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FEBR U A R Y 22-28, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 18 • 16 Pages
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Duterte signs law providing health care to all Filipinos by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
President Rodrigo Duterte leads the ceremonial signing of the Revised Corporation Code and the Universal Health Care Act at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, February 20. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
USA
DATELINE Former Fil-Am MTV VJ and son experience racist rants during coffee run in LA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
W H E N former Filipina-American MTV personality and model Belinda Panelo went out for a regular coffee run with her son, she didn’t expect them to be the target of a racist tirade. Belinda Panelo A video of the incident quickly caught attention after Panelo, 44, shared the experience on social media on Tuesday, February 12.
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US-PH Society: PH has strong human infrastructure THE United States-Philippine Society (USPS) has urged American business ventures to invest in the infrastructure sector of the Philippines because of the “strong human infrastructure” that the country can offer. USPS President John Maisto said that despite the Philippines being an economically developing nation, it boasts of having a firm human infrastructure that constitutes sectors such as health, education and nutrition. “The Philippines builds on its strong human infrastructure. In our view, that is what the Philippines can offer,” Maisto said as reported by The Philippine Star. The society president noticed that there are only a few investments from the U.S. He believes that the first-world country should engage in more business negotiations particularly in the infrastructure sector of the Philippines. “There’s not as much infrastructure investment from the U.S. as there could be. Our es-
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, signed into law the Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill which seeks to give all Filipinos health care coverage and benefits. In his speech during a special ceremony in Malacañang, Duterte acknowledged the importance of the Universal Health Care Law, a measure that intends to provide free and affordable medical consultations and medicine for the benefit of all Filipinos, especially the indigent.
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WARM WELCOME. Miss Universe Catriona Gray waves to the public during her homecoming parade in Pasay City on Thursday, February 21. The parade passed through the CCP Complex, Manila and Makati City. Photos courtesy of Miss Universe Organization
Senators eye first daughter DOH: Measles outbreak Sara Duterte for presidential bid could affect tourism, OFWs by NATHALIE
decision to seek a national post by January 2021. Re-electionist Senator Juan AS the presidential daughter Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said and Hugpong ng Pagbabago that the younger Duterte is seen (HNP) chairwoman Sara Duterte- to have all the qualifications of a Carpio increased her public pres- good leader with training from ence for her political party, the none other than the Chief Execupublic buzzed anew with talks of tive himself. her possibly succeeding her father “I think she’s one of the potenPresident Rodrigo Duterte. tial future leaders of the country Four senators already expressed because she has the qualifications Presidential daughter and Hugpong ng their support for the first daughter — a lawyer, has (the) heart for the Pagbabago (HNP) chairwoman Sara Duterte- despite Duterte-Carpio’s state- masses and, of course, she has a Carpio Philstar.com photo ment that she will announce her u PAGE 2
Oxford Economics: PH will be 2nd fastest growing emerging market in 2019-2028 by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
MANILA — With an expanding labor force, the Philippines will be eclipsed only by India among emerging markets (EMs) expected to post the fastest economic growth in the next 10 years. In a February 15 report, UKbased Oxford Economics projected the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to grow
by AJPRESS
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by an average of 5.3 percent between 2019 and 2028, only outpaced by India’s 6.5 percent. For 2019, Oxford Economics had said its expects the Philippines’ GDP growth at 6.1 percent, below the government’s 7-8 percent target range. China and Indonesia’s economies were both seen expanding by 5.1 percent during the 10-year period; Malaysia, 3.8 percent; Turkey, 3 percent; Thailand, 2.9 percent; Chile, 2.6 percent; Po-
land, 2.5 percent; and South Africa, 2.3 percent. The labor force in the Philippines was projected to increase by an average of 2.3 percent during the next 10 years, the fastest among the 10 emerging markets. The labor force growth figure was computed by Oxford Economics as the number of people in the labor force multiplied to the average number of hours
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THE Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, February 19, said that the measles outbreak in the country could negatively affect the tourism and overseas labor sectors if not contained as soon as possible. Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo revealed that foreign countries are necessarily bound to issue travel advisories once another country poses danger among their residents. “If we fail to control the outbreak, you can’t stop other countries from giving travel advisories for their nationals not to go to the Philippines because of the measles epidemic,” Domingo said as reported by The Philippine Star.
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The mother of nine-month-old Kyzhia Hope H. Montellano has decided to have her daughter vaccinated with measles following the rise of measles cases. Ellen Lumayag-Lacson a midwife at the health center in Barangay T Padilla, Cebu City administers the vaccine. Inquirer.net photo by Junjie Mendoza
DOT relaunches PH tourism campaign by AJPRESS
‘IT’S STILL MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES’. Department of Tourism Secretary (DOT) Bernadette Romulo Puyat and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año lead the launching of the refreshed “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign to promote sustainable tourism in the country. The event also unveils the new logo of the campaign and a tour of the newly-renovated National Museum of Natural History on Monday, February 18 at the National Museum, Manila. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
THE country’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign was relaunched on Monday, February 18, by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The repurposed campaign, which would now use crowdsourcing in a bid for “sustainable tourism”, meant to attract more tourists. It was propelled by Boracay’s six-month closure, in an effort to rehabilitate the world-famous tourist spot after it was destroyed by pollution and violations on environmental laws. “We can have fun at the same time we protect the environment.
This is not mere continuity, this is sustainability. This (campaign) aims to repurpose fun into sustainability,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a speech during the relaunch at the National Museum of Natural History, DOT’s previous home. According to Puyat, the crowdsourced tourism materials through social media were the key aspects of the revamped campaign as the DOT saw at least 4.3 million locals and foreigners using the tagline in their photos and videos. She also said that the campaign’s popularity has brought millions to the Philippines and prompted the dissemination of
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February 22-28, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
From the Front Page
Duterte signs law providing... PAGE 1 The law allows Filipinos to be automatically enrolled in the proposed National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Members can either be direct contributors (those who can pay health premiums), or indirect contributors (those who are sponsored like senior citizens or indigents). The program, which would be handled by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), also aims to expand the PhilHealth coverage to include free consultation tests and other diagnostic services. Other benefits that Filipinos can enjoy under the law include possessing “immediate eligibility� for and have access to the full spectrum of health care such as preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care for medical, dental, mental, and emergency health services; and choosing their primary health care provider for outpatient care, medicines, and laboratory tests. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, February 21, welcomed the passage of the Universal Health Care Act, which would enable Filipinos to have access to quality health services at lesser cost. Gundo Weiler, WHO country representative, said the landmark legislation has a “tremendous potential for expanding quality and affordable health services for every Filipino.� “We are very happy to see in this act that there are very important provisions addressing financial protection and increasing access to the services. We do believe this is an excellent basis for realizing universal health coverage in the Philippines,� Weiler said. He added: “This is not the end point but just a starting point for major reform effort in the Philippines.� New laws Duterte also announced the other new laws he signed including the Mobile Number Portability
Act that would permit “qualified subscribers� to keep their mobile number should they decide to change their network provider. The newly signed law, otherwise known as the Republic Act 11202 or the Lifetime Cellphone Number Act, mandates public telecommunication entities (PTEs) to have the mobile number portability (MNP) feature accessible among all users. PTEs are also ordered to transfer their subscribers to their chosen PTE free of charge. The fine for violating such law ranges from P10,000 to one million in fines and revocation of telecommunication franchise. Human Settlements Department Duterte also signed the law establishing the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), an agency that would address concerns regarding housing, human settlement and urban development. The said department merged two other agencies—Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). Under the law, the DHSUD has administrative supervision over National Housing Authority (NHA), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC). Four other national laws were signed by the president, including the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, the Philippine Sports Training Center Act and the Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act. Republic Act 11188 is said to mandate the prevention of the “recruitment, re-recruitment, use, displacement of, or grave child rights violations against children involved in armed conflict, taking into considerations their gender,
cultural, ethnic and religious background.� “(The Act serves as a protection for) children in situations of armed conflict from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their development,� the law stated as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. National Integrated Cancer Control Program, on one hand, seeks to provide “affordable and accessible� medical treatment by strengthening cancer control policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of the existing health care delivery system.� The Philippine Sports Training Center Act, on the other, provides a P3.5 billion funding for the 18month construction of a center “suitable and conducive to highlevel training of athletes, coaches and referees.� While the Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act mandate a national counseling program to be administered by the Department of Education. Holiday declarations and franchise grants Two holiday declarations were signed namely the special working national holiday for the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio City on September 3 and the special non-working holiday in Olongapo for James Leonard Tagle Gordon on January 17. The president also signed bills granting franchises to four institutions Malindang Broadcasting Network, More Electric and Power Corporation, Ermita Electronics Incorporated and religious group Iglesia ni Cristo. Local bills Three local bills that were signed include the integration of Cebu City Mountain Extension Campus as a satellite campus of the Cebu Technological University; conversion of the Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub to the
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Oxford Economics: PH will be 2nd fastest... PAGE 1 worked. Total factor productivity growth was seen at 1 percent, while capital deepening or the contribution of capital accumulation to labor productivity
growth was projected to rise by 1.6 percent from 2019 and 2028. In a report titled “Sustained growth in EMs calls for thrift and innovation,� Oxford Economics said that while “countries
with higher gross domestic saving (as a share of GDP) tend to have higher trend growth‌ the Philippines seems to be a major outlier, but its domestic savings are supplemented heavily by remittances.� n
SWIM AND PLAY. Baseco residents swim and play in Manila Bay on Sunday, February 17. Citing health issues, the health department advised the public against swimming in the bay while efforts to rehabilitate it are ongoing. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
Senators eye first daughter Sara Duterte... PAGE 1 mentor – who better to mentor her than President Duterte?� Angara said as reported by The Philippine Star. Angara said that the Davao City mayor’s attendance to HNP rallies would serve as her training ground in order to become the leader that is familiar with the issues and struggles of the Filipino people. “Mayor Sara has the training, experience, savvy and going around the country with HNP will only give her a better perspective on the country’s problems,� the re-electionist senator said as reported by Manila Standard. The senatorial candidate also foreshadowed the possibility that Duterte-Carpio would skip right to the presidency from a mayoral position since she has the “makings of a good president.� “I think nothing’s impossible now. Because President Duterte broke the barrier. He was the first mayor to go straight to (the) president. Usually, you pass through the Senate first. So it’s not unheard of for a local official to become president,� he said. Another senatorial candidate Senator Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito described the presidential daughter as “principled, intelligent and firm.� He said, “These are good qualities of a great leader. Not to mention she has
the charm.� Both Angara and Ejercito were among the 13 senatorial candidates endorsed by the first daughter’s regional political party, the HNP. The rest includes Koko Pimentel, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino, Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Zajid Mangudadatu, Jiggy Manicad, Imee Marcos and Jinggoy Estrada. Aside from the mentioned senatorial candidates, other senators also expressed their approval of another Duterte taking the presidential seat. Senator Panfilo Lacson picked Duterte-Carpio as his “top choice� among the “young emerging leaders� to become the country’s next chief executive. The senator also boasted of the presidential daughter’s “good leadership qualities.� “Just like what I’ve said during a news forum—among the young emerging leaders, Mayor Sara Duterte is somebody we may be looking at,� Lacson said as he described Sara Duterte as “strong-willed, stern, vibrant, and progressive-minded.� However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that it is too soon to talk about the presidential elections during the campaign period for the senatorial and local bid. He said that the Davao City mayor’s reluctance is under-
standable. “Many things can still happen. The political landscape sees major changes after the midterm elections. So, it’s better if the issue will be ventilated after 2019 (senatorial and local elections),� Sotto said. Sara Duterte focuses on HNP campaign Despite talks of her possible presidential bid, the young Duterte seemed to focus more on campaigning for her Senate slate. Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday, February 19, went to Isabela province for a campaign caravan in Santiago City. “Ang kailangan kasi namin ngayon ay madaming madaming madaming kaibigan para tumulong sa mga senators, so ayan ‘yung hinahanap namin sa buong bansa ngayon, mga kaibigan ng Hugpong ng Pagbabago (What we really need now are lots and lots and lots of friends to help our senatorial line-up. So that’s what we’re looking for across the country, friends of Hugpong ng Pagbabago),� Duterte-Carpio said as reported by Rappler. She also went on a “spiritual journey� as she stopped by seven churches from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Santiago, Isabela with her Yamaha XSR900 motorcycle dubbed as “Ella� to “pray for the success of all HNP candidates.� n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
AARP: Older Fil-Ams vulnerable to immigration fraud DOT relaunches PH... by AJPress
MANY Filipino immigrants have fallen victim to immigration scams, a new digital campaign from AARP has revealed. Seven percent of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders have been exposed to immigration scams, according to AARP’s “Facing Fraud: A Survey of AAPIs Age 50-plus on Fraud and Scams.” Navigating the immigration process in the United States may be a daunting task — whether it’s becoming a citizen or filling out the right paper work — and immigrants looking for any option may fall prey to certain fraud schemes. Targets of immigration scams are either unaware of the fraud or mistake, or they go along because they feel they have no other route to obtain their much-needed legal status or work authorization. The fraudsters promise cheap, fasttracked, or easy paths to work permits and green cards. When an immigrant is scammed and does not get their needed approvals, they can be removed from the United States and get separated from their families. In response to this alarming situation, AARP presents “Immigration Fraud Prevention,” a nationwide public service announcement and storytelling initiative in collaboration with NextDayBetter, the Asian American Bar Association of New York, the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York, and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). This series features immigration attorneys providing insights and tips on how Filipino individuals and families can protect themselves against immigration fraud. Attorney Amanda Bernardo, director at the Filipino American Bar Association of New York and cochair of the Immigration Committee at the Asian American Bar Association of New York, said “that
the immigration process can be confusing and intimidating, especially for Filipinos and Asian immigrants who face language barriers. You need to carefully vet the right immigration attorney, who can lend the right immigration services based on their client’s complex immigration needs.” Unfortunately, many unqualified individuals and institutions take advantage of the trust of Filipino immigrants, providing ineffective or even harmful representation. Scammers file the wrong paperwork, use fraudulent measures, or misrepresent facts, which jeopardizes their client’s immigration case. Older AAPIs are particularly vulnerable as targets of certain fraud. “Con artists often target immigrant communities because they are particularly vulnerable, but knowing how they work can help you spot and avoid scams,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “The focus of our fraud initiative is to provide the community the tools they need to outsmart con artists before they strike.” Some tips on how to protect yourself from immigration fraud include: • Work only with people who are authorized by the government to help you. • Real government website URLs should have .gov domains. • Always verify the person’s
DOH: Measles outbreak could... PAGE 1 The health undersecretary noted that such an issue would be problematic for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) since they need to secure medical clearance before they are permitted to work abroad. “Other possible consequences are Filipinos, including overseas workers, may be restricted to travel to other countries or will be asked to provide additional requirements such as vaccination records,” he added as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Domingo said that countries have been inquiring about the measles situation in the Philippines. Hong Kong, for instance, is particularly concerned due to the heavy tourist traffic in both areas and the 200,000 OFWs deployed there. “Hong Kong has been declared measles-free. They expressed their concern about the measles outbreak here. We have many Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong,” the undersecretary said. The health department Epidemiology Bureau together with the Bureau of Quarantine established health desks at major airports so that travelers and tourists could “voluntarily” walk in and sought for consultation should they feel sick. “The people should be responsible to have themselves voluntarily checked before leaving the country. Because if other countries have this bad experience from us, there could be repercussions,” Domingo said. “Sa mga tourist na papunta satin (To the incoming tourists), we want to assure them that everything is being done to contain the outbreaks and control it the soonest time possible,” he added. Death toll reaches 146 As of February 18, there are a total of 146 deaths and over
9,200 cases - mostly affecting children. Cases were concentrated in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) with 2,310 cases; National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,937 cases and Central Luzon with 1,387. In an article from CNN Philippines, World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines medical officer Achyut Shrestha said that the outbreak also affects adolescent and adult populations. “Upon analyzing 2018 measles cases, 10 percent of the cases are in the age bracket of five years to 15 years and further 20 percent are from 15 years up to 40 plus years,” Shrestha said. “Whenever the unvaccinated under five years population reach a certain threshold due to continued vulnerability of higher age groups, Philippines experiences large measles outbreaks,” she added. Eliminate the outbreak by May Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the department plan to eliminate the epidemic by May 2019. He said that they “are intensifying vaccination in all regions because we don’t want measles to spread further.” They increased the immunization program by vaccinating 12 to 14 million children, including 2.4 million infants aged six to 59 months; seven to eight million grade schoolers and pre-schoolers and 2.6 million adults. “Buong Kamaynilan ang kanila pong mga kinatawan ay sumangayon na habaan ang oras. Ang mga bakunahan tuwing Sabado at nakikiusap ako pwede pong pati Linggo (Representatives in the whole of Metro Manila agreed to extend their working time. Conduct vaccination on Saturdays, and if need be, even on Sundays),” Duque said as reported by UNTV. n
FOOD, WOOD, INCOME PROJECT. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Joselito Rolando Bautista (left), and Tarlac Heritage Foundation co-founder, Dr. Isa Suntay (right), lead the ribbon cutting ceremony during the launching of Hardin ng Lunas: Food, Wood, and Income project, which features the pre-planted site in the rolling hills of the 3MECH infantry Battalion area in San Jose, Tarlac on Tuesday, February 19. The activity is part of their commitment to provide nutritional and organic produce for the health and welfare of military personnel, their dependents and the communities that they serve. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
credentials. You should call the appropriate government agency and confirm that whoever has contacted you is a legitimate representative. • Don’t let anyone keep your original documents, like your birth certificate or passport. • Never pay for blank government forms or sign a form that either isn’t filled out yet or that you don’t understand. • Keep a copy of every form you submit and every letter from the government for your own records. • Avoid notary publics for legal advice. They are not licensed lawyers and cannot talk to government agencies on your behalf. “By rallying community organizations across the country, we can better educate and empower Filipino immigrants to legally navigate our immigration system with the right resources and support,” NextDayBetter CEO Ryan Letada said. For more information, please contact the AARP hotline at 1-877908-3360, or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork and the Federal Trade Commission at http://ftc. gov/immigration. n
PAGE 1 photos, videos, and comments online showing why “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” “This [is] a campaign by the tourists. It will focus mainly on real people and real experiences as more travelers become conscious about their ecological footprints and cultures they are consuming and wanting to know how they can give back,” Puyat said. The tourism campaign was first launched in 2012. It was met with mixed response from netizens, with some pointing out that the tagline was ripped off from a 1951 Swiss tourism slogan. The improved ad gave up the Harabara font for the new Barabara font, based on the jeepney signage typography. The font will be open sourced and available for download by
anyone to create their Philippine tourism content. The new ad also brandishes a new logo — a weave of local textiles in different colors that represent “uniquely Filipino products.” Puyat, when asked why she has decided to continue the campaign instead of embarking on a new one, said, “I actually believe in continuity. In other countries, they never change their campaign. In Malaysia, it’s been ‘Malaysia Truly Asia.’ In India, it’s been ‘Incredible India.’ I am the third Tourism secretary to use the hashtag. I believe it’s because it works. The Philippines has embraced the hashtag. We’ve made it our own. Why not continue what’s good?” Giving back For every post on the internet, the government will be donating
$10 dollars to the international World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in a bid to preserve beaches mountains and wildlife in the country, according to Puyat. “It’s but fitting that whatever we pay, it goes back to the environment as we promote sustainability,” she said. Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, for his part, said the government would strike a balance between visitor demand and protecting the environment to avoid a repeat of what happened to Boracay. “We have to strike a balance between business opportunities and responsibilities to our environment. If we don’t take care of the environment there will be no tourist destinations,” said Año during the launch press conference. n
The composite photo shows the old and new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” logos of the Department of Tourism.
Photos courtesy of DOT
February 22-28, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
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Dateline USa
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
Former Fil-Am MTV VJ and son experience... US police remain blank on alleged killer of Fil-Am in Chicago THE Chicago police remain blank concerning the identity of the perpetrator behind the death of Filipino-American Anthony del Barrio nearly a month after the incident transpired, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday, February 16. The DFA said that according to the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the case of 30year-old Del Barrio is still under investigation.
Del Barrio was found dead between two houses in the Village of Morton Grove on January 20. He succumbed to a single bullet wound. The police are ruling that the cause of death was homicide and they are still establishing leads to crack the case, the DFA said. Based on inquiries done by the Philippine Consulate before the Filipino community in Chicago, Del Barrio was a third generation Filipino-American born and
raised in the United States. No passport or dual citizenship record of Del Barrio or any member of his family was also found by the authorities. The DFA extended its condolences to the family of Del Barrio following his death. The department also asked the public to coordinate with the authorities in Chicago for any possible information related to Del Barrio’s death. (Faye Orellana/ Inquirer.net)
PAGE 2 University of Northwestern Mindanao; conversion of Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College to the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University. The president also signed the act that establishes the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education and integrating it with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training centers and TESDA-supervised state-run technical-vocational institutions in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The bill to change Lupon School
of Fisheries in Lupon, Davao Oriental into the Davao Oriental Polytechnic Institute and the recognition of the British School of Manila as an international educational institution were also signed by the Chief Executive. Duterte also signed the bill that increases bed capacity to two hospitals specifically in St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu from 25 to 200 and in Rizal Medical Center in Pasig from 300 to 500. Palace applauds multiple laws signed Presidential Spokesperson Sal-
vador Panelo called the move to sign the multiple laws a “decisive and compassionate leadership” as he dubbed the said mandates as “landmark measures.” “Indeed, all these landmark measures, not to mention the laws on special protection of children in situations of armed conflict, secondary school career guidance and counseling and the establishment of a sports training center, underscore that we have a decisive and compassionate leadership that will be the mark of the administration until the remainder of the president’s term,” Panelo said. n
Duterte signs law providing...
US-PH Society: PH has strong human... PAGE 1 timate is there should be,” Maisto said during a press conference. Aside from the infrastructure sector, the U.S.-Philippines business group also targets sectors such as energy, clothing manufacturing, information technology (IT) and tourism as investment options. The said business group also pushes for the drafting of a U.S.Philippines free trade agreement (FTA). USPS co-chair John Negroponte claimed that there is a good chance that the two countries would agree on an FTA. This idea was supported by USPS co-chair and businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan noting the benefits that the country would gain should the Philippines decide to enter an FTA with the United States government. “I think this is something the Philippines should seriously consider taking up because the U.S. is one of the big markets available to us,” Pangilinan said. Department of Trade and In-
dustry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo earlier said that the Philippine government is currently anticipating whether the U.S. Congress would express any intent in the matter so they could commence on discussing the provisions of the FTA. In order to start the drafting of an FTA, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative must formally notify the U.S. Congress of its intent to push for a bilateral trade agreement. In July 2018, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer reportedly expressed his intent to commence a U.S.-Philippines trade deal before the U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee. According to the USPS, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act in 2018 to be able to provide infrastructure investment from the U.S. in emerging markets backed by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Build Build Build program
delay The talks of American investments surfaced with the Philippines’ P8-9 trillion infrastructure plan known as the Build Build Build (BBB) program that aims to repair the country’s dilapidated infrastructure and supercharge economic growth. However, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the program, commonly dubbed as aggressive and ambitious would be slightly delayed due to lack of manpower. The president urged the Filipino people to help in the 75 flagship projects under the BBB. “Kaya ‘yang Build, Build, Build medyo atrasado nang kaunti. Walang trabahante. Eh, marami tayong Pilipino. Kung wala naman hindi naman tayo magtulungan, eh ‘di wala (That’s why the Build, Build, Build program has been slightly delayed. There’s a labor gap. There are many Filipinos. If we don’t help each other, nothing will happen),” Duterte said. (AJPress)
PAGE 1 Panelo, well-known for being among the funniest video jockeys on MTV in the early 2000s, was getting coffee with her son in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Playa Vista, California when a woman approached them and began making racist remarks. “What are you? He doesn’t even look human,” shouted the woman in the video. “Get off our street. You do not belong in Playa Vista.” Panelo, who remained calm throughout the incident, asked the woman if she was okay. The woman replied, “No, I’m not. We don’t want you here. This is our street. Leave us alone.” She continued, “We pay $10,000 a month keep you out.” What was caught on video apparently didn’t catch all that was said. Panelo told the Asian Journal that off camera, the woman reportedly kept asking them what mix they were, and kept calling them ugly, poor, and subhuman. “Frankly, my son and I were in shock,” Panelo said in an interview. She said that she and her son frequently go to the coffee shop and have never had anything like this happen before. “We have never encountered anything quite like it and we were quite unprepared and put off guard,” said Panelo. Following the incident, Panelo and her son naturally talked about what had just happened. “The conversation with my son at first started out with how unbelievable it was and we discussed all the smart, witty things we could have said,” she said, adding that they tried to lighten up the situation with some joking around. “But then the conversation turned serious and we discussed how potentially volatile it could have been and the risk of escalation involving law enforcement was a reality,” said Panelo. “That scared us.” In the video, the lady walks up close to Panelo’s car, which had its windows opened. But Panelo didn’t let the encounter dampen their day and instead saw it as a teachable moment to reflect on. Panelo said her son turned to her and told her how eye-opening the
experience was for him. “We discussed how there are people in the world that experience racism and harassment regularly and how that must crush their spirit. We talked a bit about the complicated history of race in American and explored why and how it persists,” said Panelo. Talking to kids about the issues of racism is something Panelo encourages all parents to do. “I would say to parents to not
wait for an incident, a tweet, or a comment on social media to finally be the reason you discuss this as a family. Find out what they are teaching your kids in school. What are they leaving out of history?” Panelo suggested. She added, “Be involved in the community, vote, and purposefully surround yourself with those who aren’t like you. An inclusive world view comes from living outside a bubble.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
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6
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
FEATURES
Snakes and crocodiles
IT may be a snake pit, but not all denizens of the House of Representatives are snakes. This is according to Fredenil Castro, who recently replaced Rolando Andaya Jr. as House majority leader amid an ugly squabble with the Department of Budget and Management. Castro was lamenting what he described as the sweeping prejudgment of congressmen as venal, with some likening the lawmakers to vociferous crocodiles. But he conceded that there are rotten eggs in the House basket, even as he defended the actions of the chamber. Among those acts is the recent approval of rules that make it harder for mass media and the public to obtain copies of congressmen’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALN. Some lawmakers insist that the new rules in fact remove the arbitrariness in the approval or denial of requests for SALNs. But requiring approval of such requests by a review committee, by the owner of the SALN and then by the House plenary certainly looks like congressmen are making it harder to allow access to documents that are supposed to be a matter of public record. In addition, those requesting access must pay P300 for every SALN copy. That means forking out over P80,000 for anyone seeking to scrutinize the SALNs of all the House members including party-list representatives. The normal
Editorial
cost of photocopying documents on regular bond paper averages P5 per page. The chamber, packed with multimillionaires and even billionaires, must be in dire need of
funds. Lawmakers are invoking their personal security and privacy in the tighter rules. Will any self-respecting terrorist, assassin or kidnapper, however, bother to consult a public official’s SALN in picking a target and planning an operation? Congressmen also claim that they are simply making the rules at par with those of other bodies such as the Supreme Court. But why should the legislature follow the example of the SC? Two chief justices were ousted over issues related to their SALNs. Lawmakers can lead the way in promoting transparency in government. Instead Congress has decided to move in the opposite direction, sparking reminders that those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear. If the public has the impression that snakes and crocodiles populate the House of Representatives, its members have only themselves to blame. (Philstar.com)
Philstar.com photo
Removing President Donald Trump from office through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution
The Fil-Am Perspective
people of color — in violation of the Constitution. How did we get here and how do we get out of this quagmire? We have heard about impeachment, the 2020 elections, we have also heard about invoking the 25th Amendment — removing the president from office when it can be proven he is unfit to fulfill the duties, responsibilities and obligation of being president. Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute explained that the 25th Amendment was an effort to resolve some of the continuing issues revolving around the Office of the President — “What happens upon death, removal, removal, or resignation of the President and what is the course to follow if for some reason the President becomes disabled to such a degree that he cannot fulfill his responsibilities.” I did some reading about this and let me share with you what I learned about it. Amendment XXV, “Presidential Disability and Succession” was passed by Congress on July 6, 1965. It was ratified on February 10, 1967, intended to change a portion of Article
II, Section 1of the US Constitution. According to the National Constitution Center, the US Constitution is one of the most difficult constitutions in the world to amend. It explained that to do this requires to surmount the hard job of getting two-thirds of the House, twothirds of the Senate, and threequarters of the states’ legislatures to agree on something. However, it pointed out that “the really hard part of passing an amendment is getting Congress to deal with it in the first place.” Writer Brian C. Kalt explained: “Being a good idea is not enough to make something happen in Congress. Congress has limited space on its agenda, and typically it takes action only when doing so serves the interests of politically powerful constituencies. There must be something in it for them.” The author then looked back to three important factors that made the 25th Amendment part of the Constitution. The first factor was on presidential disability, “the impetus for change came from the White House. In Congress, hundreds
of representatives and senators each consider hundreds of issues and balance the interests of hundreds of clamoring interest groups. By contrast, when President Eisenhower suffered his serious health issues, he was just one man presented with one very stark reality: if he ever got really sick, the Constitution would not handle it well. This was particularly problematic in the middle of the Cold War. It was time for a change, and Eisenhower’s subsequent efforts at reform got the ball rolling.” The second factor was “the shocking assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963 created a brief window of opportunity, during which the nation was more inclined than usual to look at issues outside of the usual interest-group politics. It was a rare opportunity to focus the country’s attention on issues of presidential and vice-presidential vacancies, and presidential disability.” “Third, and probably most important, was the extraordinary leadership of Senator Birch Bayh. Shortly before the Kennedy assassination, Bayh— then in his first year in the Sen-
TWO YEARS into President Donald Trump’s presidency and a lot of Americans ask, “How did we get here?” After a scandal-free Obama presidency, America now is being “led” by a business mogul who runs the country in the same way as his reality show — full of drama, cliff hangers, no respect for the truth, no sense of accountability. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” facing numerous investigations and lawsuits along with his family, business empire, charitable foundation, campaign and transition team. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who has been deemed to be sleeping with the enemy of the United States (Russia), while being obsessed and infatuated with other dictators of the world, while waging war and animosity with the long-time allies of the United States and breaking ties with nations and organizations the United States had treaties with to honor — much to the delight of his beloved Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who has been undermining the democratic institutions of the United States: the U.S. intelligence community, the judiciary, the legislature, the free news media. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who dares fabricate a fake “national emergency” when there is no national emergency at the border just so he could build the wall he promised his blind followers during the campaign, aiming to funnel money appropriated for disaster relief and military projects to fund his wall. When in fact, if this was a true national emergency, he would have made it a priority when he had control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, and not wait for the House to be reclaimed by Democrats two years after. Two years into the Trump presidency and we have a “leader” who divides America instead of unifying us, demonizing immigrants - both documented and undocumented,” giving preferential treatment to white people at the expense of
PeaceMaker
Rebuilding new roads to peace, security and human development
GEL SANTOS-RELOS
FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. Part 2 of 3
(Remarks of former Philippine speaker Jose de Venecia - founding chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); co-chairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); chairman emeritus, Universal Peace Federation (UPF); Special Envoy of the President to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue at the UPF World Summit 2019 “Peace, Security and Human Development” Seoul, Republic of Korea; February 7-11, 2019) Ideological differences shouldn’t get in the way Excellencies, friends: In Northeast Asia today, we need to develop pragmatic and creative methods that will try to rebuild North-South relations in
the Korean Peninsula—without hopefully allowing too many of the ideological differences to get in the way. It is our hope to contribute even small efforts to peace and unification in the Korean peninsula, which now have the beginnings and potential to lead to a breakthrough long awaited by Asia and the global community. Proposals for peace in the Korean peninsula We believe that over and above the giving up of its nuclear weapons, it would be realpolitik to expect that North Korea would hope for an iron-clad Omnibus Agreement leading to a Permanent Peace Treaty, with the South and the U.S. that could likely include the following, as we already pointed out in our earlier conferences: • North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), as separate independent Repub-
lics, but perhaps connected together by a loose Confederation, until at some point in the near or distant future, they can consider uniting like the two Vietnams or the two Germanys; • Withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea; • Withdrawal of large North Korean and South Korean troops from the areas of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the 38th Parallel to make the DMZ really demilitarized; • Development of a concrete formula for South-North Confederation where the two Koreas will be separate and independent but develop common inter-dependent synergies until they can set-up a Union or what the Greeks call “Enosis” in 15 to 25 years or earlier; • Develop inter-Korea commercial flights, highways, and a common railway system for the two Koreas from Pusan at the end of the Korean South facing Japan to North Korea’s
Yalu border with China, which, it is hoped, will interlinkwith the Trans-Siberian Railway to Russia and to Europe; • Develop close political and economic relations between North and South and with China, Japan, the U.S., Russia, and ASEAN and work with the U.N. system and the global community; • Develop and industrialize the North Korean economy and agriculture, put an end to the recurring causes of famine, expand the education system, and immediately open the region toactive tourism; • North Korea or DPRK to immediately join ASEAN Plus 3 (Japan, China, South Korea) to become ASEAN Plus 4; • Immediately organize an adequate Development Fund for compensating North Korea for terminating its nuclear weapons and delivery system, which Fund shall be used for the North’s economic and social development and augmen-
tation of its national budget; • Consider a state of Neutrality for the two independent Koreas which shall actively interact with the regional and global economy so that the North, with its hydrocarbons potential, mining, and hydro-electric resources, etc. can join the South, which has already developed much earlier into a credible major economic power. Transfer of ICAPP Secretariat from Manila to Seoul Excellencies, friends: May I mention that in 2006, as my small, humble contribution in helping encourage direct talks between Seoul and Pyongyang, I transferred from Manila to Seoul the Secretariat of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which I founded and established in Manila in September, 2000 and of which I am Chairman of its Standing Committee up to now. The ICAPP Secretariat is now most active in Seoul and headed by Secretary General Park
ate—became chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s sleepy Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments. The subcommittee had already been considering these issues, but Bayh committed energy and political capital to making the project a high congressional priority. Unusually, he did this despite the lack of an obvious, immediate political payoff.” The question then here is that after two years of the Republican-led Congress’ subservience to President Donald J. Trump, relinquishing and abandoning the checks and balance responsibility of their co-equal branch of government, what will happen now that the Democrats have reclaimed leadership of the House of Representatives? Would the people we elected to represent us in government have that fortitude to make this case against the 45th president of the United States? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Rob-yug, an experienced South Korean diplomat, and by my Co-Chairman, now South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong. I am proud to inform you that since we formed ICAPP in Manila in 2000, ICAPP now counts some 350 ruling, opposition, and independent parties from 52 countries in Asia, and the Korean Workers Party of North Korea is a respected member of ICAPP. Reverend Moon and Mother Moon’s goodwill in Pyongyang May we also point out that the late Reverend Moon and Madame Moon over the years have built genuine goodwill in Pyongyang and among the Koreans in the North and donated their much-appreciated hotel and erstwhile automobile factory that they established there to the North Korean government and people, among many other philanthropies in various parts of the world. (To be continued next week)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
Duterte hits on Catholic church anew: ‘I told you so’ by nathalie
Robles
AJPress
PHiliPPine President rodrigo duterte on Wednesday, February 20, once again lashed out on the Catholic clergy amid the Vatican sex abuse summit which started last thursday, February 21, to sunday, February 24. “Was i wrong all along? i told you so,” duterte gloated as he proved that he was right when he criticized the clergy of committing malicious acts. the president earlier revealed that he was molested by a priest in the past during confession. “every Friday, Friday mass, magkumpisal tayo. eh, mag-confess kayo, yung b**** mo jinaKNOCKOUT. Filipino boxer Dave Peñalosa celebrates after beating Mexican Marcos Cardenas by knockout during a boxing tournament organized jumble -jumble. dalawa kaya by GerryPens Promotion at the Skydome in SM North Edsa on Saturday, February 16. ManilaTimes.net photo by Josef Ramos yan. ‘di nila alam yung akin tatlo (We hear confession. We confess. Your testicles are jumbled. i have two. they did not know i have three),” he said. the strong-mouthed leader hurled those criticisms on the eve of the episcopal conference the drug problem in due time. importing — be they Mexicans entitled “the Protection of Miby aJPress still, he promised to end the or Chinese or Filipino. if you nors of the Church.” He even problem during his term. continue to feed our children claimed that the Vatican issued President rodrigo duterte “i’m not speculating on my with drugs, there’s no way that… a data noting that “four out of on Wednesday, February 20, competence or ability. Far from talagang maaabutan ko kayo at five priests are gay.” vowed that he will not allow any- it, actually. nobody can solve papatayin ko kayo. (i will get to “right after we were abused one to destroy the Philippines it in due time. Pero gusto kong you and i will kill you),” he said. and the pope now is calling for a with illegal drugs. tapusin ko talaga ‘to sa panahon since assuming office on June summit to address this particu“i will not allow my country ko. (But i really want to finish this 30, 2016, duterte has been push- lar problem because four out to be destroyed by drugs. i will during my term),” he said. ing for permanently stopping the of five, according to rome, of not allow my country to end up a “i have the three years left, proliferation of illegal drugs in priests are gay,” he said as refailed state because of drugs,” he and i’m putting notice to every- the Philippines. n ported by the Philippine star. said in a speech in Malacañang. body and the same sloganeering. duterte warned that his anti- Maybe it leaves a bad taste in the drug campaign would be “harsh- mouth every time i say it, but i er in the days to come.” have to say it. At least you are “And i am declaring war. i forewarned,” he added. am not declaring a punitive poWith this, duterte stated that he lice action. it cannot help and is declaring war and threatened to it would not help. so early on i kill anyone who stands in the way. decided but i think i’d be more He also threatened to kill those — well i said harsher in the days behind the smuggling of illegal to come,” he said. drugs into the Philippines. the President also acknowl“And also for those guys who edged that nobody could solve keep on with their business of
Duterte: I will not allow my country to be destroyed by drugs
Rappler: Cover ban violates freedom of the press by Ritchel
Mendiola
AJPress
soCiAl news network rappler and its management on Wednesday, February 20, wrote to both executive secretary salvador Medialdea and Presidential Communications secretary Martin Andanar asking them to lift the cover ban imposed by President rodrigo duterte the year before. “We ask you to lift [the ban] and allow rappler full access to the media coverage of President duterte,” rappler managing editor Glenda Gloria said. “the existing presidential ban stands in the way of a journalist’s mission to provide the most complete information on public officials, institutions, and issues that he or she is covering,” she said. rappler reporter Pia ranada and Ceo Maria ressa were banned from setting foot in Malacañang or covering the president’s events a year ago after the chief executive was “annoyed” at rappler’s reportage. the order was quickly expanded to include all the news network’s reporters and provincial correspondents, and events and activities where duterte is present.
the cover ban sparked a debate about press freedom in the country, with critics calling the order as “censorship” and a display of “extreme pettiness.” national Union of Journalists in the Philippines (nUJP) showed its support for rappler by releasing a statement on Wednesday. “the national Union of Journalists of the Philippines supports the call of rappler to restore its right and that of its staff and personnel to the free coverage of President rodrigo duterte and all his official activities,” the media watchdog group said. According to nUJP, the ban on rappler “tramples on the constitutional prohibition against laws abridging the freedom of the press has gone on too long.” rappler also maintained the existing cover ban “violates a basic constitutional principle that no law or rule should be passed abridging the freedom of the press.” Court of Appeals remands case to SEC Aside from being “annoyed” at rappler, Malacañang claimed the cover ban was also the result of the January 2018 decision of PAGE 8
FDA permanently bans Dengvaxia by aJPress denGVAxiA’s certificates of product registration (CPrs) have been “permanently revoked,” the Food and drug Administration (FdA) announced tuesday, February 19. this is due to the continued failure of the anti-dengue vaccine manufacturer, sanofi Pasteur inc., to submit post-approval commitment documents. According to FdA director General nela Charade Puno, sanofi Pasteur has “shown complete disregard of FdA rules and regulations” which was the reason for
the cancellation of dengvaxia’s CPrs. “its brazen defiance of FdA’s directives and its continued failure to comply leaves us no other recourse but to impose the maximum penalty of revocation of the CPrs covering the dengvaxia products,” she said. Puno added that with the revocation of the dengvaxia’s CPrs, “it is unlawful to import, sell or distribute the products” in the country. dengvaxia’s CPrs were first suspended in december 2017. the FdA imposed a year-long PAGE 8
The certificate of product registration of dengue vaccine Dengvaxia has been suspended since December 2017 after pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur admitted that that it could cause severe dengue if given to those who have not had dengue. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales
However, the chief executive wrongly attributed the said figures that originally came from the book “in the Closet of the Vatican.” in an article from the Guardian, it noted that “80 percent of priests working at the Vatican are gay, although not necessarily sexually active.” tagle to speak at the summit in a report from the Manila times, clergies from all over the world will attend the said summit. they are scheduled to discuss issues on responsibility, accountability, transparency and communication, synodality and collegiality. Caritas internationalis president and Manila Archbishop luis Antonio Cardinal tagle will discuss “smell of the sheep. Knowing their pain and healing their wounds is at the heart of the shepherd’s task” among the 190 participants. Among the archbishop speakers are Congregation for the doctrine of the Faith Adjunct secretary and Malta Archbishop Charles scicluna; latin American episcopal Council President and Bogota Archbishop Cardinal rubén salazar Gómez; Bombay Archbishop Cardinal oswald Gracias; Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich and German Bishops’ Conference Chairman and München und Freising Archbishop Cardinal reinhard Marx. they will also be joined by the dicastery for the laity, Family
and life Undersecretary linda Ghisoni; the society of the Holy Child Jesus elected leader sister Veronica openibo and a Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki. Pope calls church accusers “friends of the devil” in a recent speech to the pilgrims from Benevento at the st. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis linked “those who spend their lives accusing” the church as “friends, cousins and relatives of the devil.” “one cannot live a whole life accusing, accusing, accusing the Church. Whom does the office of the accuser belong to? Who is he that the Bible calls the great accuser — the devil!” Pope Francis said as reported by the Vatican news. “And those who spend their lives accusing are — i won’t say — children, because the devil doesn’t have any - but they the friends, cousins and relatives of the devil,” he added. the church leader recognized that the flawed system of the institution. However, he noted that the manner of correcting the defects should be done out of love. “Well, when things are not right, one has to report the defects to correct, but when you report the defects, you make known the defects, you love the Church. Without love is somePAGE 8
February 22-28, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Supreme Court dismisses petitions against martial law extension by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, February 19, junked four petitions challenging the constitutionality of the martial law extension in Mindanao. The legality of the extension was upheld by the justices in session with a voting of 9-4. The petitions against the third extension were from opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. edcel Lagman, the Makabayan bloc of party-list groups in the house of Representatives, lawyers led by former election Commissioner Christian Monsod, and and a group of “lumad” (indigenous) teachers and students represented by the Free Legal Assistance Group. All four groups alleged in their petitions that there was no factual basis to justify the martial law extension in Mindanao. In their arguments, they said the attacks by terror groups and violent incidents that took place in Mindanao last year, including four bombings cited in the report of the Armed Forces, were acts of terrorism. They were not acts of rebellion as required by law in declaration of martial law. The petitioners also insisted that public safety in Mindanao is not imperiled, despite the recent twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu that killed at least 21 people. Solicitor General Jose Calida, however, stressed that the several attacks attributed to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao were acts of rebellion. he cited the Jolo Cathedral bombing, saying it was proof of the ongoing threat to public safety in Mindanao posed by local terrorist groups. he also argued that the Congress had the power to determine the sufficiency of the factual basis for the extension of martial law. Moreover, the president’s declaration of of martial law, concurred in by Congress, is beyond judicial review. According to new SC spokesman Brian Keith hosaka, the nine magistrates who voted for the dismissal of the petitions were Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Mariano del Castillo, estela Perlas-Bernabe, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Jose
Reyes Jr., Ramon Paul hernando and Rosmari Carandang. The four dissenters, meanwhile, were Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Francis Jardeleza and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. A “rubber stamp” for Malacañang The announcement of SC’s decision was immediately met with flak from different party-list groups. Neri Colmenares, chair of Bayan Muna, said, “The Supreme Court has once again stretched the boundaries of judicial interpretation by upholding Congress’ approval of President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of martial law in Mindanao. It paves the way for imposing martial law nationwide even if there is no threat to public safety.” Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas called the SC an AFP appendage, saying, “Where will Filipino women and the people turn to for justice and accountability during these dark times of impunity if the Supreme Court itself is already an appendage of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its commander-in-chief?” Kabataan said the SC had reduced itself into a “rubber stamp” for Malacañang with its decision. “Once again, the [Supreme Court] as the rubber stamp of Duterte’s antipeople tyranny has declared the constitutionality of a third martial law extension in Mindanao, no matter how more and more absurd it is getting,” the group stated. Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano took a jab at the Supreme Court by saying it “bowed down to the whims of the executive branch.” “Where is our independent Supreme Court? Instead of being a vanguard of justice and rationality, the Supreme Court has shown otherwise,” he added. Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) maintained that there was no basis to declare the third extension as constitutional. “The only terrorism still lurking in [Mindanao] is state terrorism, brought by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, paramilitary forces and the Philippine National Police who drive lumad children out of their schools, illegally detain people without warrants of arrest, charge them with
trumped-up cases and tag them as terrorists,” ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio said. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also spoke against SC’s decision, saying that upholding the legality of the third extension of martial law in Mindanao would lead to more abuses by government forces. “By upholding the third extension of martial law, the Supreme Court has further emboldened the military and police personnel who are daily committing abuses of power,” said CCP in a statement. “With this decision, the Supreme Court has once again demonstrated its servility to the tyrannical Duterte regime,” it added. Palace “pleased” Malacañang, on the other hand, said it was “pleased” with the ruling. “We are also pleased to note that the executive, legislative and the judiciary are on the same page in quelling the rebellion as well as combatting and dissipating terroristic acts destructive to lives and properties unleashed by ruthless and barbaric local and foreign armed lawless elements,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. “As we fast track the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi and promote security and peace and order in Mindanao, we ask the Filipino nation not to waver in their support for our Republic’s defenders,” he added. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for his part, thanked the Supreme Court for agreeing with the government. “[Martial law] has and will continue to greatly help our counterterrorism [operations] and fight against rebellious forces in Mindanao,” Lorenzana said. Martial law in Mindanao was first declared by Duterte on May 23, 2017 after the ISIS-inspired Maute group laid siege to Marawi City. Despite the liberation of Marawi five months later, Duterte still extended military rule in Mindanao up to the end of 2017 and then up to the end of 2018 to enable the military to finish the remnants of the terror groups that seized Marawi. Both extensions were approved by the Congress. In December, Congress approved Duterte’s request for a third extension of martial law. n
VILLAR’S DREAMS. Speaking during the “unity rally” of all reelectionist senators held in Tondo, Manila, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar cites the importance of livelihood projects to alleviate one’s living condition. Villar has earned the moniker “Misis Hanepbuhay” due to her advocacy of giving jobs to our people especially women inorder to help their husband augment the family income. The senator stresses she dreams to get all poor Filipinos out of poverty and vows to continue her programs to address this concern if given a chance to return to the Senate. Senate photo
UP, DLSU among top universities in Asia Pacific by PatRicia louRdes Philstar.com
ViRay
MANILA — Two universities from the Philippines — University of the Philippines and De La Salle University — entered this year’s list of best universities in the Asia-Pacific region, according to London-based Times higher education (The). In September last year, DLSU joined UP in the 2018 The World University Rankings. The Asia-Pacific University Ranking 2019 ranked more than 300 universities from 13 countries across east Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania. UP, the country’s premier state university, ranked 101st to 110th, a jump from its 151st to
160th ranking last year. The university’s overall world ranking is at 501st to 600th. DLSU, on the other hand, ranked 201st to 250th while its overall ranking is at 801st to 1000th. The regional rankings released February 20 used the same performance indicators as the world rankings but it has been adjusted to “reflect the younger profile of some of the universities in the region.” The rankings were based on performance indicators grouped into five areas — teaching (learning environment), research (volume, income and reputation), citations (research influence), international outlook (staff, students and research) and industry
income (knowledge transfer). China’s Tsinghua University remains the top university in the region, followed by National University of Singapore, University of Melbourne, hong Kong University of Science and Technology and University of hong Kong. Also in the top 10 are Peking University (China), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Australian National University, Chinese University of hong Kong and the University of Tokyo (Japan). In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan is the most represented nation with 103 universities in the list, followed by China with 72 universities, Australia with 35, Taiwan with 32, South Korea with 29 and Thailand with 14. n
Pacquiao: No plans of higher post in 2022 by PatRicia louRdes Philstar.com
ViRay
MANILA — Despite going around the country as PDPLaban’s campaign manager for the 2019 midterm elections, Sen. Manny Pacquiao said he does not have any plans of running for a higher position in 2022. Asked if this year’s stint is a prelude to a possible presidential bid in 2022, the boxer-turnedsenator admitted that it has not yet entered his mind. “I am happy as a senator doing my job and bringing honor to our country. I am happy that I can fulfill my duties, that is what is in my heart. Thinking about higher (position) — that is not on my mind,” Pacquiao told ANC’s
“headstart” on Wednesday, February 20. The senator added that he is focusing on finding a solution to the country’s economic problems. “Our taxes our very high, the people are having a difficulty so I’m thinking of a solution. That is what I am researching now, I will study it and then I am going to make a presentation for economic solution,” he added. In the same interview, Pacquiao bared that he is finishing his college degree. he dropped out of high school and took a high school equivalency exam in February 2007, which he passed. The Department of education then awarded him with a high school diploma, making him eli-
gible to enroll in college. The senator was initially asked if he was in favor of the proposal that only college graduates should be able to run for Senate. “To me, I agree with that,” Pacquiao said. he was then told that he would be ineligible to run as he does not yet have a college diploma. The senator then revealed that he is studying. “No, I am studying,” he said, adding that he would soon graduate. Pacquiao, hoewever, refused to identify where he is studying and only said that it is in Manila. “The most important thing is you know the situation of the problems in our country,” he said. n
Sen. Manny Pacquiao speaks during the proclamation rally of PDP-Laban in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The boxing icon-turned-senator is the campaign manager of the administration party for the 2019 midterm elections. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales
Dengvaxia permanently banned...
PAGE 7 suspension after its failure to submit “post-marketing authorization requirements.” A year later, Sanofi still had not complied with the requirements, leading to an order released by the FDA on Dec. 21, 2018 for the company to “immediately surrender the Original CPRs of
Dengue Tetravalent (Live Attenuated) (Dengvaxia MD) and Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live Attenuated) (Dengvaxia) upon receipt of the Order.” Dengvaxia’s permanent ban was welcomed by the Department of health (DOh), saying it really did not expect Dengvaxia to make a comeback.
DOh Undersecretary eric Domingo, in an interview, maintained that they have “always agreed that will be the direction to go” because they have always felt that “the product that was sold to us was without complete information.” he also said that the period for Sanofi to file an appeal has already lapsed. n
Rappler: Cover ban violates freedom of... PAGE 7 the Securities and exchange Commission to revoke Rappler’s license to operate. The Court of Appeals (CA), however, did not approve SeC’s order in its July 25, 2018 decision on the case. Instead, the CA ordered the commission to review it because the supposedly
problematic Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) that led SeC to its conclusion that there were “some foreign control” over Rappler were already donated to Filipino managers. The donation by Omidyar showed “the intention to comply in good faith with the regulations of the SeC,” the CA said.
It also said that the commission is “mandated to give incorporators a reasonable time within which to correct or modify the objectionable portions of their articles of incorporation or amendment.” Revoking a certificate of registration should have been the “last resort,” the CA added. n
Duterte hits on Catholic church anew... PAGE 7
thing from the devil,” the Pope said. he urged the public to “live as Christians” as he noted that “love is more beautiful than hatred, friendship is more beautiful than enmity and brotherhood among us is more beautiful than war.” Palace: Pope statement a “hyperbole”
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the Pope’s statement does not allude to Duterte despite his criticisms to the Catholic church. he defended the president noting that it could be hyperbole. “One of the better critics of the Church is the Pope himself. he criticizes the members of the Church who are engaged in what he perceives to be immorality
which is outside the teachings of Christ or internal discipline of the Church,” Panelo said. “If I agree with that then the Pope will be referring to himself also because he is a critic. It doesn’t also mean that when you criticize, you are evil. You’re just expressing concern and opposition to certain irregular behavior,” he added as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
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Palace backs DILG proposal to release â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;narco listâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of politicians before 2019 polls by aLex
romero Philstar.com
MALACAĂąANG expressed support for the Department of the Interior and Local Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal to release the list of politicians who are into illegal drugs trade but called on authorities to ensure that the information to be disclosed are verified. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo noted that President Rodrigo Duterte had previously disclosed the names of some of the Senate President Tito Sotto and actress Susan Roces accompany Sen. Grace Poe during a kickoff celebration of re-electionist senators in officials with alleged ties to narcotTondo, Manila last February 13. Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo ics syndicates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi ba si presidente na noon ay naglabas na rin noon? So it goes without saying, kung si presidente mismo naglabas (Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the Many others can still be consid- bale, basta alam na naman ng president release a list before? So by Patricia Lourdes Viray ered by our countrymen; even taoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dahil iilan-ilan na nga lang it goes without saying if he himPhilstar.com in the Senate, we can also help ang sa amin, pinag-initan pa MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Reelectionist Sen. in other ways),â&#x20AC;? Poe said in an (Sorry for the violation, that has Grace Poe dismissed the possi- ambush interview in Manila on to be fixed; but maybe, of they bility of joining the presidential Monday, February 18. are releasing a list, please do not race again in 2022. The senator also apologized be selective just because they THE League of Provinces of the The senator ranked third in the for violating the Commission on do not fear us they will already Philippines (LPP) squarely backs 2016 presidential elections, gar- Electionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poster rules for the include our names, while others the senatorial bid of Ilocos Norte nering about 9.1 million votes. are more â&#x20AC;&#x201D; never mind, as long Gov. Imee Marcos, citing her â&#x20AC;&#x153;no 2019 midterm elections. Asked if she is considering a Last week, the poll body is- as the people know â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because nonsense performance in public â&#x20AC;&#x153;take twoâ&#x20AC;? in the presidency, sued a warning to 34 senatorial only a few of us are being picked service and governance as chamPoe said she already had her candidates, including Poe, with on),â&#x20AC;? Poe said. pion for the improvement of the chance. Poe, who topped the senato- lives of Filipinos, especially those illegal posters and campaign â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alam mo siguro nakalipas na materials. rial elections in 2013, remains in the countryside.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yon sapagkat nabigyan na ako â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paumanhin doon sa kung hin- the top choice of Filipinos in the The governor is advocating for ng pagkakataon. Marami na- di man naaayon, kailangang ay- forthcoming elections. the unconditional and automatic man diyang puwede na maaar- usin; at sana naman, kung sila po According to the latest Pulse release of the 40 percent share of ing i-konsidera ng ating mga ay maglalagay at magbibigay ng Asia survey, 74.9 percent of re- all national taxes of local governkababayan; kahit naman sa Se- listahan, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wag naman po silang spondents said they will vote for ment units. nado marami rin naman tayong mamili na porkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hindi nila kami Poe in the May 2019 polls. She In a resolution released recently, puwedeng maitulong (You know, kinakatakutan ay ilalagay na nila has been a consistent topnotcher the LPP describes Marcos as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an that is already in the past be- ang pangalan namin, samanta- in the last five senatorial polls of efficient and effective local public cause I already had my chance. lang ang iba na medyo masâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;di the survey firm. n officialâ&#x20AC;? who can immensely contribute in realizing the vision of President Rodrigo Duterte to build a stronger and more progressive republic. FIVE decades after the first 2017, which had 113,545,â&#x20AC;? Work- said despite some countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; naThe LPP, which gathers all tionalization, wherein companies governors from the 81 provinces batch of overseas Filipino work- abroad Marketing lead Paola Sav- are required to fill up their work- across the country, expressed ers (OFWs) was deployed to the Middle East during a massive oil illo said in a news conference on force with their citizens, Filipinos confidence that Marcos will â&#x20AC;&#x153;bring were still preferred workers. boom there in the 1970s, the re- Tuesday, February 19. to the Senate the concerns of loâ&#x20AC;&#x153;All Middle Eastern countries cal governments and local governSavillo added that Middle Eastgion still remains the top recruiter of Filipino labor, a jobs company ern countries demanded mostly have nationalization. To some ment officials to reinforce local healthcare and general workers degree, we can still access jobs autonomy and ensure local develsaid. Data from WorkAbroad.ph and engineers; Asia-Pacific coun- in some companies. Despite this, opment.â&#x20AC;? showed that Gulf countries ac- tries, manufacturing and produc- most Filipino workers are still able Marcos is batting for the immecount for at least 76 percent of tion workers; and the US, restau- to get jobs. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still the pre- diate release of the 40% mandatferred workers,â&#x20AC;? POEA Marketing ed â&#x20AC;&#x153;just shareâ&#x20AC;? of LGUS of Internal all job listings in its database, fol- rant and maritime workers. She said those with local work Director Levinson Alcantara said. Revenue Allotmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; computed lowed by Asia Pacific countries Alcantara added that more mar- on the basis of all national taxes with 12 percent and the United experience that fit their desired kets had opened through cooper- collected and not just from nationoverseas jobs had an advantage. States with 8 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For skilled workers, having ation between the Philippines and al internal revenue taxes. Records also showed that demand for OFWs is up by 21 per- skills-based courses from tech- other countries. Marcos lamented that LGUs â&#x20AC;&#x153;With higher demand, we need have only been receiving 16 pervoc (technical-vocational) institucent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overseas hirers posted a to- tions are also highly recommend- to increase protection for our cent of their national taxes share workers and decrease welfare instead of 40 percent. tal of 137,243 job listings from ed,â&#x20AC;? according to Savillo. The Philippine Overseas Em- cases,â&#x20AC;? he said. (ManilaTimes. January to October 2018. This â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is really insufficient. As a is up to 21 percent compared to ployment Administration (POEA) net) candidate coming from the ranks
Poe: Presidential bid all in the past
self released (the list),â&#x20AC;? Panelo said when asked if MalacaĂąang was in favor of the Interior and Local Government departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If he released it before, why would he contradict it?â&#x20AC;? he added. When pressed whether the release of the list would violate the politiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; right to be presumed innocent, Panelo replied: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Presumption of innocence will apply on those who were charged.â&#x20AC;? Panelo said candidates who were wrongly accused of protecting drug syndicates could always file charges against the authorities. He said candidates who lost because of allegations that they are into narcotics trade could run again in succeeding elections. To avoid erroneous entries,
Panelo said anti-drug operatives should make sure that all the information they would release are based on evidence. In 2016, Duterte apologized to former Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., provincial administrator Rafael Baraan and board member Raul Sison, three of the local officials who were included in the narco list. The president had admitted that the administration was somehow negligent in counterchecking the reports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perhaps theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve (anti-drug operatives) learned the lesson,â&#x20AC;? Panelo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There should be sufficient evidence otherwise they (politicians wrongly accused of involvement in illegal drugs) would get back at you,â&#x20AC;? he added. n
Philippine governors support Imee Marcos
Middle East remains top OFW destination
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Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
of local government officials, I know what local executives feel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the issues that are closest to their hearts. Our budget is sorely lacking when in fact we are at the frontline when it comes to delivering services to our constituents,â&#x20AC;? she added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is already a Supreme Court ruling on the 40 percent IRA share of LGUs. But in reality, Customs duties, excise tax, documentary tax and stamp tax â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all these are removed from the computation of the IRA,â&#x20AC;? she said. Marcos stressed the IRA share of LGUs must be released automatically without need of yearly appropriations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When our kababayans have problems, who do they run to? They go to us local government officials. So we must help our LGUs by ensuring they receive their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;just share,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Marcos said.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;More than 50% of the poor are also in the countryside and the LGUs are our frontliners in the fight against poverty. They need all the resources they can muster to address the problem of poverty in the rural areas,â&#x20AC;? she added. In July last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;just shareâ&#x20AC;? of LGUs must be based on all national taxes. The decision stemmed from a petition filed by former Batangas Rep. and now provincial Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, who claimed that from 1992 to 2012, unreleased IRA had reached P500 billion. The high court, however, ruled the implementation of higher IRA is prospective and not retroactive. The SC decision included six more tax sources for LGUs, namely, tariff and customs duties collected by the Bureau of Customs; 50 percent of value-added taxes; 30 percent of all national taxes collected in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; 60 percent of national taxes collected from mining; excise taxes collected from tobacco products; national taxes collected under Section 283 of National Internal Revenue Code; and franchise taxes under Horse Racing laws. Marcos is running on a platform of offering concrete solutions to the problems besetting the country, including soaring prices of basic goods and the unabated smuggling and over-importation of agricultural products that has been killing the livelihood of ordinary farmers. (Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journal)
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COMMUNITY
JOURNAL Eric Bustamante: candid interpersonal rapport and effectual management skills sustain his banking headship On the PEP Front
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019
Calendar of Events across
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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 23
Free oil filter exchange in Lynwood, CA
People, Events, Places
Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event! Everyone is invited to bring in their motor oil and used oil filters on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. It will be held at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 10727 Long Beach Blvd. Lynwood, CA 90262.
BOBBY T. YALONG HAVING been raised, oriented, and constantly exposed to numbers, financial records, auditing, taxation matters, assets, liabilities, and other related accounting terms easily made Eric Bustamante embrace his father’s profession that provided him and his family with the comfortable amenities of life and good education. Christened Eric B. Bustamante, the fourth among the six of an all-male brood of Ernie and Emma Bustamante, young Eric had continuously observed what his father indefatigably did for a living while his dedicated mom fervently assisted the former. In his fledgling mind and formative years, being an accountant was a gratifying and sustainable job. Although Eric’s three other brothers took different courses (the eldest is a Medical Technologist, the second is an Architect and Physical Therapy for the youngest) the rest of them opted to follow their father’s path… and there was no regret. When his Dad left for America during the early 80s on a job-related assignment, opportunities started to open doors for the entire family that made them migrate and try their respective career advancement in the country previously dubbed “The Land of Milk and Honey.” “My brothers all settled in the US while I was having second thoughts since I was doing great
Fil-Am book authors give talk in San Pedro, CA
Eric Bustamante...outstanding in every way
The charismatic banker during the recently concluded General Assembly at the Philippine Consulate.
F E B R UA RY 24
12th Annual SCPASA Summit in Irvine, CA
A Bustamante family keep-sake during an out-of-town escapade
in Manila as a Bank Manager,” Eric said as a self-justifying validation. “I wasn’t instantaneously lured to follow them not until my Dad requested me to join and assist him in his developing accounting firm he established
in Brooklyn.” His father’s plea was something he couldn’t cast-off much less, ignore. Resigning from his job as Metrobank’s Cluster Head-Branch Senior Manager PAGE 12
The Bucket List
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
Fix the Broken 7th of a Series
MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA
Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting three Filipino American authors who will talk about their new books on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 3 - 6:00 p.m. The bookshop is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 105 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA 90731. The event is free and open to the public. Seats are limited and RSVP is requested. Call 310548-8148 or 310-514-9139 or email: info@philippinebookshop.com. Marvin Gapultos will speak about his newest book, “Pulutan: Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats.” He is the creator of the celebrated food blog Burnt Lumpia, founder of Los Angeles’ first Filipino food truck known as The Manila Machine, and author of “The Adobo Road Cookbook” which was published a few years ago. Jocelyn (Joy) Francisco is the author of “Oh My Kulay! Colors, Fruits & Veggies,” which is an introductory book for young children. It is fully illustrated and written in both English and Filipino. Dalena Haskins Benavente is one of the authors featured in the book, “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe.” Born in Union City, Tennessee, her mother is a Filipina. Danela worked as recipe developer and product taster for Kraft, and she filmed with Paula Deen. All three authors will autograph their books after the Book Talks. If you will be unable to attend, you can order an autographed copy of any of the books by sending an email to: linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net. This is the first event of the bookshop for 2019, and it is part of their ongoing community outreach program to increase the visibility of Filipinos in the City of San Pedro. Established in 1984, the bookshop is now on its 35th year serving Filipinos in the diaspora.
MARCH 9
LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows in Los Angeles Rejoicers Events brings to Los Angeles, “LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows,” the show that sold out in Manila, and soon restaged in New York and the Bay Area. It will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Aratani Theatre (244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 7 p.m. Headlined by comedienne Fe delos Reyes, award-winning songwriters Cecile Azarcon and Odette Quesada are joined by singers Jam Morales and Chiqui Pineda, who popularized numerous OPM Songs. Part of the proceeds of this much-anticipated concert benefit Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a non-profit organization that helps bring Filipino Artists to U.S. stages.
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
“Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET.”
PAFCOM serves over 200 meals on Presidents Day
[SELECT a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.] Things break. Once broken, a thing loses its value. If it is worth fixing, it can be fixed and in the hands of a whiz, can be as good as new. In our throw-away consumerdriven, impatient society where quality has taken a back seat to quantity in the name of profit and the bottom line, we are encouraged to simply toss away the broken item in the trash heap and replace it with a new one. For those of us who grew up and were trained by mothers, fathers, teachers and even great nuns (in my book) who taught us the meaning and value of pre-
serving items, we tend to find the fix for the broken item. We look at the rip in the hemline of a nice dress and figure out carefully how a stitch here and there can make it good as new. That is probably why I can never get on with the supposedly “fashionable” items of ripped jeans. It is, to me, a nod toward rottenness and ugliness. Why pay good money for something so unattractive? Oy Vey! We look at holes in the wall and buy spackle and paint to patch it up and smooth out the flaws. We crazy glue crockery to weld things back. We solder metals so that the thingamajig,
Health@Heart
A taxi driver on corruption
long serious diatribe citing the pervasive culture of corruption in our government from the top PHILIP S. CHUA, to the bottom and how disapMD, FACS, FPCS pointed he has been for half a century of his life that none of WHENEVER I take a cab in the obviously guilty elected ofManila, I find it most interest- ficials rotted in jail. ing to talk to the driver. Some “Kahit na si kurap Erap, na of them are so eloquent, with a jail, pero parang 5-star hotel remarkable grasp of our nation- ang kanyang preso, at madalal issues and smart solutions to ing nakalabas…Dapat sa plunsome of our political dilemma as a nation, they could be great radio talk show hosts and positive consensus builders. While stuck in a traffic jam last month on my way to our medical mission in Asilo de San Vicente de der, habang buhay sa kulungan Paul Orphanage in Paco, I asked (Even the corrupt Erap – referthe cab driver named Mario, ring to Philippine ex-president who was in his 70s, “Ano ang Joseph Estrada – was jailed in pinaka malaki nating problema a prison cell like a 5-star hotel, sa Pilipinas (What is our greatest and was released too soon…For problem in the Philippines)? plunder, it should be a lifetime I was expecting him to say of jail). the high prices of commodities “At kahit na napatunayang or gasoline, or poverty, but he kriminal na siya at nakulong, blurted out, “Kurapsyon po (Cor- nakatakbo pa siya at nanalong ruption, sir)!” and, as if I touched alkalde ng Manila (And in spite a raw nerve, he continued his of his being a convicted crimi-
The Southern California Pilipinx-American Student Alliance (SCPASA) is proud to present its 12th Annual Summit Conference: “Kapwa” on Sunday, February 24. Check-in begins at 8 to 9:45 a.m., while the summit is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The summit is a one-day conference that features a wide variety of speakers, activities, and entertainment. It is held at the university campus of an active SCPASA member organization and this year it will be hosted by University of California, Irvine’s Alyansa ng mga Kababayan. Numerous workshops are held throughout the day to give attendees various opportunities to learn about topics around a common theme chosen for that year. This year’s SCPASA summit theme is Kapwa which is one of the core Pilipinx values that emphasizes the concept of “togetherness.” Tickets until Feb. 20 are $20/person, while at the door registration is $30/person. For more questions or for more information, please email scpasa.contact@gmail.com.
whatever it is, functions once again. We replace batteries so watches and clocks go tick tocking again. We repair broken items. That is our default setting when we see things that are broken. But how about when the breakdown is with affairs of the human heart? How do you fix a broken heart? There are no easy answers. In the physical realm, if something is broken, you can fix it. And if you can’t, you relegate it to the trash heap. But not so with the human heart … PAGE 12
nal and having been jailed, he was still able to run and won as mayor of Manila). “Walang pinagaralan at istupido ang mga bumoto sa kanya at ibang kurap na officiales sa gobyierno (Those people who voted for him and other corrupt officials in the government are uneducated and stupid),” he said. The pervasive and massive culture of graft and corruption in our government at every level is indeed a tragedy, a national cancer destroying the integrity and dignity of our nation and devastating the Filipino people, an international disgrace. Although I have heard the same ugly things from other drivers, I truly believe that there are some officials in all branches of government, especially in the Supreme Court and in the Military who are honest and patriotic. Easy to prove It is indeed not difficult to show who are guilty of corrup-
Looking the other way is tantamount to helping them continue to rape our nation.
PAGE 12
JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM) on its 4th Taste of the Philippines on Presidents Day, February 18, 2019, served breakfast and full lunch meals for over 200 guests. For the organization, it was a great honor to celebrate the spirit of Presidents Day through community service in the heart of Jersey City’s revitalization zone by helping those in need at Let’s Celebrate Soup Kitchen. “We are grateful about Philippine Day (referring to the Taste of the Philippines), the food is amazing!” said one of the participants. Some of the Filipino dishes served were chicken afritada, pinakbet, pansit, fish and more. Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro Jr and his family volunteered up early during the breakfast feeding. Some of the volunteers were President Elect Helen Castillo, Assistant Treasurer Lita Roxas, Public Relations Maricar Taino and more PAFCOMs & friends. Young volunteers had their school off with the purpose this day. Miss Teen PAFCOM Krismarie was one of these young volunteers. PAFCOM encourages intergeneration relationship as one of the focus goals this year. PAFCOM has partnered with Let’s Celebrate with the mission for community outreach helping people move from hunger to wholeness. Let’s Celebrate has been open for services included soup kitchen and food pantry supplies since 1982. PAFCOM will continue to keep this partnership as part of its mission to the community. Volunteers helped in stocking shelves and refrigerators. The pantry was well ready for the next few days for the participants. Volunteers also did extra cleaning and arrangement of goods. “You all made this pantry look very beautiful. Something that we all together want to give to the participants – their wholeness,” said Regina Miller, Director of Admissions at Let’s Celebrate.
PAFCOM family: “Enjoy making a difference in your community; join the PAFCOM family.”
PAFCOM family with young volunteers at The Lets Celebrate Pantry with Director of Admissions Regina Miller
With Council President Rolando Lavarro Jr.
PAFCOM are encouraging students to earn community service hours credit by reaching out to PAFCOM at pafcomnj@gmail. com(201) 479-8941. To qualify as participant to Lets Celebrate, call 201 433-5438. The organization has also lined up its upcoming activities including the combined Grand Marshal Night and Coronation Ball which will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the Marriott Hotel
Newark Airport. The Philippine Flag Raising is on June 7, 2019 at Jersey City Hall and PAFCOM will hold its 29th Grand Parade and Festival on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Lincoln Park in Jersey City. For more updates and information about PAFCOM’s Community Programs and Events, log on to www.pafcomnj.org; Facebook (@pafcomnj); Twitter and Instagram (@pafcom_nj).
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February 22-28, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
PNB-NY Branch Manager Eric Bustamante (Center) with his staff.
PeoPle & events
EMPLOYMENT
with bothersome tone. “Imagine we were only three left after majority of the staff filed their resignations one after the other… although they assured me that it had nothing to do with my management…that their leaving was actually earlier planned and filed ahead even before I came.” A BSBA graduate from Philippine School of Business Administration, a consistent dean’s lister, academic excellence multi-medalist, and ace varsity chess player, Eric is innately persistent and persevering with analytical capability to face and handle adversity, He stood firm and prepared to straightforwardly address the bank’s perilous situation. He was certain that he would be able to defy glitches and hitches with a strong faith in his own capacity as leader. “I had been triumphant over trials and challenges. I’m a positive thinker. I always put my heart in everything I do. I just needed the right time and be able to hire efficient and capable staff,” he spoke with conviction. Being a banking professional, having held notable positions in Far East Bank (1991 -1996) and Metro Bank (1996 - 2010) Eric has unquestionably experienced dealing with gargantuan pressure and repeatedly proven himself as an effectual problemsolver with excellent knowledge in team-building. As a persuasive communicator with an actively charismatic appeal as a team leader, Eric successfully filled-up every single vacant position in a matter of weeks and prides himself having to manage a prestigious financial institution outside of the Philippines with thirteen well-trained professional personnel.
The Bucket List...
PAGE 11 Though broken to a thousand pieces, the heart can live through the dark days until time brings its healing effects. The pain becomes dull and as life goes on, the sunlight breaks through the darkness and the heart is made whole. Resiliency of the human heart is based on the deep and enduring understanding in the wisdom of the words: “This too, shall pass.” But when the pains and the hurt are forged into the deep recesses of the memory and the wounds are encouraged to fester, the brokenness can be as deep as the Grand Canyon. These are the very sad cases, Eric brings out the voices when the heart never heals. It is and demands of crisis-affected true what they say about dying employees to the forefront, of a broken heart. whereby duly creating efficient There is that thing called means to resolve disputes and situational problems. He tries to break down the wall that divides and hinders the mutual co-existence in the PAGE 11 workplace. If there’s but one thing that tion, plunder, amassing unexmakes Eric feel confidently sat- plained wealth, if only the presiisfied that would be having met dent and our legislators honestly his goals and objectives. “I’m and earnestly want to find out. not one who merely sits and sa- But if what Mario alleged, that vors the sweet smell of success. the corruption is “from the top Actually, I’m more challenged to to bottom,” then its is easy to strive and attain a much better understand why there is no sequality of service and perfor- rious move to expose the guilty mance,” Eric responded with amongst them for fear of finger unprecedented aspiration after pointing and opening the Pandoreceiving mounting congratula- ra’s box of snakes and rats. Matory remarks especially from his rio claimed billions of pesos per district on the so-called bidding big boss from the main office. Eric’s self-strategized formula (actually bogus) for public conin promoting marketing and the structions are lost to kickbacks services his office offers was ef- to legislators/local leaders year fectively met with enthusiasm… after year after year…and that a refreshing approach very there are countless other ways welcoming to potential clients. corrupt government officials Projecting and ensuring a high amass illegal wealth from. None level of customer service and of them, he said, are masochistic instantly addressing ensuing enough to hurt themselves and problems and complaints made their fellow criminals who are his one-year stint at PNB-NYC protecting each other… shameless bastards! remarkably impressive. If all these were true, the To plan ahead is to achieve complacency and Eric upholds money and paper trail could be the fact that envisioning is in- traced. Even an unschooled perdeed creating a well-concrete son can easily prove unexplained future. “I plan to stay with my wealth, plunder, and other forms current job and make PNB the of corruption. The only ques“Bank of Choice,” and later put tions to ask the suspects are: Did up a business of our own…may- you inherit the hundreds of milbe, a family clinic since my lions (or billions) in your assets wife is a Registered Nurse, my today or did you win your net daughter is taking up Medicine worth from lottery 1000 multiple and my son is into Occupational times? If yes, where are the documentation and proofs? If not, Therapy,” he shared. For comments and sugges- how much income did you make tions, please email to: gemi- in grade school, in high school, in college, and all the way to ni0646@yahoo.com.
pride and in extreme cases, hubris, the kind that damned the fallen angels. This is the one that makes it hard to fix brokenness. We become so big for our britches that forgiveness is beyond us. We equate forgiveness with weakness and our supreme pride won’ t let us do it. Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET. You do yourself no favors by letting the pains and hurts fester. Not that it’s easy to forgive and forget. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. But that’s the whole story of our redemption. God forgives and forgets our iniquities. Who are we not to try and do likewise during our short time here on earth?
EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES
Eric Bustamante: candid interpersonal...
PAGE 11 (handling 7 branches) was indubitably a difficult decision, with uncertainties ahead crowding his mind. Following moment of deep musings, Eric left with a heavy heart. After flying for 8,498 miles from across the Asian skies to the east coast of North America, Eric suddenly found a new homeland in July of 2012. “The call of family was strong and irresistibly abiding. If at first, I was a bit worried with concerns about my own family’s future…now, I came to realize (that) my choice wasn’t at all regrettable,” Eric stated with a change of heart. But just after working for five years at their family-owned tax consultancy and accounting firm (together with his brothers Edwin and Eddie) an unexpected proposition landed on his lap, an offer hard to forgo. “I was offered a managerial position at PNB (Philippine National Bank) New York City Branch,” Eric ardently related. “I was hesitant initially but since my background and foundation had been banking and management, I readily agreed to the terms and conditions with the blessing from my Dad, I promised him to still work with him whenever I’m free.” Despite being copiously armed with tested managerial techniques and ably equipped with knowledgeable administrative procedures Eric’s new venture puts him in an acid test. He was met with an unanticipated quandary… an unforeseen dilemma that timely ensued upon his first week in office that fateful February in 2018. “There seemed to have a mass resignation,” Eric recounted
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The full benefits of forgiveness accrue first to the aggrieved party, the one who forgives and forgets. Why? Because then the heart is allowed to mend and heal with time, it becomes whole once again. There is a play on words about time and healing that one wit wrote. It is said that. “Time heals all wounds.” And if you believe in karma, “Time wounds all heels.” Let that sink in for a moment. God makes the prayerful heart resilient. In time, the human heart can love again as though it was never broken. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List… *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
A taxi driver on corruption... your present job in the government? Any net worth in excess or beyond what the expert computation would show is unexplained wealth, and most obviously amassed ill-gotten wealth. And if the excess is P50 million or more, it is plunder…and punishable by life imprisonment. A more formal way of proving unexplained wealth and plunder is to employ a prestigious international assurance and financial audit service, an actuarial service company, an independent SOX-compliant body from another country, who would interview the subject and inspect all of his/her financial records, bank accounts in the Philippines and abroad, investments, real estate and business ownership, etc. to get a global picture of the assets and liabilities of the official in question. The evaluation should start from the top, the nation’s president and his cabinet, all the legislators in both houses. This is the only way to find out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But who shall cast the first stone? And then there are the legal technicalities to hurdle: the privacy and immunity laws, taking the “fifth,” self-incrimination law, and other maneuvers to evade the law and protect the rich and powerful criminals walking in the halls of Congress, laughing inside on their way to their multiple banks, relishing the fact that We, the People, are
all gullible and stupid. Nobility and honor The most noble and honorable way is for the head of state to volunteer himself to be the first one to be fully audited, and through an executive order, mandate that all government officials, elected and appointed, follow and submit to comprehensive auditing and evaluation by this hired actuarial company auditors. That act alone will show that the president is himself beyond reproach and not involved in any graft or corruption, much less plunder. Reclusion perpetua Before Arroyo’s term, the ultimate penalty for plunder was death. Since the country eliminated the death penalty, reclusion perpetua (permanent incarceration or life imprisonment) is now the maximum. Actually, the same new law also permanently forbids a convicted plunderer from running for office. But many of our laws are not enforced by the authorities and therefore flagrantly violated by the powerful filthy-rich politicians. Guilty of treason In China and other countries, convicted corrupt officials face the firing squad expeditiously. Obviously, in the Philippines, they are rewarded handsomely. Sadly, we, the poeople, are not doing anything proactively and enough about it, so the politicians continue to bastardize the PAGE 13
Community Journal
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Immigration Corner
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ 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 holder
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
April 01, 2008
April 01, 2007
December 08, 2017
January 08, 2017
(2b) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
January 22, 2008
July 22, 2007
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
September 01, 1997
January 01, 1996
Fourth Preference
brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
January 08, 1998
January 01, 1996
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
December 01, March 01, 2018 2017
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
December 01, March 01, 2018 2017
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
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 (Advertising Supplement)
A taxi driver on corruption...
PAGE 12 people. Technically speaking, this makes us guilty of treason because one of the definitions of treason is “the crime of helping your country’s enemies,” and plunderers and corrupt government officials are definitely NOT friends but enemies of the Philippines and the Filipino people. Looking the other way is tantamount to helping them continue to rape our nation. Mario elaborated to say, “Hindi lamang si Erap, lahat sila kurakot at mandarambong (It is not only Erap, all of them are cor-
13
March 2019 priority dates FAMILY CATEGORY:
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 last 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 Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
rupt and grafters). Kung hindi mag-aalsa ang mga Pilipino sa korapsyon at abusong ito, wala na talagang pagasa bayan natin, pati na kalusugan ng ating pagiisip bilang isang bayan (If the Filipinos will not revolt against all these corruption and abuses, we will certainly be a hopeless nation, adversely impacting our mental health as a nation).” I was so impressed with Mario I gave him a hefty tip. With more Filipinos like this erudite and wise taxi driver, the Philippines would, perhaps, one day, become a nation of justice, in-
tegrity, dignity, and pride, and escape the shameful and demeaning international condemnation as being a most corrupt country. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)
ABANDONED BY HER BIRTH PARENTS, WILL NIKKA BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN WHEN USCIS CHALLENGED HER ADOPTIVE PARENT’S ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION HER? Lilia (right) and her husband Peter filed a petition to adopt Nikka (left) when the child was 12 years old. The adoption decree was issued six (6) days before Nikka turned 16 years old, and the certificate of finality came out two (2) months after Nikka’s 16th birthday. When Lilia and Peter filed an Immediate Relative Petition for Nikka, the USCIS served a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging them eligibility to adopt Nikka. Lilia and Peter were devastated, depressed, and in despair. Would this mean losing the chance to be reunited with their adopted child - whom they loved and considered their own? Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel came to the rescue and secured approval of their petition in a mere two months, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL JANUARY 22-28, 4-10, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL A14 14 FEBRUARY
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people events arts culture entertainment
Fil-Am film editor Michelle Tesoro’s steady journey to editing the empowering story of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg BY
T
RAE ANN VARONA / AJPRESS
HE famous American filmmaker Orson Welles once said, “The notion of directing a film is the invention of critic—the whole eloquence of cinema is achieved in the editing room.” As the quote suggests, editing has the power of moving and pushing a narrative a certain way. How a film is edited can make all the difference in how an audience interprets a story. “Of all the visual arts, what separates film and television from the rest is editing,” explained Michelle Tesoro, the FilipinaAmerican lead editor behind the recently released Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic “On the Basis of Sex.” “Editing gives a film meaning. It is how it tells its story,” added Tesoro. Inspired by the true story of Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg, “On the Basis of Sex” follows Ginsburg’s early journey from law student to legal champion by way of the courtroom, as the young Ginsburg (played by Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones) teams up with her husband Marty Ginsburg (played by Armie Hammer) in toppling down years of gender discrimination precedents before the U.S. Court of Appeals. Directed by acclaimed director Mimi Leder and written by Ginsburg’s nephew Dan Stiepleman, the film was received as being timely in the age of the current #MeToo movement in addressing the still present issues of gender equality, women empowerment, and overall social justice.
But how Tesoro eventually got the responsibility of editing the justice’s story traces back to her upbringing in Chicago where her goal of working in the film industry started young. A steady career goal “I grew up in Chicago and my mother was a very hardworking nurse,” said Tesoro, 40, who now resides in Los Angeles. Describing her upbringing as being typical of any other American kid, Tesoro remembered spending a lot of time in front of the television and going to the movies. “I guess because I grew up
film schools—she recalled her mom being very upset. But that didn’t stop the young Tesoro from again applying to the school while finishing up her general education requirements at the University of Illinois in UrbanaChampaign. “I got in, and when I told her, her response was, ‘Well, you just do whatever you want to do anyways, I don’t know why you even bother to tell me,’” Tesoro recalled her mom telling her. “And that’s true,” she continued. “I’m pretty stubborn. I think the pressure to have a successful life pushed me to making sure this ‘dream’ I had worked out and could be monetized. So that made me more focused at [on] getting a job after Tisch.” But even before university, Tesoro honed her personal drive while attending Chicago’s Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, which has graduated notable alumni like the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. On Tesoro’s website, she cites the school as being responsible for her “open mindedness and unending drive to push the boundaries, both of her projects and of her own potential.” “Most of the students there very goal-oriented and driven,” said Tesoro, adding that it was also one of the most diverse schools in the country. “No matter what race, gender, or socio-economic status you were, academic expectations were the same. Very high,” added Tesoro. While at Whitney M. Young, Tesoro was active in theatre and already had an interest in photography and movies. In the summer of 1995, Tesoro got a flyer in the mail from Columbia College Chicago film school for a summer 16mm filmmaking class for high school students, and decided to sign up. “I loved it, and I loved shooting and editing,” said Tesoro. Being the youngest in the class of mostly high school seniors, it was ultimately her peers that got her thinking about seriously pursuing a career in film in university. “One kid was going to NYU in the fall, and that is how I happened upon the idea,” recalled Tesoro. Though Tesoro said she wouldn’t recommend going to film school now due to the fact that an education in filmmaking has become absurdly expensive, her time at Tisch proved to be time
“Ultimately I believe those sacrifices in time and human capital are what led to where I am today.” here, I wasn’t intimidated about a career in film or television, even though my mother might have been,” said Tesoro. While her mom and sister were artistic and had hobbies of painting and calligraphy, Tesoro said they stuck to careers that were considered more practical. When Tesoro secretly applied to the New York University Tisch School of the Arts—one of the nation’s top and most selective
Tesoro worked as the lead editor of Focus Features’ “On the Basis of Sex,” which follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination.
Tesoro edited four episodes of the first season of “House of Cards,” which premiered on Netflix in 2013.
well spent. From school, Tesoro got a job at a record company in New York City editing promos. But in 2005, she moved out to Los Angeles and began working her way up, eventually cutting high-profile films, television, and streaming series including the Netflix series “House of Cards” and “Godless,” and HBO series “The Newsroom,” and “Luck.” In 2011, Tesoro won Best Editing at SXSW for the film “Natural Selection,” which overall took home both the Audience and Grand Jury Awards. “My journey has been a lot of hard work—60 to 70 hour weeks, time away from friends and family. I’ve missed a lot of weddings,” said Tesoro. She added, “Ultimately I believe those sacrifices in time and human capital are what led to where I am today.” Telling the RBG story Ginsburg—an octogenarian and the eldest Supreme Court justice—is undoubtedly an icon of today. Also called “The Notorious RBG” (a name play on the
1990’s rapper The Notorious B.I.G.), Ginsburg continues to be praised by members across different generations expressing the need to “protect her at all costs.” This, nearly three decades after her 96-3 Senate confirmation vote in 1993. “I really wanted to be a part of telling the Justice’s story,” said Tesoro, who got the job after being approached by Leder who she worked with before. Among the first things viewers see in the film is the young Ginsburg marching alongside a parade of dark suited men against the tune of the Harvard fight song, “Ten Thousand Men of Harvard.” By the end of the film, Ginsburg is seen walking up the steps of the high Supreme Court, signifying a long but successful journey. But between those scenes, important milestones had to be strategically condensed to fit within the narrative. Among the toughest
scenes Tesoro had to work with was a 16-page courtroom sequence, which required her to not only work with the large amount of legal dialogue, but with footage shot at various angles. While Tesoro said she doesn’t have a personal favorite scene, there were scenes she resonated with in regards to often being a minority in her work. One scene, in particular, took place in a classroom where Ginsburg, despite knowing the answer to her professor’s question, gets interrupted and struggles to be heard as her professor refrains from calling on her and continues to call upon her male classmates who didn’t know the answer. “She stands up for herself and shuts them down,” said Tesoro. “Well, I identify with her in that scene,” she added. “You’ve got to pull yourself up to be heard and seen.” That sense of empowerment was something the film’s creators wanted to convey, and they knew that their goal was accomplished when the two preview screenings proved successful. Variety reported that even Ginsburg, who watched the completed film for the first time at a National Archives screening in Washington, D.C., stood up and clapped to the cast and crew following the screening. “She loved the movie and said, ‘Oh, I hear you are doing a good job,’” Tesoro recalled of her meeting Justice Ginsburg. On why she thought Filipinos and others in general should watch the film, Tesoro highlighted Justice Ginsburg’s role as a defender of justice and emphasized that Justice Ginsburg was not a politician. “Filipinos should watch it to learn about how one person can make a difference,” said Tesoro. “It’s inspiring.”
Michelle Tesoro
Ariana Grande “obsessed” with Filipino trio TNT Boys, surprises their performance by AJPRESS
YOUNG Filipino trio TNT Boys received a surprise visit from international pop star Ariana Grande on Tuesday, February 19 during their appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” The young performers Keifer Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto and Francis Concepcion were shocked when the chart-topping artist suddenly appeared onstage while they sang “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Hudson. Prior to their performance on Tuesday night’s show, Corden recalled his first meeting with the young Filipino singers, saying that Concepcion was amazed
“Thank you for having me. I’m obsessed with you guys. You guys are so incredible. That was so beautiful,” the award-winning singer said. The trio, dubbed by Corden as the “cutest boy band” and his “favorite new boy band on planet Earth,” has now moved onto the next round of “The World’s Best,” a talent competition show on CBS. The powerful singers impressed the show’s judges, Faith Hill, RuPaul and Drew Barrymore. They also earned the approval of the “wall of the The TNT Boys — Keifer Sanchez, Mackie Empuerto and Francis Concepcion — with pop superstar Ariana Grande. world,” which is composed of 50 Photo from Instagram/@tntboysph of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of professed “Arianatics,” hugged watches the show.” by the talk show host because entertainment, including Filipina Grande as they basked in the The TNT Boys they finished he had met Grande before. singer Pops Fernandez. presence of their favorite pop their performance. The Filipino He told the trio to say “hi” to Sanchez, Empuerto and star. singers, who are also selfGrande because she “sometimes
Concepcion have performed for several state leaders including Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’ Neill. They also performed in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Philippines franchises of the show “Little Big Shots.” The talented boys became a trio in 2017 for ABS-CBN show, “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” where they were the grand winner of the second season. Before their big break as a group, they were individual grand finalists of the segment in “It’s Showtime’s: Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) Kids,” thus earning the title TNT Boys.
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EntErtainmEnt
Fil-Am designer Zaldy Goco wins at Costume Designers Guild By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
FILIPINO-American designer Zaldy Goco received the realitycompetition award on Tuesday, February 19 at the 21st annual Costume Designers Guild Awards for his work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” “I won...It was so incredible to be in a room filled with people I love and respect! Thank you @ costumeawards for a wonderful evening,” the fashion designer shared on his Instagram following his honor for “Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television.” Goco, who made a name for himself through working with various artists such as Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga, is also a two-time Emmy Award winner for his costume work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” His working relationship with RuPaul started in 1993 when they worked together on RuPaul’s Supermodel video. Since then, they have been inseparable. Vogue in June 2018 featured him as the “Designer RuPaul Wouldn’t Go Anywhere Without.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a reality show about 14 talented contestants competing for the coveted title of ‘America’s Next Drag Superstar.’ The Costume Designers Guild Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, is an annual award show honoring the best in costume design. This year, it added a new category to its lineup — Excellence in Variety, Reality Competition and Live Television. Here is the complete list of this year’s winners: Excellence in Contemporary Film A Star Is Born – Erin Benach Crazy Rich Asians – Mary E. Vogt (WINNER) Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Michele Clapton Ocean’s 8 – Sarah Edwards Widows – Jenny Eagan Excellence in Period Film BlacKkKlansman – Marci Rodgers Bohemian Rhapsody – Julian Day The Favourite – Sandy Powell (WINNER) Mary Poppins Returns – Sandy Powell Mary Queen of Scots – Alexandra Byrne Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film A Wrinkle in Time – Paco Delgado
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Korina Sanchez, Mar Roxas welcome twins By philstaR.coM
BROADCAST journalist Korina Sanchez and ex-Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II welcomed the arrival of their twin newborns. “I think if you believe hard enough, the miracle you most want can come true. Announcing the arrival of our little boy and little girl,” Sanchez said in an Instagram post on Thursday, February 21. She also asked her followers to help with name suggestions. Sanchez, 54, and Roxas, 61, told ABS-CBN News that the babies were born via a surrogate. “The little boy arrived first at 5 pounds 4 ounces and one and a half hours later, his fraternal twin sister arrived at 4 pounds 12 ounces. They are both perfectly healthy,” they said in the statement. Sanchez currently hosts evening magazine show “Rated K” on ABS-CBN, while Roxas is running for the Senate in the upcoming midterm election. While this is Sanchez’ first time to have children, Roxas has a 25year-old son Paolo from a previous Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez announced the birth of their twins via surrogate on Instagram. relationship. Photo from Instagram/@korina
Zaldy Goco
Aquaman – Kym Barrett The Avengers: Infinity War – Judianna Makovsky Black Panther – Ruth E. Carter (WINNER) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms – Jenny Beavan Excellence in Contemporary Television The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story – Lou Eyrich & Allison Leach (WINNER) Grace and Frankie – Allyson B. Fanger The Romanoffs – Janie Bryant & Wendy Chuck Sharp Objects – Alix Friedberg This Is Us – Hala Bahmet Excellence in Period Television The Alienist – Michael Kaplan GLOW – Beth Morgan The Man in the High Castle – Catherine Adair The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Donna Zakowska (WINNER) Outlander – Nina Ayres & Terry Dresbach Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television American Horror Story: Apocalypse – Paula Bradley & Lou Eyrich The Handmaid’s Tale – Ane Crabtree
Contributed Photo
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events – Cynthia Summers Star Trek: Discovery – Gersha Phillips Westworld – Sharen Davis (WINNER) Excellence in Short Form Design Adidas: “See My Creativity,” commercial – Bonnie Stauch Childish Gambino: “This Is America,” music video – Natasha Newman-Thomas (WINNER) Elton John: “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Legacy,” short film – Charlie Altuna Justin Timberlake: “Supplies,” Directed by Dave Myers, music video – Ami Goodheart Nespresso: “The Quest,” commercial – Jenny Eagan Excellence in Variety, Reality Competition and Live Television Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert – Paul Tazewell The Late Late Show with James Corden – Lauren Shapiro RuPaul’s Drag Race – Zaldy Goco (WINNER) Saturday Night Live – Tom Broecker & Eric Justian So You Think You Can Dance – Marina Toybina
Perks of being single: More writing projects for Bela Padilla By nathalie
toMada Philstar.com
BELA Padilla is setting herself apart from her fellow actors by dipping her hands into film writing. “Ganun talaga ang nagagawa ‘pag walang jowa (That’s what being single can do),” the 27year-old Kapamilya star says with a laugh. She claims she’s more productive than she ever has been since becoming loveless two years ago. Bela’s latest creative credit is Dreamscape’s easy breezy digital film Apple of My Eye, a romantic title available on ABS-CBN’s streaming service iWant. She is also working on two more projects to add to her growing portfolio as co-writer or screenwriter in films such as 10,000 Hours (2013), Camp Sawi (2016), Last Night (2017) and Luck at First Sight (2017). The actress has another one coming up for Dreamscape Digital, but a bit dark in tone and tackles a journey to selfdiscovery. She also has a new script, which she describes as a “full-on rom-com,” greenlit by Viva Films. “If you’re inspired, you’re inspired. There’s no formula to it. There are days when I still don’t feel like a legit writer. But I’ll just come up with something I like or something I want to watch. So with me, there are scripts or stories, I wish I could be in. I wish I could watch but have not been done yet. Sometimes, that’s what inspires me,” she says in a reply to a question about her creative process. Personal experiences also inspire her, but she’s not the “confessional” type. “Sometimes, I draw from personal experience. There’s
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 22-28, 2019
Apl.de.ap donates retinal camera to Pampanga hospital for visually impaired kids By cody
cepeda Inquirer.net
APL.DE.AP of hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas continues to inspire with his advocacies including curing blindness and visual impairments in the country. Apl.de.ap, Allan Pineda Lindo in real life, was born clinically blind in Sapang Bato, Pampanga, and only got treatment for his eye condition in the United States through the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. These days, he is paying the goodwill forward by donating a retinal camera to a Pampanga hospital through a foundation of his own: The Apldeap Foundation. He shared a series of photos from the initiative via social media and showed him testing the retinal camera while at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga. According to Apl.de.ap, this is the second retinal camera his foundation has donated outside Manila. “The Apldeap Foundation delivered our first retinal camera outside of Manila to Davos [Davao City]. And today we delivered our second one to the Jose B Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital Pampanga,” he shared to his fans on Feb. 19.
Apl.de.ap
A week before, Apl.de.ap reminisced on social media about the first time they donated a retinal camera outside of Manila. As per Apl.de.ap, the equipment is used to detect retinopathy of prematurity — a condition that leaves infants blind. “As part of the Apl of My Eye campaign, it had been a
Photo from Instagram/@apldeap
goal of mine to bring forth modern day technology to help prevent people from suffering the same visual impairments that I have,” he wrote on Feb. 14. He is also hopeful for the children in the future, adding, “Maybe one day, a kid from Sapang Bato won’t have to go through the same challenges I did.”
Maine posts wacky photo with Arjo for first time By KRissy
aguilaR Inquirer.net
FOR the first time, actresshost Maine Mendoza posted a photo with Arjo Atayde. A wacky snapshot of the two was posted via Mendoza’s Instagram story on Wednesday, February 20, simply captioned: “Uy, may fan.” On the photo, Mendoza is seen swinging atop of what seems to be a wrecking ball,
Bela Padilla
one scene in Apple of My Eye that actually happened. Even in my acting, I’d like to inject a little about myself in every performance. It’s the same like in every script (I do), I guess to make it real.” Her films offer a piece of herself and if anything, they give audience an idea of the state she’s in — happy, sad or content — in life. “I notice all the stories I write is what I’m
happening to me in real life by watching my films.” For example, like the female lead Apple in the iWant film, Bela is not techie in real life. “When I reply to e-mails, I literally reply to the e-mails, I don’t know how to make attachments and things like that.” She’s also old school. “I have a record player, I collect vinyl. It’s not because I’m trying to be old school but I really cannot learn, Photo from Instagram/@bela I think there’s something in me that’s so stubborn that doesn’t going through at the moment. wanna cope with modern I’m not going to be specific, technology that’s where I am parang may foreshadowing right now.” lang like in Camp Sawi, I wrote All her stories are it and then I broke up with my handwritten. She says, “All my ex shortly after. With Luck at notes are on my paper. I have First Sight, it was right before so much (notebooks to write I started getting the projects on), that’s my guilty pleasure. I that I wanted to get. I’m feeling always have with me a notebook, whatever my soul is going in my car, on my side. Right now, through at the moment, it I just started my blog. I don’t comes out in the scripts that let anyone handle my thoughts I write. You can tell what is
while Atayde stands behind her. The photo was taken during an event of a global cosmetic brand that Mendoza is endorsing. Over a week ago, Atayde also posted a photo with Mendoza as they met over dinner in the United States. med the dating rumors surrounding him and Mendoza last month. He said: “We’re exclusively dating. I’m at my happiest right now.”
Maine Mendoza with rumored boyfriend Arjo Atayde Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm
because I don’t like anything to be misinterpreted so I would like to be responsible for whatever I write. Like my social media, everything is mine. So, when I started a blog recently because I have so many random thoughts that I feel like people can relate to, I just put it out there. It’s nice, the comments when you read them. I’m happy that somehow people are finding a voice.” Bela is also busy in the acting front, doing the teleserye Mea Culpa with Jodi Sta. Maria. But she always finds time for writing. “I don’t know why but I feel I’m in a hurry to do things because I don’t wanna look back five years from now and say I should have written that idea or I should have said that. So I try to write, if they like it, thank you.” To improve her writing, she signs up for courses and workshops under the likes of the legendary screenwriter Ricky
Lee. She also keeps on reading. “Right now in my car, I have When Breath Becomes Air. It’s the true story of a surgeon in America who found out he had cancer. He wrote it himself while he was dying. Very, very sad. Actually, I’m reading two at the same time. The other one is A Gentleman in Moscow (historical fiction). Wala akong genre ngayon, kahit ano, hindi lang ako nagbabasa ng self-help or tips on blah, blah, blah. I like stories. I get bored by self-help. Parang Chapter 1, nabasa ko na siya somewhere else.” On how she continues to hone her writing skills, she adds: “I just keep on writing new material. This is one of the reasons I’m so addicted to K-Dramas because their stories are so fresh. I try to keep on educating myself with what’s new outside.”
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February 22-28, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426