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Volume 11 – Issue 23 • 16 Pages

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Duterte: PH won’t join US expeditions

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the Philippines will not participate in any joint expeditions with the United states, President rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, march 21.

Duterte remarked that the Philippines would “stand on our own,” saying the country had enough of getting nothing but “brutality and agony.”

“I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out,” Duterte said during the graduation of the Philippine National Police Academy “maragtas” class of 2018 in Cavite.

“Wala kaming nakuha (We did not gain anything) all these years of sacrifice except brutality and agony. We will stand on our own,” he added. the president further remarked that the Philippines had enough of colonial rule.

USA

DATELINE Trump unveils plan for opioid crisis, mirrors Duterte in first address from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

President proposes death penalty for certain drug dealers, frames sanctuary policies, immigrants as a reason for drug circulation

PresIDeNt Donald trump’s campaign plan to combat the nationwide opioid addiction calls for a tough-on-crime approach that includes urging Congress to strengthen sentencing laws for traffickers. the plan involves the Department of Justice seeking “the death penalty against drug traffickers, where appropriate under current law,” Andrew Bremberg, director of the president’s Domestic Policy Council, said in a briefing of the plan on sunday, march 18. the following day, the president formally announced his plan at an event at manchester Community College in New hampshire, a

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Pastor Apollo Quiboloy gets his private jet back APollo Quiboloy, pastor of the Jesus Christ the Name Above every Name, has his jet back. the jet landed on monday, march 19, in his private hangar inside the Kingdom Central compound along Diversion road, after it was held in hawaii last month.

“We are free to fly again,” Quiboloy was quoted as saying when his Cessna Citation sovereign landed at past 1 p.m. last feb. 13, United states federal agents allegedly found at least $350,000 in cash and gun parts inside Quiboloy’s aircraft. the pastor had to take a commercial flight from hawaii to return to manila where he was scheduled to hold a thanksgiving worship program.

Quiboloy’s legal counsel Israelito torreon had denied earlier that the preacher was “deported,” since deportation, being a formal proceeding, could not be finished in a mat-

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An MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance operability with partners, serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency and advance the Up-Gunned ESG concept.

U.S. Navy photo by Taylor King

“We have been enslaved by two countries in succession – spaniards for 400 years and the Americans for 50 years. tama na po ‘yon (That’s enough). You have had your fill. Do

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NATIONAL CONVENTION. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Committee (MRRDNECC) National Convention at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 21. The president extended his invitation to political and social leaders who want to join his administration’s agenda, as he underscored that even those from the other side of the political fence could be accepted as long as they are pro-development.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

China warns PH planes flying over West PH Sea

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

challenge,” lorenzana said. “they will say that you are entering Chinese airspace. Just exchange of words. then we will say: ‘No, we are passing over Philippine airspace.’ It’s just a play of words every time we have patrols.”

China is claiming nearly the entire south China sea, with Philippines as among its rival claimants. reports say China is nearly finished constructing artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities at several Philippine-claimed reefs along the spratly archipelago, located in the West Philippine sea.

BeIJINg always sends manila a warning whenever the latter conducts aerial patrols around West Philippine sea—which is part of the highly disputed south China sea—according to PhilipPalace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. Inquirer.net photo pine Defense secretary lorenzana.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on tuesday, march 20, Philippine Defense Secretary Lorenzana Inquirer.net photo lorenzana bared the usual exchange of words between counthe Philippines, on the other tries amid patrols within conflicthand, continues to assert the

by Dana SioSon ed territories. country’s sovereignty over the AJPress “these [Philippine] planes, evWest Philippine sea. lorenzana said the country conducts regumAlACAñANg believes that more countries are ery time that they fly over these likely to follow the Philippines’ withdrawal from the features of Chinese, they will u PAGE A3 International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to Palace spokesperson harry roque Jr., there’s also a possibility that south Africa would initiate the withdrawal proceedings.

by AJPress “there’s only 124, now, 123. If reports are accurate, it might even be another state leaving, south Africa, 122,” roque told reporters during a news briefing on A PhIlIPPINe airport that was thursday, march 22. once considered as among the he also noted that “major countries” like the United “worst airports” is now among states, russia and China are “not parties to the ICC.” the “most improved” airports “I have read reports that countries like south Africa, around the globe. although it has relented from its earlier decision to the Ninoy Aquino Internationwithdraw from the court, will initiate withdrawal pro- al Airport (NAIA) has earned the ceedings again. so, the Philippines is not alone,” he tenth spot in the top 10 World’s added. most Improved Airports by lonthe Philippines decided to pull out its signature from don-based research firm skytrax. the roman statute, a treaty that established the ICC, taking the top spots were fiamid the court’s preliminary examination on Philip- umicino Airport in rome, Italy, pine President rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive. followed by Perth Airport in Westthe preliminary examination apparently angered ern Australia, and then Calgary Duterte, who slammed the alleged bias and “outra- International Airport in Alberta, geous attacks” against him by the ICC and UN officials. Canada.

Duterte also claimed that the “rude” ICC is being used Completing the list were London-based Skytrax named Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as one of the world’s

Palace believes more countries to exit from ICC

NAIA among ‘most improved’ airports in the world

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most improved airports.

Inquirer.net photo

SWS: ‘Record-high’ number of Pinoys say they’re ‘happy’ or ‘satisfied’

by JuliuS

n. leonen Inquirer.net

hAPPINess is in the air for a “record-high” number of filipinos — at least according to a nationwide survey conducted by the social Weather stations (sWs) from Dec. 8 to 16, 2017.

Based on the survey, 94 percent of filipino adults said they were “very/ fairly happy,” while 92 percent said they were “very/fairly satisfied.” “this is 4 points above the 90 percent very/fairly happy in september

2017, and 3 points above the previous record of 92 percent in June 1996,” the sWs said in a media release on tuesday, march 20. for the “very/fairly satisfied,” the sWs said it was “4 points above the september 2017 score of 88 percent, and 2 points above the previous record of 90 percent in september 2016. It has been scoring at the upper 80s since september 2014.” mindanao had the most number of “happy” filipinos with 96 percent, followed by luzon with 95 percent, Visayas with 94 percent, and metro

manila with 90 percent. luzon had the most number of “satisfied” filipinos with 94 percent, followed by metro manila with 93 percent, mindanao with 91 percent, and Visayas with 89 percent. happiness and satisfaction were also most evident among filipinos who have had formal education. the polling body said happiness was at 97 percent among high school graduates, 94 percent among college graduates, 92 percent among elementary graduates and 90 percent among non-elementary graduates.

It added that satisfaction was at 94 percent among college graduates as well as high school graduates, 91 percent among elementary graduates and 90 percent among non-elementary graduates. the survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, aged 18 years old and above, nationwide.

It has a margin of error of ±3 percent nationwide, ±4 percent for luzon, and ±6 percent each for metro manila, Visayas and mindanao, the sWs said. n

A march 23-29, 2018 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Marian Pilgrimage to France, Spain and Portugal

St. Francis the Great Church, Madrid, Spain

Our Lady of Fatima at Fatima, Portugal

1st Marian Apparitions

Notre Dame De Lays, Southern France

St. Joseph Shrine Gap Southern France, October 2017

Basilica our Lady of Rosary Fatima

FOOT STEPS OF JESUS + Madaba,Mt Nebo,Petra,Aqaba,Jordan

(Tiberias, Ceasarea, Haifa, Meggido,Magdala, Nazareth, Cana, Mt Carmel, Capernaum, Mt Beatitude, Jericho, Bethany, Mt.Tabor, Mount Zion, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Masada Dead Sea, Allenby Bridge, Madaba, Mt Nebo Petra, Aqaba Jordan) OCTOBER 18 to Nov 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct 18, 2018 (Thur) Day 1 – MNL HKG, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel.

(Meals served in-flight) Oct 18,2018( Fri ) Day 2 – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/Tiberias Arrival from Manila still oct 18,2018 late in the evening. After we clear Immigration and Customs, will be met by our driver for transfer to tiberias. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean. We will spend our first night in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D).Gai Beach Hotel (Oct 19,2018) Holy Eucharist Oct 20 2018 (Sat) Day 3 - Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana /Mt Tabor We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon. In the New Testament book of Revelation, it is referred as the sites of the “final battle”. From there, we will continue our drive into Nazareth, where we will have Mass in the Church of the Annunciation ,the Cave of the Annunciation and and visit Joseph’s Workshop and Then we will move on to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed His first miracle: changing water into wine at the wedding feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows, Continue to Mount Tabor ,site of Jesus Transfiguration Afterward, we will head to Tiberias. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).Gai Beach Hotel.

Oct 21,2018 (Sun) Day 4 - Tiberias/ Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/ Boat Ride “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Early AM departures to Mt Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people., Eucharistic Celebration. Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Then to the Church Primacy of St Peters. Overnight Magdala ( BB, D) Oct 22,2018 (Mon) Day 5 Magdala Full day retreat , Focus will Include programs based on the historical and Religious value of the Magdala sites.

More info coming up as we get closer to the dates MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one discovered in the Galilee.

Oct 23 2018 (Tues) DAY 6- Jordan Valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem Mass at the Church of St. Lazarus After breakfast, we head to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world.

View the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. We will visit the ancient ruins of the wall. We will continue to Bethany and will have mass to celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of St. Lazarus. Then we will visit the Baptismal site in River Jordan. Upon arrival in Mount Scopus meaning Mount of the Watchmen/Sentinels, is a mountain in northeast Jerusalem.

Enjoy the first view of Jerusalem.

After the day’s tour, we will check in at our hotel in Jerusalem (B/D) Notre Dame Vatican hotel Oct 24,2018 (Wed) Day 7- Jerusalem (Old City)/Via Dolorosa/Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:17) We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. After mass, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will enter the Old City, sing a hymn in the Church of St.

Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda.

Then we will visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostratos (where the soldiers played the Game of Kings) and the Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Dinner/ Overnight Notre Dame Vatican hotel Oct 25, 2018 (Thurs) Day 8- Jerusalem Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14) We will walk to view the Dome of the Rock from the outside, and visit the Western Wall,( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Then, we will drive to Mt. Zion, to visit the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper, then survey the Dormition Abbey, and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. The site where Peter denied Jesus three times. After the day’s tour, we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Notre Dame Vatican Hotel Oct 26,2018 (Fri) Day 9 - Mount of Olives/ Gethsemane/ Bethlehem/ Jerusalem (New City)/ Ein Karem Mass at the Church of Nativity “O mountain of God, receive me, a mother, with my child.” (Protoevangelium of James 22:3) We will arrive at the Mount of Olives, to enjoy another view of Jerusalem, visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit (“God wept”) sanctuary. Next, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane, and visit the Rock of Agony and the Church of all Nations. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name is recognized around the world. After celebrating Mass at the Church of Nativity, we will see the Manger; visit the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Jerome and the Shepherds’

Fields. Then we will return to Jerusalem (New City), to view the Temple Model to see how it looked during the time of Jesus. Here, we will gain a better understanding between the old and new cities of Jerusalem. Up next is a trip to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat”. We will end our day by returning to our Hotel. (B/D).

Oct 27,2018 (Sat) Day 10 - Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations After breakfast, we will celebrate mass at the Church of all Nations and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman.

Return to Jerusalem for dinner and Overnight (B, D) Oct 28,2018 (Sun) Day 11 - Jerusalem/Allenby Bridge/Madaba/Jordan/Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba Mass at Mount Nebo On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We will go to the Baptismal Site at Bethany, which Pope John Paul II visited in 2000.

Then, it’s on to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land.

Our next stop will be the Church of St. George in Madaba, which hosts the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land.

Then we will drive down to Aqaba.

Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence.

Oct 29,2018 (Mon) Day 12 - Aqaba/ Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba After breakfast, we will journey through the Siq, until we get our first glimpse of the Khazneh (Treasury).

Then will we walk down to visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater. At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and dinner (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence Oct 30,2018 (Tues) Day 13 - Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/Overnight Oct 31 2018 (Wed) Day 14 - Jerusalem / Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX After breakfast, we will visit the Yad Vashem Museum,is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding such events in the future. After the Western Wall, Yad Vashem is the second-most-visited Israeli tourist site. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation in preparation for our return flight back to the USA after early dinner will be transferred to the airport for Flight.

Oct 31,2018 8:45 PM departure from TLV

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at

1 (714) 288-0800 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867

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Duterte: PH won’t join...

PAGE A1 t not ask for more,” he said.

Citing the wars in Iraq during the terms of former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, Duterte criticized how Washington “always demand [their allies] that they participate in the expeditions.”

In 2003, the Philippines sent a 51-member humanitarian troop to the Multi-National Force but pulled out the following year after the kidnapping of a Filipino contract worker in Iraq, who was later released.

Duterte also lashed out at the

U.S. for allegedly stealing the natural resources of the Philippines and the oil in Middle Eastern countries.

“You stole our natural resources. You stole the oil of the Arab countries, divided it arbitrarily into a nation at ngayon kumukuha pa rin kayo, hinihigop pa rin ‘yung oil (and now you are still stealing oil from them). And there is trouble everywhere,” he said.

He noted that the Philippines would only participate in joint explorations “unless we are threatened directly.”

“Unless we are threatened

Palace believes more countries...

PAGE A1 t as a “political tool” to harass the country.

The United Nations (UN) said it had received the official notification of the Philippines’ decision to withdraw last week, on March 17. The Philippines’ withdrawal, according to UN, would take effect one year after the date of receipt.

The Philippines is the second country to issue withdrawal from the ICC after Burundi. Burundi officially left the ICC last October

2017 after submitting a notification in 2016 of the same month.

Burundi’s withdrawal came amid the ICC’s investigation into the alleged “killing, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as cases of enforced disappearances” in the country.

ICC has maintained that withdrawal from the treaty “does not affect the jurisdiction of the ICC over the crimes that have been committed” while the country was still a member.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal welcomed the Philippine airport’s inclusion in the list.

Inquirer.net photo

NAIA among ‘most improved’...

PAGE A1 t

Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, Athens International Airport in Greece, Nadi International Airport in Fiji, Aéroports de Montréal Sheremetyevo International Airport in Russia, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Texas.

In its official website, Skytrax said its award for the “World’s Most Improved Airport” is based on “the relative year-on-year Quality performance by all airports featured in the World Airport Survey, and takes into account the change in rating together with performance changes across the different product and service categories in the awards.”

The World Airport Survey was conducted from August 2017 to February 2018m covering a total of 550 airports worldwide.

More than 13 million travelers from over a hundred different nationalities participated in the poll.

Skytrax said the survey “evaluates traveller experiences across different airport service and product key performance indicators from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate.”

In a news briefing on Thursday, March 22, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal welcomed the Philippine airport’s inclusion in the list.

“I think it’s basically the little

things we have done, the little efforts that the team has implemented — good cooperation with all the stakeholders.... improvement of the facilities that has been implemented so far,” Monreal said.

At the same time, he acknowledged that are “still a lot of things to do” to raise its ranking.

“We are now the 10th most improved airport. What is important is what we should do to move forward. That is even a bigger task for us. We face tougher challenges as we go high. There’s still hope to improve NAIA,” Monreal added in mixed Filipino.

NAIA—the Philippines’ primary gateway—ranked first place on the globe’s worst airports list released by Sleeping In Airports website from 2011 to 2013.

But in 2014, NAIA apparently started to walk along a positive track as its rank on the same list decreased to fourth. In 2015, it was no longer included in the world’s top ten worst airports.

In 2016, however, NAIA was hounded by the issue of “laglag-bala” or “bullet-planting” scheme, wherein personnels allegedly plant bullets in luggage to extort money from travellers, causing the airport to land fifth spot on Asia’s worst airports.

2017 brought a more positive news, as NAIA was no longer on top 20 worst airports in the world, nor on the list of top five worst airports in Asia. n

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy gets...

PAGE A1 t

ter of six to eight hours in which time the pastor was allowed to take a commercial flight back to the country.

“All of those insinuations and speculations are not true, because had he been charged, he would (have) remained in the U.S. and he would not have arrived in the Philippines as early as last night,” Torreon said upon Quiboloy’s arrival in the country last month.

With the return of his private plane, Quiboloy said he is poised to go around the world again.?“So

we thank the Father for that and I am poised to travel again around the world with this airplane this 2018,” Quiboloy said after inspecting the interior of his aircraft.

Quiboloy said that the private plane was allowed to come back to the Philippines after it was cleared by U.S. Customs, adding that what happened in Hawaii was unfortunate.

“Finally, after the investigation in Hawaii, the Customs officials released the plane, and as you see, it is already in my hangar,” he said. (Edith Regalado/Philstar. com)

Facebook photo shows evangelist Apollo Quiboloy waving from his Cessna Citation Sovereign jet, which landed at his compound in Davao City. The private jet was held by U.S. authorities in Hawaii last month.

Philstar.com photo

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 23-29, 2018

A

From the Front Page directly, there will be no more joint expeditions,” he said. “At least sa panahon ko. Maghintay kayong lahat kung mawala ako.

(At least during my term. Wait until I’m gone.)”

While the Philippines and the U.S. were long-time allies, the Duterte administration’s relationship with Washington apparently turned sour after former U.S. President Barrack Obama criticized Duterte’s drug war.

Duterte, however, seemed to have a better relationship with current U.S. President Donald Trump, who, unlike his predecessor, has lauded the Philippine government’s drug war. n During the same briefing, Roque reiterated that the Duterte administration would not cooperate with the ICC in its preliminary examination into the country’s drug war.

“I don’t think the ICC can look forward to cooperation from the Philippines as a state party or a soon-to-be former state party,” he said.

The ICC’s preliminary examination aims to determine if there is a basis to conduct a formal investigation against Duterte over the alleged thousands of killings and rights abuses under his drug war.

The Philippines denied criticisms that it was trying to evade the probe when it decided to pull out from the treaty. Malacañang has said that Duterte is ready to face the possible ICC investigation into his drug war. n

‘MARAGTAS’ CLASS 2018. Graduates from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) ‘Maragtas’ Class of 2018 march past President Rodrigo R. Duterte for the pass-in review during the 39th PNPA Commencement Exercises at Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on Wednesday, March 21.

PNA photo by Valerie Escalera

China warns PH planes flying...

PAGE A1 t

lar aerial and naval patrols in area as part of efforts to assert its territory.

Earlier this month, the Philippines acquired six surveillance drones worth $13.76 million from the United States through a grant.

According to the Defense chief, the drones will not only be used in patrolling the West Philippine Sea, but also in patrolling the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) and the sea lanes of Sulu.

“Now that we have the drones

and we have what you call the marine patrols, we send our naval patrols every now and then towards the areas,” Lorenzana said.

He also added: “They can be transported easily because they will be put in a container. These are very powerful, very silent and can stay aloft for 24 hours.”

Amid the sea row, the Philippines and China continue to forge closer ties in other areas, including trade, infrastructure, and counterterrorism.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Sec-

retary Alan Peter Cayetano was scheduled to meet with his counterparts in China last Wednesday, March 21.

At press conference before his flight to China, Cayetano said the South China Sea dispute will be set aside during the meeting to focus on the “strengthening relations” between the two countries.

“We agreed with them, we will put our dispute in one side and grow the relationship in all other aspects so whether we talk about our agricultural exports, whether we talk about the infrastructure, talk about counterterrorism, Marawi, we usually also discuss systems,” Cayetano said. n

A march 23-29, 2018 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Climate change vulnerability: Philippines ranks 3rd

by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

The Philippines is ranked third among the four countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change, a recent survey by hSBC showed.

India topped the list, followed

by Pakistan. Bangladesh came in fourth.

The study noted that in India, climate change could cut agricultural incomes, particularly in unirrigated areas that would be hit hardest by rising temperatures and declines in rainfall.

Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are susceptible to extreme weather events, such as storms and flooding.

Pakistan was ranked by hSBC among nations least equipped to respond to climate risks.

SOGIE RALLY. LGBT advocates gather at the People Power Monument in Quezon City to seek the passage of the Sexual Orientation and The five countries least vulnerGender Identity and Expression bill that is pending in Congress.

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian able to climate change risk are Finland, Sweden, Norway, estonia and New Zealand.

In its last ranking in 2016, hSBC only assessed G20 countries for vulnerability to climate risk.

The Climate Change Commission recently announced the release of about P200 million in by rae ann Varona grants to four local government AJPress units in the country to strengthen The story of coming to their resiliency to the negative imAmerica from the Philippines pact of climate change. is a powerful one often told The People’s Survival Fund through the perspective of the (PSF) Board entered into partnerhard working immigrant or the ships with the local governments overseas foreign worker. But of Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Suone narrative that a group of rigao del Norte; Lanuza, Surigao Filipino-American filmmakers del Sur; Gerona, Tarlac; and San want to be told is that of moving over 7,000 miles away as a child to a new family looking to make them their own.

PAGE A1 t “Lost & Found” is a short documentary produced by The Every family has a unique history. But for some families in the Rocky Mountains, their roots state which is been hit particularly Filipino Channel’s program go beyond borders, cultures, and blood. “Lost & Found” – the newest BA Original Documentary hard by the opioid crisis.

– tells their stories.

“Balitang America” (News “The only way to solve the drug America) that tells the story problem is through toughness,” of adoption, but takes it a step Trump said on Monday, March further by focusing on families 19. “If we don’t get tough on the living not in the coastal states drug dealers, we are wasting our of California or New York, but time, and that toughness includes in the mountain-locked city of the death penalty.”

Bozeman, Montana where a This isn’t the first time Trump small population of young Filihas alluded to imposing the death pinos find themselves most at penalty on certain drug traffickhome. ers. In early March, the president “We’re always trying to tell brought up the issue of implethe story of Filipinos in all menting the death penalty for places of America — including drug dealers at a rally in Pennsylstates you don’t expect to find vania wherein he claimed that inmany Filipinos,” said Steve dividual drug dealers are responAngeles, correspondent for A change of scenery. The Wambeke siblings grew up in a Manila orphanage, and now, they live sible for the mass deaths by opioid Balitang America and produc- in Montana, along the Rocky Mountain View.

Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Ysip addiction. er of the documentary. “There “Drug traffickers kill so many must be a unique story when hague accredited adoption country’s entire population. thousands of our citizens every According to the U.S. Depart- year,” Trump asserted before an it comes to Filipinos outside agency — the young Reddig of California, Nevada, or New now lives a life familiar to many ment of State, 127 adoptions impassioned audience of supkids across the U.S. after being from the Philippines to the U.S. porters. “Thousands of people are York.”

Through aerial footage of adopted by Quinn and Alyson were made in 2016, the lowest killed or their lives destroyed, their tropical and lush Philippine Reddig of Minot, North Dakota it’s been in a ten year decline families are destroyed. So you can greenery, juxtaposed with who provided him with both a which has in part been due to kill thousands of people and go to sweeping mountains and snow home and a series of success- factors in the Philippines. jail for 30 days. They catch a drug “Theirs is a different tale dealer, [and] they don’t even put covered roads of the Rocky ful medical treatments.

With a population of nearly compared to the average Fili- them to jail.”

Mountain region, the film does put into perspective just how 45,000, Bozeman is the fourth pino immigrant,” said Troy Trump’s stricter penalties for different the backgrounds of largest city in Montana. Of its espera, executive producer narcotics crimes has concerned these families and their ad- total population, less than two at Balitang America, who has health and treatment advocates, opted children are. But it also percent are of Asian ethnic- produced emmy Award win- who’ve advised the administration brings truth to the cliché sug- ity. The percentage drops to ning stories. “It’s also a very that it cannot punish its way into gesting that home is indeed less than one percent when ac- American story that highlights remedying the opioid epidemic. the compassion and generosity counting for Filipinos. where the heart is.

Opioids refer to a group of drugs Ysip and Angeles mused that of the Bozeman families who that range from codeine to illegal “All of the kids we met were really cool. They showed us the kids were happy to see new opened their homes to these narcotics like heroin. These drugs international orphans.” love as if we were one of their Filipino faces.

— which are primarily for pain reThe crew behind “Lost & lief — are the strongest legal pain “They haven’t seen Filipinos own,” said Jeremiah Ysip, the Northern California based in a long time so they were Found” is hoping that the doc- remedies and are only available emmy-award winning videog- pretty happy to see a couple of umentary will open the eyes of through a doctor’s prescription. rapher who filmed the docu- Filipino strangers out there,” viewers to the story of adopexamples of opiates include tion, especially adoption from morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, said Angeles. mentary.

Upon recalling one of his the Philippines.

Ysip likened the initial meetmethadone, diamorphine and alTalking from his own previ- fentanil and when taken irresponing to meeting long lost family most memorable moments, Ysip looked back to meeting ous views shaped by images sibly, can be highly addictive and, members.

Like many kids and young brothers Ron and Nante Kroon, and commercials on television, when abused, can be lethal. adults living in the United and their fellow adoptee friend Ysip said that actually meeting Recent figures from the Centers States, the Filipino adoptees Ariel Wambeke. The three the kids gave him a new per- of Disease Control (CDC) found enjoyed things like music, were among the older of the spective that was more positive that nearly 42,000 Americans studying, getting their own adopted kids featured in the and hopeful. have died from an opioid overdose “These kids may have been in 2016 and in the past year, that cars, and even going to Vegas documentary.

“That moment was memora- in orphanages, but they were number of deaths has increased with friends.

In one home, a young Fili- ble to me because it was was as taken care of there in the Phil- by 30 percent; since 1999, the pina and her American mother if they were seeing their reflec- ippines,” said Ysip. “All these number of opioid-related overcasually talked about Filipino tion for the first time and finally kids needed was a permanent dose deaths has quadrupled. home where they can plant food. In another, a trio of sib- saw themselves,” said Ysip.

States at the highest risk of opi“That unspoken connection themselves and bloom so high oid abuse include West Virginia, lings reminisced on the transition of moving to America — between kababayans is what that even if they grow from Ohio, New hampshire, Pennsylone of who has started a family bind us and makes us Filipino,” concrete and now live in the vania and Kentucky, which all had of her own. And then there was he added. “Despite being far snow, that they reach their full- the highest rates of death from the home of 12-year-old Ryder removed from their homeland est potential.” drug overdose in 2016, according Angeles said that the story of to the CDC. Reddig whose personal story and other Filipinos, that deep of going through medical treat- connection only proves that the adoptees is also timely as Trump’s plan: What’s in it? the U.S. faces anti-immigrant ments after being born in unfor- kapwa spirit of one.”

Trump has long announced his On the parents, Angeles said, sentiments often exemplified plan to eradicate the opioid probtunate circumstances brought the Balitang America team to “you can’t help but admire through viral hate crime vid- lem during his term, once calling them for what they did for these eos.

Bozeman in the first place. the epidemic a “national shame.”

But if there’s one thing he’s In October 2017, he declared it a Born with a disfiguring tu- once orphaned Pinoys. They mor that affected his hearing were surprisingly quite open learned from covering their public health emergency. stories is that good people still and sight, 12-year-old Ryder also with their life stories.”

According to a CNN report, an Nearly 1.8 million children do exist, in places one may not administration official said that Reddig has come a long way from his life at the Rehoboth in the Philippines are neglect- expect. the Justice Department will be “It takes a lot of heart and “examining to move ahead with Children’s home in Rizal, Phil- ed or abandoned, a number ippines where he grew up after reached by the United Nations’ courage and unconditional to make sure [the death penalty Children’s Rights & emergency love to do what these families proposal is] done appropriately,” being abandoned as a baby.

Through the Sacred Por- Relief Organization. That’s do,” said Angeles. and will not wait for congressional For Ysip, he learned that it approval to propose legislation to tion Children’s Outreach — a more than one percent of the wasn’t just the children that make the death penalty measure were lost and found, but the happen. parents.

Another key part of the plan in“Maybe not lost that they volves urging lawmakers to lower didn’t have direction in their the number of drugs possessed lives, but lost meaning there that prompts mandatory minimum was a missing void in their sentences for certain opioids to lives that they didn’t know how accurately represent “the new reto fill,” he explained. ality of drugs like fentanyl, which “I learned that love, as are lethal in much, much smaller cliché as it sounds, really doses,” Bremberg said. has no boundaries,” Ysip Moreover, these new penalties added. “Regardless of where are strictly meant for those dealyou’re from, two worlds can be ers who traffick large quantities bridged and connected.” of opioids and not those who “are “Lost & Found” was aired on growing pot in the backyard or a Saturday, March 17 on The Fil- friend who has a low-level possesRyder Reddig (left) of Minot, North Dakota, and Nikki Van Dyken (right) of Bozeman, Montana.

Both children grew up in Rehoboth Children’s Home, an orphanage in Tanay, Rizal in the ipino Channel which hopes to sion crime,” Bremberg clarified.

Philippines, before they were adopted by American families. They were reunited at the Hope submit the documentary to film Currently, federal law states for Orphans Gala in Bozeman, Montana.

Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Ysip festivals across the U.S. n that a person may be sentenced to

‘Lost & Found’: Untold stories of adopted Filipino kids in snow-covered Montana

The Philippines is among the most vulnerable nations in the world, an HSBC survey revealed.

Philstar.com photo

Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu.

Chaired by the Department of Finance, the PSF was established in 2012 through Republic Act No. 10174 to support the climate adaptation action plans of local governments.

In March last year, President Duterte signed the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change that calls for the reduction of carbon emissions, which have been linked to the occurrence of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions.

In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030.

The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry

Trump unveils plan for opioid... the death penalty for committing a murder while involved in drug-related activities, including trafficking and drive-by shootings.

Under the Death Penalty Act of 1994 — signed into law by former President Bill Clinton — allows prosecutors to impose the death penalty against anyone who has trafficked large quantities of drugs as a part of a syndicate.

No administration, however, since has pursued the death penalty under this law. however, a comprehensive study by Pew Charitable Trusts shows that increasing the number of drug-related incarcerations --as well as extending prison sentences --- does not reduce drug use or the number of deaths by drug overdose.

The researchers found “no statistically significant” correlation between increased drug incarcerations and reduced drug use, drug arrests and overdose deaths, which would debunk the administration’s claim that stiffening the penalties would lead to lower overall opioid abuse.

Moreover, narcotics experts have also warned that the toughon-crime approach to dealing with the opioid crisis could have adverse effects. They say that lowlevel drug dealers who are addicts themselves could be disproportionately affected.

“You have to recognize --- the distinction between drug dealer and someone who is opioid-addicted is not always clear,” Dr. Andrew Kolodny, co-director of opioid policy research at Brandeis University, told PBS’s Frontline.

“Many people who sell drugs are selling drugs to support their own habit.”

In an effort to hold enabling health professionals accountable, the Justice Department would also be directed to go after “criminally negligent” doctors and pharmacies and take legal action against opioid manufacturers who break the law.

Trump’s plan also includes a massive federally-backed ad campaign which would take on two forms: First Lady Melania Trump’s plan to focus on the well-being and education of young children and the president’s focus on shock value to discourage Americans from not abusing opiates.

“The best way to beat the drug crisis is to keep people from getting hooked in the first place,” the president said. “This has something I have been strongly in favor of: spending a lot of money on great commercials showing how bad at is. The epidemic can affect anyone and that’s why we want to educate everyone.”

Speech draws comparisons to Duterte Many experts have long acknowledged an oratorical resemblance between Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Both have made headlines for controversial public statements, and the comparisons continued after Trump’s vociferous Monday speech, where Trump praised the drug policies led by various countries.

Though he wouldn’t name any countries or world leaders, it was evident that Trump indirectly acknowledged the violent anti-drug campaign in the Philippines, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of drug suspects.

“If you look at — if you look at other countries — I’ve gotten to know the leaders of many countries. And I won’t mention names, but you know the countries I’m talking about,” Trump said in

and industry.

In this year’s rankings, hSBC assessed 67 developed, emerging and frontier markets on vulnerability to the physical impacts of climate change, sensitivity to extreme weather events, exposure to energy transition risks and ability to respond to climate change.

The 67 nations represent almost a third of the world’s nation states, 80 percent of the global population and 94 percent of global gross domestic product. hSBC averaged the scores in each area for the countries in order to reach the overall ranking.

Some countries were highly vulnerable in some areas but less so in others.

South and Southeast Asian countries accounted for half of the 10 most vulnerable countries.

Oman, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Mexico, Kenya and South Africa are also in this group. n New hampshire. “Take a look at some of these countries where they don’t play games. We have to change the laws, and we’re working on that right now.”

Nearly a year ago, Trump and Duterte spoke in a highly-publicized phone call where Trump expressed congratulations to the Philippine leader for the “unbelievable job” he has done with the country’s rampant drug addiction.

“Many countries have the problem — we have a problem. But what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,” Trump said, according to transcripts of the April 2017 call.

Duterte has not been shy about endorsing ruthless violence against drug suspects and has long ignored the pleas of the international community to stop the violence, which has lodged attacks on scores of innocent Filipinos.

“Do the lives of 10 of these criminals really matter? If I am the one facing all this grief, would 100 lives of these idiots mean anything to me?” Duterte said in 2016.

Trump’s language in his Monday speech bore a striking resemblance to Duterte’s coarse oratory regarding the Philippine drug problem, which has resulted in a violent crackdown that has reportedly killed tens of thousands of drug suspects since Duterte took office in May 2016.

“This isn’t about nice anymore,” Trump forewarned on Monday.

“This is about winning a very, very tough problem and if we don’t get very tough on these dealers it’s not going to happen folks…I want to win this battle.”

Another attack on sanctuary policies In true Trumpian fashion, the president didn’t shy away from throwing partisan shade on sanctuary jurisdictions on Monday and went as far as to connect sanctuary policies with perpetuating the circulation of opiates in the U.S. “everyday, sanctuary cities release illegal immigrants and drug dealers, traffickers and gang members back into our communities. They’re protected by these cities,” Trump said before ordering Congress to “block funds” to sanctuary jurisdictions. he specifically named Boston, whose mayor, Marty Walsh, fired back at the president for having “criminalized both our immigrant community and those suffering from substance abuse.”

“It’s time to stop painting all undocumented immigrants as criminals,” Walsh said in a statement. “Our immigrant community makes positive contributions to our city each and every day. And his epidemic is not something we can arrest our way out of. We need actual investments in prevention and treatment programs and policies, not just talk.”

Moreover, sanctuary policies, in general, do not call for the release of “illegal immigrants and drug dealers.” Sanctuary jurisdictions — such as the state of California and cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland — order their respective law enforcement agents not to aid and abet in federal immigration operations.

The newly-enacted SB 54 in California, for example, “ensures that no state or local resources are diverted to fuel any attempt by the federal government to carry out mass deportations and that our schools, our hospitals, and our courthouses are safe spaces for everyone in our community.”

In other words, they do not explicitly liberate undocumented criminals and drug pushers. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Church survey says more Filipinos approve of divorce

elderly or those aged at least 61 years.

Lastly, the VTS showed that More Filipinos support the le- those in the higher economic galization of divorce in the coun- class favor the proposed law more try, a Church-initiated public sur- than those in the lower classes. It showed that 46 percent of those vey showed.

The survey conducted by Church-run radio Veritas revealed that 39 percent of the 1,200 respondents strongly agree with the proposed measure in Congress, while only 35 percent strongly disagreed.

Thirteen percent of those surveyed said they somewhat agree while another 13 percent said they somewhat disagree.

The survey, dubbed “Veritas Truth Survey (VTS),” was conducted from December 2017 until last January.

Fr. Anton Pascual, president of radio Veritas, said this survey result is a wake-up call to the Catholic Church.

“This is a wake-up call and a big challenge to the Catholic Church, especially since many of the faithful are in favor of the legalization of divorce here in the Philippines, the only country aside from the Vatican without a divorce law,” he lamented.

The priest said this means the Church needs to preach more on marriage.

The Catholic Church has been strongly opposing the proposal to legalize divorce in the country as this would further weaken the bond between the husband and wife who are encountering problems in their marriage instead of helping them fix it.

The VTS further showed that more women support the divorce bill in Congress than men. of the female respondents, 43 percent said they strongly agree with the legalization versus 35 percent who said they strongly disagree. of the male respondents, on the other hand, 34 percent said that they strongly agree while 35 percent strongly disagreed with the proposed law.

The survey also revealed that younger people support the divorce bill, with 43 percent of those who voted for strongly agree were aged 13 to 20 years old, while only 19 percent were

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

FIRE DRILL. Rescuers carry a “victim” along Roxas Boulevard during a fire drill as part of Fire Prevention Month activities this March at the Hotel Jen in Pasay City on Tuesday, March 20.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

House passes bill abolishing PCGG, OGCC by dana

SioSon AJPress

THe House of representatives has passed on second reading the bill seeking to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the office of the Government Corporate Counsel (oGCC).

Through viva voce voting, the 292-member chamber approved House Bill No. 7376, which seeks to transfer the functions of the PCGG and the oGCC to the office of the Solicitor General (oSG).

Among the authors of the measure were House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, House Majority Leader rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte, and the House justice committee chief reynaldo Umali of oriental Mindoro.

The PCGG is the agency tasked to recover the estimated $10 billion ill-gotten wealth of late President Ferdinand Marcos. The oGCC, on the other hand, provides the legal needs of state-owned and –controlled corporations.

The oSG serves as the princi-

pal law office of the Philippine government.

In a statement, Party-list representatives Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers expressed alarm over the measure, saying the abolition and transfer of the powers of PCGG “fatally undermine(s) the government’s efforts to run after the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and his cronies.”

Tinio expressed doubt that the efforts to recover the ill-gotten wealth would prosper should the PCGG be transferred. He pointing out that Solicitor General Jose Calida was a known supporter of the Marcoses.

He noted that Calida was one of the leaders of the group Alyansang Duterte-Bongbong that supported the 2016 vice-presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. “How can the recovery efforts prosper when the oSG is led by a professed supporter of one of the principal holders of ill-gotten wealth?” Tinio asked.

He urged the public to “denounce and oppose” the bill.

Since its establishment three decades ago, the PCGG has so

far recovered an estimated P170 billion-worth of cash and assets plundered by the Marcoses and their allies.

Tinio claimed that an “estimated US$5 billion of plundered wealth remains stashed away in the hands of the Marcos family and their proxies.”

He further criticized the administration of President rodrigo Duterte for their supposedly supporting the Marcoses.

“The Duterte administration’s moves to rehabilitate the Marcoses took another giant leap forward with the approval of House Bill 7376,” Tinio remarked.

He went on to say, “Not content with giving a hero’s burial to the dictator Marcos and propping up the political fortunes of the Marcos family, President Duterte and his regime are moving to fatally undermine the government’s efforts to run after the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.”

Bayan Muna rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also slammed the bill, calling it an “attack against the security of tenure” of the employees of oGCC and PCGG. n

Pacquiao camp says Top Rank deal already expired by dana

SioSon

who favored divorce belong to Class A while only 31 percent in Class e.

Last week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines reiterated its strong objec-

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AJPress

FILIPINo boxer Manny Pacquiao is no longer obligated to work with Bob Arum’s Top rank Inc. According to Pacquiao’s lawyer, eldibrando Viernesto, Pacquiao’s last fight under Top rank was against Jeff Horn in July last year in Brisbane, Australia.

Pacquiao lost his World Boxing organization (WBo) Welterweight title to Horn, and while there was a rematch clause, their second fight failed to materialize.

“I reviewed the contract and I found out that Bob Arum has no more say even in the rematch, should there be any, between Manny Pacquiao and Australian boxer Jeff Horn,” Viernesto was quoting in a Philboxing article published Tuesday, March 18.

The lawyer’s statement came in contrast against an earlier remark made by Arum, who said that Pacquiao was still under contract with Top rank Inc. Arum told Boxing Scene: “Pacquiao is under contract with Top rank for reasonably long period of time but I don’t know when the contract will expire.”

As present, Pacquiao is reportedly teaming up with oscar Dela

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PROMOTED. President Rodrigo Duterte pins the rank insignia on newly-promoted Philippine Army reserve Colonel Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, March 13.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to promote his match against WBA welterweight Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this June.

While no contract has been signed yet, Pacquiao claimed the deal in Malaysia is nearing closure.

As for who would be in charged of his training, Pacquiao told GMA-7 News the decision is “not yet final.” “right now, I’m fixing the pro-

motion. I’m working as a promoter before starting the training,” he added.

In an earlier statement, Freddie roach, Pacquiao’s trainer since 2001, said he recently tried to get in touch with Pacquiao but failed to connect with the boxer.

“I usually leave him alone until I hear from him, but I’ve called him five times and haven’t heard back,” roach told the LA Times.

“Maybe he changed his number,” he added. n

Aguirre overturns dismissal of drug case against Espinosa, Lim by aJPress JUSTICe Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has voided the resolution clearing confessed drug lord Kerwin espinosa, Peter Lim, and several others of drug charges.

Aguirre said he ordered the dismissal of the resolution on Monday, March 19.

“Since I already exercised my power under the automatic review, I issued an order vacating the dismissal of the case, so much so that there is no dismissal anymore,” Aguirre said in a press briefing on Tuesday, March 20.

In a resolution dated December 20, 2017 (but was only made public last week), Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors dropped the drug charges against espinosa and Lim due to lack of evidence.

Prosecutors dismissed the

complaint for sale, administration, dispensation, trading, delivery and transportation of illegal drugs under republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last year.

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 PNP had filed a motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of the decision clearing espinosa, Lim, and others. But with the resolution now overturned, Aguirre said the motion is “rendered moot.”

The justice secretary also said that he has formed a new panel to

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II Inquirer.net photo

review the charges. Both parties could also file new evidence to support their respective claims.

“I ordered that the case be ordered wide open for both parties, the complainants and the respondents, to file whatever evidence they have in support of their respective positions,” he told

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A march 23-29, 2018 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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OpiniOn

Features

Boracay shutdown

With all the bad publicity now reaped by Boracay for pollution, the island’s best move is to correct years of neglect ASAP so it can quickly tell the world that it’s back in business. Boracay has taken its worst hit since it gained renown as a travel destination, and it is suffering the consequences at the peak of the travel season.

There is no argument that the island will emerge better once its problems are addressed, and that local government officials bear much of the blame for failure to properly regulate development on the island. But the national government should also avoid headline-grabbing knee-jerk measures to spur a thorough cleanup.

Shutting down the island to tourism for up to a year needs careful consideration. About 30,000 people are directly employed in businesses around the island, with many others dependent for their livelihoods on downstream enterprises. Boracay is the country’s top tourism destination, and until early this year continued to be voted as one of the world’s best in terms of beaches and hotels.

The government can shut down and impose other penalties on establishments that violated environmental laws and are operating without the necessary permits. Some establishments may even

have to be closed permanently for sitting on no-build zones. If warranted, administrative and criminal charges can be filed against local government officials.

If the government closes the entire island to tourism due to environmental concerns, it should apply the same stringent standards in other travel destinations. Boracay is not the only island where sewage is dumped directly into the sea. The practice is common all over the archipelago, including in other popular tourism sites.

Sewerage systems are old, inadequate or nonexistent in many areas including in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. With all the bad publicity, Boracay must work double time to address its pollution problem. Instead of a yearlong closure of the island to tourism, however, the government can consider implementing the necessary reforms in phases, or at least a much shorter shutdown period. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

17 school shootings in the first 11 weeks of 2018: Has America been desensitized to gun violence?

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS WHEN will the murder of innocent children and civilians due to the gun violence epidemic ever end in America?

Just on Tuesday, March 20, an armed student in Lexington Park, Maryland opened fire in a hallway shortly before classes began around 8 a.m, striking a female he reportedly had a previous relationship with, and a male student.

This is the 17th school shooting in only 11 weeks into 2018 where someone was hurt or killed. That averages out to 1.5 shootings a week, according to CNN. Has America been desensitized? Has this been the new “normal” in this country?

Whatever happened to the “listening session” between President Donald Trump and the families of the victims of several mass shootings in America?

Whatever happened to the theatrics of the televised meeting between President Trump and the lawmakers following the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida when a former student opened fire using

an assault rifle?

Whatever happened to the strong urgent rhetoric of Trump admonishing the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for not passing legislations to solve the gun violence epidemic because they were afraid of the powerful and well funded National Rifle Association who has been lobbying against any gun control laws?

Well lo and behold! This president was no less afraid of the NRA, who, like the Republican lawmakers, was also beholden to the association. After Trump’s meeting with the NRA: Goodbye to raising the age requirement from 18 to 21; goodbye to writing laws himself to ban bump stocks that convert semi-automatic rifles to rapid firing machine guns; and goodbye to more stringent gun laws to protect Americans!

Meanwhile, the Republicancontrolled Congress again put the call for stricter gun laws on the back burner, with the Senate leadership prioritizing voting on legislation that rolls back Obama-era regulations that were meant to regulate financial institutions in the aftermath of the deepest recession after the Great Depression.

We have seen this movie be-

fore. Strong powerful words and “thoughts and prayers” rhetoric that were never translated into action and legislative changes for implementation, thanks but no thanks to the lobbying efforts and payback demands from the NRA which has been contributing millions of dollars to the campaign funds of these Republicans. They delay and delay their actions hoping the clamor for gun control laws would cool and die down until the next mass shooting occurs. Would this time be any different?

“ENOUGH!” “Never again!”

These make up the battle cry of students across America, who walked out of school on March 14. They were supported by teachers, parents and other Americans from coast to coast in calling on politicians to bring an end to the school shootings that plague America.

These student activist lead by the Parkland shooting survivors vow that the Parkland massacre should be the last, and that they are taking action and responsibility to fight for their future, to fight for their lives.

Indeed, these young people defied orders from school officials and even local government officials who threatened

Pres. Donald Trump

them with detention, suspension, even corporal punishment in some states, just to subjugate them.

BUT many of these kids have awakened from their apathy and are now making their voices heard, despite criticisms, insults, denigration from irresponsible adults who would rather cling to and protect their guns, than protect the lives of innocent children and civilians from mass shooting.

Contrary to the scare tactics of the NRA and their cohorts in Washington, these kids and stricter gun law advocates are not demanding to take away the Second Amendment rights of Americans. As “The Other

White House photo

98%” Facebook page stated it: “No one is saying take ALL your guns away. No one is saying take away the Second Amendment. If you believe that, then your leadership in the NRA and GOP have done what they set out to do, to brainwash you.”

What they are fighting for: To ban AR-15 type weapons [military weapons meant for use in the war zone and not by civilians] and magazines that convert semi-automatic weapons into rapid firing machine guns; to adopt gun laws that will help save lives including stronger background checks more stringent and longer steps in screening of those who

are applying for license to purchase and use guns, NO weapons sold without background checks, increase age requirement from 18 to 21; to take the NRA out of government.

These are supported by a big majority of Americans — almost 7 out of 10.

Shouldn’t President Trump and the Republicans in Congress listen to the American people? *** 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

In pursuit of lasting peace

PeaceMaker (Part 2 of 3)

(Remarks of Hon. Jose De FoRmeR SpeakeR Venecia, Former Speaker, JoSe C. de VeneCia, JR. Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); CoChairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); Chairman Emeritus, Universal Peace Federation (UPF); Special Envoy of the President to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue at the UPF International Leadership Conference 2018 “Building a World of Lasting Peace: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values” Seoul, Republic of Korea; February 18-22, 2018.)

Revival of Six-Party talks and Korean unification We believe that the lingering conflict and potentially dangerous flashpoint in the Korean Peninsula with North Korea, now nucleararmed and continuously testing improved nuclear weaponry, and perhaps even the potential of missiles launched from submarines, could be resolved peacefully through diplomacy, cooperation and bilateral and/or multilateral dialogue. No matter how most difficult, it must be constantly tried and pursued, and we claim its eventual success, for the sake of the two Koreas, Asia, and the world.

We urge the revival of the long-postponed Six-Party talks among the U.S., Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea and even better sustained direct talks between North and South that would directly contribute to enhancing political stability and security not only in the Korean Peninsula but in the Asia Pacific region, but most importantly lead to unite the two Koreas, forswear war, and together build a strong, united prosperous first-world nation for the Korean peoples in the second or third decade of the 21st Century.

Perhaps, the successful dynamics of North Korea’s nuclear development could be channeled to economic mobilization.

And the Six-Nation Talks could have a business-focused auxiliary to develop economic joint ventures for deployment in the Korean north.

Two Koreas should adapt to global changes Excellencies, friends: We must point out that despite the occasional harsh rhetoric on both sides of the 38th Parallel, I believe governments, parliaments, political parties, civil society organizations, and religious groups must encourage and support direct talks between Seoul and Pyongyang.

As we know in past years, direct talks re-started some years ago between Washington and Pyongyang—in New York and Geneva, but had not met with success.

Indeed, direct talks between North and South will complement these high-level explorations. Perhaps they could even catalyze the long-suspended Six-Party Talks to prevent nuclear proliferation in the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps direct bilateral or multilateral talks could even lead to agreement on a road map to eventual unification. But these talks have not been reopened for a long time now.

Today the basic fact is that the distribution of power in the world is fast-changing–particularly in East Asia–and the Korean Peninsula must adapt to these epochal transformations.

Vietnam itself emerged from three difficult successive wars, winning against great powers, and its socialist government adopting a market economy, lifted its people from poverty to become today a rising peaceful economic power. North Korea can be like Vietnam, which is already emerging as a power in Southeast Asia.

The great example of course is how the two Germanys finally emerged from Cold War confrontation and totally united under then Chancellor Helmut Kohl, to become today the predominant economic power in Europe.

And China, under the unforgettable leader Deng Xiaoping, opened China to the world, lifted more than 500 million people from poverty and introduced appreciable elements of free enterprise capitalism to China’s socialist economy, which has propelled China to the second largest in the global economy and perhaps No. 1 within 10 years.

ASEAN Plus 4 Perhaps the two Koreas should begin with some degree of economic cooperation. And the obvious way which of course should

not take too much time for Pyongyang to be invited to associate itself with the East Asian Economic Grouping of the 10 Southeast Asian states and the 3 Northeast Asian states – China, Japan and South Korea. The ASEAN Plus 3 could become ASEAN Plus 4. This should not be a long process and the idea should be shared with Pyongyang sooner than later.

Yes, indeed, North Korea should not be left alone and isolated as we push for political and economic integration in Asia.

In my view, the immediate task of the parliaments and mainstream political parties of the Republic of Korea and the Communist Korean Workers’ Party (KWP) of the North, aided by the parliaments, political parties, civil society, and business leaders of the global community, is to draw up a clear, distinct and workable road map toward unification.

Political parties and civil society organizations should network with the leading think-tanks of Asia, U.S., and Europe to envision the architecture of Korean confederation and unification, actively revive Seoul’s Kim Dae Jung “Sunshine Policy”, promote a bipartisan approach among the major parties of the South, and draw on South Korea’s vaunted economic power, to help build the economy of the North under an economic and political Confederation of Korean Unity.

The Asian, European, African, Latin American, Australian, and U.S. parliaments could organize a program and send delegations to the North Korea legislature, their Ministers of Agriculture and Tourism might interact with their North Korean counterparts to look into the recurring causes of famine in the North and to develop jobs-creating and foreign exchange-earning tourism there.

The great Chinese, Russian, and Western industries can look into North Korea’s hydrocarbons, mining, and hydro-electric potential.

The late Reverend Moon and Madame Moon over the years have built genuine goodwill in Pyongyang and among the Koreans in the North and donated their much-appreciated hotel and erstwhile automobile factory that they established there to the North Korean government and people.

(To be continued next week)

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

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 23-29, 2018

A

Duterte: ‘How stupid can Canada get?’

by Ralph

VillanueVa ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 20, called Canada “very stupid” in connection with a canceled $233-million helicopter deal.

“You saw the order of the military, Air Force, of attack helicopters. Look at how stupid the Canadians are, very stupid. They already approved the deal. When they delivered it, they said, ‘But you cannot use these for military or punitive actions by the police.

This is only good for evacuation and [things] humanitarian,’” Duterte said in a speech during a general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Manila.

“Oh, how foolish. ‘You cannot use these against your own citizens.’ My God, you Canadians how stupid can you get? Our citizens are joining the ISIS so we have every right to kill our citizens because we do not want to destroy the community with apathy,” Duterte said.

ISIS, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, is also referred to as Islamic State or IS. Duterte said Canada has also treated the Philippines “like garbage.”

“The entire community of the world should know that there is a Republic of the Philippines which you [Canada] cannot just f***** s***. Do not do it to us because I will insult you. Anyway, who are you? You are already toppling,” he added.

Duterte said the Marawi conflict should have justified the purchase of the helicopters since there were deaths on the government side.

That conflict erupted in Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines, in May 2017 and put down by the government in October of the same year.

“And these idiots there said, ‘You cannot use it against your citizens.’ [You can say this] because you are not encountering the same problem there,” Duterte said.

The Philippine government canceled the deal after the Canadian government ordered a review of the helicopter deal amid human rights concerns. “[Canada] said they will sell [the helicopters]but only for evacuation and emergency. We cannot use [them]for anti-insurgency because if [they are]used against Filipino rebels, they will not sell [them],” the President said during a news conference on February 9.

Duterte earlier said he “respected” Canada’s position and that the Philippines will just move on and would look for other deals.

“We respect the stand of Canada. I want to tell the Armed Forces to cut the deal. Do not push it… and somehow, we will look for another supplier,” he added in the same news conference.

On February 13, Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the Philippines is looking at China, South Korea and Russia as potential suppliers of new helicopters. n

MINDANAO FIESTA. Director Marita Carlos of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) Applied Communication Division (ACD) (in black dress) and Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development-Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (NOMCAARRD-RRDCC) chair and Central Mindanao University (CMU) president Dr. Maria Soliven (4th from right) lead the ribbon cutting during the opening ceremony for the Farm and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) held at the CMU Convention Center in Bukidnon. NOMCAARRD hosted its first-ever FIESTA celebration on March 21-22, 2018.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

Revilla asks SC for his liberty anew Aguirre overturns dismissal...

by KRistine Joy

Philstar.com

PAGE A5 t

patag

MANILA — Detained former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. made an appeal to the Supreme Court for his temporary liberty while the Sandiganbayan rule on his cases.

In a seven-page motion filed on March 16, Revilla asked the SC to grant him provisional liberty as he has been detained since June 20, 2014. He said that his detention violates his constitutional rights as an accused.

Revilla was among the three lawmakers charged by the government over their involvement in the multi-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.

He is facing a P224-million plunder case at the Sandiganbayan.

In his manifestation and urgent motion filed before the high court, Revilla said the prosecution presented 5,134 pieces of evidence against him. The Sandiganbayan accepted the said evidence “without a clear identification of the particular ‘acts’ that are ‘overt’ and ‘criminal’ through which petitioner allegedly acquired ill-gotten wealth.”

Revilla added: “Petitioner

reporters.

The dismissal of charges against big-time drug personalities sparked public outrage, as well as criticisms from other top government officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte himself, who was initiating an intense anti-drug drive in the country.

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).

During the briefing, Aguirre admitted that the “nationwide uproar” prompted him to re-open the case.

“The president told me, ‘Vit, while the rules are there, you must, your department, has also to feel the pulse of the people, in these kinds of cases, the big ones,’” Aguirre said.

Aguirre also expressed belief that the information on the dismissal of charges against the drug

Church survey says more...

Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Philstar.com photo

remains unaware which of the ber 2017. The latter is currently 5,134 pieces of evidence was of- mulling running for the next fered to prove, at least the most elections.

Central to the indictment of basic elements of plunder.”

The former senator earlier the three is Janet Lim-Napoles, asked the SC to junk his plunder believed to be the brain behind case, but an earlier STAR report the pork barrel scam. She is currently applying to become a said the SC dismissed his bid. state witness in the Department Pork barrel cases Also detained for the PDAF of Justice’s reopening of the scam were former Sens. Juan PDAF scam probe.

Ombudsman Conchita CarpioPonce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada, but they were released Morales has earlier said that the Office of the Ombudsman has fithrough bail.

The high court ordered the nal say whether Napoles can be release of Enrile on humanitar- admitted as state witness.

Morales is set to retire in ian grounds, while Estrada was allowed to post bail in Septem- July. n

PAGE A5 t tion to the proposed legalization of divorce in the country.

In a pastoral statement signed by their president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, the conference of bishops warned that the measure would destroy families as it would provide a convenient avenue to end marriages – including those that might not be beyond saving.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the authors of the divorce bill, said that Spain, which propagated Catholicism in the Philippines, and Italy where the Vatican is located, have their own divorce laws.

“These countries have similar provisions in their respective constitutions which mandate the state to protect marriage and family life,” said Lagman, a coauthor of House Bill 7303 (Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines).

He pointed out that Catholic Latin American countries, including socialist Cuba, and Catholic countries of Europe, including fiercely Catholic Ireland, Italy and Spain, “have their own divorce laws which do not make them any less Catholic.”

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said that only the Philippines and the Rome-enclave Vatican

suspects was leaked.

Blaming the the public outrage on the “premature declaration,” Aguirre noted that while the case was dismissed by the prosecutors, it was still subject to a motion for reconsideration and review.

“It has not even reached the Office of the Secretary of Justice.

As a matter of fact, the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the CIDG was not even resolved yet, and the Office of the (Justice) Secretary has not yet exercised his power under the automatic review,” Aguirre explained. n City — where Pope Francis and his fellow celibate cardinals reside — are the only places in the world that do not have any law on divorce.

Alvarez said they will talk to President Duterte who is reluctant to support the divorce bill due to the negative effects of the measure on the children.

“We are ready to explain to the president. His concern was in fact discussed thoroughly at the House committee level, which guaranteed that the welfare of divorced couples’ children will be addressed,” he said over radio station dzMM. Duterte’s marriage to his wife Elizabeth Zimmerman has been annulled. (With Delon Porcalla)

A march 23-29, 2018 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M A R c h 23, 20 1 8

Filipino cuisine gains visibility in America Two purveyors – Tom Cunanan and Margarita Manzke – get James Beard nods

by MoMar G. Visaya/AJPress 2018 is off to a great start for Filipino cuisine in America as mainstream publications and diners continue to talk about it with passion and more curiosity than ever.

Last week, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for their annual awards bestowed on the best chefs in America today.

Tom Cunanan of Bad Saint in Washington, DC made it to the finalists list again for the honor of Best Chef (Mid-Atlantic). Margarita Lorenzana-Manzke of Sari Sari Store and Republique in Los Angeles and Wildflour in Manila is one of five finalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and furthers the Foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone.

Also last week, the New York Times published a treatise on where Filipino cuisine in America is today and how a generation of Filipino and Filipino-American chefs and restaurateurs are pushing the cause forward.

Entitled “Filipino Food Finds a Place in the American Mainstream,” the article dwelled on, among other things, bagoong and how Filipino food entered the American mainstream.

“The article is seminal: it’s a defining moment for Filipino food — it doesn’t need to be dumbed down in order for it to translated for or admired by the mainstream.

Filipino food doesn’t need to be gimmicky or trendy to be craved.

Rather the food can be just as it is — honest, favorable and unique,” Nicole Ponseca told the Asian Journal.

“The New York Times answers the question that has long been circulated amongst Filipinos and foodies: Why did it take Filipino food so long to go mainstream?

Ligaya Mishan’s influential article and previous reviews on Filipino food hint that our food is best when we do it on our terms with the bold flavors that define the cuisine,” she added.

While other Asian cuisines have been part of the American dining scene for decades now — Chinese, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese — it is only in the recent years that Filipino dishes started gaining recognition outside the packets of Filipino communities and enclaves across the United States.

This recognition comes in many forms and formats, including full page features on chefs and dishes, such as the Los Angeles Times feature on halo-halo, specifically, how to make it like world-class pastry chef Margie Manzke. The article described the classic dessert as “deeply emblematic” and “homey, craveable and just a little weird”.

Last year, Vogue came up with an article entitled “How Filipino Food is Becoming the Next Great American Cuisine” noting that it has been five years since food writer Andrew Zimmern predicted Filipino cuisine was going to become “the next big thing”.

Then we have the social media influencers on Instagram and

Romy Dorotan & Amy Besa (Purple Yam)

Inquirer.net photo

Dale Talde (Talde and Rice & Gold) Chef Jordan Andino (Flip Sigi)

Chef Tom Cunanan

Photo by Deb Lyndsay

YouTube venturing into Filipino cuisine by way of Jollibee and dessert enthusiasts devouring ube in any variation or usage — from sundae swirls to lattes and fillings.

A Bloomberg report last year said that Google searches for “Filipino food” have doubled since 2012 and entries for “lumpia near me” rose to an astonishing 3,350 percent.

Around May 2017, Pulitzer Prize winner and food critic Jonathan Gold wrote that the “time for Filipino cuisine is now” and “the place is Los Angeles,” he added.

And that’s where we slightly beg to differ.

The place is not just Los Angeles, it is America. Well, at least in the major cities of these United States.

Los Angeles is home to a number of chefs who are talked about in the industry circles for their inventive take on Filipino food — including Andre Guerrero (Oinkster), Alvin Cailan (Eggslut/ Amboy), Charles Olalia (Ricebar), Chad and Chase Valencia (LASA), Ryan Garlitos (Irenia), Johneric Concordia (Park’s Finest), Barb Batiste (B Sweet/Big Boi), Kristine de la Cruz (Créme Caramel/ FrankieLucy Bakeshop), and Isa Fabro (pastry chef known her mango royale pie).

Then, there’s Hawaii where “Top Chef” alum Sheldon Simeon owns and operates the lunch spot Tin Roof. This summer, he is set to open Lineage in Maui. According to the website Eater, the dishes at Lineage are designed to be shared and derived from Simeon’s own family recipes from the Philippines as well as recipes that are a part of traditional Hawaiian cuisine.

In Texas is “Top Chef Season 9” winner Paul Qui, who is slowly reclaiming his spot in the industry after a much-publicized domestic abuse meltdown in 2016. The James Beard Award-winning chef opened Aqui in Houston last year and hired fellow Filipino-American chef Gabriel Medina as chef de cuisine and Jillian Bartolome as pastry chef. Bartolome is a semifinalist this year at the James Beard Awards for Outstanding Pastry Chef.

New York, on the other hand

Chef Miguel Trinidad and Nicole Ponseca (Jeepney and Maharlika)

Chef King Phojanakong (Kuma Inn)

Chef Leah Cohen (Pig & Khao and Piggyback Bar JC)

is home to Romy Dorotan & Amy Besa (Purple Yam), Miguel Trinidad & Nicole Ponseca (Jeepney and Maharlika), King Phojanakong (Kuma Inn), Dale Talde (Talde and Rice & Gold), Leah Cohen (Pig & Khao and Piggyback Bar JC), Jordan Andino (Flip Sigi), Neil Syham (Lumpia Shack), among others.

Through the years, we have seen the evolution and growth of these movers.

Most, if not all of them, worked hard and persevered to open their own brick and mortar stores now. Dorotan and Besa have been helping push Filipino forward for more than two decades now, after opening Cendrillon in Soho in 1995 and gaining fame and a loyal clientele as a neighborhood restaurant. They closed shop after more than a decade and reopened in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn as Purple Yam in 2009.

Five years later, they opened Purple Yam in Malate, one of the oldest historical districts in Manila.

Maharlika started in January 2011 as a weekend pop-up brunch place in the East Village, until Ponseca & Trinidad gained more than enough experience and guts to open Maharlika ten months later. In 2012, the two opened Jeepney also on First Avenue and helped propel the eventual explosion of Filipino cuisine in New York City.

Talde and Cohen used their experience and exposure on Top Chef to create a brand for themselves and opened their own restaurants. Both have also ventured beyond Manhattan and Brooklyn and crossed the Hudson River to open restaurants in Jersey City, Talde with his eponymous restaurant near Grove Street and Cohen with Piggyback Bar JC on Hudson Street, by the Harborside

and overlooking the gorgeous Manhattan skyline.

Andino also parlayed his reality TV fame and opened Flip Sigi in the West Village and followed it up by opening a branch in the Upper East Side last year.

A few blocks down from Andino’s Filipino taqueria is Neil Syham’s Lumpia Shack Snackbar on Greenwich Ave. which he opened years after selling lumpia at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. He was also in food news recently when New York Times wrote about his new venture in Flushing called Ok Lah, a partnership with fellow Smorgasburg chef Carson Yiu. The dishes change daily, it could be chicken inasal and Hainanese chicken today and sinigang and a version of the Indonesian rendang the following day.

That there is way more to Filipino cuisine than just lumpia and adobo or Filipino Cuisine 101 is another thing that the New York Times article pointed out. These are just the basic introduction to Filipino food and both just barely scratched the surface.

Now that we have the attention, it’s time to bring out more from the arsenal.

Sinigang, sisig, paksiw, pinakbet, binagoongan, ginataan, karekare, nilaga, sutokil, humba. Are you hungry yet? Let’s go back to the adobo and if we look at it closely, we’d realize that there’s a thousand and one variations of cooking it depending on where one is from. The list is endless.

Regional Filipino is where it is at, and it is something that the Filipino Food Movement knows and understands. That is why early this year, chefs from the West Coast (and one from NYC) gathered together to serve regional Filipino dishes at the

Chef Neil Syham (Lumpia Shack)

Chef Walter Manzke and his wife Margarita

James Beard House.

Chefs from Portland (Carlo Lamagna of Magna), Seattle (Melissa Miranda of Musang), San Francisco (Francis Ang of Pinoy Heritage), Philadelphia (Lou Boquila of Perla) and New York (Miguel Trinidad of Maharlika/ Jeepney) got together to push heretofore unknown and unheard of Filipino dishes such as the Ilocano dinardaraan (dinuguan or blood stew) which many Filipino parents in America would feed their American-born children and call the dish “chocolate meat”.

“Not many people know how many different cultures are present in the country,” shared Joanne Boston, Co-Director and founding member of the Filipino Food Movement. “Carlo and Francis mentioned it would be awesome to have Regional flavors featured since the Philippines is so diverse.”

A genuine Ilocano, Lamagna said he remembers growing up in Detroit where his dad and uncles and aunts would prepare feasts in his uncle’s garage.

“They would slaughter a goat and prepare all the dishes with it and it would be one amazing party,” he said, adding that he loves to cook and prepare goat dishes such as kaldereta, kilawin and papaitan.

Boston said that the timing is perfect.

“Now is the time to educate.

Let’s tell them why our food has so many faces. Let’s tell them about how some of our native dishes were transformed into the dishes we see today,” she said. “Our food isn’t the same as how it was 100 years, 200 years, 300 years ago.

There is a natural evolution with time.”

The road to the James Beard Awards Philippine-born Tom Cunanan co-owns Bad Saint with Genevieve Villamora and Nick Pimentel.

In a Washington City Paper interview, Cunanan said that he was inspired by Maharlika and Jeepney which he visited in 2013 while attending a wedding in New York. Upon his return to DC, he told Villamora that he wanted to open a Filipino restaurant in the nation’s capital.

“I saw my generation of Filipinos doing something really cool in these really rad spaces,” he said.

The 24-seater, no-reservation restaurant opened in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC two years later, on September 2015, after a successful crowd-funding campaign via Kickstarter. Bon Appetit declared

Photo by Michelle Park

it as the number two restaurant on its annual America’s Best New Restaurants list for 2016.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Margie Manzke spent her early years working in her parents’ restaurant. Inspired by their hard work and perseverance, Margarita decided at a young age to follow in their footsteps and enter the culinary world, studying culinary arts, specifically pastry, at Le Cordon Bleu in London.

She also enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America in New York, where she received an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts.

Chef Margie moved to Los Angeles where she worked in some of the city’s best restaurants, including the original Spago on Sunset Boulevard and Patina on Melrose. It was at Patina that she met her future husband, Walter.

In 2001, Margarita left Patina to work with Josiah Citrin at his Michelin two-star restaurant, Melisse, where she quickly rose to the position of Sous Chef.

In search of a new challenge, Margarita and Walter The Manzkes moved to Carmel to open a series of successful restaurants including Bouchee, Cantinetta Luca and L’Auberge Carmel. In 2007, Margarita returned to Los Angeles with Walter to reopen Bastide Restaurant, where she served as Pastry Chef. From there, she worked with the team at Church & State before finally returning to the kitchen and the pastry department at Bottega Louie.

In the summer of 2012, along with her sister and husband Walter, she opened Wildflour bakery and café in Bonifacio Global City, a recently reinvigorated section of Manila.

Since opening, the trio has received rave reviews for the classic cuisine and whimsical offerings. In 2013, the Manzkes opened a second location of Wildflour in Manila.

Last year, they opened Sari Sari Store in downtown Los Angeles.

Margie Lorenzana-Manzke says the inspiration behind the restaurant is a simple one: “The idea was that I could cook the food that I want, the food that I grew up on, and could introduce Filipino food to other people.”

Like many, she laments that in Los Angeles Filipino food is “not known” and “not popular,” and that people “have no clue what it is.”

But she thinks her rice bowls are a great place to start: “This is just a small part of Filipino cuisine but an approachable one, and a good introduction.”

Fil-Am owned café pushes Philippine-sourced coffee beans, Filipino dessert flavors in drinks

by Christina M. oriel AJPress

DESPITE the ubiquity of coffee giants, neighborhood cafés are still appreciated by locals, and for visitors, it’s the best way to get a glimpse into the local scene.

If you happen to be in the San Diego area, a new café and retail shop owned by a group of FilipinoAmericans opened in Carmel Mountain Ranch earlier this year.

Mostra Coffee comes from the mission of Fil-Am owners — Jelynn Malone, Sam Magtanong, Beverly

Magtanong, Mike Arquines and RJ Ocubillo — to put the Philippines on the map as a source of speciality grade coffee beans. After doing philanthropy work with Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines, they saw it as a way to eradicate poverty by working with Filipino farmers through fair-trade and direct-trade practices.

“This was our mastermind plan: If we could get to a point where we could source beans from the Philippines, bring them to America [and] brand a world-class coffee brand, we could create a demand

for it on a global level. Then, in turn, that would mean roasters from around the world would start traveling to the Philippines and ordering coffee, which would provide jobs for farmers,” Malone told the Asian Journal in an interview.

Though Malone had originally wanted to open a bakery, the owners took the route of a coffee roasting facility that would begin with sourcing beans from usual places like Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. But during a trip to Mindanao, they found beans and

Mostra Coffee is owned by a team of Fil-Ams: (left to right) Beverly Magtanong, Jelynn Sophia Malone, Sam Magtanong and Mike Arquines (not pictured is RJ Ocubillo).

got them graded.

“For coffee to be specialty grade, it has to score above an 83 out of 100. And this coffee from

the Philippines was graded a 95,” Malone said.

Before the new retail space, Mostra had been operating at a

Bibingka crème brûlée latte Photos courtesy of Jelynn Malone

warehouse for the past four years and opened a coffee cart outside — after people had started coming Continued on Page 4

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An Asian Journal Magazine

Immigration Corner

Bad truth or good bola?

their immigrant visa and return to the U.S. without being subject Atty. MichAel to the 10 year bar. i pointed Gurfinkel, eSQ out that provisional waiver is available if the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onlY A Filipino and his U.S. immigration violation is he citizen wife came to my office overstayed. it is not available if recently for a consultation. They a person has other immigration drove several hours to see me violations such as FRAUD. in person. He was crying and Therefore, he was not eligible for begging me to accept his case, a provisional waiver. but i advised him to wait until This person had consulted there would be further changes with me a few years earlier, and i in law. He is not eligible to had told him the same thing: heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apply for a green card. To do not eligible to apply for a green anything now would likely result card at this time, and he should in a denial, and he is spending wait. He did not like that answer money for nothing. and went to an immigration This man had entered the U.S. consultant, and paid the on a crewmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visa. He did not consultant over $10,000 based have the benefit of section 245(i), on the consultantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promises which is a law that might enable and assurances that his case was a crewman to adjust status (be â&#x20AC;&#x153;easy,â&#x20AC;? and the consultant would interviewed in the U.S. for a be able to obtain his green card green card), provided he was for him in the US. After paying all petitioned before April 30, 2001. that money, his case was denied, He was not petitioned before as i had predicted. There was no that date. He also committed change in immigration law since fraud by entering into the U.S. the last time he consulted with under a different name. me, and so, my advice was the He then asked about same. â&#x20AC;&#x153;provisional waiver,â&#x20AC;? as he had But my point is, when you seen success stories on my seek advice, what is it that you television show, Citizen pinoy, want? Good bola, or bad truth? involving crewmen who were Sometimes the truth is not what able to go back to Manila for you want to hear, such as there

Mining your own acres of diamonds Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA A FARMER in Africa heard glowing stories of other farmers who have become rich by discovering diamond mines in the continent. Filled with excitement and visions of sparkling diamonds, he sold his farm quickly and set out to become a diamond prospector himself. He wandered far and wide for many years crisscrossing the huge continent hoping to strike it rich. Hope and change however proved to be a lame strategy. Alas and alack, the years took their toll and finally, having grown old, tired and despondent over his failures, he ended his life.

Meanwhile, the man who bought his farm settled in and one bright day, while fording a stream on the land he now owned, was attracted to a gleam of colored rock at the bottom of the shallow water. He picked it up out of curiosity and displayed it on his mantel as dĂŠcor. one day a visitor noticed the rock and almost fainted. He asked the farmer what he thought it was and the farmer innocently said, it was a pretty crystal. The visitor told him that it was probably one of the biggest diamonds he had ever seen. it turns out that the stream had many more such diamonds at its bottom.

The first farmer never knew he was standing on his own acres of diamonds. He already owned the land free and clear which he had sold practically for a song and a dance. if he only took stock of what he had, surveyed his surroundings and explored and worked on his own acres, his story might have had a happy ending.

This story is a staple used by noted motivational speakers and writers to bring home a point. And for good reasonâ&#x20AC;Ś The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Acres of Diamondâ&#x20AC;? Story is a powerful metaphor to inspire people to explore and harness their own potential as human beings striving to reach their goal of achieving the riches they seek, whether tangible, intangible or a hybrid of both. in the most obvious terms, riches could mean physical wealth like money in the bank, a comfortable retirement, celebrity status and the perks that come with it. However, there are also those parameters that are harder to achieve and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bought outright by money, like inner peace, contentment, serenity, a healthy mind in a healthy body filled with good spirit and well being or a long, happy, meaningful life. The wisest ones go for a mix of both the tangible and the intangible. You get to choose your very own definition of wealth. oftentimes, staying the course

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M A R c h 23, 20 1 8

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas;they are in yourown backyard, if you but digfor them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Alfred North Whitehead and having the wisdom and the patience to use the resources found directly right under our noses and the neurons firing in the brain between our ears offer better odds than seeking out those greener pastures.

As one smart aleck pointed out, the other pasture is always greener simply because it has a gardener that waters, fertilizes and fusses over it all the time.

(And used often as a multilevel marketing ploy to recruit people for get-rich quick-schemes. But i digress.)

Staying the course and mining your own acres of diamonds could also apply to married couples going through tough times. There are always critical moments that would require partners to fight for their marriage and stay committed no matter the struggle. There is the struggle of the infidelity of one partner attracted to another, maybe a young spring chicken or a hunk with washboard abs waiting in the wings, the struggle to rise above health issues or the struggle to keep their heads above financial waters or the struggle to stay as a family despite the discord brought about by various debilitating addictions.

Many seem to think they can hit the reset button by trading up to another partner. They think that if they can only find the right one, find Ms. or Mr. perfect, life would be better. oftentimes, that route simply leads to more troubles ahead, more complications, more heartaches and crushing disappointments. if one treasures the intangible acres of diamonds built by years of being together in the form of happy memories and achievements, scrapping the negativity, overlooking irritations or editing out the heartaches through genuine forgiveness brought about by unceasing prayers, perhaps staying the course and loving the one youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re with, is actually easy peasy. With faith and determination, you can mine your own acres of diamonds right in your own marriage, right in your own backyard.

The question is, are we mining our own acres of diamonds in every area of our lives right now?

And if not, why not? *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

may not be anything that could be done right now. people tend to listen to the bola, but iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad that there are many Filipinos who consult with me, saying they came to me to get a â&#x20AC;&#x153;straight answer.â&#x20AC;? iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not saying every case is hopeless, but consult with an immigration attorney, as there could possibly be hope in your case. Do not rely on consultantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; promises that sound too good to be true, as you may end up like this man. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Success Stories,â&#x20AC;? endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ¡ SAN FRANCISCO ¡ NEW YORK ¡ PHILIPPINES

Twice, he applied for an immigrant visa. Twice, he was denied. Find out the final score this Sunday, on CITIZEN PINOY! Joseph (center) was initially petitioned as a minor child of a green card holder, but his visa was refused at the interview because he admitted to drug use. When he aged out, his petition was reclassified to F-2B. At his second interview, he was denied for the same reason.

His mother, Josie (right), and his sister, Evelyn (left), felt hopeless. They were running out of options, and were desperate. It felt like Nanay Josieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promise of having the family reunited in America would just remain a dream.

Mother and daughter consulted with leading U.S. attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, after seeing a case similar to Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that was featured on Citizen Pinoy. Atty. Gurfinkel went to the U.S. Embassy in Manila and becomes a major contributor to a landmark decision and policy change that benefitted Joseph and many more.

Watch a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promise fulfilled on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

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Presenting the premiere collection of Michael Leyva at LA Fashion Week

4

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M A R c h 23, 20 1 8

‘It girl’ Liz Uy is now an ‘it’ mom CeLeBRIT y stylist Liz Uy has confirmed rumors that she is now a mother as she introduced to the world her baby boy Xavi in an Instagram post on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with Preview magazine, she affirmed that Xavi is her baby and motherhood has changed her life significantly.

“I don’t really think only of myself anymore. every time I do anything, I think of Xavi first,” the ex-girlfriend of actor John Lloyd Cruz has been quoted as saying.

Celebrities and netizens gave

their congratulatory messages to the new mother.

“We love you Ms Liz. Xavi looks adorable,” Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach commented on the post.

“I miss you Xavi!” said actress and Uy’s friend, Anne Curtis.

It can be recalled that Liz was unable to attend Anne’s wedding, presumably because she was still pregnant with her baby.

Liz starred in the reality show “It Girls” together with her friends Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza, and Celebrity stylist Liz Uy and baby Xavi.

Georgina Wilson. (Philstar.com) Photo from Instgram/@lizzzuy

Managing Ex-Battalion a ‘first’ for Ai-Ai

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

From being managed (by Asian Artists Agency/AAA, formerly Backroom to which she has been loyal for years), Ai-Ai delas Alas has turned the table and decided to be a manager… a “first” for her. Last Sunday, march 19, at her and husband’s own AiSarap Express (on Sgt. Esguerra, near Quezon Avenue, Quezon City), Ai-Ai announced that she had signed a two-year contract as manager of Ex-Battalion, the YouTube sensation with, hold your breath, more than 40 million followers (mostly millennials and preteens) worldwide.

“I first heard about the rapper band last year,” recalled

Ai-Ai. “I wanted to record a song and a writer on my (GmA) show told me na kung gusto ko raw mag-hit ang song ko, isama ko ang Ex-Battalion. Sabi ko, ‘Foreigner ba sila?’ The writer told me, ‘I-research mo sa Internet.’ That’s how I got to know the group.”

Ex-Battalion is so named because the members (six rappers who were present at the contract-signing) came from other bands. The other day, in her capacity as the group’s manager, Ai-Ai signed a contract with rrJ clothing brand that has enlisted Ex-Battalion as endorser, which means that in their gigs the members will be wearing nothing but rrJ clothes.

to the facility looking for brewed coffee. It went from one to four days a week, drawing lines out the door and down the sidewalk.

“With all of that energy around us, we were like, ‘We should probably open up a retail space where we can actually serve people every day on regular hours,’” Malone explained.

“But being a coffee company and we’re in a suburban neighborhood in San Diego so anywhere there’s a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean, you

EMPLOYMENT

can’t open up a coffee shop or even a cafe. So we finally found a spot in one of the big shopping centers and we’re in a Home Depot shopping center right next door to See’s Candies. After we found this spot, we just decided we’re going to go full-blown retail here. So we’re now open seven days a week.”

Mostra, the Italian word for ‘show’ or ‘exhibition,’ comes from taking Malone (a film and TV actress/host) and Beverly Magtanong’s (professional opera

Lu

I HAVe always been a fan of Filipino designers. Aside from their penchant for unique and intricate styles and materials, there is always a backstory to their success that makes them even more admirable. Such as the story of this Filipino fashion designer, who is set to present his collection in the U.S. for the first time at LA Fashion Week.

Rey Michael Leyva is a wellknown designer for the wardrobes of celebrities like Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Kris Aquino and Pia Wurtzbach. He’s been a fashion designer for almost eight years and is considered one of the most sought-after designers in the industry. Leyva began his career in the early 2010s and has become known for his designs in the wedding circuit. He dreams of one day having actress Jennifer Lopez and former First Lady Michelle Obama wearing his creations.

His most recent fashion show dubbed “Fashion and Artistry” was held last year in Manila in celebration of Metro Magazine’s “my goal is to bring Ex28th year which also featured Battalion to mainstream,” said young Filipino designers Patty Ai-Ai. “I think they will be as Ang and Mark Bumgarner. In popular as Salbakuta. Among 2015, he debuted his Fall/Winter their projects is a show in the U.S. Ipapasyal ko sila sa Disney- Collection at the Manila Fashion Festival. land.”

Leyva’s pursuit of fashion design began when he decided to continue the legacy of his late brother Brian Leyva, who was also singer) performance backgrounds a known fashion designer. Rey and translating them into a would often watch his brother business. play with dolls and sewn gowns “We took it to another level when they were little. Brian, when we brought on our partner who was gay, made a name for Mike, a fine dining chef, because a himself as a designer and started lot of the stuff he does is very visual. a couture business. After much So when we’re doing our drinks, it’s struggle, his father eventually a very visual experience, we plate accepted his sexual orientation. our drinks,” Malone shared. “It’s Growing up, Leyva looked like a show, and even the whole up to Brian because of the experience — from the decor, space courage and hard work. He was and customer service — almost heartbroken when his brother’s Continued on Page 5 life was taken by a mugger on his

way home.

Leyva pursued a pursued a career as a flight attendant but was disqualified from the training. Not long after, he decided to follow his brother’s footsteps of being a fashion designer. It wasn’t easy measuring up to what his brother has started. There were disappointments along the way but he persisted and succeeded in the end. Leyva went to London to complete his studies in fashion design.

“It was unfortunate that my brother died – he would not be able to continue his dream. It was time for me to fulfill his dream to become a fashion designer.” Leyva said in an interview.

Leyva has designed wedding gowns for famous celebrities and received numerous commendations. “Designing a wedding gown is extremely challenging because this is no ordinary occasion. It shouldn’t just look timeless and elegant, it has to make the bride feel beautiful, too.

And this is where my strength, I believe, as a designer lies,” Known for his meticulous eye for detail, romantic silhouettes, and exquisite use of tulle, lace, and embroidery, Leyva knows how to make women look and feel divine.

While he is greatly respected in the local fashion industry, Leyva also looks up to other designers such as elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and fellow Filipino designer

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

Fil-Am owned café pushes Philippine...

From Page 2

By Monet

SERVICES

Michael Cinco. Like them, he wishes to transport women to another world with gowns that capture their imaginations.

Beyond the wedding circuit, Leyva has dressed some of the biggest names in the industry but there is one woman he hopes to dress up one day: Michelle Obama. “She’s the epitome of class and elegance.”

As I said in the beginning, I am fascinated by Filipinos’ creativity.

But I am even more awed by our resilience and determination. I admire Leyva’s work ethic as much as I love his works of art. As I was browsing through this young designer’s creations, I can help but feel emotional knowing what he went through to be where he is. especially now that he is about to introduce his collection outside the local market, I can imagine his brother smiling and saying how proud he is of him. Well, Michael, we all are. Keep up the good work and good luck in the international fashion world. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

5

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M A R C H 23, 20 1 8

The Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program Lombard by the Bay: Retiring in style plus investment RETIRED accountant from Orange County, California Ernie Delfin knows a good investment when he sees one. So it was not hard for him to decide on reserving a condo unit at Lombard

By The Bay, which is becoming one of the faastest-rising property developments in Montemaria, Batangas.

“I decided to reserve a condo unit at (this) Lombard By The Bay for two main reasons: First, my wife is from Batangas City (but on the other side of town — Bgy. Ernie Delfin Tingga Itaas going to Ibaan), said The Bay is a good investment.

Delfin. “Second, although at our “Definitely, especially to retirement age, it’s a great feeling those family who have some (and wise) to know that what we disposable income (savings) that are investing is also an asset that can appreciate in value at the same are not earning enough to out time be enjoyed by the family now, space inflation,” he explained and that we will eventually can leave to then added, “Also to fellow senior citizens who have lots of equity our children and their children. in their primary house in the U.S., He also added that it’s nice to be part of a new resort community where they may consider just pulling some cash (to pay their unit that promises to be like property developments in Manila where you in full via Reverse Mortgage). This can just go down from your unit to can give them tangible benefits.”

He added that instead of just stroll and become like a tourist in your own city — but with fresh air, one asset with low appreciation value — like their primary house in favorable climate and with friends the U.S. — reserving a unit (or two) within minutes. with Lombard By The Bay is the Aimed at providing the perfect investment. most fulfilling experience for its “In this great location, now two residence and guests, Lombard or three properties are appreciating

By The Bay is just a two-hour drive from Manila. Situated on a plateau without any cash outflow problem as the reverse mortgage taken out overlooking the beautiful Verde Island Passage which is considered need not to be paid until it is sold or inherited by the homeowner’s the center of marine biodiversity children,” he said. in the world, it promises to be the Lombard By The Bay is a perfect destination for retirees and 2.1-hectare development and a tourists — local or not. It is also in close proximity to the tallest statue joint venture between Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and of the Virgin Mary, Mother of All Development, Inc. and Omnicor Asia, towering at 317 ft.

Delfin, who also gives financial Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc. (Advertising Supplement) advice, believes that Lombard By

Health@Heart

The Love of Country Ambassadors’ participants taken during their video taping (L-R) Dr. Veronico Agatep, Tita Munoz Palomo, Cora Miller, Mellette Lampino, Gloria Resurecion,and Arturo Flores.

(L-R) James Castillo, Ariana Conechado, Angel Faith Soliven, Lourdes Garcia, Lauren Asunción, Amanda Yu, Camille Knowlton and Jacob Afable.

THE Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program selects women and men that represent four different categories. Our mission is to inspire four specific age groups and generations which we believe will create an even bigger impact and influence in the world. We

believe that you’re never too old or too young to become who might have been or dreamt of becoming. For more information, please visit www.loveof countryambassadors.com.

Fil-Am owned café pushes Philippine...

From Page 4

takes you to a different place.”

One of the standout menu items is the Bibingka Creme Brulee Latte, which is torched like the regular creme brulee dessert and topped with toasted coconut and brown butter. They’re also known for the Campfire Latte and cold brews like the ‘Choco-Nana’ (remake of own housemade banana milk) and ‘One Bra-zillion Coconuts,’ which has shredded coconut from the Philippines and vanilla beans (think along the lines of an Almond Joy).

Unlike bigger coffee shops, the owners of Mostra emphasize the value of customer service and making sure that customers feel welcome and part of a community.

“All my partners and I like to attribute that to being Filipino.

We feel like we’ve brought so much of that Filipino family and hospitality asset that were instilled in us growing up into our business,” Malone said.

Realities of aging

different individuals. While we cannot (yet) do anything about our genes at this stage in science and technology to extend longevity PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS for everyone, we have enough evidence-based medical data today on how to achieve maximal LAST February 28, 2018, my wife, Farida, and I arrived at the Los health benefits through healthy lifestyle and extend our life, our Angeles International Airport from telomeres, to the fullest possible.

Manila, following our two medical Physiology of deterioration missions in the Philippines. While The degeneration starts in the waiting at the lounge for our flight basic cellular foundation of our back to Las Vegas, we received a body as we grow older, varying call from our friend, Lynn Santos, in different individuals since a nurse, who relayed to us the sad people age at different speeds, news that a close mutual friend, a medical colleague who was 84 and but in general the physiological changes start to manifest when we recovering well from a stroke, had collapsed in a grocery store. About reach about 40 years of age, more obvious when we reach about half an hour or so later, while we 65. As we age, all the systems and were on board American Airline’s essential functions of our body flight to Vegas, Lynn called again, work less efficiently, at suboptimal this time to inform us that he had level. Inflammation, the precursor passed away. of almost all diseases, invades A testament the entire body. All the glands Our friend’s departure was in the body secrete significantly a devastating loss to his family, less, if not meager, hormones and friends, and the community. The other essential substances that health issues this physician and regulate the various vital organs his wife of 53 years experienced as in the body. Arteries lose their they grew older were a testament to the realities of aging. This natural elasticity and hardened, causing high blood pressure and arterial part of life, aging, is inescapable, blockages. The blood gets thicker, as much as death is a part of life, increasing the risk for blood clots, without exception or exemption. coronary heart disease and stroke.

In certain ways and instances, we Joint lubricants decrease causing could perhaps alter the progress aggravating arthritic pains. Male and reduce the odds to some and female hormones drop and degree, but the inevitable end is lessen sex drive. The dermal obviously beyond us. collagen and oil production slow As the clock ticks, we are older down and the skin loses turgor and by the second. As we grow older, moisture, becoming thinner and the expected normal wear and thinner, and wrinkles form. tear in our body progress faster Most of our biologic functions and faster, including the reduction peak at age 30, declining in a linear in the secretion of our various essential glands and the weakening fashion thereafter. This, however, does not materially affect our daily of our immune system. activities at this stage. Only stresses Our telomeres – caps at and diseases, and not aging, the ends of each strand of DNA impact the physiology negatively that protect the chromosomes, during this period. similar to plastic tips at the end of Theory of aging shoelaces, which prevents them There are a few, but the from fraying – get damage and the prominent one is the Free Radical telomeres become shorter as our Theory where oxygen-containing body is subjected to all assaults molecules called free radicals, internally and externally. The with a life span of one-millionth shorter the telomeres, the shorter of a second, and are toxic, are the life span.

The speed of the degenerative damaging our body. Free radicals attack the cell’s DNA, causing changes in us depends on our the cells to prematurely die. genes and to a great significant Our body’s natural antioxidant degree, on our lifestyle. That’s (defense) system mops up free why the aging process varies in

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radicals before they could cause damage, but as we grow older, and continue to abuse our body through unhealthy lifestyle and behavior, our body’s immune system becomes less efficient, allowing the free radical level to increase. This negatively impacts the normal cellular regulation and function, which leads to aging and its physical and physiologic consequences, as well as weaker defense system to diseases. On top of the damages from free radicals, external assaults are caused by sunlight, environmental pollution, stress, unhealthy lifestyle (high carbohydrate-low vegetable-low fruit and low nut diet, smoking, alcohol, soft drinks, lack of exercise, and substance abuse).

Just to illustrate the damage: From using a single stick of cigarette alone, trillions of free radicals are generated. And if we added all the assaults listed above, many of which are self-inflicted, it would be clear why our body deteriorates as we grow older. The human body is a fundamentally unique, amazing, efficient, and tough, machine, that can withstand a lot of abuses, but it also has its limit.

Discipline and resolve The harder part of the equation in slowing down aging and avoiding preventable diseases to solve is our lack of personal discipline and resolve. Today, most, if not all of us, know which items are good and which ones are unhealthy to eat or drink, and also know that regular physical exercise and de-stressing are fundamental to our health and longevity. Yet, somehow, we seem to always find enough reasons or excuse to justify our non-compliance with these known and proven scientific principles of healthy living.

As alluded to in the book Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children, inflicting harm to our body with self-abusive behavior and by living an unhealthy lifestyle is masochistic. Some of us appear to have programmed our mind to an auto self-destruct or suicidal mode and continue to do things, or perpetuate bad habits, that we know could maim or kill us.

The book also proposes Continued on Page 6

As for her lessons learned, it’s the hard work and grit to run a business, as well as the benefits it brings to the local and greater economy.

“Mostra was inspired and born from philanthropy work. We intended to give back and help

people, so we did something that came from a true and honest, unselfish place. Beyond just creating opportunities for the Filipino people in the Philippines, we wanted to help create opportunities for our own families. We wanted to create opportunities in our local

Calendar of Events across

community like creating jobs. When the intentions are true and good and you are passionate and fulfilled with what you do, then working every day is exciting,” she said.

To follow Mostra’s latest creations and collaborations — including a current one with Fil-Am-owned Baked Dessert Bar — catch them on Instagram at @mostracoffee or www. mostracoffee.com.

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 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.

A P R I L 1 1 -1 3

Advancing Justice Conference in Washington, DC Advancing Justice Conference in Washington, DC The Advancing Justice Conference is the signature event in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community focusing on civil rights and social justice happening on April 11-13, This three-day, bi-annual convening is hosted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice. It provides a unique forum to learn from issue area experts and community leaders, discuss common challenges and opportunities, share best practices, and find more effective ways to work collaboratively. This year, community leaders from across the U.S. will come together in Washington, D.C. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018advancing-justice-conference-april-11-13-registration-39652865789.

APRIL 14

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 and its auxiliary 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.

APRIL 30

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-andsilent-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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An Asian Journal Magazine

Joey de Leon, Eileen Macapagal tie the knot at the Supreme Court

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M A R c h 23, 20 1 8

Shades of Gray: Catriona sweeps Binibining Pilipinas awards

By Deni

roSe M. afiniDaD-BernarDo Philstar.com

AN early pageant favorite, Catriona elisa Gray, wins as the Philippines’ official representative to the 2018 Miss Universe pageant.

Gray has been crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2018 at the coronation night held in Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City on March 18. from the moment Catriona was named as the first winner of the first-ever Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award, fans of the 24-year-old tV host, model and singer already had a good feeling that she is going home with the topmost title by the end of the night. from winning Best in National Costume in a Mindanao-inspired Jason Demavivas ensemble, Catriona went on to win five of the 11 minor and major special awards given, including Jag Denim Queen, Miss ever Bilena, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Long Gown.

Initially, Gray was pitted against volleyball star Michele Gumabao, who later on went to win as Bb. Pilipinas-Globe 2018.

In the much-awaited Question and Answer portion, Gray was the last of the

contestants called via draw lots. One of the judges, H.e. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Yong Kim, asked her: “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery.

What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”

She nailed the title when she flawlessly answered: “thank you for that question. My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we’re the head of the household and we have amazing influence not only in our families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high. thank you.”

As the new Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2018, Catriona wins: • One year ambassadorship contract with Cream Silk • P500,000 worth of management contract from Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. • P500,000 worth of Dairy

Queen endorsement contract that includes a tV commercial • Complete set of wardrobe from BPCI • full scholarship training from Dale Carnegie • 18 months of salon services and gym membership • Personal accident insurance • P25,000 cash and P25,000 worth of ever Bilena products • P500,000 Pizza Hut endorsement contract, including a tV feature Born in Queensland, Australia, Catriona has an Australian father, Ian Gray, while her mom, Normita ragas Magnayon, is from Albay, which is why she represented Albay in Binibining Pilipinas.

Catriona was named after her paternal grandmother, accomplished painter Catherine Gray nee ross from Scotland.

A taekwondo black belter, Catriona earned a Masters Certificate in Music theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. She also have a Certificate in Outdoor recreation.

Apart from being the lead singer of her school’s jazz band, she starred in local “Miss Saigon” productions. After taking up high school in Australia, she moved to Manila, where she became a top model at the age of 18.

In 2016, Gray was hailed as Miss World Philippines and she competed at the Miss World 2016 pageant, where she landed in the top 5. She also received special awards such as the Multimedia Award, 2nd place in talent, and top 5 finalist for Beauty with a Purpose project.

If victorious, Gray will become the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe titleholder, following Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973) and Pia Wurtzbach (2015), who hosted the 2018 Bb. Pilipinas pageant alongside richard Gutierrez.

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

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

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

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

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

After 35 years of being together, veteran tV host Joey de Leon and eileen Macapagal finally tied the knot in a civil ceremony recently held at the Supreme Court.

“Mr. and Mrs. De Leon,” Joey shared in an Instagram post on March 20. the newly married long-time couple only invited close friends and family members for their life’s milestone.

Joey’s “eat Bulaga” co-hosts and long-time friends tito Sotto, Allan K, and Pauleen Luna-Sotto posted on their Instagram pages their congratulatory messages for the newly weds. “that’s it! Natuloy din!” said Senator Sotto in a selfie with his wife Helen Gamboa, with the newly weds on the background. the senator and his wife also posted a video of Helen dancing with Joey’s other “eat Bulaga” cohost ruby rodriguez, presumably at the wedding reception.

Comedian Allan K posted a photo of the couple kissing and captioned it: “congrats joey and eileen.”

Joey de Leon and Eileen Macapagal seal their marriage with a kiss.

Pauleen, Vic Sotto’s wife, said on a post that the marriage is “A testament of His love and mercy.” “today, we say together that God listens to those who believe,” Pauleen added. “Pasasalamat ko ay pang habang panahon,

Photo courtesy of Allan K

ang hiling ko nalang ay sana’y maglaon, pagsasama natin kaloob ng Panginoon. Maraming salamat eileen De Leon. God listens to those who believe! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. de Leon!!!!”

Joey and eileen have three children: Jocas, Jako, and Jio.

Stella Abrera leads American Ballet stars in the dance event of the year By

ricky ToleDo, chiTo viJanDre Philstar.com

SteLLA ABrerA — the first filipino-American to reach the top rank of principal dancer at the American Ballet theatre (ABt), the prestigious, world-renowned national ballet company of the United States — is coming to Manila for a rare series of special shows from April 5 to 7, together with eight of her fellow ABt ballet stars.

Stella considers this as another chance to give back to the land of her birth. When she was in the country to do Giselle for Ballet Philippines in 2014, she founded Steps forward for the Philippines to help in the restoration of a school in Guiuan, the town hit first and hardest by the super typhoon Haiyan. this time, her show “An Intimate evening with Stella Abrera & American Ballet Stars” is being presented for the benefit of CeNteX (Center of excellence in Public elementary education), Ayala foundation’s flagship program providing holistic, quality education for economically disadvantaged children.

But perhaps her greatest gift to the Philippines is being the best artist she can be — a role model whose accomplishments have given filipinos here and abroad a sense of pride and a source of endless inspiration. Although she felt at home in the ballet world where she practically grew up, Abrera realized that there were many aspiring filipino dancers as well as other people of color who felt excluded from this rarefied world of dance.

Ballet has always traditionally been a predominantly white affair so when a filipino-American like Abrera makes it as principal in one of the world’s leading ballet companies, the whole dance world just takes notice.

It was not an easy path. Born in Manila, Abrera grew up in different cities around the world — thanks to her civil engineer father’s job that brought them from the United States to Brazil, Indonesia and Australia. One constant was her love for dance and her parents’ encouragement, enrolling her in dance classes wherever they were based, starting at age five in Pasadena, California. She also has fond memories of listening to her mother playing classical pieces on the piano, helping her develop her musicality.

Her life-changing break came when she studied the royal Academy of Dance method in Sydney and travelled to London to compete at the royal Academy of Dance’s Adeline Genée Awards where she won the gold medal in 1995. this was where she was noticed by ross Stretton who offered her the opportunity to audition for the American Ballet theatre in New York. Accepted as an apprentice, she was promoted to the corps de ballet in just three months, receiving accolades from critics like Anna

Kisselgof of the New York times who said that Abrera “gave each shape a gorgeous fullness” in Airs, choreographed by Paul taylor.

Promoted to soloist in 2001, she was memorable in roles like Myrta in Giselle, Gamzatti in La Bayadère and Hermia in the Dream.

But after enjoying a few years of exceptional performances, which firmly established her at ABt as well as in the dance world, she suffered a serious sciatic nerve injury that threatened to end her career in 2008. It was a painful and frustrating time when she became so weak that even old women with walkers in the street could outpace her. receiving treatment and therapy for almost two years, she vowed to return to dancing by regaining strength, doing daily ballet classes and practically relearning everything again. It was short of a miracle that she got back to where she left off and even went beyond, doing a triumphant Giselle in 2015 which was reported by the New York times critic Alistair Macaulay: “the audience greeted her with the warmth usually reserved for the most revered ballerinas… her dancing was luminous and all of it was stylish and heartfelt; but above all in Act II, where the dead Giselle dances to save her lover from death, she made it clear that dance was a spiritual act. Her steps were filled with yearning for him and devotion to dance itself.”

We saw her perform as the Lilac fairy in La Belle Au Bois Dormant at the Opera Bastille in Paris in 2016 when she was already promoted to principal and this devotion was definitely evident. She has an effortless grace and presence on stage that is mesmerizing. You can’t imagine how we as well as other balletomanes are excited for her coming show.

“We are so grateful to have Stella join us for this unbelievable opportunity,” says Sofia Zobel elizalde, committee chair for the benefit performance and founder of Steps Dance Studio, which is also hosting master classes by Abrera and her husband Sascha radetsky from April 2 to 4. “She’s not only an amazing dancer and artist, but a true lady in every way. I am thrilled that the filipino audience will get a chance to see her live and be inspired by her spirit.”

Sofia, who has always had a passion for theater and dance, which she believes is an often overlooked discipline in the country, feels “it’s important to have arts available to all students as it gives these children a chance to experience a strong discipline, learn a beautiful art form, and build their self-esteem.”talented students at CeNteX with an aptitude for dance are given dance scholarships at StePS. Just as exciting for ballet aficionados are the ABt stars who will be making their debut on the

Realities of aging

From Page 5

healthy lifestyle and disease prevention should begin at the cellular (DNA) level starting in the womb and in the crib, to protect the integrity of the DNA as early as possible. Damaging the DNA-telomeres with our unhealthy habits and insults from our environment lead to major metabolic (diabetes, thyroid illness), pulmonary, cardiovascular

(heart attack and stroke), and, especially cancer.

With volumes of evidencebased medical data on healthy lifestyle and with our more informed selves today, disease prevention is much easier to achieve compared to five or more decades ago. We no longer have any excuse not to maximize our health and longevity. to do otherwise is simply asinine.

Stella Abrera

Philippine stage. Gillian Murphy, whom we saw as an amazing Princess Aurora in the Paris show in 2016, is an acclaimed and multiawarded principal dancer who created Clara, the Princess in Alexei ratmansky’s the Nutcracker and danced Odette-Odille in the ABt telecast of Swan Lake. She has appeared as guest artist in several ballet companies around the world including a debut at the Mariinsky.

Isabella Boylston, now famous as the ballet dancer double of Jennifer Lawrence in the film red Sparrow, started ballet at age three and won a gold medal in 2001 at the Youth America Grand Prix finals in NYC. As principal, she regularly takes lead roles in the company’s repertory, aside from creating roles for new works. Like Abrera, she also contributes to education programs and scholarships for children in her hometown in Sun Valley, Idaho.

A recipient of the Chris Hellman Dance Award, soloist Blaine Hoven created the Italian Prince in ratmansky’s the Sleeping Beauty and Don Zucchero in Whipped Cream as well as other roles in contemporary ABt productions. roman Zhurbin, originally from Moscow, has done various roles for the company, from the High Brahmin in La Bayadere to Dr. Coppelius in Coppelia, aside from creating the Indian prince in ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty and Alonso in the tempest.

Arron Scott, another soloist, had leading roles in Airs, Bach Partita and the Brahms-Haydn Variations. Catherine Hurlin was cited in the “Dancers to Watch” list when she played ABt’s Clara in ratmansky’s the Nutcracker and has excelled in many succeeding performances like in a recent Don Quixote where she partnered with Skylar Brandt.

Joo Won Ahn, originally from Wonju, Korea joined ABt after winning the gold medal at Youth America Grand Prix. He was praised by critics when he did a poignant pas de deux with Misty Copeland in Christopher Wheldon’s thirteen Diversions.

Studying with the ABt school from age eight, Jose Sebastian has had extensive experience in various roles with the company and has been singled out for his clean, elegant lines, jumps and leaps. . *** 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. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY MARCH 23, 2018

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY MARCH 23, 2018