022219 - San Francisco Edition

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 18 - No. 8 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

F E BR U A RY 2 2 - 2 8 , 2 0 1 9

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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

California sues Trump administration over national emergency declaration

THE news of President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration has now reached a legal challenge in the form of a lawsuit on Monday, Feb. 18 led by the attorneys general of 16 states including California.

The states claim that the president’s efforts in redirecting federal dollars for the $5.7 billion-wall at the United States-Mexico border by way of national emergency are “unlawful and unconstitutional” according to the lawsuit.

The State of California — led by CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra — filed the lawsuit in the Northern District of California in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday and plans to take the administration to court

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Former Fil-Am MTV VJ and son experience racist rants during coffee run in LA

WHEN 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.

A video of the incident quickly caught attention after Panelo, 44, shared the experience on social media on Tuesday, February 12.

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

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Senators agree: Criticizing government is a basic right

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

LALU

AMID the proposal to revoke the scholarship of “anti-government” students, senators from both the majority and the minority agree that criticizing the government or free speech is a basic right.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday, February 20, said that taking part in rallies is a basic right which can be exercised by anyone, even if the student is against the government.

by NATHALIE

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ROBLES

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Tuesday, February 19, that he has signed a total of 20 laws 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.

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FOR REGIONAL SECURITY. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for posterity with other guests during the 9th anniversary of MinDA and the 25th anniversary of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Tuesday, February 19. During the event, Duterte called on its neighboring countries to unite to overcome economic slowdown and security challenges in the region.

The president also pushed for closer economic cooperation to create more viable opportunities in trade and investment, transportation, agri-business, tourism, energy, and environmental protection and management, among others, not only in the region but also in the entire BIMP-EAGA corridor.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

AJPress

Senators eye first daughter Sara Duterte for presidential bid

by FRANCIS

MANGOSING Inquirer.net

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

aims to repurpose fun into sustain- tory, DOT’s previous home.

According to Puyat, the crowdability,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a sourced tourism materials through speech during the relaunch at the social media were the key aspects u PAGE A2 National Museum of Natural His-

DOH: Measles outbreak could affect tourism, OFWs tries are necessarily bound to issue travel advisories once another country poses danger among their THE Philippines’ Department residents. of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, Feb“If we fail to control the outbreak, ruary 19, said that the measles you can’t stop other countries from outbreak in the country could giving travel advisories for their nanegatively affect the tourism and tionals not to go to the Philippines overseas labor sectors if not con- because of the measles epidemic,” tained as soon as possible.

Domingo said as reported by The Health Undersecretary Eric Do- Philippine Star. mingo revealed that foreign counThe health undersecretary noted

by AJPRESS

armed rebellion or join a judicially proscribed terrorist organization, they will have to suffer the consequences of their action under our existing laws,” Lacson said.

No politics, please Senator Bam Aquino on the other hand asked the government not to use college education for partisan politics and to repress students.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan said that there is nothing wrong with joining leftist groups, noting that the National Youth Commission’s suggestion

AJPress

RITCHEL MENDIOLA

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)

“Just like any citizen of this country, university scholars can express their dissent, even join protest rallies against the government in the exercise of their basic constitutional right of expression,” Lacson said in a text message.

Lacson, however, clarified that the state has a responsibility to implement laws, especially if antigovernment scholars will take up arms and engage government forces.

“Having said that, if these government scholars, or any person for that matter, would participate in an

Duterte signs 20 new laws, including lifetime cellphone numbers

DOT relaunches PH tourism campaign by

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

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

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As the presidential daughter and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairwoman Sara DuterteCarpio increased her public presence for her political party, the public buzzed anew with talks of her possibly succeeding her father President Rodrigo Duterte.

Four senators already expressed their support for the first daughter despite Duterte-Carpio’s statement that she will announce her decision to seek a national post by January 2021.

Re-electionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that the younger Duterte is seen to have all the qualifications of a good leader with training from none other than the Chief Executive himself.

“I think she’s one of the potential future leaders of the country because she has the qualifications – a lawyer, has (the) heart for the masses and, of course, she has a 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 un-

heard 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.

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FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page Senators eye first daughter Sara Duterte...

PAGE A1 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 “strongwilled, stern, vibrant, and progressive-minded.”

However, Senate President Vi-

cente 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 understandable.

“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 San-

tiago 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

DOT relaunches PH tourism...

PAGE A1 of the revamped campaign as the DOT saw at least 4.3 million locals and foreigners using the tagline in their photos and videos.

She also said that the campaign’s popularity has brought millions to the Philippines and prompted the dissemination of photos, videos, and comments online showing why “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

“This [is] a campaign by the tourists. It will focus mainly on real people and real experiences as more travelers become conscious about their ecological footprints and cultures they are consuming and wanting to know how they can give back,” Puyat said.

The tourism campaign was first launched in 2012. It was met with mixed response from netizens, with some pointing out that the tagline was ripped off from a 1951 Swiss tourism slogan.

The improved ad gave up the Harabara font for the new Barabara font, based on the jeepney signage typography.

The font will be open sourced and available for download by anyone to create their Philippine tourism content.

The new ad also brandishes a new logo — a weave of local textiles in different colors that represent “uniquely Filipino products.”

Puyat, when asked why she has decided to continue the campaign instead of embarking on a new one, said, “I actually believe in continuity. In other countries, they never change their campaign. In Malaysia, it’s been ‘Malaysia Truly Asia.’

In India, it’s been ‘Incredible India.’

I am the third Tourism secretary to use the hashtag. I believe it’s because it works. The Philippines has embraced the hashtag. We’ve made it our own. Why not continue what’s good?”

view.

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

California sues Trump administration...

PAGE A1 to stop the president from utilizing the powers provided by a national emergency declaration.

By declaring a national emergency, Trump has special powers that could divert taxpayer funds from other federal budgets to pay for the construction of the wall.

“Today, on Presidents’ Day, we take President Trump to court to block his misuse of presidential power,” Becerra said in a statement, adding that Trump is “willing to manipulate the Office of the Presidency to engage in unconstitutional theater performed to convince his audience that he is committed to his ‘beautiful border wall.’”

“President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt,” Becerra said. “He knows there is no border crisis. He knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this

case in court.”

The plaintiffs allege that Trump’s justification for the national emergency is rooted in the paranoia of a “hyped crisis,” according to Becerra. Previously, Trump and his administration have maintained that the number of prospective immigrants arriving at the southern border from Central America are a threat to national security.

“Unlawful southern border entries are at their lowest point in 20 years, immigrants are less likely than native-born citizens to commit crimes and illegal drugs are more likely to come through official ports of entry,” Becerra explained.

On Friday, Feb. 15 when Trump officially announced the national emergency at the White House, Trump indicated that he’s not backing down and is ready and willing to take the issue up to the Supreme Court if need be.

“They will sue us in the 9th Cir-

cuit,” the president told reporters at the White House Rose Garden.

“We will possibly get a bad ruling, and then we’ll get another bad ruling and then we’ll end up in the Supreme Court.”

In addition to California, the 15 other states suing the administration include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, Trump’s declaration of a national emergency came at the heels of an agreement between the White House and Congress to stop a second government shutdown.

Friday’s government spending bill included $1.375 billion for the wall and border security, but that fell short of the $5.7 billion he requested. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

PAGE A1 is what is illegal.

“Hindi iligal ang sumama sa mga organisasyon na leftist at lalong hindi iligal at krimen ang mag protesta o sumali sa mga rally.

Ang NYC ang gumagawa ng iligal na hakbang kung itutuloy nila ang iligal na patakaran (It isn’t illegal to join leftist groups or take part in demonstrations. It’s NYC that will commit an illegal act if they insist on the proposal),” he added.

NYC’s move On Tuesday, February 19, National Youth Commission (NYC) Belinda Panelo chairperson Ronald Cardema asked was a reality,” said Panelo. “That President Rodrigo Duterte to craft scared us.” an executive order which would In the video, the lady walks up remove the scholarship grants of close to Panelo’s car, which had its windows opened.

But Panelo didn’t let the encounter dampen their day and instead PAGE A1 saw it as a teachable moment to re- added as reported by The Philipflect on. Panelo said her son turned pine Daily Inquirer. to her and told her how eye-openDomingo said that countries ing the experience was for him. have been inquiring about the “We discussed how there are measles situation in the Philippeople in the world that experi- pines. Hong Kong, for instance, is ence racism and harassment reg- particularly concerned due to the ularly and how that must crush heavy tourist traffic in both areas their spirit. We talked a bit about and the 200,000 OFWs deployed the complicated history of race in there.

American and explored why and “Hong Kong has been declared how it persists,” said Panelo. measles-free. They expressed their Talking to kids about the issues concern about the measles outof racism is something Panelo en- break here. We have many Filipicourages all parents to do. nos traveling to Hong Kong,” the “I would say to parents to not undersecretary said. wait for an incident, a tweet, or a The health department Epidecomment on social media to finally miology Bureau together with the be the reason you discuss this as Bureau of Quarantine established a family. Find out what they are health desks at major airports so teaching your kids in school. What that travelers and tourists could are they leaving out of history?” “voluntarily” walk in and sought Panelo suggested. for consultation should they feel She added, “Be involved in the sick. community, vote, and purposefully “The people should be responsisurround yourself with those who ble to have themselves voluntarily aren’t like you. An inclusive world checked before leaving the counview comes from living outside try. Because if other countries have a bubble.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJ- this bad experience from us, there Press) n could be repercussions,” Domingo

anti-government scholars with alleged links to the Communist Party of the Philippines, New Peoples’ Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Cardema — who led the Duterte Youth group before the president assumed office — also requested officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), and the Citizen’s Army Training (CAT) to report scholars who are supposed members of leftist groups.

“As Chairman of the National Youth Commission, I am requesting our Head of Government, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, to issue an Executive Order removing the government scholarships

of all anti-government scholars,” Cardema said.

Earlier, Senator Francis Escudero asked Duterte to remove Cardema from office, as he brings the administration to shame because of his ignorance of the 1987 Constitution’s provision on freedom of expression.

“The sycophantic and obsequious suggestion of the NYC head shows his ignorance of the Constitution and, far from helping, is surely doing a disservice to PRRD and the government,” he said.

“Kung may sisipain (sa pwesto) dapat siya at ‘di ang mga estudyante (If there’s someone who should get kicked out, it should be him, not the students),” he added. n

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

Former Fil-Am MTV VJ and son experience racist...

PAGE A1 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 to 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 inter-

FIGHTING TRASH. Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection gather trash as the clean-up of Manila Bay continues.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Senators agree: Criticizing government...

DOH: Measles outbreak could affect... 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

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A

‘US-Philippines alliance key to regional security’

by Jaime Laude Philstar.com

IN the wake of the developing security landscape in the South and East China Seas, a visiting U.S. Marine commander emphasized the importance of U.S.-Philippine relations to the Indo-Pacific region.

Lt. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) commander, pointed this out during his series of meetings with key military and security officials.

The U.S. embassy said Craparotta had a meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal and Philippine Marine commander Maj. Gen. Alvin Parreno.

They discussed the partnership of the U.S. Marine Corps and the AFP. “This week we are here to focus on training, readiness and interoperability, not just for today and 2020, but really for the future… This is a long and lasting critical partnership for the region,” Craparotta said.

He said discussions also centered on future launching of joint Marine exercises in the country.

Parreno, for his part, assured

Craparotta the Philippine Marines have always been ready and responsive to address the defense and security challenges of the Pacific region.

“Discussed topics also strengthened the trust and confidence that we have and promote mutual security interests as well as contributing to global and security, peace security and stability,” Parreno said.

Craparotta’s visit to the Philippines, his first since taking command of the MARFORPAC in August last year, is also to frame future engagements of U.S. and Philippine Marines in the country. (With Pia Lee-Brago) n

Hermogenes Esperon: ‘Increase of US navigation patrols no problem’

American priest arrested anew for abusing 50 more victims, mostly altar boys

by Jaime Laude Philstar.com

THE Philippines has no problem with the plan of the United States to increase its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea with partners and treaty allies, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said.

“If the U.S., United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France and New Zealand and even India would want to patrol the South China Sea, then that is alright with us if the only intent is to show freedom of navigation,” Esperon said Monday, February 18.

However, if the intention is to go near contested areas, Esperon said then the operations could only spark more tension.

Early this week, two U.S. guided-missile destroyers – USS Spruance and USS Preble – sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Chinese occupied Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

Now a heavily fortified Chinese military base in the disputed region, Panganiban Reef is located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing denounced the latest U.S. Navy’s action, calling it a violation of China’s maritime and territorial rights in the region.

A senior U.S. Navy official ear-

by Cathrine

GonzaLes Inquirer.net

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

lier said more FONOPs would be launched in the near future with treaty allies.

Britain had earlier announced plans to deploy its new aircraft carrier to the South China Sea. While any nation may send ships to the South China Sea, Esperon said it would be best if military deployments are reduced.

“Since nobody is prohibiting anyway any ships from sailing in the South China Sea, then I believe that it would be better if we reduce the number of military deployments. Admittedly, it becomes very unbalanced because China itself has deployed not only the Navy but its coast guard and civilian water craft,” he said.

PAGE A4

Duterte signs 20 new law..

PAGE A1 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).

Other national laws 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 18-month construction of a center “suitable and conducive to high-level training of athletes, coaches and referees.”

The Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act mandates 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 work-

PMA HOMECOMING. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (waving to the crowd), and other members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maagap Class of 1973 during the PMA Alumni Homecoming held in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City on Saturday, February 16. It was hello and goodbye in such a short time for the men, who gave the best of their youth, talent and skills for the country, said Lorenzana at the now parched ground of their institution.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

ing national holiday for the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio City on September 3 and the special nonworking 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 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 Salvador 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

Inquirer.net photo

A ROMAN Catholic priest, initially detained for sexual abuse, was arrested again Tuesday, February 19, for allegedly molesting over 50 other victims – including altar boys as young as seven years old.

Authorities arrested Father Kenneth Pius Hendricks more than two months after he was first detained at the Bureau of

Immigration (BI) detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for sexual abuse.

Hendricks was initially arrested on December 5, 2018 in Biliran province by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by a United States District Court for Ohio on November 11, 2018 for “engaging in illicit sex with a minor in a foreign country.”

Police, however, served Tuesday another five warrants of arrest against the priest for alleg-

edly molesting more victims, who are mostly altar boys.

Police said the victims, who were previously afraid to report to authorities due to apparent grave threats from Hendricks, only had the courage to come out after learning that the priest has already been arrested by immigration authorities.

The five warrants of arrest were issued by Biliran Regional Trial Court Branch 16 for acts of PAGE A4

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American priest arrested anew for abusing 50...

PAGE A3 lasciviousness and child abuse charges against Hendricks.

Hendricks’ second arrest was a joint effort of the Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), BI’s Fugitive Search Unit, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

He would be transferred from the BI detention facility to RSOU jail.

According to police, Hendricks came to the Philippines from Cincinnati in Ohio, U.S. in 1968. Upon arrival to the country, he was ordained as priest in the Franciscan Order and practiced his vocation at the St. Authorities arrested Father Kenneth Pius Hendricks more than two months after he was first Isidore the Worker Chapel at Ta- detained at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City NCRPO photo lustosan Village in Biliran prov- for sexual abuse.

Hermogenes Esperon: ‘Increase...

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 “Mrs. Hanepbuhay� due to her advocacy of giving jobs to our people especially women in order to help their husbands 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

PAGE A3 He also said his office is now studying the viability of internationalizing all the features in disputed waters to allow all countries access to these areas. esperon made his position known following Beijing’s announcement of its setting up of a

maritime rescue center on Kagitingan Reef. He said he hopes an “internationalization� of contested areas would also pave the way for demilitarization.

For instance, esperon said he is not against having visitors from Malaysia, Indonesia and other neighboring countries, in-

cluding China, to the Philippineoccupied Pag-asa Island.

Told that such development would weaken the Philippine territorial and maritime position over the Kalayaan Island Group, he reiterated that the administration is not surrendering an inch of the country’s territory. n

The measles success story in California is showing signs of fading

by Harriet

Blair rowan Kaiser Health News

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A RASH of recent measles outbreaks in New York, Texas and Washington state shines a light on California’s largely successful effort in recent years to suppress the disease — though some of the shine might be fading.

A serious measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in December 2014 and carried over into 2015 contributed to a steep increase in vaccination rates among California kindergartners over the following three years. But the gains stopped last year, according to the most recent available data.

In the 2013-14 school year, which immediately preceded the Disneyland outbreak, the percentage of kindergartners enrolled in schools boasting vaccination rates of 95 percent or above — considered the optimal level to avoid contagion — stood at 57 percent. By the 2016-17 academic year, the percentage of kindergarten pupils in schools with optimal vaccination rates had hit 90 percent. In 2017-18, however, it dipped slightly back below 90 percent.

Measles has again gained attention because of five outbreaks so far this year in the U.S., including a serious one

in Washington state. Through the first week of February, 101 measles cases have been reported across 10 states. That’s compared with a preliminary count of 372 for all of 2018 and 120 in 2017.

California’s favorable trend had accelerated dramatically after officials, galvanized by the Disneyland-linked infections, implemented a law in 2016 that eliminated a loophole through which parents were allowed to enroll their children in school without vaccinating them if they claimed that vaccinations violated their personal beliefs.

But another kind of exemption was still allowed. Over the past three years, vaccination exemptions signed by doctors on medical grounds have more than tripled, though they are still at a low level. This suggests that parents who once cited personal beliefs to avoid inoculating their kids might be claiming medical reasons instead.

Could this trend be contributing to the loss of momentum in vaccination rates? “I think that’s definitely a concern,� said Dr. James Watt, chief of the Division of Communicable Disease Control at the California Department of Public Health. He said, however, that the elimination of personal belief exemptions in the 2016 law still far outweighs the rise

of medical excuses. “So that’s reassuring to some degree,� he said.

Overall, California’s measles vaccination rate is now 96.9 percent, well above the desired threshold. Watt said, “We do have this particular concern, as we have in the past, about places where there may be pockets of low immunization coverage� — such as individual schools.

Three rural Northern California counties — Sutter, Trinity and Nevada — have measles vaccination rates below the 90 percent threshold widely considered to be the minimum level for effectively stopping the spread of the disease, according to data from the public health department.

Measles causes a high fever and a distinctive rash, and can lead in some cases to severe complications in children such as encephalitis and pneumonia, which can be fatal.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children get their first dose of measles vaccine (MMR), which also protects against mumps and rubella, at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

US police remain blank on alleged killer of Fil-Am in Chicago

by Faye

orellana Inquirer.net

THe Chicago police remain blank concerning the identity of the perpetrator behind the death of Filipino-American Anthony del Barrio nearly a month after the incident transpired, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday, February 16.

The DFA said that according to the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the case of 30-

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year-old Del Barrio is still under investigation.

Del Barrio was found dead between two houses in the Village of Morton Grove on January 20.

He succumbed to a single bullet wound.

The police are ruling that the cause of death was homicide and they are still establishing leads to crack the case, the DFA said.

Based on inquiries done by the Philippine Consulate before the Filipino community in Chicago,

Del Barrio was a third generation Filipino-American born and raised in the United States.

No passport or dual citizenship record of Del Barrio or any member of his family was also found by the authorities.

The DFA extended its condolences to the family of Del Barrio following his death.

The department also asked the public to coordinate with the authorities in Chicago for any possible information related to Del Barrio’s death. n

FDA permanently bans Dengvaxia

by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — Citing the continued failure of pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur to submit post-approval commitment documents, the Food and Drug Administration decided to permanently revoke the certificates of product registration for dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

According to FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno, the pharmaceutical company has shown complete disregard of government rules and regulations. “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,� Puno said in a statement released Tuesday.

The CPR for the dengue vaccine was initially suspended for one year since Dec. 29, 2017, after Sanofi’s failure to comply with post-marketing requirements.

Prior to the lapse of the oneyear suspension on Dec. 17, 2018, Sanofi failed to submit and comply with post marketing authorization requirements.

The company has since then suspended the sale, distribution and marketing of the dengue vaccine.

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

On Dec. 21, 2018, Sanofi was ordered to surrender the original CPRs of dengue tetravalent (Dengvaxia MD) and dengue tetravalent vaccine (Dengvaxia) upon receipt of order, the FDA said. “The FDA also reminded Sanofi that pursuant to the revocation of the CPRs, it is unlawful to import, sell, or distribute the said products,� the agency said.

The FDA’s Center for Drug Regulation and Research has been directed to defer any submission and application of Sanofi in relation to Dengvaxia and Dengvaxia MD.

Dengvaxia vaccination program stopped in 2017 Health Secretary Francisco Duque III suspended the dengue vaccination program in December 2017 after Sanofi admitted that it could cause severe dengue if given to those who have not had the disease.

Speaking before a Senate hearing more than a year ago, Duque said Sanofi was dishonest about the risks of Dengvaxia. “We should not allow this.

We’re talking about the lives of people here. We’re talking about the lives of our children,� Duque said. n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A5

I will kill anyone who asks for a birth certificate — Locsin Immigration nabs 276 foreign nationals in Makati

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

DEPARTMENTof Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, February 19, warned that he will “kill” anyone who asks applicants for a birth certificate as a requirement for passport renewal.

The DFA chief made the statement after a netizen on Twitter asked him if the document was still needed for renewing passports.

“Sir @teddyboylocsin kailangan pa rin po ba ng birth certificate pag nag parenew ng passport? Salamat po. (Sir @ teddyboylocsin is the birth certificate still required for passport renewal? Thank you),” the tweet read.

“Hindi. Putangina. (No. Son of a bitch.) Not for passport renewal. If anyone asks you, tell me who and I will fucking kill him/her,” Locsin tweeted in response.

In another tweet, he said, “I just want to make myself fucking clear. That fucking birth certificate requirement is out because it was an idiotic requirement according to top retired DFA officials.”

by CONSUELO

MARQUEZ Inquirer.net

MORE than 200 foreign nationals were arrested for working in the Philippines during a raid at a network technology company in Makati City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, February 19.

BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. confirmed that 276 foreign nationals were arrested for “verification of their travel documents and immigration status.”

“Most were undocumented, and were unable to present any Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Inquirer.net file photo proof showing their status here The birth certificate require- over an alleged data security during the arrest,” Manahan said ment for passport renewal was breach covering Filipino pass- in a statement. removed by Locsin through De- port holders.

Manahan added that the suspartment Order (DO) 03-2019 isLocsin said the DFA was pects were mostly engaged in sued last month. forced to “rebuild” its database online gaming business.

However, the order only cov- for passports issued before 2010 If the suspects were proven ers regular renewal of passports after the incident. to be working in the Philippines and not first-time passport apThe DFA, however, announced without the appropriate visa, plications, renewal applications later that it has “full control” of they will be ordered deported, for lost and mutilated passports, passport data. It said the inforrenewal requiring changes in the mation “has not been shared or passport entries, renewal of old accessed by any unauthorized brown and green passports bear- party.” ing no complete middle name, The National Privacy CommisTHE League of Provinces of the and applicants included in DFA’s sion, for its part, said it will con- Philippines (LPP) squarely backs watchlist. tinue to investigate whether or the senatorial bid of Ilocos Norte The order came amid concerns not a data breach occurred. ■ Gov. Imee Marcos, citing her “no nonsense performance in public service and governance as champion for the improvement of the lives of Filipinos, especially those in the countryside.”

The governor is advocating for the unconditional and automatic release of the 40 percent share of all national taxes of local government units.

In a resolution released recently, the LPP describes Marcos as “an efficient and effective local public official” who can immensely contribute in realizing the vision of President Rodrigo Duterte to build a stronger and more progressive republic.

The LPP, which gathers all governors from the 81 provinces across the country, expressed confidence that Marcos will “bring to the Senate the concerns PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Bana PNP photo of local governments and local persons have been arrested for hand grenades, 10,053 pieces of government officials to reinforce possession of firearms since the ammunition, 55 gun replicas and local autonomy and ensure local gun ban was imposed on Jan. 13, 11,027 bladed weapons have development.”

Marcos is batting for the immewith 166,123 checkpoints set up been confiscated.

Gun owners also surrendered diate release of the 40% mandatnationwide.

Since the police intensified op- 2,592 firearms with expired li- ed “just share” of LGUS of Internal Revenue Allotments– computed erations, 1,283 assorted firearms, censes.

346 commercial explosives, 82 PAGE A7 on the basis of all national taxes

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Manahan noted.

The suspects were temporarily detained at the BI’s Warden Facility in Taguig for their pending deportation proceedings.

Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente warned that they will still pursue more operations against foreigners working in the Philippines without the required permits.

Philippine governors support Imee Marcos

PNP claims: ‘Metro Manila safe, checkpoints working despite ambush’

by EMMANUEL TUPAS Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) claimed on Tuesday, February 19 that the nationwide election gun ban is effective and citizens are safe despite the fatal ambush of a businessman and his driver along EDSA in Mandaluyong City last Sunday, February 17.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt.

Bernard Banac said the murder of Jose Luis Yulo, 62, and his driver Allan Nomer Santos, 51, by motorcycle-riding assailants was an isolated incident that does not reflect the overall situation in the country.

“The gun ban remains effective through strict implementation, focused law enforcement and intensified checkpoint operations,” he said.

Banac said a total of 1,623

Inquirer.net file photo

“We are serious about our drive against illegal aliens, and are focusing our energies on arresting those working without the proper documentation, stealing jobs from Filipinos,” Morente said in a statement.

In 2018, the BI’s Intelligence Division arrested 533 foreign nationals who were mostly workers without permit. ■

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

collected and not just from national internal revenue taxes.

Marcos lamented that LGUs have only been receiving 16 percent of their national taxes share instead of 40 percent.

“That is really insufficient. As a candidate coming from the ranks of local government officials, I know what local executives feel – the issues that are closest to their hearts. Our budget is sorely lacking when in fact we are at the

frontline when it comes to delivering services to our constituents,” she added.

“There is already a Supreme Court ruling on the 40 percent IRA share of LGUs. But in reality, Customs duties, excise tax, documentary tax and stamp tax – all these are removed from the computation of the IRA,” she said.

Marcos stressed the IRA share of LGUs must be released automatically without need of yearly appropriations.

“When our kababayans have problems, who do they run to?

They go to us local government officials. So we must help our LGUs by ensuring they receive their ‘just share,’” Marcos said.

“More than 50% of the poor are also in the countryside and the LGUs are our frontliners in the fight against poverty. They need all the resources they can muster to address the problem of poverty in the rural areas,” she added.

In July last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the “just share” of LGUs must be based on all national taxes.

The decision stemmed from a petition filed by former Batangas Rep. and now provincial Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, who PAGE A7

A6

EBRUARY 22-28, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Snakes and crocodiles

FEATURES

IT may be a snake pit, but not all denizens of the House of Representatives are snakes. This is according to Fredenil Castro, who recently replaced Rolando Andaya Jr. as House majority leader amid an ugly squabble with the Department of Budget and Management.

Castro was lamenting what he described as the sweeping prejudgment of congressmen as venal, with some likening the lawmakers to vociferous crocodiles. But he conceded that there are rotten eggs in the House basket, even as he defended the actions of the chamber.

Among those acts is the recent approval of rules that make it harder for mass media and the public to obtain copies of congressmen’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALN. Some lawmakers insist that the new rules in fact remove the arbitrariness in the approval or denial of requests for SALNs. But requiring approval of such requests by a review committee, by the owner of the SALN and then by the House plenary certainly looks like congressmen are making it harder to allow access to documents that are supposed to be a matter of public record.

In addition, those requesting access must pay P300 for every SALN copy. That means forking out over P80,000 for anyone seeking to scrutinize the SALNs of all the House members including party-list representatives. The normal

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS

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 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

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 711, 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 Ko-

rean 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 augmentation 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 hydroelectric 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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019

A

Sandiganbayan commences plunder case trial for Enrile

by NAthAlie

Robles

AJPress

THE Sandiganbayan Third Division began the trial of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday, February 19, for the plunder and graft case against him due to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

The case was filed more than four years ago but Enrile failed to appear at most of the recent hearings because he has been campaigning for yet another Senate seat.

“It is my right to attend the hearing or not attend the hearing.

I leave it to my lawyers to handle it,” Enrile said in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The senatorial candidate continuously asserted his innocence in the whole pork barrel fiasco.

In an interview with CNN Philippines chief correspondent Pia Hontiveros, Enrile confidently eyed a not-guilty verdict for the said charges.

“The burden of proof is on the government because of the fact that I am presumed innocent.

Precisely that’s my theory, that if I’m perceived innocent by the Constitution, why detain me? Deprive me of freedom? I would like

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile Inquirer.net photo

to see the end of it,” Enrile said.

The 95-year-old senator faces a plunder charge and 15 counts of graft when he was accused of diverting his pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) in exchange for kickbacks.

“I do not want to discuss my case, but all I can say is the government will be lucky if they present any credible evidence,” Enrile said at the forum in Annabel’s Restaurant, Quezon City on Saturday, February 16.

Enrile’s first case was filed June 2014 together with the two “porktagged senators” Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada. However, it was delayed on the grounds that

the charges and allegations were deemed as vague.

The said charge was about the P172.83-million plunder case filed against him due to his alleged involvement with the pork barrel scam. He was accused of earning about P172.83 million in “commissions” from 2003 to 2010.

He was said to have collaborated and conspired with pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, along with his former chief of staff — Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, and her driver-bodyguard John Raymund de Asis.

The former Senate president requested a bill of particulars or a more detailed charge sheet from the Ombudsman. However, the motion was only granted with finality by the Supreme Court in 2016.

Enrile then used the bill of particulars to file a motion seeking to dismiss his case, which the Sandiganbayan later dismissed. He was released on bail after the SC reversed a Sandiganbayan ruling that denied him of temporary liberty in 2015.

The senatorial candidate said that he would leave the legal concerns of his case among his lawyers should it impede his Senate bid for the May 2019 polls. n

Philippine governors support Imee...

PAGE A5 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 du-

ties collected by the Bureau of Customs; 50 percent of valueadded taxes; 30 percent of all national taxes collected in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; 60 percent of national taxes collected from mining; excise taxes collected from tobacco products; national taxes collected under Section 283 of National Internal Revenue Code;

and franchise taxes under Horse Racing laws.

Marcos is running on a 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. (People’s Journal)

PNP claims: ‘Metro Manila safe, checkpoints ’...

PAGE A5 “As shown in the data, we are making headway and big progress in ensuring that we will have peaceful and orderly elections,” Banac said.

Banac did not go into details but added that because of Yulo’s murder, security adjustments will be made to ensure that a similar incident will not happen again.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered an investigation yesterday on what went wrong with their checkpoint operations and the implementation of the riding-in-tandem ordi-

nance following the killing of Yulo and his driver.

Eleazar said the Mandaluyong City police apparently failed to intercept the suspects despite police checkpoint operations.

The local government also has an ordinance prohibiting two males riding tandem on a motorcycle, unless they are father and son.

“We are focused on these riding-in-tandem concern for a long period of time. It is a challenge to us but the sad fact is that the Mandaluyong City police failed to intercept them,” Eleazar said.

“Anyway, in any modern police

organization, you cannot get zero crime.”

Eleazar reported that the murder incidents perpetrated by riding-in-tandem suspects in Metro Manila dropped from 330 in 2017 to 50 in 2018 or by 85.21 percent.

Overall, crime incidents involving riding-in-tandem in 2017 were pegged at 853 compared to 400 cases in 2018 or down by 53.11 percent.

Eleazar credited the NCRPO’s checkpoint operations and the implementation of Oplan Sita, wherein all motorcycle riding persons were being flagged down and thoroughly checked. n

CATRIONA DOLLS. Alvin Ocampo, 25, shows off his doll images of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, wearing the famous ‘lava’ gown and national costume that she donned during the Miss Universe pageant. Gray will have her homecoming parade later this week.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Spokesman Panelo claims ‘no medical checkup in Hong Kong for Duterte’

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang assailed opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for claiming that President Duterte went to Hong Kong last weekend to undergo a medical checkup.

Duterte went on an unannounced trip in Hong Kong with his family over the weekend, his second in China’s administrative region in over four months.

Palace officials insisted that the 73-year-old President was in Hong Kong to celebrate the birthday of his partner Honeylet Avanceña. Duterte’s daughter Kitty was also said to be the one who requested for the trip as a “gift.”

Trillanes, an ardent critic of Duterte, was not convinced by the official statement and claimed that Duterte traveled to Hong Kong to either undergo a checkup or to transfer funds or both.

But presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo maintained that Duterte made the unannounced trip for recreation.

“He went there because of a request of his daughter. It served as a blowout for her and it was the birthday of Ms. Honeylet

President Rodrigo Duterte

Avanceña. It was a rest and recreation and a celebration. This is the only president who rarely rests,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

He added that Trillanes was spreading lies when he claimed that Duterte was in Hong Kong for health reasons.

“We are used to his (Trillanes) falsities,” he said. “If the President goes to Hong Kong or to any place for that matter, you could not hide him from Filipinos. They

Philstar.com file photo

would know if he enters a hospital.”

Last October, Duterte and his family went to Hong Kong days after he admitted undergoing medical tests and raised the possibility that he might have cancer.

The President later announced he had tested negative for cancer.

Officials had said the trip was intended to allow the President to rest. n

A

FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

Friday, February 22, 2019

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

The New Filipino Kitchen: Personal, nostalgic & heartwarming Filipino dishes and tales from the Filipino diaspora by

MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

“I WOULD like for the Filipino food movement to catch on in other parts of the world,” said Filipina expatriate Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, editor of The New Filipino Kitchen, when asked what her dream is for Filipino cuisine in the global market.

What better way to do that than by coming up with an anthology of essays from expat Filipino chefs, home cooks and writers.

“The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe” is a collection of 30 recipes and stories from expat Filipinos, all of whom have taken their favorite dishes with them, preserving their food memories and, if necessary, tweaking their recipes to work in a new environment or, in the case of some chefs, a more modern context.

More than just a cookbook, “The New Filipino Kitchen,” through the personal stories of the contributors, provides a more nuanced and deeper understanding of Philippine history, culture and tradition.

Lauri now lives in the United Kingdom, her seventh country of residence. Prior to Manchester, she also lived in Croatia, Portugal and, before her move to the UK, she lived in Norway, where she said two chefs of Filipino descent excel in the culinary industry. (Christian Andre Pettersen, one of the book’s contributors, 2018 Bocuse d’Or champion, and Sushi Master Roger Asakil Joya, chef and co-owner of a Michelin starred restaurant in Stavanger, Norway).

She laments the fact that there is not one Filipino eatery,

let alone restaurant, in the entire Greater Manchester area. Well, the same could be said of her previous homes like Norway, where everywhere you turn, you see a Filipino and yet, not one Filipino restaurant.

“Having lived in many places with no Filipino food presence, I long for our cuisine to be more accessible globally,” she said.

Lauri was already working on a similar type of book, but instead of a collection from different authors, it was just by her and the book she was writing was intended just for her family and relatives.

“While writing it, there was this voice in my head that wouldn’t let up. “What have you done for your motherland?!!”, it nagged. And so, I decided to go broader and round up kababayans around the world,” she shared.

Through the book, she wanted to respond to one question she was often asked and struggled to answer: “What is Filipino food?”

“No short explanation really did it justice, because as you know, most of the time, food is not just about food,” she added. “The narratives behind each dish put the food into context.”

Some of these narratives are now part of this tome of Filipino stories and recipes around the world that evoke memories, epiphanies and nostalgia.

Among the famous names who contributed their stories are White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford, Bocuse d’Or Norway winner Christian André Pettersen, 2015 MasterChef New Zealand runner-

up Leo Fernandez, five-time Palanca Award winner and poet Francis Macansantos, and the “Food Buddha” Rodelio Aglibot, making the book a multifaceted, nuanced introduction to the world of Filipino food and food culture. “’The New Filipino Kitchen’ is an engrossing, page-turner of a cookbook. If you can even call it a cookbook, it’s more of a short story collection with delicious, addictive recipes,” said Brian McGinn, Emmy-nominated director and executive producer of “Chef’s Table.” “You can find everything that makes food so special: the connection between family and the dinner table, tradition and innovation, and preserving cultural identity in a world that’s increasingly homogenized. It makes me hungry.”

The San Francisco Chronicle and Epicurious also named it among the top cookbooks of 2018.

Editing and writing the stories were among the toughest parts in the process, according to her, since there are a few astold-to pieces in the book and she had a very specific type of story format in mind. The second toughest part was finding a publisher.

“It took, to be precise, two years and eight months from the time I started the project to the time the book was released,” she shared.

Filipino cuisine has been getting a lot of mainstream press for the past few years or so, and in order to sustain that, Lauri believes that we should continue telling our stories behind the food and continue introducing or educating people about our cuisine, starting from the ones who are close to us regardless of where in the world we are based.

But more than that, “I think we should also embrace and support our differences. Stop turning our noses up when a version of a dish is not like our mother’s or grandmother’s,” she said.

Telling the story Lauri has more than eight years experience in the food industry opening and managing restaurants at deluxe hotels, such as Shangri-La and Sheraton. While working in Dubai, she was one of the five young women professionals featured in Emirates Woman magazine’s special report “Why the Future Is Female.”

“I had what you might call ‘beginner’s luck’ when I submitted a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul,” she said. “To be published in one of their books was a big deal, especially for a newbie like me.”

When she submitted, she had no clue about how big Chicken Soup was. It was only

Contributing authors of the book “The New Filipino Kitchen” (left to right, front row) Aniceto Comia Reña Jr., Kristina Villavicencio, Katrina Villavicencio, (left to right, second row) Paolo Dungca, Paolo Espanola, Vanessa Lorenzo, Cristina Quakenbush, Alexa Alfaro, and Dalena Benavente pose with Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the Americas, Dr. Josyline Javelosa (center, in white blazer), after the book’s successful DC launch at Kramerbooks & Afterwords on Sept. 27, 2018.

Inquirer.net photo

months later, when she received an email from them, that she realized that they received thousands of submissions. Her contribution made it to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Inner Strength.

About a year later, she submitted to a memoir competition, called Women’s Memoirs.

Her short memoir, “Good for One”, from which her story in The New Filipino Kitchen was adapted from, won an award and was published in the book, Tales of Our Lives: Fork in the Road.

Prior to that, Lauri worked in the food industry for over 8 years, where she opened and managed restaurants at deluxe hotels, such as Shangri-La and Sheraton. While working in Dubai, she was one of the five young women professionals featured in Emirates Woman magazine in a special report, “Why the Future Is Female.”

“Having to move from one country to another every few years or so, I shifted to business development and marketing and worked as a freelance writer for over 5 years. Working on this project put all my skills into use: food, writing and marketing,” she said.

She started her website, My Food Beginnings, to fire up an appetite for Filipino food worldwide. Little did she know then, this was when her anthology project began. From My Food Beginnings to My Filipino Food Beginnings to Migrant Filipino Kitchen, the project was eventually called The New Filipino Kitchen, and it won the Sunshot Prose 2017 Finalist Prize before it was published.

Interest in Filipino cuisine “I think it’s a result of collective efforts, including steppedup efforts by the government (culinary tours, food-related events and campaigns, export of Filipino food ingredients, etc.), media (especially social media), declarations of mainstream food pundits (i.e. Anthony Bourdain, Jonathan Gold) and, last but not least, people

Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, Editor

in the Filipino diaspora,” she explained.

Lauri thinks that more and more people in the diaspora are expressing their identity through food. It is said that the new generation is better off than the generation before them. Understandably, she believes that the focus of the firstgeneration Filipino immigrant was on survival, necessities, and security (the first stage in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).

“As those needs are met for the next generation, there’s a shift up the ladder of the hierarchy and the need to be recognized or accepted for our identity and for who we are to become one of the priorities. This, in my opinion, is why there are more and more people of Filipino heritage who showcase their identity through food, and therefore, generating more interest in our cuisine,” she explained further.

Lauri loves most, if not all, seafood and vegetable dishes.

To cook, she prefers those that won’t tie her to the kitchen for hours on end or those that don’t require her to go far to

buy the ingredients.

“That’s how I came up with my Sour and Savory Seafood Sinigang Seasoned with Filipinized Gremolata recipe,” she shared. (This Filipinized gremolata Lauri refers to is her mildly modified version of the Italian condiment made with parsley, lemon zest, and fried, instead of raw garlic.)

As a kid growing up in the Philippines, Lauri remembers a lot of things like waking up at the crack of dawn, so she can walk with her lola to buy freshly baked pandesal from the local bakery.

Memories of food and particular dishes trigger a nostalgic feeling for many overseas Filipinos who are a part of the diaspora.

“I remember the heavenly waft in the air of bread baking as we approached the panaderia. I remember church bells ringing, roosters crowing and the warmth of the pandesal on my fingertips, as I grab one from a brown paper bag, unable to wait until we got home to savor its goodness,” she said.

Bea wants to ‘live more’ Global influencer Bryanboy still Filipino inside and out

by Jan Milo seVero Philstar.com

ACTRESS Bea Alonzo has declared 2019 as her “year for change,” telling herself she should get rid of her insecurities so she can “live more.”

In her Instagram account on Sunday, February 17, Bea posted a photo of herself wearing a blue bikini in Coron, Palawan and shared how she used to be apprehensive about sharing this kind of picture.

“I have always been the type who would choose not to post photos of myself in swimsuits but since I declared this year as the year for CHANGE, I thought that maybe I should change the way I view myself,” Bea wrote.

“Maybe, I should get rid of all my insecurities so I can live more,” she said.

This generation’s Movie Queen also said she wants to remember the things that she loves about her body and to forget how she hated herself “for being ‘fat’ in other people’s eyes.”

“It’s the only body that I am blessed with and I am

Bryanboy’s digital fashion superstardom started 15 years ManilaTimes.net ago as a scrawny Manila-based WELL, there is no right or teen who decided to snap his wrong way to do the whole digvacation in Russia and upload ital career shebang, but there is it in a blog to share with his surely an ethical way to rise to friends. It was a new concept the top. back then but he got a lot of That is what global influoffers and attention from it. encer and blogger Bryanboy Fast forward to today, Yambao told In The Know in Bryanboy has partnerships with a chat during his brief visit in fashion houses only one could Manila last week for his annual dream of — Gucci, Salvatore beauty intensification program.

Ferragamo, MiuMiu, Prada, ValWe got to insert a good entino and now Christian Dior, hour of catch up at the Belo the top of the heap of brands.

Medical Center Greenbelt clinic “To work with Dior for while he was freshly injected me is amazing. I go to differwith some chin fillers by Dra. ent events, to promote Dior Vicki Belo before he jets off to basically around the world, and London for more fashion comI was at their fashion show durmitments. ing Men’s (Winter 2019/2020 Given that he is rubbing collection) three weeks ago Global influencer and blogger Bryanboy Yambao. elbows with Naomi Campbell, with Naomi and Kate,” he Photo from Instagram/@bryanboycom shared.

Kate Moss, Anna Wintour and Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo the like on a fashion season ba- cent Filipino. I mean, my family It was when brands ap“I hope that this post is here, I cook Filipino food in sis, it is such a refresher to see proached Bryan that he treated could inspire other women to Sweden, I cook Filipino food for the whole digital work as a caa fashion fixture still so deep love themselves more, flaws my friends. I even take my forrooted in his Filipino culture. reer he nurtured. He also gave and all. Let’s all work hard to eigner friends to Jollibee or to “I mean, I am 100 percent his two cents on how the new better ourselves for us and not Filipino. Just because I have a lot of classic Filipino places. I wave of digital influencers join just so others could accept blonde hair and I fixed my nose always take them there because the bandwagon to primarily get us,” Bea said. it is just a part of me,” he said. and my chin, I’m still 100 perContinued on Page SF4

by MJ Marfori

Bea Alonzo

thankful for my health because I get to do the things that make me happy,” she said.

She hopes her post will inspire other women to love themselves more despite their imperfections.

entertainment SF3 Important issues regarding student visas

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. SARA N. CROSS

The Tracy Hills master-planned community will feature 30 floorplans, parks, trails, a future K-8 elementary school and includes a community clubhouse and pool.

Tracy Hills preview opening next Saturday, March 2 in Tracy

SAVE the date and plan to attend the Tracy Hills Preview Opening of the Bay Area’s newest masterplanned community in the rolling foothills of southwest Tracy next Saturday, March 2nd from noon to 3 p.m. Be sure to mark your calendars for what is sure to be a fun introduction to one of the Bay Area’s most highly anticipated new master- planned communities.

Attendees are invited to enjoy festive music, sample delicious cuisine from on-site food trucks, participate in kid-friendly activities, and have the opportunity to preview 30 different floor plans from award-winning home builders Lennar, Meritage Homes and Shea Homes. The first phase at Tracy Hills will eventually include a total of 1,139 homes in eight separate villages.

Meritage Homes will

have model homes available for touring on this day, and both Shea Homes and Lennar will have a Sales Information trailer on site where visitors can preview floor plans and architectural renderings.

Food lovers will certainly appreciate the variety offered

by Steel Smokin BBQ, Street Steam Bunz, Haley McNicoll’s Celtic-American Eatery, and izzyA’s Frozen Ice Cream Custard. This family friendly event will also feature face painters, balloon artists and a walk-around magician to entertain younger attendees.

Plus, since no party is complete without music, home shoppers will enjoy bands playing classic jazz, New Orleans-style Dixieland tunes, as well as traditional Kentucky bluegrass.

In addition, visitors can learn more about this smart, WiFi-connected, 5,411-acre community with 45 acres

devoted to neighborhood parks including one dog park, 30 acres of community parks, and a community clubhouse and pool. Approximately 42 acres will be devoted exclusively towards several new school sites within the Jefferson School District, including the future K-8 Corral Hollow Elementary School in this first phase. Nature lovers will appreciate an extensive network of walking trails connecting the villages, 180 acres of open space, and over 3,500 acres devoted to habitat preserve.

To receive information about the Tracy Hills Preview Opening next Saturday, March 2nd, home shoppers are encouraged to visit the community’s website at www.

TracyHillsLife.com or text TRACYHILLS to 797979 to add their name to the Interest List.

(Advertising Supplement)

AN average of 800,000 foreign nationals obtain student visas to the United States each year. These student visas, known as F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas, allow them to lawfully reside and study in America. When seeking to attend school in the U.S., it is common for foreign nationals to obtain assistance from companies or individuals who purport to help facilitate the student visa process. Unfortunately, the wrong help can have dire consequences for the student and any future plans he or she may have for travel or residence in the U.S. Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) announced that it had charged eight people from Michigan, Florida, and Virginia with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and harboring aliens for profit.

These indictments were a result of ICE’s undercover operation in which they created a false private university called the University of Farmington. The criminal charges allege that the defendants conspired with each other and others to help foreign nationals illegally remain in the U.S. under the guise of being students attending an accredited university who were maintaining valid immigration status in the U.S. as students.

The defendants would allegedly assist the foreign national “student” in obtaining fraudulent immigration documents from the school and creating false student records that would be used to demonstrate to immigration officials that they were abiding by the terms of their student visa, thus allowing them to continue to living and working in the U.S. ICE states that the defendants made over $250,000 from the more than 600 people they assisted.

Students enrolled at the

university had to pay tuition and the school was on the Department of Homeland Security’s list of certified schools for international students. The school had its own website, as well as its own Facebook and Twitter accounts. But ICE alleges that all the students knew that this university scheme was fraudulent, as the school had no instructors or any actual classes. Dozens of students have also been arrested on immigration violations in conjunction with this operation and face potential deportation. A spokesman for ICE stated that all the students that were arrested originally entered the U.S. on valid F-1 visas after being accepted to legitimate schools, then later transferred to the University of Farmington.

For F, J, and M nonimmigrants, maintenance of valid student status means strictly adhering to the requirements for each visa in terms of school enrollment, prohibitions against unauthorized employment and other such activities, as well as completion of the program within a certain time frame.

Importantly, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) issued a new Memorandum in 2018 concerning a policy change in how they will determine visa violations for F, J, and M nonimmigrants and when a person will begin to accrue unlawful presence in the U.S. as a result. This new policy is a significant change from USCIS’ prior policy. Now, a person’s unlawful presence in the U.S. will begin to accrue the day after the date a status violation occurs.

This is immensely important, as accrual of unlawful presence in U.S. can result in bars to reentry into the U.S. For a person who is unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than 180 consecutive days but less than one year, who then departs the country, they will be barred from reentry

for three years. For a person who is unlawfully present in the U.S. for one year or more consecutively, who then departs, they will be barred from admission to the country for ten years.

The effect of this new policy approach expands the very definition of overstay of a student visa. It allows adjudicators to search for any visa status violation and calculate unlawful presence retroactively without notice. Therefore, even though a person may enter the U.S. on a valid student visa, which most often designates their authorized period of stay as “D/S” (Duration of Status), if at any point after entry this person violates the provisions of their student visa, even if they are not aware of the violation, they may begin to accrue unlawful presence. This accrual of unlawful presence may lead them to being barred from reentering the U.S. in the future.

Maintenance of valid student visa status can be complex, especially with constantly changing laws and policies. It is important for those present in the U.S. on a student visa to consult a knowledgeable immigration attorney who can evaluate their specific circumstances and provide them with expert advice.

*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

celebrity world

Karla Estrada admits she’s in a long distance relationship

By Ferdie Villar ACTRESS and “Magandang Buhay” host Karla Estrada has been very mum about her current love life, but she did share a few personal details about what going on with her privately.

In a press conference for her new movie, “Familia Blondina,” Karla shared that she is in a long distance relationship at the moment. According to her, her boyfriend is based in Colorado, California.

“Ngayon medyo aabutin muna ng tatlong taon bago bumalik. Kasi doon may bagong negosyong tinayo,” Karla said.

The actress-TV host also added that being in a long distance relationship is a first for her.

“Bago ‘to sa akin. Kaya sabi ko, walang masyadong expectations, hindi ko nilalaliman ang pagmamahalan, ang layo e.”

Karla shared that her son, actor Daniel Padilla, knows about her boyfriend now.

“Alam niya (Daniel), kasi nakasama ko na ng matagal yung tao na ‘yon, we’ve been together for seven years,” she said and added, “Katulad nga ng sinabi ko, hindi naman kasi ako mahilig magkwento ng aking buhay pag-ibig.”

The actress said that the most important thing however,

is that she is happy — with or without someone in her life.

For her, seeing that her children are happy in good health is more than enough for her. *** Actress and model Coleen Garcia-Crawford is excited to get back into doing more movies, now that she has signed a five-year contract with VIVA Artist Agency. She is set to do 10 films or more during the duration of her contract.

“More of films, I’m really passionate about film. And I also want to work on more films and I haven’t had a chance lately pero ngayon na ready to go back to work na ako, I’m really excited to work on more

films,” she said during the press conference for her contract signing with VIVA. Although she has left Star Magic’s management, Coleen will still remain a Kapamilya.

“I figured with this new chapter in my life, I really needed a fresh start also and I wanted a new beginning,” she shared.

Coleen also shared that there were no bad feelings about her exit from Star Magic.

“Actually, I was surprised, you know, walang bad feelings talaga and nobody got hurt o offended kasi yun talaga and ikinakatakot ko. I didn’t expect them (Star Magic) to be more understanding,” she said.

Actress and TV host (and “Queen Mother” to actor Daniel Padilla) Karla Estrada recently admitted that she is in a long distance relationship.

Actress and model Coleen Garcia-Crawford is excited to get back into films after signing a five-year contract with VIVA Artist Agency.

Handsome and talented young actor Ruru Madrid is the lead actor in GMA 7/Pinoy TV’s teleserye, “Toda One I Love.”

Beautiful actress Sunshine Cruz is now one of the lead stars of the teleserye, “Inagaw na Bituin.”

Versatile actor Marvin Agustin is one of the lead stars of the newest teleserye, “Inagaw na Bituin.”

Comedian Bentong (Domingo Vusotros Brotamante Jr. in real life) passed away last February 9 at Fairview General Hospital in Quezon City. He was 55.

Actor Marc Gumabao is the leading actor in Anne Curtis’ upcoming film, “Just a Stranger” produced by Viva Films.

Global influencer Bryanboy...

From Page SF2 freebies in exchange for social media exposure.

“There’s nothing wrong with pitching a story or pitching partnerships even if it’s free or not free. But if there are influencers who are looking at this business as a way of getting

EMPLOYMENT

everything for free, you are clearly in the wrong business.”

Kids nowadays should not be blindsided by how glamorous the fashion world looks because, according to Brian, it’s really a tough job that demands so much effort to build the trust of the brands.

“The earlier influencers, I mean, when I started I never thought of it as a business. I never approached anyone and said, ‘oh, I want this for free and I’m going to write about you.’ I only want to promote the things that is authentically me,” he declared.

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING

PSYCHIC

community

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

Immigration Corner

March 2019 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: 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

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current December 01, 2017

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

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 their 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)

Health@Heart PhiliP S. chuA, MD, fAcS, fPcS WHENEVER I take a cab in Manila, I find it most interesting to talk to the driver. Some of them are so eloquent, with a remarkable grasp of our national issues and smart solutions to some 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 Paul Orphanage in Paco, I asked the cab driver named Mario, who was in his 70s, “Ano ang pinaka malaki nating problema sa Pilipinas (What is our greatest problem in the Philippines)?

I was expecting him to say the high prices of commodities or gasoline, or poverty, but he blurted out, “Kurapsyon po (Corruption, sir)!” and, as if I touched a raw nerve, he continued his long serious diatribe citing the pervasive culture of corruption in our government from the top to the bottom

A taxi driver on corruption and how disappointed he has been for half a century of his life that none of the obviously guilty elected officials rotted in jail.

“Kahit na si kurap Erap, na jail, pero parang 5-star hotel ang kanyang preso, at madaling nakalabas…Dapat sa plunder, habang buhay sa kulungan (Even the corrupt Erap – referring to Philippine ex-president Joseph Estrada – was jailed in a prison cell like a 5-star hotel, and was released too soon…For plunder, it should be a lifetime of jail).

“At kahit na napatunayang kriminal na siya at nakulong, nakatakbo pa siya at nanalong alkalde ng Manila (And in spite of his being a convicted criminal 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 corruption, plunder, amassing unexplained wealth, if only the president and our legislators honestly and earnestly want to find out. But if what Mario alleged, that the corruption is “from the top to bottom,” then its is easy to understand why there is no serious move to expose the guilty amongst them for fear of finger pointing and opening the Pandora’s box of snakes and rats. Mario claimed billions of pesos per district on the so-called bidding (actually bogus) for public constructions are lost to kickbacks to legislators/local leaders year after year after year…and that there are countless other ways corrupt

First Preference

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

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 Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or

legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No 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: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

government officials amass illegal wealth from. None of them, he said, are masochistic enough to hurt themselves and their fellow criminals who are protecting each other… shameless bastards!

If all these were true, the money and paper trail could be traced. Even an unschooled person can easily prove unexplained wealth, plunder, and other forms of corruption.

The only questions to ask the suspects are: Did you inherit the hundreds of millions (or billions) in your assets today or did you win your net worth from lottery 1000 multiple times? If yes, where are the documentation and proofs? If not, how much income did you make in grade school, in high school, in college, and all the way to 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 Continued on Page SF6

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

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

March 01, 2018

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

March 01, 2018 December 01, 2017

(Advertising Supplement)

SF6

people & events

The CTV Files

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 1 6

Free oil filter exchange in Lynwood, CA Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event! Everyone is invited to bring in their motor oil and used oil filters on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. It will be held at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 10727 Long Beach Blvd. Lynwood, CA 90262.

Fil-Am book authors give talk in San Pedro, CA Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting three Filipino American authors who will talk about their new books on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 3 - 6:00 p.m. The bookshop is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 105 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA 90731.

The event is free and open to the public. Seats are limited and RSVP is requested. Call 310548-8148 or 310-514-9139 or email: info@philippinebookshop.com. Marvin Gapultos will speak about his newest book, “Pulutan: Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats.” He is the creator of the celebrated food blog Burnt Lumpia, founder of Los Angeles’ first Filipino food truck known as The Manila Machine, and author of “The Adobo Road Cookbook” which was published a few years ago. Jocelyn (Joy) Francisco is the author of “Oh My Kulay! Colors, Fruits & Veggies,” which is an introductory book for young children. It is fully illustrated and written in both English and Filipino. Dalena Haskins Benavente is one of the authors featured in the book, “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe.” Born in Union City, Tennessee, her mother is a Filipina. Danela worked as recipe developer and product taster for Kraft, and she filmed with Paula Deen. All three authors will autograph their books after the Book Talks. If you will be unable to attend, you can order an autographed copy of any of the books by sending an email to: linda_nietes@sbcglobal.net. This is the first event of the bookshop for 2019, and it is part of their ongoing community outreach program to increase the visibility of Filipinos in the City of San Pedro. Established in 1984, the bookshop is now on its 35th year serving Filipinos in the diaspora.

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

Kelsey Merritt is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019 Rookie

by KRISSY AGUILAR Inquirer.net

AFTER her Victoria’s Secret stint, Filipina-American model Kelsey Merritt is now a rookie model for American sports magazine Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019.

Merritt happily announced the news via her Instagram account on Sunday, February 17.

“I’ve been keeping this a secret for a while, and now I’m so excited I get to finally share with you all that I’m the newest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2019 Rookie!!!” Merritt wrote in the caption.

In a separate post on Monday, February 18, the 22year-old model shared a sneak peek of her photoshoot with the sports magazine.

“Can’t wait for the issue to come out in May!!” Merritt said.

Sports Illustrated posted

more photos of Merritt during her photo shoot in the Bahamas via their official Instagram account on Monday.

In a previous interview with the magazine, Merritt shared what modeling for the magazine would mean to her.

“I really want to be a Sports Illustrated model because I love how confident the models are and I want to show everyone who is looking at these pictures and reading the magazine that they can also be confident in their own skin,” she said.

Merritt made headlines last November 2018 after being the first Filipino model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway.

Kelsey Merritt

Photo from Instagram/@kelseymerritt

A taxi driver on corruption...

From Page SF5 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 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 corrupt 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, integrity, dignity, and pride, and escape the shameful and demeaning international condemnation as being a most corrupt country. *** PPhilip 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)

ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ

CHANGES in the selection process of H-1B petitions.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last January 2019 “a final rule amending regulations governing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those that may be eligible for advanced degree exemption.” According to the final rule, “effective April 1, USCIS will first select H-1B petitions (or registrations, once the registration requirement is implemented) submitted on behalf of all beneficiaries, including those that may be eligible for the advanced degree exemption. USCIS will then select from the remaining eligible petitions, a number projected to reach the advanced degree exemption. Changing the order in which USCIS counts these allocations will likely increase the number of petitions for beneficiaries with a master’s or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education to be selected under the H-1B numerical allocations.”

USCIS will begin accepting H-1B cap petitions for FY 2020 on April 1, 2019. The reverse selection order will apply to petitions filed for the FY 2020 H-1B cap season.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA [SELECT a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.]

Ever wonder how the Peach Melba dessert got its name?

It was said that the celebrated French chef Auguste

Keeping up with immigration news Deferred Action (DACA) renewals. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reported that as of January 22, 2019, “the U.S. Supreme court had not taken action on the Trump Administration’s request to expedite a ruling on the court decisions that keep DACA program in place.” The new term for the Supreme Court starts this October 2019.

For now, “DACA protections will likely remain in place” under current court rulings.

Individuals who were previously granted DACA may request renewal of their deferred action and their employment authorization with the appropriate fee or approved fee exemption request at the USCIS designated filing location, and in accordance with instructions in the Form I-821D and form I-765 applications.

USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never been granted deferred action under DACA. Moreover, USCIS will not accept or approve applications for Advance Parole request from DACA recipients.

Credit card payments now accepted for filing fees. USCIS announced last year that it will accept credit cards as a form of payment for certain applications, such as Adjustment Appli-

cations. Previously, USCIS had begun to accept credit cards as a form of payment for Naturalization applications.

Consult with a licensed and experience attorney before filing. While it is very good news that (1) individuals are still able to file for renewal DACA requests; and that (2) more applications are now payable via credit card, individuals must nevertheless proceed with caution when filing for any application with USCIS. Just because it is easier now to file for an application does not mean that you should. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega. com.

(Advertising Supplement)

The Bucket List

Whip Up Your Signature Dish 5th of a Series

“Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories.”

Escoffier named the confection after his friend, the soprano Nellie Melba of Melbourne, Australia. She would dine in the restaurant where he was chef and would give him tickets to the opera where she was the main draw. Nellie Melba was the late 19th century equivalent of a

celebrity these days that could pack opera houses for the elite in London, Paris and New York.

On a historical note, Escoffier partnered with Cesar Ritz (from whose name the term “ritzy” is derived, to mean elegant and first class, and pricey as well) Continued on Page SF7

Paulo Avelino’s sweet side

entertainment

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019

by Nika Roque ManilaTimes.net

WITH the success of primetime teleserye “The General’s Daughter,” where he plays the protective friend Franco Segismundo, Paulo Avelino shows no signs of slowing down and continues to remain humble.

“To be honest, it flatters me when I get good response on what I’ve worked hard on. More than that though, it challenges me to be better.

It’s something that I would constantly remind myself that there’s still a lot to learn and everything I do isn’t perfect,” Avelino told The Manila Times.

“The General’s Daughter is different from anything I’ve done in the past two to three years. I’m happy doing this and portraying another character. I’m also very proud of the people behind it because we all worked hard,” he added.

However, Avelino is more so acknowledged for his big screen outings as with most of them receiving critical acclaim, specifically “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”

“I’m Drunk, I Love You,” in fact, is reportedly due for a sequel although Avelino has never discussed on social media.

“I just don’t believe in overhyping so we’ll talk about

Paulo Avelino in character as Goyo

it when everything’s final,” he said.

So will he be producing the film like he did for “Goyo?” “I probably am.”

“It’s a good thing because it’s interesting to know where both characters eventually ended up. What I wanted sana is after seven years to see the change. They sent me the script and I haven’t read it yet. I probably will one of these days. Let’s see what happens,” Avelino shared.

His cinematic work in “Goyo” on the other hand goes from strength to strength, now earning a spot in Netflix and thus available for viewing by the rest of the world.

“I’m still happy and proud of ‘Goyo’ until now. I feel lucky to work on a big film

The Bucket List...

From Page SF6 to establish the Ritz-Carlton Hotels chain.

From the book, “Memories of My Life” by Auguste Escoffier, here’s the original recipe good for 6 that he created for Peach Melba.

“Choose 6 tender and perfectly ripe peaches. The Montreuil peach, for example, is perfect for this dessert.

Blanch the peaches for 2 seconds in boiling water, remove them immediately with a slotted spoon, and place them in iced water for a few seconds.

Peel them and place them on a plate, sprinkle them with a little sugar, and refrigerate them.

Prepare a liter of very creamy vanilla ice cream and a purée of 250 grams of very fresh ripe raspberries crushed through a fine sieve and mixed with 150 grams of powdered sugar.

Refrigerate.

To serve: Fill a silver timbale with the vanilla ice cream.

Delicately place the peaches on top of the ice cream and cover with the raspberry purée. Optionally, during the almond season, one can add a few slivers of fresh almonds on top, but never use dried almonds.”

Signature dishes are not just for the rich and famous. They are for you and me, as well.

Choose just one dish. Just one from many possibilities…

Choose a scrumptiously delicious one. Work on it many times until you can do it from scratch without looking at your cheat sheet and it becomes a masterpiece.

Cook it for family gatherings or potluck events. Cook it until they clamor for you to bring it because your dish is memorable.

You notice that people come for seconds until it’s all gone. Clean plate and happy faces —the mark of a culinary success…

Congratulations! You’ve created your signature dish. You have placed your name on it.

Best of all, you’ve created gastronomic memories, quite hard to forget because, believe you me, the gut remembers.

I have met many who have done this and it is a source of joy specially when shared with many.

My friend Angel cooked Spanish Paella with original ingredients from Spain and with great flourish wearing a chef’s hat and risqué apron of washboard abs, in a class reunion held in their mountain view home. It was delicious and memorable.

Two of my sisters, Olga and Evelyn, bake Sans Rival and indeed, nothing rivals their concoction. Fresh lumpiang sariwa, with many hours of chopping, slicing and dicing of the ingredients is my mother’s and eldest sister, Olga’s signature dish. There is Agnes Jovellana’s delightful original espasol which she prepares for her parties.

My sister Mitch of San Antonio, Texas prepared Buttered Mochi and her baked dish was a hit. I do a simple potato soup with

bacon that is popular in the winter time. The millenials in our family love it. My daughterin-law Elia, prepares her special recipe for Turkey with bacon on Thanksgiving and draws rave reviews from the family. My son, Rene, prepares delightful chocolate ice cream, from scratch and there is never enough. A colleague, Malou Halili-Case who hails from Pampanga (famous for women who cook heavenly dishes) prepared Dinuguan, on slow cooker and it was special and memorable. Team it up with puto and, Voila, you have a wonderful meal.

If you don’t have any signature dish, get cracking and work on one, just one dish you can enjoy preparing and put your mark on. With time and practice, you will get better at it. Choose one that is popular with most taste buds. Don’t let your ego rule trying to reinvent the wheel and try an exotic dish, like alligator soup, for instance.

Nix the labels low calorie, low fat, gluten free, low carb. It is a bit of a downer when you have to work within limiting parameters. It doesn’t have to be original but it must be pleasing to most taste buds within your orbit of friends and family.

Oftentimes, it could be just a tweak on an existing, tested recipe with a secret ingredient or a different technique of doing.

Make it simple, easy and fun.

Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories. Remember that Jesus Christ in his time ate bread, fish and drank wine with his disciples on many occasions.

Those were the staples of his time and salt was the flavoring.

He multiplied the bread and fish as He fed thousands who followed him to hear his teachings.

Jesus knew how important it was to make a connection. He still connects with us two thousand years later in the Holy Eucharist at Mass when bread and wine are consecrated and become His body and blood. It is a daily reminder of how God loves us — so much He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may live forever.

We use food to feed our bodies and make a connection with others. Partaking of the Eucharist to feed our souls in order to make a connection with the divine is the other aspect worth pursuing as part of our bucket list.

Food is a blessing, a visual and visceral aid, that makes our life here on earth so wonderfully engaging.

Make your signature dish and the joys they have caused to yourself and others part of the wonderful memories etched in your soul forever.

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

Photo courtest of TBA Studios

like this in terms of Philippine cinema. Not just how big the production is and how long people have prepared for it but also because it’s so nice to work on a film na hindi tinipid,” the ever-passionate actor shared.

But believe it or not, the debonair actor is generally uncomfortable in such scenes, adding, “I’m really awkward to make pa-kilig in general, but with the direction of Yam Llaranas it all worked out.”

Asked in what ways he shows his sweet side, he finally replied, “Ako kasi, I find sweetness in the simplest of gestures like for example kung may nalaglag, tutulungan kong pulutin. Just making an extra effort to help you do something, that’s sweet in itself.”

LUNCH TO HONOR OUTGOING, INCOMING PDOTSF DIRECTORS. Consular officials, and representatives from Philippine Airlines and air travel consolidators gathered on February 4, 2019 at the Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in San Francisco to honor outgoing Tourism Director Pura Molintas and welcome incoming Tourism Director Marie Soleil Tropicales. Director Molintas, who served as PDOTSF head for the last four years, thanked consular officials and the travel partners of the PDOT for their support during her tenure. She also disclosed that she had not anticipated becoming the Tourism Director for the SF office, but fell in love with the Bay Area during a visit prior to her appointment. Incoming Director Tropicales, meanwhile, told those attending about her excitement as she looks forward to working with both officials and the community in promoting the Philippines as a travel destination. Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr. led consular officials in thanking Director Molintas for her service, and also pledged the assistance of the consulate to Director Tropicales as she settles in to her post.

AJPress photos by Joseph Peralta

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 22, 2019