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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2020

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 31 - No. 5 • 16 Pages

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Duterte bars PH Cabinet members from traveling to US by DARRYL JOHN

ESGUERRA

Inquirer.net

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 41st Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace last September 4, 2019. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, January 29, barred members of the Cabinet from traveling to the United States, days after he ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and its longtime military ally. “I will not allow any Cabinet member to go there at this time. No Cabinet member should be allowed to go to the United States,” Duterte told reporters in an interview. The president also stressed that he is now slowly “toning

Filipina American basketball coach among victims of Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

USA

DATELINE Supreme Court allows ‘public charge’ rule expansion that could impact legal immigration FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE United States Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with enforcing changes to the public charge rule that could deny legal permanent residency status to certain immigrants if they are likely to require government assistance in the future. In a 5-4 vote on Monday, January 27, the conservative-leaning high court ruled in favor of the administration’s request to lift a lower court injunction that blocked the policy change from taking effect last October. The liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, voted to stop the policy from moving forward.

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Fil-Am pastor among members sworn into Trump’s AAPI advisory commission A FILIPINO American pastor was among the 13 members sworn into President Donald Trump’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by Vice President Mike Pence on Monday, January 27. Herman Martir, a pastor based in Fort Worth, Texas, was present as Pence administered the oath during a Lunar New Year celebration at the White House. Martir told the Asian Journal in an email that it is ”an honor” to “serve our nation and the Asian Pacific American community.” “As a member of President Trump’s AAPI Commission, I will do my best to represent the issues affecting Filipino Americans and every Asian Pacific American,” Martir added. “I will continue to work hard to help improve the quality of life of our communities.” Also sworn in were Dr. Paul S. Hsu of Florida; Congresswoman Amata C. Radewagen of American Samoa; Governor Eddie Calvo of Guam; Doris Flores Brooks of Guam; Grace Y. Lee of

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REMEMBERING THE BLACK MAMBA. A basketball fan pays his last respects to Kobe “Black Mamba” Bryant at a memorial spot set up at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday, January 28. Bryant was killed with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday, January 26. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

by AJPRESS A FILIPINA American coach was one of nine passengers, along with basketball icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, killed in the helicopter that crashed outside Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26. Christina Mauser, 38, was an Photo shows Fil-Am Christina Mauser (left) and her husband Matt before assistant coach for Gianna Brya Lakers game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Mauser, an assistant coach for a Mamba Academy basketball team, was one of the nine victims of ant’s Mamba Academy basketball team, a job that 41-year-old Brya helicopter crash that also killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Photo courtesy of the Mauser family ant hand-selected her for.

The passengers aboard the Sikorsky S-76B helicopter were traveling to a basketball game at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, when the crash occurred in Calabasas. In a phone interview on the “TODAY” show on Monday, Mauser’s husband Matt shared that she leaves behind three young children ages 3, 9 and 11. “I got three small kids and am trying to figure out how to navi-

Duterte may fire more officials over corruption index ranking by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippines’ lower ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has prodded the current administration to fire more corrupt officials. The CPI is released by Transparency International, evaluating countries using a scale of zero to 100 where zero translated to “highly corrupt” while 100 meant “every clean.” In the 2019 index, the Philippines ranked 113th out of 180 countries, slipping 14 places from its 99th ranking in 2018. “It will goad us to sack more corrupt officials, provided, of course, there is evidence to show that they are,” said presidential

gate life with three kids and no mom,” Matt Mauser said in the interview. He also shared that Bryant selected Mauser for the assistant coach position and called her a “Mother of Defense.” “Kobe brought her on (to the Mambas) to teach the kids defense,” he said. “He didn’t really understand zone defense because he never played it in high school or college. They called her the

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spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday, January 27. “The problem is this: There are many complaints of corruption but the president, as a lawyer, needs certain documentary and testimonial evidence to give him the basis. And many Filipinos are still afraid to reveal themselves, or to give the evidence of the sort,” he added. According to the CPI 2019 report, vibrant economic powers like China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines “continue to struggle to tackle corruption,”citing the Hundreds of fans flocked to Staples Center, home to the Los Angeles Lakers, on Sunday restrictions on participation in public af- afternoon to pay tribute to Bryant. AJPress photo by Victor Sy fairs, the supposed effort to silence dissenting voices, and keeping the decision-making out of public scrutiny as reasons.

How Kobe Bryant inspired a PH gov’t to bring home Filipinos from global community of on and off the court Wuhan, Hubei amid coronavirus threat Filipinos, Filipino Americans recall the Black by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, January 28, said the Philippine government is ready to bring home Filipinos from the Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (nCoV). Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has ordered the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai, China to immediately start processing Filipinos in the Hubei province who wish to be repatriated to the Philippines. He added that there will be two private charter airlines that will fly from the China province to the Philippines.

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Following the Department of Health guidelines, repatriated Filipinos from China will be subjected to 14 days of mandatory quarantine. Meanwhile, Filipinos who wish to remain in China were advised by the DFA to cooperate and follow local authorities’ advisories amid the nCoV outbreak. Both the United States and Japan have recently repatriated hundreds of their nationals from Wuhan, where more than 50 million people have been locked down. Reports from the latest data showed that there have been 132 deaths from nCoV, with more than 6,000 confirmed cases.

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Mamba and what made him a standout superstar, philanthropist and ally by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

had died including Bryant’s 13year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” THE air in Los Angeles was Bryant, the world seemed to still on Sunday, January 26. stop. TMZ first broke the news of Sunday brought forth worldKobe Bryant being killed in a wide shock and confusion. Los helicopter crash near Calabasas, Angeles was a city in disbelief: California, and nobody wanted distraught fans flocked to the to believe it. When more details Staples Center to cope, many were released and it was con- hoisted up Lakers flags on their firmed eight other passengers u PAGE 2

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january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

From The FronT Page

Duterte bars PH cabinet members... PAGE 1 down” the relations between the Philippines and the U.S. Duterte ordered the termination of the military pact after the U.S. canceled the visa of his longtime confidant Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who has also led his bloody war on drugs. The VFA, signed in 1998, accorded legal status to U.S. troops

who were rotated in the country for military exercises and humanitarian assistance operations. Dela Rosa, who was Duterte’s chief of police from 2016 to 2018, said the U.S. Embassy did not explain why his visa was voided but he acknowledged it has something to do with alleged extrajudicial killings under his watch. Since he took office in 2016,

Duterte has publicly aired his disdain for the U.S.—the country’s most important military ally and former colonizer—and his desire to pivot to China and Russia. This was not the first time Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA. But the firebrand leader claimed that he is “not joking” with the termination fo the VFA. “I am terminating the VFA. I was not joking. The day I said it was the day that I decided it should be terminated,” he said. n

Filipina American basketball coach... PAGE 1 Mother of Defense. MOD.” For 11 years, she was a physical education teacher and basketball coach at Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar, where Gianna was a student. “He didn’t choose Christina [as his assistant coach] for just any ordinary reason,” Matt Mauser said. “She was extraordinary… She was warm, incredibly bright, technologically savvy.” Mauser’s cousin Melanie Ramil wrote on Facebook, “My beautiful, loving cousin Christina Mauser was one of those who perished in the crash. We are beyond heartbroken. I share this to ask for your prayers for our family, especially her husband and three young kids, and to hug your loves so tightly today and always.” In addition to the Bryants and Mauser, the victims of Sunday’s crash were also Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter, Alyssa; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton; and Ara Zobayan, who was Bryant’s private pilot. Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester both played for Mamba Academy as well. Gianna was expected to play in a game, while Bryant coached, Lady Mavericks team director Evelyn Morales told CNN. “I just want people to know how amazing my wife was,” Matt Mauser said in an interview with ABC News. “I want everybody to know not only about my wife, but about the other people on that helicopter that were amazing people. Including Gianna and KB. It was a helicopter full of incredibly talented, hardworking, sweet, kind, fantastic people.” n

A memorial is set up by a basketball court in Calabasas, California on Sunday, January 26, hours after news reports said Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, perished in a helicopter crash in this city 30 miles outside of Downtown LA. AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

How Kobe Bryant inspired a global... PAGE 1

cars, and crying together on the street were strangers finding meaning in what just happened. Slowly, the realization is settling in for fans everywhere that the 41-year-old beloved NBA MVP, lifetime Los Angeles Laker, and dedicated philanthropist had tragically passed away. A collective sadness washed over the entire Southland and the global community of Bryant fans, leaving a deep, emotional wound that will surely take a long while to heal. For Los Angeles, the 20-year lifelong Laker was even more than a luminary who broke records and directly inspired young athletes; he was a part of our families. “The Lakers were everything to him, and LA was everything to him. He really loved LA and his name will always, always be synonymous to the Lakers and to LA,” said Filipina American media personality Jen Braff in a phone interview with the Asian Journal. She was the nanny and personal assistant to the celebrated late owner of the Lakers Jerry Buss for 25 years. “His passing is a lot for everyone, and he was a part of all our families,” Braff who spent a lot of time in close proximity to the team during Bryant’s heyday. “We watched him grow, we felt his pain and we lived it along with him. I don’t think other parts of the country understand this grieving we have for Kobe. He wasn’t just this basketball player to us.” Braff added, “He was someone who was in our home. That’s why people are grieving so deeply because he was really a part of our tradition and our culture. He was family.” She first met Bryant when he was a 17-year-old rookie who wasn’t even playing on the team yet. From that moment she knew he was different. Throughout his career she had a pedestrian view of Bryant’s famous Mamba Mentality, seeing him hone his craft with laser-focus, play through injuries and remain steadfast and committed to winning championships. “Growth isn’t even a big enough word. He just soared,” Braff shared. “He had that kind of presence that you could feel, even as a teenager. When he walked into the room, you could feel it. And to watch him mature and seeing his talent just blossom right in front of your eyes.” A beacon of hope for Filipinos Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines, stemming from a deeply-ingrained adoration borne from the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird and Julius “Dr. J” Irving. But no other athlete has made a greater impact than Kobe Bryant. To much of the international community, Bryant was more than just a fixture on highlight reels, especially among Filipinos. Throughout his 20-year career as a lifelong Laker, he inspired generations of Filipinos through his

Fans leave flowers, candles and signs in honor of Bryant at the Staples Center, where he played for many years with the Lakers.

record-breaking athletic prowess: the countless buzzer-beaters, the 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors the superhuman endurance that allowed him to play through injuries and illnesses. “I think Kobe represented what we like best about ourselves as Filipinos,” LA-based entrepreneur Celeste Perez told the Asian Journal. “He worked hard and you could see it, which is a trait many of us value, especially [for immigrants]. What made him different for us Filipinos in LA was that he was accessible. Our kids could go and meet him, play in his basketball camps, be inspired and see him play up close and in person week after week.” In a heart-rendering Facebook post, Perez also recalled a time when she and her family had run into Bryant at the Universal City Walk in 1996. The then-16-yearold had just been signed to the Lakers and was hanging out by himself, going unrecognized in a crowd for possibly the last time in his life. Perez wrote that when they approached him and asked if he was Kobe Bryant, “I clearly remember his face lighting up when she asked if he was Kobe Bryant. He motioned for all of us to come over, and so we all did.” The family had run out of film for a photo and didn’t have any paper or pens to ask for an autograph, but Perez remembers Bryant greeting “our entire family warmly, answering all of our questions.” According to Perez, after he had declined an offer to have dinner with the family, Bryant “tracked” the family down at Bubba Gump’s and gave the family postcards with his signature. He stayed with Perez’s family who “promised we’d watch every one of his games as a Laker.”

“Kobe inspired so many of us, in my family and in this town. From him we learned to never be afraid to be the best, to demand excellence from yourself and those around you, and to commit yourself to your craft, your family, whatever it is you choose to create,” Perez wrote. It seemed that Bryant transcended the traditional bounds of athletic stardom and became the champion for hard work, humility, and community for Filipinos everywhere. Brian Valdez, who lives in the San Gabriel Valley, has been a diehard Lakers fan for more than 20 years, taking his wife and kids to meet players, including the Black Mamba himself. Valdez is a proud collector of Lakers memorabilia and, like so many Filipino who became fans in the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era, said that Bryant solidified his love for the Lakers. “I never really felt that I looked up to him in the beginning. He was younger and in typical Asian fashion you don’t really look up to people who are younger, but that quickly changed as the years of following him went by,” Valdez shared with the Asian Journal. “I noticed a young man perfecting his craft, dedicating his life to his craft and although no one is perfect this guy came close to it on the court. I learned to be passionate and give it my all in everything I do, no half-ass actions. Either you do it 150% or you don’t do it at all,” Valdez added, remarking that, to him, Bryant was an “icon who went through life chasing perfection while living in an imperfect world.” As a player during the offseason, Bryant began embarking on a yearly Asia tour where he would host speaking events and PAGE 3

TRIBUTE TO BLACK MAMBA. Tenement visual artists at Tenement in Taguig City painted a mural of former NBA legend Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna at the center court of the housing unit, as a tribute to their legacy before father and daughter’s untimely death. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

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Duterte may fire more officials over... PAGE 1 Panelo, for his part, admitted that the administration is struggling against corruption, reasoning that “the president’s hands are tied by the due process clause of the Constitution.” “It would be different if all of

these have been appointed by the president, you can just dismiss them outright. You have to file charges against them, you need evidence to back your complaint,” he said. However, Panelo insisted that the administration’s anti-corrup-

Dateline USa

tion effort is not a failure. “We’ve been fighting corruption and as we have seen, the president has been firing top officials. And the complaints against erring government officials have been charged in the Ombudsman and in courts,” he said. n

Fil-Am pastor among members sworn into...

PAGE 1 Michigan; Prem Parameswaran of New York; Michelle P. Steel of California; Chiling Tong of Maryland; Jennifer Carnahan of Minnesota; George Leing of Colorado; Jan-Ie Low of Nevada; and Keiko Orrall of Massachusetts. In his remarks, the vice president said there is “a lot to celebrate” this year. “The American economy is soaring, and Asian Americans are driving capital investment and growth and job creation in cities and towns, large and small, all across the land,” Pence said, citing data that it’s been under 3% since 2019. By serving on the commission, Pence said the members will work to ensure that more AAPIs are “able to prosper and enjoy the American Dream.”

Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross — co-chairs of the White House Initiative on AAPIs — along with Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia, also gave remarks at the event. Additionally, the special new postage stamp commemorating the Year of the Golden Rat was unveiled by Chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors Robert M. “Mike” Duncan at a special stamp dedication ceremony. “U.S. postage stamps help our nation celebrate its diverse cultural heritage, and we are grateful for the opportunity to mark this important holiday and its traditions,” Duncan said. Trump signed an executive order last May to advance the “economic empowerment” of AAPIs, which re-establishes the

president’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs and the White House Initiative on AAPIs. The president appointed several AAPI leaders from across the country to the commission last January. According to the order, both groups work to “broaden access by AAPI employers and communities to economic resources and opportunities” and collect data for AAPI populations through all agencies of the federal government. The first White House Initiative on AAPIs was established through an executive order by former President Bill Clinton in 1999 and subsequently renewed by former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Considered the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., AAPIs account for more than 6% of the country’s population. (AJPress)

Thirteen Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders took their oath of office — administered by Vice President Mike Pence (fourth from left) — to officially become part of President Donald Trump’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs on Monday, Jan. 27 at the White House. White House photo by D. Myles Cullen

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-fEbRUARy 5, 2020

How Kobe Bryant inspired a global... PAGE 2 host basketball workshops in which he would teach young aspiring ballers the fundamentals of the game. The Philippines, a country in which basketball is embedded in the national identity, fell in love with Bryant in a big way. Bryant first visited the Philippines in 1998, but when he first began his Asia tour in the 2000s, he made it a point to revisit the country several times, which he had so warmly welcomed him and canonized him as a national hero. The news of Bryant’s passing cast a shadow over the Philippines. In the 24 hours after his passing artists, fans and other residents came together to paint an on-court mural of the NBA legend and his daughter in The Tenement residential complex in Taguig. On the day of Bryant’s passing, Valenzuela City in Metro Manila had inaugurated the “House of Kobe” a community center with a basketball court adorned with murals and photographs of the Laker. “I can’t understand it. Just 12 hours’ gap from ribbon cutting and hearing the news,” said Congressman Eric Martinez of Valenzuela City who was behind the construction of the House of Kobe. “Everyone has been fighting back tears today.” Actress and singer Jules Aurora met Bryant when she sang the national anthem at a U.S. Women’s Soccer game last summer. On Instagram, she shared a video of her greeting Bryant on the field and reminisced on the impact Bryant had on the world “My heart is still so heavy just thinking about the families that lost their loved ones yesterday,” Aurora wrote. “Tragedies like this remind us that tomorrow is never promised and to make the most of the precious time we have in this life. It is truly mind-blowing to see the powerful impact #Kobe has made on so many people... through his career, his mindset, his dedication to his family, and the messages he spreads.” Giving back Perhaps one of the most prolific things about Kobe Bryant was his dedication to sharing his knowledge. As he grew into a team leader and began mentoring younger guys on his team, he became a teacher, a sensei on the paint. That manifested itself into youth basketball camps, speaking events, and workshops teach-

Brian Valdez, also known as @thelakercollector on Instagram, shared a throwback photo of him and Bryant and memories of the times he met the late basketball icon.

Filipina American handbag designer Gina Alexander (2nd from left) and her family pose with Kobe Bryant (center) during a philanthropy event in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Gina Alexander

ing the fundamentals. On the day of his death, he was en route to his Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, a large facility for athletes of all ages and genders to hone their athletic performance through physical and mental training. But as a philanthropist, Bryant also found it important to teach aspiring athletes who come from disenfranchised communities, including the Filipinos. Filipina-American handbag designer and philanthropist Gina Alexander developed a close working relationship with Bryant and his wife Vanessa through the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF). Bryant’s team had reached out to Alexander after seeing her designs in People Magazine and asked her to create bags for his eldest daughter, Natalia. A philanthropist herself who works with underserved kids in the Philippines, Alexander asked Bryant

if she could bring some kids to his basketball academy. Bryant told Alexander that that was something he had been planning to do, and Alexander was able to bring a group of lucky youngsters to meet and train with the Black Mamba himself. “You have this global icon whom so many people try to get near, and here he is treating all these kids like his own,” Alexander shared with the Asian Journal. “It really showed me a lot about his character and just know how much he loves kids and giving what he can to kids.” There was one moment in particular during the camp when a 9-year-old Filipino boy named Vincent, who had never been out of the Philippines, began crying hysterically. Unsure of what to do, the other kids and staff tried consoling the young boy. “It was like serendipity; Kobe and Vanessa walk in and they tell Vincent, ‘It’s going to be okay. PAGE 5

january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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Dateline USa

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-fEbRUARy 5, 2020

Trump administration places travel PH not on list of countries eligible restrictions on pregnant women for H-2A and H-2B visa programs New rule would bar pregnant women who are suspected of traveling to the U.S. solely to give birth

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

UNITED STATES embassies across the globe received a note from the U.S. State Department on Thursday, January 23, ordering consular officials to deny visas to pregnant women whom they suspect are coming to the U.S. to give birth, thereby giving birth to U.S. citizens. The rule has taken effect as of Friday, January 24 when it was published in the Federal Register. The rule is intended to curb what the administration is calling “birth tourism.” Traveling to the U.S. to give birth isn’t illegal, but there have been few cases of nefarious acts of birth tourism related to visa fraud or tax evasion. According to the official State Department mandate, the Trump administration “considers birth tourism as an inappropriate basis” on which to issue temporary visitor visas. “An entire birth tourism industry has evolved to assist pregnant women from other countries to come to the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States, and thereby entitle their children to the benefits of U.S. citizenship,” the State Department said. It also claimed that “birth tourism poses risks to national security” and has been linked with “criminal activity.” The State Department did not provide a figure for how many babies were born due to birth tourism, but it estimates that “thousands of children” are born in the U.S. each year to people who are visiting on nonimmigrant visas.

“Closing this glaring immigration loophole will combat these endemic abuses and ultimately protect the United States from the national security risks created by this practice,” the White House wrote in a statement, adding that the practice of giving birth to “anchor babies” poses a threat to “overburden valuable hospital resources.” Pregnant women coming to the U.S. for medical treatment are now required to provide thorough proof that the travel is medically necessary and that they are able to pay for the treatment and other costs. Since his presidential campaign, President Donald Trump has been promising to put an end to birthright citizenship — the constitutional guarantee that anyone born in the U.S. is an American — as part of his stringent immigration agenda. Immigration experts and attorneys have warned of Trump’s “invisible wall” — the barrage of proposals and new policies designed to curb channels of legal immigration — and see this rule as a part of that overarching goal. Traveling to the U.S. while pregnant is not illegal, and the rule raises concerns on the feasibility of carrying out the rule, especially in relation to a woman’s privacy. The State Department document does not detail how border officers or other Homeland Security officials will be able to tell if a woman is pregnant or has plans to become pregnant. Consular officers currently don’t have the right to ask women if they are pregnant or if they expect to become pregnant, but according to a State Department official, they will take into ac-

count “the totality of the circumstances and what comes out in the interview.” Tom Jawetz, an immigration lawyer and vice president of immigration policy at the Center for American Progress, told the Washington Post that “the rule itself invites discrimination against women. If you have consular officers who are looking for opportunities to restrict access to the immigration system, this provides a bit of a tool to do so.” Tangential to the new rule, Trump’s goal to eliminate birthright citizenship challenges the constitutional guarantee established in 1868: the 14th Amendment affirms that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” This guarantee has been interpreted as protections of jus soli, or, “right of the soil,” to children born in the U.S., even if their parents are not U.S. citizens or lack legal permanent residency. The rule challenging birth tourism was likely motivated after a string of instances, the latest of which resulted in the first criminal charges of birth tourism were filed last year. Last July, 19 people were arrested for their involvement in a 2015 raid of so-called “maternity hotels” in which mothers-to-be paid between $15,000 to $50,000 to give birth in the U.S., according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation mostly catered to wealthy Chinese clients in Southern California, and those who were charged were accused of operating under the name USA Happy Baby, Inc., according to unsealed documents from the Dept. of Justice. n

Supreme Court allows ‘public charge’ rule... PAGE 1 The White House lauded the decision as a “massive win for American taxpayers, American workers, and the American Constitution.” Originally published by the Department of Homeland Security in August 2019, the public charge rule expands the test immigration officials use on immigrants to determine whether or not government programs will be incoming their sole source of financial, nutritional and shelter support. “It is very clear the U.S. Supreme Court is fed up with these national injunctions by judges who are trying to impose their policy preferences instead of enforcing the law and we see this again with the Supreme Court stepping in the way they have here and we very much appreciate it,” Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, said in a statement hailing the ruling. If a legal immigrant uses one or more designated benefits for more than 12 months of a 36-month period, they may be deemed a “public charge,” which could threaten their chances at getting a green card or lawful permanent resident status. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government has been allowed to reject granting green cards to immigrants who were determined to be a public charge. However, the proposed changes look at whether a per-

son has used or is likely to use programs like most forms of Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Section 8 housing vouchers and assistance. The rule was supposed to take effect on October 15, 2019, but lawsuits filed by numerous states and nonprofit organizations put a temporary halt to it. “The Rule is simply a new agency policy of exclusion in search of a justification,” Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge George Daniels wrote last October. “It is repugnant to the American dream of the opportunity for prosperity and success through hard work and upwards mobility.” With around 544,000 individuals who apply for green cards each year, 382,000 of them are in categories that would fall under the expanded test, the Associated Press said in a report. Critics of the new public charge rule have said that its implementation would punish immigrant families and would result in many families being forced to choose between maintaining immigration status or meeting basic needs like food. Many experts also say that Monday’s ruling will deepen the “chilling effect.” Already, agencies and organizations around the country have reported declining enrollees for certain programs. “This move by the Supreme Court is deeply disheartening

and harmful for our low-income communities of color and our democracy,” Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said in a statement on Monday. A study by the Urban Institute published in May found that 1 in 7 adults in immigrant families reported avoiding public benefit programs in 2018 out of fear that they’d possibly endanger their future green card status. Heng Lam Foong, senior policy manager with the Health Access Project at Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, previously told the Asian Journal that when the rule was first proposed, that about 3.8 million Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants relied on some form of public benefit to make ends meet. The rule is not retroactive, however, meaning that if an immigrant used these programs in the past, that won’t factor into any future public charge test to which they may be subjected. The court’s ruling on Monday allows the rule to push through in every state except for Illinois because it is part of a separate injunction. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state is reviewing the decision and will “continue to fight against these efforts to terrorize immigrant families.” In the meantime, advocates encourage immigrants to seek immigration advice if they are concerned about the ruling. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

How Kobe Bryant inspired a global... PAGE 3 You’re family to us now. We love you. I know you miss your mom but just know you have family now here,’” Alexander recounted. And this kind of solidarity for athletes — of all skill levels, ages, and genders — was the foundation of Bryant’s post-retirement second act, imparting pearls of wisdom to future basketball players as well as female athletes, not the least of which include his very own daughter, Gianna. After retiring in 2016, Bryant began coaching the MAMBAs, Gianna’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team of middle schoolers, a move that confused a lot of fans, remarked Filipina American policy expert and lifelong Lakers fan Stephanie Uy, who considered Bryant’s devotion to women’s professional sports as one of his most admirable traits. “People maybe thought he should do something that they considered greater, like why wouldn’t he put his helm to use for some greater caliber of sport?” Uy said. “But I think by focusing on his daughter’s team and middle school women’s basketball, he was saying, ‘Hey, women’s sports matters, too. They deserve equity and respect and visibility.’”

An unidentified woman in Calabasas, California on Sunday, January 26 holds up an April 2016 issue of the Los Angeles Times marking Kobe Bryant’s retirement. AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

In the last few years of his life, Bryant uplifted the world of women’s sports, whether it was taking his family to see the U.S. Women’s Soccer team win the World Cup in 2019, regularly attending WNBA games, mentoring female college basketball players and celebrating women dominating the world of professional sports like tennis players Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.

“He put the WNBA on the map more than any other professional athlete,” Uy shared. “He shone a spotlight on women’s sports, and I think it was because he was a father of four daughters. He saw the potential in Gigi and wanted her to know that she could join the WNBA and play college ball, that this was a career path that women can successfully pursue.” n

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), announced last week the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H2B visa programs in 2020. For 2020, the acting secretary of Homeland Security has determined, with the concurrence of the Office of the Secretary of State, that the countries designated as eligible in 2019 will remain unchanged. This means that nationals of the Philippines are still not eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Last year, DHS removed the Philippines along with Dominican Republic (H-2B only) and Ethiopia “because they no longer meet the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs.” According to a Federal Register document, the Philippines had a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, DHS estimated that nearly 40 percent of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed

their period of authorized stay. The H-2A visa program allows U.S. employers to hire agricultural workers with some restrictions while the H-2B visa is a federal seasonal worker visa program. There are 84 countries designated to be eligible for the agricultural visa program and 81 countries are eligible for the seasonal work visa because they continue to meet the regulatory standards. Additionally, for the Philippines, the report said that among all U.S. posts throughout the world, U.S. Embassy Manila issues the greatest number of T-derivative visas, which are reserved for certain family members of principal T-1 nonimmigrants (certain victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons). U.S. Embassy Manila issued approximately 40 percent of the total Tderivative visas issued worldwide from FY 2014-2016. According to the document, a recent review of certain T-1 status recipients, whose spouses were issued T-2 visas during this same period, shows that approximately 60 percent were determined to have been trafficked to the United States on H-2B visas.

“DHS and DOS are concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines,” the report said. The Philippines was removed from the list of eligible countries last year because DHS and DOS believe that these overstay and human trafficking concerns are severe enough to warrant removal from the programs. The DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at any time DHS and DOS determine that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include, but are not limited to, fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country. n

PH gov’t to bring home Filipinos from Wuhan...

PAGE 1 PH halts visa issuance to travelers from Hubei province Dulay also announced that the department has suspended visa issuances to people coming from the Hubei province in China. “Pursuant to the IATF on (2019 novel coronavirus) resolution, DFA has temporarily suspended the issuance of Philippine visas to travelers from Hubei Province, China, effectively immediately,” he said in a tweet. The health department’s Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, for its part, has approved the recommendation to “propose temporary restrictions on the issuance of visas for travelers coming from Hubei Province of China.” Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said all visa issuances to visitors from Wuhan and other areas in China should be suspended. “Visa upon arrival lang ang suspended para sa mga Chinese. Yung tours, delegates, at businessmen, tulad nung cruise ships sa Subic, tuloy-tuloy pa. Dapat lahat (Only the visa upon arrival was

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Inquirer.net photo

suspended for the Chinese. The visa for tours, delegates, and businessmen like the cruise ships in Subic, are still on-going. It should be all),” he said Wednesday. “[W]hat is the rule for the thousands of Chinese arrivals? Bakit mga turistang Chinese galing China sakay ng cruise ship as per Bureau of Quarantine at Coast Guard, walang quarantine? Dahil ba may pampadulas ang mga bisita kaya labas-pasok sila? (Why are the tourists from China aboard a cruise ship as per Bureau of Quarantine and Coast Guard, why aren’t they quarantined? Is it because they have the means to bribe which is

how they can go in and out?)” he added. Pangilinan also urged the Department of Health and Malacañang to act fast, and forbid tourists from China to enter the country as long as there is an outbreak. There have been no confirmed cases of nCoV in the Philippines, according to the DOH. “Twenty-seven pero three nadischarge na so 24 ang admitted pa (There were 27 PUIs [Persons Under Investigation] but three were discharged so 24 are still admitted),” DOH spokesperson Eric Domingo said Tuesday, January 28. n

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JANUARY 30-FERUARY 5, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

Permanent evacuation

VOLCANOLOGISTS have been saying it all along: there is a danger zone around Taal Volcano where human settlement should have been prohibited decades ago. The volcano has manifested its fury several times in recorded history, with its eruptions destroying several lakeshore communities and redrawing the map of Batangas. Now, with a humanitarian crisis emerging in the long wait for Taal to again do its worst – or else simmer down – government officials are reported to be seriously considering the permanent relocation of communities within a 14-kilometer-radius danger zone. The proposal reportedly has the support of a majority of Cabinet members. This will require substantial funds that must be properly invested in the efficient development of permanent settlements. It also must consider what will be done to the areas that may have to be abandoned for good. Although devastated by ashfall, most of the houses, schools, offices, commercial and industrial establishments as well as public works infrastructure remain intact and, with a bit of cleanup, will still be in good working condition if ever the feared major eruption does not come to pass. It would be difficult to persuade people to leave such areas for good. Even now, with Alert Level 4 still in place around the danger zone but with volcanic activity appearing to simmer down, affected residents are already eager to return home at their own risk. Still, declaring at least the Volcano Island as a permanent

no-man’s land is worth considering. A less complicated measure to pursue at this point is the development of permanent evacuation centers. Despite a continuing stream of donations delivered to evacuation centers for two weeks now since Taal’s phreatic explosion on Jan. 12, the situation in the temporary shelters can only deteriorate. Health officials have noted the poor hygiene and sanitation facilities that lower immunity to harmful organisms. Crowding facilitates infection. Serious health conditions are aggravated by the stress of evacuation and the uncertainty of lost livelihoods. Education officials are also urging policy makers to stop using public schools as evacuation centers, because it disrupts the education even of children outside the high-risk areas. With regular occurrences of destructive typhoons, floods and earthquakes, the country has needed decent, permanent evacuation centers for a long time. Perhaps with the situation around Taal, efforts will finally get underway to meet this need. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Why I’m running for president of the United States

Commentary

ANDREW YANG I’M Andrew Yang, and I’m running for President of the United States. I’m the first Asian American man to run as a Democrat, and, like many of you, I’m a firstgeneration American. My parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan, met in college, and started a family in New York. Growing up, my parents instilled in me pride in my heritage and in this country. They came here to provide their future children with opportunities they didn’t have. This campaign and the response to it are proof that immigrants make this country stronger. I wasn’t always a politician. I’m barely one now. I’m an entrepreneur, and I’ve started several organizations over my career. Having spent some time working in Nevada, I know that there’s

Commentary

WILLIAM MCCURDY IN less than two weeks, Nevada will be the third state and the first Western state to join their neighbors in deciding who will be our Democratic nominee for president. The Silver State will be a critical state in selecting our party’s nominee, in part because of our diversity. Nevada is home to one of the fastest-growing AAPI populations in the country, making our caucus the first contest in which a significant amount of diverse voices will be heard. That’s why the Nevada State Democratic Party worked for nearly a year to create the most accessible, expansive and transparent caucus yet. Our party designed a uniquelyNevada caucus process--one that reflects Nevadans and the communities we live in. Nevada Democrats will now have a couple of ways to participate in this year’s caucus. For the first time in any caucus state in the country, Democrats will be able to participate in a four day in-person early voting period from February 15th to the 18th at more than 80 locations across the state, including sites on the Las Vegas Strip, at Chinatown Plaza, and SEIU Local 1107’s hall. For those wishing to par-

Philstar.com photo

a thriving small business community right here in the state, especially among the Asian community. We can probably share stories about the struggles faced by small businesses, especially when so many of the big companies out there have unfair advantages. Last year, Chevron, Halliburton, and 89 other Fortune 500 companies paid $0 in federal taxes. Amazon sucked up billions of dollars of revenue, shuttering local businesses, while paying nothing in taxes. Netflix collected data from each and every Nevadan with a subscription — data worth more than oil — and didn’t contribute anything back. Think about your family. Your friends. Your kids’ teachers, many of whom are working a second job. Think about how many of them are struggling to make ends meet. How many are one of the 78% of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck. Think about the system that lets the biggest corporations pay

nothing in taxes while too many of us struggle just to get by. This is the problem I saw in communities throughout the U.S. as I helped to create thousands of jobs through the non-profit I founded, Venture for America (VFA). By connecting young entrepreneurs with local businesses, I hoped to reinvigorate local economies hit hard by the financial crash, including Las Vegas. But as I spent time in these communities, I saw exactly how much most people were struggling financially. In the richest, most advanced nation in the history of the world, I found this to be unacceptable. As a parent and a patriot, this wasn’t a world that I was willing to leave my children. As I dug into the numbers, I saw that, if we wanted our local economies and small businesses to thrive, we needed to rewrite the rules of the 21st century economy. The biggest corporations were closing down small businesses while giving nothing

NV Dems is giving every Nevada Democrat a voice in 2020 ticipate on Caucus Day, February 22nd, NV Dems will host precinct caucuses at more than 250 locations across the state at locations central to our neighborhoods like schools, community centers and college campuses. Finally, we’re continuing our tradition of hosting workplace caucus sites on the Las Vegas Strip allowing hospitality workers to participate from work at one of seven casino locations, from Mandalay Bay to the Wynn. We’ve also worked to make our caucus more accessible by providing caucus materials, like our training tools and presidential preference cards, in multiple languages to include English, Spanish, and, for the first time this year, Tagalog. A successful caucus in February is the first step in laying the foundation for a successful general election. We know the only way to ensure our caucus represents every Nevada Democrat is by engaging our diverse communities. That’s why NV Dems put in the work to partner with community leaders to educate and to encourage participation in the caucus process. Over the past few months, NV Dems, in partnership with the AAPI Democratic Caucus, hosted caucus trainings and a

mock caucus within the AsianAmerican community to educate attendees on the process and recruit volunteers. These trainings offered hands-on experience with caucus materials and a preview of what Caucus Day and the early vote period will look like. With the help of community leaders, our party created a process that will bring the caucus to every community in every corner of our state. Whether it’s bringing the caucus to places like Chinatown Plaza and the Sahara West Library or translating our caucus materials into multiple languages, we’re working to give every Nevada Democrat the chance to participate. Winning in November is our top priority in 2020, but we can’t win unless we have the voice of every Nevada Democrat heard in our caucus--so don’t forget to make a plan to caucus! You can find your nearest early vote location or your designated precinct caucus site by visiting caucus.nvdems.com and you can volunteer to help us make our caucus a success by signing up at nvdems.com/events. ***

back. At the same time, automation has taken away more and more jobs. We already lost 4 million manufacturing jobs, and we know that hospitality, food service/prep, transportation/trucking, admin/clerical, and retail are next. Right here in Vegas, we’ve seen robot bartenders start to displace workers, and Nevada is at the top of almost every automation list. The sad truth that I learned through VFA is that, for every job we can create, automation is going to take away hundreds, maybe thousands. And the companies that are benefiting most aren’t contributing back. The only way forward is to set up a system that ensures the American people get a small slice of every Amazon transaction, Google search, and selfdriving truck mile. We need to make these companies pay their fair share and return it to the American people so that they can thrive.

Commentary

EDDIE ILARDE

SOME years back, American economist and former director of The Earth Institute of Columbia University Jeffrey Sachs wrote an article about what he called “the ability to improve the world through transformative philanthropy”—that if today’s billionaires were to pool their resources, “they could outflank the world’s governments in ending poverty and pandemic disease.” He named John D. Rockefeller, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, Carlos Slim Helu, Lakshmi Mittal and George Soros, among others, who, on their own initiative—by sharing a part of their wealth—have succeeded in fighting disease, poverty and other areas of human concerns such as the “eradication of hookworm in the U.S., the development of the yellow fever vaccine, elimination of malaria-transmitting strain of mosquito in Brazil, funding the Asian Green Revolution, etc.” Bill and Melinda Gates, for example, have sufficiently funded “the extension of basic health care to the poorest in the world to end the pandemics of AIDS, TB and malaria, and address the William McCurdy II is a native Nevadan crying need for safe drinking wacurrently serving as Chair of the Nevada ter for 1 billion people.” State Democratic Party. He also serves There are 2,153 billionaires in as Assemblyman representing Nevada’s the world today. 6th district. That includes 50 in this coun-

Imagine the impact once we start returning this value in the form of a Freedom Dividend, $1,000/mo for everyone 18 and older. That would amount to over $25 billion every year invested in Nevada. Money that would go directly to your families and neighbors, money invested right back into your main streets. Imagine what this will do for the health, mental health, and stress levels for your community. Once people stop living paycheck to paycheck, they can start to plan for the future. Imagine what this will do for our children. With less financial stress, we’d set the next generation up for success better than any prior generation. Imagine what this will do for our local businesses. As an entrepreneur, I know that businesses thrive when people have more money to spend. This money would go to car repairs, housing renovations, and the occasional night out. Instead of having rules that benefit the biggest corpora-

tions and cause us to struggle, we can rewrite the rules to allow our small businesses to thrive. This is the vision for the future of this country that I’m fighting for. One where we rewrite the rules to work for us, the American people. One where everyone has a chance to build the life they want for themselves and their families. One where everyone can live the American dream, with the economic security needed to take a chance on a small business. One where someone can come to this country to provide their children with more opportunities than they had. One where we can look at our children and say, in earnest, that you can be President one day. *** Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur and the non-profit founder of Venture for America, an organization dedicated to creating jobs in struggling communities across the United States. He’s running for president because he saw the country he was leaving for his children, and it wasn’t something he was willing to accept.

50 richest Filipinos: Share-the-wealth challenge try as named by Forbes magazine, among them Manuel Villar, the Sy siblings, John Gokongwei Jr., Enrique Razon Jr., Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Lucio Tan, the Campos siblings, Ramon Ang, the Consunji siblings, the Ty siblings, etc. The Sy siblings lead the pack, and Menardo Jimenez is at No. 50. They are in various kinds of businesses: construction, power generation, hotels, restaurants, banking, media, pharmaceutical, insurance, property development, retail, etc. The SM group, for example, owns the biggest bank in the country and “over 200 companies in the Philippines, including 73 shopping malls plus another six in mainland China.” Our research is still incomplete as to how many high-rise condominium and office buildings they have and how big their real estate properties are. It can be mind-boggling when we include the other billionaires’ massive holdings, which can make people suspect that this country’s reputed poverty is fake. Improving the world through philanthropy has been proven to be doable, with generous rich people willing to share their wealth with the less fortunate. Can it be done here? Who among the 50 shall step forward and show courage and

magnanimity? It would be surprising, historic even, if this challenge is accepted, however grudgingly; it shall be an event never seen before in this country—the “callous rich” finally showing sparks of patriotism and concern for the less fortunate through the proposed mechanism below: A “Philippine Alliance for Humanity” is organized, initially with four founding members— persons of probity and proven honesty—who renounce in writing the will to earn from such an endeavor. Five additional members from the Big 50 (or their authorized representatives) complete the membership to nine, to form the core of the alliance or foundation. It is hoped that the rest of the 50 will cast away suspicion and distrust and support the alliance, with monthly donations direct to designated banks. No one can touch the money as stipulated in the Securities and Exchange Commission-approved papers, except only upon the authority of the majority of the nine members, who shall decide where to spend the money and when the money can be withdrawn. Depository banks shall post in all their branches or publish weekly the existing balance of PAGE 8

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

39% of Filipinos said their lives improved in 2019 — SWS by FranCo Luna Philstar.com

Massive deposits of ash destroy a house on Taal Volcano Island.

MANILA — Thirty-nine percent of Filipinos said that their lives improved towards the end of 2019, a recently conducted survey found. According to the Social Weather Stations’ Fourth Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey, the 39% who reported that their lives improved throughout the past year were termed by SWS as Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toldeo IV Gainers, while the remaining 21% saying their lives worsened in the last 12 months were coined “Losers.� The survey, which was carried out on December 13-16, yielded an overall a Net Gainers score of +18, a new high over the previously reported +11 in September, +13 in June and +17 in March. to their homes as volcanic activMost notably, the full report ity subsides. The residents of the said that the amount of Net Gainvolcano island, however, were still not allowed to go back, as experts said that human activities are unsafe here. But the ban did not stop resiMANILA — Magdalo party-list dents from coming back to the has filed a resolution opposisland. They keep on returning to ing President Rodrigo Duterte’s check their ash-covered houses “unilateral decision� to terminate and feed the animals they left the Visiting Forces Agreement behind. between the Philippines and the “We returned because our liveli- United States. hood is here,� Donabelle Mangana Rep. Manuel Cabochan III, a said, referring to fishing. The resi- former officer of the Philippine dent of Brgy. Pulang Bato in San Navy, filed Resolution No. 676 Nicolas was checking her heavily- on Wednesday. He stressed that destroyed home, hoping there is while the agreement with the U.S. still something she could recover. may have “contentious terms,� But she said she and her hus- it “has served the Philippines in band return to an evacuation terms of ensuring the security of center in Alitagtag town—where our nation and its people.� her family temporarily seeks shel“The impulsive decision to ter—every afternoon “because we abrogate the VFA based merely have nothing to stay at here on the on personal motivations will volcano island.� compromise the longstanding Should they be not allowed and cordial diplomatic relations to make a settlement on the between the Philippines and the volcano island even after the US,� he added. threat disappears, Mangana said Duterte threatened to end the her family would just go back decades-long standing agreement to Marinduque—her husband’s with the U.S. in a month if it will hometown—to start anew. not “correct� the cancellation of But for Olimpiado, who has the American visa of Sen. Ronald lived his entire life on the volcano “Bato� dela Rosa, a known ally of island, he is planning to come the president. back. The Palace said the visa issue “We are used to here on the was merely the “last straw that volcano island. This is where I was broke the camel’s back,� and is born,� he said. n not the sole reason why Duterte

Future uncertain for volcano island residents after Taal destroyed their homes, way of life by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

TAAL VOLCANO ISLAND — The lives of the thousands who had built their livelihood around Taal Volcano have changed forever following the eruption that destroyed their homes and killed their source of income. Taal Volcano Island—once a picturesque paradise located in a lake in Batangas province—now resembles a wasteland after the second most active volcano in the Philippines rained ash across the island two weeks ago. Destroyed houses and schools were covered in massive deposits of ash. Many animals were buried in desolate sand dunes, while others were found decomposing near the shoreline. Dead trees were everywhere. Randy Olimpiado said there is nothing left to save in his ashcovered house in Sitio San Isidro in Talisay town. The house of her daughter in Brgy. Calawit in the nearby Balete town was also destroyed. He used to earn money by renting his horses to ferry tourists up the mountain. Relocation Reynold Desipeda, also a resident of the tourism-dependent Sitio San Isidro, said he was accompanying tourists when Taal woke up from its slumber.

“We were on top of the volcano. We had customers near the crater. The steam and the tremors were really strong,� Desipeda recounted. The former tour guide doesn’t have a plan yet on how his family will move on from the tragedy and rebuild their lives. For now, he and his family are temporarily seeking shelter in Sto. Tomas town. “It would be very nice if the government provides us houses and livelihood. That’s big help,� Desipeda said. The future is even more uncertain for Olimpiado, Desipeda and thousands of others who have lived in “pulo� for years now that the government said it would bar people from returning to the island. Taal volcano island is categorized as a permanent danger zone—long declared off-limits to settlements. Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste said in an interview on “Unang Balita� that the displaced residents of the volcano island will be relocated to Ibaan town in the province. Entry into volcano island State volcanologists lowered the status of Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3 Sunday, which signifies there is a “decreased tendency toward hazardous eruption.� Those living in areas around Taal Lake were allowed to return

ers rose in all areas, in all education groups and among Self-Rated Poor and Non-Poor Filipinos. Self-Rated Poor was defined in the survey as “those who belong to households whose heads rated their family as poor or mahirap.� Once the label was self-rated, the status was adopted for all members of a household. Adults expecting their personal quality of life to improve in the next 12 months were labelled “Personal Optimists� as Net Personal Optimism reportedly rose in Luzon and the Visayas, but fell in other areas as decreases were recorded with a four-point drop in Metro Manila, and a decrease by one point in Mindanao. Additionally, Net Personal Optimism went up in all education groups except high school grads. Economic optimism up Another category, Economic

Optimism, which was defined as the sentiment of adults saying the Philippine economy will improve in the next 12 months, was said to have generally gone up in all areas, as its net rating went up by 10 points to an “Excellent� +38. Net Economic Optimism also rose among all education groups with the exception of elementary school dropouts. The survey’s full report noted that the national Net Gainers score was a result of generally positive responses as the additional seven points in December 2019 were due to increases of +10 points in Luzon, +7 points in the Visayas, +4 points in Metro Manila, and +1 point in Mindanao. Since 1983, only 9% of Net Gainers scores were recorded to be within the “Very High� classification range of +10 to +19 or better. n

Magdalo party-list files resolution opposing VFA termination

In this May 9, 2018 photo, American and Filipino troops participate in an amphibious landing exercise simulating a beach assault during the annual Balikatan exercises in San Antonio, Zambales. Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toldeo

made the threat. VFA helps in Philippines’ efforts to quell terrorism Cabochan, however, raised that the abrogation of VFA helps the Philippines significantly in its counter-terrorism efforts. He raised that through the VFA, the Philippines’ Armed Forces receive crucial intelligence reports in counterterrorism efforts, “upgrade military capability� and provide latest modern warfare.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines traces its lineage to the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Constabulary, which were formed while the country was under the U.S. Its weapons, and equipment as well as its tactics and doctrine are from or were influenced by U.S. forces, with which Filipino troops continue to train with. The U.S. forces, through the VFA, has also been beneficial in PAGE 8

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january 30-feruary 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Senator eyes trash as power source by JavieR iSmaeL ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Francis Tolentino is pushing for the early passage of a bill that seeks to use garbage as source of electricity and fuel to address waste disposal and energy supply shortage problems. The lawmaker filed Senate Bill 401, an “Act allowing the use of waste-to-energy technology in electricity, fuel and heat generation and for other purposes,” taking note of the problem of improper waste disposal and a projected energy supply crisis. Tolentino cited a study conducted by the Japan International Corp. Agency showing that the percentage of local government units that fully followed the sanitary landfill method as mandated by Republic Act 9003 did not

been utilized and were projected to be at full capacity within the next five years. Concurrent with the garbage disposal problem, according to Tolentino, is the forthcoming crisis in the energy field. He said this was already manifested in the rotational brownouts being implemented by electric suppliers in some parts of the country and the rising cost of power due mainly to the shortage of supply, further aggravated by the rising prices of petroleum products. “There have been several attempts to establish waste to enSen. Francis Tolentino ManilaTimes.net ergy facilities, which were even backed by the national governreach 10 percent. The situation, he said, would ment and local government units, worsen, as around 80 to 90 per- but which never pushed through cent of the capacity of the con- because of legal impediments,” structed sanitary landfills had Tolentino lamented. n

Lawmakers push ‘Eddie Garcia bill’ by Reina Leanne

ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net

LAWMAKERS at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 28, called for the passage of a measure that aims to introduce occupational safety and health standards law for the film, television and theater industry. The bill was filed by Deputy Speaker Michael “Mikee” Romero, stepson of the late veteran actor Eduardo “Eddie” Garcia. Garcia broke his neck after tripping on a wire while shooting a TV series in Manila last year. “We are not here to put a blame

or crucify people, but rather how to create a distinctive measure on how to protect the lives of people in the industry,” Romero, a representative of 1-Pacman partylist, said during a meeting of the House Committee on Labor and Employment. Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. implored on his colleagues to support the bill. “The entertainment industry is filled to the brim with talented individuals that bring to life stories through various media. Although it is not visible in our screens, these talented individuals are risking life and limb in order to bring us joy and awe when we watch

them perform,” he said. Garbin said the bill also seeks to protect those working behind the camera. “These individuals endure sleepless nights in order to deliver to the public a small respite from their daily lives,” he said. Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas pledged to support the measure, saying, “We support the bill of Congressman Mikee Romero dahil po gusto namin itong bills na ito protecting the film industry and ‘yung mga tao po na nagtatrabaho dito (because we like these bills protecting the film industry and the people who work in it).” n

ANTI-COMMUNIST RALLY. Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP), Hands-off Our Children, and La Liga Independencia stage a rally outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, January 29. The groups urged the poll body to revoke the registration of party-list groups that are identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The anti-communist groups believe that these party-list organizations are using their seats in the House of Representatives to accumulate funds to sustain the armed movement. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Philippines now capable of testing samples for novel coronavirus — DOH by RaTzieL

San Juan Philstar.com

MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday, January 29, said that the Philippines would be able to locally diagnose the 2019 novel coronavirus, or 2019 nCoV, in about 48 hours. The Japanese counterpart of the local Research Institute for Tropical Medicine provided the RNA primer

that would enable the Philippines to conduct confirmatory testing of the 2019 nCoV on its own. The country still has no confirmed cases of the 2019 nCoV and the Department of Health is relying on an Australian laboratory to confirm the test samples of patients under investigation. “The Japanese counterpart of the RITM today has just brought with them the team a primer — RNA primer — which is needed to help us identify whether the novel coronavirus suspected cases (are positive) once their throat swabs, their nasopharyngeal swabs are submitted to RITM for testing,” Duque told solons during the “Question Hour” held at the House of Representatives on Wednesday. “With the RNA primer, yes, in about 48 hours, we shall be able to set up our own capability to detect novel coronavirus and no longer need to send for confirmatory testing to Melbourne, Australia.”

This would effectively cut the processing time in half since Australian experts would no longer need to be consulted for virus detection, according to the Health secretary. As of Wednesday, the Health department is waiting for the screening results of 16 patients from the local RITM, as well as six confirmatory results from an Australia-based Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory. Four patients have been discharged under monitoring. One death due to pneumonia has been recorded for a PUI admitted to the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, but it is undetermined if 2019 nCoV factored in the case. “For the first round of testing, we are adequately supplied. We will have to find out the volume of the supplies that have been brought by the Japanese contingent to help us precisely to do the testing ourselves and confirm it ourselves,” Duque said. n

Hidilyn Diaz wins 3 gold medals in Weightlifting World Cup clean and jerk (119 kgs) categories. The Filipino weightlifting star HIDILYN Diaz bagged three also won gold in the 2018 Asian gold medals to dominate the 55- Games and the 2019 Southeast kilogram women’s division in the Asian Games. Ukraine’s Kamila Konotop 2020 Weightlifting World Cup on came in second with a total lift of Tuesday in Rome, Italy. Diaz, who is looking to book 196 kgs (90 in snatch and 106 in her ticket to the 2020 Tokyo clean and jerk) while Tunisia’s Olympics, lifted a total of 212 Nouha Landoulsi settled for kilograms after finishing first bronze with 194 kgs (86 in snatch in both the snatch (93 kgs) and and 108 in clean and jerk). n by CeLeST

FLoReS-CoLina Inquirer.net

Hidilyn Diaz hopes to transform her Rio de Janeiro silver into Tokyo gold. Inquirer.net photo by Sherwin Vardeleon

50 richest Filipinos: Share...

PAGE 6 the charitable fund. The initial goal of this social entrepreneurship program is to build: (1) evacuation centers, (2) rain catchment minireservoirs in barangays without safe drinking water, and (3) senior citizens’ health centers, following the lead of President Duterte’s “Build, build, build” program for economic and industrial prosperity. Thus, the “Philippine Alliance for Humanity’s” money pool is philanthropy that will go to building urgently needed infrastruc-

ture for the health, security and safety of the people. How about it, good sirs and madames? Believe! “Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8) (Inquirer.net) *** Eddie Ilarde is a former senator, lifetime achievement awardee for radio and television, freelance writer and author, founding presidentchair of Golden Eagles Society international Inc. for the welfare and dignity of senior citizens, and founding chair of the Maharlika Movement for National Transformation. He is heard 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in his program “Kahapon Lamang” over dzBB AM radio.

Magdalo party-list files resolution... PAGE 7 joint operations, including disaster relief missions, Cabochan raised. “In the view of the many security threats that the Philippines is facing at present, the VFA continues to contribute in addressing the vulnerabilities of our national security,” the lawmaker said. Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a member of the Magdalo and a former Navy officer, echoed the same sentiments in an earlier released statement where he called Duterte’s move to terminate the VFA as “whimsical, reckless and very damaging.” Senate review and executive branch’s impact assessment The Senate, meanwhile, is set to review the VFA and other military pacts with the U.S. next week,

including the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The Department of Justice, for its part, is leading an impact assessment review of the potential cutting off of the VFA. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the impact assessment review needs thorough study, and its “timeframe depends on how soon the Cabinet cluster or the VFA commission can convene.” The Cabinet cluster includes the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Office of the Executive Secretary. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-fERUARy 5, 2020

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january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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VEGAS&STYLE

Journal From Magic Johnson to Terrell Owens: How a Filipina American designer makes custom looks for athletes’ big events

Fashion meets sports Alba, who migrated from the Philippines to Los Angeles with WITH the commercials, halfher family when she was six time show and the game itself, months old, credits having artistic Super Bowl LIV this Sunday will influences early on. Around six provide much to watch and talk years old, she started sketching about. But not to miss are the illustrations and learned how to suits the players will be wearing sew by hand from her mother. off the field as professional sports That later turned into making games have unexpectedly become dresses for her dolls and then sources of fashion inspiration. going to the Salvation Army to There’s one Filipina American construct her own outfits. designer behind most of this “I remember sitting on the year’s sleek and tailored outfits: floor sewing by hand and watchJhoanna Alba. ing sports at the same time. Now She’s the chief visionaire of everything is full circle,” Alba ALBA — taken after her last recalled as weekends typically name but also meaning ‘A Light consisted of playing mahjong and Beyond Appearance’ — a Los watching a game on television Angeles-based bespoke clothing with extended family. company with over 1,200 highAt 16, she landed a job at Gary’s profile athletic and entertainment Tux Shop at the Northridge Fashclients from Magic Johnson to ion Center and continued to work Terrell Owens. there as she pursued a degree in The Super Bowl is the first child development at a nearby of many major events for Alba’s community college. After graducompany as it kicks off the next ation, she worked as a preschool teacher but still maintained a schedule at the store on weekday afternoons and weekends. It led to a ripple effect of moving to the store’s other locations in the Valley before she was promoted to the one in Beverly Hills, which was the highest volume tuxedo shop in the country in the early ‘90s as it catered to celebrity weddings and award shows. Working on one occasion in 1995 changed the course of her career — the wedding of NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and his actress wife Holly as they rented tuxedos for the groomsmen. The designer who did Peete’s suit came back to the store months later and offered her a job to head his company’s division for custom women’s clothes, mostly for the wives and girlfriends of athletes. “After a lot of prayers and thinking about my future, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m not married. I don’t Alba reviews sketches in her home office in Calabasas, California a few weeks before Super Bowl Sunday. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel have any kids. What do I have to By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

few months of annual professional sports milestones, such as NBA All-Star Weekend and MLB Spring Training. On the first two days of this week, Alba and her team set up shop in Miami to take measurements for players on both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. “They’ll come in through my store, we’ll take their measurements and then we’re turning around suits in 48 hours so they can wear them to the game,” Alba envisioned during a recent interview with the Asian Journal at her home in Calabasas, California. Whether it’s basketball, football or baseball, players have taken the leagues’ dress codes as a way to develop their brand and be trendsetters. “Every athlete is their own brand so it’s important for them to look the part and their image is key in that. The NFL and NBA enforced dress codes so they have

to dress appropriately for every occasion,” she said. It’s mid-morning during the interview, but already, Alba has been on the phone, beginning as early as 6 a.m. to speak to her East Coast clients. “My daughter counted how many people I talked to on one specific day and she counted over 100. So that’s pretty much my life,” Alba joked. Accessibility and relationship building have been at the core of Alba’s business for the past 26 years as the go-to source for custom-made outfits. Of her philosophy, she said, “I think that’s what made me successful in what I do because I don’t have a liaison, you can call me directly. I have assistants, executive assistants, and a team that help me. But at the same time, if you want to get ahold of me, there are ways. If I feel that it’s appropriate and beneficial, then I’ll call you back.”

Alba with Magic Johnson in his office.

lose?’” Alba said. She found the shift to designing for women more challenging, as custom-made is a detailed process where the client can’t see what an outfit looks and fits like until the product is finished. “As a designer, you’re trying to explain to your client what it’s going to look like and you’re showing them fabrics and designs,” she explained. “But at the end of the day, they don’t really know what it looks like, unlike when you’re out shopping and see something on the racks, you can just try it on and either buy it or don’t.” She gave herself some time to see the job through until she ran into Magic Johnson at an event, with whom she had established a working relationship over the years as she helped finalize his outfits by matching ties with his suits. “When we were at an event, [Magic] looked at me and said, ‘You don’t seem happy.’ I was surprised because I thought I was happy, but he saw deeper than that. So he said, ‘Come to my house tomorrow at 11 o’clock.” Alba has shared this story many times before but still does so as it

lays the foundation for how she started her own business at 22 years old. She embarrassingly narrated how she got lost on the way to Johnson’s Beverly Park home, despite frequent visits, and ended up arriving two hours later. (It’s important to note that this was before the luxury of GPS and owning a cellphone.) “I get there, I’m nervous and he opens the door. I remember what he was wearing: a white t-shirt, black Adidas, sweatpants and white socks, his kind of everyday uniform. It’s so funny when he’s not wearing suits,” Alba said. “He says, ’Make me 10 suits.’ I agreed. Then he goes, ’I think you should start your own company.’” After that meeting, she took the measurements and found a place in downtown that would fulfill the order for the custom suits. “I delivered all 10 suits and none of them fit,” she said, laughing. “I use the motto still to this day. I make one suit first, I fit you in it and if there are any alterations, I adjust your pattern and then I make the rest. Now my clients have a database of everything that we’ve made them and all their PAGE 14

Gerald slowly recovers from Kim’s new series hits close to home bigtime controversies in 2019 by nathalie

tOMada Philstar.com

by rOnnie

CarrasCO iii

ManilaTimes.net

IT was in Vignettes’ published article on August 6, 2019 where our column carried a footnote on Gerald Anderson, particularly regarding what his future holds him as a result of letting go of Bea Alonzo. The Kapamilya actor confirmed though that he and Bea broke up on the third week of July. But as far as the latter was concerned, “We didn’t break up, he just stopped talking to me.” What further got Gerald in a pickle was his rumored relationship with Julia Barretto. As expected, both denied it but their constant togetherness thereafter indicated otherwise. Like Bea, Joshua earned public sympathy while Julia and Gerald suffered the opposite. Generally, the aggrieved parties are wished well by the public that they may find more deserving partners as well as brighter career prospects than their aggressors. Thankfully, Joshua was then about to appear in a suspense drama series, “The Killer Bride,” while Bea was getting ready for

a new show opposite Richard Gutierrez. In stark contrast, Julia and Gerald had nothing going for them, at least for a couple of months after all four lives intertwined in a romantic mix-up. For all this, their mother station should take credit for standing by them believing that everything would come to pass. Gerald is slowly recovering from all the backlash he had to suffer for “ghosting” Bea. In “A Soldier’s Heart” (which premiered on January 20), he plays a man in uniform whose love for family and country remains on top of his list. Judging from its first few episodes, Gerald’s thumbs-up performance is his one redeeming value that quite erases a romantic blunder he may feel sorry to have committed. Women’s rights groups, too, seem to have softened on him. *** GUESS WHO? This showbiz mother (SM) and family owns a sprawling farm which is teeming with fruit-bearing trees. But mind you, SM won’t part with the farm’s produce to her neighbors.

Gerald Anderson Photo from Instagram/@andersongeraldjr

After each harvest, she’d rather pile them up in large native baskets to be transported to their Manila residence. “At bilang niya kung ilang prutas yun, ha?” says our tipster. Once in Manila, SM would segregate which ones are for personal consumption (of course, the unblemished ones go to her) and which ones are to be given away. “Alam mo yung prutas na kailangan mong kainin ngayon, or else hindi mo na mapapakinabangan kinabukasan?” our source describes.

Nadine, James together for ‘pasta night’ with friends ACTORS Nadine Lustre and James Reid appear to be staying true to their promise to stay friends after their breakup. A few weeks after JaDine announced their split to the public, the two spent quality time with friends for a “pasta night.” Lustre and Reid issued a joint statement regarding their separation through the talkshow “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on Jan. 20. The actors said, “We are in good terms and are still really good friends and will continue to work with each other especially when it comes to music.” James’ sister, model Lauren Reid, posted photos of some moments with her friends, including the two actors, on her Instagram account last Sunday, Jan. 26. James smiled while Lustre made wacky poses. Lustre and James were sitting on different sides of the sofa, while Lauren was on the floor, smiling and posing beside a friend.

James Reid and Nadine Lustre out with friends.

James’ dog Cal also did not miss the hangout. “Pasta Night [heart emoji],” Lauren called the gathering. The “pasta night” was not the two actors’ first friendly hangout after their split. Last weekend, Lustre and James were also seen partying at a bar in Makati. Lauren is also vocal about her friendship with Lustre even after

Photo from Instagram/@laurenreidabook

the actress’ breakup with James. The model posted her bonding moments with Lustre days after the announcement. Meanwhile, James has been focusing on his music label Careless Music Manila. Last week, “The Life” singer hinted at an upcoming collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Illmind. (Inquirer.net)

KIM Chiu is making her TV comeback via the afternoon family drama “Love Thy Woman,” which is set to take over the timeslot soon to be vacated by the longrunning “Kadenang Ginto.” The series explores the complex dynamics of a Filipino-Chinese family, and no other person can best relate to it but the 29year-old star herself. According to the synopsis of the upcoming Dreamscape Entertainment production, Love Thy Woman “tells the story of a modern Filipino-Chinese family headed by patriarch Adam (Christopher de Leon), who is determined to keep his family intact despite having two of them. He lives with his first wife Lucy (Eula Valdez) and their daughter Dana (Yam Concepcion), while his second family, Kai (Sunshine Cruz) and Jia (Kim Chiu), lives separately.” The wives have long accepted the situation but the conflict and rivalry continue and spill over to the daughters. The situation turns for the worse, when Yam’s character meets an accident and falls into a deep coma after her wedding to husband David (played by Xian Lim), who eventually finds himself falling in love with Kim’s character. This will cause a domino effect in the family, further complicating an already very complicated set-up. During a presscon, Kim surprised the press with the revelation that her reel family story is similar to real life. Kim, who’s “75-percent Chinese,” belongs to the “first family”. “In real life, I’m the first family, my dad also has a lot of wives. Pero pinapansin sila (other families) ng Papa ko, fair kasi yung Papa ko. He’s like the real Adam,” she shared. “This is really what happens in the true Chinese family kaya nga pag-tinitingnan ko, pag nag-aarte kami, shucks, kawawa rin pala yun mga anak ng Papa ko noh? Yung mga ganun. Pag first family, ikaw yung pinaka matapang (you are the most feisty). My character plays (the daughter in) the second family but now I understand how they’re feeling, mga kapatid ko sa labas.” Nevertheless, she was very honest about what it was like growing up in that kind of family

Kim Chiu

arrangement. “Growing up, lagi ako nag-wo-wonder nasaan ang Papa ko, bakit siya nawalala… ang dami kasi niyang pinupuntahan, hindi kasi bahay siya, city siya, so nililipad talaga niya yun. “So, while I was growing up, I was OK without a father figure. However, if there were special events, he would be there. For example, aawardan ako kasi honor student ako nung elementary ako gusto ko lang sabihin, sino pupunta, sino aakyat, tapos magugulat nalang ako, si Papa pala. Dumating pala siya. That became my motivation to study hard so that everytime I would receive an award, he would be there. Then during birthdays... naiiyak ako, ayoko na, yun lang, kaya iyakin ako sa ‘Love Thy Woman,’” bared Kim, who tried to make things light at first, although at this point she couldn’t help herself from turning emotional. Nevertheless, it is important to note that from her answers, she suggested as much that she feels no bitterness towards her halfsiblings nor towards her father. “I post them on Instagram, madami naman kami. Masipag yung Papa ko, ay hindi mapagmahal lang yung Papa ko and it really happens, it’s real and it’s accepted by all the wives, but di siya pinapakita. But in this teleserye, you can see what really happens inside a modern Chinese family.” It’s not hard to believe Kim’s words because she’s proud to share photos with her father and

ABS-CBN photo

her family like her most recent during the Chinese New Year celebration over the weekend. She owns probably one of the most unfiltered Instagram accounts around among the celebrities, many times candidly sharing reflections about herself, life, career and faith. As bonus for fans, Kim is not shy to offer a glimpse into her relationship with her reel-to-reallife leading man Xian. Asked why they’re this open nowadays, Kim explained, “We don’t need to not show it, everyone sees it already, and the roles that we do are no longer pa-tweetums, chummy… the roles we play are something very challenging for us, we don’t do it everyday. I don’t tell him on a normal day, shut up (laughs)! I’m not like that, we’re not like that. I’m just happy to work with someone I really know.” Meanwhile, it was Xian who shared “secret” to making their relationship work. Apart from taking things one day at a time, he said, “It’s more of we let each other go as artists. With Kim, she has the freedom to do everything she wants as an artist, and she also gives me freedom to do whatever it is I feel like I needed to do. From that, we grow together. That’s one of the secrets.” Asked how much he loves Kim, he declared, using their new show’s title, “Wholeheartedly, that’s how much I love my woman.”

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Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS IT IS with great pride as a Filipino-American that I devote my column today to celebrate the Filipinos and our native land for being there to protect the Jews during the Nazi genocide of Jews, or Holocaust, in World War II when practically no other nation would. Last Monday, January 27, 2020, the world paid homage to the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. The devastating effects of the barbaric atrocities, this genocide of 1944, on the health, psyche, and lives of the victims and their surviving family members, and on the whole civilized peoples around the world today, are simply too painful to forget. Our duty as fellow human beings to the future generation is not to forget the Holocaust, and to remember and remind ourselves of this shameful history of man’s inhumanity to man. Here below is a brief article about a new documentary that puts the spotlight on the Filipinos’ admirable moral triumph and gallantry during the Holocaust, which I suggest everyone to watch: Reveal How Filipinos Protected Them When Everyone Else Wouldn’t A compelling new documentary shines a light on the Philippines’ biggest moral victory in World War II By Mario Alvaro Limos The Holocaust, a genocide committed by Nazi Germany during World War II, saw the murder of six million Jews, which comprise two-thirds of the Jewish population in Europe. This was the darkest period in Jewish history: Every country rejected Jewish refugees and there was literally no safe place for them to take shelter. Even in Asia, the Jews were not safe. When Germany turned its back on China, the Jewish population in Shanghai became vulnerable, especially when the Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937. Fears grew that the Japanese might follow Nazi Germany’s policy on Jews. And it did. Then, in 1939, something close to a miracle happened: The Philippines opened its doors to the Jews. Filipinos welcomed the refugees with open arms and, when World War II reached Philippine shores, they protected them. A new documentary, “The Last Manilaners,” shines a light on the stories of the last living Jewish survivors who fled to the Philip-

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Saving Jews from the Holocaust

pines and how Filipinos protected them from the Holocaust and World War II. The documentary will be released on iWant on January 27, coinciding with the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. “The Last Manilaners” is a nod to the last living Jewish refugees who fled to the Philippines to escape the Holocaust. It aims to preserve and propagate the largely untold history of how the Philippines defied every other country and took the Jews in. The film gathered all the last living Jewish survivors who fled to the Philippines and asked them to tell their story, each survivor narrating how Filipinos protected them and regarded them as family. The survivors are now well into their 80s and 90s, which makes it even more crucial to document their stories. “If it were not for the Philippines, none of us, none of us, would exist,” says Lotte Hershfield, who is one of the last living Jews who found shelter in the Philippines. “Our lives were equal to those of the Filipinos under the war, and there was no discrimination,” said another survivor. The documentary is a follow up to the internationally acclaimed “Quezon’s Game,” a film about how President Manuel Quezon butted heads and outmaneuvered political sharks in Washington to save as many Jewish refugees as he can. The Philippines was able to shelter 1,300 Jewish refugees. After World War II, most of the Jews who fled to the Philippines established new homes in Israel. To this day, Israel grants visafree access to all Filipinos, a gesture of gratitude for the Philippines’ opening of its doors to all Jews at a time when the rest of the world rejected them. In 2009, Israel erected the “Open Doors” monument in remembrance of Filipinos’ protection of the Jews during their darkest hours. *** The International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, between November 20, 1945 and October 1, 1946, tried 22 major Nazi German officers “on charges of crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity and conspiracy to commit each of these crimes…it was the first time that international tribunal were used as a post-war mechanism for bringing national leaders to justice.” Death by hanging was imposed on 12 defendants. Ten (Hans Franck, Wilhelm Frick, Julius Streicher, Alfred Rosenberg, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Fritz Sauckel, Alfred Jodl, Wilhelm Keitel, and Arthur Seyss-Inquart) were hanged on

October 16, 1946. Hermann Goring, head of Gestapo and prime minister of Prussia and Hitler’s second-in-command, committed suicide using a cyanide tablet before he could get to the gallows. Bormann, who was also convicted (in absentia), is believed to have killed himself on May 2, 1945. Hitler, Goring, and Bormann all committed suicide. One positive outcome of the genocide, if any could be considered good, was the introduction of the International Tribunal and the most important precedent established by the Nuremberg Trial. The United Nation’s International Court of Justice of today, which has the task of preventing and punishing human rights violations, gained much of its authority from the Nuremberg Trial. This has also served as “the foundation for the Declaration of Human Rights and other agreements about conduct during war” and the punishment of war crimes. For political reasons and greed or personal aggrandizement, some public officials and segments of society have tried to change history. The murders of opponents and graft and corruption during the Marcos’ despotic tyrannical rule (1972 to 1981) in the Philippines, is an example. His family and some sympathizers are denying and attempting to erase historical facts, the abuses and atrocities of the conjugal dictatorship, to hide the ugly truth from the younger generation of today and the future. Decent people of justice will now allow this to happen. During the Nuremberg trial, Goring, Bormann, and their coconspirators tried to justify their actions and change historical facts actually by manipulating the truth in order to save their lives. But the truth triumphed and justice prevailed. The global community today has the obligation to protect and preserve genuine history and justice in the world. We must never forget what really happened. Not only for our individual mental health and inner peace, but for the moral health of every nation in the world and all peoples on earth. Only by remembering and learning from the past can we prevent repeating the same mistakes in the future as it also guides our actions and protects the present. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

How motherhood changed wacky Melai by CHRISTINA

ALPAD ManilaTimes.net

EVERY weekday morning, Filipino homes are energized by the unique laughter and witty lines of “Magandang Buhay” host Melai Cantiveros. Forming the popular trio of “momshies” — the slang for moms the show popularized — Karla Estrada and Jolina Magdangal, Cantiveros daily does her share of imparting relatable parenting advice and highlighting inspiring stories via guest interviews in her signature comical way. But before Cantiveros became an official momshie, it will be remembered how she aspired to be a “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)” grand winner and succeeded, thereafter making a name as a funny woman across countless ABS-CBN shows. Since starting a family with husband and fellow PBB contestant Jason Francisco, however, the 31-year-old bade farewell to comedy shows and movies and seems to have concentrated on the morning female talk show. Given the chance at Cantiveros’ official launch as restaurant chain Adobo Connection’s first brand ambassador, The Manila Times had to ask the celebrity if she’s

missing her string of wacky roles on TV these days. “Na-mi-miss ko din yung ‘Banana Split’ namin dati [the afternoon gag show]. Pero kapag may anak ka na, wala ka na kasi dun sa mga pangarap mo, kumbaga ang pangarap ko na lang ay para sa mga anak ko. Kaya kung ano ang ibibigay sa akin na blessings ni God, I will grab it,” Cantiveros animatedly replied. Cantiveros added that her top priority now together with her husband is to be able to provide for all their daughters’ needs, while raising them in a way they are equipped for whatever challenges may come their way in the future. The Franciscos have been blessed with two adorable girls named Mela, 6 and Stella, 2. “Gusto lang nami ma-equip sila para alam nila paano harapin ang obstacles and struggles later in life. Sa ngayon nabibigay namin ang needs ng mga anak namin kaya blessed talaga kami.” Grounded kids But the TV host assured that despite achieving a much better life compared to her pre-showbiz existence in General Santos City, she keeps her children grounded. “Yung buhay ko noon, yun ang pina-pa-experience ko sa kanila,

para maging aware sila. Like nung Pasko, umuwi kami ng province, hindi kami nag hotel at nag stay kami sa bahay ng mga kamag anak namin.” The result of her efforts, according to Cantiveros, is manifested in her daughters’ behaviors nowadays. “Nakita ko nga sa kanila mas masaya sila with experiences kesa sa mga material things, and that makes me happy kasi parang I’m on the right track in my role as a momma.” Cantiveros is also evidently a proud momshie when she specifically talked about her eldest who is slowly forging her own identity online and gaining many followers in the process. Via YouTube channel “Pop Babies,” Cantiveros’ eldest Mela, together Magdangal’s son Pele and Estrada’s nephew Jordan showcase nursery rhymes and songs to 66,000-strong subscribers. “Happy kami kasi dumadami ang following nilang tatlo and even sa labas, madami na nagpapa-picture kay Mela. Minsan nga sa kanya na lang, wala na sa amin,” laughed the proud mom. “So pinapaalala ko sa kanya na dapat nice siya and smile lang siya kasi fans ang reason bakit siya may show.”

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Continued from the previous week…) JANUARY 27, 2020 this week marks the 75th year Auschwitz was liberated from Nazi Germany by the Russian Army. When they arrived at the camp, they found over 600 corpses and several thousand prisoners still left in the camp. Days earlier, SS guards had rounded up and were herding 60,000 of the prisoners on foot for the Death March in the dead of winter in 1945. As the SS guards began their retreat at the end of the war, while the Soviet Red Army was closing in, Rudolf Hess and his guards tried to erase evidence by burning as much of it — specially the negatives of photos taken of the prisoners. Two inmates managed to pull 40,000 negatives from the flames. Warehouses full of the inmates’ worldly possessions were burned to ashes after the guards had sifted through them and had gathered the good stuff for themselves and fled Auschwitz when defeat for the Nazis seemed imminent. Back at the Auschwitz Memorial tour, the stark black and white photos of the prisoners along the corridor walls put a face to the numbers. Each photo staring out of the walls told a tragic story. The double electrified walls erected around the camp were wrapped in barbed wire. Watch tower guards with machine guns trained at potential escapees were strategically placed in the camp. Before the walls were erected, a few hundred out of over a million prisoners successfully escaped. A few of these escapees told the story of Auschwitz. It was only after 2 years that Winston Churchill and the rest of the world learned about Nazi Germany’s deep, dark secret. If one prisoner from a cellblock managed to slip away, prisoners of the whole cellblock was punished in the most brutal way. Bathroom privileges were

Bucket list No.17 Visit Auschwitz and swear never to take your life for granted extremely short. If a prisoner took longer than the time allowed, more punishment was meted out by the prison guards who were recruited among the vile, villainous, sadistic scum of German prisons. Dr. Josef Mengele, that psychotic freak of a scientist who experimented mostly on children and women prisoners had a laboratory in one building to conduct his ghastly, inhumane experiments. Mengele was manic about wearing pure white, perhaps, to cover for the blackness of his soul — that is — if he had one. Mengele escaped the Soviet invasion of the camp and fled to another county in South America where it was said he drowned in the sea. Many of those in the higher echelons of Nazi Germany escaped to the South American continent to disappear and become incognito. A few of the guards immigrated to the US never mentioning their military background in Nazi Germany. They raised families and lived quietly below the radar, dying natural deaths and escaping justice here on earth. Yet though the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow, one by one, over the next few decades, with preponderance of evidence of their roles in Auschwitz, many of those responsible for this atrocity were ferreted out to face justice. Most faced death. I also saw the cellblock of St. Maximilian. Here is a story of saintly heroism many may not have heard of. Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan priest dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary. Of German descent, he was born Raymund Kolbe in Poland. He had a vision of the Virgin Mary when he was 12 that foretold of his martyrdom. Maximilian had established monasteries in India and Japan. He was taken prisoner by the Nazis for his anti-Nazi stance in his publications and for hiding Jews. He volunteered to take

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the place of another prisoner marked for death by starvation, a slow agonizing way of dying, as a deterrent for inmates thinking of escape. Maximilian took his place because the man had a family. In a starvation bunker, he was taking too long to die that his impatient captors, injected him with a lethal dose of carbolic acid. St. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of the chemically addicted, of prisoners, of journalists and of pro-lifers. He died a Marian priest to the core of his being. Outside in the bright sunlight, we walked and stood where the trains stopped to unload hundreds of thousands of Jewish families who had to wear the yellow Star of David to mark them off from the Poles, Roma (gypsies) and Soviet prisoners of war that were caught in the Nazi dragnet. The trains that brought the Jews in from many parts of Europe supplied the camp. This was Nazi systematic human trafficking and slavery on a conveyor belt in World War II. This was the reason Auschwitz had to be kept a secret from the world. Picture this. As families disembarked from the rail cars, they were separated and sorted out to fit categories. The young, strong ones, both men and women, who can provide slave labor for the Nazi war machinery were prized and stood apart in one line. The weak, sick, elderly, mothers and young children and the infirm were marked for disposal. Most probably knew in their hearts that it would be the last time they would see each other. They were stripped of their possessions and were later tattooed their prisoner numbers on their left forearms as one would label cattle. (Final installment of 3 parts next week … ) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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2020 Office & School Supply Business Expo in San Gabriel, CA Hosted by Officezilla-Los Angeles, the 2020 Office & School Supply Business Expo will be a showcase of new and innovative products on Thursday, January 30. The event kicks off at 4 to 5:30 p.m. with a complimentary networking mixer where you can meet likeminded business professionals. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles San Gabriel, the expo will feature hundreds of exhibitors featuring office products, cleaning products, furniture, promotional items, printing solutions safety products, school supplies, ink/toner and so much more. They will also be raffling a variety of products. Guests must be registered and present to win. To register, please visit http://www.officezillalabizexpo.com/.

F E B R UA RY 1

2020 Filipino Policy Symposium in Hayward, CA The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and LEAD Filipino are inviting all interested nonprofit, grassroots, and student organizations to the 2020 Filipino Policy Symposium on Saturday, February 1. It will be held at Cal State University East Bay in Hayward, CA. Breakfast and registration begin at 9 a.m. with the conference from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join as Filipino organizations from across California come together to discuss issues affecting the community and determine which legislative bills/public policies to push during the upcoming 2020 Fil Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Tickets ($25 for General Admission and $15 for Student) can be purchased on Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/FilSymposium2020.

F E B R UA RY 1 5

Live Filipino Music at Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, MA An evening of live music at the Hard Rock Cafe - Boston with talented Filipino American bands and performers, including Arianne Aldecoa, Balut Proof, Highland Ave Band, Jireh Calo and John dela Cruise. Bring your special someone, your besties or your family on this Valentine’s Day weekend. For tickets/info, call Rowena (617) 407-0232 or Ning (508) 843-0346.

MARCH 10

Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Stevenson Ranch, CA The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-night-only event to be held at West Ranch High School on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with Bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library which includes In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade and Pennsylvania 6-5000. Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians in the process. The most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. The performance will be held at West Ranch High School Theater (26255 Valencia Blvd. Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381). Ticket prices are $25 – Seniors/Students/Military; $30 – General; or $40 – Premium Seating. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets available online at westranchmusic.com or by calling (661) 222-1220 ext. 645.

Melai Cantiveros and husband Jason Francisco with their adorable daughters Mela and Stella.

Photo from Instagram/@mrandmrsfrancisco

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january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

EntErtainmEnt

The timeless appeal of Ian Veneracion

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Dingdong now Philippine Navy lieutenant commander by Jan

Milo Severo

Philstar.com

By Monet

Lu

IAN Veneracion was at Morongo Casino performing last Saturday, January 18 and I couldn’t help wonder how impressive to how well he’s kept his still relatively youthful looks. Now that he’s being “rediscovered” in a big way, his career in showbiz seems to be soaring high as he is paired with actresses who are 20 years his junior! Cu r r ent ly, Vener ac ion i s teamed up with Bea Alonzo in their new primetime series on ABS-CBN. But for a long time since he came back to showbiz, he was paired with Jodi Sta Maria and their tandem has been such a hit! They starred in pivotal projects “All You Need Is PagIbig,” “The Achy Breaky Hearts” and the remake of the classic series, “Pangako Sa Yo.” He was also nominated Best Actor in the 41st Metro Manila Festival for his performance in “All You Need is Pag-ibig.” No wonder Veneracion is one of the most bankable leading men. He’s like wine – he gets better with time, is sophisticated and his charm captivates both young and older audiences. Like, I said: a vampire! But seriously, Veneracion’s appeal is just timeless. And there’s nothing more relaxing than seeing his pretty face on TV as he plays Anton Noble IV in “A Love to Last.” In the series, he is the high-flying CEO and president husband of Grace (Iza Calzado). When Grace decides to seek an annulment, Anton finds love in newly-single Andrea (Bea Alonzo). Born on February 7, 1975, Stephen Ian Veneracion started acting since he was five years old. His parents are Roy Veneracion, a famous painter and Susan Lopez. He was first cast by Leo Rialp in a Christmas TV show and has taken up many roles from being child actor to matinee idol to action star to villain and finally a father. Among the remarkable movies under his belt are “Anak ng Demonyo” and “El Presidente.”

EMPLOYMENT

Ian Veneracion

Veneracion is also notable for his involvement in the current defunct youth variety show called “That’s Entertainment” that he was a part of for a decade. But wait, there’s more to this man than being a talented actor. Veneracion paints, plays the guitar and piano like a pro, and has licenses in piloting, skydiving and paragliding. He loves cooking and baking such that he took up a course in Culinary Arts. With all these amazing abilities, who do you think he loves doing all these things with and for? None other than his lovely wife, Pam Gallardo. Yes, my friends. This fish is hooked and is very much spoken for. Veneracion’s choice of a woman as his wife was indeed surprising for a rising celebrity like him as Pam is neither an actress, singer or painter. She is an industrial engineer who graduated from UP Diliman and has a masters degree in Education from Ateneo. At 22 years old, Veneracion married his long-time girlfriend Pam in 1997. Veneracion said in an interview that Pam is very understanding of his job, including the romantic scenes he has with his onscreen partners. He also mentioned her as an ideal partner who can balance between her job and family well. Pam is even supportive of Ian’s expensive hobbies. He and his wife have planned to set up a pre-school. The power couple has three children, Draco (17), Deirdre (15)

and Buccio (8). Being a family man, Veneracion usually spends his time painting, swimming, fishing and visiting museums with his children. According to an inter view with Inquirer, Veneracion stated that he is quite proud to be a father, saying “But the role I’m the proudest of is being a dad. Fatherhood has allowed me to teach my kids what my dad (visual artist Roy Veneracion) has taught me: Explore your options.” Such an amazing family and I cannot get over the fact that he is just human. Yep, not a vampire, a Greek god or an immortal. Still, not any mortal man – an incredibly handsome one, if I may add – would have the same successes like this one if not for his character, will, determination and love for his family. For that, I applaud him. Ian Veneracion may not be immortal but the values he passed on to his children and the contributions he’s made to the industry will last in perpetuity just as his youthfulness has through the years. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com.

EMPLOYMENT

KAPUSO actor Dingdong Dantes is now officially a lieutenant commander of the Philippine Navy. In Marian Rivera’s Instagram account, the Kapuso actress posted a photo of Dingdong at the donning of the ranks at the Philippine Navy Headquarters on Monday, January 27. “Lieutenant Commander Jose Sixto G. Dantes III PN (Res). Super proud of you my husband... Salute!” Marian wrote in the caption. Dingdong enlisted as a Navy reservist in 2017. He will play a soldier in the upcoming Kapuso teleserye “Descendants of the Sun,” a remake of the Korean series with the same title. Prior to this, Dingdong reacted to his different memes circulating on social media. In an interview with the media during Dunkin’ Donuts’ recent launch of its newly renovated store in Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, Dingdong recalled al-

ready getting sleepy on set until he saw the memes. “Ang dami kong favorite. Pero pinakapaborito ko yung ‘Done Test’,” Dingdong said. “Sa akin it made my day e, nakakatuwa. Pero pinakamagandang take away don e naging social experience siya e. Iba-iba ‘yung feeling while looking at it. Ang mahalaga para sa akin ay sumaya ako, nagising kami sa taping at nagkaroon ng interaction because of the memes,” he added. Dingdong said that he and his team all created different memes while on the set. “Anyway, nangyari kasi ‘yon, nagte-taping kami, inaantok na kami mga 10 p.m., tapos biglang nagdadatingan so biglang nagising kami lahat e. Gumagawa kami ng version namin sa set kaya medyo sumaya kami noong gabi na ‘yon,” he shared. When asked what’s his wife’s reaction was to the memes, Dingdong said: “Si Marian tawang tawa din siya. Gumawa na rin siya ng version niya. Lahat sila meron sa bahay pero pang sa amin lang.” But while Dingdong was happy

Dingdong Dantes Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera

with Filipinos’ creativity, he reminded them to be responsible when posting online. “Nakikita mo yung creativity ng Pinoy. Pero ang mahalaga din d’on, pag minsan ay nagoverboard na, sila sila rin ang nagsasabi nang ‘O parang sobra na.’ Nand’on pa rin ‘yung responsibility,” he said.

What Maymay misses about her life away from showbiz

Maymay Entrata

RELUCTANT star, Maymay Entrata, one half of the MayWard tandem, says she misses “life away from show biz, sometimes.” “I miss not thinking about being a celebrity all the time, about it not being my responsibility,” says Maymay, whose entry to show biz was via the reality talent search “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7,” where she was declared grand champion. Her love-team partner, Edward Barber, placed fourth in the competition. “When I joined the contest, I didn’t realize that it was work, or that I’d be working from then on. I miss my simple life (in Cagayan de Oro, where she grew up). I used to worry just about school assignments. I miss my life without all of you asking me to answer questions about all sorts of issues,” Maymay tells reporters, laughing. “If I’m finally able to fulfill all my plans for my family, I want to travel,” Maymay says, turning serious. “Australia is my dream destination, but I also want to see Korea and Italy. I also want to go to New York and Paris.” (Marinel Cruz/Inquirer. Photo from Instagram/@maymay net)

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-fEbRUARy 5, 2020

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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation hosts Princesses and seasoned inaugural Courage Ball, raises over $650,000 stars in ‘Anak Ni Waray Special gala honored Nevada Governor and First Lady

LAS VEGAS (January 27, 2020) – The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is proud to announce a successful culmination to the inaugural Courage Ball, which took place the evening of Jan. 17, 2020 at The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. The event raised over $650,000 in funds to support the Foundation and its efforts. This special gala was dedicated to Dana Marshall Bernstein, youth ambassador and daughter of Las Vegas lawyer Ed Bernstein and Cari Marshall, who passed away in 2017 after a lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease. The roaring 20’s-themed ball hosted over 500 business leaders, philanthropists and health professionals. During the evening, the Foundation paid tribute to the following distinguished honorees for their dedicated efforts to cure or raise awareness of these devastating diseases: Dr. Howard Baron, 2020 Clinician of the Year; Patient ‘Honored Hero’ Jaclyn McDonald; and Governor and First Lady of Nevada, Steve and Kathy Sisolak, also were honored. “We were extremely excited

to present this first Courage Ball and bring the community together to support critical programs like research, education, advocacy and patient services,” said Jennifer Campbell, Las Vegas Chapter Community Director. “Through sponsorship support, we are providing hope and inspiring action as we work to seek a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Bringing awareness to this cause is crucial.” In Southern Nevada alone, over 22,000 patients are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. For more information on the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, please visit: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Known collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects nearly 1 in 100 people. They are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn’s disease may attack anywhere along the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgery. Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35; however, the incidence is increasing in children. About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Vs Anak Ni Biday’ remake

THIS week saw the muchtalked about TV adaptation of Regal Film’s 1984 blockbuster “Anak Ni Waray Vs. Anak Ni Biday” from the creative team of GMA Network. Headlining this story of a most sensational rivalry between friends-turned-mortal enemies are two of the network’s brightest stars, Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza as Ginalyn and promising young Kapuso actress Kate Valdez as Caitlyn. The drama also highlights famous tourist destinations from the provinces of Leyte and Ilocos namely the iconic San Juanico Bridge and the thrilling Paoay Sand Dunes, given how Ginalyn and Caitlyn hail from two different regions. Forteza shared at the prime time series’ media launch last week how she took classes to learn the Waray dialect but that she mostly enjoyed immersing herself into Leyte’s culture. “Tinuro sa amin how they live, kung papaano sila magtrabaho para sa family nila. Nakakatuwa kasi parehas na may strong personality ang mga taga-Leyte at Ilocos. Ang sarap gampanan ng role ko kasi very empowering siya especially sa mga kababaihan. Kilala ang mga Waray na palaban at hindi papatalo.”

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading non-profit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life for the estimated 3 million Americans living with IBD. For over 50 years, we have been inspiring and engaging patients and caregivers in the

country’s largest IBD community and helping to dramatically accelerate the pace of research by breaking down traditional barriers to patients, data, funding, and collaborations. We also provide extensive educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. For more information, visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org, call 888-694-8872, or email info@ crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Valdez said on the other hand she is happy to work with Forteza for the first time in this soap. “Actually noong workshop pa lang, sobrang ramdam ko na very warm si Barbie. Naramdaman ko ‘yung care niya sa akin as an ate. Kaya excited ako na maka-work ko pa siya sa maraming eksena,” she shared. Meanwhile, the drama also introduces the exciting reunion of seasoned actresses Snooky Serna as Amy and Dina Bonnevie as Sussie in their most colorful roles yet. Serna, who portrayed the role of Biday’s daughter in the original film, noted what makes the TV adaptation different from the 1984 original. “‘Yung version namin ngayon, they’ve put a little bit more drama in it. It’s not a complete copy of the original story. They’ve given it a different twist altogether so we have a different story. Ang pareha lang ay sina Waray at Biday, perennially mortal enemies talaga sila,” she said. Bonnevie, who has no trouble speaking Ilocano after marrying Ilocos Sur politician Deogracias Victor Savellano, touchingly revealed why she accepted the offer to portray Biday. PAGE 14

Snooky Serna is the Waray mom to Forteza, while Dina Bonnevie is Biday to Valdez. Both ‘80s stars, Serna, who was part of the original movie, and Bonnevie say one reason why they accepted the TV roles is the chance to work with each other again. GMA photo

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january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

Features

Jinggoy on showbiz comeback, ABS-CBN franchise renewal by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

FORMER Senator Jinggoy Estrada refused to comment on the issue surrounding ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com after the press conference of his comeback movie “Coming Home,” Jinggoy said he doesn’t know yet the status of the franchise renewal. “I’m not really into it. I don’t know the ins and outs, the status of the franchise of the ABS-CBN, so as much as possible I don’t want to comment about that,” he told Philstar.com. “It’s the decision naman of the lawmakers sa House,” he added. Paired with Sylvia Sanchez in

“Hindi ko pwedeng talikuran ang aking pinanggalingan dahil dito ko nakilala, sa pag-aartista,” Estrada said of his showbiz comeback. His last movie before “Coming Home” was “Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round” in 2009. It can be recalled that he received a Best Actor award from the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival for “Katas Ng Saudi.” “Coming Home” is also the screen debut of Miss Unviverse 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida, who plays as Jinggoy’s mistress in the movie. Directed by Adolf Alix, the Jinggoy Estrada Philstar.com photo movie also stars Martin del Rosathe movie, Jinggoy is set to return rio, EA de Guzman, Jake Ejercito, to showbiz via ALV Films and Mav- Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Janne erick Films’ “Coming Home.” Agoncillo and Julian Estrada.

Princesses and seasoned stars in ‘Anak... PAGE 13 “After a long time, Snooky and I will be working together again,” she enthused. “And I really welcomed it because I haven’t done comedy in a long time. Excited ako kasi kakaiba and I won’t have to cry buckets of tears.” Star-studded Adding spice to the already fuming feud between the Warays and Bidays are: Migo Adecer as Cocoy, a charming city boy who crosses paths with Ginalyn and Caitlyn; Jay Manalo as Joaquin, a dashing man from Manila who becomes Amy and Sussie’s apple of the eye leading to their broken friendship; Teresa Loyzaga as Dorcas, Joaquin’s sophisticated cousin who would do anything to keep their family’s riches to herself; Faith da Silva as Agatha, Dorcas’ spoiled brat daughter; Jean Saburit as Vanessa, doting mother of Cocoy; Tanya Montenegro as Glenda, Amy’s cousin and close confidant from Leyte; Benedict Cua as Benny, a famous charismatic vlogger of FilipinoChinese descent and Caitlyn’s best friend; and Celia Rodriguez as Zenaida, Sussie’s elitist and controlling mother who makes Amy’s life a living hell. “Anak Ni Waray Vs. Anak Ni Biday” also enjoys the special participation of Lovi Poe as young Sussie and Max Collins as young Amy who will be portraying the roles of Bonnevie and Serna, respectively, during their

younger years for the pilot week; as well as Jason Abalos as young Joaquin; Pinky Amador as young Zenaida; Mike ‘Pekto’ Nacua as Randy, young Joaquin’s comrade; Yanna Asistio as young Glenda; and Franco Gray Nerona as Joni, young Amy’s friend and fellow helper in Sussie’s villa. The plot Despite being worlds apart in status and origin, young Amy the Waray from Leyte and young Sussie the Biday from Ilocos are the best of friends. Young Amy works for young Sussie’s rich Ilocano family based in Manila in exchange for the latter’s family funding her school expenses. Their inseparable bond is jeopardized when the dashing young Joaquin captures the hearts of both women. After finding out they have fallen in love with the same man, young Amy and young Sussie’s lovely friendship crumbles and to make it worse they are both bear young Joaquin’s children. As years pass, Amy’s daughter Ginalyn (Forteza) grows up into a diligent and optimistic woman who juggles their Binagol business and her tour guide duties. Meanwhile, Sussie’s prim and proper daughter Caitlyn (Valdez) is a frustrated vlogger with dreams of making it big one day. Just as Amy and Sussie thought they have left their past behind, history repeats itself when their daughters cross paths and ironically become good friends.

Barbie Forteza and Kate Valdez go from friends to rivals in their latest starrer on prime time. GMA photo

When the truth about their mothers’ feud comes out, will Ginalyn and Caitlyn’s budding friendship also be put to the test? The show’s creative team is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; creative head Richard “Dode” Cruz; creative consultant Jojo Tawasil Nones; headwriter Renato Custodio; writers Tina Samson-Velasco and Erwin Bravo; and brainstormers Wiro Michael Ladera, Liberty Constantino and Kayla Factolerin.

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From Magic Johnson to Terrell Owens... PAGE 10 patterns and whatnot. Magic has been so patient with me. It’s been 26 years and he’s still a client and so supportive,” Alba said. In a 2018 video for Lebron James’ brand Uninterrupted, Johnson said that Alba earned his trust “by being the best out there in the business.” “From the very beginning, she was a businesswoman and I was so impressed with her knowledge of what would look good on me and what wouldn’t,” he added. That meeting with Johnson was a “learning curve,” she said, given that it was her first shot in this solo venture. But it would be the model for streamlining the process for future clients, who eventually followed through referrals. “Once you get one player, you get a handful of players on their team. The players then get traded to other teams so they introduce you. It’s like a domino effect,” she explained. “That’s how I built my business — word of mouth, just being honest and building relationships.” Her early clients included NFL players Robert Griffith and Terrell Owens and they continue to be close friends, with Griffith as her daughter’s godfather and Owens gifting her framed memorabilia when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. When asked to sift through years of amusing stories and recount at least one, Alba talked about how she and her assistant met baseball player Barry Bonds — who was with the San Francisco Giants at the time — at a hotel lobby in LA while they were scouting potential clients. “We get his measurements and he orders six outfits, which we delivered the next week in San Diego. I remember him saying, ‘I just felt sorry for you gals, like I didn’t really think that you could conduct business but I see that you do.’ He ended up ordering 26 outfits and had us fly to Oakland where he was playing and introduced us to his wife, who he ended up buying 26 outfits for also. She got clothes for their daughter too and they did this whole family portrait shoot. He was a good client for a few years.” Though she has been an entrepreneur for nearly three decades, ALBA is her third business and will be celebrating its seventh year. It’s taken her this long to name a venture after herself out of humility but reframed it as leaving a legacy for her family. “I never wanted it to be about me. So when Magic was like, ‘It has to be your name this time and you have to build your enterprise and all that.’ If it’s going to be called Alba, it needs to mean something. It means ‘A Light Beyond Appearance’ and we’re creating the look of your legacy. I’m doing this for my family,” she said. Family is ingrained in the business as her 75-year-old mother Adel San Juan handles the company’s finances and oversees the production house across the street

Alba with Terrell Owens, a former San Francisco 49ers player who became part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Photo courtesy of Jhoanna Alba

from Alba’s showroom in Downtown LA. Her teenage daughter Ashley comes along to fittings and events, though Alba does not try to sway her in any career direction. “My mom is the first person to get there and the last person to leave. She walks a mile after she gets off the train and she walks a mile to work — rain or shine. That’s the Filipina work ethic,” Alba remarked about San Juan. Though it may be easier to buy designer brands off the rack, ALBA as a line seeks to create timeless looks that include the client in the design process. “I have a notepad right next to my bed and I will wake up in the middle of the night and think of a design and then sketch it and then incorporate that somehow in one of my client’s wardrobes,” Alba said. “I’m not a fan of the word trend because I just feel like it’s about who you are, you create your own trend.” A scroll through the company’s Instagram page (@albalegacy) shows that she and her team have created looks for Steph Curry, Lamar Odom, Klay Thompson and Russell Westbrook, to name a few. On the entertainment side, ALBA’s work includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s wardrobe for HBO’s “Ballers”; a suit for Keanu Reeves during the “John Wick 3” press tour; a pink tweed blazer and skirt for Tyra Banks in “Life Size 2”; pastel-colored suits for hip hop trio Migos’ appearance at the 2019 BET Awards; and a gold leaf-printed tuxedo for Lena Waithe to wear when she won an Emmy in 2017. Even with the long roster of high-profile names and stories over the years, Alba does not name drop or boast about who she has worked with. “My family, my daughter, how I grew up and where I came from continue to ground me. Every other year, we go to the Philippines, like we’re going this year. At the end of the day, I just wanted to provide for my family and it doesn’t matter who I’m working with. They’re people too,” she

said. In addition to getting the Super Bowl looks ready for players by Friday, Alba is mounting other activations in Miami this week, such as a ‘women in sports’ panel, a fashion show and a ‘Legends and Legacy’ discussion with her Hall of Fame clients. Then it’s off to Chicago for NBA All-Star Weekend the third weekend in February, followed by Major League Baseball training in Arizona and Florida; the NFL and NBA draft; ESPN’s ESPY Awards; and creating looks for various players throughout their respective sports’ season. “Business comes in seasons. Everyone expects us at these events so it’s kind of our reunion and they order their clothes for the season. We just touch base with them throughout the season and if they need anything throughout [the] off-season, they give us a call and so we’re able to maintain relationships that way,” she said. One important tip she shares is sifting through her phone contacts and having personal checkins with past and current clients, something as simple as a ‘How are you?’ or ‘How’s your family?’ That’s how she’s been able to provide a level of attentiveness that makes each person feel like they’re her only client. The bespoke clothing business is her “bread and butter,” but Alba started two other side ventures: Mi Armore, a line of fashion arm warmers, and another called V.I.E.W. (short for Visionaries Inspiring & Empowering Women), a platform for female professionals to connect, find mentors and have an accountability group. She’s quick to chart her journey and share career advice, but the answer to ‘How did you do it?’ boils down to “faith over fear.” “When I was the most stressed out in my life, I was the most unproductive. So I feel like stress is a distraction to take you off track. If you ever feel stress or anxiety, you have to find your balance to find that peace. With peace comes clarity and then with clarity is execution,” Alba said.

Alba with her mother Adel San Juan and daughter Ashley Wiegman. San Juan oversees ALBA’s production house in LA.

Alba showing ties and other accessories for outfits for long-time friend and client, Magic Johnson

Tyra Banks wears an ALBA creation in “Life Size 2”; Houston Rockets player Russell Westbrook in a custom suit; Alba with Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving; Bottom row shows blazers at the ALBA showroom in Downtown Los Angeles, where all the clothes are custom-made. Photos courtesy of Jhoanna Alba

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 30-fEbRUARy 5, 2020

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january 30-february 5, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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