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Volume 25 - No. 10 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

march 23-29, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Palace believes more countries to exit from ICC

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

mAlAcAñAng believes that more countries are likely to follow the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International criminal court (Icc).

According to Palace spokesperson harry roque Jr., there’s also a possibility that south Africa would initiate the withdrawal proceedings. “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 thursday, march 22. he also noted that “major countries” like the United states, russia and china are “not parties to the Icc.” NATIONAL CONVENTION. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Committee (MRRD“I have read reports that countries like south NECC) National Convention at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 21. The president extended his invitation to political and social Africa, although it has relented from its earlier 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 Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

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Inquirer.net photo

DATELINE

USA

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

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 Philippine Defense secretary lorenzana.

In an interview with cnn Philippines on tuesday, march Inquirer.net photo 20, lorenzana bared the usual

Trump unveils plan for opioid crisis, mirrors Duterte in first address

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 manches-

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Duterte: PH won’t join US expeditions

Malacañang photo by Robsinon Niñal

China warns PH planes flying over West PH Sea

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

long as they are pro-development.

Philippine Defense Secretary Lorenzana

exchange of words between countries amid patrols within conflicted territories. “these [Philippine] planes, every time that they fly over these features of chinese, they will 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. the Philippines, on the other

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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 me-

dia 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 perThe Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has earned the tenth spot in the Top 10 World’s Most Improved cent, followed by metro manila Airports by London-based research firm Skytrax.

Inquirer.net photo with 93 percent, mindanao with

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Pacquiao camp says Top Rank deal already expired

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.

“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 not ask for more,” he said.

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

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by Dana

SioSon AJPress

NAIA among ‘most improved’ airports in the world

by AJPress

A PhIlIPPIne airport that was once considered as among the “worst airports” is now among the “most improved” airports around the globe. the ninoy Aquino International Airport (nAIA) has earned the tenth spot in the top 10 World’s most Improved Airports by london-based research firm skytrax. taking the top spots were fiumicino Airport in rome, Italy, followed by Perth Airport in Western Australia, and then calgary International Airport in Alberta, canada. completing the list were taoyuan PROMOTED. President Rodrigo Duterte pins the rank International Airport in taiwan, Athens insignia on newly-promoted Philippine Army reserve International Airport in greece, nadi InColonel Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, March 13. ternational Airport in fiji, Aéroports de Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain 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 yearon-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, arriv-

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maRch 23-29, 2018 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOURNaL

China warns PH planes flying over...

PAGE A1 hand, continues to assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Lorenzana said the country conducts regular 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

From the Front Page

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 Secretary 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

SWS: ‘Record-high’ number of Pinoys...

PAGE A1

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

DEFENDERS. Supporters of Supreme Court Chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno troop to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 20, to ask the High Court to drop a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida. In her pleading, the Chief Justice–who was forced to go on indefinite leave–said the SC has no jurisdiction to sack her from office via quo warranto because “the text of the 1987 Constitution, the Constitutional Commission’s deliberations and established jurisprudence consistently state that impeachable officials like her can be ousted ‘only by impeachment.’”

ManilaTimes.net photo by Andre De La Cruz

Palace believes more countries...

PAGE A1 decision to withdraw from the court, will initiate withdrawal proceedings again. So, the Philippines is not alone,” he added.

The Philippines decided to pull out its signature from the Roman Statute, a treaty that established the ICC, amid the court’s preliminary examination on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s antinarcotics drive.

The preliminary examination apparently angered Duterte, who slammed the alleged bias and “outrageous attacks” against him by the ICC and UN officials. Duterte also claimed that the “rude” ICC is being used as a “political tool” to harass the country.

The United Nations (UN) said it had received the official notification of the Philippines’ deci-

sion 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.

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

Trump unveils plan for opioid crisis, mirrors...

PAGE A1 ter Community College in New Hampshire, a state which is been hit particularly hard by the opioid crisis.

“The only way to solve the drug problem is through toughness,” Trump said on Monday, March 19. “If we don’t get tough on the drug dealers, we are wasting our time, and that toughness includes the death penalty.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has alluded to imposing the death penalty on certain drug traffickers. In early March, the president brought up the issue of implementing the death penalty for drug dealers at a rally in Pennsylvania wherein he claimed that individual drug dealers are responsible for the mass deaths by opioid addiction.

“Drug traffickers kill so many thousands of our citizens every year,” Trump asserted before an impassioned audience of supporters. “Thousands of people are killed or their lives destroyed, their families are destroyed. So you can kill thousands of people and go to jail for 30 days. They catch a drug dealer, [and] they don’t even put them to jail.”

Trump’s stricter penalties for narcotics crimes has concerned health and treatment advocates, who’ve advised the administration that it cannot punish its way into remedying the opioid epidemic.

Opioids refer to a group of drugs that range from codeine to illegal narcotics like heroin.

These drugs — which are primarily for pain relief — are the strongest legal pain remedies and are only available through a doctor’s prescription.

Examples of opiates include morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, methadone, diamorphine and alfentanil and when taken irresponsibly, can be highly addictive and, when abused, can be lethal.

Recent figures from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) found that nearly 42,000 Americans have died from an opioid overdose in 2016 and in the past year, that number of deaths has increased by 30 percent; since 1999, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths has quadrupled.

States at the highest risk of opioid abuse include West Virginia, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, which all had the highest rates of death from drug overdose in 2016, according to the CDC. Trump’s plan: What’s in it?

Trump has long announced his plan to eradicate the opioid problem during his term, once calling the epidemic a “national shame.”

In October 2017, he declared it a public health emergency.

According to a CNN report, an administration official said that the Justice Department will be “examining to move ahead with to make sure [the death penalty

proposal is] done appropriately,” and will not wait for congressional approval to propose legislation to make the death penalty measure happen.

Another key part of the plan involves urging lawmakers to lower the number of drugs possessed that prompts mandatory minimum sentences for certain opioids to accurately represent “the new reality of drugs like fentanyl, which are lethal in much, much smaller doses,” Bremberg said.

Moreover, these new penalties are strictly meant for those dealers who traffick large quantities of opioids and not those who “are growing pot in the backyard or a friend who has a low-level possession crime,” Bremberg clarified.

Currently, federal law states that a person may be sentenced to 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 low-level drug dealers who are addicts themselves could be disproportionately affected.

“You have to recognize --- the distinction between drug dealer and someone who is opioidaddicted 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 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 PAGE A4

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 23-29, 2018

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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

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maRch 23-29, 2018 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOURNaL

NAIA among ‘most improved’ airports...

PAGE A1 als, 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

Dateline USa

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

Pacquiao camp says Top Rank deal...

PAGE A1 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 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 promotion. 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

Duterte: PH won’t join US...

PAGE A1 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

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

would only participate in joint explorations “unless we are threatened directly.”

“Unless we are threatened 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

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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. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

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Every family has a unique history. But for some families in the Rocky Mountains, their roots go beyond borders, cultures, and blood. “Lost & Found” — the newest BA Original Documentary – tells their stories.

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

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

THE story of coming to America from the Philippines is a powerful one often told through the perspective of the hard working immigrant or the overseas foreign worker. But one narrative that a group of Filipino-American filmmakers 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.

“Lost & Found” is a short documentary produced by The Filipino Channel’s program “Balitang America” (News America) that tells the story of adoption, but takes it a step further by focusing on families living not in the coastal states of California or New York, but in the mountain-locked city of Bozeman, Montana where a small population of young Filipinos find themselves most at home.

“We’re always trying to tell the story of Filipinos in all places of America — including states you don’t expect to find many Filipinos,” said Steve Angeles, correspondent for Balitang America and producer of the documentary. “There must be a unique story when it comes to Filipinos outside of California, Nevada, or New York.”

Through aerial footage of tropical and lush Philippine greenery, juxtaposed with sweeping mountains and snow covered roads of the Rocky Mountain region, the film does put into perspective just how different the backgrounds of these families and their adopted children are. But it also brings truth to the cliché suggesting that home is indeed where the heart is.

“All of the kids we met were really cool. They showed us love as if we were one of their own,” said Jeremiah Ysip, the Northern California based Emmy-award winning videographer who filmed the documentary.

Ysip likened the initial meeting to meeting long lost family members.

Like many kids and young adults living in the United States, the Filipino adoptees enjoyed things like music, studying, getting their own cars, and even going to Vegas with friends.

In one home, a young Filipina and her American mother casually talked about Filipino food. In another, a trio of siblings reminisced on the transition of moving to America — one of who has started a family of her own. And then there was the home of 12-year-old Ryder Reddig whose personal story of going through medical treatments after being born in unfortunate circumstances brought the Balitang America team to Bozeman in the first place.

Born with a disfiguring tumor that affected his hearing and sight, 12-year-old Ryder Reddig has come a long way from his life at the Rehoboth Children’s Home in Rizal, Philippines where he grew up after being abandoned as a baby.

Through the Sacred Portion Children’s Outreach — a Hague accredited adoption agency

A change of scenery. The Wambeke siblings grew up in a Manila orphanage, and now, they live in Montana, along the Rocky Mountain View.

Photo courtesy of Jeremiah Ysip

— the young Reddig now lives a life familiar to many kids across the U.S. after being adopted by Quinn and Alyson Reddig of Minot, North Dakota who provided him with both a home and a series of successful medical treatments.

With a population of nearly 45,000, Bozeman is the fourth largest city in Montana. Of its total population, less than two percent are of Asian ethnicity. The percentage drops to less than one percent when accounting for Filipinos.

Ysip and Angeles mused that the kids were happy to see new Filipino faces.

“They haven’t seen Filipinos in a long time so they were pretty happy to see a couple of Filipino strangers out there,” said Angeles.

Upon recalling one of his most memorable moments, Ysip looked back to meeting brothers Ron and Nante Kroon, and their fellow adoptee friend Ariel Wambeke. The three were among the older of the adopted kids featured in the documentary.

“That moment was memorable to me because it was was as if they were seeing their reflection for the first time and finally saw themselves,” said Ysip.

“That unspoken connection between kababayans is what bind us and makes us Filipino,” he added. “Despite being far removed from their homeland and other Filipinos, that deep connection only proves that kapwa spirit of one.”

On the parents, Angeles said, “you can’t help but admire them for what they did for these once orphaned Pinoys. They were surprisingly quite open also with their life stories.”

Nearly 1.8 million children in the Philippines are neglected or abandoned, a number reached by the United Nations’ Children’s Rights & Emergency Relief Organization. That’s more than one percent of the country’s entire population.

According to the U.S. Department of State, 127 adoptions from the Philippines to the U.S. were made in 2016, the lowest it’s been in a ten year decline which has in part been due to factors in the Philippines.

“Theirs is a different tale compared to the average Filipino immigrant,” said Troy Espera, executive producer at Balitang America, who has produced Emmy Award winning stories. “It’s also a very American story that highlights the compassion and generosity of the Bozeman families who opened their homes to these international orphans.”

The crew behind “Lost & Found” is hoping that the documentary will open the eyes of viewers to the story of adoption, especially adoption from the Philippines.

Talking from his own previous views shaped by images and commercials on television, Ysip said that actually meeting the kids gave him a new perspective that was more positive and hopeful.

“These kids may have been in orphanages, but they were taken care of there in the Philippines,” said Ysip. “All these kids needed was a permanent home where they can plant themselves and bloom so high that even if they grow from concrete and now live in the snow, that they reach their fullest potential.”

Angeles said that the story of the adoptees is also timely as the U.S. faces anti-immigrant sentiments often exemplified through viral hate crime videos.

But if there’s one thing he’s learned from covering their stories is that good people still do exist, in places one may not expect.

“It takes a lot of heart and courage and unconditional love to do what these families do,” said Angeles.

For Ysip, he learned that it wasn’t just the children that were lost and found, but the parents.

“Maybe not lost that they didn’t have direction in their lives, but lost meaning there was a missing void in their lives that they didn’t know how to fill,” he explained.

“I learned that love, as cliché as it sounds, really has no boundaries,” Ysip added. “Regardless of where you’re from, two worlds can be bridged and connected.”

“Lost & Found” was aired on Saturday, March 17 on The Filipino Channel which hopes to submit the documentary to film festivals across the U.S.

Trump unveils plan for opioid crisis, mirrors...

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PAGE A2 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 re-

lease 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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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

Kerwin Espinosa and Peter Lim

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 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 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 previ-

‘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 Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II Inquirer.net photo

ously 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 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,” Philstar.com photos Aguirre explained. n

tHe House of Representatives on Monday, March 19, approved on its third and final reading, a bill seeking to introduce divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.

Lawmakers approved House Bill No. 7303 or “An Act instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines” with a vote of 134-51-2. the bill aims to give “the opportunity to spouses in irremediably failed marriages to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined judicial procedures to terminate a continuing dysfunction of a long broken marriage.” it likewise aims to grant the divorced spouses the “right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.”

Among the grounds of divorce include existing grounds for legal separation under Article 55 of the Family code, and annulment under Article 45 of the same code, which include physical violence, homosexuality, marital infidelity, and affliction of sexually transmissible infection, among others.

Grounds also include separation in fact for at least five years, legal separation by judicial decree for at least two years, psychological incapacity, gender reassignment surgery, irreconcilable differences, and joint petition of spouses.

Following the House’s approval, the bill will then be submitted to senate. the divorce bill, however, will seem to have a hard time in getting approval at the senate as several senators had already expressed opposition to the measure.

Duterte ‘anti-divorce’ President Rodrigo Duterte is against the divorce bill, according to Malacañang.

“He doesn’t want to comment but since there was voting already in congress, the president is against divorce,” Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing.

Duterte, according to Roque, thinks divorce should not be made legal as “children would be pitiful if there will be divorce.”

House senior deputy minority leader Rep. Lito Atienza, who had earlier expressed strong opposition to the bill during plenary deliberations, lauded Duterte’s stand. “the president has saved the Filipino family with his strong position against divorce, which has been passed on second reading in the House,” Atienza said. expressing “strong” agreement with the president, Atienza pointed out that “divorce would be very detrimental to mothers and children.”

He went on to say, “through ayes and nays, i, together with a miniscule number of lawmakers voiced our opposition to the bill

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.

by AJPress

secretary Roy cimatu, tourism secretary Wanda tulfo-teo, and Local Government officer-incharge undersecretary eduardo Año recommended a one-year closure for the rehabilitation of the island. the Philippine chamber of commerce and industry (Pcci), however, warned that shutting the island will negatively impact the country’s economy.

Pcci noted that 20 percent of the tourism industry’s total income was sourced from Boracay. the tourism industry, as a whole, was the third-biggest contributor

to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Last month, Duterte likened Boracay to a “cesspool” due to the island’s dysfunctional sewerage system.

On March 6, Duterte threatened to put Boracay under the state of calamity if his six-month ultimatum to clean it up is not met. the president also threatened to arrest local government officials and resort owners if they refuse to cooperate or protested the ongoing investigation and efforts to rehabilitate Boracay. n

MALAcAñANG on Monday, March 19 assured the public that there would be no permanent closure of Boracay island.

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. clarified that any closure would only be partial and would serve as “remedial” measures to clean up the worldfamous tourist destination. “the permanent closure of Boracay is unacceptable. if there will be any partial closure [on the island] it is to ensure that Boracay will be viable for the next generations to come,” Roque told reporters.

During a news briefing held in Nabua, camarines sur, Roque assured that President Rodrigo Duterte will be making a “fair” decision on the recommendation to close the island for a maximum of one year. the Palace official also added that Duterte would take into consideration the small resort owners’ plight when he makes a decision on the closure.

“What the president has said is he will be fair with what he will do to Boracay and he is a president who listens. Whatever he will do, it is intended for the welfare of Boracay. But as of now, he has but our collective voices were no decision yet,” Roque said.

Senator Nancy Binay is joined by Department of Tourism spokesperson Assistant Secretary ultimately drowned out by the Last March 15, the interagency Frederick M. Alegre during the inspection of business establishments in Boracay. majority of congressmen for the task force led by the environment Senate photo passage of the bill on second reading.”

“We admire the president’s display of strength and character. He did not allow himself to be stampeded by the mob on this critical issue,” he added.

Meanwhile, Akbayan Rep. tom Villarin slammed Duterte for his “turnaround” as he accused the president of “pandering” to the new president of the catholic Bishops’ conference of the Philippines (cBcP). “i think Duterte’s turnaround in the divorce bill is his way of pandering to the new cBcP president, Bishop Romulo Valles, who is from Davao,” Villarin said in a statement. “it shows how he uses people’s issues to prop his politics and sow organized chaos to deflect us from his main political agenda of strongman rule.”

Last week, Valles reiterated the catholic church’s stance against divorce, as he appealed to proponents and supporters of the bill to “consider seriously” the “social costs” of an easy dissolution of marriage.

Valles warned that in a context in which divorce is presented as an “easy option,” marriages and families are “bound to break up more easily,” and more children “will grow up disoriented and deprived of the care of both parents.” n

House approves divorce bill on final reading

by AJPress

Palace: Possible Boracay closure only temporary

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

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OpiniOn

Boracay shutdown

Features

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

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

PeaceMaker FoRmeR SpeakeR JoSe C. de VeneCia, JR. (Part 2 of 3) (Remarks of Hon. Jose De Venecia, Former Speaker, 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 nuclear-armed 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 suc-

Philstar.com photo

17 school shootings in the first 11 weeks of 2018: Has America been desensitized to gun violence? 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 before. 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 them with detention, suspension, even corporal punishment in some states, just to subjugate them.

In pursuit of lasting peace cess, 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 SixParty 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 thinktanks of Asia, U.S., and Europe to envision the architecture of Korean confederation and unification, actively revive Seoul’s Kim Dae Jung “Sunshine PolPAGE A7

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 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

The future of California’s businesses require a sustainable, energy efficient approach Commentary denniS HuanG,

exeCutiVe diReCtoR and Ceo, aSian BuSineSS aSSoCiation WITH nearly 5 million Asian Americans residing in California—approximately one-third of the U.S.’s estimated 15 million Asian Americans—we have an immense responsibility to take care of the state where we work and live.

Unsurprisingly, reducing our carbon footprint and improving our overall behaviors to become more energy efficient is a priority for California. Moreover, it only requires a few simple changes in our daily lives.

In the past when I entered my office and watched the motion sensor lights go on, I was unknowingly doing my small part to save energy for California. Or when I shut off the coffee maker, or power down my computer, it made a difference. And I know that as my members step into the office for meetings they too may wonder why we are doing it, but as the saying goes - lead by example. For over 16 years, I have worked to represent Asian American business interests in Los Angeles. Helping individuals achieve their own unique

goals is the most rewarding aspect of my work, and I have seen countless successes borne from humble beginnings.

Looking around Southern California communities today, you will see a wide variety of businesses owned and operated by Asian Americans. From manufacturers and consultants, to hospitality and food services, our community has always shown an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to seize opportunity when we see it.

The success of Asian American-owned businesses is now linked to the overall success of the California economy. But in order to sustain the growth we’ve seen, we must acknowledge the complicated realities of owning a business in today’s environment.

Among the many costs and complicating factors in running a business, one of the most challenging is managing energy consumption and mitigating overall carbon footprint.

California business owners are unique – as one of the most environmentally conscious states in the country, there are strict controls around air, water, and land use. We are constantly striving to meet the demands of a very active and engaged California consumer, while trying to still make money to invest back into their busiPAGE A7

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

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 23-29, 2018

PH Senate passes national ID bill

by Bernadette

A

e. tamayo

ManilaTimes.net

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

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian

Cayetano cites ‘golden era’ in relations with China

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano reaffirmed Philippines’ support for China under the administration of President rodrigo Duterte, citing a “golden era” of relationship between the two countries. in an expanded bilateral meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday at the Diaoyutai State guesthouse, Cayetano said the Philippines and China are in the “golden era” of relations in pursuing advance cooperations, adding that both countries are ready for challenges resulting to positive ties. “our relationship which is in golden period and positive relations, are now ready to face challenges together. The Philippines and China are proceeding on the principles of mutual trust, respect and sovereign equality,” Cayetano said.

For his part, Wang vowed to “enhance maritime dialogue and pursue equal footed and friendly consultation, in a prudent and steady way in order to advance cooperation on offshore oil and gas exploration”.

Wang said since 2016, the high level exchanges and political mutual trust have resulted to a high volume of trades between the two countries.

“Last year, two way trade surpassed to USD50 billion. China is recently the largest trading partner of the Philippines and our investment (in the Philippines) has enjoyed a 67% growth for the year,” Wang added.

The bilateral trade reached USD51.2 billion last year, with a year-on-year increase of 8.5 percent. in the tourism sector, Cayetano said China has become the Phil-

ippines’ second largest source of foreign visitors, with close to one million trips made last year.

“We likewise thank China for their contribution to the tourism industry with 1 million tourists visiting the Philippines in the last year. We also appreciate China’s assistance to our agriculture sector by increasing imports of Philippine tropical fruits and other agricultural products,” he said.

Cayetano also announced the attendance of Duterte to the upcoming BoAo Forum next month in Hainan Province, China.

“He (Duterte) will participate in this non-government, nonprofit international organization which will bring together government, business and academic leaders in Asia and other continents to share opinions on pressing issues in the region and the world,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano has personally handed over the congratulatory letter of Duterte to Chinese President Xi Jin Ping, after the latter was re-elected as China’s president.

He said the Philippines is willing to work with China to advance cooperation including security and in-depth development of bilateral ties. “i hand carried a letter from President rodrigo roa Duterte congratulating President Xi on his re-election and re-affirming that the Philippines and China should continue working together with all stakeholders in advancing security, stability and prosperity,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also mentioned that China and the Philippines are continuously working on the maritime sphere despite their differences.

“While we have do have differences, we are also pursuing co-

In pursuit of lasting...

PAGE A6 icy”, 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 future of California’s...

PAGE A6 nesses.

And while we don’t have to deal with hurricanes in California, there are a number of variables influenced by climate change business owners have to consider: from droughts to power surges, the fluctuating price of fuel, or deciding which renewable resources to rely on and when – not to mention the cost to install new energy supply mechanisms – businesses face a whole host of energy-related decision challenges.

Sometimes it can be a real challenge to keep the lights on, which is why incorporating sustainable practices into your business as early as possible is so important. Smarter energy use isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business – your business. So, what if we could make turning the lights on less expensive? energy efficient measures can wind up paying dividends in the long run, and can be the difference between a company’s initial success and long-term growth.

Fortunately, the state of California has recognized the valuable role sustainability can play in growing our economy. After all, you don’t become the sixth largest economy without some creative solutions.

Through programs like energy Upgrade California, it’s easy to find ways for businesses of all shapes and

sizes to save money through energy efficiency and better resource management. it can be as easy as upgrading to LeD lightbulbs that last 25-times longer and use 75 percent less energy – as we’ve done in our ABA offices – or unplugging appliances that aren’t being used.

California today is not only achieving more with less energy, we are investing in a smart energy future and building the foundation for long-term growth. in fact, our state produces twice as much economic output for every kilowatt-hour consumed compared to the rest of the country. Ben Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” and for the vitally important Asian American-owned business community, it couldn’t be more important to seeing more efficient operation and clearing the runway for even more impressive growth in the future.

So when i leave the office today, tomorrow and over the weekend, our office lights will go out, i will smile knowing that i will save a few pennies. everyone in the state, can “Do Your Thing” to make California more energy efficient that will lead to a safer and healthier place for the next generation. *** Dennis Huang is the executive director and CEO of the Asian Business Association and a partner of Energy Upgrade California.

operation in the maritime sphere.

Through positive developments and our continued unwavering commitment to the DoC we look forward to the start of substantive negotiations on the CoC,” he added.

Cayetano, expressed high hopes on the results of the two countries’ discussions, saying he is looking forward to the continued development of PhilippineChinese relations.

Cayetano was the first foreign chief to visit China after “two sessions” — the annual meetings of the national legislature and the top political advisory body in China. (Greggy Eugenio/PNA)

THe Philippine Senate on Monday, March 19, passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to harmonize “redundant” government identification cards (iDs) with a national identification system.

Seventeen senators voted for the bill’s passage while two others — Senators risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan — did not.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, sponsor of Senate Bill 1738 or the Philippine identification System (PhilSys) Act of 2018, said there are 33 different forms of “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies.

He said the measure would help the public to “easily” transact with government and private institutions. “The huge number of government-issued iDs may lead to ‘duplication’ of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches,” the senator said.

Lacson said the Phililippine Statistics office (PSA) would need P25 billion in five years to fully implement the national iD system.

“A newborn child will be given a ‘temporary’ iD. But the iD to be issued to us will be our iD until we die. We’ll bring it to our grave. no one will ever use that. The iD is unique,” he said in Filipino. “it will also help deter criminality,” he added.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee Public order and Dangerous Drugs, said the

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the public has nothing to fear about the Philippine ID system since it would only contain very basic demographic and biometric data of every Filipino citizen and resident alien.

Infographic by John Nicole Villamayor/Philstar.com

establishment of a national reference System could help law enforcers deter criminality and terrorism by facilitating the processes of apprehension and prosecution.

The Senate and House of representatives will harmonize, during the bicameral conference committee, conflicting provisions in their respective versions to come up with a measure that they can ratify.

Lacson said the House wanted to make the iD “functional.” “in the Senate version, it’s a combination of foundational and functional. Foundational, meaning each and every Filipino and even resident aliens who are here for 180 days will be armed with a legal and valid identification or identity,” he explained.

“There will be a problem if it is functional because we have 33 functional iDs: driver’s license,

Post office (iD or postal iD), gSiS (government Service insurance System iD), SSS (Social Security System iD), etc. Do we really want to incorporate them into one iD? We’re not yet ready for that. So, that would be part of the discussion in the bicam,” he added.

Under the bill, the national iD system establishes the PhilSys number, PhiliD and PhilSys registry.

The PhilSys number is a randomly generated identification number for each individual, to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies.

PhiliD is a non-transferable card with the PSn, full name, facial image, date of birth, address, and fingerprints of the bearer.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will act as the PhilSys registry. n

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the asian journal entertainment magazine

march 23-29, 2018

www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.

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march 23-29, 2018

Filipino cuisine gains visibility in America

2

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.

by MoMar G. Visaya /AJPress 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.

Chef Andre Guerrero (Oinkster) with Chef Romy Dorotan & Amy Besa (Purple Yam) “This was our mastermind plan: Alvin Cailan (Eggslut/Amboy) Inquirer.net photo If we could get to a point where Photo from Instagram/@chefandreguererro 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 Johneric and Christine Concordia (Park’s Nicole Ponseca (Jeepney and Maharlika) and got them graded.

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

Two purveyors – Tom Cunanan and Margarita Manzke – get James Beard nods

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”.

Chef Charles Olalia (Ricebar)

the Philippines was graded a 95,” Malone said.

Before the new retail space, Mostra had been operating at a warehouse for the past four years and opened a coffee cart outside — after people had started coming 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 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

Bibingka crème brûlée latte Photos courtesy of Jelynn Malone

TV actress/host) and Beverly Magtanong’s (professional opera singer) performance backgrounds and translating them into a business.

“We took it to another level when we brought on our partner Mike, a fine dining chef, because a lot of the stuff he does is very visual. So when we’re doing our drinks, it’s a very visual experience, we plate our drinks,” Malone shared. “It’s like a show, and even the whole experience — from the decor, space and customer service — almost takes you to a different place.”

Continued on Page 5

Photo by Deb Lyndsay

Big Boi’s menu features combo meals with options of chicken adobo, Freshly baked pan de sal and ube butter pancit, pork sisig, tocino and BBQ skewers, as well as a la carte items Photo courtesy of Big Boi Filipino like sinigang and lumpia shanghai.

Fil-Am chef Barb Batiste turns to Filipino classics at Big Boi on Sawtelle

Chef Walter Manzke and his wife Margarita

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 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 Chef Sheldon Simeon Photo courtesy Bravo TV winner and food critic Jonathan

Chad and Chase Valencia (LASA)

Chef Tom Cunanan

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).

Photo by Michelle Park

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 Continued on Page 6

by Christina M. oriel AJPress

SAWTELLE Boulevard in West Los Angeles is another haven for those with eager tastebuds and stomachs, as blocks are lined with sushi bars, ramen places, and Boba tea shops, as well as other selections from Korean to American cuisine. No matter the day of the week or time, many of the establishments often carry long waits.

The area — known as Sawtelle Japantown — has been home to B Sweet Dessert Bar for close to four years, a dessert shop founded by Filipina-American chef Barb Batiste.

Batiste recently sat down with the Asian Journal to talk about Big Boi Filipino, her latest fastcasual venture along the busy thoroughfare that opened in midJanuary, just six stores down from B Sweet.

Batiste — who was born in Manila but grew up in the U.S. — has a background in graphic design and ventured into the world of desserts after developing a chocolate chip banana bread recipe on the side.

Her experience includes serving as executive pastry chef at the Loews Santa Monica Beach and then head pastry chef of LA Art Gallery.

From there, her friend Kurt Steinitz became her business partner to launch her own venture that included catering, two dessert trucks, and eventually the brick and mortar store named B Sweet Dessert Bar that opened in 2014.

At B Sweet, Batiste has over the years infused sweet Filipino

Chef Barb Batiste, known for her confections at B Sweet Dessert Bar, opened Big Boi Filipino on Sawtelle Boulevard in January as a tribute to her late father. AJPress photos by Noel Ty

elements into menu staples like ube pan de sal pudding, halo-halo, and halos (pressed donut sandwiches using Magnolia ice cream).

“Growing up, I wasn’t sure this was where I would be at 50 years old.

It all led me to it,” she said. “One thing I’ve noticed — I’ve been married for 31 years now — is that I’ve always

cooked and baked. B Sweet started off with the chocolate chip banana bread and Big Boi just started out with whatever it is that my mom taught me to make, the lumpia and chicken adobo.”

With Big Boi, it’s her turn to show the more savory side of the cuisine.

Continued on Page 6

march 23-29, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

3

Iconic singer Jose Mari Chan talks about his nostalgic career Three-day West Coast concert series features Julia Clarete and Jules Aurora

by Rae anne VaRona AJ Press

The late 1960s through the 1970s were arguably one of the best years for music in the modern 20th century with people gathering around their record players and home stereos, singing along to their favorite tunes.

In the Philippines, many Filipinos were without a doubt listening to the timeless sounds of Jose Mari Chan who has just recently hit his 50th anniversary in the music industry.

He spoke with the Asian Journal ahead of his upcoming threeday concert series in California and Washington where he’ll perform alongside Filipina singer Julia Clarete, and Fil-Am singer Jules Aurora.

“The millennials don’t know what that is,” said Jose Mari Chan laughing when talking about the 45 rpm record on which his first ever 1967 single “Afterglow” was released.

“Forty-five revolutions per minute. It’s the record with the big hole and it has two songs — side A and side B,” explained the famed singer, songwriter, and businessman.

That single was the starting point of an illustrious career of iconic OPM hits, catchy commercial jingles, and enduring Christmas tunes that continue to dominate sales.

In 1969, Chan released his first album, “Deep in My Heart” in which its title track would be sung and heard by fans long after.

As the 1970’s came, Chan further planted his roots in Philippine music by releasing his second album in 1973, “Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile” which he later performed when representing the Philippines in Tokyo at the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival. A year after, he was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines for the Arts award.

But before the career fueling single and albums, Chan spent some time hosting the popular ABS-CBN variety show “9 Teeners” that featured combos (what bands were called), dancing, and other segments young people enjoyed.

“My father was not very keen

on it, but he could see the glint in my eyes,” said Chan, revealing that his father needed a bit of convincing.

Chan recalled back to when Pete Roa — husband of actress Boots Anson-Roa who also appeared in “9 Teeners” — came to his house, asking permission from his father who after a bit of haggling, allowed Chan to host the show on a couple conditions.

Chan would host the daily show only twice a week, and for no salary. The reason was that Chan’s father didn’t want him to get encouraged by getting paid.

“I was in my junior year at the Ateneo. So every Monday or Wednesday, I would drive all the way to Roxas Boulevard — it was called Dewey Boulevard at that time — to host that show,” said Chan.

Chan’s love for music started early on in his childhood home of Iloilo City, Philippines where he was born. At nine years old, he sang his first ever performance and learned his first lesson in music performance. The song was the melodious Spanish style song Granada by Frankie Laine, and the lesson was to never sing a song you didn’t truly know.

Chan remembered suddenly forgetting the lyrics mid song — perhaps distracted by the audience and noisy children — and freezing up.

“I thought I would never sing again. I was so humiliated,” said Chan.

Fortunately, it wasn’t the last song people heard as he went on to joining bands in high school, and participating in combo concerts and concert festivals in college. At the age of 14, Chan was inspired by the likes of singer-songwriters like Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka to write his own songs. The Beatles later on also became an inspiration, he added.

Now having written numerous hit songs, Chan likens his songs to being like his children — he doesn’t like to pick favorites.

“They come from my heart.

Some songs took six months to finish, some took 15 minutes.

But they are like my children, so I try not to have favorites,” said Chan.

He added that there have been songs that he saw potential in, had hoped would succeed, but

Philippine singer, songwriter, and businessman Jose Mari Chan.

Singers Julia Clarete, Jose Mari Chan and Jules Aurora at the Asian Journal headquaters in Glendale, CA. AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

didn’t.

“For those songs, I feel like they’re my children who did not succeed in life,” he said.

While Chan is known for his smooth and pleasant songs, he is also widely known for his many successful commercial jingles for companies and campaigns including Alaska Milk, Dial Soap, Hyatt International, Rustan’s, Coca-Cola, and Philippine airlines (“Leave all your worries as we soar over the clouds, jet lag that’s making you appear far from the crowd”).

For jingles, Chan said it was all about being at the right time and the right place. Access to longer commercial spots back then allowed for jingles.

“You could buy a one minute spot for maybe P50,000, and now it costs P1,000,000,” said Chan.

In 1975, Chan’s burgeoning music career was put on hold as the Martial Law declared by former President Ferdinand Marcos prompted a business choice to move to the U.S. where his family stayed for 11 years.

Under Martial Law, the sugar industry became nationalized, meaning his father who had been in the sugar business since 1946, could no longer trade, sell, or export sugar. Joining his father, Chan started a small company in New York from where he traveled to and from South and Central America to buy sugar.

Chan described the 11-year hiatus as being a blessing not only for his business, but for his music. Though unable to record during the time, Chan stayed

Maja Salvador to set the concert stage on fire The spotlight turns once again on Maja Salvador’s stage prowess as she stages her fourth solo concert titled “Maja On Stage” at the Kia Theater.

After a year of showcasing her expertise in acting, Salvador says she is so grateful for the opportunity to satisfy her insatiable hunger as performer side anew.

“Nung sinabi na may plans about concert at ano magiging title, sinabi ko lang na parang na buong 2017, nagpaka- actress ako, nag-’Wildflower’ lang ako the whole year, diba? So parang 2018, sasampa ulit ako ng stage,” she said.

Produced by Four Lights entertainment Productions, Maja on Stage follows previous successful outings namely, “Maj: The Legal Performer” (2014), “Majasty” (2015) and “Only Maja” (2016). In the lead up to this concert, however, she has also staged a concert tour in Cebu, Oklahoma and Las Vegas in February.

“Eh forever love ko yun.

Forever love ko yung pagsu-show kaya hindi man kami magsama, magkahiwalay man kami ng ilang taon, pero babalik-balikan ko siya,” says Salvador of performing.

Maja Salvador

Similar to her jaw-dropping and viral performances on “ASAP” the Dance Princess promises to set the concert stage on fire with her explosive numbers.

“Siyempre, not the same as sa MOA, sa mga naging concerts sa Music Museum, kasi siyempre we want something new naman lagi. So, iba yung atake sa music, sa sayaw,” she explains.

Adding the necessary oomph and entertainment to her concert are her “Wildflower” leading men and hunky ABS-CBN stars Joseph Marco, rK Bagatsing and Vin

Abrenica, as well as her comedian friends Kakai Bautista and Pooh, trending young star Maymay entrata, Sample King Jhong hilario and other surprise guests.

“Siguro sa lakas din ng ‘Wildflower’ yung mga producers yung may gusto na kasama si Vin, si rK and Joseph. Tapos may Kakai and Pooh. Syempre si Kakai, kaibigan ko. And si Pooh, magaling na komedyante naman yun, diba?

At nag-trending yung tour namin sa Canada,” adds Salvador.

More than flexing her concert performance muscles, Salvador considers her upcoming show as her personal way of saying thanks to those who have unwaveringly supported her as Lily Cruz in “Wildflower.” even if she admits to feeling a little anxious over performing in front of a huge crowd again, the multi-talented lady is ready to brave everything in order to put her ultimate goal across.

“Siguro yung always na sinasabi ko, to give happiness. Yung magbigay ng entertainment sa mga kapamilya natin sa iba’t-ibang lugar at sa iba’t-ibang bansa. Yun naman talaga ang gusto ko kaya ko ginagawa ang lahat ng ito,” she ends. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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.”

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, 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 de Leon and Eileen Macapagal seal their marriage with a kiss. Photo courtesy of Allan K

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

close to music by writing songs for artists in the Philippines like Joey Albert, the APO Hiking Society, and Celeste Legaspi. He also wrote hit song “Beautiful Girl” while in the U.S. “I was exposed to more sophisticated Broadway tunes and Broadway songs,” shared Chan.

By 1986, the revolution had ended and the sugar industry had been given back to the private sector. Chan’s family thought it was the right time to return to the Philippine as their business went from trading, to manufacturing and refining.

Three years later, Chan came out with his album “Constant Change” which brought him straight back into the music scene alongside artists like Raymond Lauchengco, Martin Nievera, and Gary Valenciano. It won Album of the Year and became the first ever diamond record, later reaching double diamond status and counting.

The song “Beautiful Girl” became a regional hit as it entered countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. ABSCBN later took inspiration from the album’s “Please Be Careful with My Heart” when it created the daytime teleserye “Be Careful with My Heart” that ran from 2012 to 2014 with high ratings.

A year later in 1990, Chan released “Christmas in Our Hearts” which has become the biggest selling album in the Philippines, dominating holiday playlists in malls, jeepneys, Ubers, Grabs, houses, and schools each and every year without fail.

It is also what has dubbed him “Mr. Christmas”, a title he holds to this day. During the last holidays, Chan was a part of commercial campaigns for Uniqlo, Shakey’s Pizza, and Samsung alongside young millennials.

His wife Mary Ann said that their kids often joke about Chan’s Christmas presence on the internet as his name exponentially becomes trending through tweets and memes. One famous meme has Chan’s face on the body of Lord Eddard Stark of American fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones” with words saying, “Brace Yourselves, Jose Mari Chan songs are coming.”

One of Chan’s memorable moments was when he performed in the Philippine province Lanao del Norte for an audience of around 5,000 people who were primarily Muslim. Despite not celebrating Christmas, and despite it being smack in the middle of May, the crowd unanimously requested he sing “Christmas in Our Hearts”.

“This was in May and these were Muslims. The whole gym was singing along,” Chan said.

On why he loves Christmas music, Chan finds charm in its ability to transcend time.

“Christmas music is class. It does not change. It does not adopt to modern music. It retains its own,” he said.

Now five years old, his latest album “Going Home to Christmas” further emphasizes his commitment to the holiday.

Timeless Tales of Love Chan’s upcoming performances will take place on Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25, with two dates in California and the last in Washington.

Also in the lineup are Filipino singer, actress and television host Julia Clarete who is most known for hosting noontime TV

show “Eat Bulaga!”, and Fil-Am singer Jules Aurora who was on American Idol’s Season 10, and the “X Factor” USA’s Season 3 as a Top 50 girls finalist.

Clarete, who grew up on the songs of Gershwin and Barbra Streisand, recalled days listening to Chan’s “Constant Change” and having to use her fingers or ball pen caps to rewind back to songs.

“With Jo Mari Chan’s music, we would find ourselves — me and my brothers — listening to the tape back and forth from A to B, and back again to A,” said Clarete.

On the album’s song “My Girl, My Woman, My Friend” which featured Filipina singer Janet Basco, Clarete described saying, “It’s very subtle, very seductive.

And with Janet Basco’s voice, with your voice [Chan’s], it just has a beautiful blend.”

Having the song being one on her and Chan’s setlist for the weekend concerts, she added, “I hope I give it justice, even just a little bit.”

For Aurora, who like many young Filipinos, was introduced to Chan’s music through her parents.

She said “Please Be Careful With My Heart” became one of her favorite songs. The song is also one of which she will be singing with Chan.

In addition to the classics of Chan, both of the young artists will be performing some of their own original songs.

Attendees can expect to hear songs like Clarete’s “Bumalik Ka Lang”, and Aurora’s “Back to Us” which is included in her EP slated to come out on April 6.

“Music is in the DNA of our people. We are a melodious race of musicians, composers, and singers. And we are poets,” said Chan.

The concert will raise funds for the organization Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) USA, an anti-poverty program that focuses on housing, education, and livelihood for children in the Philippines who are in need. It hopes looks to not only help students with education tuition fees, but with day to day expenses such as getting to school, materials, uniforms, support for projects, and more.

march 23-29, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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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 fastest-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. Tingga itaas going to ibaan), said delfin. “Second, although at our retirement age, it’s a great feeling (and wise) to know that what we are investing is also an asset that can appreciate in value at the same time be enjoyed by the family now, that we will eventually can leave to our children and their children. he also added that it’s nice to be part of a new resort community that promises to be like property developments in Manila where you can just go down from your unit to stroll and become like a tourist in your own city — but with fresh air, favorable climate and with friends within minutes.

Aimed at providing the most fulfilling experience for its residence and guests, Lombard

By The Bay is just a two-hour drive from Manila. Situated on a plateau overlooking the beautiful Verde island Passage which is considered the center of marine biodiversity in the world, it promises to be the perfect destination for retirees and tourists — local or not. it is also in close proximity to the tallest statue

of the Virgin Mary, Mother of All Asia, towering at 317 ft. delfin, who also gives financial advice, believes that Lombard By The Bay is a good investment. “definitely, especially to those family who have some disposable income (savings) that are not earning enough to out space inflation,” he explained and then added, “Also to fellow senior citizens who have lots of equity in their primary house in the U.S., where they may consider just pulling some cash (to pay their unit in full via Reverse Mortgage). This can give them tangible benefits.” he added that instead of just one asset with low appreciation value — like their primary house in the U.S. — reserving a unit (or two) with Lombard By The Bay is the perfect investment. “in this great location, now two or three properties are appreciating without any cash outflow problem as the reverse mortgage taken out need not to be paid until it is sold or inherited by

The Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program 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.

(Advertising Supplement)

Ernie Delfin

the homeowner’s children,” he said.

Lombard By The Bay is a 2.1-hectare development and a joint venture between Premier Asia Pacific Real estate and development, inc. and Omnicor industrial estate & Realty Center, inc.

(Advertising Supplement)

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.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

PSYCHIC

FOR SALE

SERVICES

The Metamorphosis

Live simply, learn widely, love deeply and leave a legacy

ErniE D. DElfin

(My keynote speech before the GK Virginia Beach, USA Fundraising Event in March 2018)

Thank you for the introduction, my dear fellow Gk champion and fellow Rotarian Soledad Montilla. I am humbled and deeply honored to be afforded this rare opportunity to speak before your Gk hamptons, Virginia group that continues its strong connection with our motherland. never in my wildest imagination as a son of a humble farmer in our province of Pangasinan, that I am accorded this honor to be your keynote speaker.

I am invited here not to educate nor teach, as I am no educator nor teacher. I am not here to preach about religion, as I am no priest nor a preacher. I am invited here, simply, as a fellow Filipino-american, a fellow Rotarian and Gawad kalinga advocate and supporter like my best friends Soledad and Peter Montilla. I am here to share with you also my own personal journey, with a prayer that you will be moved as I was when I met Tony Meloto, the founder of Gk and about 15 years ago, met and learned the silent works of the Montilla couple who lived here in Virginia Beach for a long time, before they retired in their hometown of Villasis, Pangasinan where they built their Gk Village. I am here to also hopefully inspire and challenge you to LEaVE a LEGaCY by what you do with that PEnCIL of life that God has given to each one of us and write our own LIFE story.

This week for us Christians especially Catholics, we commemorate the Lenten Season, that culminated into the Crucifixion of our Redeemer on Good Friday, and today, holy Saturday we are anticipating the Glorious

Resurrection of Christ tomorrow. as believers and followers of Jesus, we have much to do, aside from just going to church and pray.

The Bible says that Faith Without action is just like an empty gong.

What we Christians must also do is to follow Christ’s admonition. St. Matthew 25:42 gave us a specific GPS to follow: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, For I was thirsty and you gave me drink, as I was stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, and was in prison and you visited me”.

That to me is what our dear friends Sol and Peter Montilla are doing without much fanfare. however, to inspire others, they let their lamp be placed on top of the City on the hill, so that their light can illuminate the path for others — that included me — to follow. For those of you who knew them well, when they retired they did nOT stop loving other people, especially the poor, hungry and homeless. Instead of just retiring and enjoying, they are doing more to improve the lives of many. Through their life example, humility, work ethic and lending a hand they guide others to a better life. knowing that they cannot bring their inherited land and other material possessions to heaven, they donated it to the Gawad kalinga Village, as well as the land where the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is now standing. These two landmarks in Barangay Piaz are visited by hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Indeed, one couple can start a tsunami of noble projects that have ripple effects.

Their noble idea done with full faith

Health@Heart

and obedience to God, has been blessed by hIM. It has also inspired me and my cousin Mayor Boying alarcio and all the councilmen of my hometown of Laoac, to follow suit. That is Gk Laoac namnama (or hope) Village #2, which is now half completed as of today. With a little bit more work, concerted fundraising efforts, like this event today, we may be able to complete the 30 houses this year! I just learned and commend the core group of Gk hampton Roads has pledged enough money to build OnE house in our hope Village # 2!

Thank YOU VERY MUCh! after this event, may be another one can be pledged?

Let me digress a little bit to address what is Gawad kalinga, especially to those who are just hearing it for the first time. Gk is an international movement that started in the Philippines about 15 years ago. It is now one of the most trusted, if not the number 1 most trusted nongovernmental, Community Benefits Organizations, in the country today. Its lofty goal is to eradicate poverty in the Philippines by 2024. It starts by giving back the human dignity to the landless, homeless and often jobless but deserving families, by giving them decent shelter, after a rigorous process of careful screening that requires the candidates to undergo and pass Values Formation Seminars based on Christian values. Furthermore for the housing, candidates must be able and willing to donate hundreds of labor hours to the Gk village. The housing unit is not much to U.S. standards. It is as small as a typical american home garage, consisting

Realities of aging

Physiology of deterioration The degeneration starts in the basic cellular foundation of our body as we grow older, varying in PhiliP S. Chua, different individuals since people MD, faCS, fPCS age at different speeds, but in general the physiological changes LaST February 28, 2018, start to manifest when we reach my wife, Farida, and I arrived at about 40 years of age, more the Los angeles International obvious when we reach about airport from Manila, following 65. as we age, all the systems and our two medical missions in the essential functions of our body Philippines. While waiting at the work less efficiently, at suboptimal lounge for our flight back to Las level. Inflammation, the precursor Vegas, we received a call from of almost all diseases, invades our friend, Lynn Santos, a nurse, the entire body. all the glands who relayed to us the sad news in the body secrete significantly that a close mutual friend, a less, if not meager, hormones and medical colleague who was 84 and recovering well from a stroke, other essential substances that regulate the various vital organs had collapsed in a grocery store. in the body. arteries lose their about half an hour or so later, while we were on board american elasticity and hardened, causing high blood pressure and arterial airline’s flight to Vegas, Lynn blockages. The blood gets thicker, called again, this time to inform increasing the risk for blood clots, us that he had passed away. coronary heart disease and stroke.

A testament Joint lubricants decrease causing Our friend’s departure was aggravating arthritic pains. Male a devastating loss to his family, and female hormones drop and friends, and the community. The lessen sex drive. The dermal health issues this physician and collagen and oil production slow his wife of 53 years experienced down and the skin loses turgor as they grew older were a testament to the realities of aging. and moisture, becoming thinner and thinner, and wrinkles form.

This natural part of life, aging, is Most of our biologic functions inescapable, as much as death is peak at age 30, declining in a a part of life, without exception linear fashion thereafter. This, or exemption. In certain ways however, does not materially and instances, we could perhaps affect our daily activities at this alter the progress and reduce stage. Only stresses and diseases, the odds to some degree, but and not aging, impact the the inevitable end is obviously physiology negatively during this beyond us. period. as the clock ticks, we are Theory of aging older by the second. as we grow There are a few, but the older, the expected normal wear prominent one is the Free Radical and tear in our body progress Theory where oxygen-containing faster and faster, including the molecules called free radicals, reduction in the secretion of with a life span of one-millionth our various essential glands and of a second, and are toxic, are the weakening of our immune damaging our body. Free radicals system. attack the cell’s Dna, causing Our telomeres – caps at the cells to prematurely die. the ends of each strand of Dna Our body’s natural antioxidant that protect the chromosomes, similar to plastic tips at the end of (defense) system mops up free radicals before they could cause shoelaces, which prevents them damage, but as we grow older, from fraying – get damage and and continue to abuse our body the telomeres become shorter through unhealthy lifestyle and as our body is subjected to all behavior, our body’s immune assaults internally and externally. system becomes less efficient, The shorter the telomeres, the allowing the free radical level shorter the life span.

The speed of the degenerative to increase. This negatively impacts the normal cellular changes in us depends on our regulation and function, which genes and to a great significant leads to aging and its physical degree, on our lifestyle. That’s and physiologic consequences, why the aging process varies as well as weaker defense in different individuals. While system to diseases. On top of we cannot (yet) do anything the damages from free radicals, about our genes at this stage in science and technology to extend external assaults are caused by sunlight, environmental pollution, longevity for everyone, we have stress, unhealthy lifestyle (high enough evidence-based medical carbohydrate-low vegetable-low data today on how to achieve fruit and low nut diet, smoking, maximal health benefits through alcohol, soft drinks, lack of healthy lifestyle and extend our exercise, and substance abuse). life, our telomeres, to the fullest Just to illustrate the damage: possible.

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 selfinflicted, 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 noncompliance 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 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. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

march 23-29, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

of two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, with concrete and colorful walls to make the housing units lively.

Once the unit is given to them, they become part of a a village, likened to a housing Subdivision with home Owners association that spells out rights and responsibilities of every homeowner. From there, vocational, health and hygiene workshops and livelihood projects are taught by volunteers. With their self-esteem significant enhanced, training becomes much easier as they are 100 percent motivated to have a better future. It is amazing to witness the profound metamorphosis and character transformation of the residents especially the children from very shy low self-esteem kids into a more confident children and some of them often excel in schools. I learned from Soledad that one lady student is now even helping her in computer work and graphics in their home-based business just after a couple of years.

To be a part of Gawad kalinga in any way you can is my challenge to you dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a manifestation of our FaITh In aCTIOn. We, who are in america, live a very good life compared to many people on earth. however, many of us are not very happy people, according to happiness Index Study (you can Google it). In his book, “The 7 habits of highly Effective People” foremost american guru Steven R. Covey, wrote that “To be a truly happy and fulfilled individual, one must first consciously do until it becomes an unconscious habit to be always doing activities that fulfill an equitable balance of the 4 quadrants of our life, PhYSICaL=to live, MEnTaL= to learn, SOCIaL = to love, and the SPIRITUaL quadrant= to live a legacy. May be for some of

us, LEaVInG a LaSTInG LEGaCY still needs some refining, like what the Montillas have done during the last quarter of their lives.

To end my speech, let me read a beautifully written poem of the Montilla couple that summarized their LIFE STORY that was encapsulated in their LEGaCY COFFEE TaBLE BOOk, that they are sharing with their friends and fellow Gk benefactors here in the U.S. “Live a Life that Matters” Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end, There will be no more sunshine, no more minutes, hours or a day. all things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do-list will expire!

The wins and losses that once seem so important will fade away.

It won’t matter where you came from, or what side of the tracts you lived. at the end, it won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender, and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? how will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built. not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or

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sacrifice.

That enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew.

But how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone.

What will matter is not your memories, But what memories that lived in those who loved you!

What will matter is how long you will be remembered by whom and for what!

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.

It is not a matter of circumstance but choice!

Choose to live a life that matters! *** My challenge, rather, my ardent prayer for you all here today, new friends, brothers and sisters of the same God, is to utilize the PEnCIL OF LIFE that God gave each one of us to use.

YOU aRE LIkE ThIS PEnCIL, it is upon us to use it to write our own story. Some of our pencils may not even be sharpened, some partially used, and for a few of us, like the Montillas, the pencil is almost totally consumed writing our story, our LEGaCY to the next generations society that will be remembered long after we have returned to our Creator.

I wish and challenge all of you to LIVE SIMPLY, LEaRn WIDELY, LOVE DEEPLY anD LEaVE a LEGaCY. nOW, GO ShaRPEn YOUR OWn PEnCIL anD BEGIn WRITInG YOUR LIFE STORY WhILE YOU haVE STILL ThE TIME anD EnERGY TO DO IT! GOD BLESS US aLL! *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com

Fil-Am owned café pushes Philippine...

From Page 2 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 ‘Choconana’ (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. 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 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.

BCHS 1977-78 REUNION. “Magkita-kita po tayo Batch 77-78 Binangonan Catholic High School sa darating na April 7, 2018!”

Shades of Gray: Catriona sweeps Binibining Pilipinas awards Ryza Cenon bags award at Osaka Asian Film Fest march 23-29, 2018

www.asianjournal.com

by Rosette

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by Deni

Rose BeRnaRDo Philstar.com

aDel

Philstar.com

A FILIPINA was once again recognized at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan.

Actress Ryza Cenon was awarded the Yakushi Pearl Award or the Most Brilliant Performer Award at the 13th Osaka film fest on Saturday, March 17, for her film “Mr. and Mrs. Cruz.”

Cenon succeeded Iza Calzado, who also previously took home the same award for her role in “Bliss.” Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Liza Diño-Seguerra, who attended the Philippine Night of the film fest, shared the news in her social media and congratulated the Kapuso star.

The director of the film “Mr. and Mrs. Cruz,” Sigfrid Bernardo,

Ryza Cenon

also congratulated Cenon.

Cenon’s boyfriend, actor Cholo Barretto, was also present in the film fest to support her.

Meanwhile, director of film “Neomanila,” Mikhail Red, also won the Most Promising Talent

Award at the same film fest. FDCP also congratulated the young director.

Red’s film “Birdshot” was the country’s official entry to the Foreign Film Category of the 2018 Oscars.

Mark Bautista answers Binibining Pilipinas question

by Jan

Milo seveRo Philstar.com

DURING the question and answer portion for Binibining Pilipinas’ coronation night on March 18, Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman asked Binibini No. 38 Karen Juanita Gallman the question: “Do you agree that a third restroom should be built for transgenders? Why or why not?”

In the pageant, Gallman answered: “I definitely agree there should be a third restroom for transgender because us women would like a privacy and also with men, and we have a separate room for the transgender. It just serves as an equality and privatization. Thank you.”

Gallman went on to win as Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2018.

On his Twitter account,

controversial singer Mark Bautista gamely answered the question Quigaman asked Gallman.

According to Mark, there is already a third comfort room allotted for differently-abled people.

“3rd restroom is for PWD right? so dapat fourth na,” he wrote.

But on a serious note, Mark wrote in another Tweet that a new restroom should not be an issue.

“But seriously we just need to be accepting and open... and I think also be responsible (& respectful) in using the toilet... a special restroom is not an issue I guess,” the singer wrote.

The TV and theater star became controversial after he launched a tell-all coffee table book titled “Beyond the Mark,” where he revealed an intimate

Mark Bautista

relationship with a male friend.

In another Tweet, Mark hinted that he might be guesting in his good friend, Sarah Geronimo’s 15th anniversary concert.

Sarah is to whom the actor reportedly first confided his sexual preference and orientation.

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray Facebook/Binibining Pilipinas

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.

Filipino cuisine gains visibility...

From Page 2 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 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 Tagalog phrases are shown on the walls of Big Boi. AJPress photo by Noel Ty the evolution and growth of these movers. serve and the food you cook. So Being the only Filipino food Most, if not all of them, worked ‘salamat’ to me is more than just a establishment in West LA, Batiste hard and persevered to open word. We teach everyone who’s not and her team have been surprised their own brick and mortar stores Filipino that it means ‘thank you,’ by the reception not only from but I feel like there is so much more now. Dorotan and Besa have been other cultures, but also Filipino about that word for me personally,” helping push Filipino forward Americans who have tried the food. for more than two decades now, Batiste reflected, showing “The street really needed it. I after opening Cendrillon in Soho appreciation for her craft, family, think it was certainly something in 1995 and gaining fame and a team and customers. that was different from any of the loyal clientele as a neighborhood Customer service and taking restaurants here. It draws people. restaurant. They closed shop after care of those who patron and There’s our Filipino community, more than a decade and reopened work with her are the “core of my which is larger than I thought on in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of success,” she said. “None of it could the Westside, who are really excited Brooklyn as Purple Yam in 2009. Five be possible without people who about this place,” Batiste continued. years later, they opened Purple Yam support you, your customers, your “We want to open that up and share in Malate, one of the oldest historical clients that I’ve had for almost nine not just the food, but the pride that districts in Manila. years. How can I not be thankful?” we take in our culture and heritage.

Maharlika started in January Batiste said one piece of advice The Filipino people are proud her father left her with is to “do what 2011 as a weekend pop-up brunch people and it makes me proud to place in the East Village, until you love” and that has guided how be able to share that here on this she has run her businesses over the Ponseca & Trinidad gained more side of town.” than enough experience and guts to years.

Spirit of ‘salamat’ open Maharlika ten months later. In “It’s never about the money To her, one of the indicators 2012, the two opened Jeepney also and it never has been for me. It’s that Big Boi is doing something on First Avenue and helped propel always been about the passion, right is when Filipinos come in and the eventual explosion of Filipino putting it out there and having say it smells like their lola or mom’s cuisine in New York City. people know about it. That is house. “Then I know I’ve done my Talde and Cohen used their the best way to support this job because that’s the smell that I movement that is now so apparent. experience and exposure on remember,” Batiste said.

Top Chef to create a brand for If you are the chef or the owner “To this day, my mom is 83 themselves and opened their own of a business, to never forget that. now and while she doesn’t cook as restaurants. Both have also ventured To me, that’s success,” she said. “Of often anymore, when I go into the course, we all have bills to pay. You beyond Manhattan and Brooklyn house, that’s what I smell. I wanted and crossed the Hudson River to have payroll, rent, and all these to create the space here on the open restaurants in Jersey City, Talde things. But in spite of that, I wake Westside, not only to introduce with his eponymous restaurant up every day and I can’t wait to people to our culture and our food, near Grove Street and Cohen with go and cook the food and think of but also to create a space that felt Piggyback Bar JC on Hudson Street, more recipes and what the next like home. It’s small and quaint, it by the Harborside and overlooking monthly special is going to be.” certainly doesn’t scream Filipino. It the gorgeous Manhattan skyline.

What’s next for Batiste and her has my personal touch to things,” Andino also parlayed his reality two shops? She exclaimed, “another she added.

TV fame and opened Flip Sigi in the one, sooner than later!” Perhaps in Upon entering Big Boi, the West Village and followed it up by another side of town. decor is similar to B Sweet with “It’s been an amazing journey in opening a branch in the Upper East a modern, wooden aesthetic; such a short time. I always thought, Side last year. it doesn’t look like the typical A few blocks down from ‘I’m going to make this food, share Filipino fast food, turo turo joint.

Andino’s Filipino taqueria is Neil it and really hope in my heart that I But there are elements that bring Syham’s Lumpia Shack Snackbar did it right and that people would in touches of Filipino culture on Greenwich Ave. which he love it.’ But I never imagined how — from the oversized spoon and opened years after selling lumpia much love and support I’ve gotten fork wall ornaments to frames with at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. He and the comments that we get are handwritten Tagalog phrases (like heartwarming. It’s been a lot to take was also in food news recently mahal kita and kaibigan, among when New York Times wrote about in because again, we go back to others). his new venture in Flushing called the word ‘salamat’ and I’ve been so There’s a particular element Ok Lah, a partnership with fellow grateful,” she said. that stands out at Big Boi beyond Smorgasburg chef Carson Yiu. [Editor’s Note: Both Big Boi and the food and it’s the expression of The dishes change daily, it could B Sweet Dessert Bar are closed on ‘salamat’ (thank you), which can be Mondays and Tuesdays, but are open be chicken inasal and Hainanese seen on the wall, by the cashier, and chicken today and sinigang and a other days from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. inside all of the take-out containers. version of the Indonesian rendang (until 8 p.m. on Sundays) to catch “I always grew up and was the following day. the lunch rush and all-day weekend taught to always be grateful and That there is way more to crowds. Customers who dine at Big thankful for the things that you Filipino cuisine than just lumpia Boi can show their receipt at B Sweet have, the people in your life, the and adobo or Filipino Cuisine 101 for a discount.] food on your table, the food you

Fil-Am chef Barb Batiste turns to Filipino...

From Page 2 “It was always in my heart and mind to do something with Filipino food,” Batiste said. “What’s nice is that it’s about time Filipino food has become a bit more mainstream than it has been. There is a lot of Filipino fusion going around, which I have respect for, but it isn’t what I do. I lean toward the traditional, classic foods that I grew up with.”

The restaurant pays tribute to her late father, Angel, whose nickname was “Boi.” She added, “In the Philippines, everyone has a Tito or Lolo Boy, whatever it is. I thought it was appropriate — he was a big guy.”

Beyond the name itself, how Batiste crafted the menu takes into consideration her father’s favorite dishes but are “slightly healthier and leaner, without sacrificing the flavor.”

She calls her menu “Filipino 101” as an introduction to the cuisine for non-Filipinos, as well as classics that Filipinos can find comfort in.

“People come in and say, ‘I’ve never had Filipino food. I don’t know what it’s like.’ It’s so hard to describe because it’s such a diverse cuisine.

If you’ve never had it before, my staff and I tell customers to try the chicken adobo, garlic rice, and pancit and you’ll love it,” she said.

Big Boi’s menu features “Bigz” (two items for $15) and “Smallz” (one item for $8) combo meals with the choices of chicken adobo, pork sisig, longanisa, pork tocino, BBQ skewers, canned meat (housemade Spam), or seasonal veggies. There are a la carte options such as lumpia shanghai, pancit bihon, sinigang (using daikon radish instead of gabi), and pan de sal with ube butter.

The portions are generous enough to be spread out into two meals or good for sharing.

“You can change the cuts of meats and [use] the less fatty meats but Filipino food has a little bit of that fatness in it — that’s what makes it so delicious. I didn’t want to take that way. I wanted to make sure that those flavors that my mom, lola, and aunts cooked are still in there with not having the 10 inches of fat,” she described.

Batiste rolls out monthly specials to test and gauge the response to more complex dishes. This month of March has lumpiang sariwa with shrimp; past specials have been lechon kawali (but roasted, not deep fried) and mechado. Chicaron is available on weekends, while silog (add a fried egg) is an option on Sundays.

“I wouldn’t call the menu items basic. Maybe to someone else, they may think ‘When is the dinuguan coming? Or the kare kare?’The dishes with more complicated flavors that I’d love for people to try are coming and so we’ll see how that goes,” she said.

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 24year-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,

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, kare-kare, 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 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 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.”

march 23-29, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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march 23-29, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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