013120 - Northern California Edition

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USA DATELINEUSA DATELINE FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Palace Fil-Amslams pastorMidler among for Dutertesworn criticism members into Trump’s AAPI advisory commission

MALACAÑANG on Sunday, November 24, slammed singer-actress Bette Midler for describing President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the world’s most detestable leaders as well as lumping him together with the likes of U.S. President Donald Trump and Nazi leader Adolfwas Hitler.

A FILIPINO American pastor among “She, however, sworn has nointo right as she Donald is inthe 13 members President competent and a gullible talkingon head as Amerwell, Trump’s Advisory Commission Asian onicans matters foreign (AAPIs) leaders she andconcerning Pacific Islanders by has Vice noPresident personalMike knowledge said presidential Pence onof,�

Monday, January 27. spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Herman Martir, a pastor based in Fort Worth, “She should be circumspect an influencer Texas, was present as Pence as administered the and should refrain from giving andat oath during a Lunar New Yearone-sided celebration judgmental comments on internal affairs of the White House. another sovereign especially Martir told thestate, Asian Journal ifinher anreferemail ences false narratives coming from the that isare �an honor� to “serve our nation andpothe litical opposition and somecommunity.� biased media outlets Asian Pacific American whose is to besmirch President Rodrigo “Asagenda a member of President Trump’s AAPI Commission, I will do my best to represent the u PAGE A2

PH Senate’s VFA review to include MDT, EDCA Firing VP akin to EJK — Lagman

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

by JESS DIAZ MANILA — The Senate will expand its review Philstar.com of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States to include OPPOSITION Lagman Albay on other securityRep. pactsEdcel with the U.S. –oflike the 1951 Tuesday, November 26, likened to an extrajudicial Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) – and come up with killing President Duterte’s removal of Vice recommendations to MalacaĂąang suchPresident as amendLeni Robredo as co-chairperson of the ing and clarifying vague provisions Inter-Agency that may seem Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). inequitable. “The summary of athe vice president as The decisiondismissal to conduct sweeping assessment ICAD co-chair without valid reasons and due of the VFA came afterany members of the Senate comprocess akin to anrelations, extrajudicial killing.

LikeAquiliEJK mitteeison foreign chaired

by Sen. victims, Robredo criticizedmeeting the Duterte no Pimentel III,fought held aand closed-door on the administration’s drugs,� issue as some bloody senatorswar wereon cool to suchLagman a review, said. saying it may be seen as encroaching on the powHe that the branch. president fired Robredo to ers claimed of the executive hide from herPresident data on the anti-drugs Senate Vicente Sottocampaign.

III suggested a meeting for his colleagues to reach a consensus. “There’s a theory that the VFA is an implemen-

u PAGE A2

PNP says Robredo did not commit ‘missteps’ PH to bring home Filipinos asfrom drug czar Wuhan, Hubei amid R M coronavirus threat

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom THE United States Supreme Court allowed onthe Friday, November 22, announced thewith selecTrump administration to proceed ention of diverse experts, forcing changes to the practitioners public chargeand ruleparthat ents to guide California’s efforts on earlystatus learn-to could deny legal permanent residency ing and care.

The Governor appointed 20 certain immigrants if they today are likely to require members of the state’s in new government assistance the Early future.Childhood Policy and In Council a 5-4 vote onadvisory Monday,committees, January 27, includthe coning national experts,high practitioners, andinparents. servative-leaning court ruled favor of Hethealso announced the creation an Early administration’s request to lift of a lower court Childhood Research develop a injunctionAction that blocked theTeam policytochange from Master forlast Early Learning and Care, which takingPlan effect October.

CONTRARY MalacaĂąang’s reasons for byto RITCHEL MENDIOLA firing Vice PresidentAJPress Leni Robredo as cochair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the Philippine THE Department of Foreign Affairs on National Police on Tuesday, 26, Tuesday, January 28, saidNovember the Philippine saidgovernment they did not see Robredo makeFilipiany is ready to bring home “misstepsâ€? her province, 18-day stint as the nos fromduring the Hubei the epicenadministration’s anti-drug czar.(nCoV). ter of the novel coronavirus “During herAffairs stay asUndersecretary co-chair of ICAD, we Foreign Brigido haven’t noticed any report or misDulayreally said DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsteps,â€? said PNP spokesman BernardConsulBanac sin Jr. has ordered the Philippine in an with ANC’s Edition.â€? ateinterview in Shanghai, China“Early to immediately “But the continuing of start in processing Filipinosdiscussion, in the Hubei course, therewho is that exchange of ideas and province wish to be repatriated to insofar as discussion on a higher level, the the Philippines.

PNP is really involved anymore so we Henot added that there will be two private leave it to the higher charter airlines thatauthorities,� will fly fromhe theaddChied. na province to the Philippines.

According to Presidential spokesperson Following the Department of Health Salvador Panelo,repatriated Robredo committed guidelines, Filipinos sevfrom eralChina ‘missteps’ seeking thedays advice will including be subjected to 14 of of certain foreign institutions and personmandatory quarantine.

Governor Newsom Supreme Court allows announces Early Childhood ‘publicCouncil charge’and rulea team Policy that could toexpansion develop master plan for impact legaland immigration early learning care

PAGEA2 A2 uuPAGE

by

SENATOR Franklin Drilon on MANILA — President Rodrigo Tuesday, November 26,January said Duterte on Wednesday, he Representatives is 29 House barred of members of the Cabionet blame the mishaps this fromfor traveling to theinUnited year’s Games States,Southeast days after Asian he ordered the which the country hosting. termination of theisVisiting Forces According (VFA) to the between opposition Agreement the senator, the House RepresenPhilippines and its of longtime miliatives was late in submitting tary ally. he “Iproposed national will not allow any budget Cabinet nmember December, to gocontaining there at thissome time.

P95 pork barrel thatbefuNo billion Cabinetinmember should aleled debates. delay, States,� some lowed to go toThis the United congressmen claimed, in ledan tointerthe Duterte told reporters SEAG view.blunders. “IfThe there was any it was president alsodelay, stressed that because of them,� in he is now slowly Drilon “toningsaid down�

Filipino. the relations between the PhilipLast and December, pines the U.S. some membersDuterte of theordered House the of Representermination atives accused by the Presiof the were military pact after U.S. dential Spokesperson Salvador

uPAGE PAGEA2 A3 u

Panelo of employing canceled the visa ofdiversionary his longtime tactics suchSenator as accusing confidant RonaldBudget “Bato�

Secretary Benjamin of irDela Rosa, who hasDiokno also led his regularities preparation of bloody war in onthe drugs. the The 2019VFA, national budget. signed in 1998, acDrilon,legal however, pointed out corded status to U.S. troops that onlyinthree oppowhothere were are rotated the country sition members in the Senate for military exercises and humani—tarian not enough to operations. delay the pasassistance sage of the budget.

Dela Rosa, who was Duterte’s chief of police from 2016 to even 2018, Furthermore, he said that the U.S.was Embassy not ifsaid the budget delayed,did most why his ofexplain the funds usedvisa forwas thevoided SEA but he infrastructure acknowledged it has someGames were from thing to loans. do with alleged extrajudiseparate cial hisunderstand watch. “I killings really under do not he took offi ce in 2016, the Since relationship between the Duterte has aireddelay,� his disblunders andpublicly the budget dain for the U.S.—the country’s Drilon said. most military experially and Someimportant of the mishaps former colonizer—and his desire enced before the official launch of to pivot to China and Russia. the regional sports event include This was not the first time members of foreign delegations threatened scrap the toDuterte the sporting eventtocomplaining about awful accommodations

Filipina American basketball Hontiveros: ‘China-made’ coach among victims of Kobe blackouts can cripple PH Bryant helicopter crash According to her, with China

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

PressRESS byAJ AJP

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on A FILIPINA American coach Monday, November 25, warned was one of nine passengers, along hat “China-made blackouts� with basketball icon Kobe Bryant could paralyze the country’s econand his 13-year-old daughter Giomy, vital communications system anna, killed in the helicopter that and even the electoral system.

tation of the MDT, so let’s include that, and since EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) is an adjunct of the to MDT, that’s included,�

Her dismissal “is similar the extrajudicial killPimentel told reporters. ing of some victims to silence them and cover up in“We’re not interfering in any way, we’re just criminatory information known to them,â€? he said. reviewing‌ the attitude of the executive branch Lagman belongs to the opposition Liberal Party is they want to consult us so we expect their full (LP), which Robredo chairs. cooperation,â€? he said.

Another LP leader, Jose Christopher Belmonte of He said the review will cover, among others, Quezon City, who is the party’s secretary general, the benefits the country may have obtained since said the vice president was fired as she might have the MDT, VFA and EDCA came into force, as well “discovered significant information on the root of as the problems that arose with the regular entry our nation’s drug trade.� of US troops in the country. “What was important to her was putting a stop to He said the VFA between the Philippines and the killings. That’s why she talked to the right peoAustralia will also be looked into by the panel, ple, coordinated with the right agencies, asked the even as he conceded that the joint congressioright questions. Why was she suddenly removed?� nal oversight panel on such agreements “has not Belmonte asked. been active.�

Another congressman, Rufus Rodriguez of Ca“What is the national interest at stake in these agreements?� Pimentel said.

The panel will also inquire on the status of ef-

forts of some quarters in government to seek a renegotiation of the MDT to make U.S. security commitments clearer, he said. gayan de Oro City, said Robredo’s removal was Pimentel said the panel may be able to come “rather unfortunate.â€? up with a report and forward a copy of the same “President Duterte’s experiment in appointing her to MalacaĂąang before the end of next month, or was doomed from the very start. The VP is leader of before President Duterte makes a final decision the opposition, a lawyer and an advocate of human whether or not to scrap the VFA. rights. Her views on the anti-illegal drugs campaign He noted that Duterte last week gave Washingwere diametrically opposed to the current thrusts of ton 30 days to restore Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s U.S. the administration,â€? he said. visa and the same deadline to concerned agencies Rodriguez said Duterte’s “All Boys Club was thereto study the impact of scrapping the VFA. fore worried, to say the least, on her entry into the Duterte had threatened to scrap the agreement picture.â€? in response to the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa. “To them, her appointment was totally unacceptSen. Sherwin Gatchalian will be among the lawable. So it’s now business as usual,â€? he added. makers who will file a resolution to formally call for The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan the review.

(Bayan) said the people are awaiting Robredo’s reMany senators – both from the majority and opport on the drug–war.

(With Villanueva) â– position blocs agree thatRhodina the president has the prerogative to terminate treaties and agreements

u PAGE A2

ITCHEL ENDIOLA AJPress

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, LINKED TOGETHER. President Rodrigo joins other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations andCalifornia Republic on of Korea Quezon City on Tuesday, January 28. Duterte Bryant was killed with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in(ASEAN) Calabasas, Sunday,President January Moon at the and Convention 26. Jae-in as they pose for a family photo prior to the start of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit PNA photo byBusan Rico H.Exhibition Borjaby Richard Madelo Center on Tuesday, November 26.

MalacaĂąang photo by Arman Baylon

Duterte Cabinet members traveling to US Drilon saysbars House to blame for SEAfrom Games budget mess

by DARRYL JOHN ESGUERRA

by AJP RESS Inquirer.net

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

crashed outside Los Angeles on controlling 40 percent of the NaSunday, January 26. tional Grid Corp. of the Philippines Christina Mauser, 38, was an (NGCP), it has the capability to assistant coach for Gianna Bryundermine national security and ant’s Mamba Academy basketball “even topple the government.� team, a job that 41-year-old BryHontiveros gave out the warnant hand-selected her for. ing after deliberating on the

u PAGE A2 u PAGE A2

and delayed transportation after their arrival in the Philippines, inadequate food served to the athletes, and unfinished venues. ‘Apology not enough’ Sen. Christopher “Bongâ€? Go, for his part, said that the organizers of SEAG this year will be made “answerableâ€? for “apparent inefficienciesâ€? that happened in the past few days. “They said before, the preparation, venues, and everything that will be used for games were President Rodrigo Roathe Duterte presides over the 41st Cabinet at the MalacaĂąan almost ready Meeting and complete.

As on September 4, 2019. PHISGOC ofPalace October 30, 2019, Simeon Celi Jr./ Presidential photo stated that preparations are 90% VFA. ButHow the come firebrand complete. these leader have claimed thathehesaid is “not joking� happened?� in Filipino with the termination on Monday, Nov. 25. fo the VFA. “I am VFA. I was “To allterminating the parties,the remember, not joking.

I said it was one’s failure The is theday failure of us all. theme dayremind that I decided it should be Let everyone that you terminated,� he said.to■the Presiwill be answerable

u PAGE A2

PH notbill onseeks list oftocountries eligible Senate teach GMRC anew for H-2A and H-2B visa programs

by MARION

RAMOS Inquirer.net

by MOMAR G. VISAYA SENATOR Panfi lo Lacson has AJPress filed a measure institutionalizing good manners and right conduct THE U.S. Citizenship and Im(GMRC) as a separate subject and for migration Services (USCIS) pupils from kindergarten to Grade the Department of Homeland 3Security to counter the negative effects (DHS), in consultation of the the internet on the attitude of with Department of State young (DOS),Filipinos. announced last week the In offiling Senatewhose Bill No. 1185, list countries nationals Lacson said no less than Educaare eligible to participate in the tion Secretary Leonor Briones had H-2A and H-2B visa programs in pointed 2020. out that “technology withoutFor good manners is a secretary disaster�

2020, the acting and that “online or technologyof Homeland Security has dedriven pedagogy� could not incultermined, with the concurrence cate social among of the Offivalues ce of and the skills Secretary of young State, students. that the countries desigStrong nated as values eligible in 2019 will reBy unchanged. having a separate GMRC main subject, he saidthat the students This means nationalswould of the be able to understand “human dig-

nity, respect for oneself and giving oneself to others in the spirit of community, for still the not effective and Philippines are eligible to holistic development of and the H-2B deciparticipate in the H-2A sion-making skillsLast of theyear, child.â€?DHS visa programs. “It is the the aim of this act‌ toalong betremoved Philippines ter mold our youth to have strong with Dominican Republic (H-2B values and Ethiopia moral foundation which only) and “because they will contribute in shaping a reno longer meet the regulatory spectable society,â€? read a portion

of Lacson’s bill, a copy of which was furnished the media on Sunday, November 24.H-2A and H-2B standards for the “The teaching method shall be visa programs.â€? actual or situational, rather Regthan According to a Federal conceptual, thereby the ister document, theallowing Philippines [students] to directly relate to the had a high H-2B overstay rate. lessons, readily incorporate In FY 2017, DHS estimatedthem that in practice and make such behavu PAGE A3 ior commonplace,â€? he added. â–

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From the Front Page Fil-Am pastor among members sworn...

BASECO BEACH CLEANUP. Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, together with other government officials, joins the cleanup drive with hundreds of volunteers at the Baseco Beach in Port Area, Manila. A year after launching the P4.7-billion “Battle for Manila Bay” rehabilitation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) says the waters of Manila Bay are now in a much better state..

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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

PAGE A1 t 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 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 — cochairs 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 or-

der 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) n

Supreme Court allows ‘public charge’...

PAGE A1 The liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, voted to stop the policy from moving forward.

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 person 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, January 27.

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) n

Filipina American basketball coach...

PAGE A1 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, January 27, 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 navigate 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 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

Photo shows Fil-Am Christina Mauser (left) and her husband Matt before a 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 a helicopter crash that also killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Photo courtesy of the Mauser family

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

PH Senate’s VFA review to include...

PAGE A1 such as the VFA, even if such pacts require the prior concurrence of the Senate before they enter into force.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the committee on national defense and security, has been critical of how Duterte came up with his decision but still acknowledged that the president has the sole prerogative of revoking the agreement.

Lacson said the decision on whether or not to scrap the VFA should have been preceded by complete staff work “especially on matters as serious as a bilateral agreement that obviously underwent some tedious and intense discussions, first at the executive level then at the Senate for ratification before it became operational.”

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon pushed for the passage of a resolution that will assert the role of the Senate in treaty termination or withdrawal, saying that any treaty and international agreement should only be valid and effective upon concurrence of the Senate.

“The power to bind the Philippines by a treaty and international agreement is vested jointly by the Constitution in the President and the Senate,” Senate Resolution 305 states.

Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution provides that “no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds

of all the members of the Senate.”

“A treaty or international agreement ratified by the president and concurred in by the senate becomes part of the law of the land and may not be undone without the shared power that put it into effect,” the resolution stated.

Drilon first filed the resolution in 2017 during the 17th Congress. Drilon, along with 13 senators, filed Senate Resolution 289 that emphasized that the Senate should have a say when a treaty, or international agreement concurred in by the Senate, is terminated or abrogated. Then neophyte Sen. Manny Pacquiao, however, blocked its passage.

Of the 13 who co-authored the previous resolution with Drilon, nine are incumbent members of the chamber, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Sens. Leila de Lima, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva.

While Drilon’s resolution did not pass despite having been signed by a majority of senators, succeeding resolutions adopted by the Senate explicitly provide for a provision requiring the concurrence of two-thirds of all members of the Senate before a treaty it concurred in is terminated.

A Camp Aguinaldo insider revealed that a series of meetings between defense and military strategists are being held – discussing the pros and cons to the

country’s national security – on what may happen with the possible scrapping of the VFA. Likewise, key people in the defense and military establishments, he said, don’t want a repeat of what happened to the country’s external defense posture when two US facilities – the Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base – were shut down in the early 1990s. – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Elizabeth Marcelo When both U.S. military bases, the biggest outside of the U.S. mainland at the time, were still in operation, the Philippines depended heavily on American forces in securing the country’s air and maritime domain.

When the U.S. withdrew the bases, China took advantage of the Philippines’ defense weakness by immediately establishing its presence in the West Philippine Sea. “These are the matters being discussed as the country still has limited capabilities,” said the source.

Meanwhile, without the official communication regarding VFA termination, both Filipino and US military planners are set to continue with their regular planning sessions for this year’s scheduled joint military exercises.

More than 200 Philippine-US military exercises have already been lined up in 2020, all under the auspices of the MDT. “It’s not clear yet if the VFA will be cancelled and there’s no PAGE A3

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Kids face long-term inequities if PH Senate’s VFA review to include... census doesn’t count them this year Leader of nonprofit that advocates for children issues stark warning about potential undercount

by Pilar Marrero Ethnic Media Services, LA Opinion

SOCIAL programs that California families use every day are directly tied to the U.S. Census count, and the programs are particularly vulnerable because California has a larger share – and number – of the population most at risk of being undercounted: the youngest children of color.

“A significant number of the younger kids in our communities have been missed by the census, and the undercount rates are double for kids of color,” said Mayra Alvarez, president of the Children’s Partnership, a nonprofit focusing on policy and resources tied to children’s welfare.

“The consequences are large, growing and serious.”

Census numbers determine how the federal government divvies up funding for everything from education to health care and a long list of children’s programs.

Alvarez summarized the gravity of an inaccurate count this way: “If the census misses a child born now, the next census won’t happen until they are 10 years old. The most critical period of a child’s life is from 0-3 years old, so we are missing on a key opportunity to support their well-being and opportunities.”

By the time they are be counted in the next census, they will be out of elementary school, she warned.

Speaking on Jan. 16 to a gathering of ethnic media outlets in Los Angeles, Alvarez emphasized the importance of making a direct connection between children’s well-being and the U.S. Census, which begins this week in remote areas of Alaska and continues across the country well into the summer.

The number of missed counts

Mayra Alvarez, president of Children’s Partnership, warns of long-term effects that would result from an undercount of young children in the U.S. Census this year.

Photo by Pilar Marrero

is staggering: 4.6% of children ages 0-4 in 2010. “That’s about 2 million kids not counted or miscounted,” Alvarez said. “One million of those weren’t counted at all. When you think about the impact on funds distribution, political representation, etc., missing a million kids, mostly kids of color, makes a big difference.”

For Latino children, the rate was 7.5% undercounted, for black children 6.3% and for white children: 2.7%. Alvarez calls this undercount being essentially “erased” from existence by the census.

California annually receives between $75 billion and $76 billion in funding for children’s programs based on the census, Alvarez said. “An undercount costs us about $3 billion in programs such as MediCal, food stamps, cash assistance, housing vouchers, Section 8, special education, Head Start… People don’t recognize how connected they are to census data.”

The census numbers also reflect political representation, because they are used to create electoral districts at all levels of government. Experts believe Cal-

PH to bring home Filipinos...

PAGE A1 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.

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 Inter-agency 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 suspended for the Chinese. The visa for tours, delegates, and businessmen like the cruise ships in Subic, are still ongoing. It should be all),” he said Wednesday.

“What 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

PH not on list of countries...

PAGE A1 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 T-derivative visas issued worldwide from FY 20142016.

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 deter-

mined 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

ifornia is at risk of losing at least one congressional seat in a 2020 undercount.

The causes of the undercount are many, but one is a lack of understanding that small children, even newborns, need to be counted in addition to the adults in a household. Others are a political climate in which families of color or immigrant families feel threatened and language barriers.

How to address the undercount? Alvarez pointed to “oneon-one conversations” that leaders and organizers are having with families in schools and other settings, using schools as “trusted messengers” to families and making sure they have all the information they need.

From these encounters, she said, activists have learned that parents, once informed, “believe that the census will help their kids, recognize there is strength in numbers and want to be more informed.”

Families need to hear that the census form is “easy to fill out, that the law guarantees the privacy of the information and that this data determines the distribution of $800 billion in federal funding.”

The census, she concluded, is “a tool for our democracy, for reducing inequities, and for expanding opportunities for our next generation of kids.” n

PAGE A2 clear guidance to stop the joint military planning sessions for this year’s exercises, particularly on the forthcoming Balikatan exercises in May,” the source said.

‘Irrational’ Sen. Leila de Lima has called President Duterte’s threat to scrap the VFA an “irrational move.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, maintained that the termination of the 1999 military pact allowing Filipino and American soldiers to hold joint drills in the Philippines may only benefit foreign interests rather than those of the Filipino people.

“Decisions on matters of national interest should not be based on one man’s pursuit of personal grudge, his bruised ego or his attempts to look tough when, in truth, he has failed to fulfill his campaign promises and has been, for the last three years, making up excuses and crises to cover up his failures,” she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 708.

“To be clear: canceling the VFA is not the best move for the Filipino people and Philippine interests. It can only be good for certain foreign interests,” she added.

Meanwhile, progressive group

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make public its ongoing review of the VFA. “The DOJ should make public its review of the Visiting Forces Agreement and allow public participation since the matter at hand is about national sovereignty,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said in a press statement.

Reyes made the statement after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the Cabinet cluster on security, justice and peace will convene at Malacañang on Jan. 31 to discuss the VFA. n

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

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 restrictions on participation in public affairs, the supposed effort to silence dissenting voices, and keeping the decision-making out of public scrutiny as reasons.

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-corruption 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

A

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Dateline PhiliPPines Long-term rehab plan eyed for Batangas ‘House of Kobe’ launched in Philippines before tragedy

A

by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III said lawmakers and policymakers should start drawing up a comprehensive long-term plan for the rehabilitation of Batangas.

Sotto said while the government has started implementing short-term strategies to address the immediate needs of residents affected by Taal‘s unrest, these would not be enough to help the province get back on its feet.

“We have to start pooling our ideas to rehabilitate Batangas.

We need permanent solutions to resolve post-disaster concerns and help Batangueños recover,” he said.

He said the government should be ready to implement rehabilitation programs once Taal Volcano quiets down and experts declare that the threat of a hazardous eruption is 100 percent over.

Sotto highlighted the need to address issues on housing, infrastructure and livelihood, which he stressed will be the top three concerns of the provincial government of Batangas.

He said the long-term rehabilitation plans should include the provision of temporary and permanent homes to affected families, repair of roads, buildings and other infrastructure, as well as small and medium enterprise opportunities.

“Let us not forget the hard lessons we have learned from the rehabilitation of Tacloban and Marawi. We did not have ready programs to help those who were affected by these tragedies, to the chagrin of residents who relied heavily on the government to help them get back on their feet,” Sotto said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino prodded the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to immediately formulate a sustainable Taal Volcano resettlement and rehabilitation program.

When Taal Volcano erupted last Jan. 12, Tolentino said the economies of the provinces of Batangas and Cavite, particularly those of the towns of Talisay, Malvar, Tanauan, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Mataasnakahoy, San Nico-

by maRc Jayson

cayabyab

Philstar.com

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

las and the City of Lipa, have been greatly affected “with an estimated P6.6 billion, with agriculture and fisheries contributing to much of the losses at P3.17 billion.”

But more than the economic losses, he said based on the 2015 census, no less than 907,664 residents of which more than 4,000 are in Taal Volcano island, have been displaced by the eruption.

Figures provided by the Batangas Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council indicate the numbers could be higher with about a million individuals displaced, around 200,000 of them seeking refuge in evacuation centers in Batangas, Cavite and nearby areas.

But with the alert level lowered, Tolentino said a resettlement and rehabilitation program could now be put in place with the DHSUD as the lead agency.

PhilHealth An initial P322.3 million will be released by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) this week to cover 50 percent of the reimbursement claims of health facilities in areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

According to PhilHealth, this is part of the “quick response (mechanism) to the calamity and in order to provide continuous health care services from the affected Health Care Institutions (HCIs) brought about by the Taal eruption.”

MANILA — A Kobe Bryant-inspired basketball court called the “House of Kobe” was inaugurated in Valenzuela on Sunday, January 26, just hours before the basketball legend and his daughter died in a helicopter crash in California.

Artists Jonathan Jaudines and Leander Akamine said they could hardly believe that the mural they painted in the Karuhatan Convention Center had unexpectedly become a tribute.

“We were all shocked. It’s an honor to paint a mural of Bryant,” Jaudines told The STAR on Monday, January 27.

“No one expected that would Philstar.com file photo happen,” said Akamine of the coincidence of Bryant’s death that The funds shall be released followed the court’s inauguration. under the “interim reimburseFlowers were offered and canment mechanism (IRM)” to pro- dles were lit Monday in front of vide substantial aid to affected the court that became a tribute facilities in the aftermath of the wall for Bryant. Jaudines painted calamity.

Byrant’s face on the wall, where The IRM is pursuant to Phil- fans wrote dedications for the Health Circular 34 s-2013 on the basketball legend hours after provision of special privileges news of his death broke. to those affected by a fortuitous “Gone too soon,” a message on event. the wall read. Another one wrote: PhilHealth said the funds will “Rest in peace, Kobe. You’re enable hospitals, primary care still the goat!” In the convention facilities, ambulatory surgical clinics, freestanding dialysis centers and maternity care package providers to continuously provide health care services to THE total deployment ban to affected Filipinos.

Kuwait stays, Malacañang said The Navy donated P700,000 on Tuesday, January 28, even worth of relief goods to San Luis, after murder charges were filed Batangas over the weekend. against the employers of slain Navy chief Vice Admiral Rob- Filipina domestic worker Jeaneert Empedrad turned over the lyn Villavende. items to the Municipal Social Palace spokesman Salvador PanWelfare Development (MSWD) elo made the statement after Labor of San Luis.

Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd disNaval spokesman Lt. Com- closed in a Senate hearing on Tuesmander Maria Christina Roxas day that he has been informed of said three evacuation sites were the filing of a criminal case against identified for the distribution Villavende’s killers. of the relief goods, including “Okay ‘yun. Diba yun ang hinithe San Isidro Labrador Parish hingi natin, justice, na mademanChurch in Barangay Poblacion da sila (That’s okay. That’s what where thousands of residents we’re asking for, justice, and that from Lemery and Taal are tem- they should be charged). We welporarily sheltered. come that,” Panelo said during a Also receiving relief items Palace press briefing. were evacuees at the Taliba “Ganun pa din temporary ‘yun Evacuation Center in Barangay ban (So it will stay because the Taliba and San Luis Academy in ban is just temporary),” he added.

Calumpang West. n Villavende’s death in the hands

LAST RESPECTS FOR THE BLACK MAMBA. Kids on their bike visit the memorial wall for Kobe Bryant at the “House of Kobe” along Consolacion Street in Barangay Karuhatan, Valenzuela City on Tuesday, January 28. The “House of Kobe”, a new community center and basketball court, was inaugurated a day before Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

center were paintings of Bryant hanging above the court and beside the entrance.

The balustrade of the court was shaped like a snake, a homage to Bryant’s moniker “Black Mamba.

Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez, who led the inauguration of the covered court on Sunday, was at a loss for words when asked to comment on a remark that the court he had built suddenly became a tribute. The funds for the P24-million convention center was sourced from Martinez’s

congressional allocation. It was the sixth basketball court he had built and named after NBA teams.

Martinez, who described himself as a “die-hard” Lakers fan, said he invited Bryant to drop by the court when he visits the Philippines. He woke up to the news that Bryant had died. “I’m at a loss for words. I had just invited him.

Maybe that’s the reason the court came about,” Martinez told The STAR. He said he would look into having the artists paint a mural for Bryant’s daughter Gianna. n

of her employer’s wife has sparked outrage in Manila, prompting the government to impose the deployment ban.

Malacañang called on Kuwait to fully implement the labor protection agreement or else the deployment ban of Filipino workers would stay.

Based on initial reports, Villavende was dead when brought to a hospital after being beaten. Attending nurses reported that she was “black and blue”.

Bello had initially received a two-sentence report of Kuwait’s autopsy saying Villavende died of “physical injuries,” prompting Philippine authorities to conduct its own autopsy, which then showed the migrant worker was sexually abused and tortured.

Reports quoted Villavende’s family in Norala town, South Cotabato as saying they have rejected

more than P50 million in blood money being offered by the Kuwaiti suspects to settle the case.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. also reiterated that the government would never accept money in exchange for justice.

“I renounce and reject any offer of blood money for her torture/murder. I want two lives for the life they took,” Locsin said in a tweet.

Locsin said that the “topnotch lawyer” hired by the foreign affairs department was also not authorized to suggest or accept blood money.

“If I catch anyone in (Department of Foreign Affairs) making that suggestion they’re fired. I will not accept an improvement in Kuwait’s labor standards either,” he added. (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net) n

Palace: OFW deployment ban to Kuwait stays

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

O PINION Permanent evacuation

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FEATURES

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

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

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.

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.

When a senator’s US visa is deemed greater than the Republic Commentary

ANTONIO P. CONTRERAS ALL it took was for the United States to cancel Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s visa for all hell to break loose. At first, Malacañang spokesman Salvador Panelo downplayed it as a non-issue.

As it turned out, President Rodrigo Duterte was so affected by what happened to dela Rosa that it induced him to let loose his pent-up rage against the U.S., something that dates as far back to his issues with former U.S. President Barack Obama. In retaliation for the cancellation of dela Rosa’s visa, he lashed out at the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the U.S. In his typical expletiveladen ramblings, the president initially gave the impression that it was a threat, where he gave the U.S. one month to restore dela Rosa’s visa, and failure to do so would cost the U.S. the VFA. But later, it appeared that it was no longer a threat, but a directive for the appropriate agencies to begin the process of terminating the VFA. Senator dela Rosa must indeed be very lucky as a person for whom the president feels a lot of warm affection. Dela

Rosa must be so important a person for the president, a valuable ally. Many people simply couldn’t believe that dela Rosa’s U.S. visa could be more powerful and valuable to the president than a bilateral agreement with the U.S. which, while problematic, has also brought many benefits, particularly to our military.

But defenders of the president, and of dela Rosa, argue that it is not just about dela Rosa’s visa. The senator himself pointed out that it is about the one-sided U.S.-Philippine relations, and of a president whose temper is triggered when his people are treated unfairly.

These rationalizations are not convincing. Our relations with China lack balance and symmetry, with the president taking up a policy of appeasement, if not of fear, towards it. Former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario were unfairly treated when they were denied entry to Hong Kong, yet the President did not raise hell. Obviously, he has no problem with an unbalanced relationship with China when his political enemies and critics are the ones that are being treated unfairly. Apparently, they are not his people.

Duterte loyalists argue that he is simply asserting our sovereignty against the attempts of the U.S. to undermine it.

However, it stretches logic to

believe that dela Rosa’s U.S. visa cancellation is depriving our country of our sovereignty.

Not even the rider to the 2020 Budget Law passed by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate resolution, both of which invoke the Magnitsky Law, can be construed as acts of infringing into our sovereignty.

Indeed, while both acts of the U.S. Congress can be taken as pressuring our government and passing judgment on our internal processes, the consequences do not amount to a denial of any of our rights and entitlements as a sovereign country.

There is no threat of economic and political sanctions against the republic. Whatever sanctions are issued, these are all aimed towards individuals, either as government officials or as private citizens. Certainly, these persons, and even the president, do not constitute the Republic. More important is the fact that the sanctions do not even amount to a denial of rights, or a jeopardizing of lives. Certainly, a Filipino citizen does not have the right to a U.S. visa.

What would constitute as a blatant violation of our citizens’ rights, and amount to an assault on our sovereign rights, is when China encroaches into our exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It is bad enough that Chinese ships prevent our own citizens from fishing within these waters over which we

Philippine Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa

have sovereign rights bestowed by international law. It is worse when they jeopardize the lives of our citizens by putting them at risk. This is what happened to the 22 fishermen from Mindoro when a Chinese vessel rammed the Gem-Ver fishing boat near Recto Bank, which is within our EEZ, and left without making any attempt to rescue them.

And here lies the painful reality. Senator dela Rosa has no right to a U.S. visa, while our citizens have a right to fish within our EEZ. Dela Rosa’s life was not jeopardized when his U.S. visa was canceled, while the lives of the 22 Gem-Ver fishermen were all put at risk. And yet, the president is not angered

Inquirer.net photo

by what happened at Recto Bank. In fact, he even belittled it as merely a small incident.

You contrast this with his rage to terminate the VFA, a bilateral agreement that is a product of a complex diplomatic process, and ratified by the Senate, simply because dela Rosa’s visa was canceled.

The issue here is about the proportionality and the sanity of the response, and not whether we can and should respond.

Certainly, we can retaliate, as we have already done against Senators Patrick Leahy, Richard Durbin and Ed Markey, by banning more U.S. senators.

We are within our rights here.

While we can terminate the VFA anytime we want, it is

demanded by the rubrics of reason and political maturity to think of the consequences and the political and economic costs for us. Dela Rosa is just one senator who lost his privilege to go to the U.S. But voiding the VFA will affect not only our national security, but also our economy.

The president should make decisions not in a fit of tantrum or anger, but as a true leader willing to set aside his rage and personal issues, and the convenience of his political allies, if it is for the good of the Republic whose interests exceed his and those of his friends and allies.

After all, dela Rosa is not the Republic. He isn’t. All of us are.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

From Magic Johnson to Terrell Owens: How a Filipina American designer makes custom looks for athletes’ big events like until the product is finished.

“As a designer, you’re trying to explain to your client what successful in what I do because WITH the commercials, halfit’s going to look like and you’re I don’t have a liaison, you can time show and the game itself, call me directly. I have assistants, showing them fabrics and deSuper Bowl LIV this Sunday will signs,” she explained. “But at the executive assistants, and a team provide much to watch and talk end of the day, they don’t really that help me. But at the same about. But not to miss are the know what it looks like, unlike time, if you want to get ahold of suits the players will be wearwhen you’re out shopping and me, there are ways. If I feel that ing off the field as professional see something on the racks, you it’s appropriate and beneficial, sports games have unexpectcan just try it on and either buy it then I’ll call you back.” edly become sources of fashion or don’t.”

Fashion meets sports inspiration.

She gave herself some time Alba, who migrated from There’s one Filipina American to see the job through until the Philippines to Los Angeles designer behind most of this she ran into Magic Johnson at with her family when she was six year’s sleek and tailored outfits: an event, with whom she had months old, credits having artisJhoanna Alba. tic influences early on. Around six established a working relationShe’s the chief visionaire ship over the years as she helped years old, she started sketching of ALBA — taken after her last finalize his outfits by matching illustrations and learned how to name but also meaning ‘A Light ties with his suits. sew by hand from her mother.

Beyond Appearance’ — a Los “When we were at an event, Angeles-based bespoke clothing That later turned into making [Magic] looked at me and said, dresses for her dolls and then company with over 1,200 high‘You don’t seem happy.’ I was going to the Salvation Army to profile athletic and entertainsurprised because I thought I was ment clients from Magic Johnson construct her own outfits. happy, but he saw deeper than “I remember sitting on the to Terrell Owens. floor sewing by hand and watch- that. So he said, ‘Come to my The Super Bowl is the first ing sports at the same time. Now house tomorrow at 11 o’clock.” of many major events for Alba’s Alba has shared this story everything is full circle,” Alba company as it kicks off the next many times before but still does recalled as weekends typically few months of annual professo as it lays the foundation consisted of playing mahjong sional sports milestones, such as for how she started her own NBA All-Star Weekend and MLB and watching a game on televibusiness at 22 years old. She sion with extended family.

Spring Training. embarrassingly narrated how she At 16, she landed a job at On the first two days of this got lost on the way to Johnson’s Gary’s Tux Shop at the Northweek, Alba and her team set up Beverly Park home, despite ridge Fashion Center and shop in Miami to take measurefrequent visits, and ended up continued to work there as she ments for players on both the pursued a degree in child devel- arriving two hours later. (It’s San Francisco 49ers and Kansas important to note that this was opment at a nearby community City Chiefs. before the luxury of GPS and college. After graduation, she “They’ll come in through my owning a cellphone.) worked as a preschool teacher store, we’ll take their measure“I get there, I’m nervous and but still maintained a schedule at ments and then we’re turning the store on weekday afternoons he opens the door. I remember around suits in 48 hours so they what he was wearing: a white and weekends. can wear them to the game,” t-shirt, black Adidas, sweatpants It led to a ripple effect of Alba envisioned during a recent moving to the store’s other loca- and white socks, his kind of interview with the Asian Jourtions in the Valley before she was everyday uniform. It’s so funny nal at her home in Calabasas, when he’s not wearing suits,” promoted to the one in Beverly California.

Alba said. “He says, ’Make me Hills, which was the highest volWhether it’s basketball, 10 suits.’ I agreed. Then he goes, football or baseball, players have ume tuxedo shop in the country ’I think you should start your own in the early ‘90s as it catered to taken the leagues’ dress codes company.’” celebrity weddings and award as a way to develop their brand After that meeting, she took shows. and be trendsetters. the measurements and found a Working on one occasion in “Every athlete is their own place in downtown that would 1995 changed the course of her brand so it’s important for them fulfill the order for the custom career — the wedding of NFL to look the part and their image suits. “I delivered all 10 suits quarterback Rodney Peete and is key in that. The NFL and NBA and none of them fit,” she said, his actress wife Holly as they enforced dress codes so they laughing. rented tuxedos for the groomshave to dress appropriately for “I use the motto still to this men. The designer who did every occasion,” she said. day. I make one suit first, I fit you Peete’s suit came back to the It’s mid-morning during the in it and if there are any alterastore months later and offered interview, but already, Alba has tions, I adjust your pattern and her a job to head his company’s been on the phone, beginning then I make the rest. Now my as early as 6 a.m. to speak to her division for custom women’s clothes, mostly for the wives and clients have a database of everyEast Coast clients. “My daughthing that we’ve made them and girlfriends of athletes. ter counted how many people I all their patterns and whatnot.

“After a lot of prayers and talked to on one specific day and Magic has been so patient with thinking about my future, I was she counted over 100. So that’s me. It’s been 26 years and he’s pretty much my life,” Alba joked. like, ‘Okay, I’m not married. I still a client and so supportive,” Accessibility and relationship don’t have any kids. What do I Alba said. have to lose?’” Alba said. building have been at the core In a 2018 video for Lebron She found the shift to designof Alba’s business for the past ing for women more challenging, James’ brand Uninterrupted, 26 years as the go-to source for Johnson said that Alba earned as custom-made is a detailed custom-made outfits. his trust “by being the best out process where the client can’t Of her philosophy, she said, there in the business.” see what an outfit looks and fits “I think that’s what made me

by Christina

M. Oriel / AJPress

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

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

Alba reviews sketches in her home office in Calabasas, California a few weeks before Super Bowl Sunday.

“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.”

It means ‘A Light Beyond Appearance’ and we’re creating the look of your legacy. I’m doing this for my family,” Alba said of her business name.

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 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

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

Alba with Magic Johnson in his office.

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

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.

“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,” Alba said.

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.

No visas for ‘offspring’ Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: Years ago, I was petitioned by my U.S. citizen parent in the F-3 category (married child of U.S. citizen). The priority date on my petition is now current, and I am being processed for my immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy, along with my spouse and our 19-year-old daughter.

I know the F-3 petition includes not only me, but also my spouse and my minor child. The problem is that my 19-year-old daughter had a baby. We want to also bring the baby with us to the U.S., but we were told my grandchild cannot get a visa. We just can’t leave this infant in the Philippines.

Is there a way by which my daughter can bring her baby with us to the U.S.?

Very truly yours, A.G. Dear A.G.: U.S. immigration laws set forth those family members included under the various family petitions. Congress has decided, in making these laws, to draw a line on which family members can be included, or how far down the “family tree” a petition will go. The law allows only the following family members to be included under a petition: 1. Primary Beneficiary: This is the person who was directly petitioned by the Petitioner (or is named as the Beneficiary in that petition).

In your case, you are the primary beneficiary.

2. Derivative Beneficiaries: Derivative beneficiaries include the spouse and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of a Primary Beneficiary. In your case, your spouse and minor child would be derivative beneficiaries. (Note: derivative beneficiaries are not included or allowed in “immediate relative” petitions of U.S. citizens. Only one person is allowed per petition.)

Children of derivatives, called “Offspring,” are NOT eligible for immigrant visas. This would include any babies of Derivative Children (or grandchildren of the Primary Beneficiary). In

parents is about 2 years, at least after that, your entire family (including the baby) will eventually get to the U.S. In addition, if your daughter really wants to be with her baby, she can come to the U.S., obtain her green card, and then apply for a re-entry permit, allowing her to stay outside the U.S. for about 2 years with her baby, without being considered to have “abandoned” her green card.

If your family has issues or questions about who can be included under a petition, you should seek the advice of an attorney, even for derivative beneficiaries who have aged out, as they may still be eligible under the Child Status Protection Act. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

Children of derivatives, called “Offspring,” are NOT eligible for immigrant visas. This would include any babies of Derivative Children (or grandchildren of the Primary Beneficiary). your case, your daughter’s baby would be considered an “offspring,” and is therefore not eligible for an immigrant visa, even though only an infant.

I know Consuls have to sometimes face the heartwrenching experience of telling families that infant offspring are not eligible for visas. But the Consuls are simply following the law. If Consuls issued visas to offspring, they would be breaking the law. So, it is not the Consul’s decision (or fault) that offspring have to be left behind; it is simply what the law provides.

In your case, your daughter faces a choice of either staying behind in the Philippines with her child, or coming to the U.S., getting her green card, and then petitioning her baby in the F-2A category. Although the backlog for petitions of minor children of immigrant

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

AFTER HER PARENTS’ DEATH, A DAUGHTER DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO SALVAGE THEIR PETITON AND REALIZE THEIR PARENTS’ DREAM – ON AN ALL-NEW CITRIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Ismael (left) was petitioned by his father back in 1996. He patiently waited for his petition to be current. However, when their mother passed away in 2009, their father’s health started to deteriorate, too. Tatay Samuel died in 2014, and his petition for his son Ismael “died” with him.

Ester (3rd from left) promised their parents that she would do whatever it takes to get their eldest brother, Ismael, to join the rest of the siblings and their families in the U.S. That was their parents’ dream and Ester intended to honor that. She went through two lawyers who filed for humanitarian reinstatement, but got denied. She filed the humanitarian reinstatement on her own, but that was also denied. She even asked the help of a congressman, but the most it got them was a status update. As a last resort, Ester went to consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right). See how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to help Ester fulfill her promise to their parents and bring Ismael and his wife, Glen (2nd from left), to the U.S. on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

After the petitioner died, three humanitarian revalidation requests were denied

Should the family pay for an ‘expensive approval’?

TATAY Samuel petitioned his eldest child, Ismael, in 1996. However, Tatay Samuel died in 2014, and his petition “died” with him.

This devastated the Pulido family and they did not know what to do next. Ester, Ismael’s sister, promised their parents that she would do whatever it takes to get their eldest brother to join the rest of the siblings and their families in the U.S. So, she set off on finding the best way to get Ismael to the U.S. People around Ester kept saying that Atty. Gurfinkel was expensive, so Ester went to two other lawyers, paid them good money, but all she got were denials. Both lawyers gave up and said they could do nothing since the petitioner already passed away. Ester then took matters in her own

hand and filed on her own. Again, she was denied. She even sought help from a congressman, to no avail.

Finally, Ester took a chance and went to consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. While he would not “guarantee” success or results, Atty.

Gurfinkel and his team worked hard to file for a fourth time a convincing package and presentation for humanitarian reinstatement.

About a year later, the Pulido family finally received the news they have been waiting for all this time: APPROVED!. See how Atty. Gurfinkel helped Ester fulfill her promise to their parents and bring Ismael and his wife, Glen (2nd from left), to the U.S. on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

SF

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

celebrity world

Disney Legend awardee Lea Salonga heads February celebrities-birthday celebrants

By Ferdie Villar INTERNATIONALLY known Filipino Broadway star and singer Lea Salonga will celebrate her 49th birthday on Friday, February 22 and heads a bevy of prominent personalities celebrating their birthday in February, the month of love.

Lea Salonga, born on February 22, 1971, is best known for starring in the lead role of Kim in the musical “Miss Saigon,” for which she won an Olivier, a Tony, a Drama Desk, an Outer Critic and a Theatre World award.

In 1993, she was the first Filipino artist signed to an international record label (Atlantic Records), and is also cited as the first Philippine-based artist to have received a major album release and distribution deal in the United States (the second being Charice Pempengco with her 2010 album Charice). Salonga is one of the best-selling Filipino artists of all time, having sold over 5 million copies of her albums worldwide.

She is the first Asian actress to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine in the musical “Les Miserables” on Broadway, roles which she portrayed in the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary shows in London, respectively. She has also provided the singing voice of two official Disney princesses: Jasmine (Aladdin, 1992) and Fa Mulan (Mulan, 1998; Mulan II, 2004).

Salonga was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with The Walt Disney Company.

Lea is the daughter of Feliciano Genuino Salonga and Ligaya Alcantara Imutan.

She spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City (Pampanga) before moving to Manila. She has a brother, Gerard Salonga, who is an orchestra conductor and musical arranger.

Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in February are: February 1: Famous Filipino hairstylist Fanny Ferrano; February 2: Kaiser Permanente Hospital South San Francisco nurse Alma Bernabe Roxas; February 3: ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Star Creatives Malou Santos; February 5: Concert King Martin Nievera; February 6: LuzViMin of the Bay Area president Ora Seyler, entertainment producer-actress Daisy Romualdez; February 7: Kapuso Channel 7 actor Luis Alandy; former Miss R.P.-USA Willard Torres of Hayward; February 8: Filipino doctor John Gabordo of Gilroy; February 10: Successful Antioch care home mananger Anthony Perez, ballroom dancer Jose (Joe) de Guzman, former medical assistant Ricky Umali; February 11: ABS-CBN Head and Consultant for Star Magic and director Johnny Manahan; Kapuso-Channel 7 actress Lovi Poe, actress/TV host/singer Jackie Lou Blanco; February 13: Daly City real estate broker Lita Celimen; the late Mr. Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno; February 14: Queen of All Media and TV host Kris Aquino, Kapuso-Channel 7 actress Heart Evangelista, Star Cinema

actor-dancer John Prats, actress Roxanne Guinoo-Yap; February 15: PBA basketball star James Yap; February 17: Movie actress/TV host/model/recording artist Anne Curtis; February 18: Hollywood stage actress and commercial model Glenda Kennedy, ABSCBN newscaster/TV host/reporter Bernadette SembranoAguinaldo; February 19: Actress Assunta De Rossi, Daly City Filipina community leader Joy Cabrera; February 20: Kapamilya Channel 2 actress and dancer Cristine Reyes; February 21: Filipino American business executive Sean Rennock; February 23: Real estate agent Ramon (Monching) Bunag; February 24: Former TV5 entertainment head Wilma Galvante; February 25: The late fashion czar Jose (Pitoy) Moreno; February 26: Equestrienne champion/TV host/model/actress Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski; February 27: World renowned recording artist Josh Groban, well-liked dentist and singing tenor the late Dr. Narciso (Tito) Yusi, Alameda religious/civic leader and Roco Medical Clinic administrator Bernadette Munoz Roco, Navy pilot Michael Back; February 29: San Francisco community leader Antonio Villegas.

To all celebrants, Happy Birthday! And to all my readers, advanced Happy Valentine’s Day!

Internationally known artist Lea Salonga heads the prominent list of entertainment personalities celebrating their birthdays in February. She celebrates her lucky 49th birthday on February 22.

Martin Nievera, Concert King in the Philippine entertainment world, celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, February 5. He is shown in photo with beauty impresario Ferdie Villar during one of his concerts in the Bay Area.

Glenda Kennedy, Hollywood stage actress and commercial model, celebrates her birthday on Tuesday, February 18.

Lovi Poe, Kapuso Channel actress, celebrates her birthday on Tuesday, February 11.

Anthony Perez, successful Antioch care home manager, celebrates his birthday on Monday, February 10.

Johnny Manahan, renowned director and ABS-CBN Head and Consultant for Star Magic, celebrates his birthday on Tuesday, February 11.

Joy de Mesa Cabrera, Daly City Filipina community leader, celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, February 19.

Bernadette Munoz Roco, Alameda religious and civic leader as well as administrator of Roco Medical Clinic, will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, February 27.

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Visit Auschwitz and swear never to take your life for granted (Part 2 of 3 Parts)

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

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

Kim’s new series hits close to home

she suggested as much that she feels no bitterness towards her Philstar.com half-siblings nor towards her faKIM Chiu is making her TV ther. “I post them on Instagram, comeback via the afternoon madami naman kami. Masipag family drama Love Thy Woman, yung Papa ko, ay hindi mapagwhich is set to take over the mahal lang yung Papa ko and timeslot soon to be vacated it really happens, it’s real and by the long-running Kadenang it’s accepted by all the wives, Ginto. but di siya pinapakita. But in The series explores the this teleserye, you can see what complex dynamics of a Filipinoreally happens inside a modern Chinese family, and no other perChinese family.” preponderance of evidence of It’s not hard to believe Kim’s their roles in Auschwitz, many of son can best relate to it but the words because she’s proud to those responsible for this atroc- 29-year-old star herself.

According to the synopsis share photos with her father and ity were ferreted out to face of the upcoming Dreamscape her family like her most recent justice. Most faced death.

Entertainment production, Love during the Chinese New Year I also saw the cellblock of celebration over the weekend.

St. Maximilian. Here is a story of Thy Woman “tells the story of Kim Chiu ABS-CBN photo a modern Filipino-Chinese famShe owns probably one of saintly heroism many may not ily headed by patriarch Adam pala yun mga anak ng Papa ko the most unfiltered Instagram have heard of. Maximilian Kolbe (Christopher de Leon), who is noh?

Yung mga ganun.

Pag first accounts around among the was a Franciscan priest dedicatcelebrities, many times candidly ed to the Blessed Virgin Mother determined to keep his family in- family, ikaw yung pinaka matatact despite having two of them. pang (you are the most feisty). sharing reflections about herself, Mary. Of German descent, he He lives with his first wife Lucy My character plays (the daughter life, career and faith. was born Raymund Kolbe in (Eula Valdez) and their daughter in) the second family but now I As bonus for fans, Kim is not Poland. He had a vision of the Dana (Yam Concepcion), while understand how they’re feeling, shy to offer a glimpse into her Virgin Mary when he was 12 his second family, Kai (Sunshine mga kapatid ko sa labas.” relationship with her reel-to-realthat foretold of his martyrdom.

Cruz) and Jia (Kim Chiu), lives Nevertheless, she was very life leading man Xian.

Maximilian had established honest about what it was like Asked why they’re this monasteries in India and Japan. separately.”

The wives have long acceptgrowing up in that kind of family open nowadays, Kim explained, He was taken prisoner by the ed the situation but the conflict arrangement. “Growing up, lagi “We don’t need to not show it, Nazis for his anti-Nazi stance in and rivalry continue and spill over ako nag-wo-wonder nasaan ang everyone sees it already, and the his publications and for hiding to the daughters. The situation Papa ko, bakit siya nawalala… roles that we do are no longer Jews. He volunteered to take turns for the worse, when Yam’s ang dami kasi niyang pinupunpa-tweetums, chummy… the the place of another prisoner character meets an accident tahan, hindi kasi bahay siya, city roles we play are something very marked for death by starvation, and falls into a deep coma siya, so nililipad talaga niya yun. challenging for us, we don’t do a slow agonizing way of dying, “So, while I was growing it everyday. I don’t tell him on as a deterrent for inmates think- after her wedding to husband David (played by Xian Lim), who up, I was OK without a father a normal day, shut up (laughs)! ing of escape. Maximilian took eventually finds himself falling in figure.

However, if there were I’m not like that, we’re not like his place because the man had love with Kim’s character. This special events, he would be that. I’m just happy to work with a family. In a starvation bunwill cause a domino effect in the there. For example, aawardan someone I really know.” ker, he was taking too long to family, further complicating an ako kasi honor student ako Meanwhile, it was Xian who die that his impatient captors, already very complicated set-up. nung elementary ako gusto ko shared the “secret” to making injected him with a lethal dose During the presscon on Frilang sabihin, sino pupunta, sino their relationship work. Apart of carbolic acid. St. Maximilian day, Kim surprised the press with aakyat, tapos magugulat nalang from taking things one day at a Kolbe is the patron saint of the the revelation that her reel family ako, si Papa pala. Dumating pala time, he said, “It’s more of we chemically addicted, of prisonsiya. That became my motivation let each other go as artists. With ers, of journalists and of pro-lif- story is similar to real life.

Kim, who’s “75-percent to study hard so that everytime Kim, she has the freedom to do ers. He died a Marian priest to Chinese,” belongs to the “first I would receive an award, he everything she wants as an artist, the core of his being. family”. “In real life, I’m the first would be there. Then during and she also gives me freedom Outside in the bright family, my dad also has a lot of birthdays... naiiyak ako, ayoko to do whatever it is I feel like I sunlight, we walked and stood needed to do. From that, we where the trains stopped to un- wives. Pero pinapansin sila (other na, yun lang, kaya iyakin ako sa families) ng Papa ko, fair kasi Love Thy Woman,” bared Kim, grow together. That’s one of the load hundreds of thousands of who tried to make things light at secrets.”

Jewish families who had to wear yung Papa ko. He’s like the real first, although at this point she Asked how much he loves the yellow Star of David to mark Adam,” she shared.

“This is really what happens couldn’t help herself from turnKim, he declared, using their them off from the Poles, Roma in the true Chinese family kaya ing emotional. new show’s title, “Wholeheart(gypsies) and Soviet prisoners nga pag-tinitingnan ko, pag nagNevertheless, it is important edly, that’s how much I love my of war that were caught in the aarte kami, shucks, kawawa rin to note that from her answers, woman.”

Continued on Page SF7

Edmund Burke once wrote, Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”

I would like to add, “One must learn from it as well.

Otherwise, the whole cycle repeats itself.” 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 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

community

by Nathalie tomada

SF

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

Megan, Mikael secretly wed

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

SANS fanfare or even a short announcement, Megan Young and Mikael Daez tied the knot in very simple ceremonies in Subic, Zambales on January 10.

Both celebrities — Young, the first Filipina Miss World winner in 2013, and Daez, a popular GMA Network host-actor —exchanged “I do’s” at San Roque Chapel in the bride’s hometown.

It was days after the wedding on Sunday that the newly married couple each shared photos of their special day in their respective social media platforms.

Young to her 2.6 million followers on Instagram and Daez to his 539,000 subscribers.

“January 10, 2020 was the day we officially sealed the deal.

We had an intimate ceremony at Caleruega attended by 10 loved ones. Fofo and I ended up crying during the whole ceremony so please excuse our red noses,” the beauty queen posted.

From the very intimate wedding Megan posted on her account, Mikael posted another set of photos from a bigger

SAN MATEO, CA — Patrons at San Mateo County Libraries now have access to an exciting, new service — bicycles for checkout.

San Mateo County Libraries They pulled it off! A secret wedding for longtime couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez took place at the Bride’s hometown.

Photo from Instagram/@mikaeldaez is proud to introduce a pilot proown way and I think my engage- gram, Book-A-Bike, that makes gathering with the caption, a fleet of bicycles available for ment ring to Bonez is a good “January 25, 2020 was the day checkout at the Belmont Library. we celebrated our marriage with example of our non-traditional The program launched on Jan. 6 choices.

She said she wanted a friends and family in a place the on a first-come, first-served basis holds a lot of significance for us. rock with the color of an iceberg to patrons 18 years and older so there ya go, rainbow hiningi (smiley) it was SO MUCH FUN!! with a valid library card.

Admittedly, we did things in our niya, baka nahirapan ako.”

San Mateo County Libraries becomes one of just a handful of library systems nationally that offers bicycles for free checkout.

The initiative mirrors the Libraries’ vision of providing boundless opportunities and a commitment to equitable access of resources RELUCTANT star, Maymay Entrata, one half of the to all.

MayWard tandem, says she misses “life away from Bicycles for checkout was a showbiz, sometimes.” staff generated and supported “I miss not thinking about being a celebrity all the idea through the Libraries’ time, about it not being my responsibility,” says Maymay, Pitch-It contest, where library whose entry to showbiz was via the reality talent search staff pitch new service ideas and “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7,” where she was de- vote to implement their favorite. clared grand champion. Her love-team partner, Edward Community Technology SpeBarber, placed fourth in the competition. cialist David Vargas won over “When I joined the contest, I didn’t realize that it was the crowd with his enthusiasm work, or that I’d be working from then on. I miss my sim- and unique perspective on how ple life (in Cagayan de Oro, where she grew up). I used libraries can promote sustainabilto worry just about school assignments. I miss my life ity and healthy lifestyles. without all of you asking me to answer questions about “This service further expands all sorts of issues,” Maymay tells reporters, laughing. upon our robust collection of “If I’m finally able to fulfill all my plans for my family, I non-traditional library materials want to travel,” Maymay says, turning serious. “Australia available for checkout and grants is my dream destination, but I also want to see Korea and access to transformative experiItaly. I also want to go to New York and Paris.” (Marinel ences outside of our library Photo from Instagram/@maymay Cruz/Inquirer.net) walls,” said Vargas.

What Maymay misses about her life away from showbiz

Maymay Entrata

Bicycles Available for Checkout at Belmont Library

Photos provided San Mateo County Libraries/Katie Woods

With an eye for less maintenance and more time on the road, the Libraries purchased a fleet of four low-maintenance bicycles. Other accessories include a helmet with a GoPro mount, a basket for cargo, bike light, bike lock, and first aid kit.

Bicycles will be loaned out and are due back the same day 30 minutes prior to closing. Patrons must sign an online waiver before checking out a bike. For more information on the BookA-Bike program, visit smcl. org/book-a-bike.

“It is so exciting to see our staff’s innovative ideas come to life,” said Charles Stone, Library JPA Governing Board Chair. “Riding a bike is great for individual health, as well as our planet’s health. We look forward to evaluating the success of this

pilot program and reviewing the possibility of expanding to more libraries in the future.”

About San Mateo County Libraries San Mateo County Libraries is a Joint Powers Authority that comprises the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. San Mateo County Libraries ignite growth through transformative experiences. Visit smcl.org for information about our extensive digital and physical collections, twelve community libraries, Bookmobile, Lookmobile and the 12,000+ workshops, classes, concerts, readings, and other activities offered annually.

PG&E offers energy saving tips for cold winter temps Here are Some Smart, Simple Steps to Help Save Energy and Stay Safe

SAN FRANCISCO — Winter in California means heading to the Sierra to enjoy the snow or curling up on the couch binge-watching your favorite shows. It also means that longer nights and colder days likely leads to using more natural gas to heat your home or apartment.

With that in mind, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers ways for customers to save energy, money, and stay safe during the cold winter months.

“We want to make sure our customers have the tools to reduce usage and equip them with easy ways to manage cold-weather energy costs and stay safe this winter as temperatures continue to dip,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E’s Senior Director of Customer Energy Solutions.

PG&E offers the following tips to safely reduce the cost of keeping warm.

Ways to Save Energy this Winter • Lower your thermostat when away: You can save about 2 percent of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat (if the turndown lasts a good part of the day or night).

Turning down the thermostat from 70°F to 65°F, for example, saves about 10 percent.

• Control water temperature: Set your water heater thermostat at 120°F or lower.

This way you’ll reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain your hot water by not overheating it.

• Test air ducts for leaks: In a typical house, 20 to 30

percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.

• Install proper caulking and weather-stripping: Sealing air leaks around your home and adding insulation can help your home be more comfortable and energy efficient and provide up to a 10 percent savings on your annual energy bills.

• Discount programs: Qualifying customers can apply for a monthly discount through the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) or the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA).

For more tips on saving energy this winter, visit www. pge.com/winter.

Fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces, stoves, ovens and water heaters can increase the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, a toxic gas, when they are not working properly. Electric heating devices, such as space heaters, can also be a safety hazard when used improperly. Inappropriate use has been known to cause fires.

Ways to Stay Safe this Winter • Carbon Monoxide - Never use products inside the home that generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, such as generators, barbecues, propane heaters and charcoal.

• Space Heaters - Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces, not on rugs or carpets.

- Don’t put objects on

Tax-Related identity theft AN identity thief may use your Social Security number (SSN) to get a tax refund or a job. This is tax-related identity theft. You may not know it has happened until: the IRS sends you a letter by mail saying they have gotten a suspicious tax return that uses your SSN, or you try to efile your return but it’s rejected as a duplicate because a return already has been filed using your SSN If the IRS sends you a letter, follow the instructions in the letter. Then visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the identity theft to both the IRS and the FTC and get a recovery plan.

Uncovering Tax-Related Identity Theft If someone uses your SSN to file for a tax refund before you do, here’s what happens: When you file your return, IRS records will show that someone else has already filed and gotten a refund. If you file by mail, the IRS will send you a notice or letter in the mail saying that more than one return was filed for you. If you try to efile, the IRS will reject your tax return as a duplicate filing.

If someone uses your SSN to get a job, the employer may report that person’s income to the IRS using your SSN. When you file your tax return, you wouldn’t have included those earnings. IRS records will show you failed to report all your income.

The agency will send you a notice saying you had wages that you didn’t report. But the IRS doesn’t know those wages were reported by an employer you don’t know, for work performed by someone else.

IRS notices about tax-related identity theft are sent by mail. The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with a taxpayer by sending an email, text, or social media message that asks for personal or financial information. The IRS also does not call taxpayers with threats of lawsuits or arrests.

And, the IRS will never ask you to wire money, pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card, or share your credit card information over the

phone.

If you get an email, text, or other electronic message that claims to be from the IRS, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, forward it to phishing@irs.gov. And report IRS imposters to the US Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at tigta.gov.

Dealing With Tax-Related Identity Theft If the IRS sends you a notice or letter saying that someone used your SSN to get a tax refund, or saying there’s another problem, respond quickly and follow the instructions in the letter.

• Call the IRS using the telephone number given in the letter. You’ll need the letter and a copy of your prior year’s tax return when you call to help verify your identity. Visit the IRS’s guide, IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance: How It Works, for more information.

If you think someone used your SSN to file for a tax refund, but you haven’t gotten a letter from the IRS, use IdentityTheft.gov to report it to the IRS and FTC and get a recovery plan.

• Visit IdentityTheft. gov to complete an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) and submit it to the IRS online so that the IRS can begin resolving your case.

You’ll also be reporting the identity theft to the FTC. • File your tax return, and pay any taxes you owe. If you can’t efile your tax return, you may need to mail a paper return.

Other Steps to Repair Identity Theft Next, it’s important to limit the potential damage from identity theft.

• Put a fraud alert on your credit reports.

• Order your free credit reports and close any new accounts opened in your name.

• Consider placing a credit freeze on your credit reports.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov for help with these important steps.

(From Federal Trade Comission)

space heaters or use them to dry clothes or shoes.

- Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep.

- Keep all flammable materials at least three feet away from heating sources and supervise children when a space heater or fireplace is being used.

If customers suspect there is a problem with a natural gas appliance inside their home, they should call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. If you detect carbon monoxide in your home, you should get out immediately and call 911.

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

people & events

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020

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 ABSCBN’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 ABSCBN, 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 the movie, Jinggoy is set to return to showbiz via ALV Films and Maverick Films’ “Coming Home.”

“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.”

Visit Auschwitz...

From Page SF5 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

Jinggoy Estrada

Philstar.com photo

“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 movie also stars Martin del Rosario, EA de Guzman, Jake Ejercito, Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Janne Agoncillo and Julian Estrada. 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

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 31, 2020