022120 - Northern California Edition

Volume18 18- -No. No.17 17••22Sections Sections––16 16Pages Pages Volume

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA NORTHERN

Volume18 19- -No. No.44 7 •• 22 Sections Volume Sections –– 16 16 Pages Pages

H E FFILIPINO I L I P I N O AAMERICAN M E R I CA N CCOMMUNITY OMMUNITY N NEWS E WSPA PAPPEERR TTHE

We’vegot gotyou youcovered coveredfrom fromHollywood HollywoodtotoBroadway...and Broadway...andOnline!

Online!

We’ve

F E-B DECEMBER R U A RY 2 1 - 2 5, 7 , 2019 2020 NOVEMBER 29

1799OldOldBayshore BayshoreHwy, Hwy,Suite Suite136, 136,Burlingame, Burlingame,CACA94010 94010• •Tel: Tel:(650) (650)689-5160 689-5160••Fax: Fax:(650) (650)239-9253 239-9253••www.asianjournal.com www.asianjournal.com 1799

USA USA

DATELINE DATELINE Palace Private slams serviceMidler held for for Duterte criticism Fil-Am basketball coach Christina Mauser weeks after helicopter crash FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Sunday, November 24, slammed singer-actress Bette Midler for describing President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the world’s most detestable leaders as well as lumping him together with the likes of U.S. President Donald TrumpAmerican and Nazi leader Adolfcoach Hitler.ChrisFILIPINA basketball “She, however, has no right as she is intina Mauser — who was among the nine viccompetent a gullible talking headkilled as well, tims in theand helicopter crash that also NBA onicon matters leadersGianna she has Kobeconcerning Bryant andforeign his daughter last nomonth personal knowledge of,â€? said presidential — was honored during a private funeral spokesperson Salvador Panelo.16. service on Sunday, February “She should circumspect as an uencer Mauser, 38,be was memorialized byinfl family and and should refrain from giving one-sided and friends at her alma mater, Edison High School judgmental comments internalthree affairs of in Huntington Beach, on California, weeks another sovereign state, especially if her referafter the fatal crash in Calabasas on January 26. ences are false narratives poShe had been inductedcoming into thefrom highthe school’s litical opposition and some biased media outlets athletic hall of fame for her accomplishments whose agenda is tobasketball besmirch President Rodrigo in both varsity and volleyball, ac-

uu PAGE PAGEA2A2

Governor Newsom US leaders of Quiboloy announces Early Childhood church charged with Policy Council a team human traffiand cking, toimmigration develop master plan for fraud early learning and care THREE Filipino church leaders working in the United States on behalf of the Kingdom SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name on(or Friday, November 22, announced KOJC), were charged this weekthe by seleca fedtion diverse practitioners and par-a eralofgrand juryexperts, in California with overseeing ents to guide California’s efforts on early learnlong-running scheme that forced followers to solicit donations for a bogus charity. ing and care.

The Governor today appointed 20 The one-count indictment returned by the members of the state’s new Early Childhood grand jury on Februaryinclud12 alPolicy Council andWednesday, advisory committees, leged that experts, Guia Cabactulan, 59; Marissa Dueing national practitioners, and parents.

41;announced and Amanda Henas, also theEstopare, creation 48 of conspired an Early to commitAction a series of offenses, which includes Childhood Research Team to develop a trafficking, forced document servitude, Master Plan for Earlylabor, Learning and Care, which

PAGEA2 A2 uuPAGE

VFA termination will not affect Firing VP akin to EJK — Lagman Philippine military — AFP chief

by JESS

DIAZ Philstar.com

OPPOSITION Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay on Tuesday, November 26, likened to an extrajudicial killing President Duterte’s removal of Vice President

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal AJPress Drugs (ICAD). “The summary dismissal of the vice president as termination thevalid Visiting Forces ICADTHE co-chair without of any reasons andAgreedue ment (VFA) with the United States will not EJK affect process is akin to an extrajudicial killing. Like the Armed Forces of and the criticized Philippines, victims, Robredo fought the according Duterte to the chief ofbloody the country’s forces. administration’s war onarmed drugs,�

Lagman said. “I would like everybody to know this is the decision of the president and I want He claimed that the president fired everybody Robredo to to know it will us, it will not affect us, hide fromhow her data on affect the anti-drugs campaign. instead it will make us self-reliant,� AFP chief

AJPress

SENATOR Franklin Drilon on PRESIDENT Rodrigo Tuesday, November 26,Duterte said believes States President he HouseUnited of Representatives is “deservesin to be oDonald blame Trump for the mishaps this reelectedâ€? for Asian understanding year’s Southeast Games and respecting Philippines’ which the countrythe is hosting. decision to terminate the VisitAccording to the opposition ing Forces Agreement (VFA), senator, the House of RepresenMalacaĂąang said.in submitting atives was late (President Duterte) he “PRRD proposed national budget nwelcomes December,President containingTrump’s some remarks he isbarrel glad that that futhe P95 billionand in pork American President understands eled debates.

This delay, some and respectsclaimed, his decision to the end congressmen led to the Visiting Forces Agreement,�

SEAG blunders. said presidential spokesperson “If there was any delay, it was Salvador Panelo in a statement because of them,� Drilon said in on Saturday, February 15.

Filipino. “It is President Trump’s cirLast December, some memcumspect and judicious reaction bers of the House of Represento the termination of the VFA that atives were accused by Presimade PRRD give the following dential Spokesperson Salvador

Inquirer.net AJ Press

MANILA Risa — Manny Pacquiao SENATOR Hontiveros on will make his ring return either Monday, November 25, warned June “China-made or July, but questions on hat blackouts� the venue andthe hiscountry’s next opponent could paralyze econwill vital likely be answered next omy, communications system month. and even the electoral system.

gayan de Oro City, said Robredo’s removal was “rather unfortunate.� “President Duterte’s experiment in appointing her was doomed from the very start. The VP is leader of the opposition, a lawyer and an advocate of human rights. Her views on the anti-illegal drugs campaign joint exercises withopposed Filipinotosoldiers. were diametrically the current thrusts of need that. Interoperability with our Asian the“We administration,� he said. countries like South Korea“All which have Rodriguez said Duterte’s Boyswe Club wasalready therean agreement agreement fore worried, toand say we the will least,further on herthe entry into the with the SOVFA for exercises,� he said. picture.�

Santos said that the country could sustain itself “To them, her appointment was totally unacceptwithout the now VFA business and will continue able.

So it’s as usual,�itshelong-standing added. relationship with theBagong U.S military.

The militant group Alyansang Makabayan “And said with the ourpeople new equipment, I think we could (Bayan) are awaiting Robredo’s redefend ourdrug country. could live without it (VFA). port on the war.We (With Rhodina Villanueva) â–

u PAGE A2

u PAGE A2

by AJP RESS

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress

THE United States accounted for the CONTRARY Malacaùang’s for third biggesttosource of visitorsreasons to the Philfiring Viceduring President as tourcoippines 2019Leni with Robredo 1.06 million chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on ist arrivals, according to the latest figures from the Department of Tourism.

Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the Philippine ThePolice DOT on 1726, reNational on Monday, Tuesday,February November that not the see country’s tourist arrivals saidvealed they did Robredo make any exceededduring its 8.2her million full-year “missteps�

18-day stint astarget the with 8.26 million arrivals.czar. administration’s anti-drug This year-end figure also exceeded the “During her stay as co-chair of ICAD, we 7.16 million arrivals inany 2018. haven’t really noticed report or mis“This a new milestone in the steps,� said heralds PNP spokesman Bernard Banac country’s tourism history, breaching the in an interview with ANC’s “Early Edition.� eight-millionth mark,� saiddiscussion, Tourism Secre“But in the continuing of tary Bernadette Puyat in a statecourse, there is thatRomulo exchange of ideas and ment. insofar as discussion on a higher level, the She added, our converPNP is not really“Without involveddoubt, anymore so we gence other government leave it to programs the higherwith authorities,� he added. agencies, particularly in improving access to destinations, as well as product developAccording to Presidential spokesperson ment and marketing initiatives with sevlocal Salvador Panelo, Robredo committed and the seeking private sector, have eralgovernments ‘missteps’ including the advice greatly paid off. institutions We hope to and sustain these of certain foreign person-

uPAGE PAGEA2 A3 u

NEW AIRPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the unveiling of the marker of the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP) in Cavite City during its inauguration last Saturday, February 15. The SADP was built to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s major aviation LINKED TOGETHER. President Rodrigo Duterte joins other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Republic of Korea President hub. Duterte said the government has the resources to build major infrastructures stressing that through prudent spending under competent managers, Moon Jae-in as they pose for a family photo prior to the start of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit at the Busan Exhibition and Convention the state can complete projects that are beneďŹ cial to the people.

MalacaĂąang photo by Robinson NiĂąal Center on Tuesday, November 26.

MalacaĂąang photo by Arman Baylon

Panelo of employing diversionary and delayed transportation after tactics such as accusing Budget their arrival in the Philippines, Secretary Benjamin Diokno of ir- inadequate food served to the regularities in the preparation of athletes, and unfinished venues. the 2019 national budget. ‘Apology not enough’ Drilon, however, pointed out Sen. Christopher “Bong� Go, that there are only three oppo- for his part, said that the orgasition members in the Senate nizers of SEAG this year will be — not enough to delay the pas- made “answerable� for “apparsage of the budget. ent inefficiencies� that happened Furthermore, he said that even in the past few days. if the budget was delayed, most “They said before, the preparaof the funds used for the SEA tion, venues, and everything that Games infrastructure were from will be used for the games were separate loans. almost ready and complete. As “I really do not understand of October 30, 2019, PHISGOC Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. President Donald Trump share a light moment the between theASEAN stated that 90%in duringrelationship the gala dinner for leaders at the Summit andpreparations Related Meetingsare in Manila blunders and the budget delay,� complete.

How come 2017.

ManilaTimes.net photo bythese Russellhave Palma Drilon said. he said in Filipino remarks: ‘President Trump is a happened?� country.

Some of the mishaps experi25.don’t mind. If good President and he deserves on Monday, “But I — Nov. I really enced before the official launch of “Towould all thelike parties, to be re-elected,’� he added. they to doremember, that, that’s the regional sports event include one’s failure is the failure of us all.

Trump on February 12 said he fine. We’ll save a lot of money. members of foreign delegations Let me remind everyone that you was “fine� with Duterte’s order You know, my views are differto the sporting event complain- will be answerable to the Presiu PAGE A2 to terminate the VFA with the ing about awful accommodations u PAGE A2

Pacquiao returns with ‘big Hontiveros: ‘China-made’ fight’ either in cripple June or PH July blackouts can MARK M GENDIOLA IONGKO by by RITCHEL

Her dismissal “is similar to the extrajudicial killing of some victims to silence them and cover up incriminatory information known to them,� he said.

Lagman belongs to the opposition Liberal Party (LP), which Robredo chairs.

Another LP leader, Jose Christopher Belmonte of Gen. Felimon Santos told secretary officers and solQuezon City, who is the Jr. party’s general, diers during his first was visit fito Zamboanga City as said the vice president red as she might have as military chief. “discovered significant information on the root of Santos ourWhile nation’s drugadmitted trade.� that once the VFA is officially terminated, there willwas be anticipated gaps “What was important to her putting a stop to in the training of personnel and supply of equipthe killings.

That’s why she talked to the right peoment.

However,with he said Philippines’ other ple, coordinated thethat rightthe agencies, asked the alliesquestions. like Australia ll them through the Staright Whycan wasfishe suddenly removed?� tus of theasked.

Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

Belmonte Santos also called for the approval of theofSOVAnother congressman, Rufus Rodriguez CaFA as it would allow Australian forces to hold

PNP says Robredo did DOT: US third‘missteps’ biggest not commit of tourists to PH assource drug czar

Drilon says‘deserves House to blame SEA Games budget mess Trump to beforreelected’ –Duterte

by R ITCHEL ENDIOLA by AJPM RESS

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

One thing’s sure, it’s China bound According tofor her, with to be a big40 one. controlling percent of the Na“We’re going to Philippines make it a tional Grid Corp. of the big fight. know where (NGCP), it We has don’t the capability to but it’s either Saudi, the Middle undermine national security and East,topple Asia orthe United States,� said “even government.�

Arnold Vegafria, serves as Hontiveros gave who out the warnPacquiao’s business manager, ing after deliberating on the

uPAGE PAGEA2 A2 u

Recto: Complaints vs.teach ABS-CBN not ‘fatally Senate bill seeks to GMRC anew

defective’ to warrant cancellation of franchise

by MARION

RAMOS Inquirer.net

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson has filed a measure institutionalizing PHILIPPINE Senate good manners and rightPresident conduct Pro Tempore Ralph subject Recto for on (GMRC) as a separate Wednesday, February to19, expupils from kindergarten Grade his support for extend3pressed to counter the negative effects ing the operation of network giant of the internet on the attitude of ABS-CBN, saying that the allegayoung Filipinos. tions it are Bill not “fatally deIn fiagainst ling Senate No. 1185, fective�said to cancel thethan franchise.

Lacson no less Educain favor of extending the tion“I’m Secretary Leonor Briones had franchise [ABS-CBN],� hewithsaid. pointed outofthat “technology noneisofathese comout“And goodI think manners disaster� plaints fatally defective that it and thatare“online or technologywouldpedagogy� warrant not to extend the driven could not inculfranchise. Insofar as the comcate social values and skills among plaints filed, right? ‘Yung (The) young students. quo warranto (petition),� he addStrong values ed.

By having a separate GMRC Solicitor General Jose Calida on subject, he said the students would February 10 filed a petition before be able to understand “human dig-

nity, respect for oneself and giving oneself to others in the spirit of the SupremeforCourt for the cancommunity, the effective and cellationdevelopment of ABS-CBN’s 25-year holistic of the decifranchise, alleging thatchild.â€? the TV sion-making skills of the network “It is thereportedly aim of thisviolated act‌ torules betsetmold

by Congress. ter our youth to have strong Calida the network of values andaccused moral foundation which allowing foreigners to investainreits will contribute in shaping ownership, which violates Article spectable society,� read a portion

of Lacson’s bill, a copy of which was furnished the media on SunXVI Section 11 24. of the Constitution day, November that limits ownership and man“The teaching method shall be agement mass media only to actual or of situational, rather than Filipino citizens. conceptual, thereby allowing the His petition also alleged [students] to directly relatethat to the the network readily was “abusing the privilessons, incorporate them legeâ€? givenand bymake the State it in practice suchwhen behavPAGE A3 ior commonplace,â€? heuadded. â–

We can help you! !.$2%7 " 3().

)FMQJOH UIF JOKVSFE BOE UIFJS MPWFE POFT

LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW B. SHIN 8PSL *OKVSJFT t̓"VUPNPCJMF "DDJEFOU

CALL:

(408) 615-1155

www.injuryattorneydirect.com

A

FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

From the Front Page

VFA termination will not affect PH ...

PAGE A1 t The modernization will push through together with other programs and enhancing our organization,” he said.

A military official, who asked not to be named, shared Santos’ sentiments.

“Well, we could not deny that they have been helping us in our

various security efforts, particularly in our campaign against the local terrorist groups, like the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangasamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). They complement our ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and technical capabilities,” the official told the Philippine Star.

“They (US) have been supporting us. The more the merrier, so they say. But it does not mean we cannot survive with their pullout. We can continue to survive, despite the reduction on technical capabilities and other support systems to include medical evacuation,” he added. n

Recto: Complaints vs. ABS-CBN...

PAGE A1 t operated a pay-per-view channel (KBO Channel) on its ABS-CBN TV Plus cable product without a permit from the National Telecommunications Commission.

“We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers.

These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years,” the solicitor general said

in a statement.

ABS-CBN, for its part, maintained that it has complied with all the laws governing its franchise and secured all government and regulatory approvals for its operations.

President Rodrigo Duterte, as well as House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, have also accused the media network of alleged unfair election coverage in 2010 and 2016.

However, when asked about

these allegations, Recto said: “I don’t know about siding with politicians. I’ll put it this way. Here in the Senate, I think all of us natamaan na rin ng (got hit by) ABSCBN, wala naman dito palagay ko hindi natamaan din (nobody here I think was spared), but I don’t think that’s fatally defective on their franchise, or for any other media network.”

“Trabaho ninyo ‘yan eh (That’s your job). You’re the fourth estate,” he added. n

Trump ‘deserves to be reelected’...

PAGE A1 t ent than other people. I view it as, ‘Thank you very much. We save a lot of money,’” the U.S. president said.

Panelo pointed out Duterte would have reacted the same way if he was in Trump’s shoes while musing that Trump would have also ordered to end the agreement if he was the Philippines’ leader.

“The president said that if President Trump were a Filipino and the Philippine president, given his character and principled stand on a matter of national interest, he would have done exactly the same thing he had done, and if he (PRRD) were the U.S. president, he would have given the same re-

action,” Panelo said.

The spokesman also reiterated that Duterte is firm on the country being self-reliant when it comes to defense and security.

“The time to strengthen our defense capabilities has come.

Reliance on another country to defend our motherland from whoever desires to threaten our territorial integrity as well as to assault our sovereignty will only further weaken and stagnate our already limited resources,” he said.

“As the president says in rationalizing why we have to stand alone and depending on our own resources in fighting the enemies of the state: ‘If not now, when ?’” he added.

PH support for Trump

Aside from Duterte, Filipinos largely also expressed support for Trump, according to a Pew Research Center survey released last month.

Results from the nonpartisan fact tank’s survey found that 77% of Filipinos said they are confident that Trump would do the “right thing” concerning world affairs, while 19% believed otherwise.

The Philippines showed the most positive review for the U.S. president among 32 other countries surveyed.

The Pew survey released in January was conducted across 33 countries from May 18 to October 2, 2019 using face-to-face interviews among 36,923 respondents. n

DOT: US third biggest source of tourist...

ary, P14.11 billion in March and P11.98 billion in April, for a total of P42.9 billion, the tourism secretary estimated.

Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III, meanwhile, said it is “too early” to determine how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect the full-year tourist arrivals target. “(For the first quarter) definitely, it’s going to be affected. Let’s say it’s safe to say it will probably be down by about 30%, just to be safe about it, from [the first quarter] of the previous year’s arrivals,” he said. n

PAGE A1 gains even as we face global challenges.

Puyat said that this is a high point for Philippine tourism as it depicts the solidarity and commitment to make tourism work.

It also proves the sector’s full potential as a sustainable and inclusive economic activity, she said.

The DOT’s data showed that South Korea remained the Philippines’ top source market with 1.98 million arrivals. This is followed by China, whose tourist arrivals increased by 38.58% to 1.74 million in 2019 — the largest increase recorded among

markets.

After the U.S., Japan ranked next with 682,788 arrivals, while Taiwan settled for fifth place 327,273 arrivals.

This year, the DOT is targeting to attract 9.2 million international visitor arrivals despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Puyat acknowledged that the outbreak will likely impact greatly on the tourism industry’s performance as China is the country’s second-largest source of tourists.

The tourism sector could lose P16.8 billion this Febru-

PAGE A1 t on Tuesday, February 18 in a press conference.

Pacquiao, who signed with Par- beating Keith Thurman to win adigm Sports Management two the WBA (Super) welterweight weeks ago, hasn’t fought since title last July in Las Vegas.

As far as Pacquiao’s next opponent is concerned, the likes of Danny Garcia, Errol Spence and Mikey Garcia remain on the list.

“I think Paradigm is now negotiating in the United States. We still have no concrete details yet, but they’re on the stage of negotiating with the next fight,” “We still don’t know who will be the opponent but they’re still at the stage of negotiating with different companies.” n

Pacquiao returns with ‘big fight’ either in June...

Manny Pacquiao

BOOK LAUNCH. Senator Nancy Binay launches her second book, “Charcoal Confessions: 46 Home-Brewed Tips vs. Online Bullying”, at the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in Pasay City on Monday, February 17. Binay hopes that people will learn a thing or two from her experience with cyberbullying with her newest book. The first book was “Make Love Not War”, which was a collaboration with social media/parody celebrity Senyora Santibanez.

Photo courtesy of the office of Senator Binay

Private service held for Fil-Am basketball coach...

PAGE A1 cording to local television station KTLA5.

Mauser previously worked as a basketball coach at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, where Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna attended, and was an assistant coach at Mamba Sports Academy.

The younger Bryant was also among the victims of the crash on Sunday, January 26 as they made their way to the academy in Thousand Oaks for a game.

Mauser is survived by her husband Matt and their three young children ages 11, 9 and 3.

Her husband Matt previously shared in an interview with the “TODAY” show that Bryant had hand-selected her to be assistant coach for Mamba Academy.

“Kobe brought her on (to the Mamvbas) to teach the kids defense,” Matt Mauser said. “He didn’t really understand zone defense because he never played it in high school or college. They called her the Mother of Defense.

MOD.” He added, “[Kobe] didn’t choose Christina for just any ordinary reason — she was extraordinary. She was incredibly witty, funny like nobody you’ve ever met.”

In addition to the Bryants and Mauser, the victims aboard the Sikorsky S-76B aircraft were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter, Alyssa; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton; and Ara Zobayan, who was Bryant’s private pilot. Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester

Mauser is survived by her husband Matt and their three young children.

Photo courtesy of the Mauser family

both played for Mamba Academy as well.

Mauser was also honored by the California State Assembly on January 30 and at a public vigil at Huntington Beach Pier on Feb. 1.

A GoFundMe page with a $300,000 goal has been started for the Mauser family. As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $290,000.

A public memorial will be held for Bryant and Gianna on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. All proceeds will go The late Christina Mauser and Gianna Bryant to the Mamba and Mambacita on the court Photo courtesy of Mamba Sports Academy Sports Foundation. (AJPress) n

US leaders of Quiboloy church...

PAGE A1 t immigration fraud and marriage fraud.

The three KOJC administrators were arrested last month by FBI agents after KOJC’s offices were raided in Van Nuys, Glendale and Los Angeles. Estopare was arrested in Virginia, where the church has a branch in Virginia Beach.

The three reportedly used a children’s foundation as a front to bring in its members from the Philippines and forced them to work as “volunteers” to raise money to aid Filipino children.

However, the money went to church operations instead, as well as to fund KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy Quiboloy’s lavish lifestyle.

“Other KOJC workers were unaware of the actual purpose until they were forced to solicit on the streets nearly every day, year-round, working very long hours, and often sleeping in cars Inquirer.net file photo overnight, without normal access

to over-the-counter medicine or even clothes,” the 17-page indictment said.

About $20 million was sent back to the church in the Philippines from 2014 to mid-2019, according to the FBI. “Most of these funds appear to derive from street-level solicitation,” the January affidavit read, adding “little to no money solicited appears to benefit impoverished or in-need children.”

Cabactulan was believed to be the top KOJC official in the U.S. who maintained direct communication with church leaders in the Philippines, while Duenas allegedly handled the forged immigration documents for the workers and Estopare managed the finances and oversaw fundraising quotas for workers, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California said.

They also employed several illicit mechanisms like sham marriages and phony enrollments in schools to keep the members in

the country.

According to the indictment, around 72 Philippine passports, seven U.S. passports and one Ukrainian passport, as well as wedding rings, were found by authorities when they raided the KOJC compound in Van Nuys.

The search also revealed that Duenas possessed a file titled “Traitor” that contained information on KOJC members who fled the church.

The three leaders, who were arrested on January 29, remain in federal custody. They are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on February 20 in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

The FBI has established a tollfree phone number for potential victims or anyone with information about KOJC activities to provide information. The information line is 1-800-CALL FBI (1-800225-5324), and it will be staffed

by English- and Tagalog-speaking personnel. (With reports from the Associated Press) n

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020

A

New CA policies increase signups during Covered CA open enrollment New Special-Enrollment Period Announced

SACRAMENTO — Covered California announced that 418,052 people had newly selected a health plan for 2020 during the most recent open-enrollment period. The total is more than 122,000, or 41 percent, higher than last year’s figure of 295,980.

The increase comes after the state of California instituted two key policies designed to help and encourage more people to become insured: reinstituting a penalty for those going without coverage, which had been lowered to zero by federal action in 2019, and adding state subsidies to build on and go beyond the Affordable Care Act’s financial help.

“Californians are seeing that by building on – instead of undercutting – the Affordable Care Act, they are directly benefiting from lower health care costs and more people being insured,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “The new enrollment that occurs during each year’s open-enrollment period is vital to getting more people covered and keeping costs down by enrolling a healthy risk mix. This dramatic rebound in new enrollment shows how effective state policies can make quality coverage more affordable and encourage people to get covered.”

Preliminary analysis shows that the total number of net plan selections for 2020 is 1,538,819, which reflects 1,120,767 consumers renewing their coverage and 418,052 consumers newly signing up for coverage during open enrollment. Overall, there are 24,936 more plan selections compared to 2019, an increase of almost 2 percent.

New State Policies and Effective Outreach Drive New Enrollment California adopted several poli-

cies to pursue Gov. Newsom’s stated goal of moving toward universal coverage, including two that were specific to the individual market: Effective January 2020, California required its residents to have health insurance coverage – reinstating the federal penalty that was integral to the Affordable Care Act. Those who can afford coverage but choose to go without it could face a penalty when they file their taxes with the California Franchise Tax Board in 2021. The penalty can be more than $2,000 for a family of four.

California launched a state subsidy program that expanded the amount of financial help available to many consumers, including a first-in-the-nation program to help middle-income consumers afford coverage. The new state subsidies could extend to an individual making up to $74,940 and a family of four with a household income of up to $154,500.

California extended its openenrollment period through Jan. 31, compared to Jan. 15 last year — in dramatic contrast to the federal decision to have open enrollment close on Dec. 15.

Covered California and the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), which will be implementing the penalty, worked to get the word out about these new policies throughout open enrollment. Elements of the robust marketing and outreach included Covered California: Investing $121 million in statewide marketing and outreach during the current fiscal year.

Supporting more than 10,000 Certified Insurance Agents across the state and more than 100 community organizations that were recipients of Covered California’s Navigator grants totaling $6.5 million.

Conducting more than a dozen phone banks on in-language tele-

Delays in Marawi rehabilitation boost IS recruitment – US report

by FranCis

Mangosing Inquirer.net

MANILA — The continued delay in the rehabilitation of Marawi City, the site of a five-month war in 2017, was stirring the recruitment of Islamic State in Mindanao, a US report said.

“Public anger at the Philippine government’s extended delays in providing for the reconstruction of Marawi has allowed extremist elements to regain a foothold in the city, according to a November DoS (Department of State) cable,” the quarterly report of the lead inspector general for the US Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines (OPE-P) said.

OPE-P is the US support to the Philippine government’s fight against insurgency and counterterrorism. The report released recently covers the period of October to December 2019.

The same November cable revealed that the reconstruction has been delayed due to multiple corruption scandals, the report said.

“The cable assessed that there is a public perception that political well-connected government contractors are enriching themselves at the expense of Marawi residents, and this has reinforced extremist anti-government narratives and contributed to terrorist recruitment,” it said.

It also stated that there were signs that violence was returning

to Marawi after two years of declining levels of violence.

To address the “signs of resurgent terrorist recruitment in Marawi and elsewhere,” the US launched a $1.7 million program in Cotabato City to build local government and non-governmental organization capacity to design and implement programs to counter radicalization in November.

It was designed to complement USAID’s Marawi Response Project, aimed at helping internally displaced persons recover economically and integrate into their new communities, the report said.

“Independent analysts, government officials, researchers, and local residents told US Embassy officials that extremist recruitment has outpaced the public benefits of rehabilitation in Marawi since the ISIS insurgency was defeated there in October 2017,” the report said.

“The cable assessed that if this trend continues, Islamic extremists could eventually stage another high-profile operation like the 2017 attack on Marawi,” it added.

The OPE-P report comes at a time that the Philippines has formalized its scrapping of the Visiting Force Agreement with the United States. The Philippine government last week had sent the termination of notice to the US Embassy but it will take effect after 180 days. n

Russia distances self from end of Philippines-US military pact

by PatriCia lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — Russia clarified that it is not involved in the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.

The Russian Embassy in Manila released a statement a day after Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev paid a courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. The embassy said it was only doing its work to develop bilateral cooperation with other nations, including military cooperation.

“And the courtesy call by the Russian Ambassador on the AFP Chief F. Santos has nothing to do with the known recent event in USPhilippine cooperation,” Russian Embassy press secretary Natalia Linovitskaya said in a statement.

Linovitskaya noted that the Philippines and Russia have its own independent course on bilateral cooperation, particularly in the military-technical aspects, that does not depend on a third party.

The current path of the military cooperation between the two countries are based on the what President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin

discussed in October 2019.

“Now we are just implementing the agreements reached last year,” Linovitskaya said.

In a Facebook post, the Russian Embassy said the meeting between Khovaev and Santos focused on the development of military and military-technical cooperation.

The Russian envoy also met with Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. to discuss the current status of bilateral ties between Manila and Moscow.

The Philippine government has sent a notification to the US on its decision to abrogate the VFA, which is the legal framework for the presence of US military personnel in the country.

During the Senate hearing on the VFA a few weeks ago, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the termination of the military deal with the US may facilitate closer relations with non-traditional partners, such as Russia.

The Philippines’ top diplomat described Russia as “a power like the US too far to meddle in our internal affairs without any acquisitive interest in our territory yet strong and with a long enough reach to hit a common enemy in mutual defense.” n

vision stations across the state targeting English, Spanish, Mandarin and Hmong speakers.

Partnering with social media influencers such as Laila Ali, Leo Santa Cruz, J.R. Todd, Nathan Adrian and others to create content that has generated more than 3 million impressions.

In addition, Franchise Tax Board has worked with Covered California to get the word out, including: Working with tax-filing software companies to include penalty information that consumers will see when they file their taxes.

Conducting outreach and training for tax professionals.

Sending mail to more than 2 million households alerting them to the penalty and telling them how to get coverage.

Through the open-enrollment and renewal periods, about 625,000 new and renewing consumers qualified to receive the new state subsidies.

About 576,000 lower-income consumers, who earn between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), will receive an average of $608 per month per household in federal tax credits and new state subsidies (which averages $23 per household).

The financial assistance lowers the average household monthly premium from $881 per month to $272, a decrease of 70 percent.

Nearly 32,000 middle-income

FIRE STARTERS. Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso presents five of the seven teenagers caught in a viral video in which a balloon vendor was set on fire in Manila.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

American woman caught with baby boy in sling bag nabbed for kidnapping

by Consuelo

Marquez Inquirer.net

MANILA — The American woman who was caught concealing a baby boy inside her sling bag at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been arrested for kidnapping, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Wednesday, February 19.

In a press conference, NBI Director Dante Gierran said NBI operatives served the arrest warrant issued by Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 109 against Jennifer Erin Talbot.

NBI-International Airport Inu PAGE A5 vestigation Division Chief Palmer

Mallari said Talbot was arrested Monday, February 17 while she was attending the hearing at Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 109 in Pasay City for her other cases that include Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. “A hearing was held [Monday] on Talbot’s case for Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Republic Act 7610. During the hearing, the warrant was issued,” he said.

Mallari said Talbot was previously arrested at NAIA in September 2019 authorities found a sixday-old boy inside her sling bag.

Talbot was taken under custody and charged for violation of Section 6 of the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act and the Anti-Child Abuse Law as well as kidnapping.

But Talbot was granted temporary liberty after posting bail for the two cases – trafficking and child abuse.

Mallari said they are already coordinating with the United States Embassy in Manila regarding Talbot’s case.

Talbot was presented to members of the media during Wednesday’s press briefing. She, however, refused to answer questions from the media saying she would first consult her lawyer. n

A

FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Dateline PhiliPPines

Trillanes posts bail for conspiracy to commit sedition case

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday morning, February 18 arrived in Manila to post bail on the Department of Justice’s conspiracy to commit sedition case against him, the latest legal suit he faces in recent years.

Trillanes arrived in Manila early Tuesday morning from his engagements outside the country. The STAR reported that the former senator posted bail before noon. His lawyer, Renaldo Robles, is also seen flanking Trillanes.

The court issued a warrant of arrest against Trillanes and ten others for conspiracy to commit sedition over the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series that alleged drug links to President Rodrigo Duterte, his family and allies.

The former senator was out of the country last week when news of the issuance of warrants broke out. He, however, said Friday,

Court defers Enrile plunder trial

by Ma.

reina Leanne toLentino

to comment on the motion.

A pretrial order—which is issued by the court—contains the THE Sandiganbayan’s Third documentary evidence and witDivision canceled the plunder trial nesses to be presented as well as of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile issues to be resolved during trial.

Enrile, who is out on bail, in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund or signed the pretrial order on Jan. 29, 2020. pork barrel scam.

Enrile’s co-accused, Jessica LuThis was after the prosecution filed a motion to amend the pre- cila “Gigi” Reyes and Janet LimNapoles, are also facing trial for Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. trial order with Enrile.

ManilaTimes.net file photo The court gave the defense time the same case. n ManilaTimes.net

Espenido not off the hook – Palace Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV posts bail for the conspiracy to commit sedition case filed against him at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court on Tuesday, February 18.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

February 14: “I will face this case just as I have faced all the other harassment cases Duterte’s minions have filed against me.”

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas said in the resolution that the prosecution panel considered “the series of acts which clearly

manifested that there is indeed... a grand conspiracy.”

These are the production of “Bikoy” videos, uploading, press conferences of Peter Joemel Advincula, and former cop Eduardo Acierto—also charged in the case—linking Duterte and his PAGE A5

in illegal drugs.

The spokesman, however, said the narcolist is credible.

“Palaging (Always) the prePOLICE Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who was recalled to the sumption is that’s credible, unPhilippine National Police head- less you introduce proof that’s it quarters for his alleged involve- is not or siniraan ka lang (or your ment in illegal drugs, is not yet reputation was besmirched).”

Drug record off the hook, Malacañang said on Año said Espenido’s actions, Monday, February 17.

“Sabi na nga ni Secretary Año particularly the serving of arrest eh, mag-i-imbestiga pa rin sila warrant in Ozamis City should be (Secretary Año said they would a huge factor in the validation of conduct an investigation),” Pal- his case.

“Napakalaking factor ‘yun ace spokesman Salvador Panelo said, referring to Interior and Lo- para mag-serve in his favor na cal Government Secretary Edu- pinakita n’ya roon, ano pa bang statement ang gusto mong paardo Año.

Panelo had said in a statement tunayan na talagang you are that President Rodrigo Duterte fighting against illegal drugs believed that Espenido was (That’s a huge factor to serve in his favor, what better proof is “clean.”

The Palace official added that there that you are really fighting Duterte would change his posi- against illegal drugs),” Año told tion if he would be shown evi- reporters.

Espenido led the anti-illegal dence of Espenido’s involvement

by Ma.

reina Leanne toLentino ManilaTimes.net

drug operation that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others in 2017.

Another mayor, Rolando Espinosa, was killed during Espenido’s stint as the chief of police of Albuera town in Leyte.

But Año clarified that he was not clearing the name of Espenido.

“I’m just saying my observation based on actual events,” he explained.

He said he wanted a quick validation of the list to determine who were innocent and who were really involved in drugs.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa pledged that the police would act fast on the validation.

He said he did not want to end his term without settling the case.

There are 357 policemen on the drug list. n

Immigration bribe scheme exposed at Senate inquiry

by Bernadette

taMayo ManilaTimes.net

THE Chinese arriving to work for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) pay a P10,000 fee to facilitate their entry through the country’s airports, a Senate inquiry revealed Monday, February 17.

Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros said part of the bribe money is hidden inside rolled bond paper, which she said resembled pastillas, a local milk confection usually wrapped in white paper, which was handed to airport immigration officials.

Hontiveros heads the Senate Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations, which conducted the inquiry into the “pastillas scheme.”

The same scheme was used to bring in Chinese women to work as prostitutes offering their services mainly to POGO workers, Hontiveros said.

She added that about P1 billion might have already reached the pockets of corrupt immigration officials.

“Somebody sold our country’s borders for Chinese money,” Hontiveros said.

“The lion’s share goes to the bosses. Somebody rigged the system, centralized the operations, and made this into a billion-peso enterprise,” she added.

The senator presented a video, which she said showed an airport immigration officer escorting some Chinese nationals to the Bureau of Immigration’s Executive Office, where their identity is checked against a list that was provided to an immigration supervisor by the syndicate running the operation.

She also showed screenshots of Viber groups containing names, flight details and photos of the Chinese visitors.

Hontiveros said the materials

came from an informant within the Immigration bureau.

She bared that P2,000 is split among airport immigration officers and the rest goes to the syndicates and its affiliates in the Philippines. “‘Wag na ‘wag niyong lolokohin ang taumbayan. Hindi standard procedure ‘yan (Do not even dare to fool the people. That is not standard procedure),” she said, referring to escorting the Chinese arrivals.

Hontiveros also showed photos of the cash being distributed in the bureau’s office.

“Tinanong ko bakit pastillas ang tawag. Dati daw kasi, wala pang mga sobre, so nilalagay sa bond paper at niro-rolyo na parang pastillas (I asked why it is called pastillas. They said that before envelopes were not being used to put the bribe money, so the money is hidden in a bond paper and rolled like pastillas)” she said. n

Marcos prods SC: Act on poll protest

by JoMar

CanLas ManilaTimes.net

FORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately resolve his election protest, along with all pending incidents to his case.

Marcos on Monday, February 17 pushed his case against Vice President Leonor Robredo, whose camp he accused of committing electoral fraud during the May 2016 vice presidential race.

In his Manifestation with Motion for Early Resolution of All Pending Incidents, he asked the high court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to hear his case soon.

Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen had been designated as the ponente of the case.

In his pleading, Marcos argued that after the PET ordered both parties to file their respective memoranda until Dec. 19, 2019, the tribunal had not taken action on the case.

“As shown above, 47 days have passed since the filing of their respective memoranda. The pending incidents were also submitted for resolution of this honorable tribunal within that same period.

Nonetheless, the pending incidents remain unacted upon by this honorable tribunal,” he said.

Marcos asked the PET to resolve his case before the poll protest becomes moot, “given that the next vice presidential elections is just around the corner.”

The tribunal replaced Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa as ponente after the court rejected the latter’s recommen-

Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ManilaTimes.net file photo

dation to dismiss the poll protest outright.

Marcos had assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts. He lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes. n

Palace: Gov’t partially lifts travel ban to HK, Macau Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said OFWs returning to work in Hong THOUSANDS of overseas Fili- Kong and Macau have been expino workers (OFWs) from Hong empted from the travel bound. “(Health) Secretary (FranKong and Macau are now allowed to return to their jobs after the cisco) Duque III confirmed that Philippine government partially the Inter-Agency Task Force for lifted the travel restrictions it im- the Management of Emerging posed on visitors from China’s Infectious Diseases has decided Special Administrative Regions to lift the travel ban of the overas protective measure amid the seas workers going to Macau and novel coronavirus health threat, Hong Kong,” Panelo said during Malacañang announced on Tues- a chance interview.

And according to him, those day, February 18.

by Catherine

s. VaLente ManilaTimes.net

OFWs going back will have to make a written declaration that they know the risk of going back to their places of work. That is limited only to OFWs,” he added.

Thousands of OFWs bound for Hong Kong and Macau were left stranded in the Philippines after President Rodrigo Duterte on February 2 imposed a travel ban to China and its special administrative regions.

There are over 210,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong and 32,000 in Macau. n

Comelec eyes 2 million Pinoy voters overseas

by Mayen JayMaLin

said.

She said the Comelec is considering a proposal to rent more MANILA — The Commission vehicles to allow Department of on Elections (Comelec) is hop- Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel ing to attract two million Fili- to conduct mobile registration in pinos overseas to register and larger venues nearer to the povote in the May 2022 national tential voters.

In the last May 2019 elections, elections.

Comelec Commissioner Rowe- there were a total of 1,822,173 na Guanzon said the poll body is registered overseas Filipino votlooking at different ways to en- ers. But the Comelec has already courage more Filipinos abroad deactivated 578,185 overseas to register at the embassies and voters who failed to vote in the 2016 and 2019 polls. consular offices in their areas.

“Right now, we have about 1.3 “We are all thinking of other ways by which we can improve million voters and looking to inour registration, such as more crease it by 2 million,” Guanzon mobile registration,” Guanzon said.

Philstar.com

The filing of applications for overseas voter registration started on Dec. 16, 2019 and shall run until Sept. 30, 2021.

Citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not disqualified by law, and are at least 18 years of age on May 9, 2022 are eligible to register.

Aside from increasing the number of registered overseas voters, Guanzon said, the Comelec also intends to adopt an online voting system for them.

She said the Comelec is set to test run voting applications in San Francisco, Singapore and one country in the Middle East by midyear. n

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020

A

PAUNAWA NG LAYUNING HUMILING NG PAGLABAS NG MGA PONDO PARA SA MGA NAKA-TIER NA PROYEKTO AT PROGRAMA Petsa ng Publikasyon: Pebrero 21, 2020 Kagawaran ng Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad ng Lungsod ng Alameda 950 West Mall Square, Ikalawang Palapag Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 747-4349 Sa o pagkaraan ng Marso 3, 2020 ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay magsusumite ng isang kahilingan sa Pagpaplano at Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad ng Opisina ng HUD para sa pagpapalabas ng mga pondo ng Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad sa ilalim ng Titulo I ng Batas ng 1974 sa Pagpapaunlad ng Pabahay at Komunidad, gaya ng sinusugan, upang isagawa ang sumusunod na proyekto: ILLEGAL GAMBLING MACHINES. Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Chief for Operations, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, leads the destruction of seized illegal Video Karera and Fruit Game Machines during the operations conducted by the Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group (IMEG) in Metro Manila. The destruction of confiscated illegal gambling machines was held at IMEG Compound in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, February 18.

PNA photo by Joey O. RazonMarquez

PopCom to teens: Don’t rush into relationships

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA — As the world celebrated Valentine’s Day on February 14 an official of the Commission on Population (PopCom) advised teenagers not to rush into sex to avoid getting pregnant early.

PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez said teenagers now should be more discerning and should always listen to their elders, parents and teachers. “They should focus on their dreams.They must know that they will carry the consequence of early child bearing for a lifetime. It comes with all sorts of problems a young mother encounters, like lacking financial means to support their child and getting sick,�

Perez said at the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City.

Perez said PopCom is using the tagline “Piliin ang pangarap, ‘wag ipagpalit sa panandaliang sarap,� in its campaign against teenage pregnancy.

He said it is during Valentine’s Day when most teens admit to having had their first sexual en-

counter. “At seven this morning,we were at the Legarda Station of the LRT (Light Rail Transit). We wanted to make a call to all 21 million Filipino adolescents, male or female, to be more discerning today, Valentine’s Day.�

For her part, Kabataan partylist Rep. Sarah Elago noted that according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), there are 1.2 million adolescent Filipinos who have already given birth in the last 10 years.

UNFPA said the Philippines has one of the highest birth rates of women aged 15 to 19 among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), slated at 47 births per 1,000 women, behind Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Elago said, “The implications of such high incidence are far-reaching. Financially, UNFPA estimates that the country is losing P33 billion annually due to lost opportunities and additional burdens brought by teenage pregnancy.�

The amount is enough for 50,000 classrooms and 500 more gymnasiums and sports facilities

for schools, she noted.

Human trafficking Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Febraury 14 that the country should adopt a comprehensive education program on human trafficking to help prevent sexual exploitation of Filipino children.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on basic education, issued the statement at the conclusion of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

He said such a program will arm the youth with vital information and protection measures against online sexual exploitation of children and other forms of trafficking.

He said the proposed program will put grassroots reporting mechanisms in place, which will empower communities to pursue decisive action against heinous criminals.

Research compiled in the US Department of Labor’s report “2018 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor� shows the Philippines as the top global internet source of online sexual exploitation of children. n

New CA policies increase signups...

PAGE A3 consumers who were previously ineligible for any federal support because their household income was above the federal “cliff� of 400 percent of the FPL qualified for new state subsidies. The new financial help went to about 47 percent of consumers applying in the 400 to 600 percent FPL income bracket. The average state subsidy to eligible households is $504 per month, lowering their monthly premium by nearly half. “The average state subsidy for eligible middle-income Californians – who up until now were not eligible for any assistance – was $504 per month. But it’s even more striking that more than one in 10 of those receiving help had their monthly premium lowered by over $1,000,� said Lee. “The new state subsidies are making a huge difference to families across California.�

Covered California also reported that an estimated 280,000 Californians, likely eligible for new state or existing federal subsidies, kept their “off-exchange� coverage and did not get the financial help that would make it easier to afford and keep their coverage. Most of these individuals earn under 400 percent of the federal poverty level and would be eligible for both the state and federal subsidy, while about 40,000 would be eligible to receive the new state subsidies for middle-income Californians. “The penalty helped drive down premiums for everyone in the individual market, and new state subsidies are already helping more than 600,000 people save even more on their health insurance,� Lee said. “However, we are still hearing that far too many people do not know about these policies, so Covered California wants to continue to get the word out and give them more time to learn about the penalty and how affordable coverage can be.�

Drop in Renewals Driven by Low New Enrollment for 2019 Following the Penalty Removal The significant increase in new enrollment was partially offset by an 8 percent decrease in the number of renewing consumers.

Covered California’s preliminary analysis points to several potential reasons for the reduction in renewals relative to 2019. As noted above, 2019 marked the first year that the federal government zeroed out the individual mandate penalty, which led to a sharp de-

crease in the number of new consumers signing up for coverage during last year’s open-enrollment period. Historically, a decrease in new enrollment translates to a decrease among renewing consumers because there are fewer consumers in the system to carry forward into renewal. Covered California entered this renewal season with nearly 40,000 fewer members covered in October 2019 (for 2020 coverage) than it did in October 2018 (for 2019 coverage). “Covered California’s preliminary analysis of the reduction in the number of consumers renewing appears to be another result of the federal decision to remove the penalty that resulted in fewer people eligible to carry their coverage into 2020,� Lee said. “What we have seen this open-enrollment period only affirms the bold decision of the governor and the state Legislature to provide that economic nudge that some people need to get health insurance.�

New Special-Enrollment Period Announced Covered California also announced that effective Feb. 18 it will establish a special-enrollment period for those who were unaware of the state penalty or the new financial help. Consumers who fall into those categories, or who are currently insured off-exchange (directly through an insurer) and want to switch to Covered California to benefit from the new state subsidies, will have through April 30 to sign up for coverage.

Covered California made the decision after gathering information throughout open enrollment and after the close of enrollment.

In December, Covered California surveyed the public and found a significant percentage of the uninsured were unaware of the new financial help or penalty. Based on those findings, Covered California began looking at whether a special-enrollment period would be warranted. In the first week of February, Covered California surveyed 10,000 of its Certified Insurance Agents and found that there is still a substantial lack of awareness, with 41 percent saying only some or none of their consumers knew about the penalty, and 80 percent saying the penalty is motivating or extremely motivating for their consumers. “I encourage everyone who does not have qualifying health

insurance to take advantage of the special enrollment period and secure coverage now. I like signing tax refund checks, not assessing penalties,� said State Controller and FTB Chair Betty T. Yee. Covered California will be launching a new campaign to publicize the special-enrollment period, starting this month with social media messaging and consumer emails. Television ads in English and Spanish will start on March 9.

Also starting that day will be radio and digital ads in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Vietnamese. This marks Covered California’s first use of television ads to promote a special-enrollment period. “We know that there are hundreds of thousands of people, both low income and middle income, who are insured off exchange but could be saving significant amounts of money if they switch to Covered California to benefit from federal financial help or new state subsidies, or both,� Lee said. “Covered California is working with everyone it can to put consumers first by maximizing the amount of time that people can get covered and minimizing the number of people who are subject to a penalty.�

During this special-enrollment period, consumers will be able to sign up at any point and will be covered on the first of the following month.

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies.

Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com. n (Advertising Supplement)

Trillanes posts bail for conspiracy to commit...

PAGE A4 family to illegal drug syndicates.

Trillanes said he met Advincula, also charged in the case, in 2018 but the latter did not pass the vetting process as he found the allegations as not credible.

State prosecutors, however, said that Trillanes’ denial “does not merit any consideration, especially at the stage of preliminary investigation, in the light of evidence and circumstances proving that he had a hand in the conspiracy to oust the Duterte administration.�

Arraignment is set on March 17.

A string of legal suits The conspiracy to commit sedition is the latest in the string of legal suits the government filed against the former lawmaker in recent years.

Trillanes, a known critic of Duterte, is facing a revived rebellion case before a Makati court, over his participation in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. He was arrested on Sept. 25, 2018 and he posted bail on the same day.

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 issued a warrant against him on Sept. 25, 2018 after it found “factual and legal basis� on Duterte’s Proclamation

572 which declared Trillanes’ amnesty as “void from the beginning.�

The former senator is also facing an inciting to sedition case before the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 45 for his remarks on Duterte’s hidden wealth. He was also charged with the same offense for his remarks against the president over the revocation of his amnesty.

The senator is also facing a libel charge filed by former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Manases Carpio, the president’s son and son-in-law, respectively, before a Davao court. n

Titulo ng Proyekto/Programa na Malawak na Pagsusuri ng Tier 1: Rehabilatasyong Pantahanan – Mga Programang Menor na Pagkumpuni ng Tahanan at Kaligtasan ng Pabahay.

Layunin: Ang layunin ng pareho ng Mga Programang Menor na Pagkumpuni ng Tahanan at Kaligtasan ng Pabahay ay upang magkaloob ng mga gawad na hanggang $5,000 para sa pagkumpuni ng mga aytem para sa kalusugan, kaligtasan at seguridad, o mga menor na pagkumpuni ng karpinterya, instalasyon ng tubo, pagpapainit, at mga aytem na elektrikal.

Lokasyon: Ang pareho ng Mga Programang Menor na Pagkumpuni ng Tahanan at Kaligtasan ng Pabahay ay para sa mga ari-ariang pantahanan na matatagpuan sa buong Lungsod ng Alameda.

Paglalarawan ng Proyekto/Programa: Itong Pagsusuring Pangkapaligiran ng Tier 1 ay isinasagawa para sa Mga Programang Menor na Pagkumpuni ng Tahanan at Kaligtasan ng Pabahay gaya ng inilarawan sa ibaba.

Ang Programang Menor na Pagkumpuni ng Tahanan ay nagkakaloob ng mga gawad na hanggang $5,000 para sa pang-emerhensiyang pagkumpuni sa mga aytem para sa kalusugan, kaligtasan at seguridad, o mga menor na pagkumpuni ng karpinterya, instalasyon ng tubo, pagpapainit, at mga aytem na elektrikal.

Ang programang ito ay makukuha ng mga may-ari ng bahay sa Alameda na mababa ang kita batay sa unang-dumating, unang-paglilingkuran. Ang mga limitasyon sa kita ay pinagpapasiyahan ng HUD. Ang Programang Kaligtasan ng Pabahay ng Kagawaran ng Bumbero ng Alameda ay nagkakaloob ng mga serbisyo sa mababa-hanggang-kainaman ang kita na mga residente na higit sa edad na 62 at mga taong may kapansanan anuman ang edad. Ang Programa ay nag-iinstala ng 10-taon na hindi mapapakialaman na pantuklas ng usok at carbon gayon din ng mga grab bar ng ADA at mga panloob na barandilya. Ang mga libreng panggabing ilaw, lente at grab bar ay iniaalok din.

Ang mga pagsusuring ispesipiko sa lugar ng Tier 2 ay kukumpletuhin para sa mga batas na iyon at ang mga awtoridad na hindi naharap sa malawak na pagsusuri ng tier 1 para sa bawat address sa ilalim ng programang ito kapag nalaman ang mga address.

Antas ng Sitasyon ng Pagsusuring Pangkapaligiran: 24 CFR Part 58.5(a), (b) at (i).

Pagsusuring Ispesispiko ng Lugar ng Tier 2: Ang mga pagsusuring ispesipiko sa lugar ay sasaklaw sa mga sumusunod na batas at awtoridad na hindi naharap sa malawak na pagsusuri ng Tier 1: Kontaminasyon at mga Nakalalasong Bagay sa 24 CFR Part 50.3(i) & 58.5(i)(2) at Pamamahala ng Floodplain gaya ng matatagpuan sa Ehekutibong Utos 11988, partikular sa seksyon 2(a); 24 CFR Bahagi 55.

Mga Hakbang/Kondisyon/Permiso sa Mitigasyon (kung mayroon): Ang Kontaminasyon at mga Nakalalasong Bagay ay tatayahin gamit ang mga obserbasyon sa larangan at sa pamamagitan ng paghahanap ng pederal, pang-estado o lokal na mga rekord ng lugar na nakalalason sa kapaligiran. Ang pagsunod sa Pamamahala ng Floodplain ay kukumpirmahin sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri ng FEMA Firmette.

Tinantiyang Gastos sa Proyekto: Ang $43,675 ng pagpopondo ng HUD ay inilaan para sa Taon ng Pananalapi 2019-20. Ang $43,675 ay ang kabuuang tinantiyang gastos sa proyekto.

Ang aktibidad/mga aktibidad na iminungkahi ay kategorikal na hindi isinama sa ilalim ng mga regulasyon ng HUD sa 24 CFR Part 58 mula sa mga iniaatas ng National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ayon sa 24 CFR 58.35(a)(1). Ang isang Environmental Review Record (ERR) na nagdodokumento ng mga pagpapasiyang pangkapaligiran para sa proyektong ito ay nasa talaan sa Awtoridad ng Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California 94501 at maaaring suriin o kopyahin Lunes hanggang Huwebes sa pagitan ng mga oras na 8:30 A.M hanggang 5:00 P.M. MGA KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO Anumang indibidwal, grupo, o ahensiya ay maaaring magsumite ng mga nakasulat na komento sa ERR sa Housing Authority of the City of Alameda, Attn: Lisa Fitts, 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501.

Lahat ng komentong natanggap bago lumampas ang Marso 2, 2020 ay isasaalang-alang ng Lungsod ng Alameda bago mag-awtorisa ng pagsumite ng isang kahilingan para sa paglalabas ng mga pondo.

SERTIPIKASYON NA PANGKAPALIGIRAN Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay nagsesertipika sa HUD na si Debbie Potter, Opisyal ng Pagsertipika, sa kanyang kapasidad bilang Direktor ng Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad ay sumasang-ayong tanggapin ang hurisdiksiyon ng mga Pederal na Hukuman kung ang isang aksyon ay dinala upang ipatupad ang mga responsibilidad na may kaugnayan sa proseso ng pagsusuring pangkapaligiran at na ang mga responsibilidad na ito ay natugunan. Ang pag-aproba ng HUD sa sertipikasyon ay tumutugon sa mga responsibilidad sa ilalim ng NEPA at mga kaugnay na batas at awtoridad at nagpapahintulot sa Lungsod ng Alameda na gamitin ang mga pondo ng programa ng HUD. MGA PAGTUTOL NA ILABAS ANG MGA PONDO Ang HUD ay tatanggap lamang ng mga pagtutol sa pagpapalabas nito ng pondo at ng sertipikasyon ng Lungsod ng Alameda para sa isang panahon na labinlimang araw kasunod ng inaasahang petsa ng pagsumite o ang aktuwal na pagtanggap nito ng kahilingan (alinman ang mas huli) kung ang mga ito ay batay sa isa sa mga sumusunod: (a) Ang sertipikasyon ay hindi isinagawa ng Opisyal ng Pagsertipika ng Lungsod ng Alameda; (b) ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi gumawa ng isang hakbang o nabigong gumawa ng desisyon o pagpapasiya na iniaatas ng mga regulasyon ng HUD sa 24 CFR Part 58; (c) ang tumanggap ng gawad o ibang mga kalahok sa proseso ng pagbuo ay naglaan ng mga pondo, nagtamo ng mga gastos o nagsagawa ng mga aktibidad na hindi awtorisado ng 24 CFR Part 58 bago ang pag-aproba ng isang paglabas ng mga pondo ng HUD; o (d) ibang Pederal na ahensiya na umaakto alinsunod sa 40 CFR Part 1504 ay nagsumite ng isang nakasulat na pagpapasiya na ang proyekto ay hindi kasiya-siya mula sa pananaw ng kalidad na pangkapaligiran. Ang mga pagtutol ay dapat ihanda at isumite alinsunod sa mga iniaatas na pamamaraan (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) at dapat ipadala VD 8 6 'HSDUWPHQW RI +RXVLQJ 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW 'LUHFWRUV RI WKH 2IÂż FH RI &RPPXQLW\ 3ODQQLQJ DQG 'HYHORSPHQW DW VD 2IÂż FH RI 3XEOLF DQG ,QGLDQ +RXVLQJ VD 2QH 6DQVRPH 6WUHHW 6XLWH 6DQ Francisco, CA 94104. Ang mga posibleng tumutol ay dapat makipag-ugnayan sa HUD upang maberipika ang aktuwal na huling araw ng panahon ng pagtutol.

Debbie Potter Direktor ng Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad ng Lungsod ng Alameda Opisyal ng Pagsertipika MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong may interes sa paglahok sa programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / HOME ay isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, ang isang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay maaaring gawin kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), 711 (TYY/TRS) o magpadala ng email sa ra@alamedahsg.org. Ang naturang kahilingan ay dapat kabilang ang isang paglalarawan ng kaluwagang hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay agad ipagkakaloob sa humiling. Ang tagapag-ugnay ng Seksiyon 504 ng CDBG/HOME ay si Tonya Schuler-Cummins. Ang isang kopya ng pamamaraan ng karaingan ng 504 ay matatagpuan online sa www.alamedahsg.org.

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring gumanap bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung binigyan ng paunawa nang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang tagasalin. Mangyaring kontakin ang Lungsod VD 7LQLJ 7<< 756 R HPDLO OÂż WWV#DODPHGDKVJ RUJ PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina laban sa sinumang mga tao dahil sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, angkan, sekso, kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang pampamilya, pinagkukunan ng kita, henetikong impormasyon, kondisyong medikal, kapansanang pisikal o kapansanan ng isipan, o anumang ibang kategoryang protektado ng batas.

A6

FEBRUARY 21-27,2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

O PINION More fun in the Philippines AFTER the disruptions caused

by Taal Volcano’s phreatic explosion last month, the country’s travel industry was hit by a second and worse whammy: the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Players in the travel and tourism industry estimate their losses to reach P20 billion if the disruptions last until March. At this point, however, it looks like the contagion is bound to persist way beyond the first quarter of the year. COVID-19 continues to spread in other countries and the World Health Organization is advising governments to brace for local transmission of the virus that has killed 1,380 people mainly in China as of Friday, February 14, and infected nearly 50,000 others.

With international travel plans on hold in many countries, tourism-related businesses and downstream enterprises in the Philippines are struggling. Industry players warn that if the crisis persists past midyear, smaller enterprises may be forced to close shop, putting people out of jobs.

People can help prevent such a disaster by boosting domestic tourism. Even as large tour-

FEATURES

ism-related gatherings have been canceled, people can still explore domestic travel destinations, enjoy the sights, eat in restaurants and buy local products. There are interesting places to explore right in Metro Manila.

Contributing to domestic tourism does not mean ignoring the threat posed by COVID-19. Proper hygiene such as regular hand washing as well as cough etiquette must be observed. Health officials have stressed that airborne transmission of the virus has not been reported. As protection against droplet transmission, ordinary face masks, tissue paper, handkerchiefs and alcohol must be on hand in case a mild irritation induces sneezing or coughing. People who are immunocompromised should take extra precautions.

The COVID-19 scare is likely to affect tourism during the country’s peak travel season – summer particularly Holy Week. Those who normally spend the season overseas can instead plan trips within the country. It will help an ailing industry, and it could show how it’s truly more fun in the Philippines. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS GAG ORDER. This is what the Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court the Philippines to issue against ABS-CBN Corp. after Sol. Gen Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition to forfeit the legislative franchises of the corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. The gag order is intended to silence ABS-CBN and to infringe upon the freedom of speech and expression of its people, asking the highest court in a very urgent motion, “to prohibit “parties and persons acting on their [network’s] behalf” from releasing statements surrounding the quo warranto petition filed by OSG to invalidate its license.

The quo warrants were filed by Calida despite having 11 bills yet to be heard in Congress, deemed not a priority by House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

This would have been the venue to hear all arguments for and against the issuance of ABSCBN’s franchise to continue operating after the expiration date of March 30, 2020. This is pursuant to the due process as required by law.

But alas! Calida needed to go to the Supreme Court, with its justices mostly appointed by Duterte to get ahead of the decision of Congress to either renew the franchise or shutdown the 65year-old broadcasting company.

Balance of power in the Philippines tested: Will democracy thrive as intended by the Constitution in Duterte’s vow to shut down ABS-CBN? The president himself openly said many times he would do everything to deny ABS-CBN the license to continue operating as a broadcasting company. He had been accusing the network of being biased against him for reporting news and airing documentaries and commentaries critical of him, his policies and programs.

Citing the need for due process as provided for by the law, ABS-CBN said, “The Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Executive Branch have assured the public that our franchise will be allowed to go through the proper renewal process in a fair manner. To that end, the filing of the quo warranto case is ill-timed given that Congress has already resumed its session.”

Senators asserted on Tuesday, February 18, “the authority of Congress to grant or revoke legislative franchises as the government’s top lawyer asked the Supreme Court to silence ABS-CBN and other parties concerned in the quo warranto petition it filed against the broadcasting firm,” as cited the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

As Rappler reported. Calida accused ABS-CBN of: • Violating foreign ownership restrictions of the constitution through the use of Philippine Deposit Receipts or PDRs “like Rappler.”

• Engaging in “highly abusive practices benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers”

WITH Duterte loyalists in the Senate now distancing themselves from a move to question at the Supreme Court the termination of the Phl-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement, the petition could arrive at the SC with Senate President Vicente Sotto and opposition solons as its pallbearers.

President Duterte has to tough it out with his terminating the VFA without Senate concurrence ‚ even if he has to be consistently wrong — to protect his earlier unilateral withdrawal from the International Criminal Court probing into his brutal war on illegal drugs.

The legal challenge on his VFA action started out last week as a bipartisan reaction of Sotto and other lawmakers to Duterte’s serving on Feb. 11 a notice of termination on the 20-year-old VFA without the advice and consent of the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he would join Sotto

• Launching products ABSCBN TV Plus, KBO Channel, allegedly without the necessary permits ABS-CBN responded through a statement: These allegations cited by the Office of the Solicitor General in his press statement are without merit. ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations.

(1) All our broadcast offerings, including KBO, have received the necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by our franchise.

(2) ABS-CBN Holdings’ Philippine Deposit Receipts or PDRs were evaluated and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange prior to its public offering. These are the same instruments used by other broadcast companies to raise capital for the improvement of services.

(3) The ownership of ABSCBN in ABS-CBN Convergence was undertaken under the same law and structures that have been utilized by other telecommunications companies. These are transfers that are approved under the Public Telecommunications Policy Act and are fully compliant with law.

We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law.

This case appears to be an at-

tempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN further explained in a report by Rappler: “These are the same instruments used by other broadcast companies to raise capital for the improvement of services,” ABSCBN said. “The capital we have raised from the PDRs has enabled us to provide services to nearly 90% of the Philippines and to our OFW’s all over the world.”

The network also insisted that its broadcast offerings like KBO received necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by the franchise.

ABS-CBN also defended its ownership of ABS-CBN Convergence, saying that it was undertaken under the same law and structures that have been utilized by other telecommunications companies.

Business entities, coalitions of journalists in the Philippines and around the world, human rights advocates, media employees and personalities from other networks and media organizations, the regulatory body the Kapisanan ng mag Broadcaster sa Pilipinas, and ordinary citizens have thrown their support for ABSCBN to protect press freedom.

And how will the offer of Duterte to ABS-CBN factor in looking at the big picture, especially in light of the need for a free and independent press in a democracy as protected by the Constitution, the fourth estate and watchdog of the government?

Solicitor General Jose Calida files a quo warranto petition in the Supreme Court last February 10, seeking to forfeit the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve the republic, makipag-areglo ako (If you can help with the federal system campaign and you make a slogan also for unity and to preserve the republic, I’ll make amends with you),” Duterte was quoted by a Rappler report during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner on Wednesday night, December 13, 2019.

As the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states, “Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the

freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

FIGHT FOR DUE PROCESS. Protect press freedom! *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

Stand on VFA, ICC must be consistent

Postscript

FEDERICO D. PASCUAL JR.

Philstar.com photo

and others in questioning before the high court the President’s move that they said violates the Constitution and undermines national security.

“This will be a bipartisan move to assert the Senate’s role in foreign affairs,” Drilon said.

“While the President is the chief architect of foreign policy, the Constitution is clear that such a very critical role is shared with Congress, particularly the Senate.”

He said Sotto has told him that he was preparing the petition which revolves around the Senate’s role in concurring in the President’s entering into treaties and international agreements and in abrogating them.

Drilon said: “The Supreme Court should rule on this issue once and for all. We cannot continue putting the fate of critical treaties such as the VFA, whose termination has far-reaching consequences, in the hands of one man.

“If treaties and international agreements that the President entered into cannot be valid without the approval of the Senate, the termination of, or with-

drawal from, the same should only be effective with the concurrence of the Senate.”

These are relevant sections of the Constitution on foreign policy, particularly treaty-making: • Article VII (Executive Department): Section 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least twothirds of all the Members of the Senate.

• Article XVIII (Transitory Provisions): Section 4. All existing treaties or international agreements which have not been ratified shall not be renewed or extended without the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.

• Section 25. After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning military bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate… and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.”

Drilon said that once con-

curred in by the Senate, a treaty or an international agreement becomes part of the law of the land. Hence, he added, a treaty may not be undone without that shared power that had put it into effect.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, committee chair on national defense and security, noted that something is amiss when the Constitution requires a two-thirds Senate vote to ratify a treaty yet its abrogation is just left to the President.

The VFA, although an executive agreement, was concurred in by the Senate.

The same issue of Senate concurrence was raised in 2018 when Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the International Criminal Court as it prepared to look into alleged crimes against humanity in the country during the Duterte regime.

Senators Sotto, Drilon and Lacson authored Senate Resolution 312 adopted on Feb. 10 urging Duterte to reconsider his VFA termination notice while the chamber studies the options and opportunities open to the government.

The resolution was carried

with only Sen. Ronald dela Rosa abstaining. The cancellation of the US visa of the senator, former chief of the national police leading the administration’s war on drugs, had been cited as the reason for Duterte’s terminating the VFA. But when the resolution emerged as a possible problem for Malacañang, some senators earlier marked as having voted for it stood to change their Yes vote: Pia Cayetano, Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino and Cynthia Villar.

We take that as a hint that Duterte would stick to the VFA’s termination even after he was embarrassed by President Trump’s nonchalantly remarking that its abrogation was “fine” and might even save millions for American taxpayers.

The President’s abrogating international agreements that were adopted with Senate concurrence was also an issue in 2018, that time over Duterte’s withdrawing the country from the ICC. Drilon and senators Francis Pangilinan, Leila de Lima, Risa

Hontiveros, and then senators Bam Aquino and Sonny Trillanes asked the SC to invalidate the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC for having been done without Senate concurrence. No ruling has been handed down.

The SC’s invalidating Duterte’s unilateral VFA termination must be consistent with its action on the earlier ICC case where Duterte is the central figure, the accused. This could be another reason why he has to insist that his abrogating VFA was valid.

Drilon said that once the SC recognizes the Senate as a necessary partner of the President in entering into and exiting from international agreements, it follows that Duterte’s withdrawal from the ICC without Senate concurrence was invalid.

That could potentially open Duterte to further investigation by the international body – an unacceptable conclusion of his turbulent six-year term ending in 2022. * * * NOTA BENE: All Postscripts can be accessed at manilamail.com. Follow author on Twitter as @FDPascual. Email feedback to dikpascual@gmail.com.

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

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com Northern California: 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136 Burlingame, CA 94010 Tel.: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 Las Vegas Sales Office: 2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

Manila Office: 2/F D&E Fort Palm Springs Cond.

30th St., Cor. 1st Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • 856-0397 Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York Office: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858 New Jersey Office: 2500 Plaza 5, Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 Tel: (212)655-5426 • Fax: (818)502-0858

ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer JOSEPH PERALTA Vice President & General Manager Northern California Asian Journal MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor MALOU LIWANAG-BLEDSOE Editor-in-Chief Northern California Asian Journal GERMAN P. PALABYAB Advertising and Business Development Director

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publitions, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publition by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applible law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publition of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publition.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, uses of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publition of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being ncellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republition of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publitions, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern lifornia Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern lifornia, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020

A

A

FEBRUARY 21-27, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

Friday, February 21, 2020

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

Filip+Inna and Zacarias 1925: How Filipina designers defy fast fashion demands and keep traditional craftsmanship alive

by AJPress FOR many Filipinos globally, one way to proudly show their heritage is by wearing it on their sleeves, literally.

This is the mission of Pinay designers like Lenora “Len” Luisa Cabili, who has been promoting Philippine culture through her international women’s clothing brand Filip+Inna.

She was recently in San Francisco where her line was among two Pinay-owned brands featured at the Workshop Residence, a showroom that features an array of crafts and furniture.

She also held a trunk show in Los Angeles last year, which was visited and well-received by Filipino Americans and other design aficionados.

Cabili, who grew up in Iligan City, Mindanao, said Filip+Inna is based on growing up near and learning about the indigenous groups and dancing for the Bayanihan Dance Company.

“Having that background and my love for fashion, I thought of integrating both,” she told the Asian Journal. “Also, I was well aware of the diversity of our culture and so I really wanted to make something different, something that would showcase the artisans around the Philippines.”

She added, “When I was thinking of a brand name, I didn’t want it eponymous and I wanted something that would point back to the Philippines. So I started with the most obvious that I’m Filipina and just played around with the word and there’s a plus sign.”

In 2008, she began working with the T’boli tribe near Lake Sebu in South Cotabato and sourced weaves from the artisans.

Her work with the T’bolis led where she is now, working with 450 artisans from over a dozen tribes across the country, from the Mangyans to the Ifugao. Immersing herself in their traditions and lifestyles are how she’s been able to build relationships with these various tribes.

“We take inspiration from traditional patterns and we create new patterns out of [them]. But we limit ourselves to something that is familiar to each group. We really want people to have a sense of the craftsmanship that is around the Philippines because the diversity of our culture is just really filled with sophisticated embroidery and

patterns and even the colors,” Cabili explained.

One of the important considerations is seeing how they live, how much work it takes to deliver products, and what kinds of resources they have access to. For example, for the Tagakaolo tribe, she has worked with requires a six-hour hike and then two-hour drive down to the nearest center in order to send out or pick up a package.

“We make sure we remain true to the purpose: that it’s all about the artisans in the Philippines and giving them an opportunity,” she said.

Filip+Inna’s latest spring/ summer collection features patterned pieces using predominantly indigo, orange, and crimson hues. The individual pieces, which are made by the various tribes, can be paired together, such as the T’boli Bomber Jacket & Mangyan Cigarette Pants.

“Although the colors I use are contemporary, when you look at the traditional garments, it’s just really amazing how the handiwork has a soul to it because they have spent time working on it. When we work with artisans, we give them free rein on when to finish it,” she said, adding that the female artisans work at home and are able to take care of their family while doing so.

Though the artisans have more flexibility to fulfill orders, Filip+Inna has a system where some are given priority, especially when it’s an international order or if there is a trunk show coming up, Cabili said.

This also makes for more conscious products that are not swiftly made.

“We’re really doing things differently because I think in the fashion industry now it’s all about like fast fashion. Within a day, you can make something and sell it. But for us our investment is actually with the artisans for a long period of time,” she said, saying that the time also allows for a story to be told behind the brand and its pieces.

Ironically for Filip+Inna, spreading awareness of Philippine culture and handiwork started with promoting the brand abroad because Cabili said the local market was “not ready for it” because buying high-end Filipino designs was not as popular.

In 2009, she reached out to

Nazareno’s inspiration for her bags include architecture and different shapes she sees in her travels, including the bilbao (top) which references the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

An embroidered skirt and a woven bustier at the trunk show.

Filip+Inna clothes, tapestry, purses and other items are on display in a table and clothes rack at a recent trunk show at the Workshop Residence in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco.

Indagare, a membership-based luxury travel company that reviewed her pieces and invited her to a trunk show in Southampton, New York.

“I started doing trunk shows with them and I thought it was really a great way to test the market and it was [because] they’re very discerning here [in the U.S.] So it really forced us to create good quality products,” she said, adding “I like the whole idea of being able to talk about the brand, meet the people who come to the trunk show, and talk about Philippine culture. It’s just a great way to sell the brand.”

Nearly 10 years later, Cabili said the tides have turned in terms of Filipinos at home and abroad supporting the line.

“Things have changed and people love supporting local artisans and people like working with artisans. I think it’s an inflection point for the Philippines because we’re just coming into something in terms of whether it’s culture or fashion or music or food. I think people are paying more attention to us. It’s an interesting time for Filipinos,” she said.

Dresses can range from $600 to $900, while coats are around $700 to $950 depending on the design and embroidery.

“The only way for people to put proper value into something like that is to really consider the handiwork,” Cabili said. “I mean, it can’t be fast fashion. The fact that it takes weeks or sometimes months, that means that it’s something really special.”

The steeper price tags also factor in that the artisans are compensated fairly for their efforts in making the pieces, Cabili explained. The quality also shows that the individual pieces are meant to be investments and not discarded after one season.

“I think sometimes people forget that when they look at it and then they say, ‘Oh, it’s expensive.’ But they need to look at it in the proper perspective – that it’s something that is made by hand…Almost all our pieces are one-of-a-kind because even if it’s the same pattern, you will see that their take on the design is different for each,” she said.

As for Filip+Inna’s growth, Cabili is eyeing introducing men’s and children’s lines. But don’t expect a brick and mortar store anytime soon.

“I think there’s beauty in being able to have the opportunity to create something with you controlling time rather than the other way around. I always say that we’re the turtles of fashion, we’re very slow,” she said. “But you know, people wait [and]

they’re getting used to it…When they finally get it, they appreciate it. It’s something that they value.”

Zacarias 1925 Also featured at the Workshop Residence was Zacarias 1925, a line of hand-woven bags and home accessories by creative director Rita Nazareno.

The line, named after Nazareno’s grandfather who was an architect, also carries on the legacy of her grandmother who started S.C. Vizcarra in 1925. The pieces are also made at the same workshop. While S.C. Vizcarra’s hand-woven bags are more traditional and linear, Nazareno draws on her global travels and inspiration from art, architecture and cinema.

“Some have called [the line] contemporary, some have called it avant-garde. I think it’s just the proportions that I enjoy and how you can push weaving techniques, shapes and textures,” Nazareno, a former producer and creative services director for local TV stations in LA and Houston, said.

The designer’s call back to the family business has been a way to express her creative chops and give back to the art that gave her opportunities. After receiving a master’s degree in design management and fashion at London College of Fashion, she returned to Manila in 2010 and started her line.

“I surprised myself by saying yes [to come home], because [my mom had] been asking… and I’ve been so happy with my career,” she said. “But then sometimes, you know, there’s a pull that you need to and it’s more than just an obligation.”

One of Zacarias 1925’s iconic bags is modeled after the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Another special collection called Zacarapata — made in collaboration with street artist Garapata — is a commentary of the global infestation of commercialization.

Bags, some of which take up to 15 days to create, run from $250 to $700 depending on the intricacy of the weaves and materials used, such as wicker and leather, which gives a more contemporary aesthetic. Zacarias 1925’s workshop also has room for bespoke and commissioned orders.

“It’s a more contemporary thrust on the very traditional craft of hand-weaving. I use a variety of materials and a combination of materials from wicker, leather, microfiber, canvas, and even nylon ropes we’ve done. I look at things that interest me,” Nazareno said. “It’s fantastic for men and women, and some-

Rita Nazareno, creative director of Zacarias 1925, poses in front of some of her bags, including the ammunition collection which is her collaboration with Bay Area graphic designer Chris Sumida.

Len Cabili of Filip+Inna shows off the beadwork done by the Tagakaolo tribe in a traditional blouse.

Filip+Inna not only sells clothes, but also offers artisan-made earrings, embroidered clutches, necklaces and scarves.

Photos by Joseph L Peralta/AJ Press

where in between…I do enjoy androgyny.”

The pieces themselves take on unconventional, obtrusive shapes or do not look practical upon first glance, yet they are meant to be functional (like how the wicker backpack can fit a MacBook laptop).

“It’s fun stuff. I like giggling, I like wit. Let’s hope that people see a little bit of it there,” she said.

Every September, Nazareno releases a spring-summer collection, which is shown at Premiere Classe, a leading accessories and fashion trade show during Paris Fashion Week. The line attracts buyers from Europe, Asia and the United States during this show.

Last year, Zacarias 1925 was part of luxury store Please Do Not Enter’s Pulo Project in Los Angeles, which highlighted various Filipino and Filipino American designers and artists throughout the summer. The store continues to have some pieces from Zacarias 1925, and it can also found at retailers in Santa Barbara, California, various cities in Italy (from Torino to Milan), and Montpellier and Paris in France.

Nazareno explains that trunk shows overseas like in San Francisco and Los Angeles have been a way to push the brand’s story, be directly in front of the consumer and introduce them to high-quality Philippine handicrafts. She is slated to do more trunk shows alongside other Filipina-owned brands in major U.S. cities later this year.

“I think people are going

back to the general store, momand-pop, local community kind of path,” she said, emphasizing the importance of finding stores abroad that can champion the brand like Workshop Residence in San Francisco. “It’s always nice to have that exchange — it’s an energy and cultural exchange and you grow from that.”

With more brands emerging and embracing the “made in the Philippines” seal, Nazareno said she welcomes the selection of designers and companies that also do hand-woven bags and accessories.

“Certainly the design is very different. I think our jumping off points are also already different.

I mean, we do have the same material and I love the fact that there’s room out there for everyone,” she said. “I enjoy the fact that there are a lot of designers, especially from the Philippines, who use the same material but have their own voice.”

In turn, she hopes this will get more consumers to invest and buy from their fellow Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad.

“People are harking back to local, to communities, and to hand-made things. They see the importance, the character and the beauty of it…There’s soul to this. You can’t get this from a plastic bag made in China, right?” she said. “Somehow there’s an indescribable factor that there’s a character and a soul to an object and you can feel that because it is made by hands that have been doing it for years and years and that have been passed on.”

Joshua seizes opportunity to grow without a love interest

By MArinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

JOSHUA Garcia said that while he acknowledges the good things that being part of a love team has done for his acting career, he still preferred working with different leading ladies because “I’m able to adapt to their good work ethics.”

“There are actors who see love teams as a way to further their careers, I respect that.

For me, I’m OK working on my own. The more people I get to work with, the better. I learn from all of them. I want to be able to observe how they are at work and, maybe, copy their good practices,” Joshua told

Inquirer Entertainment shortly after he attended the story conference of his next bigscreen project.

The film, “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” is a movie adaptation of Bob Ong’s mystery novel with the same title. It will be directed

by Chito Roño for Regal Entertainment.

“When I work solo, I become more open to other opportunities at work. For example, I enjoyed working with Jea (Janella Salvador in ‘The Killer Bride’),” he pointed out. “I noticed that Jea never complained about whatever it was that’s happening on the set. I would be ashamed whenever I feel the urge to complain

about something. She has taught me to be more patient and understanding of the situation of others. With Julia (Barretto, his former partner onscreen and off), I felt more confident to speak in English.”

Joshua and Julia, collectively known as “JoshLia,” broke up in June 2019. Both denied that a third party had caused their breakup. They last worked together on the zombie flick, “Block Z.” Joshua was then paired with Janella in the now-defunct ABS-CBN drama series, “The Killer Bride.”

Joshua will have no leading lady in “Mama Susan.” He admitted that “it feels different.

Before, the goal had been to

create chemistry with my partner. Now, I’d have to do that with co-star-friends and with Mama Susan (to be played

by Angie Ferro). Here, I don’t have anyone to say ‘I love you’ to,” Joshua said, laughing.

It would appear that Joshua has already recovered from his highly publicized split with Julia because he can now joke about his love life, or the lack of it. The 22-year-old actor also said he was open to the idea of finding a new love.

“Right now, I’m busy with work. That’s much better than not doing anything at all. My love life is taking the back seat, but I really can’t say for how long. I’m open to whoJoshua Garcia (second from right) with his costars in “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” Continued on Page SF3 Contributed photo

Immigration Corner

March 2020 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Visa Issuance Date

May 01, 2010

September 01, 2009

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

January 01, 2020

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders

June 01, 2010

October 01, 2009

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens

June 01, 2000

October 01, 1999

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens

July 01, 2000

December 01, 1999

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holders

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

January 01, 2019

January 01, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

January 01, 2019

January 01, 2017

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty,

guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

Award-winning int’l film dedicated to Filipinos worldwide story of a woman, portrayed by de Rossi, whose husband is killed and must now take on the role of family breadwinner and protector.

Rekhi declared, “It’s a very human story. At its most basic, it’s about the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her

A CREWMAN TRIED TO FOLLOW THE LAW TO GAIN LEGAL STATUS, BUT FELL INTO A ‘FRAUD TRAP’ AT THE US EMBASSY WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE PHILIPPINES ON A PROVISIONAL WAIVER. Albert (left) entered the U.S. and jumped ship in 2007. His U.S. citizen wife, Cherrie (center), petitioned him. Although the petition was approved, Albert was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. because he did not have 245(i). However, he qualified for a provisional waiver, which was approved, thereby “forgiving” him for overstaying, waiving the 10-year bar. He went back to the Philippines, thinking that he would be able to obtain his immigrant visa from the Embassy, only to be shocked when he was charged with fraud based on violating their new 90-Day Rule for deciding to overstay back in 2007. His provisional waiver was considered void, and he was required to file a fraud waiver and a 10-year bar waiver while he waited in the Philippines.

Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel helped Albert – on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Joshua seizes opportunity...

From Page SF2 ever comes my way. I won’t be able to predict what’s going to happen in the future,” said Joshua, who will also be working on the upcoming Star Cinema-produced projects, “Kiss to the Heart” and “Boys Don’t Cry” (an iWant production).

He added: “I’m OK with being friends with Jea. At (Advertising Supplement) least, friendship is forever.”

Joshua is also busy with parkour training and target shooting for the iWant project he would be doing with Louise Abuel.

“Only two days ago, I got into an accident while I was training. I hit my face with my knee as I was falling down. I children.” don’t mind it. I realize that you The deeply moving film is the need pain in order to learn. result of the partnership of topOuch! ’Di hugot ’yon!” he said, caliber artists from the Philippines laughing. and from abroad.

“Seriously, I don’t mind the “Watch List” stars a formipain because I’m learning new dable all-Filipino cast composed stuff. I’m also training in mixed of de Rossi, Jake Macapagal, martial arts—doing boxing, Continued on Page SF5 jujitsu and muay thai—this

‘Watch List’ director amazed at Alessandra’s talent HOW far can a mother go and fight all odds to protect her children? Alessandra de Rossi tries to answer this question in her new movie, “Watch List.”

Directed by American-Indian filmmaker Ben Rekhi from a screenplay he co-wrote with Rona Lean Sales, “Watch List” tells the

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

Application Filing Date

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

community

time, for my other movie. At least, I get to perspire since I’m not able to play basketball these days. I’m also off com-

puter games now—and that’s a good thing. I admit, before, puro ako laro, pero ’di ko nilaro ang puso,” he quipped.

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

Young star feels jitters working with Superstar, Direk Guillen

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar KYLINE Alcantara says the she is still getting the jitters despite having started shooting for the new teleserye “Bilangin ang Bitun sa Langit” where she co-stars with the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor. The series, a TV adaptation of the hit film, is being directed by award-winning director Laurice Guillen.

In an interview with The Philippine Star, Kyline said that working with Ate Guy is “so surreal” and “a dream come true.”

Kyline also hopes that she can perform to the best of her abilities as she essays the role that Nora played in the 1989 blockbuster, that of Maggie. Nora will play Kyline’s grandmother in the series, the character of Cedes.

“Honestly, when this project was brought up to me, I really felt so surreal kasi wala pong artista ang hindi nangarap na makasama si Ms. Nora Aunor and mai-direk ni direk Laurice. Since we are now taping unti-unti na siyang nagsisink in sa akin at duon na po dumaragdag ‘yung pressure that I should also give my best and that I should study my character really well,” Kyline was quoted as saying She adds: “My only wish is that hindi po ako masigawan ni direk Laurice because that’s what makes me feel nervous.”

Although there will be minor changes in the story of Bilangin, which centers on the lives of three generations of women who pursue their dreams, direk Guillen likes how the story has been laid out by the creative team and promises to get the best out

EMPLOYMENT

of her cast.

“I’m so happy and excited about this new soap. Matagal na akong ganito ka-excited kasi maganda ang storya, maganda ang cast. Alam kong magagaling sila, kaya lalo ko silang hihingan to show something new, more than what they’ve shown before,” Guillen told The Philippine Star.

“Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” also stars Isabel Rivas, Divina Valencia, Zoren Legaspi, Gabby Eigenmann, Candy Pangilinan, Yasser Marta, Ina Feleo, Ricky Davao and Dante Rivero. *** Actor RK Bagatsing is one son who is proud to spend his money on his parents.

In an interview with PEP. ph, the Us Again actor reveals he has no qualms about spoiling his dad and his mom, even if that means he doesn’t have much savings.

“Sa totoo lang, wala akong masyadong savings kasi ini-spoil ko family ko for anything they need right now.

Of course, I gotta be smart in the future, pero natutuwa ako, e, taking care of my family, especially my parents, especially my dad is 75 years old already,” he was quoted as saying.

Taking care of mom and dad means many things – as simple as a cane for dad, a new mattress for his parents, or, more recently, a chiropractor session for his parents.

“Kasi iyong dad ko, since 75 na siya, nakaka-experience na siya ng back pains. Binili ko silang dalawa ni Mama ng package na medyo pricey.

Iyong chiro, iyong lahat na?

Para ayusin likod nila,” he explained.

Aside from spending for his family, RK also makes sure to have weekend dates (for lunch and movies) with his parents so they can catch up.

According to RK, the only splurge he has done so far for himself is purchasing a bigger car which he says consumes a lot of his earnings. After he is done paying for the car, he will begin to think of buying his own place.

“And I look forward to finishing that (the car), so I can look into other things like, maybe, my own place? Iyon iyong tinatarget ko talaga,” RK said.

Talented actress Eula Valdez is now one of the leading ladies of The Filipino Channel’s teleserye “Love Thy Woman.”

Migo Adecer, a young and handsome actor of GMA Network, is the lead actor in the teleserye “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday.”

Kyline Alcantara still feels the jitters starring with Nora Aunor in the teleserye “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” even as they have started taping for the series.

Philstar.com File Photo

HOUSING

SERVICES

Husky actor Sid Lucero has returned to his television acting roots via The Filipino Channel’s “A Soldier’s Heart.”

Direk Laurice Guillen promises to draw more out of her talented cast in the new GMA Network series “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.” mb.com File Photo

SERVICES

RK Bagatsing has no qualms spending money on his parents even if it means he has little savings.

Philstar.com File Photo

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA LIFE is, indeed, “a moveable feast” to borrow verbiage from Hemingway. Travel makes it so.

Do it while you can.

I ask friends at random what is on the top tier of their personal bucket list. A consistent response is that they want to travel — to see the world —whether the world as their oyster, is local or global: just their town, city, or state, the length and breadth of their native land, or, if personal circumstances permit it, the world at large.

One friend said that she and her family have been to 22 of the states in the US and would very much like to go visit all 50 states.

This is at the top of her bucket list. Another said that she would like to travel to Europe except she could not find the time while she is still working. There are those who list the Via Dolorosa in the Holy Land and would like to take the time to travel to pilgrimage sites: Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Medjugorje in Bosnia and other sites where the Blessed Mother has appeared to children.

The Grand Canyon is a sight to behold. The Great Wall of China is a must-see. Hongkong rocks and Palawan beckons. Bali says hi. What’s up with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat? Among the Japanese where the love of nature is deep, one of the more popular trips among the very hip, is to experience, at least once in their lifetimes, braving the freezing temperatures in the Arctic regions to witness first hand the dancing, mesmerizing Northern lights, the Aurora Borealis. To them, it is a sort of spiritual experience. I’m a warmblooded creature so I’ll take their word for it and experience the Northern lights vicariously.

Then there are those who have been permanently bitten by the travel bug and have accumulated travel mileage to circle the moon and back.

A married couple I know have made it a point to travel extensively and have visited more than 50 countries thus far, making it a point to spend the Christmas holiday season in a different country every year.

They travel light (perhaps the first rule of travel) and have become savvy on the art and science of world travel: planning in advance, budgeting, dealing with foreign currency, being aware of the local culture, booking planes and trains and arranging transport, choosing hotels and navigating their way in strange countries. Their experiences over the years can fill a travelogue but they go for the sheer love of adventurous travel, having gone to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas in Peru

BUCKET LIST # 5

The world is your oyster - go travel “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

- Marcel Proust and other exotic destinations.

There are 3 things required for travel. These include health, time and money. You need to be in relatively good health to have the stamina for the rigors posed by walking, hefting luggage, prepping and being on your toes for activities and the stresses that come with travel.

Particularly post 9/11, travel has become so tiresome because of tight security measures to counter terrorism. The second factor, especially for those who are still working for a living, is finding the time to squeeze travel in the limited amount of vacation days.

The third factor is, of course, probably easier than the first two — finding the money required to fund travel. If still employed, then you can still make the money to fund the trip.

Depending on the destination and the duration chosen, travel can require very little money or a lot of it.

The most basic of travel gear is a good pair of broken-in walking shoes. Your feet will love you for it.

While you can travel alone, it is certainly much more fun and safer, if you go with a traveling companion who shares your spirit of fun.

If you are straddling the issue of whether to travel or not and you have at least 2 of the 3 basic requirements, I say, GO FOR IT, while you can still walk on two feet and have good eyesight and in relatively good health. If this is important to you, don’t hesitate. You can perhaps wangle the time, save the money or charge it to your credit card and pay it down later.

But if one has serious health challenges that require being close to a medical facility, it can be a bit tricky to pull this off as part of your bucket list. It is still possible to travel even if wheelchair-bound or if one uses a walker or a cane, but the level of difficulty for yourself and your companions will be a tad higher.

Still, it may be worth a try. As in any circumstance, the mind can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.

A lot of people wait for retirement age to do this because there is available time and more often than not, there is expendable money for travel.

The problem in many cases, is that when the time comes, there may be health challenges to contend with.

But who says one has to travel far in order to check this off from our bucket list? You can certainly explore the wonders in your own backyard or in your own neck of the woods.

If you live in California, the possibilities for day trips and short trips are endless. Become a tourist in your own backyard and explore places like there is no tomorrow. There are mountains, deserts, coastlines, forests and campgrounds to explore.

There are observatories, museums, restaurants parks and trails to discover. The truth is, we are only limited by our own sense of adventure. There are so many places that can be explored everywhere around the world but it is probably wise to start where we are right now.

Or we can experience things vicariously as we read about travel adventures or watch travel shows or even surf virtually through the internet.

But if life gives you the chance to physically travel and the spirit of adventure is in you, just do it. Getting there is half the fun; being there with all your senses engaged in the moment is the other half.

The best thing about any kind of travel, local, domestic or international, is that it opens our eyes to the richness of our life here on earth. Yup, there is an embarrassment of riches right where we are. We just need to open our eyes and see and take it all in. Travel widens our horizons and broadens our understanding of human nature.

We become aware of people of every stripe, color and persuasion. Above all, we learn to take nothing for granted.

We come home appreciating our awfully tiny place in the universe and realize how blessed and fortunate we are to be part of all these. Don’t do it for show to post on social media.

If done in the right spirit, there is something about travel that makes us more deeply thankful of just about everything in a quiet way. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Donny is in the right direction

Cinema movie James & Pat & Dave.

The romantic-comedy is a His good looks and irresistsequel to the 2016 blockbuster ible charm started winning Vince & Kath & James under scores of fans for Donny Pangilthe same director Theodore inan when he entered showbiz Boborol. Donny portrays the as a MYX VJ. Later on, the ulticharacter Dave, the former mate charmer even gained more boyfriend of Loisa’s Pat. He’s followers when he ventured into thankful that LoiNie didn’t make acting. him feel left out while they were Donny is equally famous working on the movie. on social media what with his “I’m so thankful na hindi nila Twitter account that currently pina-feel na third wheel lang has 1.6 million followers and on ako. They instantly treated me Donny Pangilinan Photo from Instagram/@donny Instagram, 1.4 million followas a friend and I want to thank ple pero walang limits ‘yun eh ers. His recent vlog with Robi them for that. They never made Domingo showing them holding and we break that,” he added. me feel left out.”

Asked how did it feel after hands instantly caught the atDonny used to have Kisses holding hands for two hours, tention of netizens.

Delavin as an onscreen partner Donny quipped, “Pasmado si The two did the Walang but since the actress transferred Robi (laughs). I would say it’s not to another network, he is now Bibitaw Challenge on Robi’s official YouTube channel. The viral something that’s normal to me being linked to Belle Mariano, but if other people feel that’s vlog showed Donny and Robi his leading lady in the new the other way of showing affec- iWant original series titled He’s holding hands while walking around the mall where the latter tion so who are we to say no?”

Into Her. According to reports, Truth is, there are places decided to buy an external hard the Goin’ Bulilit alum serves as where people normally hold drive. They even tried eating at an inspiration to the actor. a resto still holding hands. Some hands and there are other plac“Yes,” admitted Donny and would tease that a new tandem es or countries where hugging added, “because as you said is common. It’s just that much was born: DonBi. she came from Goin’ Bulilit and of what enters our consciousDonny shared how the idea I’ve been only working with ness, of course, comes from the her for two months but I can came about. “It was Robi who culture around us. Oftentimes, thought about us making a fun really see that she wants to be vlog together. He said, ‘Let’s do people tend to stick to sterein this industry. She really wants a fun way of breaking toxic mas- otyping. It’s a nice idea that to prove herself lalo na nung Robi and Donny somehow tried lumabas na ‘yung (names) cast culinity’ and I said, ‘Okay, sure to break these stereotypes. why not?’ It was fun; game na ng He’s Into Her because there What Donny found truly game po ako sa mga ganyan.” were some who said she’s not fit admirable was the pleasant Apart from it being fun to for the role and I think she’s very attitude of real-life couple Ronwatch, the vlog also showed inspired to prove them wrong nie Alonte and Loisa Andalio, closeness between friends. and I believe she can do that. popularly known as LoiNie. They If you are very passionate with “Sometimes people feel like were comfortable exchanging there’s only certain ways you your work, nakaka-inspire po can show affection towards peo- ideas while shooting for the Star ‘yun.”

By BOY

ABUNDA Philstar.com

community

SF5

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

American-Indian director Ben Rekhi praises his Filipino cast for bringing their top game in his screen masterpiece.

‘Watch List’...

From Page SF3 Art Acuña, Lou Veloso, Jess Mendoza and Angeli Bayani with Timothy Mabalot and young but promising actor Micko Laurente.

The Hollywood-based director reveals he cast actors not only fit their roles but could also carry the depth of emotion.

“For me, filmmaking is 90percent casting,” Rekhi divulged explaining his meticulous casting for his film.

He was very impressed with everyone and singled out Alessandra, Jake, Art and Micko.

“I was very fortunate. Alessandra’s talent is something I’ve never seen before. Jake, who is very well known in Hollywood for his work in ‘Metro Manila,’ brought a level of intensity that is going to surprise people. Art Acuña is also a force of nature.

One of the breakout performances is Micko Laurente who plays Alessandra’s teenage son. I think he’s just going to absolutely break people’s hearts.”

“Everyone performed at the top of their game!” Rekhi declared.

Rekhi’s collaborators in the project include executive producer Anjay Nagpal, who served as co-executive producer of “Joker,” international cinematographer Daniella Nowitz, and award-winning Filipino production designer Ericson Navarro.

“Watch List” has made the rounds of many international film festivals, namely the Deauville American Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival, International Film Festival of India, Nashville Film Festival and

Calendar of Events across

Photos courtesy of Reality Entertainment

Mill Valley Film Festival. It recently won the Most Disturbing Fiction Film Award at the 2020 Tournai Ramdam Festival in Belgium.

At these screenings, viewers, Rekhi said, were so affected and roused to tears. He even related his experience with a Filipina who watched at the world premiere at the Seattle Film Festival.

“She stood up after the screening and started crying. She said, ‘I grew up in these neighborhoods, and I’ve never seen them portrayed like this before. It’s so real’,” the proud director recalled.

Rekhi is dedicating “Watch List” to the Filipinos in front and behind-the-scenes who helped him make the film.

“As an outsider, I worked very, very hard to tell an authentic and truthful story. It is my deepest hope that this story resonates with the Filipinos who were so gracious to us,” Rekhi ended. (by The Manila Times)

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 2 1

Pananaw Ng Puso art exhibit opening in LA Pananaw Ng Puso (“Insights of the Heart”) is Tiinz Taruc’s one-woman exhibit beginning Friday, February 21 until March 31,2020. It will be held at FASGI Bayanihan Center at 135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The opening reception on Feb. 21 will start at 6 p.m. Tiinz is a gifted impressionist and portraitist. She daringly paints with bold strokes and vivid colors in defiance of her sight limitations, she is colorblind and half-blind. This is not surprising given her lineage as the granddaughter of National Hero Luis Taruc, founder and leader of the Hukbalahap (People’s Anti-Japanese Army) movement during World War II. Tiinz continuously faces life’s adversities with optimism and positivity. She is determined to keep painting to inspire others. Tiinz is a survivor and strong advocate for women’s rights. Tiinz’s paintings feature her unique trademark images, which include koi fish, dynamic circles and flowers. Her paintings also pay tribute to the Blessed Mother and Baby Jesus (Santo Nino), a sign of her deep faith which, she says, motivate her to continue painting. The FASGI Arts Incubator Program was created in 2016 to promote and uplift Filipino and Filipino American arts and culture. The program’s mission is to: (1) help Filipino American artists to be properly recognized and given economic opportunities for advancement; (2) enable Filipino Americans to get in touch with their culture; and (3) to educate mainstream America on Philippine/American art. It currently includes a permanent gallery, special exhibits, portraiture, and an artistin-residence program.

F E B R UA RY 23

SIPA and #Hashtag Lunchbag host food drive in Historic Filipinotown Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown. On Sundays, February 23, May 17, September 13, November 22, and December 27, SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown and Greater LA. When finished, we will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families. The event will be happening from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 3200 W Temple Street, LA, CA 90026. Parking is available on Dillon/Temple and Robinson/Temple. Donations of $10+ are not required, but are highly suggested so that we can continue to have community service events like these. You can donate in person, through our Venmo: @SIPA-LA, and our Square Store: squareup.com/store/sipacares. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 3821819 ext. 107.

F E B R UA RY 29

23rd annual Susan G. Komen ‘More than Pink Walk’ in Los Angeles Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County will hold its 23rd annual event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 29, the ‘MORE THAN PINK Walk™.’ Known for raising significant monies to help those with breast health issues in Los Angeles County, the affiliate does so with many activities, the Expo, Hope Village, for survivors and those living with breast cancer, Reflection Tent, and Team Zone in addition to the fun MORE THAN PINK Walk™ itself. There’s something everyone will enjoy. Sponsored by AutoNation, Spiritual Gangster, The Citadel and CBS2/KCAL-9, 2020’s event is expected to significantly surpass 2019’s attendance of 6,000, nearly 400 survivors in attendance, and over 900 members on the largest corporate team.Through events like the Los Angeles County MORE THAN PINK Walk™, Komen Los Angeles County invests 75% of the funds raised to support vital local breast health services and dedicates the remaining 25% to national research to find the cures. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. To participate, call 310.575.3011 or visit komenlacounty. org/walk.

Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event in South LA ATTENTION ALL FLORENCE-FIRESTONE RESIDENTS: Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event on Saturday, February 29! It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone (5858 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90001). Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. 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.

So don’t miss out – it’ll be easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

Technology 101 Workshop in Los Angeles Please join the Pilipino Workers Center and UCLA Interns for the highly anticipated Technology 101 Workshop on Saturday, February 29. The instructors will on improving participants’ skills and knowledge of cellular phones and personal computers. Food will be provided! It will be held at Pilipino Workers Center at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please bring your laptops and phones if possible. To RSVP, please call (213) 250-4353.

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

SF

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

Love and deportability: Divorce, domestic violence, and immigration laws The CTV Files

Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ

Rudy Vallo Joves and wife Liz

RUDY Vallo Joves was born on January 25, 1940 in Fort Stotsenburg in the Philippines. At 17, he arrived in San Francisco, CA and worked his way through college.

He received his AA Degree and Certificate of Completion in Advertising Art from the San Francisco Academy of Arts with scholarships. He later earned his B.S. degree in Graphic Design at San Jose State University.

Rudy was employed at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company for over 30 years, retiring as Advanced Program Management Analyst and Art Director for Special Programs. He worked on various NASA programs such as Manned Orbiting Lab, Apollo Space Programs, Space

Shuttle, Space Telescope (Hubble Space Telescope), and International Space Station. His painting of the Hubble SpaceTelescope was displayed at the National Space Museum in Washington, D.C. before the actual launching of the telescope in space.

Rudy has been married to his wife Liz for over 58 years. Their grown children have families of their own: Brigitte and husband David Coltharp; Dan and wife Grace and their children Elijah and Kara; and Steve and wife Holly and children Cassidy, Ryder and Greysen. After living in Silicon Valley for over 50 years, Rudy and Liz now live in Shingle Springs, CA.

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

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

Options available for victims of abuse: VAWA SelfPetition The spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, or the parent of a U.S. citizen, who is battered or subject to extreme cruelty may file a self-petition independently of the abusive U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.

The spouse or child must demonstrate that he or she resided with the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent spouse or parent; was battered or subject to extreme cruelty during the marriage (or, in the case of a spouse self-petitioner, the child

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

In certain cases, though an individual has not suffered any physical harm, abuse can still be argued depending on the circumstances, since “abuse” is not limited to physical harm. Each application will be reviewed and examined on a case-by-case basis, and given the whole picture, an individual might just be able to show that he or she is a battered spouse or has suffered extreme cruelty from their U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident husband.

If so, a VAWA Self-Petition will enable her to adjust her status without having to rely on their spouse.

California Divorce – “No Fault.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent family law and immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore your options and possible legal ramifications that you might be facing. As always, be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Baculi Collins is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) – a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega. com.

(Advertising Supplement)

PG&E Helps Customers Manage Energy Costs and Save Money this Winter More than 70% of winter energy use comes from heating system, water heater & washer/dryer SAN FRANCISCO – It’s wintertime which means natural gas appliances are working overtime to keep homes warm and comfortable. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) understands increased usage can result in higher energy bills and wants to equip customers with techniques to help reduce costs.

The first step is helping customers understand which of their appliances use the most energy in the home during the coldest months. Being equipped with this knowledge helps customers make informed decisions and make adjustments that translate to actual savings on energy bills.

“It can be frustrating to make changes in the home to save energy and not notice a decrease in your bill. We want to point out where customers can change their habits and make small home improvements that could add up to savings,” says Vincent Davis, PG&E’s Senior Director of Customer Energy Solutions The heating system, water heater, and washer/dryer account for more than 70% of winter energy use in the home. PG&E offers the following tips to safely reduce the costs associated with these natural gas appliances.

Ways to Save Energy this Winter • Enhance furnace efficiency: Check furnace filters regularly.

Change out filters if dirty, or at least every three months. A clean filter will prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system which can lead to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

• Improve duct performance: In a typical house about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Make sure all connections at vent registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceilings. These are the common locations to find leaks and

disconnected ductwork. Many homeowners choose to work with a professional contractor for duct improvement projects.

• Lower the temperature on your water heater: The recommended temperature is 120°F. For every 10ºF reduction in temperature, customers can save from 3% to 5% on water heating costs. Also take shorter showers and don’t leave water running.

• Wash clothes in cold water: Use the cold water setting on the clothes washer to use less energy on water heating, wash full loads, and longer spin times reduce the amount of drying energy needed. Water heating makes up about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer.

• Don’t overdry clothes: If the dryer has a sensor that automatically turns it off when the clothes are dry, use it. Dry full loads and clean the lint trap before every load.

There are several things that can be done to help control energy costs besides simply using less natural gas. One of the ways to use less energy is to replace old, inefficient appliances with new, more efficient ones. To find out what is eligible for a rebate and easily apply online click, go to https://www.pge.com/en_US/ residential/save-energy-money/ savings-solutions-and-rebates/ rebates-by-product/rebates-byproduct.page. For more tips on saving energy this winter, visit www.pge.com/winter.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge. com/news.

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020

SF7

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 21, 2020