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
DOT relaunches PH tourism campaign by AJPRESS THE country’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign was relaunched on Monday, February 18, by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The repurposed campaign, which would now use crowdsourcing in a bid for “sustainable tourism”, meant to attract more tourists. It was propelled by Boracay’s six-month closure, in an effort to rehabilitate the world-famous tourist spot after it was destroyed by pollution and violations on environmental laws. The composite photo shows the old and new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” logos of the
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Department of Tourism.
Photos courtesy of DOT
Sandiganbayan commences plunder case trial for Enrile PH move to delist Desaparecidos: by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
THE Sandiganbayan Third Division began the trial of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday, February 19, for the plunder and graft case against him due to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The case was filed more than four years ago but Enrile failed to appear at most of the recent hearings because he has been campaigning for yet another Senate seat. “It is my right to attend the hearing or not attend the hearing. I leave it to my lawyers to handle it,” Enrile said in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The senatorial candidate continuously asserted his innocence in the whole pork barrel fiasco. In an interview with CNN Philippines chief correspondent Pia Hontiveros, Enrile confidently eyed a not-guilty verdict Inquirer.net photo for the said charges.
“The burden of proof is on the government because of the fact that I am presumed innocent. Precisely that’s my theory, that if I’m perceived innocent by the Constitution, why detain me? Deprive me of freedom? I would like to see the end of it,” Enrile said. The 95-year-old senator faces a plunder charge and 15 counts of graft when he was accused of diverting his pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) in exchange for kickbacks. “I do not want to discuss my case, but all I can say is the government will be lucky if they present any credible evidence,” Enrile said at the forum in Annabel’s Restaurant, Quezon City on Saturday, February 16. Enrile’s first case was filed June 2014 together with the two “pork-tagged senators” Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada. However, it was delayed on the grounds that the charges and allegations were deemed as vague.
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‘An extension of grave injustice’ by AJPRESS
LOCAL human rights group Karapatan on Monday, February 18, criticized the government’s move to delist over 600 cases of enforced and involuntary disappearances in the Philippines, calling it “an extension of a grave injustice”. “This can only be an extension of the grave injustice that the kin of desaparecidos have gone through and fueling impunity beneficial to the perpetrators,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said as reported by The Philippine Star. Karapatan urged the United Nations Working Group on En-
forced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGEID) not to approve the said move after senior government officials formally asked the delisting of 625 cases of disappearances. “The victims have been abducted and are still missing and yet the government even wants to obliterate their families’ efforts to seek justice. The Philippine government is desperately trying to deodorize the stench of the atrocities that its state forces have committed at the expense of the victims and their families,” Palabay added. The human rights group leader dissected the intent of the
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From the Front Page
PH move to delist Desaparecidos: ‘An extension...
PAGE A1 Presidential Human Rights Committee Undersecretary Severo Catura in initiating the delisting from 1975 to 2012. She said that the administration should be reminded of the crimes and abuses that happened in the past. “What is the real intention behind this? Unfortunately for the Duterte government and its pre-
decessors, they do not deserve a clean slate. They deserve a strong and consistent reminder of the crimes and atrocities committed against the Filipino people,” Palabay said. Officials led by Catura assured the UNWGEID in Saravejo, Bosnia-Herzegovina that a strong legal framework and institutional mechanisms in address-
ing desaparecidos have been established by the Philippine government. However, Palabay disputed the government’s claim, noting that most of the disappearances were attributed to government forces. She reached out to the United Nations agency to intervene and prevent the “outright whitewashing of these hideous crimes.” “We ask the UNWGEID to visit the country now. We went to your office because all legal remedies inside the country have failed. We want you to intervene in the search for justice for these crimes against the Filipino people,” the secretarygeneral asked as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. According to the data acquired from other human rights groups, Karapatan said that at least 759 individuals disappeared during the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ term, 821 during Corazon Aquino’s term, 39 during Fidel Ramos’ term, 26 during Joseph Estrada’s term, 206 during Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term, 29 during Benigno Aquino’s III term and eight during Rodrigo Duterte’s term. “What remains a barrier is the government’s denial that such forms of human rights violations continue to this day. We have faced one brick wall after [another] even in obtaining substantial responses [from] government agencies on the whereabouts of disappeared persons,” she added. “Since domestic mechanisms have failed in attaining justice, families of the disappeared have sought redress through international mechanisms, such as UNWGEID, to underscore the fact that their loved ones remain missing, that the victims and the crimes against them should be recognized and that the state remains accountable for these,” Palabay added. The administration promised the UN delegation that they would continue to assist families of the disappeared. The Department of Justice (DOJ) took up 105 of the cases in violation of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 and the Human Rights Victims Recognition and Reparation Act of 2013. n
SWIM AND PLAY. Baseco residents swim and play in Manila Bay on Sunday, February 17. Citing health issues, the health department advised the public against swimming in the bay while efforts to rehabilitate it are ongoing. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
SC upholds 3rd martial law...
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ligence and Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police chief. During the oral arguments, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa asked the government to define when it could be said that rebellion—one of the justifications in the 1987 Constitution for martial law—has been quelled and recommend the lifting of military rule in Mindanao.
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, AFP chief, told the court during the oral arguments that the military defines “destruction of the enemy” when they have “reduced the enemy 30 percent.” The enemy’s capability is measured in terms of manpower, firearms, support system (such as controlled barangays) and violent incidents. Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza asked Madrigal what
it means to the military when the enemy’s capability is reduced to 30 percent. Madrigal said that it meant that the capability was “brought down to level of law enforcement or the police can take the lead.” When the military attains that, Madrigal said, “we would gladly recommend the lifting of martial law.” (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Sandiganbayan commences plunder... PAGE A1 The said charge was about the P172.83-million plunder case filed against him due to his alleged involvement with the pork barrel scam. He was accused of earning about P172.83 million in “commissions” from 2003 to 2010. He was said to have collaborated and conspired with pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Na-
poles, along with his former chief of staff — Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, and her driver-bodyguard John Raymund de Asis. The former Senate president requested a bill of particulars or a more detailed charge sheet from the Ombudsman. However, the motion was only granted with finality by the Supreme Court in 2016. Enrile then used the bill of par-
DOT relaunches PH tourism...
PAGE A1 “We can have fun at the same time we protect the environment. This is not mere continuity, this is sustainability. This (campaign) aims to repurpose fun into sustainability,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a speech during the relaunch at the National Museum of Natural History, DOT’s previous home. According to Puyat, the crowd-sourced tourism materials through social media were the key aspects of the revamped campaign as the DOT saw at least 4.3 million locals and foreigners using the tagline in their photos and videos. She also said that the campaign’s popularity has brought millions to the Philippines and prompted the dissemination of photos, videos, and comments online showing why “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” “This [is] a campaign by the tourists. It will focus mainly on real people and real experiences as more travelers become conscious about their ecological footprints and cultures they are consuming and wanting to know
how they can give back,” Puyat said. The tourism campaign was first launched in 2012. It was met with mixed response from netizens, with some pointing out that the tagline was ripped off from a 1951 Swiss tourism slogan. The improved ad gave up the Harabara font for the new Barabara font, based on the jeepney signage typography. The font will be open sourced and available for download by anyone to create their Philippine tourism content. The new ad also brandishes a new logo — a weave of local textiles in different colors that represent “uniquely Filipino products.” Puyat, when asked why she has decided to continue the campaign instead of embarking on a new one, said, “I actually believe in continuity. In other countries, they never change their campaign. In Malaysia, it’s been ‘Malaysia Truly Asia.’ In India, it’s been ‘Incredible India.’ I am the third Tourism secretary to use the hashtag. I believe it’s
ticulars to file a motion seeking to dismiss his case, which the Sandiganbayan later dismissed. He was released on bail after the SC reversed a Sandiganbayan ruling that denied him of temporary liberty in 2015. The senatorial candidate said that he would leave the legal concerns of his case among his lawyers should it impede his Senate bid for the May 2019 polls. n
because it works. The Philippines has embraced the hashtag. We’ve made it our own. Why not continue what’s good?” Giving back For every post on the internet, the government will be donating $10 dollars to the International World Wide fund for Nature (WWF) in a bid to preserve beaches mountains and wildlife in the country, according to Puyat. “It’s but fitting that whatever we pay, it goes back to the environment as we promote sustainability,” she said. Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, for his part, said the government would strike a balance between visitor demand and protecting the environment to avoid a repeat of what happened to Boracay. “We have to strike a balance between business opportunities and responsibilities to our environment. If we don’t take care of the environment there will be no tourist destinations,” said Año during the launch press conference. n
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Hermogenes Esperon: ‘Increase of US navigation patrols no problem’ by JAIME LAUDE Philstar.com
THE Philippines has no problem with the plan of the United States to increase its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea with partners and treaty allies, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said. “If the U.S., United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France and New Zealand and even India would want to patrol the South China Sea, then that is alright with us if the only intent is to show freedom of navigation,” Esperon said SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT. Philippine Army Commanding General , Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto (right), Tarlac Heritage Foundation cofounder Dra. Isa Suntay (center), and 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Henry Robinson (left) lead the ceremonial Monday, February 18. However, if the intention is to tree planting at the Hardin ng Lunas, Camp Lt.Tito B. Abat in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Tuesday, February 19. The activity is part of their commitment to provide nutritional and organic produce for the health and welfare of military personnel, dependents and the communities go near contested areas, Esperon that they serve. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan said then the operations could only spark more tension. Early this week, two U.S. guided-missile destroyers – USS Spruance and USS Preble – sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Chinese occupied Panganiban (Mischief) Reef. Now a heavily fortified Chinese by TETCH TORRES-TUPAS military base in the disputed reInquirer.net gion, Panganiban Reef is located within the Philippines’ 200-nauTHE United Nations report on tical mile exclusive economic allegedly “targeted” female rights zone (EEZ) in the West Philipdefenders in the Philippines is pine Sea. “highly misplaced” as it “based on Beijing denounced the latest false information,” according to U.S. Navy’s action, calling it a Malacañang Palace. violation of China’s maritime and Presidential spokesperson Salterritorial rights in the region. vador Panelo issued the statement A senior U.S. Navy official earon Tuesday in reference to a report Sen. Leila de Lima, former Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Rappler CEO lier said more FONOPs would be Maria Ressa Inquirer.net photos by UN Special Rapporteur Michel launched in the near future with “The events that led to the pres- following the law.” Forst on Sen. Leila de Lima, fortreaty allies. “The fact that Senator de Lima, mer Supreme Court Justice Maria ent circumstances of these personLourdes Sereno and Rappler chief alities are products of their own Atty. Sereno and Ms. Ressa are executive officer Maria Ressa, say- doing which all took place prior critics of the Administration is of ing that they “tend to be targeted to the assumption of PRRD [Presi- no moment and absolutely unrefor their visibility — not only to si- dent Rodrigo Roa Duterte] to the lated to the criminal charges they PAGE A1 are facing,” he said. lence them but also to discourage presidential seat,” he added. the people there in Davao City According to him, Filipinos said when she was mayor until He noted the following points: broader dissent.” De Lima was the secretary of are no longer fooled by “politi- now, she is more strict than MayAccording to Panelo, the detention of De Lima, the ouster of the Department of Justice when cal dramas “concocted” by the or Digong, especially in terms of Sereno, and charges filed against the drugs in the New Bilibid Pris- administration’s critics who then expenses,” Panelo said. Ressa were the “product of their on proliferated, allegedly with her resort to international groups who The spokesperson believed that are “clueless” of the real situation the resources used by Hugpong participation. own doing.” Sereno did not provide copies in the country and “gullibly” lend could also be utilized should the “Attributing the detention of Senator Leila de Lima, the unseat- of her Statements of Assets, Li- their names to “such unworthy first daughter decide on a higher ing of Atty. Ma. Lourdes Sereno abilities, and Net Worth (SALN) cases.” public seat. However, he said that Panelo directed a message to any clarification regarding Mayor as Chief Justice and the filing of when she applied as Chief Justice charges against Ms. Maria Ressa during the administration of Presi- Forst, saying: “The UN Special Sara’s intent to run for president Rapporteur should — and must “should be addressed to her.” as part of the President’s policies dent Benigno Aquino III and Ressa did not pay the cor- — consciously, efficiently and and alleging that their unfortuPanelo clarified that the Duterte nate situations were designed by rect taxes and published libelous thoroughly verify the facts and patriarch believed in the survival the government to silence them articles against a private citizen circumstances surrounding the of the fittest as the spokesman aforementioned personalities be- reiterated that the president ”did and discourage broader dissent before Duterte’s presidency. Panelo said the Duterte admin- fore reports on their situation are not interfere with Mayor Sara are the same false narratives peddled by the usual cynics of the istration should not be blamed for published so as not to stain the and I don’t think he would interAdministration,” Panelo said in a enforcing the law “more rigorous- integrity and credibility of his of- fere, given his character.” ly” and if its critics “have issues fice.” ■ statement. However, Duterte-Carpio re-
Palace: UN report on PH rights defenders ‘based on false info’
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
Britain had earlier announced plans to deploy its new aircraft carrier to the South China Sea. While any nation may send ships to the South China Sea, Esperon said it would be best if military deployments are reduced. “Since nobody is prohibiting anyway any ships from sailing in the South China Sea, then I believe that it would be better if we reduce the number of military deployments. Admittedly, it becomes very unbalanced because China itself has deployed not only the Navy but its coast guard and civilian water craft,” he said. He also said his office is now studying the viability of internationalizing all the features in disputed waters to allow all
Palace: First daughter Sara Duterte... sponded during an HNP campaign sortie in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that she would announce her decision sometime in January 2021. She admitted that deciding such requires a lot of time. “Yung pagtakbo kasi ng presidente hindi ‘yan overnight na decision (Running for president is not an overnight decision),” Duterte-Carpio said as reported by The Manila Times. “It needs money, machinery at pinaka importante sa lahat is yung wisdom at guidance ng Diyos dahil magiging mahirap ‘yan kundi para sa’yo ‘yan (but the most important thing is wisdom and guidance from the Lord because it will be difficult if it’s not intended for you),” she added. The presidential daughter be-
Inquirer.net photo
countries access to these areas. Esperon made his position known following Beijing’s announcement of its setting up of a maritime rescue center on Kagitingan Reef. He said he hopes an “internationalization” of contested areas would also pave the way for demilitarization. For instance, Esperon said he is not against having visitors from Malaysia, Indonesia and other neighboring countries, including China, to the Philippineoccupied Pag-asa Island. Told that such development would weaken the Philippine territorial and maritime position over the Kalayaan Island Group, he reiterated that the administration is not surrendering an inch of the country’s territory. ■
lieved that her intent to run as the next chief executive would be influenced by the circumstances she has yet to encounter. She issued that she might arrive at a decision two years from now. “Depende sa circumstances. Siguro gawa na lang tayo ng deadline na on January of 2021 (It depends on the circumstances. Maybe, let’s just set a deadline, on January of 2021),” she explained. Duterte-Carpio’s name has been the talk of the town regarding the 2022 presidential race. However, she repeatedly denied any desire to acquire a national post. At present, she campaigns to seek reelection as Davao City mayor in the upcoming May 13 midterm elections. ■
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Marawi not a ‘ghost city’, Washington Post article ‘not true’ – task force head by Daphne
Galvez Inquirer.net
THe Task Force Bangon marawi (TFBm) on Tuesday, February 19, disputed a news article, claiming war-torn marawi City remains a “ghost town” more than a year after the military dislodged Islamic state-inspired maute group in the area. TFBm chairman eduardo del Rosario asserted marawi City is currently “alive and booming” and “full of economic activity” contrary to a Washington Post article published February 1, which stated “marawi looks almost as it did when the bombs and bullets stopped flying in october 2017.” The news article noted that no new structure has been built and debris has not been cleared in marawi City since the war ended. marawi City served as battleground for five months between the armed forces and maute of medical excuses. “so that’s group, which attempted to estabreassuring to some degree,” he lish a caliphate there. said. “Wala pong katotohanan itong overall, California’s measles lumabas sa Washington Post,” vaccination rate is now 96.9 percent, well above the desired threshold. Watt said, “We do have this particular concern, as we have in the past, about places where there may be pockets of low immunization coverage” — such as individual schools. by Cathrine Gonzales Three rural northern CaliforInquirer.net nia counties — sutter, Trinity and nevada — have measles A RomAn Catholic priest, inivaccination rates below the 90 tially detained for sexual abuse, percent threshold widely conwas arrested again Tuesday, Febsidered to be the minimum ruary 19, for allegedly molesting level for effectively stopping over 50 other victims – includthe spread of the disease, acing altar boys as young as seven cording to data from the public years old. health department. Authorities arrested Father measles causes a high fever Kenneth Pius Hendricks more and a distinctive rash, and can than two months after he was lead in some cases to severe first detained at the Bureau of complications in children such Immigration (BI) detention cell as encephalitis and pneumonia, in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig which can be fatal. City for sexual abuse. The federal Centers for DisHendricks was initially arrestease Control and Prevention ed on December 5, 2018 in Bilirecommends that children get ran province by virtue of a wartheir first dose of measles vacrant of arrest issued by a United cine (mmR), which also protects against mumps and rubella, at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
The measles success story in California is showing signs of fading by harriet
Blair rowan Kaiser Health News
A RAsH of recent measles outbreaks in new York, Texas and Washington state shines a light on California’s largely successful effort in recent years to suppress the disease — though some of the shine might be fading. A serious measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in December 2014 and carried over into 2015 contributed to a steep increase in vaccination rates among California kindergartners over the following three years. But the gains stopped last year, according to the most recent available data. In the 2013-14 school year, which immediately preceded the Disneyland outbreak, the percentage of kindergartners enrolled in schools boasting vaccination rates of 95 percent or above — considered the optimal level to avoid contagion — stood at 57 percent. By the 2016-17 academic year, the percentage of kindergarten pupils in schools with optimal vaccination rates had hit 90 percent. In 2017-18, however, it dipped slightly back below 90 percent. measles has again gained attention because of five outbreaks so far this year in the U.s., including a serious one
in Washington state. Through the first week of February, 101 measles cases have been reported across 10 states. That’s compared with a preliminary count of 372 for all of 2018 and 120 in 2017. California’s favorable trend had accelerated dramatically after officials, galvanized by the Disneyland-linked infections, implemented a law in 2016 that eliminated a loophole through which parents were allowed to enroll their children in school without vaccinating them if they claimed that vaccinations violated their personal beliefs. But another kind of exemption was still allowed. over the past three years, vaccination exemptions signed by doctors on medical grounds have more than tripled, though they are still at a low level. This suggests that parents who once cited personal beliefs to avoid inoculating their kids might be claiming medical reasons instead. Could this trend be contributing to the loss of momentum in vaccination rates? “I think that’s definitely a concern,” said Dr. James Watt, chief of the Division of Communicable Disease Control at the California Department of Public Health. He said, however, that the elimination of personal belief exemptions in the 2016 law still far outweighs the rise
Del Rosario said in a press briefing. “We would just like to say the reality on the ground na ito ay walang katugmang nangyayari on the ground na ghost city siya but instead it’s full of economic activity, (We would just like to say the reality on the ground here is not similar to what is happening on the ground as a ghost city but instead it’s full of economic activity),” he added. Del Rosario further said: “Ang marawi city ngayon (Marawi today), if you will go there, mahihirapan kang makarating hanggang sa (you will find it hard to get to until to the) center of the city dahil napakagrabe ng traffic (because of the terrible traffic).” “Business activities, economic activities, and movement of people. so many vehicles ang nagpupunta na sa marawi city and this triggers economic activity,” he also said. maute group led by brothers omar and Abdullah maute and assisted by a faction of the Abu sayyaf group under Isnilon Hapilon started their siege of marawi
City on may 23, 2017. This triggered an armed conflict that lasted for five months. President Rodrigo Duterte declared marawi City “liberated from terrorist influence” on october 17, 2017. According to Del Rosario, the Washington Post article “overly dramatized negatively” the current situation in marawi City. He underscored that the mostdevastated area in the city was only 250 hectares as opposed to the city’s total area of 8,000 hectares. “If the writer of the article was referring to the most-affected area, that is only 250 hectares and that was devastated during the siege for five months,” Del Rosario said. “And 250 hectares is just .03 percent of the total area of 8,000 hectares. mukhang masyadong na-dramatize negatively (ang situation) (It seems like they dramatized negatively [the situation]),” he added. Del Rosario said efforts to rehabilitate and reconstruct marawi are still ongoing. n
American priest arrested anew for abusing 50 more victims, mostly altar boys states District Court for ohio on november 11, 2018 for “engaging in illicit sex with a minor in a foreign country.” Police, however, served Tuesday another five warrants of arrest against the priest for allegedly molesting more victims, who are mostly altar boys. Police said the victims, who were previously afraid to report to authorities due to apparent grave threats from Hendricks, only had the courage to come out after learning that the priest has already been arrested by immigration authorities. The five warrants of arrest were issued by Biliran Regional Trial Court Branch 16 for acts of lasciviousness and child abuse
charges against Hendricks. Hendricks’ second arrest was a joint effort of the Regional special operations Unit (RsoU) of the national Capital Region Police office (nCRPo), BI’s Fugitive search Unit, and U.s. Department of Homeland security. He would be transferred from the BI detention facility to RsoU jail. According to police, Hendricks came to the Philippines from Cincinnati in ohio, U.s. in 1968. Upon arrival to the country, he was ordained as priest in the Franciscan order and practiced his vocation at the st. Isidore the Worker Chapel at Talustosan Village in Biliran province. n
Authorities arrested Father Kenneth Pius Hendricks more than two months after he was first detained at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for sexual abuse. NCRPO photo
US police remain blank on alleged killer of Fil-Am in Chicago by Faye
orellana Inquirer.net
THe Chicago police remain blank concerning the identity of the perpetrator behind the death of Filipino-American Anthony del Barrio nearly a month after the incident transpired, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on saturday, February 16. The DFA said that according to the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the case of 30-
year-old Del Barrio is still under investigation. Del Barrio was found dead between two houses in the Village of morton Grove on January 20. He succumbed to a single bullet wound. The police are ruling that the cause of death was homicide and they are still establishing leads to crack the case, the DFA said. Based on inquiries done by the Philippine Consulate before the Filipino community in Chicago,
Del Barrio was a third generation Filipino-American born and raised in the United states. no passport or dual citizenship record of Del Barrio or any member of his family was also found by the authorities. The DFA extended its condolences to the family of Del Barrio following his death. The department also asked the public to coordinate with the authorities in Chicago for any possible information related to Del Barrio’s death. n
California sues Trump administration over...
PAGE A1 “Today, on Presidents’ Day, we take President Trump to court to block his misuse of presidential power,” Becerra said in a statement, adding that Trump is “willing to manipulate the office of the Presidency to engage in unconstitutional theater performed to convince his audience that he is committed to his ‘beautiful border wall.’” “President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt,” Becerra said. “He knows there is no border crisis. He knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this case in court.” The plaintiffs allege that Trump’s justification for the national emergency is rooted in the paranoia of a “hyped crisis,” according to Becerra. Previously, Trump and his administration
have maintained that the number of prospective immigrants arriving at the southern border from Central America are a threat to national security. “Unlawful southern border entries are at their lowest point in 20 years, immigrants are less likely than native-born citizens to commit crimes and illegal drugs are more likely to come through official ports of entry,” Becerra explained. on Friday, Feb. 15 when Trump officially announced the national emergency at the White House, Trump indicated that he’s not backing down and is ready and willing to take the issue up to the supreme Court if need be. “They will sue us in the 9th Circuit,” the president told reporters at the White House Rose Garden. “We will possibly
get a bad ruling, and then we’ll get another bad ruling and then we’ll end up in the supreme Court.” In addition to California, the 15 other states suing the administration include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, nevada, new Jersey, new mexico, new York, oregon, and Virginia. As previously reported by the Asian Journal, Trump’s declaration of a national emergency came at the heels of an agreement between the White House and Congress to stop a second government shutdown. Friday’s government spending bill included $1.375 billion for the wall and border security, but that fell short of the $5.7 billion he requested. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 20-22, 2019
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Dateline PhiliPPines
I will kill anyone who asks for a birth certificate —Locsin by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
DEATH WARRANT? Rice watch group Bantay Bigas and labor group Anakpawis protest the Rice Tariffication Act, recently signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, that lifts import limits on rice. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
Philippine governors support Imee Marcos tHe League of provinces of the philippines (Lpp) squarely backs the senatorial bid of Ilocos norte Gov. Imee marcos, citing her “no nonsense performance in public service and governance as champion for the improvement of the lives of Filipinos, especially those in the countryside.” the governor is advocating for the unconditional and automatic release of the 40 percent share of all national taxes of local government units. In a resolution released recently, the Lpp describes marcos as “an efficient and effective local public official” who can immensely contribute in realizing the vision of president rodrigo Duterte to build a stronger and more progressive republic. the Lpp, which gathers all governors from the 81 provinces across the country, expressed confidence that marcos will “bring to the Senate the concerns of local governments and local government officials to reinforce local autonomy and ensure local development.” marcos is batting for the immediate release of the 40% mandated “just share” of LGUS of Internal revenue allotments– computed on the basis of all national taxes collected and not just from national internal revenue taxes.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
marcos lamented that LGUs have only been receiving 16 percent of their national taxes share instead of 40 percent. “that is really insufficient. as a candidate coming from the ranks of local government officials, I know what local executives feel – the issues that are closest to their hearts. Our budget is sorely lacking when in fact we are at the frontline when it comes to delivering services to our constituents,” she added. “there is already a Supreme Court ruling on the 40 percent
Ira share of LGUs. But in reality, Customs duties, excise tax, documentary tax and stamp tax – all these are removed from the computation of the Ira,” she said. marcos stressed the Ira share of LGUs must be released automatically without need of yearly appropriations. “When our kababayans have problems, who do they run to? they go to us local government officials. So we must help our LGUs by ensuring they receive their ‘just share,’” marcos said. “more than 50% of the poor are also in the countryside and the LGUs are our frontliners in the fight against poverty. they need all the resources they can muster to address the problem of poverty in the rural areas,” she added. In July last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the “just share” of LGUs must be based on all national taxes. the decision stemmed from a petition filed by former Batangas rep. and now provincial Gov. Hermilando mandanas, who claimed that from 1992 to 2012, unreleased Ira had reached p500 billion. the high court, however, ruled the implementation of higher Ira is prospective and not retroactive. PAGE A7
Department of Foreign affairs (DFa) Secretary teodoro Locsin Jr. on tuesday, February 19, warned that he will “kill” anyone who asks applicants for a birth certificate as a requirement for passport renewal. the DFa chief made the statement after a netizen on twitter asked him if the document was still needed for renewing passports. “Sir @teddyboylocsin kailangan pa rin po ba ng birth certificate pag nag parenew ng passport? Salamat po. (Sir @ teddyboylocsin is the birth certificate still required for passport renewal? Thank you),” the tweet read. “Hindi. putangina. (No. Son of a bitch.) not for passport renewal. If anyone asks you, tell me who and I will fucking kill him/her,” Locsin tweeted in response. In another tweet, he said, “I
just want to make myself fucking clear. that fucking birth certificate requirement is out because it was an idiotic requirement according to top retired DFa officials.” the birth certificate requirement for passport renewal was removed by Locsin through Department Order (DO) 03-2019 issued last month. However, the order only covers regular renewal of passports and not first-time passport applications, renewal applications for lost and mutilated passports, renewal requiring changes in the passport entries, renewal of old brown and green passports bearing no complete middle name, and applicants included in DFa’s watchlist. the order came amid concerns over an alleged data security breach covering Filipino passport holders. Locsin said the DFa was forced to “rebuild” its database for passports issued before 2010 after the incident.
DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Inquirer.net photo
the DFa, however, announced later that it has “full control” of passport data. It said the information “has not been shared or accessed by any unauthorized party.” the national privacy Commission, for its part, said it will continue to investigate whether or not a data breach occurred. n
A6 FEBRUARY 20-22, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Snakes and crocodiles
FEATURES
IT may be a snake pit, but not all denizens of the House of Representatives are snakes. This is according to Fredenil Castro, who recently replaced Rolando Andaya Jr. as House majority leader amid an ugly squabble with the Department of Budget and Management. Castro was lamenting what he described as the sweeping prejudgment of congressmen as venal, with some likening the lawmakers to vociferous crocodiles. But he conceded that there are rotten eggs in the House basket, even as he defended the actions of the chamber. Among those acts is the recent approval of rules that make it harder for mass media and the public to obtain copies of congressmen’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALN. Some lawmakers insist that the new rules in fact remove the arbitrariness in the approval or denial of requests for SALNs. But requiring approval of such requests by a review committee, by the owner of the SALN and then by the House plenary certainly looks like congressmen are making it harder to allow access to documents that are supposed to be a matter of public record. In addition, those requesting access must pay P300 for every SALN copy. That means forking out over P80,000 for anyone seeking to scrutinize the SALNs of all the House members including party-list representatives. The normal
Editorial
cost of photocopying documents on regular bond paper averages P5 per page. The chamber, packed with multimillionaires and even billionaires, must be in dire need of
funds. Lawmakers are invoking their personal security and privacy in the tighter rules. Will any self-respecting terrorist, assassin or kidnapper, however, bother to consult a public official’s SALN in picking a target and planning an operation? Congressmen also claim that they are simply making the rules at par with those of other bodies such as the Supreme Court. But why should the legislature follow the example of the SC? Two chief justices were ousted over issues related to their SALNs. Lawmakers can lead the way in promoting transparency in government. Instead Congress has decided to move in the opposite direction, sparking reminders that those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear. If the public has the impression that snakes and crocodiles populate the House of Representatives, its members have only themselves to blame. (Philstar.com)
Philstar.com photo
Removing President Donald Trump from office through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
people of color — in violation of the Constitution. How did we get here and how do we get out of this quagmire? We have heard about impeachment, the 2020 elections, we have also heard about invoking the 25th Amendment — removing the president from office when it can be proven he is unfit to fulfill the duties, responsibilities and obligation of being president. Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute explained that the 25th Amendment was an effort to resolve some of the continuing issues revolving around the Office of the President — “What happens upon death, removal, removal, or resignation of the President and what is the course to follow if for some reason the President becomes disabled to such a degree that he cannot fulfill his responsibilities.” I did some reading about this and let me share with you what I learned about it. Amendment XXV, “Presidential Disability and Succession” was passed by Congress on July 6, 1965. It was ratified on February 10, 1967, intended to change a portion of Article II,
Section 1of the US Constitution. According to the National Constitution Center, the US Constitution is one of the most difficult constitutions in the world to amend. It explained that to do this requires to surmount the hard job of getting two-thirds of the House, twothirds of the Senate, and threequarters of the states’ legislatures to agree on something. However, it pointed out that “the really hard part of passing an amendment is getting Congress to deal with it in the first place.” Writer Brian C. Kalt explained: “Being a good idea is not enough to make something happen in Congress. Congress has limited space on its agenda, and typically it takes action only when doing so serves the interests of politically powerful constituencies. There must be something in it for them.” The author then looked back to three important factors that made the 25th Amendment part of the Constitution. The first factor was on presidential disability, “the impetus for change came from the White House. In Congress, hundreds
of representatives and senators each consider hundreds of issues and balance the interests of hundreds of clamoring interest groups. By contrast, when President Eisenhower suffered his serious health issues, he was just one man presented with one very stark reality: if he ever got really sick, the Constitution would not handle it well. This was particularly problematic in the middle of the Cold War. It was time for a change, and Eisenhower’s subsequent efforts at reform got the ball rolling.” The second factor was “the shocking assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963 created a brief window of opportunity, during which the nation was more inclined than usual to look at issues outside of the usual interest-group politics. It was a rare opportunity to focus the country’s attention on issues of presidential and vice-presidential vacancies, and presidential disability.” “Third, and probably most important, was the extraordinary leadership of Senator Birch Bayh. Shortly before the Kennedy assassination, Bayh—then in his first year in the Senate—
TWO YEARS into President Donald Trump’s presidency and a lot of Americans ask, “How did we get here?” After a scandal-free Obama presidency, America now is being “led” by a business mogul who runs the country in the same way as his reality show — full of drama, cliff hangers, no respect for the truth, no sense of accountability. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” facing numerous investigations and lawsuits along with his family, business empire, charitable foundation, campaign and transition team. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who has been deemed to be sleeping with the enemy of the United States (Russia), while being obsessed and infatuated with other dictators of the world, while waging war and animosity with the long-time allies of the United States and breaking ties with nations and organizations the United States had treaties with to honor — much to the delight of his beloved Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who has been undermining the democratic institutions of the United States: the U.S. intelligence community, the judiciary, the legislature, the free news media. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who dares fabricate a fake “national emergency” when there is no national emergency at the border just so he could build the wall he promised his blind followers during the campaign, aiming to funnel money appropriated for disaster relief and military projects to fund his wall. When in fact, if this was a true national emergency, he would have made it a priority when he had control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, and not wait for the House to be reclaimed by Democrats two years after. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who divides America instead of unifying us, demonizing immigrants - both documented and undocumented,” giving preferential treatment to white people at the expense of
PeaceMaker
Rebuilding new roads to peace, security and human development
FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. Part 2 of 3
(Remarks of former Philippine speaker Jose de Venecia - founding chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); co-chairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); chairman emeritus, Universal Peace Federation (UPF); Special Envoy of the President to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue at the UPF World Summit 2019 “Peace, Security and Human Development” Seoul, Republic of Korea; February 7-11, 2019) Ideological differences shouldn’t get in the way Excellencies, friends: In Northeast Asia today, we need to develop pragmatic and creative methods that will try to rebuild North-South relations in
the Korean Peninsula—without hopefully allowing too many of the ideological differences to get in the way. It is our hope to contribute even small efforts to peace and unification in the Korean peninsula, which now have the beginnings and potential to lead to a breakthrough long awaited by Asia and the global community. Proposals for peace in the Korean peninsula We believe that over and above the giving up of its nuclear weapons, it would be realpolitik to expect that North Korea would hope for an iron-clad Omnibus Agreement leading to a Permanent Peace Treaty, with the South and the U.S. that could likely include the following, as we already pointed out in our earlier conferences: • North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), as separate independent Repub-
lics, but perhaps connected together by a loose Confederation, until at some point in the near or distant future, they can consider uniting like the two Vietnams or the two Germanys; • Withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea; • Withdrawal of large North Korean and South Korean troops from the areas of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the 38th Parallel to make the DMZ really demilitarized; • Development of a concrete formula for South-North Confederation where the two Koreas will be separate and independent but develop common inter-dependent synergies until they can set-up a Union or what the Greeks call “Enosis” in 15 to 25 years or earlier; • Develop inter-Korea commercial flights, highways, and a common railway system for the two Koreas from Pusan at the end of the Korean South facing Japan to North Korea’s
Yalu border with China, which, it is hoped, will interlinkwith the Trans-Siberian Railway to Russia and to Europe; • Develop close political and economic relations between North and South and with China, Japan, the U.S., Russia, and ASEAN and work with the U.N. system and the global community; • Develop and industrialize the North Korean economy and agriculture, put an end to the recurring causes of famine, expand the education system, and immediately open the region toactive tourism; • North Korea or DPRK to immediately join ASEAN Plus 3 (Japan, China, South Korea) to become ASEAN Plus 4; • Immediately organize an adequate Development Fund for compensating North Korea for terminating its nuclear weapons and delivery system, which Fund shall be used for the North’s economic and social development and augmen-
tation of its national budget; • Consider a state of Neutrality for the two independent Koreas which shall actively interact with the regional and global economy so that the North, with its hydrocarbons potential, mining, and hydro-electric resources, etc. can join the South, which has already developed much earlier into a credible major economic power. Transfer of ICAPP Secretariat from Manila to Seoul Excellencies, friends: May I mention that in 2006, as my small, humble contribution in helping encourage direct talks between Seoul and Pyongyang, I transferred from Manila to Seoul the Secretariat of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which I founded and established in Manila in September, 2000 and of which I am Chairman of its Standing Committee up to now. The ICAPP Secretariat is now most active in Seoul and headed by Secretary General Park
became chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s sleepy Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments. The subcommittee had already been considering these issues, but Bayh committed energy and political capital to making the project a high congressional priority. Unusually, he did this despite the lack of an obvious, immediate political payoff.” The question then here is that after two years of the Republican-led Congress’ subservience to President Donald J. Trump, relinquishing and abandoning the checks and balance responsibility of their co-equal branch of government, what will happen now that the Democrats have reclaimed leadership of the House of Representatives? Would the people we elected to represent us in government have that fortitude to make this case against the 45th president of the United States? ***
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Rob-yug, an experienced South Korean diplomat, and by my Co-Chairman, now South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong. I am proud to inform you that since we formed ICAPP in Manila in 2000, ICAPP now counts some 350 ruling, opposition, and independent parties from 52 countries in Asia, and the Korean Workers Party of North Korea is a respected member of ICAPP. Reverend Moon and Mother Moon’s goodwill in Pyongyang May we also point out that the late Reverend Moon and Madame Moon over the years have built genuine goodwill in Pyongyang and among the Koreans in the North and donated their much-appreciated hotel and erstwhile automobile factory that they established there to the North Korean government and people, among many other philanthropies in various parts of the world. (To be continued next week)
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
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 20-22, 2019
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Duterte signs law on lifetime cellphone number, Immigration nabs 276 foreign nationals in Makati Human Settlement department, 18 other measures by Consuelo
Marquez Inquirer.net
by alexis
roMero Philstar.com
MANILA — President rodrigo Duterte signed into law 20 bills, including measures requiring telecommunication firms to provide mobile number portability to their subscribers and creating a Human Settlements department. republic Act 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Act will allow cellphone users to retain their mobile numbers if they switch to another telecommunication service provider. According to the law, mobile number portability will promote consumers’ welfare because it provides them the freedom to choose their service provider without having to change their mobile numbers. The system also seeks to encourage telecommunication firms to compete with each other in providing the best overall value they can offer and introduce innovations. Public telecommunication entities will be required to provide nationwide MNP to all qualified subscribers free of charge. The entities will change the type of subscription from postpaid prepaid or vice versa within 24 hours from the time a subscriber submits the application to avail of MNP. They will also set-up a mechanism for the implementation of MNP by interconnecting directly or indirectly with the systems and equipment of other service providers. Telecommunication firms will also facilitate the availing of MNP of virtual network operator it is hosting in its network. VNo refers to an entity that offers telecommunications service under its own brand but uses the network of another company. Subscribers will not be asked to pay interconnection charges for domestic calls and text messages they made after the law takes effect. Telecommunication firms will be slapped with a fine of P10,000 if the portability or the giving of MNP service is not performed within the periods allowed under the law but delivered on or before a complaint is filed or delivered after a mediation. A fine of not less than P40,000
will be imposed if the MNP is unjustly refused even after mediation A fine of P100,000 to P300,000 will be slapped for the second to fourth instance where MNP is unjustly refused even after mediation. Companies that committed the offense more than four times will be fined with P400,000 to P1 million and will lose their franchise. The National Telecommunications Commission will be authorized to award a subscriber as much as P400,000 in damages. The amount will be collected from erring mobile service providers while the fines will be remitted to the National Treasury. Also signed into law was the bill creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The agency will serve as the primary national government entity responsible for managing housing, human settlement and urban development. The new law will merge the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use regulatory Board. It will also reconstitute the HLUrB into an adjudicatory body called Human Settlements Adjudication Commission. The new department will have administrative supervision over the National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Home Development Mutual Fund and the Social Housing Finance Corp. It will be composed of the office of the Secretary, various bureaus, services and other regional offices. other national laws signed this month are the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, which imposes harsher penalties on anyone found guilty of killing, torturing, maiming and raping children and who subject them to inhuman and degrading treatment; the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, which will establish a program that aims to lessen deaths related to cancer; the Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act, which will create a national counseling program to be administered by the
education department; and a bill establishing the Philippine Sports Training Center. Two of the newly signed laws were holiday declarations. one declared September 3 as a special working public holiday throughout the country in commemoration of the surrender of Japanese military forces led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio City while the other declared January 17 as a special non-working holiday in olongapo in recognition of the heroism of James Leonard Tagle Gordon. The president also signed bills granting franchises to Malindang Broadcasting Network and More electric and Power Corp. and extending the franchises of ermita electronics Inc. and religious group Iglesia ni Cristo. The rest of the measures were local bills namely: An act integrating the Cebu City Mountain extension Campus as a satellite campus of the Cebu Technological University An act converting the Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in the City of Tangub, Misamis occidental into a state university to be known as the University of Northwestern Mindanao An act converting the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College into a state university to be known as the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University An act establishing the Cordillera State Institute of Technical education, integrating the Technical education and Skills Development Authority training centers and TeSDA-supervised state-run technical-vocational institutions in the Cordillera Administrative region An act changing the name of Lupon School of Fisheries in Lupon, Davao oriental into the Davao oriental Polytechnic Institute An act recognizing the British School of Manila as an educational institution of international character An act increasing the bed capacity of St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu from 25 to 200 An act increasing the bed capacity of rizal Medical Center in Pasig from 300 to 500. n
More than 200 foreign nationals were arrested for working in the Philippines during a raid at a network technology company in Makati City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, February 19. BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. confirmed that 276 foreign nationals were arrested for “verification of their travel documents and immigration status.”
“Most were undocumented, and were unable to present any proof showing their status here during the arrest,” Manahan said in a statement. Manahan added that the suspects were mostly engaged in online gaming business. If the suspects were proven to be working in the Philippines without the appropriate visa, they will be ordered deported, Manahan noted. The suspects were temporarily detained at the BI’s Warden Facility in Taguig for their pending deportation proceedings. Meanwhile, BI Commissioner
Jaime Morente warned that they will still pursue more operations against foreigners working in the Philippines without the required permits. “We are serious about our drive against illegal aliens, and are focusing our energies on arresting those working without the proper documentation, stealing jobs from Filipinos,” Morente said in a statement. In 2018, the BI’s Intelligence Division arrested 533 foreign nationals who were mostly workers without permit. n
PNP claims: ‘Metro Manila safe, checkpoints working despite ambush’ by eMManuel
Tupas
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) claimed yesterday that the nationwide election gun ban is effective and citizens are safe despite the fatal ambush of a businessman and his driver along eDSA in Mandaluyong City last Sunday, February 17. PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said the murder of Jose Luis Yulo, 62, and his driver Allan Nomer Santos, 51, by motorcycle-riding assailants was an isolated incident that does not reflect the overall situation in the country. “The gun ban remains effective through strict implementation, focused law enforcement and intensified checkpoint operations,” he said. Banac said a total of 1,623 persons have been arrested for possession of firearms since the gun ban was imposed on Jan. 13, with 166,123 checkpoints set up nationwide. Since the police intensified operations, 1,283 assorted firearms, 346 commercial explosives, 82 hand grenades, 10,053 pieces of ammunition, 55 gun replicas and 11,027 bladed weapons have been confiscated.
Gun owners also surrendered 2,592 firearms with expired licenses. “As shown in the data, we are making headway and big progress in ensuring that we will have peaceful and orderly elections,” Banac said. Banac did not go into details but added that because of Yulo’s murder, security adjustments will be made to ensure that a similar incident will not happen again. National Capital region Police office (NCrPo) chief Director Guillermo eleazar ordered an investigation on what went wrong with their checkpoint operations and the implementation of the riding-in-tandem ordinance following the killing of Yulo and his driver. eleazar said the Mandaluyong City police apparently failed to intercept the suspects despite police checkpoint operations. The local government also has an ordinance prohibiting two males riding tandem on a motorcycle, unless they are father and son. “We are focused on these riding-in-tandem concern for a long period of time. It is a challenge to us but the sad fact is that the Mandaluyong City police failed to intercept them,” eleazar said. “Anyway, in any modern police
PAGE A5 The SC decision included six more tax sources for LGUs, namely, tariff and customs duties collected by the Bureau of Customs; 50 percent of valueadded taxes; 30 percent of all national taxes collected in the Autonomous region in Muslim
Mindanao; 60 percent of national taxes collected from mining; excise taxes collected from tobacco products; national taxes collected under Section 283 of National Internal revenue Code; and franchise taxes under Horse racing laws. Marcos is running on a plat-
Philstar.com
PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Bana PNP photo
organization, you cannot get zero crime.” eleazar reported that the murder incidents perpetrated by riding-intandem suspects in Metro Manila dropped from 330 in 2017 to 50 in 2018 or by 85.21 percent. overall, crime incidents involving riding-in-tandem in 2017 were pegged at 853 compared to 400 cases in 2018 or down by 53.11 percent. eleazar credited the NCrPo’s checkpoint operations and the implementation of oplan Sita, wherein all motorcycle riding persons were being flagged down and thoroughly checked. n
Philippine governors support Imee...
form of offering concrete solutions to the problems besetting the country, including soaring prices of basic goods and the unabated smuggling and overimportation of agricultural products that has been killing the livelihood of ordinary farmers. (People’s Journal)
A february 20-22, 2019 • SoCal aSIaN JOurNaL
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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal
OFW remittances hit all-time high in 2018 A man counts dollar remittance at a money changer in UN Avenue in Manila. by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net
MONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hit a record high in the December, in the process also raising the full-year tally to what the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) described as the “highest annual level to date.” At $3.15 billion for the month, personal remittances were 3.6 percent higher compared to the previous peak of $3.04 billion
Manilatimes.net photo by Russell Palma
seen a year earlier. The growth rate, however, slowed from the 7.9 percent posted in December 2017. The result brought the full-year tally to $32.21 billion, up 3.0 percent from 2017’s $31.29 billion. “The growth in personal remittances during the year was driven by remittance inflows from landbased OFs with work contracts of one year or more and remittances from both sea-based and landbased OFs with work contracts of
less than one year, which rose annually by 2.8 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively,” the BSP said in a statement. It added that personal remittances were a major driver of domestic consumption and accounted for 9.7 percent of gross domestic product and 8.1 percent of gross national income last year. Cash remittances, which only count money coursed through
JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. — may do so this week, Undersecretary for Planning Reuben Reinoso of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), said on Wednesday, February 13. Reinoso said they were still negotiating with the consortium. The DOTr will meet with representatives of the group if they have a new proposal, he said, adding that the consortium will have to comply with certain conditions. The so-called “super consor-
tium” gained ground after the DOTr and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) granted them original proponent status (OPS) in September last year. This means the proposed project — once approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) board — will be subjected to a Swiss challenge, where the government will accommodate other proposals while giving the consortium the opportunity to match
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Consortium may offer new bid for NAIA rehab by Jordeen
b. lagare Manilatimes.net
A CONSORTIUM seeking to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may submit a new proposal to upgrade the country’s main airport, a transportation official said recently. The NAIA Consortium — composed of AC Infrastructure Holdings, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., Alliance Global Group, Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp.,
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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 20-22, 2019
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Business news
Duterte nixes amnesty for tax cheats THERE will be no lifting of bank secrecy for tax purposes and no general tax amnesty in April, the deadline for filing of income tax returns. President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed a provision in Republic Act (RA) No. 11213, or the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019, granting amnesty to people who failed to pay correct taxes in 2017 and before. The president signed RA 11213 on Feb. 14. The previous tax amnesty covered the taxable year 2005 and before. A general amnesty is supposed to cover all unpaid internal revenue taxes, except customs and import duties on imported goods. “The president was constrained to veto the portion of the law covering the general amnesty because of the lack of provisions breaking the walls of bank secrecy, setting the framework for complying with international standards on exchange of information, and other safeguards against those who abuse by declaring untruthful assets or net worth,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Only the Philippines and Lebanon still restrict access to bank accounts, he noted. Estate tax The new law kept the amnesty on estate tax and the amnesty on delinquent taxes, Dominguez said in a Viber message to reporters. The estate tax amnesty will allow the government to collect just 6 percent of the net undeclared estate tax for those who died before Jan. 1, 2018. The amnesty on delinquencies, which had not been included in previous tax amnesties, will allow the payments of a lower amount
President Rodrigo Duterte makes a point during his second State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress on Monday, July 24, 2017. Inquirer file photo by Joan Bondoc
of interest and surcharges for final assessments that taxpayers can no longer appeal. It will offer a rate of 50 percent on basic tax, excluding interest and surcharges. As for taxpayers already facing criminal cases in court, the government will slap them with 80 percent of the basic tax. Had the president not vetoed the general tax amnesty provision, it would raise only P6.8 billion in additional revenue, lower than the P13.6 billion if safeguards were in place, according to Dominguez. “For 2019, there would be an indirect revenue loss of around P53 billion from enforcement activities if the general tax amnesty was not vetoed,” he said. Lifting bank secrecy and allowing the automatic exchange of information, however, would have generated up to P76.6 billion in direct and indirect revenues in the next five years, Dominguez said. He earlier said the government considered implementing a general tax amnesty in April last year. But in November, Dominguez warned that a general tax amnesty may be delayed if Congress did not
pass it together with the automatic exchange of information and lifting of bank secrecy for tax purposes as part of the proposed tax reform package 1B. Package 1B is an offshoot of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act that Mr. Duterte signed in December 2017. One-time settlement The finance secretary said the president “also vetoed the provisions stating that there be a onetime settlement of estates for those properties under multiple unsettled estates.” Citing the president’s veto message, Dominguez said “the 6-percent rate for property values at the time of death is ‘more than a fair imposition already’—it is already quite generous.” He said allowing the one-time settlement of estates would erode revenues from this measure. “We see that it is also unfair to those that have properly settled their estates early and have paid at each stage of transfer.” The president also vetoed the provision on the presumption of correctness of estate tax amnesty returns. “The president has always had a strong stance against wrongdoers—thus, accountability is very important in this grant. When one avails [himself] of the amnesty, the government should be able to verify his declarations,” Dominguez said. Moving forward, the secretary said the Department of Finance would work with legislators to pass a separate general tax amnesty law “if not in this [17th] Congress, then in the next.” “We shall work with them, like
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Consortium may offer new bid... PAGE B1 t
or top the new offers. The consortion initially proposed to rehabilitate, expand and operate Metro Manila’s congested airport for 35 years with a project cost of P350 billion. But after Megawide-GMR group challenged it with an 18-year offer for P156 billion, the consortium revised its bid to a 15-year concession and a P105-billion cost. In separate disclosures, consortium members said the project would entail “expanding and interconnecting the terminals of NAIA, upgrading airside facilities, developing commercial facilities to raise airline and airport efficiencies, enhancing passenger com-
fort and experience, and elevating the status of NAIA as the country’s premier international gateway.” Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo said last December the rehabilitation of the country’s main hub would commence in the third quarter of 2019, although DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade wanted to get the development underway much earlier. NAIA was designed to accommodate 31 million passengers. In 2017 however, it catered to 42 million passengers. The figure is expected to grow to around 47 million passengers by 2020, and 52 million passengers by 2022. While the consortium had ar-
Manilatimes.net file photo
gued it won’t be seeking any government guarantees to develop NAIA, Tamayo said he believed this was not the case. “Well, as to the provisions appearing to be a government guarantee, of course they would say otherwise. They are stipulating it is important for the project’s bankability,” he said. n
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.] The default setting for modern life is to plan a vacation elsewhere, the farther away, the better. Vacations are fine. They are meant to recharge our energy levels so we can come back swinging and getting into the groove of normal life. The problem with an elaborate, all too often expensive vacation, is we come home tired, jetlagged, light in the wallet, a few pounds heavier and needing a vacation from the vacation. Are we idiots or what? So how about learning the art of “staycation?” This is when we decide that our home is the best place to stay put and spend our time away from work, away from stresses and just away from it all: ringing phones; deadlines and production quotas, intrigues, to-do lists and every aggravation known to man. Sure, the mountain of laundry is there, the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms need cleaning, the garden needs weeding. But for a “staycation” to recharge your spirit, you may need to turn a blind eye to the screaming demands of your immediate envi-
The bucket list The art of “staycation” (8th of a series)
”When you clear your mechanism and tune out the noise that invades your being, you may come to a rare state of grace — that state when you are thoroughly convinced that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world.” ronment. Just say NO. This time is for you alone. So okay, you are obsessive about a clean home. Just reserve a day or two of your vacation time to sprucing up just the essentials. Don’t go to Home Depot and decide painting the house as your “staycation” project. It doesn’t work that way. The art of doing a proper “staycation” is deciding you just want to give yourself time to JUST BE. You rip and shred your to-do list and find joy in the moment, forgetting the demands of your life, for the time being. So go ahead. Wear your pajamas all day. Turn off or mute the phones. Turn off the TV and mute the music. Vegetate. Order pizza. Let the world turn without your input. If you have a stressful job, you will appreciate a true “staycation” done right. Swing in a hammock and look at the sky and dwell on the wonderful parts of your life as you remember lessons learned over the years mixed with countless moments of overwhelming joy. Edit out the ugly and blot out its
existence, for the time being. Or better yet, think of nothing and take a nap just because you’re sleepy. There will be time enough for all the demands of your life in the next few days. But for the moment, all you want is to do absolutely nothing and JUST BE. There is an upside to a quiet “staycation.” When you clear your mechanism and tune out the noise that invades your being, you may come to a rare state of grace — that state when you are thoroughly convinced that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world. Unplug and be receptive. It is in the stillness that we find who we truly are. It is when we are quiet that we can listen to our thoughts and perhaps, listen to that still small voice that speaks to us. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
OFW remittances hit all-time high...
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banks, also hit a new all-time high of $2.84 billion in December, 3.9 percent higher compared to $2.74 billion a year ago. The countries that contributed most to the increase during the month were the United States and Canada. Full-year 2018 cash remittances posted growth of 3.1 percent — exceeding the BSP’s projected growth rate of 3.0 percent for the year — to $28.94 billion, up from $28.06 billion a year earlier. Growth in cash remittances was supported by transfers from both land-based and sea-based OFWs, which the central bank said were up by 2.8 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively, from
last year. “Cash remittances in 2018 remained strong amid political uncertainties across the globe,” the BSP said, adding that this was evident in the 12.3-percent, 9.7-percent and 7.7-percent expansions respectively seen in transfers from Asia, the Americas and Europe. Growth in these regions made up for the 15.3-percent decrease in remittances from the Middle East, which the central bank said was partly due to a continued repatriation program. Almost 79 percent of total cash remittances for the year came from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Canada, Ger-
many and Hong Kong. Commenting on the latest remittance data, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said last year’s growth showed “these flows remain structural and a source of FX (foreign exchange) we can count on.” He projected a 3-5 percent growth this year as “Filipinos will always find a way to send home remittances, come hell or high recession.” “If the trade gap, however, remains wide, structural flows from OFWs and BPO (business process outsourcing) call centers may not be enough to offset the drain in FX, leading to a slight depreciation of the peso towards year end,” Mapa warned. n
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COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Defrauded seniors left with $100K debts need Chapter 7 relief
SENIOR No. 1 and senior No. 2 are in the same boat. They each have car repossession deficiencies of over $100,000, and business credit card debt of $50,000. Just by looking at these figures, you know there’s something not right. At their age, why should they each have several car repo deficiencies of over $100,000? What is a car repo deficiency? A car repo deficiency arises when the debtor becomes delinquent on the car payment or lease payment. The creditor then goes to your house in the dead of night and hauls your car away. When you wake up in the morning, your brand new car in the driveway is gone. The creditor then sells your car at wholesale, which means they get a lot less than what they should get if it’s sold at retail. They apply the net proceeds from the sale to what you owe them and collect the unpaid balance from you. Thus, it’s aptly called the car repo deficiency. For example, you bought a brand new M-Benz E-350 for $50,000. You got a car loan for $48,000 at 9 percent p.a. interest. Total payments for five years will be $60,000. You become delinquent on the car payments. The creditor repossesses the car. They sell the car at wholesale for $30,000. The repo deficiency, which you owe, is $30,000. Yes, you still owe them $30,000 even though you don’t have the car anymore. Why? Because by contract that you signed with the creditor, you agreed to pay them $60,000. When they sold the car at wholesale, they only got back $30,000. So, they can still collect $30,000 from you, because by contract, you owe them $60,000. I know it’s not fair to you, but that’s how contract law works. In the case of these two seniors, one of them owes repo deficiencies for 5 expensive cars. If each repo deficiency is $30,000, then five times that, the senior owes $150,000 of repo deficiencies. This senior also owes a business credit line of $50,000. So, easily, senior owes probably $200,000. But why will a senior buy five expensive cars and get a line of credit for a business of $50,000? The answer, of course, is that there is a story that needs to be
Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/ her know of this account?” Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other. This duty arose based on California’s policy (1) to marshal, preserve, and protect community and quasi-community assets and liabilities that exist at the date of separation so as to avoid dissipation of the community estate before distribution, (2) to ensure fair and sufficient child and spousal support awards, and (3) to achieve a division of community and quasi-community assets and liabilities on the dissolution or nullity of marriage or legal separation of the parties as provided under California law. To promote the above public policy, the family code requires a full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the parties have or may have an interest be made in a divorce or a legal separation, regardless of the alleged characterization of the property as either community or separate. Parties are also required to disclose all income and expenses of the parties. The parties also have a continuing duty to update and augment that disclosure to the extent that there has been a material change to their financial position. The purpose of the duty to augment and update the disclosures is so that at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or trial, each party will do so with full and complete knowledge of all relevant underlying facts of the case. The disclosures are made by the parties by serving each other with a preliminary declaration of dis-
Debt Relief
ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG told so other seniors won’t be defrauded too. The senior is approached by an acquaintance who offers her an opportunity to participate in a business that will give the senior $30,000 profit if she does something. This something is that the senior will fill out a form giving her personal financial information to the acquaintance. The acquaintance will then use the personal information to apply for business credit cards in the name of the business and senior, as well as to buy or lease several expensive cars. These cars will be rented out so that the rental income will be used to pay the car loans and car leases. The money generated from this business endeavor will be so good and immediately that the business will very shortly give senior $30,000 of cash back just for letting the business use her name and good credit. Of course, what actually happens is that once the credit lines are available for use, the acquaintance sucks out the money and the business pays the bank zero. The cars are rented out, and the acquaintance collects all the rent money for the cars but does not pay the car loans or leases, so eventually, the cars are repossessed with the senior holding the bag. The acquaintance ends up with a lot of cash, which is used to buy the acquaintance a house, for instance. OK, here’s another good scam. I can let you stay in the White House for $2,000 a month payable one year in advance sent to my Wells Fargo account No. 123. Believe it or not, someone will believe that for $24,000 he will be able to stay in the White House with rent paid one year in advance. The saying that there’s a sucker born every minute is true; hopefully that sucker is not you. As a general test, just use this standard to avoid being scammed: If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s not true. Remember this, a fool and his money are
soon parted. All these sayings are true. All of the money is sucked out while the senior’s name is on record as being the debtor so the collectors go after the senior to get whatever is owed to them repaid. Pretty good scam for the scammer, but very bad for the senior victim who certainly doesn’t need this kind of problem during her retirement years. I recommend that the seniors both file for Chapter 7 relief. What will happen in Chapter 7? The seniors will be relieved of all liability for these credits, car loans, and leases that were fraudulently obtained in their names. The creditors will not be able to sue the senior to collect on the repo deficiencies and it doesn’t matter that the seniors do not have the cars in their possession. The creditors will have to locate the cars at their own expense. Of course, what actually happened leading to the defrauding of the seniors will have to be adequately explained to the bankruptcy court so that the U.S. Trustee (UST) will not object to the discharge of these debts. Otherwise, it may be argued that seniors are not victims but participants in this fraudulent scheme. The creditors may show up at the 341A hearing to ask the debtors how this came about because it is the signature of seniors that appear on all loan applications. This must be handled properly or a UST objection to discharge may arise. Certainly, if they had come to see me before signing all these documents, I would have told them not to proceed as this was clearly a scam. But since it already happened, the best remedy for a fresh start for seniors is Chapter 7. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
Consequences of failing to disclose material assets, income, facts and information in a divorce case closure and a final declaration of disclosure. The preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within 60 days of serving the divorce, separation, or nullity petition. The commission of perjury on the preliminary declaration of disclosure may be grounds for setting aside the judgment in addition to other remedies available under the law. The preliminary declaration of disclosure is not filed with the court but only exchanged by each party. The preliminary declaration of disclosure shall set forth 1) the identity of all assets and liabilities which the declarant may have an interest regardless of the characterization of community, quasi-community, or separate property; 2)The declarant’s percentage in the asset or liability; 3) the declarant’s characterization of the asset or liability. In addition, the declarant shall also provide the other party with a completed income and expense declaration. The declarations may be amended without permission from the court. The parties shall serve each other with a final declaration of disclosure at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or if the case goes to trial, at least 45 days prior to the first assigned trial date. The final declaration of disclosure shall include (1) All material facts and information regarding the characterization of all assets and liabilities(2) All material facts and information regarding the valuation of all assets that are contended to be community property or in which it is contended the community has an interest. (3) All material facts and information regarding the amounts of all obligations that are contended to be community obligations or for which it is contended the community has liability.(4) All material facts and information regarding the earnings, accumulations, and expenses of each party that have been set forth in the income and expense declaration. The parties may agree to mutually waive the
final declaration of disclosure requirement but not the preliminary declaration of disclosure. A party who fails to comply with the disclosure requirements under the family code may be held in breach of the party’s fiduciary obligation to the other spouse under family code section 721, 1100, and Marriage of Feldman. The party that failed to disclose material assets, income, facts, and information may be sanctioned by the court by awarding attorney’s fees and sanctions to the other spouse under family code section 271. When hiring an attorney to represent you in a high asset divorce case with complex property issues, it is important to hire an attorney that understands the disclosure obligation under the family code. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail HYPERLINK “mailto: kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com” kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Duterte nixes amnesty for tax...
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we always have, to have it passed immediately,” Dominguez said. Within the year He added that “implementation may still be within the year so revenues will come in.” Dominguez said the amnesty on estate taxes would allow those
who would avail themselves of it to “free up property that have long been estate-locked and allow heirs to make good economic use of the properties they have inherited.” He said the amnesty for tax delinquents would allow those with long overdue liabilities and pending criminal cases to start anew,
scot-free. “We hope that in availing [themselves] of this amnesty—a very, very generous reprieve from the state, taxpayers would feel more encouraged to pay the right taxes, and be more empowered to be good taxpayers in the future,” he said. (Inquirer.net) ■
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 20-22, 2019
Calendar of Events across
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FACCGLA hosts Music and Merlot in Sherman Oaks Join us for evening of Wine & Cheese to unwind after a busy day on Wednesday, February 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as we enjoy the music of jazz guitarist Ric Ickard. Get to know the members of the the Filipino American Chamber of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA), and get a chance to tell us about your business or profession. We love to meet new people to share our plans for the year, with some time for a Q & A and inspirational talks from Asian Business owners. We will announce a special perk for our members AND you can be one of the first to get hold of the FilAm Entrepreneurship Magazine. Register at www.faccgla.org. Venue is BFG Room, 2nd floor, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
F E B R UA RY 23
Free oil filter exchange in Lynwood, CA Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event! Everyone is invited to bring in their motor oil and used oil filters on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. It will be held at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 10727 Long Beach Blvd. Lynwood, CA 90262.
Fil-Am book authors give talk in San Pedro, CA Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting three Filipino American authors who will talk about their new books on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 3 - 6:00 p.m. The bookshop is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 105 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA 90731. The event is free and open to the public. Seats are limited and RSVP is requested. Call 310548-8148 or 310-514-9139 or email: info@philippinebookshop.com. Marvin Gapultos will speak about his newest book, “Pulutan: Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats.” He is the creator of the celebrated food blog Burnt Lumpia, founder of Los Angeles’ first Filipino food truck known as The Manila Machine, and author of “The Adobo Road Cookbook” which was published a few years ago. Jocelyn (Joy) Francisco is the author of “Oh My Kulay! Colors, Fruits & Veggies,” which is an introductory book for young children. It is fully illustrated and written in both English and Filipino. Dalena Haskins Benavente is one of the authors featured in the book, “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe.” Born in Union City, Tennessee, her mother is a Filipina. Danela worked as recipe developer and product taster for Kraft, and she filmed with Paula Deen. All three authors will autograph their books after the Book Talks. If you will be unable to attend, you can order an autographed copy of any of the books by sending an email to: linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net. This is the first event of the bookshop for 2019, and it is part of their ongoing community outreach program to increase the visibility of Filipinos in the City of San Pedro. Established in 1984, the bookshop is now on its 35th year serving Filipinos in the diaspora.
F E B R UA RY 24
12th Annual SCPASA Summit in Irvine, CA The Southern California Pilipinx-American Student Alliance (SCPASA) is proud to present its 12th Annual Summit Conference: “Kapwa” on Sunday, February 24. Check-in begins at 8 to 9:45 a.m., while the summit is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The summit is a one-day conference that features a wide variety of speakers, activities, and entertainment. It is held at the university campus of an active SCPASA member organization and this year it will be hosted by University of California, Irvine’s Alyansa ng mga Kababayan. Numerous workshops are held throughout the day to give attendees various opportunities to learn about topics around a common theme chosen for that year. This year’s SCPASA summit theme is Kapwa which is one of the core Pilipinx values that emphasizes the concept of “togetherness.” Tickets until Feb. 20 are $20/person, while at the door registration is $30/person. For more questions or for more information, please email scpasa.contact@gmail.com.
MARCH 9
LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows in Los Angeles Rejoicers Events brings to Los Angeles, “LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows,” the show that sold out in Manila, and soon restaged in New York and the Bay Area. It will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Aratani Theatre (244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 7 p.m. Headlined by comedienne Fe delos Reyes, award-winning songwriters Cecile Azarcon and Odette Quesada are joined by singers Jam Morales and Chiqui Pineda, who popularized numerous OPM Songs. Part of the proceeds of this much-anticipated concert benefit Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a non-profit organization that helps bring Filipino Artists to U.S. stages.
MARCH 30
Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.
United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.
APRIL 7
Ryan, Ryan! The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Glendale, CA Recently proclaimed National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s works will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center (1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205) at 6 p.m. by his multi-talented singing group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers joined by some local artists like Mon David, Annie Nepomuceno, Louie Reyes and many more. Come and hear how his work that spans five decades has made an indelible impact on Filipino culture. Copresented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a 501 (c) 3 organization that brings exemplary Filipino Artists to U.S. stages. For ticket information ($35-$125) visit www.philpatrons.org and to learn about other tour stops in Las Vegas (April 7), San Diego (April 12) and Seattle (April 14).
APRIL 13
2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit in LA The 2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Center of Cathedral Plaza (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). In partnership with the LA County of Department of Mental Health, registration begins on March 11. This is a FREE event for all. Breakfast and lunch included with registration. Please email FilipinoWellBeing@Gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoWellBeing for more updates.
A P R I L 25 -28
Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.
JUNE 1
7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival in LA The 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.
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B4 FEBRUARY 20-22, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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People and Events
Renewable natural gas now flowing into SoCalGas AARP Foundation tax-aide available now through April 15 pipelines from Calgren Dairy digester pipeline cluster NOW through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Since its inception, the program has served more than 68 million taxpayers. Tax-Aide started in 1968 with just four volunteers working at one site. Today, nearly 35,000 volunteers serve low- to moderate-income taxpayers at almost 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers nationwide. There’s no fee, and AARP membership is not required. “AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance to those who need it most,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “With the support of bilingual volun-
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Renewable natural gas now flowing into SoCalGas pipelines from Calgren Dairy digester pipeline cluster
teers, some Tax-Aide locations offer assistance in additional languages to help taxpayers who don’t speak English or speak English as a second language prepare their returns.” Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. In 2018, the program’s volunteers helped 2.5 million people navigate complicated tax codes, ensure proper credits and deductions, and file their federal and state tax returns. Taxpayers
LOS ANGELES – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and biogas producer Calgren Dairy Fuels (Calgren) announced on Thursday, February 14, that renewable natural gas produced at Calgren’s dairy digester facility in Pixley, California is being injected into SoCalGas pipelines. who used Tax-Aide received $1.3 The project marks the first time billion in income tax refunds and that carbon-negative renewable more than $212 million in Earned natural gas produced from cow Income Tax Credits (EITCs). They manure has been injected dialso avoided tax preparation fees rectly into SoCalGas’ natural gas and pitches for high-interest tax system. In August 2018, SoCalGas began receiving renewable credit or refund loans. To find an AARP Foundation natural gas into its system from Tax-Aide site or more informa- CR&R, Inc.’s anaerobic digestion, including which documents tion facility in Perris, California. to bring to the tax site, visit aarp- The renewable natural gas from foundation/taxaide or call 1-888- that digestion facility is already AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). being used to fuel about 400 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is waste hauling trucks. Renewable offered in conjunction with the natural gas is a carbon-negative fuel produced from waste and IRS. ■
agriculture that can be used in trucks and buses, to generate electricity, fuel heating systems in homes and businesses, and for cooking. “Developing renewable natural gas is a smart and cost-effective solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and building sectors,” said Sharon Tomkins SoCalGas vice president for customer solutions and strategy. “Replacing just 16 to 20 percent of our traditional natural gas with renewable natural gas would reduce emissions equal to electrifying 100 percent of buildings in the state, but it would be two to three times more cost-effective. Moreover, the renewable natural gas solution does not require expensive appliance changeouts or costly new mandates.” “We are proud of what we
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have accomplished here,” said Lyle Schlyer, Calgren’s president. “The benefits of this partnership between dairy farmers, private industry and SoCalGas are numerous. We produce clean renewable natural gas for use as a carbon-negative fuel which benefits the local community through cleaner air and jobs.” “Renewable natural gas options have presented themselves as an incredibly viable way of achieving our environmental sustainability goals,” said Assemblymember Devon J. Mathis. “Tulare County is the dairy capital of the world, and it’s wonderful to see a logical blend of agriculture and technology in a way which benefits everyone. The potential for these technologies is outstanding and deserves to be further developed and funded.”
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B5 FEBRUARY 20-22, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
People and Events
Book talks on 3 new titles by Fil-Am authors on Feb. 23 SAN PEDRO, CA — Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting three Filipino-American authors who will talk about their new books on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 3 - 6 p.m. The bookshop is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 105 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA 90731. The event is free and open to the public. Seats are limited and RSVP is requested. Call 310-548-8148 or 310-514-9139 or email: info@ philippinebookshop.com. Marvin Gapultos will speak about his newest book, “Pulutan: Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats.” He is the creator of the celebrated food blog Burnt Lumpia, founder of Los Angeles’ first Filipino food truck known as The Manila Machine, and author of “The Adobo Road Cookbook” which was published a few years ago. His singular passion in promoting the food of the Philippines has made him one of the leading voices on Filipino cuisine. Samples of food from his book Pulutan will be served during the event. No stranger to pairing good food with good drinks, Marvin has developed recipes and written about breweries, bars, and cocktails for “Serious Eats and the Kitchn,” among others. As a Certified Cicerone(R), he combines his love of craft beer with his passion for Filipino food. Jocelyn (Joy) Francisco is the author of “Oh My Kulay! Colors, Fruits & Veggies,” which is an introductory book for young children. It is fully illustrated and written in both English and Filipino. Born and raised in San Diego, she attended CSU-San Marcos for her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She became a licensed Clinical Psychologist in 2008. Let Joy color your world as she talks about her first book.
EASY TAX PREP. Quality Tax is now open to serve you just in time for tax season and with the changes in tax laws you’d like to be smart in choosing where to go. Bien Tarroza and his team of tax professionals will help you get every deduction you’re entitled to. They are able to e-file your taxes which is the fastest most efficient way to get your refunds back! Ask for Bien Tarroza, Ferrie Tarroza, Alex Salvador or Seth Delos Reyes (818) 802-9741 or visit their office at 24250 Lyons Ave. Newhall, CA.
her life growing up in Tennessee as one of the few Filipinos in the area. All three authors will autograph their books after the Book Talks. If you will be unable to attend, you Dalena Haskins Benavente is one of the authors featured in the book, “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe.” Born in Union City, Tennessee, her mother is a Filipina. Danela worked as recipe developer and product taster for Kraft, and she filmed with Paula Deen. Her degree in Communications came in handy as she hosted numerous cooking segments on a variety of radio and TV channels. Her first food memoir, Asian Girl in a Southern World recounts
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“The biogas project brought to Tulare County by Calgren will be a welcomed economic benefit to Tulare County communities,” said Pete Vander Poel, Vice Chair of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “This new energy sector will not only reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality, it will provide real job opportunities for County residents and economic growth.” Calgren’s facility, known as a dairy digester pipeline cluster, will collect biogas from anaerobic digesters at 12 Tulare County dairies then clean it to produce pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. This is the first such dairy digester pipeline cluster in California and is expected to be the largest dairy biogas operation in the U.S. when Calgren adds 9 additional dairies later this year. The facility will capture the methane produced from the manure of more than 75,000 cows, preventing about 130,000 tons of greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere each year, the equivalent of taking more than 25,000 passenger cars off the road for a year. SoCalGas will be capable of adding up to 2.26 billion cubic feet of renewable natural gas each year to its pipeline system from the facility, enough to fuel more than 1,200 Class 8 heavy duty trucks. Renewable natural gas can be produced from dairy manure, food waste, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants and other sources. Capturing this otherwise wasted gas and turning it into a renewable fuel significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from these waste sources. Research shows that California can achieve the same greenhouse gas emissions reductions as electrifying 100 percent of the state’s buildings by displacing 16 to 20 percent of traditional natural gas with renewable natural gas sourced from dairies, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. This scenario is two to three times more cost-effective than mandated electrification and does not require expensive appliance change outs or impose limitations on the forms of energy Californians can choose. A renewable natural gas solution to reducing emissions from the transportation and building sectors is also consistent with the mandate under Senate Bill 1383 to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, 80 percent of which comes from waste streams, dairies and agriculture. Today, there are already 24 California dairy methane capture projects either operating or in development, and experts estimate there could be as many as 120 projects funded and operating in next five years. In addition, as the state seeks to divert organic waste from land-
fills and capture emissions from wastewater treatment plants, more and more renewable natural gas will become available. The Calgren project and others like it are partly funded under California’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure generated at state dairy farms. Calgren’s preference is to provide renewable fuel for existing CNG refuelers in California via SoCalGas’ pipeline system. However, the Calgren facility is also able to use the renewable gas to indirectly produce a highoctane gasoline additive or in a new biodiesel plant that will come online midyear. Another source of renewable energy for California As California policymakers have sought to expand the production and use of renewable energy, SoCalGas has been working to increase the amount of renewable natural gas produced in California and delivered to its customers. Renewable natural gas can be produced from waste at landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing and dairies. Consumer preference polls support the increased production and use of renewable natural gas. Research shows nine out of 10 California families use natural gas in their homes and prefer it by a margin of 4 to 1 over electricity. In addition, strong majorities of consumers—nearly 80 percent—prefer to use natural gas for cooking in their homes, and nearly two-thirds of consumers believe gas is their most affordable energy choice. According to the American Gas Association (AGA), households that use natural gas for water and space heating, cooking and clothes drying save an average of $874 per year compared to homes using electricity for those applications. In addition, unlike solar and wind energy, renewable natural gas is available when needed— day or night—for use in homes or electric generation. Renewable natural gas has already begun to clean the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California’s transportation sector, which accounts for more than 80 percent of smog forming emissions and about 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The latest generation of natural gas engines for heavy duty vehicles can reduce smog-forming emissions by more than 90 percent. When fueled with renewable natural gas, they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent or more. Already, more than 60 percent of natural gas trucks in California are fueled by renewable gas delivered by SoCalGas pipelines. For more information on renewable natural gas, go to: socalgas.com/smart-energy ■
can order an autographed copy of any of the books by sending an email to: linda_nietes@sbcglobal. net. This is the first event of the bookshop for 2019, and it is part of their ongoing community out-
reach program to increase the visibility of Filipinos in the City of San Pedro. Established in 1984, the bookshop is now on its 35th year serving Filipinos in the diaspora. ■
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 20, 2019
Fil-Am film editor Michelle Tesoro’s steady journey to editing the empowering story of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by
schools in the country. “No matter what race, gender, or socio-economic in front of the television and status you were, academic exgoing to the movies. pectations were the same. Very “I guess because I grew up here, I wasn’t intimidated about high,” added Tesoro. While at Whitney M. Young, a career in film or television, Tesoro was active in theatre even though my mother might and already had an interest in have been,” said Tesoro. photography and movies. While her mom and sister In the summer of 1995, were artistic and had hobbies Tesoro got a flyer in the mail of painting and calligraphy, from Columbia College ChiTesoro said they stuck to cago film school for a summer careers that were considered 16mm filmmaking class for high more practical. school students, and decided When Tesoro secretly to sign up. applied to the New York “I loved it, and I loved University Tisch School of shooting and editing,” said the Arts—one of the nation’s Tesoro. top and most selective film Being the youngest in the schools—she recalled her mom class of mostly high school being very upset. seniors, it was ultimately her But that didn’t stop the young Tesoro from again apply- peers that got her thinking ing to the school while finishing about seriously pursuing a career in film in university. up her general education re“One kid was going to quirements at the University of NYU in the fall, and that is how Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I happened upon the idea,” “I got in, and when I told recalled Tesoro. her, her response was, ‘Well, Though Tesoro said she you just do whatever you want wouldn’t recommend going to do anyways, I don’t know to film school now due to the why you even bother to tell fact that an education in filmmaking has become absurdly expensive, her time at Tisch proved to be time well me,’” Tesoro recalled her mom spent. From school, Tesoro telling her. got a job at a record com“And that’s true,” she pany in New York City editcontinued. “I’m pretty stubing promos. But in 2005, she born. I think the pressure to moved out to Los Angeles have a successful life pushed me to making sure this ‘dream’ and began working her way up, eventually cutting highI had worked out and could be profile films, television, and monetized. So that made me streaming series including the more focused at [on] getting a Netflix series “House of Cards” job after Tisch.” and “Godless,” and HBO But even before university, series “The Newsroom,” and Tesoro honed her personal drive while attending Chicago’s “Luck.” In 2011, Tesoro won Best Whitney M. Young Magnet Editing at SXSW for the film High School, which has gradu“Natural Selection,” which ated notable alumni like the former First Lady of the United overall took home both the Audience and Grand Jury Awards. States, Michelle Obama. “My journey has been a lot On Tesoro’s website, of hard work—60 to 70 hour she cites the school as beweeks, time away from friends ing responsible for her “open and family. I’ve missed a lot of mindedness and unending weddings,” said Tesoro. drive to push the boundaries, She added, “Ultimately I both of her projects and of her believe those sacrifices in time own potential.” “Most of the students there and human capital are what led very goal-oriented and driven,” to where I am today.” Telling the RBG story said Tesoro, adding that it was Ginsburg—an octogenaralso one of the most diverse
Rae ann VaRona / AJPress
THE famous American filmmaker Orson Welles once said, “The notion of directing a film is the invention of critic—the whole eloquence of cinema is achieved in the editing room.” As the quote suggests, editing has the power of moving and pushing a narrative a certain way. How a film is edited can make all the difference in how an audience interprets a story. “Of all the visual arts, what separates film and television from the rest is editing,” explained Michelle Tesoro, the Filipina-American lead editor behind the recently released Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic “On the Basis of Sex.” “Editing gives a film meaning. It is how it tells its story,” added Tesoro. Inspired by the true story of Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg, “On the Basis of Sex” follows Ginsburg’s early journey from law student to legal champion by way of the courtroom, as the young Ginsburg (played by Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones) teams up with her husband Marty Ginsburg (played by Armie Hammer) in toppling down years of gender discrimination precedents before the U.S. Court of Appeals. Directed by acclaimed director Mimi Leder and written by Ginsburg’s nephew Dan Stiepleman, the film was received as being timely in the age of the current #MeToo movement in addressing the still present issues of gender equality, women empowerment, and overall social justice. But how Tesoro eventually got the responsibility of editing the justice’s story traces back to her upbringing in Chicago where her goal of working in the film industry started young. A steady career goal “I grew up in Chicago and my mother was a very hardworking nurse,” said Tesoro, 40, who now resides in Los Angeles. Describing her upbringing as being typical of any other American kid, Tesoro remembered spending a lot of time
“Ultimately I believe those sacrifices in time and human capital are what led to where I am today.”
Tesoro edited four episodes of the first season of “House of Cards,” which premiered on Netflix in 2013.
Bea wants to ‘live more’ by Jan
Milo SeVeRo Philstar.com
ACTRESS Bea Alonzo has declared 2019 as her “year for change,” telling herself she should get rid of her insecurities so she can “live more.” In her Instagram account on Sunday, February 17, Bea posted a photo of herself wearing a blue bikini in Coron, Palawan and shared how she used to be apprehensive about sharing this kind of picture. “I have always been the type who would choose not to post photos of myself in swimsuits but since I declared this year as the year for CHANGE, I thought that maybe I should change the way I view myself,” Bea wrote. “Maybe, I should get rid of all my insecurities so I can live more,” she said. This generation’s Movie Queen also said she wants to remember the things that she loves about her body and to forget how she hated herself “for being ‘fat’ in other people’s eyes.” “It’s the only body that I am blessed with and I am thankful for my health because I get to do the things that make me happy,” she said. She hopes her post will
Michelle Tesoro
ian and the eldest Supreme Court justice—is undoubtedly an icon of today. Also called “The Notorious RBG” (a name play on the 1990’s rapper The Notorious B.I.G.), Ginsburg continues to be praised by members across different generations expressing the need to “protect her at all costs.” This, nearly three decades after her 96-3 Senate confirmation vote in 1993. “I really wanted to be a part of telling the Justice’s story,” said Tesoro, who got the job after being approached by Leder who she worked with before. Among the first things viewers see in the film is the young Ginsburg marching alongside a parade of dark suited men against the tune of the Harvard fight song, “Ten Thousand Men of Harvard.” By the end of the film, Ginsburg is seen walking up the steps of the high Supreme Court, signifying a long but successful journey. But between those scenes, important milestones had to be strategically condensed to fit within the narrative. Among the toughest scenes Tesoro had to work with was a 16-page courtroom sequence, which required her to not only work with the large amount of legal dialogue, but with footage shot at various angles. While Tesoro said she doesn’t have a personal favorite scene, there were scenes she resonated with in regards to often being a minority in her work. One scene, in particular, took place in a classroom where Ginsburg, despite knowing the answer to her professor’s question, gets interrupted and struggles to be heard as her professor refrains from calling on her and continues to call upon her male classmates who didn’t know the answer. “She stands up for herself and shuts them down,” said Tesoro. “Well, I identify with her in that scene,” she added. “You’ve got to pull yourself up
Tesoro worked as the lead editor of Focus Features’ “On the Basis of Sex,” which follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination.
to be heard and seen.” That sense of empowerment was something the film’s creators wanted to convey, and they knew that their goal was accomplished when the two preview screenings proved successful. Variety reported that even Ginsburg, who watched the completed film for the first time at a National Archives screening in Washington, D.C., stood up and clapped to the cast and crew following the screening.
“She loved the movie and said, ‘Oh, I hear you are doing a good job,’” Tesoro recalled of her meeting Justice Ginsburg. On why she thought Filipinos and others in general should watch the film, Tesoro highlighted Justice Ginsburg’s role as a defender of justice and emphasized that Justice Ginsburg was not a politician. “Filipinos should watch it to learn about how one person can make a difference,” said Tesoro. “It’s inspiring.”
Global influencer Bryanboy still Filipino inside and out by MJ
MaRfoRi ManilaTimes.net
Bea Alonzo
inspire other women to love themselves more despite their imperfections. “I hope that this post could inspire other women to
WELL, there is no right or wrong way to do the whole digital career shebang, but there is surely an ethical way to rise to the top. That is what global influencer and blogger Bryanboy Yambao told In The Know in a chat during his brief visit in Manila last week for his annual beauty intensification program. We got to insert a good hour of catch up at the Belo Medical Center Greenbelt clinic while he was freshly injected with some chin fillers by Dra. Vicki Belo before he jets off to London for more fashion commitments. Given that he is rubbing elbows with Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Anna Wintour and the like on a fashion season basis, it is such a refresher to see a fashion fixture still so deep rooted in his Filipino culture. Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo “I mean, I am 100 percent love themselves more, flaws Filipino. Just because I have and all. Let’s all work hard to blonde hair and I fixed my better ourselves for us and nose and my chin, I’m still 100 not just so others could acpercent Filipino. I mean, my cept us,” Bea said. family is here, I cook Filipino Continued on Page 4 Global influencer and blogger Bryanboy Yambao.
Photo from Instagram/@bryanboycom
entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 20, 2019
culinary program — and food as his artistic outlet. “I would pick up notes from my family [too]. But for the most part, it was me experimenting and being inspired by other people doing it,” he says, noting his creative background in breakdancing and music. “A lot of it came from being creative from dancing, seeing other things connected in regard to flavors...rather than moves.” He started Benaddictz back Long-time Historic Filipinotown resident Justin Foronda of the Benaddictz pop-ups introduces HiFi Kitchen to the neighborhood, a café serving traditional and in 2015, hosting brunches in his vegan Filipino ‘comfort food.’ AJPress photos by Noel Ty own backyard, friends’ homes, rental lofts, cafes around the area, and special events. The popular gatherings featured dishes like chicken adobo benedict, sisig hash, and ensaymada French toast. About two years ago, Foronda was introduced to the landlords of the café space in Historic Filipinotown and envisioned it as a restaurant for Benaddictz. However, he by Christina M. Oriel didn’t want to squeeze the AJPress concept into a small space, when brunch is usually a time WHETHER you’re vegan, for leisurely group dining. have a shellfish allergy, want a He credits Nicole Ponseca quick rice bowl with ulam, or of Maharlika and Jeepney in are unfamiliar with Filipino food, New York along the way for a new Filipino-American café in helping him narrow down his Historic Filipinotown seeks to concept to “something more satisfy all of the above. personal” that touches upon HiFi Kitchen, a fast-casual, his HiFi upbringing. Kristine de weekday spot, comes from Jusla Cruz of Crème Caramel and tin Foronda of the Benaddictz FrankieLucy Bakeshop guided brunch pop-ups and a longhim while writing the business time resident of the neighborplan. hood. “With the changes to the It officially opens for full-ser- An inside look into HiFi Kitchen, which features a ’90s-inspired mural with elements representative of neighborhood and the situavice on Monday, February 25, the second-generation Fil-Am experience. tion we had here [at the space], with a grand opening preview I thought that something else this Friday night, February 22. is not trying to be “trendy” by — vegetable kaldereta (feaneeds to go here,” Foronda “It’s important for me to having vegan options. turing lentil pâté), mushroom says. “The space used to be make this [food] accessible. With a career as a regisadobo, and laing (taro leaves called the Village Kitchen and People may view this place tered nurse, Foronda considcooked in coconut milk) using the kitchen part is a shout out as an intro to Filipino food,” ers himself a self-taught chef vegan ‘bagoong’ with a choice Foronda tells the Asian Journal. of seared cauliflower on top (or — apart from three months in a to what used to be here and “Maybe Filipino people want to chicken or pork belly for the bring their friends who aren’t meat eaters). Filipino and that can lead to goThe patis (fish sauce) and ing to other traditional places in Mang Tomas-inspired sarsa the area.” are vegan as well and made The menu features six rice in-house, with the latter using bowls (e.g. lechon kawali and apples and lentils instead of chicken afritada) and spaghetti pork liver. with sweet tomato sauce, beef “I wanted to honor different franks and meatballs — mostly dietary styles, especially being dishes that Foronda “grew up in LA. I got interested in vegan eating” at home or at local turo food just through my medical turo restaurants. Prices range background and fitness. I was from $9 to $13. fascinated by how I can recreWhat particularly stand out ate something without its main at HiFi Kitchen are the vegingredient. I took that on as a etarian/vegan-friendly bowls challenge,” Foronda says, but Chicken adobo with vegetables food Lechon kawali
Historic Filipinotown newcomer HiFi Kitchen features traditional and vegan rice bowls
HiFi, obviously, for the neighborhood. I want all of us to feel like this is something we own.” HiFi Kitchen sits at the ground floor of a residential building along Beverly Boulevard, across the street from Unidad Park, which houses Eliseo De Silva’s mural “Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana (A Glorious History, A Golden Legacy).” Inside the café are no more than five seats at the counter (the food is truly meant for takeout) and a colorful, ‘90s-inspired mural painted by artist Remo Bang with symbols — from a karaoke machine to balikbayan box — to signify the “Filipino-American experience.” The panel above the register says “This is Historic Filipinotown.” The physical space itself may be small, but Foronda sees it as another marker that Filipino businesses and residents still exist in Historic Filipinotown and aren’t going anywhere. An ordinance before the LA Department of City Planning proposes designating a “North Westlake Design District” that has standards for future development to include more mixed-use buildings, pedestrian-friendly areas, and regulations on signs. “We’re here to deepen the roots of the neighborhood. We’re here to support the visibility of the neighborhood and we’re going to start there. If we move Filipino food in a direction in the process, that’s great…but I’m not doing any groundbreaking things personally,” he says, adding “This was going to happen regardless of Filipino food getting popular or being the next big thing.
I would have tried this out anyway.” Ahead of the grand opening, Foronda plans to launch an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign where “people in the neighborhood [can] contribute back into the community and help us out.” As the sole owner of Hifi Kitchen, he used savings from his nursing career and mom. Foronda hopes that in the long run, his story can inspire others to take on a hobby or side hustle. “When I mentioned that I don’t consider myself a chef, it’s not just out of respect for those who studied but also in representation of those who want to follow their dreams, take a leap,” he says. “I’m proud to be a self-taught cook, I think there’s something to be said about the resiliency and creativity of those who pick up ‘hobbies’ on their own and if my journey inspires someone to want to teach themselves how to play…piano, for example, I’d feel like I did something right.” The café, which had been delivery-only since November, softly opened its doors earlier this month and held a community “eat and greet” last Sunday, February 10. It will hold its grand opening event on Friday, Feb. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. open to the public and featuring the full menu and some complimentary bites. HiFi Kitchen (1667 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026) will regularly be open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for now starting Monday, Feb. 25 and will continue to take delivery orders through Grubhub and Postmates until 6 p.m. More hours are to be announced.
Seared cauliflower laing
Photos by Jakob Layman/HiFi Kitchen
Kelsey Merritt is Sports Illustrated entertainment Swimsuit 2019 Rookie Dennis Trillo gears for more action after ‘Cain at Abel’
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 20, 2019
by KRissy
aguilaR Inquirer.net
by Ronnie
CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net
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DENNIS Trillo’s wish came true, at least as far as the concluding part of GMA’s “Cain
AFTER her Victoria’s Secret stint, Filipina-American model Kelsey Merritt is now a rookie (played by Dingdong Dantes). model for American sports at Abel” was concerned. “Of course, I didn’t wanna magazine Sports Illustrated Weeks before its finale, Dennis as Elias who played the be a spoiler even if based on Swimsuit 2019. the plot, Cain and Abel are baddie had wanted a happy Merritt happily announced warring brothers who don’t ending, reconciling his differthe news via her Instagram acshare the same principles in ences with his brother Daniel count on Sunday, February 17. life. In the end, Daniel and “I’ve been keeping this a Elias lived happily ever after,” secret for a while, and now I’m the Kapuso actor said. so excited I get to finally share If it was any consolation, with you all that I’m the newest Dennis took an active part Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019 in the action-drama series’ Rookie!!!” Merritt wrote in the creative aspect (so did Dingcaption. dong). In fact, both actors In a separate post on Monnever missed brainstorming day, February 18, the 22-yearsessions with the creative old model shared a sneak peek team led by director Don of her photoshoot with the Michael Perez where they sports magazine. pitched in their welcome sug“Can’t wait for the issue to gestions. come out in May!!” Merritt said. Not only that, Dennis and Sports Illustrated posted Dingdong shared their ideas more photos of Merritt during with the show’s action director her photo shoot in the Bahamas Toto Natividad and collabovia their official Instagram acrated with fight instructors Val count on Monday. Iglesias and Boy Roque. In a previous interview with “I must say that of all the the magazine, Merritt shared shows I’ve done on GMA, what modeling for the magaCain at Abel gave me the zine would mean to her. chance to prove that I could “I really want to be a Sports also do action aside from seri- Illustrated model because I love ous acting,” Dennis grinned. how confident the models are Now that the actionand I want to show everyone packed teleserye is over, this allows the Kapuso actor to concentrate this time on doing films, one of which is the remake of Erik Matti’s “On The Job 2.” Continued on Page 5
Kelsey Merritt
who is looking at these pictures and reading the magazine that they can also be confident in their own skin,” she said.
Photo from Instagram/@kelseymerritt
Merritt made headlines last November 2018 after being the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway.
Fil-Am Angelica Hale bows out of ‘America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ by KRissy
aguilaR
Inquirer.net
Dennis Trillo
FIlIPINO-American singer Angelica Hale failed to advance to the Top 5 round of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” on Monday, February 18, but remained optimistic and upbeat. “Well guys, I didn’t make it this time, but that’s ok! This was an amazingly fun run & I’m so happy to have made it this far!” the 11-year-old singer wrote in a tweet. “So thankful for all the fans I picked up along the way! U guys are the best & I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world,” Hale added. Canadian-American magiGMA photo cian Shin lim emerged as the grand winner, edging out ventriloquist Darci lynne Farmer. Other finalists of “AGT The
Champions” were Kseniya Simonova of “Ukraine’s Got Talent,” singer Cristina Ramos of “Spain’s Got Talent” and finalist of “AGT” Season 12 comedian Preacher lawson. Hale made history as the first contestant of “AGT” to earn two Golden Buzzer wins. She first joined “America’s Got Talent” in 2017 where she received her first Golden Buzzer and finAngelica Hale with ‘America’s Got Talent’ judge Simon Cowell ished second.
Photo from Instagram/@angelicahale
Lucy Torres shares first meal with husband Richard Gomez in throwback photo by Jan
Milo seveRo Philstar.com
MODEl-politician lucy Torres-Gomez recalled how she and husband Richard Gomez shared their first meal together in a throwback post on social media. In her Instagram account, lucy posted photos of her and Richard during the lunch break of their first TV commercial shoot in 1993. “I did not particularly like vegetables back then and you noticed I had eaten everything else on my plate but the carrots. ‘You don’t like carrots? Try them, they’re good for the body.’ I ate every last bit, not really tasting them, just getting them down,” she wrote. lucy, who was 18 years old at that time, added that she was compelled to do as he asked because she couldn’t believe that her love of many years was finally beside her. “I needed to do that anyway because, frankly, I couldn’t breathe. I’ve loved
Five years after the commercial shoot, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres got married and had a daughter. Photo from Instagram/@lucytgomez
you since I was 12, after all, and finally you were beside me. Real. Asking me to eat my vegetables,” she said. The congresswoman also shared how she caught Richard looking at her back then, saying, “under the light of the sun, your eyes were so beautiful, piercing. And I’d sometimes catch you staring at me, a little too long, a little
too hard.” “Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. And cheers to many more meals we shall share together,” she ended her post. Five years after the commercial shoot, lucy and Richard got married and had a daughter, now 18-year-old Juliana. The couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year.
Global influencer Bryanboy...
From Page 2 food in Sweden, I cook Filipino food for my friends. I even take my foreigner friends to Jollibee or to a lot of classic Filipino places. I always take them there because it is just a part of me,” he said. Bryanboy’s digital fashion superstardom started 15 years ago as a scrawny Manilabased teen who decided to snap his vacation in Russia and upload it in a blog to share with his friends. It was a new concept back then but he got a lot of offers and attention from it. Fast forward to today, Bryanboy has partnerships with fashion houses only one could dream of — Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, MiuMiu, Prada,
Valentino and now Christian Dior, the top of the heap of brands. “To work with Dior for me is amazing. I go to different events, to promote Dior basically around the world, and I was at their fashion show during Men’s (Winter 2019/2020 collection) three weeks ago with Naomi and Kate,” he shared. It was when brands approached Bryan that he treated the whole digital work as a career he nurtured. He also gave his two cents on how the new wave of digital influencers join the bandwagon to primarily get freebies in exchange for social media exposure. “There’s nothing wrong with pitching a story or pitch-
ing partnerships even if it’s free or not free. But if there are influencers who are looking at this business as a way of getting everything for free, you are clearly in the wrong business.” Kids nowadays should not be blindsided by how glamorous the fashion world looks because, according to Brian, it’s really a tough job that demands so much effort to build the trust of the brands. “The earlier influencers, I mean, when I started I never thought of it as a business. I never approached anyone and said, ‘oh, I want this for free and I’m going to write about you.’ I only want to promote the things that is authentically me,” he declared.
entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 20, 2019
Paulo Avelino’s sweet side by nika
roque ManilaTimes.net
WITH the success of primetime teleserye “The General’s Daughter,” where he plays the protective friend Franco Segismundo, Paulo Anne Curtis: ‘Now that I’ve been blessed to have achieved most of my dreams, it is my turn to be a blessing to others’ Photo courtesy of Unicef Philippines Avelino shows no signs of slowing down and continues to remain humble. “To be honest, it flatters me when I get good response on what I’ve worked hard on. More than that though, it challenges me to be better. to 12 have resurfaced, making it It’s something that I would the Dream Machine platform,” by Christina alpad appear more pro-children. Curtis told The Manila Times constantly remind myself that ManilaTimes.net But Curtis, stood firm on her there’s still a lot to learn and in 2017 at the launch of her ground. project. THERE’S no doubt that everything I do isn’t perfect,” During her launch as a UniAdvocating children’s rights children have a special place in Avelino told The Manila Helping out children through cef National Goodwill AmbasAnne Curtis’ heart. Using her Times. sadors, Curtis reiterated that charitable endeavors was not celebrity status, not to mention The General’s Daughter; children below 15 should not be is different from anything her widely-followed social media the only means for Curtis to held lawfully liable. show her advocacy. platforms, the actress has long I’ve done in the past two to When The Manila Times In fact, she stunned many been vocal about the welfare three years. I’m happy doing asked the age Curtis thinks when she became vocal about and issues involving children. this and portraying another the hot issue of lowering the age children should be held lawfully She has been a major donor character. I’m also very proud liable, she answered, “I agree of criminal liability. to the United Nations Internaof the people behind it bewith what the current law is Before January ended, the tional Children’s Emergency cause we all worked hard,” he before the amendment because added. House of Representative ComFund (Unicef) since 2009 until based from what I learned from mittee on Justice approved the her closer involvement with the However, Avelino is more Unicef, the age of discernment bill that would lower the miniagency that led her to being so acknowledged for his big mum age of criminal responsibil- is from 15 to 16 years old. It’s appointed a celebrity advocate screen outings as with most of the time when they are actually ity from 15 to nine years old. in 2014. them receiving critical acclaim, aware of what they are doing In the existing Republic Act As a celebrity advocate, specifically “I’m Drunk, I Love and their brain is developed (RA) 10630, the minimum age the 34-year-old has led special You,” and “Goyo: Ang Batang enough [to process judgment]. of criminal liability is at 15 but projects with the foundation Heneral.” “When I think of myself at including the Heroes for Children children as young as 12 can be “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” 12, my way of thinking is far detained in youth care facilities runs to support children’s First in fact, is reportedly due for from how I was at 15 so that’s or Bahay Pag-asa for serious 1,000 Days, fundraising through a sequel although Avelino crimes such as rape, murder, and how I personally feel about it. I international marathons, and a has never discussed on social know that not everyone would homicide, among others. children’s book that encourages media. agree with me and I know some “Nakakalungkot isipan reading and instilling confidence “I just don’t believe in do but that’s my stand on the is- overhyping so we’ll talk about na ibababa nila ang criminal in one’s self. sue and that’s why I’m raising my it when everything’s final,” he responsibility to the age of nine. She was also among the voice to give awareness about it. said. At that age, they are still very celebrities who devoted time “Reading the current law, much children. They still have to visit survivors of devastating So will he be producit just needs to be fully implea chance to change their ways typhoons in the country: Leyte ing the film like he did for mented.” province after Typhoon Haiyan in if they happen to cause or get Finally Curtis vowed that her into any trouble instead of being 2015 and Samar province after strong stand on advocating for sent to jail and sentenced as an Typhoon Urduja in 2017. children’s rights will not end in Outside the foundation, Cur- adult,” she tweeted via @annethe issue. curtissmith the day after House tis — who has shown that she is From Page 4 “I’ll use every chance I can not only an inspiration in fashion approved the bill. There are four movie get and use these platforms to The tweet has since gone and beauty — has founded her scripts which Dennis has to raise awareness. I’m not saying viral and garnered more than own platform, Dream Machine, go over and choose from as it hasn’t gotten me into trouble 6,000 retweets, 23,000 likes and to help children and other Filipito which one he should begin before. Sometimes people just more importantly, opened a nos realize their dreams. filming anytime this year. have different opinions from “I’ve always been a dreamer. discussion among her followers, Come August, it’s going yourself but if you know that you most of whom are millennials In my 20 years in showbiz, I stand up for something that you to be a temporary break from and Gen Z-ers, about the House have worked hard to reach for believe in, and it’s looking out, in work for Dennis as he’s acBill. my dreams. Now that I’ve been companying real-life girlfriend my opinion, for children’s rights Upon reaching the Senate, blessed to have achieved most Jennylyn Mercado to the 2019 then I will use those platforms,” however, pending bills by Senaof my dreams, it is my turn to Hokkaido Marathon in Sapshe ended. tors of lowering criminal liability be a blessing to others through
Anne Curtis fulfills dream for children’s welfare
Paulo Avelino in character as Goyo
“Goyo?” “I probably am.” “It’s a good thing because it’s interesting to know where both characters eventually ended up. What I wanted sana is after seven years to see the change. They sent me the script and I haven’t read it yet. I probably will one of these days. Let’s see what happens,” Avelino shared. His cinematic work in “Goyo” on the other hand goes from strength to strength, now earning a spot in Netflix and thus available for viewing by the rest of the world. “I’m still happy and proud of ‘Goyo’ until now. I feel lucky to work on a big film like this in terms of Philippine cinema. Not just how big the
Photo courtest of TBA Studios
production is and how long people have prepared for it but also because it’s so nice to work on a film na hindi tinipid,” the ever-passionate actor shared. But believe it or not, the debonair actor is generally uncomfortable in such scenes, adding, “I’m really awkward to make pa-kilig in general, but with the direction of Yam Llaranas it all worked out.” Asked in what ways he shows his sweet side, he finally replied, “Ako kasi, I find sweetness in the simplest of gestures like for example kung may nalaglag, tutulungan kong pulutin. Just making an extra effort to help you do something, that’s sweet in itself.”
Dennis Trillo gears for... poro, Japan. Asked if wedding bells would ring for him and Jennylyn this 2019, Dennis confessed to talking about it: “The thing is, I haven’t proposed to her.” Dennis is honored as Film Actor of the Year for “One Great Love” at the 50th Box Office Entertainment Awards given by the Guillermo Men-
doza Scholarship Foundation. Hopefully, the Kapuso actor will be at the awards ceremonies on March 24 at the Star Theatre to personally accept his trophy. Meanwhile, replacing “Cain at Abel” on GMA’s primetime block is “Kara Mia” starring Barbie Forteza and Mika de la Cruz which piloted this week.
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 20, 2019