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w w w. a s i a n Volume 25 - No. 9 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

.com T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

march 16-22, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Duterte offers huge economic potential DATELINE USA

by Mary

Gleefer Jalea ManilaTimes.net

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

New lawsuit challenges Trump’s plan to end temporary protected status Plaintiffs fire back on Trump’s alleged controversial ‘sh-thole countries’ remark

the trump administration has just been hit with yet another immigration policy-related lawsuit. on monday, march 12, a group of immigrants and their children have filed a class-action lawsuit against the U.s. Department of homeland security (Dhs) over President Donald trump’s bid to terminate the program that allows them to stay in the U.s. the adult plaintiffs have been allowed in the country through temporary Protected status (tPs), a special status that Congress enacted in 1990 that grants temporary residency and work authorization in the U.s. to people from war-torn countries or countries facing natural disasters.

Currently, there are more than 200,000 people living in the U.s. through tPs, and many of them have resided in the U.s. for more than 20 years, according to the American Civil liberties Union (AClU) which is representing the plaintiffs. the trump administration espoused a narrower version of the federal law that enforces tPs; this new version has been used to terminate tPs status

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Philippines thanks Tillerson, looks forward to working with Pompeo the Philippines is looking forward to further strengthen its relationship with the United states as the latter designates a new secretary of state.

U.s. President Donald trump has dismissed state secretary rex tillerson and appointed CIA Director mike Pompeo as Washington’s top diplomat. “mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new secretary of state. he will do a fantastic job! thank you to rex tillerson for his service! Gina haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!” President Donald trump tweeted on tuesday, march 13.

“We congratulate mike Pompeo on his designation as the new secretary of state. We look forward to working with him and further stregthening the special relationship between the Philippines and the United states,” foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano added that manila is confident of more cooperation and collaboration with

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the Duterte administration offers a bigger potential for Philippine economic growth given missed opportunities in previous governments, according to Dan steinbock, a geopolitics and economic analyst.

Duterte only has to capitalize on his huge popularity and sustain economic as well as political reforms, he said in an interview.

“I really believe that Philippines has a big potential considering that it now COMPARING SCENARIOS. Dr. Dan Steinbock, an International Geopolitics and Economics has good relations with many counanalyst, presents the conventional wisdom scenarios and difference scenarios for the United States, tries. [It applies] urbanization, indusChina, Eurozone and the Middle East during the Kamuning Bakery Cafe’s “Pandesal Forum” at the trialization, and many more. And if you Marina Seafoods Restaurant in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 14. Steinbock said the Philippines have this, you can continue to have this could become a bright spot in the global landscape if the government’s efforts on independent foreign policy and inclusive economic development is achieved.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga peace and stability for many years in

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PH to withdraw from ICC

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhIlIPPIne President rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, march 14, announced that the country will withdraw its signature from the rome statute, the treaty which created the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement released to media, Duterte said the Philippines will withdraw its ratification of the statute “effective immediately.”

“I therefore declare and forthwith give notice, as the President of the republic of the Philippines, that the Philippines is withdrawing its ratification of the rome statute effective immediately,” the president said.

According to Duterte, the decision was made amid what appeared to be a “concerted effort” between the ICC special prosecutor and United nations (Un) special rapporteurs to portray him as a “ruthless and heartless violator of human rights who allegedly caused thousands of extrajudicial killings.” he claimed that the ICC, which has begun its preliminary examination into the alleged crimes committed under his drug war last month, is being “utilized as a political tool against the Philip-

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IMPROVEMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte is accompanied by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go after he was given a briefing on the operational condition and the upgraded facilities of Lal-lo Airport in the municipality of Lal-lo, Cagayan province on Wednesday, March 14. Commonly referred to as the Lal-lo airport, the CNIA is owned and managed by the Cagayan Premium Venture Development Corporation (CPVDC), a joint venture between CEZA and Cagayan Land Property Development Corporation (CLPDC). The airport was conceptualized to boost the capability of Cagayan Valley’s tourism.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

Gordon: Aquino, Garin may face raps over Dengvaxia mess

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Sen. Richard Gordon and former Pres. Benigno Aquino III

Senate photo

the senate Blue ribbon Committee will recommend the filing of charges against former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, former health secretary Janette Garin, and other officials for their involvement in the government’s now-suspended dengue vaccination program.

In a television interview on Wednesday, march 15, panel chair senator richard Gordon said Aquino, Garin, and

Palace: Dismissal of raps against Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim not final

by Dana

SioSon

AJPress

mAlACAñAnG on tuesday, march 14, clarified that the dropping of drug charges against confessed drug lord Kerwin espinosa and Peter lim was not yet final.

Palace spokesperson harry roque Jr. noted that the dismissal of charges against the big-time drug personalities is still subject for Justice secretary’s automatic review.

“We would like to assure the public that the dismissal is far from being final. It is in fact subject to automatic review by secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, and we look forward to the review to be made by secretary Agu- CBCP President and Davao irre,” roque said in a news briefing.

Archbishop Romulo Valles Off the hook: Peter Lim, Peter Co and Kerwin Espinosa

a row,” steinbock, also a The Manila Times columnist, said on Wednesday, march 14. steinbock said previous administrations missed opportunities for growth and development after World War 2.

It has been almost three decades since the “golden age” of the Philippine economy and half a century past World War 2, he said.

But growth was not sustained from the 1950s or 1960s, he said.

“Why didn’t these opportunities happen after 1945? the Philippines was one of the most developed economies in the region at the time after all,” he told reporters in a Quezon City forum.

A boom-and-bust cycle was also seen

Inquirer.net photos

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other officials might face graft and corruption charges, violation of the code of ethics, and civil action for damages.

Among those who may also face similar raps include former Budget secretary Butch Abad and sanofi Pasteur executives.

“It’s willful, deliberate, damn the torpedoes…they’re violating the human rights of the parents and the children because the patients are required under law to be informed not only of the drug

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CBCP appeals for more discussions on divorce bill

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged lawmakers to “make room for more reasoned debates” on the proposed measure measure seeking to introduce divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country.

In a statement released Inquirer.net photo tuesday, march 13, CBCP

President and Davao Archbishop romulo Valles appealed to proponents and supporters of the divorce bill to “consider seriously” the “social costs” of an easy dissolution of marriage.

Valles warned that “in a context in which divorce is presented as an easy option, marriages and families are bound to break up more easily,” and “more

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maRch 16-22, 2018 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOURNaL

From the Front Page

Palace: Dismissal of raps against Kerwin Espinosa...

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In a resolution dated December 20, 2017 (but was only made public on Monday, March 12), the Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared Espinosa, Lim, and 20 others of drug charges due to lack of evidence.

The DOJ dismissed the complaint for sale, administration, dispensation, trading, delivery and transportation of illegal

drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against the respondents.

Apart from Espinosa and Lim, also cleared were alleged New Bilibid Prison (NBP) drug trafficker Peter Co, Marcelo Adorco, Jermy Amang, Lovely Impal, Ruel Malindangan, Max Miro, Jun Pepito, and several others identified only by their

aliases.

The case was filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last year.

In the resolution, Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Aristotle Reyes said they found no probable cause against Espinosa, Lim and several others.

Prosecutors said the complainant has “failed to present any circumstantial evidence to prove respondents’ illegal drug transactions.

“It is undeniable that the evidence in this case is grossly insufficient to justify a finding of probable cause that respondents engaged in the illegal drug trade,” they added.

The resolution was approved by acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. Following the controversial dismissal of charges against alleged drug lords, President Rodrigo Duterte, who is notable for his intense campaign against illegal drugs, said he would review the case himself.

In a series of social media post, Roque quoted Duterte venting his ire to Aguirre: “‘Pag nakawala ‘yan si Lim at Espinosa, siya ang ipapalit ko. (If Lim and Espinosa get away, he will replace them.) I can review that dismissal order. Nag-amin na nga sa Congress (He [Espinosa] already confessed in Congress)!

Why not admit it as evidence against him?”

“I will invoke my power of supervision and control and will review dismissal,” Duterte also said, according to Roque.

Espinosa had earlier confessed that he was a drug dealer. Lim, on the other hand, was previously named by Duterte as one of the country’s biggest drug lords. Espinosa had tagged Lim as one of his suppliers of shabu (crystal meth).

The PNP, for its part, has filed a motion for reconsideration to reverse the decision clearing the drug charges against Espinosa, Lim, and others.

“It’s on appeal. We filed a motion for reconsideration in the junking of the case of Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa. We will use all legal remedies to make sure they are held liable,” PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa told reporters. n

HEARING ON FAKE NEWS. Senator Grace Poe, chair of the committee on Public Information and Mass Media, presides over the public hearing on the Proliferation of Fake and/or Misleading News and False Information at the Senate in Pasay City on Thursday, March 15. Also in the photo (from right) Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, PCOO Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag and PCOO News and Information Bureau (NIB) Director Virginia Agtay.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Duterte offers huge economic...

PAGE A1 after Martial Law – 3.4 percent growth under President Corazon Aquino, 3.73 under President Fidel Ramos, 2.7 percent under President Joseph Estrada, 4.79 percent under President Gloria Arroyo, and 6.1 percent under President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

Under Duterte, growth has averaged 6.9 percent, Steinbock pointed out.

He said foreign policy recalibration, the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, and the planned shift to a federal form of government indicated that Duterte “actualizes” the country’s potentials.

‘PH now more attractive to investors’

Moreover, Duterte made the Philippines “more attractive” to investors, Steinbock said.

For instance, Japan invested less than $1 billion under six years of Benigno Aquino 3rd, but poured $12 billion in just a year under Duterte, he said.

“This trend attracted the Singaporeans, Malaysian, and even the United States of America to invest more,” he said.

Steinbock acknowledged criticism over the Philippines’ renewed relationship with China, which set aside a territorial dispute.

“There are always bad apples and good apples, just like with any other country including Japanese, American, and Filipinos.

The challenge and opportunity

for the Filipinos is to cooperate and utilize partnerships with reputable partners for the benefit of the Filipinos,” he said.

Anvil Business Club Chairman George Siy, who was also in the forum, noted that PhilippinesChina ties have historically resulted in massive inflows and income from bilateral trade.

“Never have the opportunities been closer to the Philippines… larger, more diverse, or the means to achieve them so easily within our reach, and cheaper to finance,” Siy said.

“There will always be obstacles, advantages, and disadvantages, but we must not only be resilient but entrepreneurial, creative, and work for the collective good,” he added. n

accepted principles of justice in relation to our Constitutional requirement on due process will be upheld.”

Duterte said that the the Philippines was “made to believe that the principle of complementarity shall be observed; that the principle of due process and the presumption of innocence as mandated by our Constitution and the Rome Statute shall prevail; and that the legal requirement of publication to make the Rome Statute enforceable shall be maintained.”

The Philippines signed the Rome Statute in December 2000, and ratified it in August 2011.

‘Definitely not afraid’ In an interview with reporters, Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo asserted that Duterte is “definitely not” afraid of being tried before the ICC, disputing claims that it was among the reasons behind the country’s withdrawal from the statute.

Panelo also claimed that the ICC’s publicly announced preliminary examination was “already a violation of due process.”

“By announcing prematurely the preliminary examination being conducted by the special prosecutor, it’s as if he’s going to be charged with all the crimes,” Panelo said.

The ICC’s “preliminary examination” into the Philippines’ situ-

ation aims to determine if there is basis to conduct a formal investigation against Duterte.

It stemmed from a communication filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, who accuses Duterte of masterminding mass murder “repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously” in the Philippines.

Backing the decision to withdraw from the statute, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, for his part, said he would also make the same move if he was the chief executive, insisting that administration’s antiillegal drugs campaign is part of “law enforcement.”

“Sa mata ng presidente noong nagkakampanya pa siya (In the president’s eyes when he was still campaigning), the main problem is law and order. Anong (What is the) root cause ng deterioration? Sa mata niya (In his eyes it’s), drugs, validated by the people. He won the election, he will now impose the law,” the senator remarked.

Branding the charges against Duterte as “non-sense,” Pimentel expressed confidence that the case against the chief executive won’t prosper.

He likewise expressed belief that Duterte’s decision to withdraw has nothing to do with the case against him but, rather, with the “attitude” of the ICC prosecutors towards him. n

PH to withdraw from...

PAGE A1 pines.”

He said ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s “premature public announcement” about the preliminary examination into his drug war created the impression that he was likely to be charged before the ICC, “violating therefore the presumption of innocence accorded me by the Constitution.”

Duterte likewise tagged the criticisms made by UN officials like UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard as evidence of “international bias.”

“Given that the ICC shows a propensity for failing to give due respect to the State Parties of the Rome Statute and that there is clear bias on the part of the UN against the Philippines, the Philippines may very well consider withdrawing from the Rome Statute,” Duterte said.

The president also argued that the one-year period before the withdrawal becomes effective—as stated in the statute— does not apply to the Philippines’ case since “there appears to be fraud in entering such an agreement.”

Explaining his view, the president noted that the Philippines signed the statute “on the assumption that the internationally

New lawsuit challenges Trump’s plan to end...

PAGE A1

for individuals from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan.

“With the stroke of a pen, this administration upended the lives of hundreds of thousands of people lawfully residing in the United States for years and sometimes decades. But in terminating TPS in the way that it did, this administration was exercising authority it did not have,” Emi MacLean, staff attorney for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

In January, Trump received major pushback for allegedly referring to the countries these TPS holders hail from as “shithole countries,” suggesting that the U.S. need not accept more individuals from these countries.

That remark partially fuelled

this lawsuit, which stated that the new law violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause because “it was motivated by intentional race- and nationalorigin-based animus against individuals” from these countries.

“It arises from the Trump Administration’s repeatedly-expressed racism toward non-white, non-European people from other countries,” the lawsuit reads.

The children plaintiffs — who are U.S. citizens — claim that the termination of the TPS program forces them to choose between leaving the country to be with their parents or stay in the U.S. without them, effectively revoking their rights to remain in their home country to be raised by their parents.

According to the lawsuit, those children hold an “absolute right to remain in the United States”

according to the Fourteenth Amendment.

“As with any child, their wellbeing and future development are tied to nurturing and stable relationships with their parents.

Science confirms this common sense understanding,” the lawsuit reads. “Children of immigrants acutely suffer when their parents face even the possibility of deportation. The fear of deportation is directly tied to the prevalence of stress-related illness in children, including higher levels of anxiety and trauma, depression and family instability.”

If the Trump administration’s action remains in effect, the deportations would occur next year, which could impact the 200,000 TPS holders as well as tens of thousands of their American-born children. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

CBCP appeals for more discussions on...

PAGE A1

children will grow up disoriented and deprived of the care of both parents.”

“We merely ask that they [legislators] consider the possibility that divorce, while it may indeed provide quick legal remedies for some seemingly ‘failed marriages’, might end up destroying even those marriages that could have been saved by dialogues or the intervention of family, friends, pastors, and counselors,” he added.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 14, approved on second reading House Bill 7303 or the “Absolute Divorce Act of 2018.”

While clarifying that the CBCP does not mean to interfere with

the dynamics country’s legislature, Valles urged legislators to consider the implications of the issue.

He noted that the Philippines, as one of the last few countries apart from Vatican City without a divorce law until now, “speaks volumes about us as a nation.”

“With due respect to (our lawmakers), we beg them to make room for more reasoned debates on the issue,” Valles said.

He also suggested legislators to “submit their personal opinions to a further consultation with their constituents” and consult with experts in various fields.

“Ask people around and they [will] have no second thoughts affirming that the family remains as one of our most valued trea-

sures as Filipinos. Do we really intend to follow the same path taken by so-called ‘progressive countries’ like the U.S. where 4 out of 10 marriages end up in divorce?” he added.

While acknowledging the existence of “failed marriages,” the CBCP reiterated its stance against divorce.

“Like Catholics in most other countries where divorce is legal, we wish to assert that nothing, not even a divorce law, can make us give up our faith in the indissolubility of marriage as a lifetime covenant between a man and woman who have freely said yes to the call to love and commit themselves to God and to each other, through thick and thin,” Valles said. n

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Dateline USa

Russia probe: Intelligence committee Republicans say ‘no collusion’ GOP ends the announcement despite the special counsel’s push for further inquiry

by KlaRize

Medenilla AJPress

FOLLOWING a year of political discord on the issue, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee announced on Monday, March 12 that they had concluded the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians who used social media to influence the election.

Rep. K. Michael Conaway (RTexas), who is leading the investigation, said that the committee Republicans acknowledged that Russia did interfere with the 2016 presidential election, but did not agree with the claim that Russians favored Trump’s candidacy.

“We found perhaps some bad judgment, inappropriate meetings, inappropriate judgment at taking meetings,” Conaway told reporters on Monday. “But only Tom Clancy or Vince Flynn or

someone else like that could take this series of inadvertent contacts with each other, or meetings, whatever, and weave that into some sort of fictional pageturner spy thriller.”

The Republican-led committee made its shocking announcement despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller — who has been overseeing the investigation since May 2017 — has expanded his questioning and inquiry into criminal charges against at least four Trump affiliates.

The HIC spoke with a total of 73 witnesses and reviewed more than 300,000 pages of documents, but it failed to interview the man at the center of the investigation, President Donald Trump, himself.

In a one-page statement, they said they found no evidence of wrongdoing by President Donald Trump’s team, despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller garnering multiple guilty pleas from 19

individuals and three organizations, including four members of the Trump campaign.

The announcement provoked outrage among the Democrats on the committee, who warned their Republican counterparts not to close the investigation before Mueller was finished with his part of the investigation.

Democrats in the committee lambasted the GOP for their statement, arguing that shutting down the investigation left many “questions unanswered, leads unexplored, countless witnesses uncalled [and] subpoenas unissued,” according to ranking committee member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

Schiff noted that although the investigation could be left to Mueller, who possesses the “resources and independence” to complete the task, the investigation itself would be left with some holes.

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Philippines thanks Tillerson, looks forward...

PAGE A1 Washington as Pompeo takes over the U.S. Department of State.

The Philippines’ top diplomat also expressed his gratitude to Tillerson, which he considers a good friend of the country who played a crucial role in the relations with the U.S..

“We thank Secretary Tillerson for his friendship and the support he has extended to the Philippines and the Filipino people particularly during the

period when our relations with the United States were facing challenges. We pray for the best for Secretary Tillerson in all his future endeavors,” Cayetano said.

Tillerson has called for an orderly transition to Pompeo while his successor is awaiting confirmation by the Senate. The outgoing U.S. State Secretary said that he would be delegating his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.

Following his unceremonial

firing via Trump’s tweet, Tillerson said that he would be formally stepping down from his post at the end of the month.

Tillerson also said that his department “exceeded the expectations of almost everyone” on North Korea. While Trump claims credit for agreeing to a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Tillerson insisted that his diplomatic work helped pave the way for that. (Philstar.com with reports from Associated Press)

Gordon: Aquino, Garin may face raps over...

PAGE A1 that is being administered, but the risks involved,” Gordon told ANC’s “Headstart”.

The senator also claimed that the government’s three billionworth purchase of Dengvaxia, an anti-dengue vaccine manufactured by Sanofi, during Aquino’s term was “scandalously fast.”

“There was a rush to try and push for this drug [even if dengue] is not even in the top ten killers in the country,” Gordon said.

Under the government’s den-

gue vaccination program, more than 830,000 children were administered Dengvaxia. The program, however, was suspended in December last year.

The suspension came following Sanofi’s announcement that the vaccine poses health risk when administered on a person who has not been previously infected with the virus. Several cases death and serious illnesses of children were blamed to the vaccine.

Aquino, in defending his administration’s supposed rushed

procurement of Dengvaxia in 2015, had clarified the purchase was made based on the available information at the time.

“The choice is simple. We can implement it at this point in time for the protection – or wait at least a year as minimum and expose our people to a risk that could have been prevented because of this vaccine,” Aquino said during a hearing last year.

“I just want to state for the record, what we had then, none of this warning on November 2017,” he added. n

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 16-22, 2018

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Calif. domestic workers call for dignity in the workplace

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

A DAy after International Women’s Day, dozens of domestic workers and advocates gathered in Los Angeles on Friday, March 9, to launch a statewide campaign pushing for greater compliance with immigrant worker protections.

The campaign was also launched in San Francisco where Assemblymember Phil Ting was in attendance.

“I am so happy to gather with you today to stand in our collective power as immigrant working women, as domestic workers, nannies, caregivers, and house cleaners,” said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of Pilipino Workers Center (PWC).

“And on that note — happy International Working Women’s Day,” she added. “Today, we celebrate all of us women who are standing up against fear — uniting and making sure that the voices of domestic workers, of immigrant women workers, are heard.”

Central to the campaign is the introduction of Assembly Bill 2314, sponsored by Ting, that will include a Domestic Work Enforcement Program within the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement. The program will focus on promoting fair labor standards by providing tools and resources to both domestic workers and employers.

‘Our work, our dignity’ “Dignity” was the key word at the launch as attendees chanted and held up signs reading, “Our work, Our Dignity,” in English, Filipino, and Spanish.

Lee Plaza, who has been working as a caregiver since arriving in the U.S. from the Philippines in 2012, spoke on behalf of domestic workers and reiterated the need for dignity in their work spaces.

“We want to provide dignified care and services as caregivers, as nannies, as house cleaners, but we also want to have dignity for ourselves and to receive what is due to us — fair labor practice, fair wages, and to be able to say that there is dignity with our work,” said Plaza in her speech.

Over 300,000 domestic workers work in private homes throughout California, with nearly two million households

Pilipino Workers Center executive director Aquilina Soriano Versoza starts off campaign launch event on March 9, calling for greater compliance with domestic worker protections in California.

AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

in the state depending on them to care for their loved ones and homes. Los Angeles alone has the largest concentration of domestic workers in the entire country.

Advocacy and efforts towards basic labor protections of domestic workers — many of who are immigrant women — have been ongoing. Most recently, SB1015 extended the permanent right to overtime pay for domestic workers in 2016. yet, domestic workers continue to experience poor working conditions, with many still unaware of labor laws that protect them.

A 2012 national study of the domestic work sector found that one in four workers reported receiving less than minimum wage.

Educate employers Often times, domestic workers themselves are not aware of the labor laws that govern in their

own homes.

“I have a lot of friends — not only Filipinos — that work, especially in board and care, and are receiving like $1,500 a month because they [employers] justify it by giving them free board and care and lodging. But account the lodging and the food, it won’t even amount to the minimum wage that we have,” Plaza told the Asian Journal.

In another instance, Plaza recalled showing up to work assigned by her agency, expecting to take care of one patient. Instead, her duties went beyond the job description and required her to take care of the patient’s spouse and grandkids, tend to the garden, and feed the cats and dogs.

“It’s just like buying one and taking more,” said Plaza.

Comedienne and actress Julia Wackenheim represented Caring Across Generations, and spoke PAGE A4

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maRch 16-22, 2018 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOURNaL

Dateline USa

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California’s tax on millionaires yields big benefits NAMED BY BILL GATES AS AMONG WORLD’S BEST TEACHERS Filipino thrilled to be in the Top 10 for people with mental illness, study finds

by ANNA

GormAN

Kaiser Health News

A STATeWiDe tax on the wealthy has significantly boosted mental health programs in California’s largest county, helping to reduce homelessness, incarceration and hospitalization, according to a report released Tuesday.

Revenue from the tax, the result of a statewide initiative passed in 2004, also expanded access to therapy and case management to almost 130,000 people up to age 25 in Los Angeles County, according to the report by the Rand Corp. Many were poor and from minority communities, the researchers said.

“Our results are encouraging about the impact these programs are having,” said Scott Ashwood, one of the authors and an associate policy researcher at Rand. “Overall we are seeing that these services are reaching a vulnerable population that needs them.”

The positive findings came just a few weeks after a critical state audit accused California counties of hoarding the mental health money — and the state of failing to ensure that the money was being spent. The February audit said that the California Department of Health Care Services allowed local mental health departments to accumulate $231 million in unspent funds by the end of the 201516 fiscal year — which should have been returned to the state because it was not spent in the allowed time frame.

Proposition 63, now known as the Mental Health Services Act, imposed a 1 percent tax on people who earn more than $1 million annually to pay for expanded mental health care in California. The measure raises about $2 billion each year for such services, such as preventing mental illness from progressing, reducing stigma and improving treatment. Altogether, counties have received $16.53 billion.

Los Angeles County receives the biggest share of the money.

The money is “critically important” for the community mental health system and for people who need treatment but haven’t been served well in traditional ways, said Toby ewing,

executive director of the state’s Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission. “We can only imagine the challenges we would face if those funds weren’t available.” ewing said the recent state audit highlighted problems that need to be addressed. “But at the same time, the vast majority of dollars that have been made available to counties are actually delivering care and services in our communities and these dollars are being spent in creative and inventive ways,” he said.

The funds go beyond the more basic services that counties traditionally provide, helping to pay for workers to reach out to homeless people and triage patients with mental health issues in hospitals, he said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health commissioned the Rand report, which was based on data from 2012 to 2016. Researchers also interviewed participants in mental health programs.

The report covered two main programs — one for prevention and early intervention of mental illness in young people and another aimed at improving outcomes for people with serious mental illness.

Those who participate in the second program are in and out of jails and hospitals, and really need intensive services, according to Debbie innes-gomberg, the department’s deputy director. She said she was pleased Rand found that the services are making a difference. “it is a very good investment,” she said, adding that the county plans to add more participants this year. in the future, the county wants to focus even more on prevention for at-risk children by promoting strong familial relationships and stable housing, innes-gomberg said. And L.A. County plans to invest more in mental health services in schools. “if on a school campus there is an issue and somebody needs to be evaluated right away, we’re going to be able to develop the capacity to do that across the county,” she said.

She acknowledged that the state audit on unspent funds was fair — and “an opportunity for improvement for counties and the state.”

The audit and the Rand study addressed different questions and are not necessarily contradictory, according to mental health advocates. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who wrote the Mental Health Services Act as a state legislator, said he was “thrilled” about the results from Rand but agreed that “in many counties, the money needs to get out faster because the needs are growing.” “if we invest in early intervention and prevention, if we invest in whatever it takes for the people who are the most chronic and seriously ill, their lives will be much better and so will our communities,” he said.

One participant told researchers, “i would be dead or a criminal” without the services he was receiving, while another said they helped her accomplish her goal of going one month without being hospitalized for mental health care.

But critics said more accountability is crucial. A program like the one in Los Angeles is successful because it collects and maintains data, said Pedro nava, chair of the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency.

“Unfortunately, in far too many counties in California, they just don’t do that,” he said. “What the Little Hoover Commission found … is an unfortunate lack of data and an absence of protocols that allow the state of California to evaluate the programs to see which ones are truly successful.” nava said the audit shows that there isn’t enough oversight on how counties spend the money. “it is another example of the state being unable to adequately monitor what’s happening,” he said.

The Rand researchers also recommended that Los Angeles County improve its data collection and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the services.

“There are reasons to be concerned about how maybe the money is being spent or not being spent,” said Rand’s Ashwood. “But studies like ours are showing there are positive things happening from these programs.”

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

by Neil

Alcober ManilaTimes.net

jeSUS insilada, a public school teacher from Calinog, iloilo province, could not believe he was named by philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill gates as one of the Top 10 finalists for the 2018 global Teacher Prize of Varkey Foundation, beating tens of thousands of candidates from around the world.

He was one of the 30,000 nominees from more than 170 countries. insilada, who has a doctorate in education and is the principal of Caninguan national High School, was chosen one of the finalists on February 14 through the Foundation’s YouTube channel.

He said he was surprised by the announcement.

“Di ako makapaniwala, deep inside, i was hoping na makasali sa Top 10. Masaya… flattered with this opportunity to share my story para maging inspirasyon sa iba, (I couldn’t believe it. Deep inside, I was hoping to be included in the Top 10. I’m happy… I feel flattered being given this opportunity to share my story to be an inspiration to others),” he said.

His school learned of the good news during their recognition program, “They were shocked that it was Bill gates who made the announcement. Sabi ko sa kanila, mag-focus kayo sa studies ninyo at sa mga guro, pag-igihin pa ang pagtuturo. (I told them, focus on your studies. And to teachers, keep striving to improve your teaching.)” he added.

Varkey Foundation is a global

charitable foundation headquartered in London, focusing on improving the standards of education for underprivileged children. it was founded in 2010 by Sunny Varkey, an education philanthropist and entrepreneur from Kerala, india, who is based in Dubai. insilada, also a teacher and member of the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous Peoples’ (iP) community, uses culture-based teaching and inclusive learning in transforming the lives of students in his area. He is also an advocate of iP’s rights and welfare, and strives to contribute to making education culture-sensitive. At least 87 percent of his pupils have shown improvement in grades as they learned through his method of teaching using traditional dances, songs, local games and crafts. insilada will fly to Dubai for the awarding ceremony on March 18, 2018.

Varkey’s global Teacher Prize searches for and recognizes exceptional teachers who have made an outstanding impact on their students and the profession.

The other finalists among the 10 best teachers in the world are from Turkey, South Africa, Colombia, the United States, Brazil, Belgium, Australia, the United Kingdom, and norway. They were chosen for bringing positive changes to the lives of learners and their communities.

Should he win the coveted $1 million prize, insilada said he would build a museum that would showcase the Panay Bukidnon culture, as well as support local performances and train teachers.

Jesus Insilada

ManilaTimes.net photo

insilada has won the Carlos Palanca award multiple times for his Hiligaynon short stories. He received the 2017 Princess Maha Chakri Award, and was one of the 2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers. He was also a national awardee for “The Many Faces of the Teacher” of the Bato Balani Foundation, inc. in 2013.

Another Filipino teacher, Ryan Hobitan Homan, a literacy champion of San jose elementary School in Donsol, Sorsogon, also made it to the top 50 of the global search.

“We are truly proud of our teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty. Our global Teacher Prize finalists have proven that Filipino teachers do not only impart knowledge to their learners, they also advocate great causes such as the promotion and preservation of culture—the very soul of our nation,” education Secretary Leonor Briones said. n

China defends Duterte: UN rights chief should respect Philippine sovereignty Beijing called out United nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein following his suggestion that President Rodrigo Duterte to should see a psychiatrist.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the Duterte government has “won great approval and extensive support among the Philippine people.”

“Anyone without bias can see that President Duterte has made positive efforts since assuming office to combat drug-related crimes as well as terrorism, develop the national economy, and improve people’s livelihood, which have effectively protected and promoted the Philippine people’s fundamental rights to security and development,” Chinese Foreign

Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a press briefing on Monday, March 12.

Lu added that the international community, including the Office of the Un High Commissioner for Human Rights, should look at the outcome of the Philippine government’s campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism in a “comprehensive, unbiased and objective way.”

Al Hussein’s office should support the efforts of the Philippine government in forwarding its human rights cause amid its national conditions, he added.

“As an agency of the Un, the Office of the United nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is expected to fulfill its duties within the framework set out by

the purposes and principles of the Un Charter,” Lu said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, said that Al Hussein’s remark against Duterte was inappropriate.

As a head of state, Duterte can use any kind of language that he wants but crude remarks from Un officials, such as Al Hussein, is deemed “wholly unacceptable,” Roque said.

“There’s a world of a difference between a Un official using crude language hence a sitting head of state and the president using any kind of language that he wants on a private individual especially in this instance when the person using crude language is himself without a democratic mandate,” Roque said. (Philstar.com)

US pledges additional P100-M food aid for Marawi

THe United States on Wednesday, March 14, announced new assistance worth P100 million for food security in war-torn Marawi and nearby areas.

The new aid, which will be distributed through the United States Agency for international Development (USAiD), brings the total U.S. government contribution to those affected by the Marawi conflict to P1.2 billion.

This makes the U.S. the top source of foreign assistance for Marawi response and rehabilitation.

“The U.S. government continues to stand by the Filipino people as a friend, partner, and ally to support those affected by the Marawi conflict as they rebuild their lives,” U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said.

USAiD, in partnership with the World Food Programme, will provide 1.8 million kilograms of rice, which would feed an estimated 45,000 people for four months.

DSWD officer-in-charge emmanuel Leyco, Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Kristoffer james Purisima and World Food

Ambassador Sung Kim (center) leads the ceremonial handover of rice to Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (second from left) and Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, Spokesperson of Task Force BangonMarawi (leftmost) during the ceremonial handover held in Taguig City. Also present are Stephen Gluning, Country Director of the World Food Programme (second from right) and Clay Epperson, Deputy Mission Director of USAID/Philippines.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy in Manila

Programme country director Stepehn gluding joined Kim during the ceremonial handover of the rice.

USAiD is the U.S. government’s lead agency for international development and disaster assistance.

The U.S. agency one of the Philippine government’s partners in recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation of Marawi City.

Last january, the U.S. allocated P330 million to fund livelihood training for the young people in Marawi.

According to the U.S. embassy, USAiD continues to work with the Philippine government to deliver humanitarian assistance and promote long-term stability in the Lanao del Sur capital. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

Russia probe: Intelligence committee...

PAGE A3

“This fundamentally misapprehends the mission of the Special Counsel, which is to determine whether U.S. laws were broken and who should be prosecuted,” Schiff said in a statement released on Monday. “it is not Mueller’s job to tell the American people what happened. That

is our job, and the majority has walked away from it.”

Schiff continued: “By ending its oversight role in the only authorized investigation in the House, the majority has placed the interests of protecting the president over protecting the country. And history will judge its actions harshly.”

Meanwhile, Mueller’s investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice is said to be close to completion, likely after several interviews with key individuals including the president and his son, Donald Trump, jr., who previously released bombshell campaign emails that suggested that Russia favored a Trump candidacy. n

Calif. domestic workers call for dignity...

PAGE A3

from an employer’s point of view on the importance of supporting fair domestic worker rights for the wellbeing of the client. “in the same way we go to our offices and expect a livable wage, insurance, a normal hourly wage — we must provide that for the caregivers that we employ,” said Wackenheim.

“The employees that work for me and my family have been in terrible situations previously where they were constantly in fear of their jobs, whether or not they would have enough money to pay for rent, and food,

and clothes, and that must stop now,” she added.

‘Work that makes all work possible’ in the Philippines, Plaza was an educator and dean at a university. She said many of her co-caregivers had their own careers back home too, with some even being medical doctors.

Coming into the undervalued domestic work industry where jobs are often seen as easy, substandard treatment and humiliation are commonly shared experiences.

“Caregiving or domestic work is the work that makes all work

possible,” said Plaza, who like many, has had to work with clients dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s. “Without us, the family of the patients that we are handling cannot really do what we do.” joining the leadership and advocacy side, Plaza is now looking to use her skills in educating both workers and employers of the fair labor laws. “each one has the responsibility to know their obligations as employers, and we should also know our obligations as workers and our responsibilities too,” she said. n

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OpiniOn

Features

Cleared

THE presidential spokesman said the fight isn’t over yet – “Hindi pa tapos ang boksing (The boxing fight is not over yet). ” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for his part stressed that his department’s junking of drug charges filed against self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa, alleged drug trafficker Peter Lim and several other respondents was not yet final.

The clarifications were issued as the Senate considered a probe into the Department of Justice resolution clearing Espinosa, Lim, New Bilibid Prison drug convict Peter Co and more than a dozen other respondents of drug charges.

Espinosa is the son of the late Albuera town mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was shot dead in his jail cell by a police team that was ostensibly trying to search his detention area for drugs during a pre-dawn raid on Nov. 5, 2016. Facing a congressional probe, Kerwin Espinosa said he was the drug dealer and not his father. He also claimed that he contributed money to the Senate campaign of Leila de Lima when she was the secretary of justice.

A state witness, Espinosa’s henchman Marcelo Adorco, claimed that Lim supplied the drugs that Espinosa distributed. Lim, a Cebu-based businessman who is reportedly in the most wanted list of

the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, denied the accusation. He and his brother are supporters of President Duterte, who met with Lim in Davao City when the businessman was implicated in drug deals.

The resolution, signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Aristotle Reyes, questioned the credibility of Adorco and cited weak evidence in dismissing the charges.

Aguirre claimed he was unaware of the resolution.

Because of Lim’s known ties to the President as well as Espinosa’s testimony against De Lima, the DOJ resolution has raised eyebrows, and revived questions on whether the administration is waging a selective war on drugs. Questions have also been raised on why the resolution dated Dec. 20, 2017 was not made public, with the case becoming known only this week after journalists obtained Any campaign against illegal drugs, corruption a copy of the resolution. and other crimes is always compromised by the

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

selective application of the law. The administration must convince the nation that this is not the case in

‘No CollusioN’

The Fil-Am Perspective

Republicans on House Intelligence Committee end Russia probe, break away from US intelligence community to conclude Putin did not help Trump win

Gel SantoS-ReloS WHAT’S THE RUSH? Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee this week ended the year-long Russia probe without informing the Democrats in the committee, announcing that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not trying to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

They also concluded, “there was no collusion” between the Trump campaign and Russia, as Putin’s government interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

This goes against the findings of the U.S. intelligence community (CIA, FBI, Senate Intelligence Committee et c), and even the Mueller criminal investigation that indeed Russia meddled in the elections through cyber warfare and hacking, by bombarding fake news to weaken the candidacy of Hillary Clinton

and help Trump win.

While these Republicans on the committee conceded that Russians meddled in the elections to sow chaos, they disputed the intelligence community’s assessment that they tried to help Trump win the election.

“We found no evidence of collusion, and so we found perhaps some bad judgment, inappropriate meetings,” Texas Republican Rep. Mike Conaway said. “We found no evidence of any collusion of anything people were actually doing other than taking a meeting they shouldn’t have taken or just inadvertently being in the same building.”

The top Democrat in the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, lashed out at the Republicans’ decision to end the probe, saying, “While the majority members of our committee have indicated for some time that they have been

under great pressure to end the investigation, it is nonetheless another tragic milestone for this Congress, and represents yet another capitulation to the executive branch.”

Schiff continued on to point out that “By ending its oversight role in the only authorized investigation in the House, the Majority has placed the interests of protecting the president over protecting the country, and history will judge its actions harshly.”

Former CIA official Phil Mudd questioned the House Republican report asking, “How the heck can they say they got to the bottom of this” when some interviewees chose not to answer questions?”

When the assessment was released, James Clapper, who was director of National Intelligence in the Obama administration, likewise questioned the conclusion of the Republicans in the

House Intelligence Committee.

“I obviously disagree. The four intelligence chiefs all agreed with the assessment, which was based on highly classified intelligence,” Clapper said in a report on CNN. “This is a case of people living in their own reality bubbles when we can’t agree on basic facts.

Clapper further noted that U.S. intelligence found Putin had deep animus toward Clinton and saw Trump as more friendly toward Russia.

Democrats in the House Intelligence Committee said the Republicans rushed through the final interviews, even allowing witnesses to pick and choose which questions they answer.

As CNN reported, the committee issued a subpoena to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon in January, but in his return testimony, he still did not answer questions about his

in pursuit of lasting peace

PeaceMaker

days ago, the North and South Korean athletes marched together behind a blue-and-white “unification” flag for the first time in FoRmeR SpeakeR more than a decade.

JoSe C. de VeneCia, JR. It was an emotionally charged (PART 1 OF 3) historic moment, which sends (Remarks of Hon. Jose De a powerful signal that peace, Venecia, Former Speaker, Philip- though it may be difficult, elusive, pine House of Representatives; and distant, is not impossible.

Founding Chairman, InternationWe in the UPF and the Internaal Conference of Asian Political tional Association of ParliamenParties (ICAPP); Co-Chairman, tarians for Peace (IAPP) applaud International Association of Par- Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong-Un liamentarians for Peace (IAPP); for sending a high-level delegaChairman Emeritus, Universal tion, including his sister, Kim Yo Peace Federation (UPF); Jong, to the Pyeongchang OlymSpecial Envoy of the President pics and for perhaps creating the to the Asia-Pacific Economic beginnings of the Seoul-PyongCooperation (APEC) and for In- yang informal or formal talks. tercultural Dialogue at the UPF These laudable gestures have International Leadership Confer- raised hopes for peace and recence 2018 “Building a World of onciliation in the Korean PeninLasting Peace: Interdependence, sula.

Mutual Prosperity and Universal We equally commend South Values” Seoul, Republic of Korea; Korean President Moon Jae-in February 18-22, 2018.) for his vision, leadership and iniExcellencies, friends, ladies tiative in carving out a new path and gentlemen, to signal better relations between We are honored to welcome the two Koreas. you all to this UPF International We hope that the North and Leadership Conference 2018.

South Korea display of unity at We thank the Universal Peace the Pyeongchang Olympics will Federation (UPF), the much-loved be built upon and serve as harleader, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the binger of a new chapter in pospirit and legacy of the late Rev. litical and economic engagement Sun Myung-Moon, founder of in the Korean Peninsula, and, to UPF and its successful global out- quote President Moon Jae-in, “a reach, and its outstanding Presi- precious starting point for a step dent, Dr. Thomas Walsh. toward world peace.”

Extraordinary moment: North Transfer of ICAPP Secretariat and South Korean athletes walk from Manila to Seoul side by side under “unification” In 2006, as my small, humble flag contribution in helping encourExcellencies, friends: At the age direct talks between Seoul opening ceremony of the 2018 and Pyongyang, I transferred Pyeongchang Olympics several from Manila to Seoul the Secre-

tariat of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which I founded and established in Manila in September, 2000 and of which I am Chairman of its Standing Committee up to now. The ICAPP Secretariat is now most active in Seoul and headed by Secretary General Park Ro-byug, an experienced South Korean diplomat, and by my Co-Chairman, now South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong.

I am proud to inform you that since we formed ICAPP in Manila in 2000, ICAPP now counts some 350 ruling, opposition, and independent parties from 52 countries in Asia, and the Korean Workers Party of North Korea is a member of ICAPP. Ideological differences shouldn’t get in the way Excellencies, friends: In Northeast Asia today, we need to develop pragmatic and creative methods that will try to rebuild North-South relations in the Korean Peninsula—without hopefully allowing too many of the ideological differences to get in the way.

My interest in such an outcome is personal as well as professional—because my earliest voluntary errands in Philippine foreign policy involved North Korea. In 1990, I visited Pyongyang as then acting Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Relations, in an informal pioneering effort to try to open Philippine diplomatic relations with North Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)—to try to discourage it at the time from

giving material and moral support to guerrillas of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the Philippines.

This was at a time Pyongyang itself was also trying to broaden its East Asian friendships; and I met with the North Korean leader, President Kim Il Sung, at his mountain villa north of Pyongyang. I was accompanied then

by Filipino Congressman Miguel Romero, now deceased, Philippine business leader Len Oreta, who is married to the younger sister of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino, Sen. Teresa AquinoOreta, and civic and education leader Nestor Kalaw.

Despite his forbidding reputation, I found the legendary Kim Il Sung widely and keenly interested in the outside world: our appointment of ten minutes stretched to more than one hour as he and I exchanged views on many issues. I was later informed it is rare that he entertains visitors for a long period.

When I inquired into the possibility of another war on the Korean Peninsula, he dismissed the liability outright. Conflict would be foolish—he said emphatically—it would only cause “mutual destruction” in both North and South Korea that neither side could afford to suffer. In no uncertain terms, he told me: “If we attack the South, the South will be destroyed. But we in the North will also be destroyed.”

Thus, when today Pyongyang, with leader Kim Jong-Un, his grandson, and previously his son, Kim Jong-Il, rattles the sounds of

u PAGE A7

time in the White House.

Democrats also wanted to subpoena the committee’s last two witnesses, outgoing White House communications director Hope Hicks and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to get their testimonies under oath and to compel them to produce documents needed in the investigation, but Republicans did not issue them.

Schiff contended after Lewandowski’s interview last week, ”There are a number of steps that I think any credible investigator would say, ‘These need to be done,’ and we still hope that they will be.”

Trump was quick to exonerate the Trump campaign through his favorite platform Twitter, stating in all caps: “THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HAS, AFTER A 14 MONTH LONG IN-DEPTH IN-

VESTIGATION, FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLUSION OR COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIA TO INFLUENCE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.” BUT this development only ends the probe in the House Intelligence Committee. The Senate will continue with its own investigation, and so will the team of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The American people deserve to know the TRUTH, and the Republicans in Congress and President Trump should not get in the way. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

‘The UN Human Rights Commissioner owes President Duterte a full apology’ Commentary

RiGobeRto tiGlao THAT headline are not my words but those of Adam Garrie, an analyst and prolific writer in a piece in the news and opinion website “Eurasia Future.” Garrie is described there as “a global specialist with an emphasis on Eurasian integration, and his articles have been published in the Oriental Review, Asia Times, Global Research, RT’s Op-Edge, Global Village Space and others.”

Garrie does seem to be of the pro-Russia worldview. But as I have pointed out in my Facebook page and elsewhere, it is crucial for us to get out of the U.S. and European worldview that has dominated our minds for the past century—which explains to some extent our country’s underdevelopment— or at least to balance it with other intellectual frameworks. Even many of our supposedly esteemed journalists, I’m convinced, have turned out to be brainwashed by American thinking, that several are now in U.S. institutions as if they were born there.

In the following article, Garrie gives an analysis that I agree with totally.

I think he is more Filipino than the Yellow propagandists in this

country who have been painting the country and its president black to please their American colleagues and masters.

Garrie’s article starts here: In 1970, Jordanian forces killed over 3,000 Palestinian refugees who had fled their homeland during the 1967 Arab–Israeli War. The Palestinian Liberation Organization along with many thousands of refugees were then relocated to Lebanon after a mass expulsion, after a brutal suppression of their activities known as Black September.

Today, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan acts as a kind of parking lot for American tanks and armaments which then illegally pass into the sovereign territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. While Jordan has allowed the U.S. to use its country as a base from which to inflict suffering onto the Syrian people, the suffering of Palestinians likewise continues with little meaningful Jordanian protest.

Against this backdrop, UN Human Rights Office High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein of Jordan found time to criticize Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his war against terrorism and the related war on drugs. While the Jordanian head of state is a hereditary monarch, President Duterte was democratically elected and continues to enjoy the support of the vast majority of Filipino people, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein has slammed Duterte for the naming of a UN PAGE A7

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines Trillanes indicted for sedition

A

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

PHILIPPINE ICONS. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (middle) and Senator Manny Pacquiao (left) talks to award-winning singer and composer Freddie Aguilar after the Senate passed Resolution 658, lauding him for his “lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture,” on Tuesday, March 13. Aguilar created the famous song “Anak,” which has been released in 53 countries, translated in 29 languages and re-recorded in more than 100 versions and sold 33 million copies worldwide.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

World Happiness Report: PH is the 71st happiest country 10. Australia Burundi, on the other hand, is the unhappiest country in the THe Philippines placed 71st out world.

The following are the unhappiof the 156 countries ranked in the World Happiness Report 2018, est nations: 147. Malawi only one notch higher from its po148. Haiti sition last year. The country has 149. Liberia an average score of 5.524 in 2018.

150. Syria In 2017, the Philippines ranked 151. Rwanda 72nd out of 155 nations. It scored 152. Yemen 5.430.

153. Tanzania Finland took the top spot from 154. South Sudan Norway as the happiest nation.

155. Central African Republic The following are the happiest 156. Burundi countries in the world: The report also said that the 1. Finland Philippines ranked third in the 2. Norway countries with highest levels of 3. Denmark positive affect.

4. Iceland It explained that positive affect 5. Switzerland is measured as the simple aver6. The Netherlands age of the “day-before” dichoto7. Canada mous variables such as smiled 8. New Zealand or laughed, learned something, 9. Sweden by

GAeA KAtreenA CAbiCo Philstar.com

The Philippines is the 71st happiest country in the world, according to the United Nation’s 2018 World Happiness Report.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

‘The UN Human Rights Commissioner...

PAGE A6

official Victoria Tauli-Corpuz as a sympathizer of the New People’s Army terrorist group.

Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein said, “It makes one believe that the president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation.”

Frankly, what ought to be subject to a wider evaluation is the fact that the UN Human Rights Commission has totally failed in its duty to address genuine human rights disasters in disputed territories. This includes the failure of the UN to do anything meaningful for Palestine, Kashmir, the Serbian refugees of the 1999 NATO war and occupation

of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the war of aggression against the people of Donbass, just to name a few.

The Philippines is a country that for years has faced an insurgency from the New People’s Army and from extremist Moro groups, including the Daeshaligned Maute Group. Duterte, in declaring a state of martial law in Mindanao, was able to defeat the Maute Group after they attacked the city of Marawi in May of 2017. However, the country continues to face a protracted insurgency from the al-Qaida-styled Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (ManilaTimes.net)

In pursuit of lasting peace PAGE A6 war in the Korean Peninsula, I remember those words of practical wisdom from the late Kim Il Sung.

Most importantly, at the same time, in response to my request and appeal, Kim Il Sung did me and my colleagues honor and he promised and indeed put in writing that North Korea would not give aid and comfort to our Filipino NPA guerrillas—who had, by then, been fighting to overthrow the Philippine State for more than two decades. President Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea, told me that by the time we leave for Beijing en route to Manila, the North Korean government would have the letter ready. And he kept his promise.

Philippines-North Korea diplomatic relations And on my invitation, President Kim Il Sung sent to Manila, a few weeks after I left Pyongyang, his Deputy Premier Kim Dahl Hyun to finalize the agreement with our then Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus, which expeditiously resulted in diplomatic relations between Manila and Pyongyang.

That was the most successful result of our trip to North Korea.

Today the North Korean Ambassador in Bangkok is accredited to Manila, presents his credentials to the Philippine President in Manila, and visits Manila from time to time. Similarly, our active Ambassador in Beijing is accred-

ited in Pyongyang.

I had since turned over to then President Corazon Aquino, the beloved late President, the priceless North Korean document signed

by North Korean Deputy Premier Kim Dahl Hyun committing the North Korean Government not to give aid and comfort to the insurgent Philippine New People’s Army. I specifically asked this document from the President of North Korea (DPRK) and he authorized Deputy Premier Kim to sign it and handed to me. I in turn proudly presented the document to then President Cory Aquino in Malacanang Palace when we returned to Manila. n Yes, through thick and thin, that agreement which we forged in Pyongyang in the summer of 1990 has kept our two states friendly and cooperative until now.

I must say that I have since developed close relations with the CPP-NPA-NDF leaders Jose Maria “Joma” Sison; my high school classmate at De La Salle Luis Jalandoni, then CPP-NPA-NDF chief negotiator with the Philippine government on the peace talks, and now senior adviser; and with Fidel Agcaoile, their new chief negotiator, and have helped push over the years, and hopefully success at some time, sooner than later, a final peace agreement with our Communist brothers at home. (To be continued next week)

treated with respect, experience enjoyment and felt well-rested.

The World Happiness Report is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

In a separate global survey by U.S.-based firm Gallup International released last month, the Philippines placed third in the happiest country in the world with a net score of +84.

Fiji is the happiest nation in the world, followed by Colombia. n

MANILA — A Pasay City prosecutor’s office recommended the filing of an inciting to sedition case against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV stemming from a privilege speech in the Senate calling on military men to shoot President Rodrigo Duterte for his unexplained wealth.

In a privilege speech in October last year, Trillanes said that soldiers should shoot the Philippine leader using an M-60 machine gun for his alleged hidden wealth.

Trillanes is accusing Duterte and his family of having bank transactions amounting to around P2 billion, adding that this money could not be justified as the president did not have any business.

Trillanes, a staunch critic of the tough-talking president, labeled the recommendation as a form of pressure on him since his remark was constitutionally protected from suit.

The shoot-the-president remark led a group of lawyers affiliated with the pro-Duterte Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption to move for the senator’s prosecution for inciting to sedition (Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code), proposing to commit coup d’etat (Article 136 of the RPC) and graft.

According to the decision signed

by Joahna Lim, a Pasay City senior assistant city prosecutor, the utterances Trillanes made “may have

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

been suggestive to fall within the scope of inciting to sedition.”

“It is recommended that the within attached information for inciting to sedition… against respondents Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, John and Jane Does be approved and filed in court,” the decision, dated March 14, 2018, said.

However, Lim said that the charge for conspiracy and proposal to commit coup d’etat could not prosper.

“The acts complained of do not show that respondent proposes to other persons the commission of the crime of coup d’etat,” the decision said in dismissing it for lack of probable cause.

The decision added that the remarks of the senator was not sufficient to engender a well-founded belief that he proposed to others an attack accompanied by violence, intimidation, threat, strat-

Philstar.com photo

egy or stealth against the government.

Trillanes, in a statement, said the pro-Duterte lawyers were mistaken if they thought that the case would deter him from what he was fighting for.

“If their objective is to cow me to stop criticizing Duterte, well, just like what I said before, this further encourages me to fight what is wrong and evil,” the senator said.

He also stressed that his speech was covered by immunity and he did not incite anyone to commit anything.

“Unlike Duterte who is afraid to face his cases, I will face this,” he said, in an apparent dig at the president’s decision to withdraw from an international treat that created the International Criminal Court, where the chief executive might face a case stemming from his brutal war on drugs. n

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march 16-22, 2018

Presidential fashion consultant

2

Mimi Parrel-Pimentel on styling a leader

by AJPress MIMI Parrel-Pimentel, a 45year-old fashion designer from Cagayan de Oro, is taking the Philippine fashion scene by storm and is steadily making a name for herself worldwide.

As a college student, Pimentel spent her free time at her aunt’s dress shop, mindlessly sketching designs. She is now one of the Philippines’ most sought-after designers and has received the honor of being appointed the presidential fashion consultant of Malacañang, wherein she is in charge of dressing and styling President Rodrigo Duterte. This has led her to have the opportunity to design Duterte’s inaugural barong, as well as the barongs of the ASEAN ministers and the outfits of their spouses, cabinet members and other government executives when the ASEAN Summit was held in the Philippines in 2017.

That same year, the designer had also designed the Filipiniana gowns for the Miss Universe candidates during the Philippines’ hosting of the pageant.

The Asian Journal’s travel and lifestyle publication, Balikbayan Magazine, sat down with the fashion icon and native of Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro at her shop on Jupiter Street in Makati, as she spoke about her roots, career, and plans for the future.

BBMAG: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

PIMENTEL: I was born and raised in Cagayan de Oro, and graduated with a degree in International Studies at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in 1992. After that, I studied fashion design at Madonna School of Fashion and Design and graduated in 1994. For the next three years, I worked as an in-house designer for my aunt, Jessie Sia. I got married in 1997 and established my own shop, Mimi Parrel-Pimentel Boutique and Dress shop. In 2000, I was an awardee of the Ramon Magsaysay

Foundation, as the Best Female Entrepreneur in Region X. I went on to pursue further studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins.

When I returned to the Philippines in 2011, I opened the Fashion Institute of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro Branch and the year after, I established the Philippine Institute for Skills and Arts Development (PISAD), a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accredited school. In the past few years, I have received various recognitions, such as the Business Leaders Award from the Business Week Mindanao Corporation (2012), and opportunities like joining the International Fashion Show in Canada and New York (2015).

In 2016, I was appointed the presidential fashion consultant of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In 2017, I had the chance to dress up Miss Universe candidates in Filipiniana gowns and make the barongs of ASEAN ministers and outfits for their spouses, cabinet members and other executives from different government agencies. I also joined Singapore Fashion Week that year. Earlier this year, I joined the House of Ikons fashion show in London. One of my advocacies is to help promote the local fabrics, particularly Mindanao silk, to give livelihood to the weavers.

BBMAG: Where did your love for fashion design and dressmaking begin?

PIMENTEL: As a kid, I loved to draw cartoon characters. My mother opened a dress shop inside our house when I was six years old. I remember that I loved playing with the sewing machines and buttons. When I was in high school, my aunt took over the dress shop after my father opened a construction business.

The shop and construction business were both in one place.

I started observing my aunt and how she dealt with clients and seamstresses.

When I finished college, instead of sitting around and doing nothing, I would sit at a table and sketch dresses. I realized that I had this strong interest in fashion. As time passed by, my aunt started noticing my potential and discovered that I had innate skills in fashion designing. She saw that I had these cohesive designs in my sketches and she offered me to make a design for her fashion show — it was a life-changing offer that paved the way for my fashion career.

The first collection that I made for my aunt was thought to be glamorous and started to have high demands. Seeing this, she brought me to Manila after I had graduated in international studies at Ateneo De Cagayan in 1992.

There, I studied at the Madonna School of Fashion and Design for two years. As soon as I got back to my hometown, she hired me as the in-house designer for three years until she left to migrate to the U.S., and that was when I took over the business.

Being the successor of my aunt, I managed the business and slowly gathered loyal seamstresses and clients.

BBMAG: Where do you find or look for inspiration when creating a piece?

PIMENTEL: I gain my inspiration through some of the international artists like Elie Saab and Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Dior, among others. Traveling allows me to view the fashion trends in different perspectives as they come from different countries with diverse cultures. Furthermore, I get inspired seeing distinct and native fabrics that are available in that particular country that cannot be seen anywhere else.

The abundance and uniqueness of these fabrics are what keep me reminded that you can be infinitely creative in your own way — and

Mimi Parrel-Pimentel with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

that’s what makes fashion full of surprises.

BBMAG: Where have you traveled?

PIMENTEL: I have traveled around some states in the U.S. like California, New York, and Florida, Washington, and Las Vegas. In Canada, I had shows in Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. I have also traveled around Dubai, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. As I travel, I usually shop for fabrics that are only exclusive to that particular country.

BBMAG: Who are some fashion icons you look up to?

PIMENTEL: Among my choices are Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe. For local celebrities, Lucy Torres, Dawn Zulueta, and Gretchen Barretto, because they all have a taste and class.

BBMAG: How would you describe the perfect client?

PIMENTEL: Customer satisfaction is the toughest part in running a fashion business.

For me, when you make a design for a client, it has to fit his or her personality and synchronize with his or her daily habits. A perfect client is someone who is open to new ideas and design concepts.

And most of all, someone who trusts you as the designer.

BBMAG: Can you name a client who was the most fun to work with?

PIMENTEL: President Duterte!

He is a funny person, easy to deal with, and mostly, he is a good payer. He will not use what you made for him if you will not accept his payment. He is a great man, and always loves to joke around.

(Laughs) BBMAG: What is it like working with President Rodrigo Duterte?

PIMENTEL: I find it exciting, challenging and amusing. After working with him for a while now, I have been able to observe and understand his fashion preferences and how he likes his barongs and suits to look and feel like. I found

out that he is not that “maarte” with the designs. He is more after comfort than style. In fact, when I presented 10 designs for his inauguration barong, he chose the simplest one with only the Philippine flag embroidered on the left side. I also made some intricate designs but he chose the simplest.

What’s nice about him is that he patronizes Mindanaoans and supports my advocacy to empower women farmers who play a very important role in the sericulture industry. “Mindanao silk,” a product of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental was what President Duterte wore during his inauguration. And to complete it, I also added his favorite pants, which were made of corduroy.

BBMAG: What was it like dressing the ASEAN leaders?

PIMENTEL: It was an honor to dress up the ministers. It was a rare opportunity to meet and talk to these powerful people on earth.

BBMAG: Do you have some advice for aspiring Filipino designers?

PIMENTEL: One of the biggest misconceptions that I get is that in order to be a fashion designer, one must have all the shades of a pencil, all those coloring materials, and all those expensive machines.

But I tell you, you can start off with [just] a pencil and paper. Mix that together with passion and effort, and dedicate some time to it. Then you will find yourself riding the train towards your dream to become a well-known and a world-class

fashion designer.

BBMAG: What are your thoughts on being the fashion icon of Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro? PIMENTEL: Being a fashion icon means setting future trends. It also means being timeless in your style.

BBMAG: What is next for you?

PIMENTEL: I’m looking forward to my international shows. I’ll have a series of shows abroad in the upcoming months. I was invited to the House of Ikons in London this past February, so I had been busy preparing for my collection.

It is a 20-piece collection with various designs like casual wear, formal wear, and barongs as well.

The series of shows for “Hibla” will soon make its way to New York, San Francisco, Vienna, China, Japan, and Australia. I am also currently working on the gowns for former first lady Imelda Marcos and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

deric Mccabe: i’m filipino!

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

FROM Kobe Bryant to Oprah Winfrey. This proudly Filipino wonder kid is rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s who’s who, and he’s bound to be one of them in the near future.

His name is Deric McCabe, the 9-year-old actor from the cast of Disney’s next big film, “A Wrinkle in Time.” In the Know met this talented cutie via video chat during the world premiere of this big debut movie of his, all the way

Deric McCabe

from Los Angeles.

Deric has a Filipina mother and grew up with his lola too in Montana, but he said he doesn’t know much about the Philippines since he’s never been here.

“My lola tells me stuff and I’m so interested to learn more about the country. I don’t really know much yet… All I know is that I’m maarte! That’s what my ate calls me!” he laughed gleefully.

Well maarte suits Deric since he showed just how good his arte skills are as Charles Wallace Murry,

Photos from Instagram/@dericmccabe

lead role Meg Murray’s (Storm Reid) younger brother, who is precocious and wise beyond his years. His character boasts of a genius IQ, and is able to sense what others are feeling. He also holds a special bond with his sister as they search for their missing father.

Deric says it took him seven months and several call backs before he landed his first major role, which his mother documented on Instagram.

“It wasn’t easy at all, but I was having fun every minute of it!”

Deric was also honest enough to admit he did not know the gravity of his role nor that he would be working with the two-time Academy Awardnominee Oprah Winfrey, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling, Oscar winner Jennifer Lee and Oscar nominee director Ava DuVernay.

“Well, at first I was like who’s Oprah? Who’s Reese? I really didn’t know because they were like regular people on set who come on time and are very down to earth and professional.”

They were definitely great role models for Deric who is just starting in showbiz.

He recalled shooting with the

The nine-year-old Fil-Am on the set of the Disney film ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ with Oprah Winfrey

big wigs in New Zealand where he became close to Oprah and the rest of the cast.

“Everyone was lovely on set!” he enthused.

With the newfound attention

With Kobe Bryant during the premiere of the movie in Los Angeles

he is getting, Deric says he was pleasantly surprised at the support he’s been receiving from the Filipino community.

“It made me more interested to know about the Philippines.

I’m working now but I told my mom to take me there and explore.”

He ended our conversation by saying, “I’m Filipino! I’m proud to be Filipino!”

march 16-22, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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LizQuen now ‘exclusively’ dating

by Rosette

AdeL

Philstar.com

REUNION AT CENTURY SEAFOOD MANILA. Vic Sy reunites with his nephew George Sy Go of Tagaytay Canyonwoods and a planned dormitel in Taft and Pedro Gil. Vic is a balikbayan who also invested in George’s Canyon de Boracay. In photo are: (seated, L-R): Vic Sy,Jimmy Go, George Sy Go, Teri Go and (standing, L-R): Roger Oriel, George Sy Go, Jr.

Heart on leave from showbiz

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Her contract with GMA has expired (last project was “My Korean Jagiya” with K-Pop star Alexander Lee) so Heart evangelista is deadset on finally buckling down to her and husband Sen. Chiz escudero’s oft-postponed joint venture — working on their first child.

It’s about time since they have just marked their third wedding anniversary last month. Heart has been acting as mom to her stepchildren (Chiz’s twin son and daughter from a previous marriage) and she’s ready to be a mom to her own child.

The GMA bosses have given Heart their blessing but made sure that Heart renewed her contract.

Away from showbiz, Heart is pre-occupied with several projects, starting with her second exhibit titled L”ove Marie: In Full Bloom” at the New Art exhibit at Ayala Museum’s Artspace from Heart Evangelista March 27 to April 12. Her subjects show more maturity, are more Marie x Maison which sells bags aggressive, and that’s because, and home products that she according to Heart (whose first herself designs. After her Nescafé exhibit was a sell-out), “I have Gold, her latest, Heart is slated found myself and I am now more to do more endorsements. The sure about the path that I am advocacies she’s supporting taking as an artist; I have also include Balikatang Thalassemia, become more comfortable in Corridor of Hope, PAWS, Cerebral baring more of myself.”

Palsy5Association Sorsogon FC_JMC_AJPrintAd11p5x10p5in.pdf 2/22/18 of 12:46 AM She’s also ready to open and Kusina ng Kalinga ng

A dAy after celebrating their fifth anniversary as an on-screen love team, Liza Soberano said that she and love team partner enrique Gil are “exclusively” dating.

Asked if all the stars of their latest fantaserye “Bagani” are already taken, the 20-year-old actress replied with a yes. This response drew cheers from the crowd present at the press conference as it hinted that they are officially in a relationship.

However, during an ambush interview, Soberano and enrique clarified that they are only exclusively dating.

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil “We’re exclusive,” the screen partners.

Kapamilya stars said.

LizQuen first worked in the But asked when they started film “Must Be…Love” in 2013. to date each other, the actress They also led primetime said: “No date. It’s coming soon.” series “Forevermore,” “dolce On Wednesday, March 14, Amore,” and “Bagani.”

Soberano took to social media to The on-screen partner had thank the fans of their loveteam been coy in confirming the dubbed “LizQuen” as they status of their relationship. They, celebrated their fifth year as on-

Photo from Instagram/@enriquegil17

however, said they are now mature enough to comfortably discuss it.

“I think we’re just really happy where we are,” Gil said.

Gil and Soberano admitted that they are in a “relationship with no labels” in Yes! Magazine’s July 2017 issue.

Pinoy jeepney, Bohol featured in Hollywood poster WHere in the world are the missing gnomes?

Based on the newly released poster of Hollywood movie “Sherlock Gnomes,” they are in the Philippines, traveling aboard the iconic Filipino “jeepney” somewhere in Bohol.

In “Sherlock Gnomes,” the beloved garden gnomes from Gnomeo and Juliet are back for a whole new adventure in London.

When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in the city with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting their new garden ready for spring. They, however, Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte soon discover that someone is kidnapping garden gnomes all over Gawad Kalinga.

London. When Gnomeo and Juliet “I just learned a new dish,” return home to find that everyone Heart proudly announced. “I in their garden is missing – there is don’t really cook but the Kusina only one gnome to call: Sherlock ng Kalinga team was kind Gnomes. enough to teach me their The famous detective and recipe. Anyone who wants to sworn protector of London’s garden help and to volunteer should gnomes arrives with his sidekick visit the @gawadkalinga Watson to investigate the case. The Facebook page.” mystery will lead the gnomes on a

An official poster for Hollywood movie “Sherlock Gnomes” wherein the gnomes can be seen riding the Filipino jeepney in Bohol.

Photo courtesy of United International Pictures

rollicking adventure, where they will meet all new ornaments and explore an undiscovered side of the city.

This action-packed sequel features the voices of returning cast, James McAvoy, emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Stephen Merchant and Ozzy Osbourne, plus Johnny depp as Sherlock Gnomes, Chiwetel ejiofor

as Watson and Mary J. Blige as Irene.

“Sherlock Gnomes” is based on characters by rob Sprackling, John Smith, Andy riley, Kevin Cecil, Keely Asbury, and Steve Hamilton Shaw.

The story is by Andy riley, Kevin Cecil, emily dee Cook and Kathy Greenberg, while Ben Zazove wrote the screenplay. John Stevenson serves as director.

march 16-22, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

4

Philippine Expressions Bookshop to host Pinay Gathering ‘18 in San Pedro, CA SAN PEDRO, CA — The Philippine Expressions Bookshop (PEB) will be hosting “Pinay Gathering ‘18” on Saturday, March 17, 3-6 p.m. in San Pedro, California. The event is part of PEB’s ongoing celebration to honor Filipina authors, coinciding with women’s history month. The event will feature book talks and signings by acclaimed Filipina authors across different literary genres.

PEB founder and owner Linda Nietes said that “Pinay Gathering” is a good opportunity for readers to see and hear more from their favorite authors.

She added that the featured authors are paragons of Filipino ingenuity in the written word.

“Many of our authors are award winners, and the Fil-Am community should be proud of them!” Nietes said in a press release.

Featured authors include Cecilia Manguerra-Brainward (“The Newspaper Widow”), Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz (“Even the Rainbow Has a Body: Distinct Artistic Legacies”), Marianne Villanueva (Mayor of the Roses), Irene Suico-Soriano (“Primates From An Archipelago: Poems”), Angela Narciso-Torres (“Blood Orange: Poems”), and Tessie Jayme (“Black Clouds in Manila”).

The writers’ featured works — all noteworthy in their own right — showcase different styles and genres. “The Newspaper Widow” and “Black Clouds” in Manila are fictional novels, while “Even the Rainbow Has a Body” is a collection of interviews with different artists and personalities. “Primates from an Archipelago” and “Blood Orange” are collections of poems, and Mayor of the Roses is a short story collection.

According to Nietes, PEB has been holding this event on an on-again-off-again basis, with the bookstore hosting the event in some years, and not in other years. In the beginning, it was just an informal gathering of women who met and

EMPLOYMENT

Non-inclusion of Filipinas in LA fashion show not about race, producer says

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

exchanged ideas across the dining table. It soon evolved into a book talk series when the interest for literature began to pick up.

Nietes hopes that by featuring Pinay authors, more and more young people are encouraged to pursue the craft and become the next generation of Filipino wordsmiths.

“Everyone has a story to tell,” Nietes said. She said it’s time “for Pinays to come out of the woodwork, so to speak, and write.”

“Write something of value, not just for vanity, but to inspire others and teach us the great lessons of life. Each one of us has a journey worth documenting,” Nietes said.

FASHION designer and executive producer behind the Los Angeles Fashion Week, Erik Rosete, on Thursday, March 15, clarified that the non-inclusion of seven Filipinas in the fashion show had nothing to do with race, color or gender.

Rosete explained that singer Kiana Valenciano, former Miss Earth Jamie Herell and five other models, were only barred from joining the show because Jacob Meir, who invited the Filipinas, lied and stole money.

Meir is the founder of For the Star Fashion House which regularly hosts showcases for Filipino designers.

“They brought 5’5 models I did not cast in the show, and they brought their own hair and makeup team which is against our contract. They owe us over $100,000 in past dues,” Rosete wrote in one of his comments.

“This had nothing to do with race, color or gender. This had to do with the fact that he (Meir) is a crook and a liar. He was collecting money from designers, sponsors and models on the side and trying to run a side business from our production, all while telling us he would pay us ‘one day,’” the designer said.

The designer and fashion week producer, issued the “Pinay Gathering ‘18” is statement after drawing flaks free and open to the public, for allegedly discriminating but seats are limited. To the seven Filipinas in his show RSVP, send an email to info@ slated Monday, March 12. It was philippinebookshop.com, or supposed to feature the pieces call (310) 514-9139. Philippine Expressions Bookshop is located of Filipino designers Rocky at 479 W. Sixth Street, San Pedro, Gathercole and Resty Lagare.

Pageant enthusiast page The CA 90731.

Pageanthology also demanded an Due to the good response apology from the organizers for to this event, it is highly the alleged discrimination. encouraged to RSVP via No one walked out of the Eventbrite so that the free seats fashion show will be reserved. Attendees will Due to the incident, Mier, also get a 10 percent discount Gathercole and Lagare pulled out on all titles purchased during from the show, citing that they the event. would not allow the show to go For those unable to attend, on without Filipino models.

PEB will accept orders via email Rosete, however, explained for signed copies of the authors’ that he tried to pacify the books. (Mico Letargo) (Advertising Supplement) situation and claimed that no one

EMPLOYMENT

The producer said that Kiana Valenciano, former Miss Earth Jamie Herell and five other models were only barred from joining the LA fashion show since Jacob Meir, who invited the Filipinas, lied and stole money.

walked out as all models patiently waited.

He also said his team Art Heart Fashion, which he founded, was the one which decided to cancel Meir’s show. Rosete said he decided to cut the show because Meir “did not respect the production and was pocketing money on the side.”

Rosete said he felt horrible for the lovely young girls and apologized for the miscommunication.

“I apologize for any miscommunication, but I do not want to be treated unfairly,” Rosete, also a philanthropist, said.

“I did my best to salvage the situation, and Jacob pulled a nasty move and tried to tarnish what we have worked so hard to build but trying to publish false stories,” he added.

Rosete has nothing against Filipinos The designer claimed that Art Hearts Fashion, described as the leading platform for designers and artists to showcase their collections in a contemporary fashion week setting, has a

SERVICES

platform built on inclusion. He said the production was cited

by Forbes, Yahoo and People Magazine for inclusion.

Rosete also cited that in 2015, Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-up Janine Tugonon opened for his fashion show for clothing brand Mr. Triple X. He said Tugonon went on to become the first Filipino Victoria’s Secret model.

The designer also defended himself, saying he has nothing against Filipinos because designers Danny Nguyen, Kenneth Barlis and half of his team are also Filipinos.

Prior to Rosete’s statement, Kiana’s mother and manager Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano expressed disappointment over the incident. She said she was heartbroken for her daughter and the models who traveled thousands of miles only to be robbed of that “dream-come-true opportunity.”

“It was actually horrible. God bless the organizer nonetheless and I pray this never happens to his daughter, son, niece or nephew,” Angeli wrote.

Romantic comedies and that thing called love Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA IF you’re a woman who believes in secret in such things as love-at-first sight and happilyever-afters, TAKE HEART. Even during this cynical, jaded Age of Information when nothing seems sacred or mysterious any more, there are still countless women (and maybe some men) the world over just like you, who believe in the magic and mystery spun by that ancient, invisible force called LOVE. It is written in our DNA. So don’t fight it. It’s just that modern women (and some men) probably won’t admit being romantic in public, for fear of ridicule. They will say, “Bah, humbug!” with a straight face and then watch every romantic comedy on the sly.

That is probably why the Hallmark Channel is at the forefront of this storytelling genre.

Some have cheesy, predictable plotlines developed in about an hour and twenty-two minutes viewing time.

Women are a captive audience and these women, in turn, drag their partners, more than likely, kicking and screaming because they would rather watch violent movies oozing with blood and gore. Yeah, yeah. Talk about women coming from Venus and men, from Mars. That’s what makes the chemical attraction between straight genders so compelling and fascinating — repelling and binding at the same time.

Deep within most women,

Health@Heart

“The past is prologue” — Shakespeare despite all that they’ve seen and been through, some, despite being scarred beyond belief by past toxic liaisons, if they don’t let bitterness and acrimony permeate their hearts, that thing called LOVE, still rules and does so mightily.

Romantic comedies churned out fairly regularly from the Hollywood story factory seem to come from a well-worn template, copy-fitted in about 90 minutes of predictability. After a while, they taste like prepackaged burgers, food enough for the starving romantic soul, but hardly satisfying.

After you have seen a few, you can very well interchange the characters and the plots and subplots like pieces of Lego. It’s a formula that keeps on giving: girl meets boy; a delicious attraction sizzles; a situation sets up a series of conflicting, seemingly complicated twists and turns made more tenuous by a third opposing character, just like Bluto, in the Popeye, Olive Oyl triangle.

There is always that horrible antagonist that prevents the girl and the guy from coming together. The couple almost gives up trying but then an unexpected twist happens, some deus ex machina, a manipulation by the love god, that resolves the conflict and zaps away all obstacles e.g. a can of spinach that rolls from nowhere, that energizes Popeye to pummel Bluto; guy gets girl or whoever is doing the hot pursuit; and finally, the way is then made clear for the de riguer wedding scene. Sigh. THE END.

Disney has pretty much scoured the bottom of the barrel in spinning out modern versions of animated stories from ages past. In medieval times, when marriage, the nunnery or spinsterhood were the choices that were available, most young girls dreamt about that rich, dashing knight riding on a horse, that would slay the dragon, overcome overwhelming forces, sweep them off their feet, ride out into the sunset and live happily ever after. For a few centuries, that was how it was.

But we all know, real life tells far different stories. The fairy tales turn out to be more like Gothic novels. Girl and guy don’t always end up happy. The depressing d’s descend on every life: divorce, deceit, despair, discouragement, disillusionment, darkness and death. And we’re left disappointed.

But for all that, hope springs eternal in the human heart and keeps the romcom writers busy.

We have this need to believe even if we begin to view with a jaded eye that the concept of happilyever-after is just a myth, long after the harsh facts of reality beat us into submission in a staredown. Slowly, warily, we learn to separate fact from fiction.

Our world has changed from the simple to the utterly complicated present times.

We now live with ubiquitous social networks available to our fingers where we can engage electronically in our pajamas and unmade beds, engage with one another instead of what used to be face-to-face interpersonal

Aphrodisiac dangers

causes of impotence. It could be psychogenic (stress or psychological problem), PhiliP S. ChuA, neurogenic (nerve injury), vascular Md, FACS, FPCS (poor circulation), medicationrelated (as those patients taking What are aphrodisiacs? high blood pressure pills), or Aphrodisiacs are pro-sexual anatomical (severe deformity drugs or substances that will of the organ), and, of course, heighten libido (sexual desire), aging (which normally reduces orgasm (ecstasy and pleasure) and libido and the ability to maintain performance in males and females, erection because of very low not partner-specific. As society testosterone level, etc.). The gets more liberal and permissive, commonest are due to stress, these medications and all other medications for high blood so-called sex enhancers become pressure, and aging. Fortunately, more in demand. today, these conditions could are these substances new? be helped by Viagra, Cialis or No, the cultural quest for Levitra, the 3 most popular ED aphrodisiacs has been the medications. obsession of man, from ancient to are ED drugs safe? modern times. Natural substances As I said in my article on such as belladona, datura and Viagra (Generic name: Sildenafil) henbane were key ingredients in on June 18, 1998, this drug had the sexual orgies of ancient fertility been prescribed to millions cults. Today, we have medications around the world for male Erectile that have gone through stringent Dysfunction and has been laboratory testing and are refined found to be as safe as any drug, and definitely safer. provided it was taken under the are ED pills aphrodisiacs? supervision of a physician, and No, not in the strict medical taken strictly as directed. Today, sense, Viagra does not directly after two decades of experience increase the libido (sexual desire) with these ED medications, their or orgasm (sexual pleasure), safety and effectiveness have although it improves sexual been nothing but impressive. We performance of the male have also sounded the warning, with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and repeating it again today, that —inability to maintain erection. patients on any form of nitrates Viagra acts by dilating and (drugs used by heart patients filling the veins in the penis with to open the arteries) should not blood, causing engorgement take Viagra, as this could lead to and erection. Indirectly, it shock and death. Nitrates come in enhances sexual performance by various forms, sublingual (taken maintaining erection and better under the tongue), skin patches, penetration. If there is no sexual tablets or injection. Some of brand desire between the partners, names are Imdur, Isosorbide, Viagra does not help. Aphrodisiacs, Nitroglycerine, Peritrate, and many on the other hand, are substances others. Consult your physician that make a person want to have before taking any medications. sex, almost an uncontrollable What are the side effects of sexual desire with practically any ED drugs? person.

The most common reported What other items have side effects of ED meds are “aphrodisiac effect”? sensation of warmth, headache Vitamin E, ginseng, oysters, and fullness, slight blurring of mandrake plants in medieval vision, which are all temporary Europe, L-Dopa and Pergolide and wear off after four hours or so, Mesylate (two drugs used for varying in each person. The side the treatment of Parkinson’s effects are due to vasodilation Disease), Quaalude, Apomorphine, (opening of arteries) all over the Nomifensine and Bupropion (anti- body, giving more blood to all depression drugs), Bethanechol, parts of the body, especially to Afrodex (combination of the penis. They were originally Yohimbine, testosterone and designed for dilating the coronary strychnine), Clomipiramine, arteries of the heart to prevent Fluoxetine, Chinese Chan Su, heart attack, but serendipity “Love Stone,” “Hard Rock,” “Stud revealed their wonderful side 100” are some of the food, effect of penile engorgement drugs, or substances that have and erection (and less coronary been claimed to have some dilation) in laboratory mice. aphrodisiac effect. Many of them Is there any aphrodisiac that have undetermined side effects is effective and safe? and complications. Why take the Medical research and studies chance when proven safe erectile on aphrodisiacs have been dysfunction drugs are available ongoing for centuries, and have today? expanded in the modern times.

What are causes of The Food and Drug Administration impotence? in the United States has not There are a variety of approved any drug as an

aphrodisiac per se. Drugs for the treatment of some illnesses, with “aphrodisiac-effect,” as mentioned earlier, have not been officially approved and recommended for use as aphrodisiacs. Most of the reports on their effectiveness are anecdotal. The main problem, even in the case of Yohimbine, is the absence of a definite and convincing medical proof of the consistency in its efficacy and safety. Some people have died from using the so-called “aphrodisiac” drugs.

What can enhance the mood for romance?

Feelings, situation and atmosphere are important, especially among females, in setting the mood for a romantic sexual rendezvous. There must be mutual liking and desire, and both partners must be in a happy frame of mind. All problems must be temporarily set aside. There must be good hygiene (both partners must have clean and good smelling body, no bad breath).

If ED med is needed, it must be taken about an hour to an hour and a half prior to sexual activity.

And remember, protection, when needed, is very important for the peace of mind for both parties.

The fear of sexually transmitted diseases is always a downer.

The ambiance must provide security, privacy and serenity, preferably with romantic music in the background. The bedroom encounter must be at least 3 to 4 hours after a meal, and, perhaps, following a glass of wine or an after-dinner drink for a more relax mind. Joyful flirtation and kind compliments, and touching from both sides would definitely help set the mood. During the act, uninhibited and spontaneous verbal expression of ecstasy on both partners will tremendously help enhance the pleasure.

Females love to be wooed and foreplay is most essential. And don’t underestimate the value of passionate kissing, as part of the foreplay and during the act itself.

Both must try to be as natural and as spontaneous as can be.

Some form of communication and body contact must be maintained after the act, so the partner does not feel abandoned “after use.”

This, today, might be the safest “aphrodisiac” of all. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

march 16-22, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

relationships when we need to be right where we need to be to make our case.

We facebook and twitter all day long electronically creating, maintaining or killing off disposable internet relationships, that can defy space and time constraints, that can either bloom and thrive or take shallow roots

and die in an instant. It doesn’t really matter. The next thing is just a click away.

It remains to be seen what will come out of this relatively new phenomenon that is rewriting how this generation and the succeeding ones will find their mates that are right for them. There is no precedent, no

Calendar of Events across

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formulas, no template, no books to copy from.

The young ones may have to muddle through, make mistakes and come up with a new set of rules to write brand new stories to fire up and light their imaginations while holding steadfast in the belief written in Continued on Page 6

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS March 19

Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Stevenson Ranch, CA The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-night only event to be held at West Ranch High School (26255 Valencia Blvd. Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381) on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library, which includes “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians in the processes.

Tickets are $25 for seniors/students, $30 for general, and $35 for VIP. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets are available online at westranchmusic.com, by phone at (661) 222-1220 ext. 645, or at one of the locations: Nick Rail Music - 25868 McBean Pkwy., Valencia, CA, (661) 288-2345; Nationwide Insurance, 23236 Lyons Ave. #205, Newhall, CA, (661) 254-1714; Innovations Salon - 25830 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA. (661) 255-5580; or Bella Cucina - 27911 Seco Canyon Rd. in Saugus, (661) 263-1414.

M a r c h 29

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be a FREE immigration forum on Thursday, February 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters. com. Attendees will be able to get information on the following topics: How to find H-1B/green card sponsoring companies, tips for a successful H-1B interview, job placement assistance for qualified applicants with start-ups in Orange County, and a list of top 100 H1-B employers in the OC. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

Refreshments will be provided to all attendees. For more information about Global Law Centers, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

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SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura in Queens, NY AFTA presents its latest fundraising event - “SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura” – a cultural dinner show featuring the internationally recognized dance troupe from the Philippines, the Leyte Dance Theater, which will kick off their USA TOUR 2018 in NYC. The event is on April 14, 2018, 3:00 pm at the Rock Church in Woodside, Queens. “Salida” aims to raise funds and awareness to support the flagship projects of the Association of Fil-am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA) with their partners: The Rock Churches Worldwide and the Leyte Biliran & Samar Federation.

Proceeds of this fundraiser will finance AFTA’s projects in the Philippines like Adopt a School (Marawi City, Biliran and Albay, Adopt a Scholar, and Balikturo). For Sponsorship opportunities, contact Roxanne at 347-932-6631 or Nitz at 862-368-1706 or any AFTA officer/board member.

Philippine Medical Association of Southern CA to hold inaugural ball in Anaheim, CA The Philippine Medical Association of Southern California (PMASC) and its auxiliary will be holding its biennial inaugural ball on Saturday, April 14 at the Anaheim Marriott (700 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA). This grand occasion will be attended by several Filipino physicians and its guests to raise funds for humanitarian purposes, specifically its outreach programs including medical missions to the Philippines and Southern California. The association has been conducting such purposes for 46 years since its founding in 1971. For more information and tickets, please contact Dr. Emma Arella at (661) 794-3322, Dr. Ellen Abejuela at (909) 859-4865 or PMASC Executive Office at (562) 572-2481.

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East West Players’ 52nd Visionary Awards & Silent Auction in Los Angeles East West Players celebrates its 52nd Anniversary at the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. The Visionary Awards laud the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs. It will be held at the Hilton Universal City (555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608) on Monday, April 30. At 5:30 p.m., VIP Reception*, silent auction, and registration begin. Dinner and awards show begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/east-west-players-52nd-anniversary-visionary-awards-dinner-and-silent-auction/.

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

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Filipino director returns to Cannes

Still reeling from the experience, Direk Noel is doubly overwhelmed ManilaTimes.net that his latest work, “Alaala,” has IT was only a year ago that been chosen for the Cannes roster director Noel Escondo had his short again, and that he will be flying to film “Nakaw” chosen for screening at France anew with his producers Myk the 70th edition of the prestigious Cruz and Patsy Ferrer of Cut! Print!

Cannes Film Festival.

Productions for the festival in May. It may not have won in “I can’t believe we’re going to those shores, but the same film Cannes again!” he gushed as he reaped other international awards shared the good news with The such as Best Director and Best Roving Eye. “Alaala is a simple story Cinematography awards at the about a man who returns to his Short + Sweet Film Festival in hometown and reminisces about Hollywood in August last year. his girlfriend.”

Back home, it also bagged the Escondo started his career on Gawad Urian 2017 Best Short Film stage and TV as an actor. Since plum. It was a finalist at Cinemalaya then he ventured into writing (Short Film Feature) and won seven and directing that lasted for 15 awards at the Pelikultura (2017) years until he decided to move to including Best Picture and Best advertising and became a music Director, among others. video and TV commercial director.

It also made it to the 2017 The film was first shown International Short Film Festival at Cinema Rehiyon 9, held at in Berlin and the 2017 Formosa Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, Festival of International Filmmaker where it became a part of the Awards (FIFA) in Taiwan.

“Guerilla Filmathon 24-hour

by Ricky

caldeRon

Noel Escondo’s “Alaala” has been chosen for the Cannes roster.

Challenge.”

*** Sinag Maynila Film Festival entry “Tale of the Lost Boys” may have a gay character in the story, but director Jay Altarejos guarantees moviegoers that it’s not just another gay indie.

In an interview with direk Jay on Tuesday, he related how the story was inspired by a friendship he struck with Jay Lin in Taiwan three years ago.

Soon after, Lin became the producer and partner in his movie projects, the latest of which is the Lost Boys.

“His movie “Kasal” was an entry in the Taiwan International Film Festival in 2015 and Lin’s company was engaged in distributing shows on cable channels.

They hit it off and from then on, they worked together in some projects.

Oliver Aquino is cast as the Filipino straight guy who goes to Taiwan to look for his parents.

There, he meets a gay Taiwanese who comes from a tribe, played by Taiwanese actor Soda Voyu. As they form a friendship, the Taiwanese reveals his struggles in living a secret life because his tribe is very conservative.

Leaving it at that so as not to give away too much, direk Jay said instead that he is very happy to return to Sinag Maynila.

“I just want to enjoy the experience. But of course, I would also love to win an award if I get lucky,” he ended.

Dolphy’s son, Rolly Quizon, passes away

FORMER actor and son of late “Comedy King” Dolphy, Rolly Quizon, passed away on Thursday, March 15.

Zsa Zsa Padilla, who was Dolphy’s partner for more than 20 years until his passing in 2012, relayed the news on her Twitter account @zsazsapadilla.

“R.I.P. Rolly Quizon,” the singeractress simply posted late Thursday afternoon.

Reports said that Quizon collapsed in a supermarket in Quezon City on Friday and was immediately rushed to Capitol Medical Center where he was

diagnosed to have suffered a stroke. Quizon was operated on the following day but never regained consciousness.

Quizon’s death was the second among Dolphy’s children—18 all in all—in less than a week. Half brother Dino Quizon passed away on Wednesday, March 14.

Rolly Quizon started his career in showbiz when he was only 14 years old, as Dolphy’s son in the hit ‘70s sitcom “John En Marsha.” He also earned a Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor award in 1997 for his performance opposite Vilma Santos in “Burlesk Queen.”

Rolly Quizon

As of posting time, the Quizons have yet to finalize the details of the wake and burial. (ManilaTimes.net)

Aicelle all set for ‘Miss Saigon’ tour

Aicelle’s manager. “The “Miss Saigon” production requires Aicelle to undergo five days of AICELLE Santos will leave preparation before she leaves for for the UK to start rehearsals for Manchester where she will be the “Miss Saigon” tour in which she transitioning with the UK cast for will play Gigi van Tranh, the bar one month prior to the opening.” girl originated by Isay Alvarez on In an interview with The London’s West End. Effective April Star, Aicelle admitted that she 30, Aicelle will replace Na-Young had to train physically because Jeon, the Dutch-South Korean she would be wearing bikinis in actress who has also played Kim the musical, her first time to be in the same Cameron Mackintosh “exposed” onstage. musical.

“Aicelle will feel right at home Asked what tip she would in the musical,” added Carlo, give Aicelle, Isay (whose husband “because she will be performing Robert Seña has played Thuy with some kababayan including in “Saigon”) told Funfare, “Robert Red Concepcion (as The Engineer), and I are happy that Aicelle is Christian Rey Marbella (alternates doing this. She will learn a lot as The Engineer) and Gerald more from the experience. I Santos (as Thuy).” suggest that she brushes up on Last March 7, Mark Zambrano her dance skill and the rest she caught Aicelle by surprise when can swing it very well. That is the he proposed to her at the rooftop only challenge she will encounter.” of Seda Hotel.

That’s why these past “Aicelle shouldn’t let herself few days, after winding up be distracted by her love life,” Aicelle Santos GMA photo her performance as Elsa in noted a theater veteran. “At least in Quezon City. the “Himala” musical, Aicelle has for the one year that she’s in UK, “Arnold is a former cast been training with choreographer she should be focused on her Arnold Trinidad at 8th Note Studio member,” said Carlo Orosa, performance.”

Ricky lo Philstar.com

by

Glaiza & the women she looks up to by angel JavieR Philstar.com

cRuz

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day may be over but we shouldn’t limit celebrating women to just one day in the year.

Glaiza de Castro credits the many women in her life — her mother, aunts, teachers, friends, church mates, former classmates and even the Spice Girls — for who she is today. Topping the list of this 30-year-old Kapuso actress is her hard-working mother.

“The hard work my mother put into providing for the family was different from the traditional way of thinking that a woman’s place is in the home,” she said.

Glaiza also grew up with her aunts who helped her get into a performing arts school. “They played a big part in forming who I am today.”

Her three sisters were also an integral part of her formative years. “We grew up together, I saw them blossom into young women until they started their own families. I witnessed their struggles giving birth and raising their kids, which is why I am working hard to secure my future.

They were — and still are — my guide in my decision-making.”

Aside from her relatives, Glaiza relies on her three best friends from high school whom she describes as her support group.

One incident in preschool, however, is forever lodged in her memory. “I had a classmate in kindergarten who would pull my hair. I couldn’t understand why he was hurting me. Even then I knew it was wrong, and I think it made me want to stand up for something. I didn’t know anything about ‘feminism’ then but until

Glaiza de Castro

now, I still think about him and hope he’s okay.”

This willingness to forgive and to look on the bright side of things has likewise helped form who she is now. In high school, Glaiza went through a “dark phase” but realized that by helping other people in small ways, and looking beyond whatever sadness she was going through, she was able to emerge on the other side.

“I would prepare my mother’s clothes for the next day and place them on her bed, fix her a cup of coffee or bring her slippers; I felt happy doing these things.”

Now, she imparts this realization to other people including her 15-year-old niece who recently asked her for advice.

“She asked me if she should write things down when she feels lonely. I told her she should do whatever it takes to get over

GMA photo

her sadness. She could sing, dance, write a song, play the guitar,” Glaiza said.

“I think a lot of young women go through these phases nowadays. That then is my message to these girls and young women: Do what you think will make you happy in a very creative way.”

Glaiza headlines the new Kapuso series, “Contessa,” which she considers a challenge and the fact that it comes after the success of “Ika-6 na Utos.” She is up for the challenge, however, as she strives for balance between work, exercise and quality time with family and friends.

She is also busy with her eponymously titled foundation whose advocacy is special education. Providing education and care for children with special needs is a goal close to Glaiza’s heart.

Romantic comedies and that thing...

From Page 5

“Desiderata” that despite “…all aridity, love, is as perennial as the grass …”

Something happened in the middle of the last century to cause some kind of imbalance. Women became liberated from their traditional role after WWII. They joined the work force and learned to be independent. The roles of genders, and those in-between, are no longer as clear-cut as they once were. With post-war prosperity and abundance, came opportunity for women who decided from a wide range of choices that included college, career, family and the chance to be financially independent.

This is not to say that the past was better, only that it was different and maybe, just a tad easier to figure out. The present times pose dilemmas that leave us scratching our heads. The rules of engagement between men and women need to be rewritten.

Romantic comedies often glorify the attraction of opposites.

But it must be made clear in the interest of equal time, that the attraction of opposites is only one half of a truism. There’s a serious caveat emptor for all young men and women out there looking for a lifetime mate and seeking guidance from a higher power on how to best proceed. Here it is.

Although opposites do indeed attract, it is the likes that stay together. The possibility of longer, happier lives exists in such a union. In an increasingly unstable, disintegrating world such as ours, such unions of like minds, bodies and spirits make a whole lot of

difference.

However, NEVER discount the power of chemistry. It is a real force wired into each one that draws one to the other.

Deal with it. But in the end, it is the little things that you may have to look for to muddle through the choices and get past appearances.

If you are a young woman, see how he treats his mother, his sisters and all the women in his family. If he shows kindness and is respectful of them, chances are, he will be kind to you and respect you as well. The same is true of young men. Look at how your intended treats her dad and all the men in the family. Look for kindness and generosity of spirit above all, old-fashioned traits that wear well.

There are clear indicators and there are red flags. Watch for them. Do not let love or the stirrings of lust blind you totally.

If faith and religion, commitment and fidelity are both important to you, the likelihood is there that these core beliefs will be a bond that will hold you in tough times.

It may seem funny to you but the parents of your intended are more than likely a preview of how your fiancé or fiancée will turn out to be 2 or 3 decades from now.

The past, as Shakespeare once said, is prologue. Take heed.

There will be exceptions of course, but the mango does not fall far from the tree. You can prevent heartache by a balanced mix of heart and mind when choosing the love of your life. Sometimes, the heart is recalcitrant and makes a choice

for you but know that a humble, grateful heart who asks for guidance particularly in the all too important decision of choosing a lifetime mate, in sincere, constant prayer that assaults heaven will not be spurned. If this is important to you and it should be, get down on your knees and beg for this grace.

Even the queen of romantic comedies, Sandra Bullock, the smart, sassy one who always made the right choices in her career but had an adventurous streak about her (and a flawed thinking cap when it came to matters of love), thinking she can tame a bad boy or make a tiger change his stripes in the name of love, bought into the “opposites attract” half of a truism and got blindsided by a disastrous marriage with someone who was totally different from her in every way.

Time heals all wounds. But do take heart. Time also wounds all heels.

Since God gave us free will, we are able to write parts of our own stories. If we were all writers, we have in front of us, a tabula rasa, a blank page, a cursor at the ready, steadily flashing, patiently waiting for your stories to spill, the remanufactured, recycled or better yet, the brand new, original stories of romantic comedies that beg to be written.

The world, I am sure, would like to hear about yours. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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march 16-22, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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