032818 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

March 28-30, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 26 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

DUTERTE’S HOLY WEEK MESSAGE:

‘Renew relationship with God, help the oppressed’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

AS the predominantly Catholic Philippines starts to observe the Holy Week, President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to use the Lenten season to harness their faith and renew their relationship with God. In a message on Palm Sunday, March 25, Duterte said, “This is a time to revitalize our faith and renew our relationship with God and our fellowmen.”

“As we put our hands together in prayer, may we use this as an

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opportune time to rekindle our religious fervor and cherish our time-honored traditions as a pious people,” he added.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, when Catholics commemorate Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem. The Bible states that a large crowd welcomed Jesus as their king by spreading out their cloaks and tree branches on the ground.

Duterte wished for people to have a “deeply meaningful” and solemn Holy Week, as called for solidarity regardless of religious denomination.

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

He also urged Filipinos to embody compassion, as Christ has personified, and help and “uplift the downtrodden.”

“As we reflect on the Catholic values and embody selflessness, compassion and love instilled in us through the years, let us remember to always help and uplift the downtrodden because it is only through charitable actions that we can make God’s presence visible among us,” Duterte said.

A SIGN OF PEACE. President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the firearms surrendered by the rebel returnees from the New People’s Army during the “Let us take a moment to 16th founding anniversary of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development, Inc. (STCPD) at the 3rd Infantry Battalion Headquarters pause in the spirit of contempla- in Calinan, Davao City. Also in the photo are STCPD Executive Chair Datu Roel Ali Sr., Housing and Urband Development Coordinating Council

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Thousands mistakenly enrolled during state’s Medicaid expansion, Feds find

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Palace reminds Aquino: De Lima in jail for drugs, not political beliefs

Disaggregated data among Asian Americans a risk in upcoming 2020 Census THE 2020 Census is underway with only two years left to go, and for Asian Americans, the upcoming census is being seen as either an opportunity for being accurately counted, or a chance to be improperly represented.

The decennial census looks to find population changes and other information of who makes up the United States, and more importantly uses the derived data to address the nation’s needs, like determining representation of each area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Despite having been conducted since 1790, the upcoming 2020 Census to take place on April 1, 2020, will be the first to have an “Asian” category alongside cat-

Chair Eduardo del Rosario and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Monday, March 26, reminded former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III that Senator Leila de Lima is in detention due to drug-related charges and not because her principles.

Palace Spokesperson Harry Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Inquirer.net photos Roque issued the statement after Aquino lauded de Lima’s leadership and urged public to continue Sen. Leila de Lima

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Philstar.con photo

‘No one can stop me from closing Boracay’

HRW hits Cayetano, Roque: We’re not being used by drug lords

by AJPRESS

by EDITH

REGALADO Philstar.com

NEW York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed two of Philippine President RoPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte drigo Duterte’s senior officials warned critics of the planned for their recent remarks about shutdown of Boracay Island that rights groups being allegedly nothing and no one could stop used by drug lords to attack the him from implementing the clo- government. sure of the island to rehabilitate In a statement on Monday, and eventually sustain the area March 26, HRW Asia Director as a major tourist destination.

Brad Adams warned that PresiDuterte said that those plan- dential Spokesperson Harry ning on opposing or “blocking” Roque and Foreign Affairs Secthe moves for the temporary clo- retary Alan Peter Cayetano’s resure of Boracay should stop their marks could imperil the lives of efforts or suffer the consequenc- human rights advocates.

Adams called on Cayetano and Pres. Duterte expressed that he is bent on implementing the closure of BOracay es of their action. u PAGE A4 Roque to retract their “shockto rehabilitate the world-famous destination.

Philstar.com photo

CALIFORNIA signed up an estimated 450,000 people under Medicaid expansion who may not have been eligible for coverage, according to a report by the U.S. Health and Human Services’ chief watchdog.

In a Feb. 21 report, the HHS’ inspector general estimated that California spent $738.2 million on 366,078 expansion beneficiaries who were ineligible. It spent an additional $416.5 million for 79,055 expansion enrollees who were “potentially” ineligible, auditors found.

Auditors said nearly 90 percent of the $1.15 billion in questionable payments involved federal money, while the rest came from the state’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. They examined a six-month period from Oct. 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, when Medicaid payments of $6.2

ConCom agrees ‘in principle’ to put right to ‘healthy environment’ in draft Constitution

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THE Constitutional Commission (ConCom) tasked to review the 1987 Charter has agreed, in principle, to put a provision in the draft Constitution promoting the right of the people to a “healthy environment.”

Retired chief justice Reynato Puno, ConCom chairman, said that by doing so “we are putting at par this right to a healthy environment with civil and political rights of the people.”

“Meaning to say, this right to a healthy environment will equally be demandable from the State and its agencies,” he said in a press briefing on Monday, March 26.

Puno said that environmental rights were

ingly dangerous and shameful” comments immediately, adding that they had “no evidence” to support their claims.

“The statements by Philippines foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and President Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque that drug lords may be using human rights groups to criticize and undermine the government are shockingly dangerous and shameful,” Adams said.

He continued, “Are they trying to have death squads target human rights activists? Cayetano and Roque provide no evidence.

They should withdraw their comments immediately.”

Last week, Cayetano claimed

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not enshrined in the 1935, 1972 and even 1987 Constitutions.

“We begin with our 1935 Constitution, you’ll see that there is absolutely no provision regarding the protection and enhancement of the environmental rights of the people,” Puno said.

“We go to the 1973 Constitution. Again, you will see that that Constitution is also silent on this right of our people against environmental degradation,” he said.

He added: “In 1987 we adopted a new Constitution and you find the provision on The Consultative Committee (Con-Com), tasked to review the 1987 Constitution, was given six environmental rights in Article 2, Section 16 months to come up with its recommendations to Congress before it convenes as a Constituent Assembly to amend the charter.

Malacañang photo

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From the Front Page

‘Renew relationship with God...

PAGE A1 tion and work and unite as one people to build a truly equitable and inclusive nation where everyone can enjoy a decent and comfortable life,” he added.

“In our world today, we have many kings full of arrogance, lacking in humility. In our time, many of us follow kings who use violence, arms, threats…clearly showing lack of understanding and solidarity with the weak,” Tagle said.

Arrogant ‘kings’ The Duterte administration does not feel alluded to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle’s warning about boastful and violent “kings,” Malacañang said.

Chief Presidential Legal Salvador Panelo on Monday, March 26 told reporters that Tagle is likely “referring to world leaders not from this country” in his remark.

In his homily for Palm Sunday

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

at Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle warned about arrogant “kings” who uses violence to assert their authority.

“In our world today, we have many kings full of arrogance, lacking in humility. In our time, many of us follow kings who use violence, arms, threats… clearly showing lack of understanding and solidarity with the weak,” Tagle said.

Philstar.com photo

Panelo, however, maintained that the Duterte administration has “not initiated violence against innocent people.”

He also took note of Duterte’s vow to “not tolerate any police abuse.”

“He (Duterte) keeps on saying BLESSING OF FONDS. A priest blesses a sea of palm fronds at the Our Lady of Candelaria Church in Silang, Cavite on Sunday, March 25. Palm that there will be hell to pay if Sunday officially ushered in Holy Week, a time of reflection and prayer for the country’s millions of Catholics. any violation of human rights is ManilaTimes.net photo by Boy Josue done by any police officer. So, I think Cardinal Tagle is referring become unwitting tools of drug to world leaders who are violent lords to hinder the strides made and cocky,” Panelo added. n by the administration.”

PAGE A1 Responding to HRW’s call, sult of a “legitimate and scientific Chief Presidential Legal Counsel that some non-government or- investigation.” ganizations (NGOs) were being Echoing the DFA chief’s com- Salvador Panelo said there is no “unwittingly” used by drug lords ment, Roque also expressed be- need for Cayetano and Roque to discredit the Duterte adminis- lief that rights groups were being to withdraw their comments as tration’s efforts to curb narcotics used as “tools” by drug lords to those were “not even disparagin the country. malign the Philippine govern- ing” statements.

“I think the comments are misDuterte’s so-called drug war ment. was highly criticized by human “The attacks against the pres- placed,” Panelo added. “I read rights groups, including HRW, ident’s war on drugs have been the comments of both Secretary over its death toll that allegedly vicious and non-stop,” Roque Alan and Secretary Harry and reaches over 12,000. pointed out. “We therefore do they said they may be unwilling Cayetano, however, insisted not discount the possibility that or rather unwitting victims of that such findings were not a re- some human rights groups have drug lords using them.” n

HRW hits Cayetano, Roque...

Palace reminds Aquino...

PAGE A1 supporting her.

“With all due respect to the former president, Senator Leila de Lima is not fighting for her principle and was not detained because of her political beliefs,” Roque said.

“The lady senator was arrested and incarcerated because of serious drug charges where she was accused of allowing the illegal drug trade to proliferate inside the National Bilibid Prison when she was the DOJ (Department of Justice) Secretary,” he added.

De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in February last year and has since been detained at the

Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

She was accused of receiving bribes from drug lords in exchange of their protection when she was the Justice secretary during Aquino’s term. She was also accused of using the money from drug trade to fund her 2016 senatorial campaign.

De Lima, for her part, has repeatedly denied the allegation. She accused the Duterte administration of persecuting her for opposing the president’s policies, calling herself a political prisoner.

‘You’re not alone’ In his message to De Lima in her first electronic book, en-

titled, “Dispatches from Crame I,” Aquino lauded the senator for being a woman of principle.

The former president also assured the senator that she’s not alone in her battle, as he urged public to support her causes.

“Makikita naman natin: Si Leila, klarong-klarong may prinsipyo. Sa pinagdadaanan niya, malinaw na tayo ang kaniyang ipinaglalaban. (We can clearly see that Leila has principle. With all what she’s going through, it is clear that she is fighting for us.)”

Aquino said.

“Mainam namang maipadama natin kay Leila na sa labang ito, hindi siya nag-iisa (We should make her feel that she is not alone in this fight),” the former president added. n

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United Nations anti-drug agency still wants Philippines as partner

criminality and corruption are major platform issues of President Duterte.

In response, Fedotov expressed THE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has hope that the Philippines will still expressed hope that the Philip- consider the UNODC as an impines will continue considering portant partner.

Natividad relayed the Presthe anti-drug agency as an important partner even as the country ident’s deep concern that the exits from the International Crim- Philippines might turn into a inal Court amid its “preliminary” narco-state due to the current examination” of the government’s drug situation and highlighted the violence and crime caused by war on drugs.

During recent discussions the rampant use of methamphetwith Yury Fedotov, director gen- amine in the country.

Natividad underscored the eral and executive director of the United Nations Office in Vienna, need for strong, decisive action and the presentation of her cre- in tackling the drug problem dentials as permanent repre- and stressed respect for national sentative of the Philippines to sovereignty in deciding the best the UN and other international course of action in addressing organizations, Ambassador Ma- each country’s concerns.

Fedotov acknowledged that the ria Cleofe Natividad stressed the need for collaboration and coop- increase in the cultivation and manufacture of drugs remains eration with the UNODC. She said combatting illegal a huge problem for all coundrugs, trafficking in persons, tries, saying the UNODC can

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

Mischief Reef.

Photo from the Center for Strategic and International Studies

US Navy warship closely sails off Mischief Reef

by Frances

g. Mangosing Inquirer.net

THE U.S. Navy carried out a freedom of navigation operation in one of China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea on Friday, March 23, news agency Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials.

The USS Mustin sailed 12 nautical miles off Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef) in the Spratly Islands, a group of islands also being claimed by the Philippines.

The warship also “carried out maneuvering operations” there, the report said.

The U.S. military said it was part of their “routine and regular freedom of navigation operations” that they have done in the past and “will continue to do in

the future.”

An international tribunal in The Hague ruled in 2016 that Mischief Reef belongs to the Philippines.

China has reclaimed land and massively constructed artificial islands on several reefs in the South China Sea to bolster its claims. The islands are capable of supporting military facilities, which has become a concern for several nations.

Also on Friday, China announced that it will carry out combat drills in the South China Sea as part of its annual exercises, China’s Defense Ministry said.

Quoting the PLA Navy’s [People Liberation Army] staff de-

‘No one can stop me...

partment, the ministry said in its website that the exercises is a “routine arrangement within the PLA Navy’s annual plan and it aims to test and improve the troops’ training level and comprehensively enhance the capability to win.”

It said that the drills are not aimed at any specific country or target.

A military expert told Chinese publication Global Times that Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, may participate in the drills for the first time.

Details of the drills or its specific location in the South China Sea were not discussed, but the report said it will be held “in China’s territorial waters.” n

nalized on Thursday, March 22, after a meeting with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and the PAGE A1 Boracay for six months. local government unit in the area.

Duterte was the guest of honor The Department of EnvironThe letter recommending the during the 16th founding an- ment and Natural Resources, closure of Boracay to foreign and niversary of the Supreme Tribal the Department of the Interior local tourists for six months efCouncil for Peace and Develop- and Local Government and the fective April 26 was sent to the ment, Inc. held at the 3rd Infan- Department of Tourism have president on Friday, March 23. try Battalion headquarters in Ba- recommended that Boracay be The letter-recommendation rangay Malagos, Calinan district. closed starting April 26, the peak from the three agencies was “Basta ako, determinado na of summer. coursed through Executive Secako gyud nang undangon tungod The president, however, still has retary Salvador Midealdea. sa mga tao (I am determined to to make the final announcement The president threatened to do this for the people),” he said. on the shutdown of Boracay. close Boracay after calling the Stakeholders have raised obThe inter-agency decision on the world-famous vacation spot a jections against the plan to close the shutdown of Boracay was fi- “cesspool” last February. n

share tools in areas such as law enforcement support and drug abuse prevention.

The UNODC, based in Vienna, was established in 1997 with a mandate to assist member states in their efforts to fight illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. UNODC operates in all regions of the world through its field offices.

Duterte had earlier called on countries that ratified the Rome Statute to follow his example and withdraw from the treaty, stressing that the ICC would not have jurisdiction over him.

He said the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, was sponsored by the European Union which “is making up for its past sins and brutality.”

Last Tuesday, March 20, the ICC expressed regret for the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute and encouraged the country to remain part of the ICC. n

Disaggregated data among Asian Americans...

PAGE A1 egories for white and black as reported on The Conversation

by Jennifer Lee, a sociology professor at Columbia University.

The census would further allow Asians to check off their country of origin such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and so on.

But factors such as the current political and racial climates have advocates for an accurate count worried that Asian Americans may opt out of disclosing information, thus rendering an incomplete picture of their communities in the U.S. Asian Americans are currently the fastest-growing community in the nation, growing 72 percent between the years 2000 and 2015 — from 11.9 million to 20.4 million, according to fact tank Pew Research Center. Approximately seven percent of the U.S. population belong to the AAPI community.

In California, the percentage goes a little over 15 percent.

The U.S. Asian American population is also very diverse, as the 20 million Asian Americans find their roots coming from over 20 countries throughout Asia.

Advocates for disaggregated information argue that failing to get an accurate count of these communities means taking a risk in making sure specific communities are served accordingly whether in health, education, or other programs.

From the last 2010 Census, data found that Filipino-Americans became the largest Asian American group in California, while Chinese Americans remained the largest in the U.S. Data went deeper finding that in the county of Los Angeles, Filipinos and Koreans were the two largest, with growth being seen with Thai Americans as well.

“If you don’t have an accurate census, you won’t know any of this,” Stewart Kwoh said late last year in a panel for the upcoming census. Kwoh is the founding president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Los Angeles (AAJC), a legal and civil rights organization “If you lump all Asians together, then you really don’t know us at all,” he added.

Language, for example, has also been a reason advocates have been pushing for an accurate count. Approximately one-third of Asian-Americans

do not speak English very well, according to self-reported data from the American Communities Survey.

Kwoh used the case of natural disaster in Nevada as an example where Filipinos made up half of the overall Asian population.

“Let’s say there’s a disaster in Nevada. Wouldn’t you want to know that Filipinos are half of the Asian population? And how you are going to outreach to them?” Kwoh told the Asian Journal.

He added, “Culturally, in language, you need to have that disaggregated data. Otherwise the government agencies are almost blind to who they are serving. It’s crucial.”

In regards to social and economic indicators, only three in 50 Filipino-Americans in the U.S. live below the poverty line for example, compared to approximately one in four Hmong Americans.

In health where only 14 percent of those in AAPI communities lack healthcare, disaggregated data shows disparities between Japanese-Americans and Korean-Americans — the former having eight percent without healthcare, and the later at 27 percent without.

(Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

Thousands mistakenly enrolled during...

PAGE A1

billion were made related to 1.9 million newly eligible enrollees.

There were limitations to the California review, however.

The audit extrapolated from a sample of 150 beneficiaries.

The authors reported a 90 percent confidence level in their results — whereas 95 percent would be more common. That meant that the number of those ineligible could have been as low as 260,000 or as high as 630,000.

“If HHS has a strong reason to believe that California is systematically making enrollment errors, it would be helpful to show that in a more robust analysis,” said Ben Ippolito, a health care economist at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “The federal government should ensure that states are being good stewards of federal money.”

Nonetheless, the audit highlighted weaknesses in California’s Medicaid program, the largest in the nation with 13.4 million enrollees and an annual budget topping $100 billion, counting federal and state money. Medicaid covers 1 in 3 Californians.

The inspector general found deficiencies in the state’s computer system for verifying eligibility and discovered errors by caseworkers. The Medicaid payments cited in the report covered people in the state’s fee-for-service system, managed-care plans, drug treatment programs and those receiving mental health services.

California’s Department of Health Care Services, which runs Medi-Cal, said in a statement that it agreed with nearly all of the auditors’ recommendations and that the agency “has taken steps to address all of the findings.”

In a written response to the inspector general, California officials said several computer upgrades were made after the audit period and before publication of the report that should improve the accuracy of eligibility decisions.

Among the 150 expansion enrollees analyzed in detail, 75 percent, or 112, were deemed eligible for the Medicaid program in California. Auditors discovered a variety of problems with the other 38 enrollees.

During the audit period, 12

Infographic by Katie Edwards/Ikon Images

enrollees in the sample group had incomes above 138 percent of the federal poverty line, making them ineligible financially for public assistance, according to the report.

In other instances, beneficiaries were already enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance for people 65 and older or who have severe disabilities, and did not qualify for MediCal. One woman indicated she didn’t want Medi-Cal but was enrolled anyway.

In 2014, the state struggled to clear a massive backlog of Medi-Cal applications, which reached about 900,000 at one point. Many people complained about being mistakenly rejected for coverage, or their applications were lost in the state or county computer systems.

California was one of 31 states to expand Medicaid under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. The health law established a higher federal reimbursement for these newly eligible patients, primarily low-income adults without children. After expansion started in 2014, the HHS inspector general’s office began reviewing whether states were determining eligibility correctly and spending taxpayer dollars appropriately.

In a similar audit released in January, the inspector general estimated that New York spent $26.2 million in federal Medicaid money on 47,271 expansion enrollees who were ineligible for coverage. (The sample size there was 130 enrollees.) Overall, New York had far fewer expansion enrollees and related spending compared to California.

Audits of other states’ re-

cords are planned.

“It is inevitable that in a big rollout of new eligibility for any public program there are going to be glitches in implementation,” said Kathy Hempstead, a health-policy expert and senior adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The inspector general wants to make sure that states are being sufficiently careful.”

Nationwide, Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program designed for the poor, is the country’s largest health insurance program, covering 74 million Americans. In the past year, Republican efforts to reduce Medicaid funding and enrollment have sparked intense political debates and loud protests over the size and scope of the public program.

The federal government footed the entire cost of Medicaid expansion during the first three years, instead of taking the usual approach of splitting the costs with states. Now, states are picking up more of the bill.

Their share of the costs grows to 10 percent by 2020.

The California audit didn’t request a specific repayment from the state, but the findings were sent to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for review. CMS officials didn’t return a request for comment.

Donald White, a spokesman for the inspector general’s office, said the agency stood by the report’s findings and declined to comment further.

This story was produced

by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Chad Terhune/Kaiser Health News)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Senate revamp looms

Pimentel willing to step down if demanded by re-election bid

by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

A leAdership change at the senate is seen likely to occur later this year as senate president Aquilino pimentel iii said he is willing to step down if the majority bloc picks another leader when he files his candidacy for 2019 re-election. sources at the senate told The Manila Times the changes are likely to happen during the third and last session of the 17th Congress, after the impeachment trial of supreme Court Chief Justice Maria lourdes sereno.

They said senate Majority leader Vicente sotto 3rd is expected to take over the leadership of the upper chamber when pimentel leaves. They were not clear if the leadership change would also affect other positions in the upper chamber.

The senators are speculating that the revamp is part of a “termsharing” agreement forged between pimentel and sotto in view of the 2019 elections. pimentel is also the president of the partido demokratiko pilipino–lakas ng Bayan (pdp-laban), which is chaired by president rodrigo duterte. pimentel, however, denied in a radio interview on sunday morning there was any term-sharing agreement between him and sotto.

“Categorically, i am saying that we do not have a term-sharing [agreement]. Categorically, i am saying that i can be replaced anytime. i’m willing to let go. There

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III

will be no hard feelings and i will also be a part of the majority,” pimentel said.

Sotto confirms Pimentel’s statement “Term-sharing is not an issue. senate leaders serve at the pleasure of the senators. No two senators can agree to sharing a term when it is their peers that elect their leaders,” sotto said.

The senate president said he is also assessing the situation to find out if members of the senate majority would allow him to stay on as senate president while seeking re-election.

While denying having a termsharing agreement with sotto, pimentel said he would ask the latter’s advice once he files his certificate for candidacy in October this year. pimentel is one of six senators seeking reelection in next year’s polls. “i will seek the advice of sen. sotto since he is the most senior member of the senate,” the sen-

ConCom agrees ‘in principle’...

PAGE A1 of the declaration of principles and that section 16 consists of only of one sentence. it said: “The state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with of the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

“And so you will immediately discern like the prohibition on political dynasties that section 16 is not a self-executing provision. And that is the reason why Congress passes a lot of legislation in order

to protect our environment,” puno said.

“That is also the reason why supreme Court has to promulgate this Writ of Kalikasan in 2010 in the exercise of its right to promulgate rules in order to protect the constitutional rights of the people and among them is the right to healthy environment,” he said. puno added, “so, this time around when we re-draft and revise the Constitution, we like to think it’s about time that we constitutionalize this provision. And

ManilaTimes.net photo

ate president said. he explained that he could still serve as senate president even if he has filed his certificate of candidacy, but he added it would be best to consult officials of the chamber, particularly the senate majority leader. pimentel said sotto, being the most senior member of the senate, has practical knowledge and institutional memory. “so even the filing of candidacy, i like to get advice from him on what is the best way to move forward not only for me but for the senate as an institution,” he added.

Asked if he felt threatened by members of other groups within the majority bloc who may have the numbers to elect a new senate head, pimentel said he is not bothered because he is ready and willing to leave his post. “if majority of the members of the senate want new blood to lead the senate, i am willing to let go,” pimentel said. n we tend to do this by putting in all these self-executing provisions in the bill of rights.”

“This is also aligned with the trend going on. The new Constitution of various countries have already constitutionalized this right to good environment,” he said.

“This is also aligned with many agreements and treaties coming from the United Nations protecting the environment of the people. so in essence that is what we shall be putting in our draft Constitution in order to strengthen the right of our people to a healthy environment,” he said. (Bernadette Tamayo/ManilaTimes.net)

AIRCRAFT TURNOVER. Three units of Beechcraft TC-90 training aircraft from the Japan Ministry of Defense were turned over to the Philippine military at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point in Cavite City on Monday, March 26. The TC-90 will be utilized by the Philippine Navy for its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Court approves month-long US trip for Jinggoy by elizAbeth

MArcelo Philstar.com

MANilA — Former senator Jinggoy estrada has been allowed to leave the country for one month despite a pending plunder case in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam. in a hearing Monday, March 26, the sandiganbayan Fifth division granted in open court estrada’s motion to travel to the United states from April 30 to May 30 despite the vehement objection of the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution team. in his motion filed on March 16, estrada said he was invited by the group U.s. pinoys for Good Governance (Usp4GG) to be a guest speaker in its annual general membership meeting to be held in sterling heights, Michigan on May 20, 2018. estrada attached in his motion an invitation letter signed

by Usp4GG president William dechavez.

“Our members would like to know the latest development in the philippines, particularly those pertaining to the issues over extrajudicial killings, dengvaxia mess and federalism plan,” the letter read.

“We know that you are in the thick of all these developments, and we are certain you can discuss the said issues thoroughly and accurately,” it added.

Usp4GG is an organization of

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada is facing a plunder case and 11 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.

Philstar.com photo by Elizabeth Marcelo

Filipinos based in the UsA. The group said the event will be attended by at least 80 of is members.

Medical consultation for shoulder pains estrada said he will also have a medical consultation with an orthopedic surgeon at stanford hospital in connection with his recurring shoulder pains. he said he will be accompanied by his wife precy and their children Janella, Jolo, Julian and Jill during the trip. estrada said he had long promised his family, especially his son Julian, a vacation in the U.s. after the boy graduated from high

school in March 2015. estrada was at that time still in detention over his plunder case.

The Fifth division granted estrada’s motion despite the prosecution’s objection pointing out that because the former senator failed to submit a detailed itinerary for entire the trip, thus, it would be difficult for authorities to locate his whereabouts. estrada is facing a plunder case and 11 counts of graft before the Fifth division in connection with the alleged misuse of millions of pesos of his priority development Assistance Fund (pdAF) or pork barrel during his term as a senator. he is accused of receiving p183-million worth of kickbacks from the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet lim-Napoles in exchange for allocating portions of his pdAF from 2004 to 2012 to the latter’s bogus foundations for the supposed implementation of his livelihood projects.

The ombudsman, which filed the cases in June 2014, said estrada’s projects turned out to be “ghost” or fictitious. estrada was detained at the philippine National police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City since June 2014. But, on september 15, 2017 the Fifth division allowed him to post bail on the ground of the supposed lack of evidence from the prosecution showing that he is the “main plunderer” in the case. n

A6 MARCH 28-30, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

10th most improved

FEATURES

FOR several years, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was a national embarrassment, with travel websites rating it as the worst or among the worst gateways in the world. Congestion and flight delays, collapsing ceilings, lousy toilets and long lines at immigration, later aggravated by a bullet-planting scandal, contributed to the bad reviews of the NAIA. A renovation of the old NAIA terminal and the full operation of Terminal 3 eased the congestion.

Among the first acts of President Duterte when he assumed power was to put a stop to the bullet planting or laglagbala. The transfer of some flights to the international airport in Clark, Pampanga also eased runway traffic.

The improvements have paid off. London-based research firm Skytrax has ranked the NAIA as the 10th most improved airport in the world in 2017.

About 13.73 million travelers representing 100 nationalities participated in the Skytrax survey conducted in 550 airports around the world from August 2017 to February this year.

Airports were rated in terms of the quality of check-in services, security and immigration, departure at the gate, arrivals, transfers and shopping. Among the most improved, Rome’s Fiumicino Airport topped the list, followed by the gateways in Perth, Australia; Calgary in Canada; Taoyuan

in Taiwan; Athens, Greece; Nadi in Fiji; Montreal, Canada; Moscow Sheremetyevo in Russia and Houston Intercontinental in the United States.

NAIA officials welcomed the Skytrax ranking and acknowledged the need to sustain the improvements, saying, “We are only as good as our last accomplishment.” Runway congestion and long immigration lines persist, and facilities overall can still use a lot of improvement.

Even better than sustaining the gains is aiming to be among the best. The NAIA suffers in comparison especially because several of the world’s best airports are located in this region. This year, Singapore’s Changi again topped the Skytrax ranking, followed by South Korea’s Incheon International, Haneda in Tokyo and the Hong Kong airport. In 2017, the Airports Council International, the global trade representative of airport authorities worldwide, ranked Incheon as the best airport for the Airports in China, Thailand and Malaysia are 12th consecutive year. moving to catch up. The Philippines cannot afford

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

to be left behind. The Skytrax survey should serve as an encouragement to do better. (Philstar.com)

Pope Francis’ Lenten message to Christians on manipulative ‘snake charmers,’ false prophets, selfishness, greed & violence of our time

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS POPE FRANCIS is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why many Catholics have found renewed faith in the Church. This simple, humble, loving and inclusive spiritual leader has not only been preaching the Gospel of Jesus through his life and example, he also connects God’s teachings to the challenges we face in our everyday life.

This Lenten season, Pope Francis wrote his message based on the verse from the book of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12) Let me share with you the Pope’s message and together let us discern the lure of selfishness, greed, violence, the false prophets and “manipulative snake charmers” who have been threatening the love and peace in our midst, and what we can do to find the way, the truth, and the light.

HAPPY EASTER! Dear Brothers and Sisters, Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in His providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth.

I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12).

These words appear in Christ’s preaching about the end of time.

They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord’s passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many.

False prophets Let us listen to the Gospel passage and try to understand the guise such false prophets can assume.

They can appear as “snake charmers”, who manipulate human emotions in order to enslave others and lead them where they would have them go. How many of God’s children are mesmerized by momentary pleasures, mistaking them for true happiness! How many men and women live entranced by the dream of wealth, which only makes them slaves to profit and petty interests! How many go through life believing that they are sufficient unto themselves, and end up entrapped by loneliness!

False prophets can also be “charlatans”, who offer easy and immediate solutions to suffering that soon prove utterly useless.

How many young people are taken in by the panacea of drugs, of disposable relationships, of easy but dishonest gains! How many more are ensnared in a thoroughly “virtual” existence, in which relationships appear quick and straightforward, only to prove meaningless! These swindlers, in peddling things that have no real value, rob people of all that is most precious:

dignity, freedom and the ability to love. They appeal to our vanity, our trust in appearances, but in the end they only make fools of us. Nor should we be surprised. In order to confound the human heart, the devil, who is “a liar and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44), has always presented evil as good, falsehood as truth.

That is why each of us is called to peer into our heart to see if we are falling prey to the lies of these false prophets. We must learn to look closely, beneath the surface, and to recognize what leaves a good and lasting mark on our hearts, because it comes from God and is truly for our benefit.

A cold heart In his description of hell, Dante Alighieri pictures the devil seated on a throne of ice, in frozen and loveless isolation.

We might well ask ourselves how it happens that charity can turn cold within us. What are the signs that indicate that our love is beginning to cool?

More than anything else, what destroys charity is greed for money, “the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10). The rejection of God and his peace soon follows; we prefer our own desolation rather than the comfort found in his word and the sacraments. All this leads to violence against anyone we think is a threat to our own “certainties”: the unborn child, the elderly and infirm, the migrant, the alien among us, or our neighbour who does not live up to our expectations.

Creation itself becomes a silent witness to this cooling of charity. The earth is poisoned by refuse, discarded out of carelessness or for self-interest. The seas, themselves polluted, engulf the remains of countless shipwrecked victims of forced

migration. The heavens, which in God’s plan, were created to sing His praises, are rent by engines raining down implements of death.

Love can also grow cold in our own communities. In the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I sought to describe the most evident signs of this lack of love: selfishness and spiritual sloth, sterile pessimism, the temptation to self-absorption, constant warring among ourselves, and the worldly mentality that makes us concerned only for appearances, and thus lessens our missionary zeal.

What are we to do?

Perhaps we see, deep within ourselves and all about us, the signs I have just described. But the Church, our Mother and Teacher, along with the often bitter medicine of the truth, offers us in the Lenten season the soothing remedy of prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation God offers. He is our Father and he wants us to live life well.

Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbour as a brother or sister. What I possess is never mine alone. How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us! How I would like us, as Christians, to follow the example of the Apostles and see in the sharing of our possessions a tangible witness of the communion that is ours in the Church! For this reason, I echo Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians to take up a collection for the community of Jerusalem as something from which they themselves would

In pursuit of lasting peace

PeaceMaker

(PART 3 OF 3) (Remarks of Hon. Jose De Venecia, Former Speaker, PhilipFORMER SPEAKER pine House of Representatives; JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. Founding Chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); Co-Chairman, 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.)

The challenges and opportunities of the future In a speech at the former East German city of Dresden on 2014, the former South Korean President Park Geun-hye said: “Just as the German people secured freedom, prosperity and peace by tearing down

the Berlin Wall, we too must tear down barriers in our march towards a new future on the Korean Peninsula.”

Dear friends: We agree that for our peoples, the age of ideological conflict is over. All our countries now need to move beyond containment and confrontation toward cooperation and collective prosperity.

Indeed, there is no other option.

Institutionalizing the Interfaith Dialogue Excellencies, friends: We in the UPF campaigned in 2004 in the U.N. General Assembly, in the U.N. Security Council, in other halls of the U.N. in Europe for an inter-faith, inter-cultural, and inter-civilizational dialogue with our proposal to create an Interfaith Council in the U.N. or at least a focal point in the Office of the U.N. Secretary General, at a time when discussion of religion was somewhat taboo within the U.N. system.

If creating a new council is overly difficult—as some legalists have warned—then, perhaps, we could write an interfaith mandate in the mission order of the Trusteeship Council of the U.N. which had anyway ran out of trust territories to supervise. We had partially suc-

benefit (cf. 2 Cor 8:10). This is all the more fitting during the Lenten season, when many groups take up collections to assist Churches and peoples in need. Yet I would also hope that, even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assistance, we would see such requests as coming from God Himself. When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of His children. If through me God helps someone today, will He not tomorrow provide for my own needs? For no one is more generous than God. Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important opportunity for growth. On the one hand, it allows us to experience what the destitute and the starving have to endure. On the other hand, it expresses our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbour. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger.

I would also like my invitation to extend beyond the bounds of the Catholic Church, and to reach all of you, men and women of good will, who are open to hearing God’s voice. Perhaps, like ourselves, you are disturbed by the spread of iniquity in the world, you are concerned about the chill that paralyzes hearts and actions, and you see a weakening in our sense of being members of the one human family. Join us, then, in raising our plea to God, in fasting, and in offering whatever you can to our brothers and sisters in need!

The fire of Easter Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthu-

siasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.

One such moment of grace will be, again this year, the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, which invites the entire Church community to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic adoration.

In 2018, inspired by the words of Psalm 130:4, “With you is forgiveness”, this will take place from Friday, 9 March to Saturday, 10 March. In each diocese, at least one church will remain open for twenty-four consecutive hours, offering an opportunity for both Eucharistic adoration and sacramental confession.

During the Easter Vigil, we will celebrate once more the moving rite of the lighting of the Easter candle. Drawn from the “new fire”, this light will slowly overcome the darkness and illuminate the liturgical assembly.

“May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds”, and enable all of us to relive the experience of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. By listening to God’s word and drawing nourishment from the table of the Eucharist, may our hearts be ever more ardent in faith, hope and love.

With affection and the promise of my prayers for all of you, I send you my blessing. Please do not forget to pray for me. *** 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

ceeded: today there is an Interfaith unit operating in the office of the U.N. Secretary General.

Since then, not only the United Nations and individual governments, but also civil society groupings, have been holding these important dialogues at local, national, regional, and international levels.

Excellencies, friends: From these Interfaith Dialogues, we should expect no miracles—except those epiphanies that result from open hearts, the willingness to see the other side’s viewpoint, and a multitude of patience.

Sunni-Shiite Dialogue On the raging Sunni-Shiite issues and the extremist violence in the Arab world, and the emergence of ISIS-ISIL in the battlegrounds of Syria and Iraq and even Libya, one cannot discount the magnitude of the barriers that intense doctrinal separation has raised between the two great schools of Islam and the emergence today of the radical, violent Islamic extremists, ISIS-ISIL. As we earlier advocated before in our letters to Saudi Arabia’s then King Abdullah and Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it would be of great relief to our region and indeed the world, if the two leaders of Islam, Saudi Arabia, representing the Sunnis, and Iran, rep-

u PAGE A7

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

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 28-30, 2018

A

OFW plight also a priority – CHR

by Mary

Gleefer f.

ManilaTimes.net

Jalea

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over the weekend said the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remain one of its priorities along with rights violations under the government’s war on drugs.

“Even in the background, this sector remains to be one of our priorities, while working on more prominent issues, such as alleged human rights violations linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs,” according to a CHR statement.

It announced on Saturday that it plans to put up a rights observatory meant to gather information on the plight of OFWs and give recommendations to the government on how it can protect the migrants’ rights further.

The announcement came after the case of Joanna Demafelis hogged the headlines.

Demafelis was a domestic worker whose body was found in a freezer in Kuwait more than a year after she was reported missing.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said last week that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will arrange a memorandum of agreement with Kuwait regarding the matter on the first week of April.

On February 9, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a total ban on sending Filipino workers to Kuwait over Demafelis’ death.

The CHR said it is working with the DoLE, the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration and the National Human Rights Committee on agreements to protect OFWs in countries such as Ni-

geria and Qatar.

It called on the government to address human rights abuses locally and abroad.

“Every Filipino or Filipina deserves the government’s equal protection wherever they may be– regardless if it is about alleged human rights violations linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs or those concerning the rights of migrant workers. It is, after all, a government of the people, by the people and for the people,” the CHR statement said.

Latest Philippine Statistics Authority data shows that the number of OFWs who worked abroad between April and September 2016 reached 2.2 million.

Of this number, there were 85 reported deaths in Kuwait alone from abuse, as stated in a Senate FREE EYEGLASSES. Manuel Co (in light blue polo), director of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), assists a senior joint inquiry in February 2018. n citizen in fitting eyeglasses while Barangay Captain Marlon Zingapan (in light green shirt) looks on during the free dental and medical

Defense, police chiefs oppose resumption of peace talks

by DeMpsey

reyes ManilaTimes.net

SANGLEY POINT, Cavite: Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disagreed on Monday, March 26, with a resolution proposed by lawmakers at the House of Representatives prodding President Rodrigo Duterte to resume the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a news conference, Lorenzana said: “Initially, I am opposed to the peace talks but we will find out what they really want to happen this time, because we have been talking to them for the past several decades, nothing is happening.”

“But I have to talk to the president first and get his sense because he has more information than I have, so after I talk to him, it would be his decision to pursue the peace talks, then we have to abide. But personally, I am not in favor of it,” Lorenzana added.

Also on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa said the communist rebels were “just fooling” the government and would continue to attack soldiers and police even during peace talks.

“Nobody wants war but they are going to use peace talks to continue their attacks. We are being fooled for a long time so us in the security forces, we say there should not be any peace talks since they are just

fooling us,” he told reporters in a separate news conference.

Forces on alert De la Rosa instructed all police units to double their efforts in launching offensive operations and mobilizing village information networks and other intelligence sources to deter expected attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) on its 49th anniversary on March 29.

De la Rosa also urged people living in Regions 11 and 13 to be more vigilant amid the presence of NPA rebels in their area.

The two regions have what the NPA needs: gold, banana plantations, and logging, the PNP chief said.

Ceasefire first Sixty-one lawmakers filed House Resolution 1803, urging Duterte to restart the peace talks with the CPP’s negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front, and pursue social, economic and political reforms in Mindanao.

For Lorenzana, however, the resumption of peace talks will have to come along with “sincerity,” which means a declaration of a bilateral ceasefire.

“But, these people (CPP and NPA), are insisting on fight and talk, but I don’t believe in that,” he said. “If we talk, we should stop fighting first,” he added.

Lorenzana also pointed to the recent surrender of Red fighters.

“A lot of them are surrendering in droves everyday, so, they are trying to [use]peace talks as last ploy to stop the surrenders and the tagging of them as terrorists,” he said.

In November, the president signed a proclamation officially terminating the peace negotiations with the NDF, months after he said that he did not want to pursue talks anymore following the ambush on a Presidential Security Group convoy in North Cotabato by NPA rebels.

The president later declared the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations.

Lorenzana said he had not seen sincerity from the communists since he was a lieutenant at the Philippine Army way back in 1973.

“I have not been seeing their sincerity. We have been watching them and watching them since I was a lieutenant but I have retired and I haven’t seen any sincerity in them,” Lorenzana recollected.

The cancellation of talks prompted CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to lambast the moves of the Duterte administration such as the declaration and extension of martial law in Mindanao, the impeachment efforts against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and the killing of alleged drug suspects through the brutal war against drugs. n

mission in Antipolo City. The CGHMC conducted a free dental and medical mission requested by Antipolo City 1st District Representative Cristina Roa-Puno.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

In pursuit of lasting...

PAGE A6 resenting the Shiites, respectively, could perhaps meet in Mecca and Medina and bring about the beginnings of reconciliation and the end of violence in the lands of Islam, and head off decisively the expansion and internationalization of the extremist groups, ISIS-ISIL. We believe the initiative is most difficult but not impossible.

The bloody Catholic-Protestant conflicts in Europe that ran for centuries have long since ended, the latest achievement being the relatively recent “Good Friday” peace agreement that ended the brutal politico-religious Catholic-Protestant wars in Northern Island.

In pursuit of lasting peace Today, we sadly note the most discouraging ongoing multiple crises in our region: the extremist violence and the wars in Iraq, Syria, although we have seen recent improvement, and new hostilities in Libya, the continuing violence in Afghanistan, the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the unending Azerbaijan and Armenia conflict over NagornoKarabakh, the continuing dangers and fear of explosion in the Korean Peninsula, the Buddhist and Muslim Rohingya difficulties in Myanmar, similar problems in Southern Thailand, the maritime tensions in the South China Sea and East China Sea, the Muslim and Communist insurgencies in the Philippines, and the other

conflict areas in our region.

While we are deeply aware of the historical and cultural roots of many of those conflicts—and the enmity and bitter divisions that have grown between rivals—we cannot turn away from the pursuit of peace because the alternative, which is conflict and war, would be immeasurably costly and make all of us losers.

Understanding among the great civilizations On our part, we must say that we must strive relentlessly then to achieve the multicultural understanding which is the only basis for the long-term security of our Asian region and the global community.

For understanding among the great civilizations is the only basis for global peace that will endure.

Indeed, to this purpose we must mobilize mosques, churches, temples, synagogues—Buddhists, Hindus, Confucians, and Jews, no less than Christians and Muslims—as well as political parties and the whole of global civil society.

And if there are historical grudges that remain, let us bring them out into the open, indeed, into the blazing searchlight of public scrutiny, if you will—so that they may be threshed out by dialogue, reason and compromise.

We must create space for alternative faiths A great Western president

once said memorably that the 21st Century will be defined by a simple choice that the nations must make—whether to emphasize their ethnic, ideological, and religious differences or their common humanity.

But nations can never make the right choice, for as long as their peoples insist that “our faith must reign supreme”— since this claim can be affirmed only by the negation of all other faiths.

We in the UPF and in the international organizations represented in our conference must learn to create space for other systems and alternative faiths.

After all, every great religion arose from the same wellspring of faith—accepting, for its central belief, God’s direct and decisive intervention in human history—by revealing Himself to humankind.

Lastly, we must all accept that peace is much more than the absence of conflict.

Excellencies, friends: Perhaps the time has now come for the President of South Korea to cross the 38th Parallel and journey to Pyongyang. Similarly, the leader of North Korea should take a glorious visit to Seoul. Something that the leaders of the two Koreas have not done before.

Today here in Seoul, we must take to heart the simple truth that peace indeed is a community of sharing; that we all belong to “one great human family under God.” n

A March 28-30, 2018 • La MIDWEEK aSIaN JOUrNaL

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JICA projects to aid farmers in Mindanao

Datu Paglas Mayor Abubakar Paglas, Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, Makoto Iyori of the Embassy of Japan, and Agriculture Undersecretary Francisco Villano Jr. (third to seventh from left) open the Datu Paglas farm-to-market road in a handover ceremony on Thursday, March 23.

DA photo by eireene Jairee

gomez

(4.7 kilometers), Alamada town in North Cotabato province (7.9 kms), and Datu Paglas in MaTHE Japan International Co- guindanao province (8.7 kms). operation Agency (JICA) has The projects were identified turned over 1.17-billion-yen as supporting agricultural defarm-to-market roads for farm- velopment needs in the region ers in Mindanao’s conflict-af- under the Study for Socioecofected areas. nomic Reconstruction and DeThe roads are in Bumbaran velopment of conflict-affected town in Lanao del Sur province u PAGE B2 ManilaTimes.net

Department of Trade and Industry allays investors’ fears on lost perks under TRAIN 2 by richmond

mercurio Philstar.com

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has allayed fears in the foreign business community that the government’s second tax reform package would harm the country’s investment climate, assuring them its implementation would entice even more investors.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, together with officials of the Department of Finance (DOF), in a recent dialogue addressed the issues and clarified the concerns raised by

US Generalized System of Preferences for Philippines extended for 3 years The renewal authorizes the GSP through Dec. 31, 2020 and includes a mechanism that refunds tariffs paid from Jan. 1, 2018 through the reinstatement date of the program.

Philstar file photo

THE Philippines will continue to enjoy the incentives under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for the next three years, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Sunday, March 25.

The DTI said the U.S. GSP was reauthorized on March 23 after President Donald Trump signed the Omnibus Spending Bill which included GSP renewal language.

The renewal authorizes the GSP through Dec. 31, 2020 and includes a mechanism that refunds tariffs paid from Jan. 1, 2018 through the reinstatement date of the pro-

gram.

“We wish to thank the U.S. government for the timely renewal of the GSP program as Philippine exporters will continue to benefit from enhanced market access to the United States under GSP,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

The GSP program covers a total 5,057 products or tariff lines, or roughly 47.7 percent of the 10,600 total U.S. tariff lines, 3,500 of which are open for all beneficiary developing countries, while an additional 1,500 products are given to the least-devel-

oped beneficiary developing countries.

Effective since July last year, a total of 23 travel goods articles were added to the program.

Lopez said the Philippines has enjoyed preferential duty-free entry to the U.S. through the GSP program for a number of products.

GSP exports account for 18 percent of Philippines exports to the U.S., valued at an estimated $1.59 billion.

According to Lopez, top GSP exports to

u PAGE B2

Philippine economy robust enough to absorb higher rates — BSP

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, said there are aspects of TRAIN Package 2 that would benefit both new and existing investors.

Philstar file photo

Japanese investors on the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclu-

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THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has given assurance that the country’s economic growth remains solid enough to absorb higher interest rates, if warranted, as inflation is seen peaking in the third quarter due to transitory effects of the tax reform law.

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told

members of the Money Market Association of the Philippines (MART) last Friday, March23, that monetary authorities would stay alert to any signs of second-round effects and inflation becoming broader based.

“We stand firm in our intent to take immediate and appropriate measures to ensure that the monetary policy stance supports our price and financial stability objectives.

Economic growth remains solid enough to

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told members of the Money Market Association of the Philippines (MART) last Friday, March 24, that monetary authorities would stay alert to any signs of second-round effects and inflation becoming Philstar file photo broader based.

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B MARCH 28-30, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

Embassy lauds PH Fulbright Program’s 70th anniversary WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy, led by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, organized a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program at the Philippine Chancery Annex in the evening of March 22.

The Philippine Fulbright Program is the longest running Fulbright Program in the world and the longest education exchange in the Philippines.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano delivered a congratulatory video greeting that was played at the start the program.

“The Fulbright Program has been an important vehicle that ensures the enduring friendship between our two peoples,” said Secretary Cayetano.

In his welcome remarks, Romualdez underscored the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the United States that stems from their peoples, highlighting the importance of Fulbright Program.

“We are, therefore, honored to celebrate with all of you tonight the longest continuously operating Fulbright program in the world. Established in 1948, the first batch of Filipino Fulbright scholars left for the United States a year later,” said Romualdez.

“Seventy years hence, the program continues to be what it was conceived for in the early years of the diplomatic relations

U.S.-Philippines Society President John Maisto, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Galt, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez engage in a conversation at the reception held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program.

Ambassador Romualdez - Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez delivers the opening remarks at a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program on 22 March 2018.

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Love as the center of gravity THIS Lenten season, it is a good idea to ponder the life of Saint Paul.

Paul, aka Saul of Tarsus, lived more than two thousand years ago. He had something to say about what does matter in life.

He spoke about a special kind of love that in Greek is called Agape (ah-gah-pay).

Agape is unconditional love, a kind of love that has no agenda or motivations, a kind of love that is exemplified in God sending His only Son, a kind of love that if emulated by humans, sets us apart from all of God’s creatures, makes us a little closer to the angels and truly created in God’s own image and likeness.

But Paul didn’t start out as a defender of the Christian faith. He was, in fact, an avid persecutor feared by early Christians. As a Jew and a Pharisee who was also an educated man and a class above because he was a Roman citizen, he used everything in his power and position to quash the growth of the church persecuting the members of the then budding Christian church.

Saul was his Jewish name. Paul was his Roman name. Paul stood by watching the cloaks of the stone throwers, tacitly approving the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Paul was a young, rising brilliant star of his time eager to make his mark in the Judaic tradition. At first, Paul was hot and bothered by the intensity of the love and fervency of the Apostles and early believers.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA This start-up movement was a threat to his career track and his Judaic core belief system.

Paul thought he was going to make it his life’s work to eliminate Christ’s early followers and eradicate what Christ himself has started. If murder and mayhem were the tools to get it done, he was going to use them.

But God had other plans for

which was at a terrifying, alarming rate and intensity in the past 8 years, is coming down and with prayer and fasting among millions on bended knees, will bring forth a strong and fervent resurgence of a stronger Christian faith in most parts of the world.

FEAR NOT. Let not our hearts be troubled. As history will bear and as written in the song, “Canticle of the Turning,” which is based on the Blessed Mother Mary’s “Magnificat,” it is when the church is at its most vulnerable, when the forces of heaven align to defend itself and go on the offensive in subtle yet dramatic ways. The blood of early Christians spawned the rise of the early Church. Now as then, the pattern remains the same. History does repeat itself.

Marriage as a bedrock institution between man and a woman is in serious danger, as man-made laws masquerading as civil liberties, are enacted to challenge it, all in the name of political correctness.

There is a growing pushback against political correctness and the often times wanton moral depravity the lies of political correctness seek to promote. With courageous, right leaning Christian leaders who will defend the Christian faith, me ore and more people are emboldened to call a spade, a spade and think and act accordingly. The courage to confront the evil in our time is getting stronger as people quietly humble themselves before God and ask for His grace and mercy not only this Lenten season but unceasingly.

Strong family units built on LOVE are so essential in creating strong societies from the ground up. Each generation builds upon and learns from the ones that came before it.

The passage below is a favorite among couples and wedding planners and for good reason.

These words are more than the pretty, superficial veneer of rituals in weddings.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13, are words to live by telling us what really matters as he did then to members of the early church who were probably just as lost, confused and disconcerted as most of us probably are.

Set your hearts on the greater gifts. I will show you the way which surpasses all the others. If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind.

Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

Love never fails. … And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is LOVE.

“All you need is love.”

Filipino Fulbright scholars - Filipino Fulbright scholars with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (4th from right); Ambassador Jennifer Galt (5th from right); Ambassador John Maisto (4th from left); and Embassy Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (2nd from right).

between our two countries. It is a vehicle for mutual understanding. It provides students and scholars from both the Philippines and the United States the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research in academic environments that strengthen the ties between our peoples,” the Ambassador further noted.

One of the guest speakers, U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, emphasized in her remarks the dynamic role of education exchange in U.S.-Philippines relations through the years.

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— Lennon-McCartney

Paul. On his way to Damascus on a mission to arrest and persecute Christians, a blinding light shone on him. He fell off his horse while Jesus’ voice is heard asking him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This dramatic, miraculous conversion when he temporarily became blind was a critical juncture for the Christian church.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit who suffused his entire being when the scales of his blindness fell off his eyes, Paul’s teachings and writings have an eternal shelf life - true today, as it was then, and will be for much of human history.

In the quiet of your soul during this holy season amid troubled times, read the gospels. Also, you just might discover the exquisite beauty, range and depth of human emotions made known to God, contained in the Psalms, all 150 of them. And then read Paul.

You’ll be surprised at the clarity and current relevance of many of his writings to today’s unfolding history. He has a wealth of wisdom to share with anyone seeking meaning in a confusing world seemingly hell bent on self-immolation.

In a swirling fast-paced technological world full of self–love, vanity, illusions and artifice that only tend to distort and act as centrifugal forces pushing God away as the center of our lives, Paul’s directives make absolute sense. His words have the power to keep us all centered, as they were intended to be, not on ourselves, but on God. Ironically, it’s like being in the eye of the storm where there is peace while swirling forces rage about in the periphery.

This one below, if etched in many hearts and minds and lived out in our daily rounds through thoughts and more specifically in even the tiniest of actions, particularly in couples, already married or planning marriage in the foreseeable future, could remarkably bring down the alarming rate of break-ups and a whole universe of heartaches among couples.

This has the power to preserve FAMILIES, the last best hope of humanity on steroids.

These days, the very structure and integrity of the family unit are heavily assaulted from many fronts with popular culture, Hollyweird, media and the internet leading the charge at a time when the church has been rendered weak by internal abuses and scandals in the not so distant past.

Thankfully, the persecutions of Christians around the world

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

JICA projects to aid...

PAGE B1 t areas in Mindanao.

“We aim to bring more opportunities for farmers in Mindanao by expanding their market access and sustaining their livelihood,” JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines Yoshio Wada said in a statement on Thursday, March 23.

“This is our way of contributing to peace and development in Mindanao, so more people could enjoy the dividends of peace and improve their lives,” he added.

Officials from DA, JICA, the Japanese embassy in Manila, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Office of the Presidential

Adviser on the Peace Process, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and National Economic and Development Authority; and Datu Paglas Mayor Abubakar Paglas attended the handover ceremony.

JICA has been supporting the Mindanao peace process since 2002. Its Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) implemented nearly 30 projects there.

JICA is the executing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). It handles technical cooperation; ODA loans and investments; grant aid; and cooperation volunteers and disaster relief programs. n

US generalized system...

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the U.S., valued at an estimated $1.59 billion.

According to Lopez, top GSP exports to the U.S. include telescopic sights for rifles, spectacle lenses other than glass, new pneumatic radial tires of rubber, non-alcoholic beverages, not including fruits and vegetables, and electrical machinery and equipment parts.

The recent approval of the GSP is a “triple-win” for developing countries, U.S. companies, and American consumers, Lopez

said.

Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo pointed out the importance of the U.S. GSP in the face of a brewing trade clash among bigger countries.

“The Philippines utilizes all available tools to maintain and even improve its preferential access to key markets. This is important not only in ensuring advantage for our exporters, but equally critical, to heighten the Philippines’ advantage as location for manufacturing of these products,” Rodolfo said. n

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BUSINESS NEWS

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 28-30, 2018

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Business owner seeks Chapter 7 relief from Do I need a premarital agreement employee lawsuit for backpay of $100K before getting married?

Secured creditor client seeks relief from buyer who filed Chapter 11 OH, the woes of owning and running a business come in all shapes and sizes! Even when a business is profitable, something can go wrong that wipes it out. This is particularly true with small businesses when an unexpected lawsuit literally kills the business. Client has operated a successful small business for 5 years. He turns a profit of $50K a year, just enough to pay for his home mortgage all household expenses for his young and growing family. About five years ago, client hires an employee to help him run the business for a salary of $1,500 a month. That’s all the smallscale business can afford to pay the employee who was enthusiastic to accept the job.

Employee had been out of work for three years and drastically needed income. Client informed employee that $1,500 was the most he could afford to pay him, and that because this was a small business, the two of them would have to do everything to make sure everything was running smoothly. In other words, this was not a regular nine to five job.

Deliveries would be made after five, and if there were a lot of orders, he would have to come in earlier and leave later to ship out the orders in time. Employee said that there was no problem, that he was willing to work hard, and would consider the salary heaven sent.

After working for three years at $1,500 a month, he starts to complain to client that he’s not getting paid enough because of all the overtime work that he has put in. Client reminds him that he already informed him at the very beginning that the business could not afford to pay more than $1,500 a month, and that employee willingly accepted the terms of the offer of employment that it would have a lot of overtime work that would not be paid, and that he accepted those terms. Nevertheless, employee filed a complaint with the labor

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

department asking for back pay for unpaid overtime for 3 years.

The labor department computed that unpaid overtime work to be $2,500 monthly for 3 years. With

ruptcy stay and proceed with foreclosure. Client entered into an adequate protection agreement to restart monthly payments at $10K monthly immediately. Further the court found that the value of the property had been reduced to $1.1M because of the rezoning. However, developer has not been able to present a viable chapter 11 plan to the court for 2 years. Why not? The reason nothing really is going on. Developer is basically stuck, dead in the water, except for new money being infused by new investors, if any, it’s future looks really bleak.

However, recently, developer has asked the court to find that the current value of the property is now $400K, and proposed a plan that crams down the secured portion to $400K, and the $1.6M unpaid balance as unsecured. In other words, developer wants client’s property for free! Client now needs to get his property out of developer’s bankruptcy and proceed with foreclosure.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“ Even when a business is profitable, something can go wrong that wipes it out.” interest and penalties, the labor department award came out to be $100K for 3 years of back pay! What a turn of events. Client helps this man by giving him employment, and then he comes around and sues him for $100K. Employers beware. You may be hiring a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

In any event, client does not have $100K. Client decides to have a fresh start in life with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out the labor department award of $100K for back pay.

In another case, client sold a parcel of land to a developer couple of years ago for $2.0M in installment payments. Developer ran into some problems with city zoning. Developer’s intent was to develop the land into commercial property, a strip mall. Unfortunately, the property was rezoned into a residence putting a monkey wrench into developer’s business plan. Client decides to foreclose on the property. On the eve of the foreclosure sale date, developer files for Chapter 11 reorganization. Under Chapter 11, debtor can stop payments to client for 3 months, but must start paying client interest or monthly mortgage payments after 90 days. Otherwise, client can ask the court for relief from the bank-

*** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

Philippine economy robust enough...

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absorb some policy tightening, if warranted,” Espenilla said.

The Philippines has booked 76 quarters of uninterrupted growth with the gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 6.6 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, although at a slower pace than the seven percent growth in the third quarter.

The GDP grew 6.7 percent last year from 6.9 percent, fueled by election-related spending in 2016. The growth was well within the 6.5- to 7.5-percent target set by economic managers for 2017.

The robust growth was achieved amid the benign inflation environment as inflation climbed to 3.2 percent in 2017 from 1.8 percent in 2016 despite elevated oil prices.

The BSP’s Monetary Board last raised interest rates by 25 basis points in September 2014 and has embraced an accommodative stance to support the expanding economy.

The central bank continued to adopt a dovish policy stance, keeping benchmark rates steady during its first two rate-setting meetings this year even if inflation kicked up to its highest level in more than three years at 4.5 percent in February from four percent in January.

This brought the average inflation at 4.2 percent in the first two months of the year, slightly above the two to four percent target set by the BSP for 2018 to 2020.

The last time the target was breached was in 2008 when inflation leapt to 9.3 percent versus the three to five percent target, due to elevated oil and food prices.

“Practicing vigilance, we at the BSP, note that inflation expectations have started to rise and will, therefore, need to be closely monitored in the coming months. Remaining watchful, we acknowledge that on balance, risks to the inflation outlook remain weighted toward the upside,” Espenilla said.

The BSP chief said decisions on the monetary policy stance would continue to be data-dependent.

“Focus will be on domestic conditions while taking into account external developments, only to the extent that these impact the domestic inflation outlook and financial conditions,” Espenilla added.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said inflation is expected to peak above the central bank’s two to four percent target by the third quarter before easing back starting in the fourth quarter and should settle within the target by 2019.

Based on the new series using the 2012 base year, the BSP’s Monetary Board sees inflation falling within the target over the next two years. Inflation is seen averaging 3.9 instead of 3.8 percent this year and to three, instead of 3.1 percent, next year.

However, inflation is seen ac-

celerating to 4.5 instead of 4.3 percent this year before easing to 3.5 percent next year using the old series with a base year of 2006.

Guinigundo said monetary authorities have not seen strong evidence of strong effects coming from higher wages and rising transport fares.

Likewise, Guinigundo assured BSP is closely monitoring the inflation of consumer items as it closely watches possible second round effects.

The deputy governor pointed out that only 22.3 percent of the consumer items have inflation exceeding four percent, while 56 percent are within the two to four percent target, and 21.7 percent below two percent.

“There is no evidence at this point that the second round effects, in terms of consumer items, are evident,” Guinigundo said.

Massimo Bassetti, economist at think tank FocusEconomics, said a change of tone could be observed in the statement of the BSP chief as authorities stand ready to hike rates in the coming months.

“It also expressed its belief that robust growth would allow the economy to smoothly absorb a more restrictive monetary stance.

As the BSP remains concerned about both inflationary pressures and the strong economic performance, future rate hikes would likely be implemented with a view toward protecting growth prospects,” Bassetti said. ■

Department of Trade and Industry allays...

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sion (TRAIN) Package 2 which seeks to rationalize fiscal incentives and reduce corporate income tax rates.

Lopez said there are aspects of TRAIN Package 2 that would benefit both new and existing investors.

“While Japan is our number one source of investments, there are still a large number of Japanese investors who have not located in the Philippines. The TRAIN Package 2 provides us with the mechanisms both to encourage existing investors to further expand their business, and to attract new investors into the country,” he said.

According to the DTI, Japanese investors have expressed their concerns on the new tax incentives for new and existing investors as well as the preferential corporate income tax.

Lopez, however, pointed out that the proposed legislation is not meant to remove incentives, but instead recognizes the important role of incentives and the need to make them more responsive, relevant, and effective

which is why they should conform to the principles of being performance-based, time-bound, focused and transparent.

Board of Investments managing head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, for his part, said the second tax reform package would provide better incentives.

“First, investors will no longer be limited to just the income tax holiday and the five percent tax on gross income earned (GIE) – but will now be able to choose other incentives that may be more relevant, including long enough net operating loss carryover, accelerated depreciation, and double-deduction of certain expenses critical to upgrading competitiveness such as research and development, training, and others,” Rodolfo said.

Rodolfo added that equally important is that the TRAIN Package 2 will remove the nationality bias as well as the export bias of incentives.

‘This means that as long as an activity is listed under the Strategic Investments Priorities Plan, this will be eligible for incen-

tives regardless of citizenship of owners or the markets they will serve. For Japanese companies, they can receive incentives even if they will sell to the domestic market,” Rodolfo said.

Meanwhile, DOF director Juvy Danofrata addressed the concerns of investors on the sunset provisions for existing tax incentives.

“While transition mechanisms will be provided including replacing the five percent GIE with a reduced 15 percent corporate net income tax, we are open to suggestions on how we can design better transitions, as long as these will comply with the basic principles of being time-bound, performance-based, focused, and transparent,” Danofrata said.

According to the DTI, the discussion on TRAIN Package 2 with the Japanese investors was part of the agenda of the 10th Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement sub-committee on the improvement of business environment meeting last March 22 co-chaired by Lopez and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda. ■

IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.”

Family Code §760.

This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/her salary during the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account.

Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.

Signing a premarital agree-

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES ment may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage. Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807 Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party.

Marriage of Dawley, supra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Cheney v. City & County of San Francisco Employees Retirement System (1936) 7 C2d 565, 569, 61 P2d 754, 756. Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheriance claims. Estate of Wamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, 115, 289 P2d 871, 872.

Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c ),“ Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following:(1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located. (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property.(3) The disposition of property upon separation, mari-

Calendar of Events across

tal dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.(5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.(6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.(7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty.

However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b).

Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable. Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 C4th 39, 53–54, 99 CR2d 278, 288–289; Marriage of Facter (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 CR3d 79, 90.

Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code.

1615(c) (1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or after being advised to seek independent le-

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America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M A R C H 29

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

A P R I L 1 1 -1 3

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

APRIL 14

SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura in Queens, NY AFTA presents its latest fundraising event - “SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura” – a cultural dinner show featuring the internationally recognized dance troupe from the Philippines, the Leyte Dance Theater, which will kick off their USA TOUR 2018 in NYC. The event is on April 14, 2018, 3:00 pm at the Rock Church in Woodside, Queens. “Salida” aims to raise funds and awareness to support the flagship projects of the Association of Fil-am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA) with their partners: The Rock Churches Worldwide and the Leyte Biliran & Samar Federation. Proceeds of this fundraiser will finance AFTA’s projects in the Philippines like Adopt a School (Marawi City, Biliran and Albay, Adopt a Scholar, and Balikturo). For Sponsorship opportunities, contact Roxanne at 347-932-6631 or Nitz at 862-368-1706 or any AFTA officer/board member.

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

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

B4 MARCH 28-30, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Do I need a premarital agreement...

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gal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. (2) The party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed.

(3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations he or she was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement.

The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that he or she received the information required by this paragraph and

EMPLOYMENT

indicating who provided that information.(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs(1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant. In addition, the parties are required to provide each other with full disclosure of all material financial information.

A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code § 1612(c).

If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood

that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce. ***

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People and Events

Community Clean-Up Day and document shredding event on April 14

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

DUARTE and Burrtec Waste will hold its bi-annual Duarte Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two convenient drop-off locations where residents can dispose of large refuse items and e-waste. The locations are the Duarte Civic Center at 1600 Huntington Drive and Beardslee Elementary School at 1212 Kellwill Way, Duarte, CA, 91010. Please note that at this event, hazardous waste will not be accepted. For household hazardous waste information, please call

*** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

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(800) 238-0172 or visit dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/hhw/ At the City Hall location only, residents may also take advantage of free “document shredding” as well as free compost materials for their gardens.

For compost materials, residents are encouraged to bring a vehicle that can accommodate the load.

Burrtec will provide the shovels. For more information about how to participate in the Duarte Community Clean-Up Day, please call Duarte City Hall at (626)357-7931 ext. 221. ■

Embassy lauds PH Fulbright Program’...

“Thousands of outstanding Filipinos and Americans have participated since the program began, and have gone on to serve as leaders in their fields.

Among the secrets to the Fulbright program’s longevity in the Philippines, and its continued strength and vitality is that it has enjoyed strong support from both our governments, reflecting its importance in our overall bilateral relationship,” said Galt.

U.S.-Philippines Society Presi-

dent, Ambassador John Maisto, who was once a representative to the Philippine Fulbright Commission, also stressed the importance of building on what the Fulbright Program represents.

“We raise awareness; we call attention to the modern U.S.Philippine relationship, which is based on mutual understanding. We reach out to the Filipino citizens and the Filipino-American diaspora here in the United States,” said Maisto.

A simple reception followed

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the conclusion of the program which was live streamed at the Embassy’s official Facebook page.

A gala event organized by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) was also held at The Peninsula Manila, Philippines in the evening of March 23.

Former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was one of the 10 Filipino alumni inducted to the Fulbright Hall of Fame during the Manila celebration.■

B MARCH 28-30, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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Marian Pilgrimage to France, Spain and Portugal

St. Francis the Great Church, Madrid, Spain

Our Lady of Fatima at Fatima, Portugal

1st Marian Apparitions

Notre Dame De Lays, Southern France

St. Joseph Shrine Gap Southern France, October 2017

Basilica our Lady of Rosary Fatima

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the first view of Jerusalem.

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

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

Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then we will drive down to Aqaba.

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

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

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

Oct 31,2018 8:45 PM departure from TLV

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Artwork by Kendrick Tan

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 28, 2018

Carrying on Holy Week traditions

by AJPRess

H

OLY Week (Mahal na Araw) — March 25 to April 1 — has commenced on Palm Sunday and will culminate with Easter, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. for filipinos who identify with the Christian faith, this final week of the Lenten season is a period for reflection. To do so, many participate in liturgies and devotions throughout the week.

Parishes and devout groups gather to host nightly evenings of recollection after Mass, retreats, or bible studies. In the Philippines, Pabása ng Pasyón is considered one of the oldest traditions, wherein people recite or chant the story of the Passion. It is typically prayed over a 24-hour period during the first few days of the week before an altar with an image of Jesus, flowers, and candles.

Palm Sunday This day marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. Churchgoers take woven palm fronds (palaspás) to church for a priest’s blessing; this represents the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus. “filipinos take them home after Mass and attach them to the back of the main door of the house, or hang them in a corner, out of the belief

that the palms will protect the household from danger,” writes catholicsandcultures.org.

Holy Thursday Also known as Maundy Thursday, it commemorates the Maundy (washing of the feet) and Last Supper Jesus had with the Apostles. According to scripture, Jesus washed the feet of the 12 apostles as a sign of humility and being of service to others. Many parishes in the U.S. and around the world reenact this ritual then continue with Mass.

Good Friday Mass is not celebrated during this day, as crosses, candles, and altar which remains bare. In the Philippines, particularly in the province of Pampanga, it has become a Good friday tradition to act out the crucifixion and death of Jesus with men enduring the same suffering by self-flagellation or having nails hammered into their palms and feet. They believe that by doing this, their sins will be washed away.

Though these practices have been carried out for years, the Catholic Church does not condone them.

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place in the afternoon, around 3 p.m.

“We experience Our Lord’s Passion by hearing the Word of

Photo courtesy of the National Confectioners Association

DiD you knoW?

Fascinating facts about Easter

by AJPRess

ON Sunday, April 1, 2018, those of the Christian faith will mark the end of the 40-day Lenten season with Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the day is widely symbolized by the Easter bunny, dyed eggs, and chocolate, there is more to the holiday and the traditions associated with it.

As the holiday approaches this week, here are some fun facts that you can share around the dinner table.

• The date of Easter varies each year. It usually falls between March 22nd and April 25th. It is supposed to fall on the first Sunday after the full moon following March 21st.

Artwork by Kendrick Tan • Good friday is an official holiday in 12 U.S. states.

• The idea of the Easter Bunny with baskets of eggs started in Europe as the Easter Hare. The hare was originally a symbol of Easter for the Germans who came to America in the 18th century.

• Pretzels were once associated with the holiday because the twists of the pretzel were thought to resemble arms crossing in prayer.

• Easter is the second top-selling confectionery holiday after Halloween. Ninety percent of Americans plan to share treats during the holiday, the National Confectioners Association found in its recent survey.

• Peeps (marshmallow candies in the form of chicks and bunnies) are considered the top-selling non-chocolate Easter candy.

Americans buy over 700 million of them.

• Decorating Easter eggs — traditionally called pysanka — represents the empty tomb. Christians believe that Easter eggs symbolize new life and resurrection.

• According to the Guinness Book of World Records the largest chocolate Easter egg ever made debuted in 2011. It was just One of Batayan town’s processional tableau showing Jesus being whipped by Roman soldiers.

Inquirer.net photo by Trizer D. Mansueto over 34-ft high and weighed nearly 16,000 pounds. The largest chocolate bunny ever made weighed in at 6,635 pounds and was God in the Liturgy of the Word, Catholic Radio Network.

12 feet tall; it took a team of four people in South Africa three the Adoration of Jesus CruciOther observations during fied in the adoration of the this day include abstaining from days to sculpt it.

• The largest Easter egg hunt, was held in 2007 at Cypress Cross, and Jesus applies what eating meat, reflecting on the he did on the Cross to each of Seven Last Words of Jesus, and Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, florida. It contained us personally when we receive doing the Stations of the Cross, 501,000 eggs that were searched for by 9,753 children and their parents. him in Holy Communion,” sugwhich means stopping at each • The White House hosts an annual Easter Egg Roll on the gests the Station of the Cross station to say selected prayers front lawn. This tradition was started by President Rutherford B. and reflections.

Hayes in 1878.

Black Saturday The celebration of Easter the statue of Mary. The meetpre-dawn rite called salubong Sunday events begin on Black ing is an occasion for joy and (welcoming), marking Christ Saturday and is when the celebration,” according to reuniting with the Virgin Mary Blessed Sacrament is returned catholicsandcultures.org. after his resurrection. Saluto the tabernacle. The Easter After this, many families bong starts with two separate Vigil, a liturgical practice, is an proceed to participate in more processions from opposite hours-long celebration of the festive, non-religious customs ends of the community with a resurrection of Christ. It is a that symbolize Easter, such as statue of Mary at one end and special day during Holy Week, egg hunting, the Easter bunny, one of Jesus at the other. They as it is when new Catholics are parades, and a feast. baptized. The priest celebrating eventually meet at a midpoint, Although the filipino Holy during which an angel (usuthe mass wears white for this Week has more recently been occasion, as Jesus’ victory over ally portrayed by a young girl) associated with activities other lifts the black veil of sadness death is a joyous time. than those related to religious called lambong from Mary.

Practices like Visita Iglesia ones, many devout Catholics This symbolizes the end of her and Stations of the Cross and still use the holy days (and, for mourning as Jesus Christ will confession are part of the day those in the Philippines, the have risen. for filipinos who haven’t done time off) to do what is meant “Men typically accomthem previously.

A “Carozza” passes in front of the ancient stone to be done in that time: reflect, pany the statue of Christ, and Easter Sunday church of Bantayan town, Bantayan Island, Cebu. pray and remember the life and Holy Week ends with Easter women, still in mourning until For Filipinos who identify with the Christian faith, this final week of the Lenten season is a period for Inquirer.net photo by Trizer D. Mansueto Sunday, which begins with the suffering of Christ. they meet Christ, accompany reflection.

Photos from Pexels.com

JaDine raised to a ‘dangerous’ level

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

If it were a photograph, Star Cinema director Cathy GarciaMolina would be dismissed as…a photo bomber? But then, she’s making an out-of-the-script “special participation” in the frenzied promo for “Never Not Love You,” the new JaDine starrer co-produced by Viva films and Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects directed by Antoinette Jadaone, so can she be considered a welcome sawsawera?

After making a grand annuncement that she’s retiring to devote time to her children…but only after she’s done with four more Star Cinema movies excluding the latest, “My Perfect You,” which is showing nationwide starring Gerald Anderson and Pia Wurtzbach…Cathy treaded “dangerous” territory when she issued an uncalled-for comment on social media that she would never direct James Reid and Nadine Lustre in either a movie or a TV series because, as she quoted her friend direk Antoinette, JaDine “was hard to work with.”

As JaDine die-hards began to vehemently (violently?) come to their idols’ defense, Cathy promptly issued an “I’m sorry” to those offended, and to Antoinette (and boyfriend Dan Villegas). Wasn’t it unfair for Cathy to be making “anti-JaDine” remarks since the release (on Black Saturday, March 31) of “Never Not Love You” overlaps with the extended run of her movie?

In their new movie, James and Nadine said that they’re doing something daring and dangerous.

Photo courtesy of Star Cinema

Some people said that the JaDine producers should actually thank Cathy for “helping” promote the movie by adding more noise to it. Earlier, I said that Cathy was treading “dangerous” ground because “Never Not Love You” is touted to be far different from the previous JaDine movies. This time, James and Nadine told the movie press that they were doing “something daring, something dangerous,” that’s why they were kind of scared. Check out the series of pictures on this page and you will see just how “daring” and “dangerous” James and Nadine are in what they described as an “experimental” screen caper.

The story (by Antoinette who also directed JaDine in the Kapamilya TV series “On The Wings Of Love”) is about how young, carefree and reckless love ends when the lovers’ dreams take different paths “and their life choices tear them apart,” only for them to cross paths five years later after so much has changed including the love they used to

have for each other. James plays a graphic designer and Nadine a management trainee in an ad agency/direct-selling company.

At the presscon, James and Nadine admitted that they felt somewhat awkward pretending they were strangers since in real life, well, everybody knows how intimately they know each other.

So they needed to act naturally as if they were falling in love for the first time.

The release of “Never Not Love You” (which was partly filmed in London) follows the sweethearts’ recent sold-out Valentine concert “JaDine Revolution” at the Big Dome, two years after their concert also at the same venue where James publicly told Nadine, ”I love you!” That augurs well for the movie’s box-office fate.

Meanwhile, let’s watch JaDine play funfare’s “WhoWhat-Where-When-How” game.

Who • Who is the more possessive (seloso/selosa) between the Continued on Page 3

The 2018 batch of Binibinis is said to be the brainiest by far, from left: Samantha Bernrdo, 2nd Runner-up; Michele Gumabao, 25, 5’9”, Bb. Pilipinas Globe, from Quezon City; Eva Patalinjug, 25, 5’7”, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International, Cebu City; Catriona Gray, 25, 5’10”, Miss Universe Philippines, Albay; Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, 20, 5’8”, Bb. Pilipinas International, Quezon Province; Jehza Huelar, 23, 5’8”, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational, Davao City; Karen Gallman, 25, 5’5”, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, Bohol; and Vickie Rushton, 1st Runner-up.

Photo courtesy of BPCI

Getting to know this year’s winner of Bb. Pilipinas

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

THE opening question was: Do you have a boyfriend?

The girls gave honest answers: • Michele (volleyball player, daughter of actor/Ex-Q.C. Rep. Dennis Roldan, sister of actor Marco Gumabao): Yes. His name is Aldo Panlilio (assistant coach of Phoenix), boyfriend of two years.

• Eva (niece of director-producer Carlo J. Caparas and his late wife Donna Villa whose real name was Marian Patalinjug): Yes, he’s francis Lim, also from Cebu. We’ve been dating for a long time. Late last year, he proposed and I said, “Yes!” But with my Bb. title, he has to wait until my one-year reign is over.

• Ahtisa (an accountant): None. No boyfriend since birth (NBSB).

• Catriona (fashion and commercial model, singer-songwriter, spent years in Australia where her father hails from): Yes. He’s Clint Bondad (a Century Superbod runner-up and a Viva contract artist).

• Jehza (B.S. finance graduate): Yes. He’s PJ (Peter June) Simon, a PBA player.

• Karen (also spent time in Australia): Yes. His name is Ian Garton, from Australia.

Staged at the Big Dome Sunday (March 18) last week, the 2018 Bb. Pilipinas pageant started with 40 hopefuls, with the number winnowed down to 25 and then to the Top 15 finalists who beautifully (read: sensibly and substantially) acquitted themselves in the Q&A that covered issues ranging from fake news to rebuilding Marawi.

They proved that beauty is

more than skin deep.

On stage, the girls showed grace under pressure. Let’s see how they fare in this Conversation off stage, conducted at the 24th-floor lounge of Novotel (at Araneta Center in Quezon City) on Tuesday, two days after the pageant.

If you ventured into showbiz, what role would you like to do and who would you pick as leading man?

• Michele: Actually, I’ve been hosting for the past year and I’ve tried acting. I’d love to do a kontrabida role with Xian Lim who is tall. Most of my showbiz friends are shorter than me.

• Eva: My Uncle Carlo always included me in his movies.

If ever, I’d choose Coco Martin as my leading man. He’s a good Continued on Page 4

Miss Intercontinental 2017 runner-up Katarina Rodriguez to join Miss World

by MJ

MarforI ManilaTimes.net

It looks like 2016 Miss World-Philippines Catriona Gray won’t be the only crossover beauty queen now that she just won the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown.

Miss Intercontinental 1st runner-up Katarina rodriguez, from the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas winners circle, has declared she is looking to join the next Miss World Philippines pageant as well.

Fresh from her one month holiday in Israel after her successful stint on the international stage, Katarina sat down with In

the Know, eager to recall her experience as a candidate in Miss Intercontinental, held in egypt early this year.

“I’m very happy with my performance last January in the pageant. I wouldn’t have done it any other way, but the [grand]title just wasn’t for me.

But I still feel I can do so much more.”

Given her plans to join Miss World, Katarina is thankful that the Binibining Pilipinas organization is now more open and lenient with their queens on what they want to do.

“Gone are the days na bawal or discouraged [to crossover Continued on Page 4

JaDine raised to a ‘dangerous’...

From Page 2 two of you?

James: Both of us. nadine: Both of us.

• Who are the big influences in your life (and career)?

James: My family. I literally wouldn’t even be in the Philippines if not for my family. they are really just the most important people in my life. nadine: My family. I get my strength and inspiration from them. they’ve always been there for me every step of the way. I don’t think I’d be able to make it without their full support and love of course. even career-wise, my dad is very hands-on.

• Who would you be if you were not actors?

James and nadine: no idea what to answer.

What • What do you usually argue about or fight over?

James: When nadine wears too sexy clothes. nadine: (no answer) • What comes to your mind when you face the mirror in the morning?

James: that I have a lot that I still wanna do and accomplish in my life and career. nadine: that I am very blessed to have everything that I have in life right now and that I should take good care of all of it.

• What’s the best thing that

you have done to each other?

James: Love and accept each other as much as we can. nadine: (no answer) Where • Where did you become close to each other?

James and nadine: We just discover new things about each other every day since we are always together.

• Where do you go to get away from it all (together or individually)?

James: We really love going to the beach! there’s a whole other life there that we just can’t explain. nadine: We also love when we get to travel abroad and explore new places.

• Where do you feel most comfortable and at peace?

James: again, the beach! nadine: at home.

When • When did you feel real love?

James: I think falling in love with nadine and staying in love with her has been the most real thing I’ve ever experienced. nadine: I don’t think I’ve known real love until I fell in love with James.

• When (if ever) did you experience being brokenhearted?

James: I don’t think I’ve ever really been broken-hearted.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 28, 2018

Remembering ‘Miss Tapia’

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

Veteran actress Mely tagasa—best remembered for her 15-year-long role as the strict but endearing professor Liwayway Gawgaw tapia or Miss tapia in the hit sitcom “Iskul Bukol” of tito, Vic and Joey — passed away early on Saturday, March 24.

She suffered a massive stroke and was comatose for a week before she was weaned off her respirator. the actress The 24-year-old beauty queen says she can do so and screenwriter was 82. much more after representing the Philippines in news of tagasa’s death Miss Intercontinental.

ManilaTimes.net photo was announced by her daughter Gina Marissa—a film and television script writer—on Facebook. nadine: ‘Yung totoong bro“at 12:26 aM, our dearly ken-hearted? Parang wala pa. beloved Miss tapia has joined • When is the right time for our Creator. the gates of two people to live together? heaven open for her. We love James: When they’re ready you very much, Ma!” to really commit to each other.

Gina last posted an update When they’re ready to really on her mother’s condition on know each other and accept March 22 from Cardinal Santos whatever they’d eventually disMedical Center. cover about each other.

“Mommy was weaned off nadine: I think when they’re her respirator terday afternoon. ready emotionally to share space It was a tough and painful and when they’re ready to give decision to make since she has up part of their independence. It been quite dependent on this takes a lot of compromising kamachine. She is still in comatose si for it to work. stage but displays some pain How and discomfort as she slightly • How do you know that jerks and squirms because of you are truly in love? the intubation. (Ok, Doctors say James: When you think about it’s just her ‘reflexes’),” the post them first. When you’re ready read. to eat your pride for them and “She now breathes with the when you’re ready to accept and help of an oxygen tank. (Sorry, I understand their shortcomings. may not be able to explain the nadine: When you’re ready process the way these doctors to do everything just to please do. Believe me, the medical them but also when you’re ready jargon is beginning to confuse to sacrifice your own happiness us already while hospital bills to make them happy because keep piling up every day). We their happiness is more important continue to monitor her condito you than your own happiness. tion—her vital signs fluctuate • How many times a day every hour so I can’t say everydo you say “I love you” to each thing is OK.” other?

Gina also asked for prayers James and nadine: every of healing for her mom whose time we feel like saying it.

83rd birthday would have been • How do you make up after on april 16. a fight? “at this point, we leave James and nadine: We talk everything to the good LOrD. sincerely.

If He wills her to continue enjoy-

Veteran actress Mely Tagasa is best remembered for her role as Miss Tapia in the hit TV show “Iskul Bukol.”

ing a quality life at 83, then a miracle is bound to happen.

If He decides to take Mommy home with Him, eternal Life in Heaven awaits. We accept. Our Faith will see us through.” tagasa’s last screen appearance was in her iconic Miss tapia role when “Iskul Bukol,” starring tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, released a reunion movie in 2008 reunion that re-visited the lives of Wanbol University graduates and staff. tagasa chose to continue her career as a screen writer when “Iskul Bukol” concluded in the early ‘90s, and even went on to produce a number movies.

Her last public appearance was on november 2017 when she was given her Walk of Fame star in eastwood, Quezon City.

Becoming Miss Tapia It was by chance that tagasa became tV’s Miss tapia in the ‘70s. a screenwriter by profession, she had originally intended to submit a script to an agency, which happened to be auditioning a role for a tV adaptation of the comic strip “Baltic and Co.” at the time of her submission.

With her hair in a bun, the slender, bespectacled and conservative-looking lady immediately caught the eye of comic strip creator, roni Santiago, who found Baltic and Co.’s lovelorn and often-angry profes-

sor Miss tapia come to life in tagasa. Lucky for Santiago, his accidental discovery had come with acting experience as a radio talent when she was 17. thus, in 1977, Miss tapia’s crossover appearance from “Baltic and Co.” to then newly launched sitcom “Iskul Bukol” became a hit, and she became a regular character in the series until the early ‘90s.

Behind-the-scenes Following her well-loved portrayal of Miss tapia, tagasa continued working in showbiz behind-the-scenes as she went back screen writing, and later as producer. according to another daughter Lani Montreal, before tagasa’s heart attack and coma, she had three dubbing projects lined up.

She described her mom as “the most notorious workaholic.”

“Feels so strange to be grading papers while my mom is in a coma. But midterm grades are due, and she would have berated me if she knew I wasn’t doing my job. She is, after all, the most notorious workaholic I know. In fact, before she had a massive stroke, she had three dubbing projects lined up!!! at 82, she finds joy and relevance in her job.

‘Nagkakasakit ako pag walang trabaho!’ She does know how to have fun too,” Montreal posted on her Facebook page Continued on Page 4

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features The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 28, 2018

Remembering ‘Miss Tapia’ From Page 3 on March 17.

“With her cataracts removed, she was considering acting again. Her fans would have been happy. Her passion has always been my inspiration.

I wrote this blog and turned it into a monologue for Night of

asked her for autographs and photos in public places.

Surprisingly, Tagasa’s the Living Moms last year. In daughter revealed, “I didn’t it, I write about what it’s like think [mom]enjoyed her role to have Miss Tapia as a mom very much. It was a job for and how it’s influenced my own her—memorizing lines, coming parenting style,” she added. to work before call time to get Montreal’s blog, fillinthegap. her makeup done, and waitcom, remembers how her mom ing, waiting and waiting for set loved the attention she got and costume changes, a late from fans, especially when they cast member or two, technical problems…”

She found most enjoyment and fulfillment in writing scripts for radio and TV on her days off instead, which her daughter said, she did from her bedroom on her days off from Miss Tapia.

At the time of her death, movie and TV website IMDb credits an impressive 70 films and television shows to Tagasa’s on-cam career, which besides the “Iskul Bukol” outings include “Bagets 2,” “Alabang Girls,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll 4,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” and “Daisy Siete,” among others.

Miss Intercontinental runner-up...

From Page 3 pageants]; now we do what we have to do to represent the country,” she added.

Based on Katarina’s plans, it doesn’t seem like she’s going back to modelling any time soon, as many will remember that she started out in “Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2” before transforming herself into a bona fide pageant queen.

“Modelling is harder than what people think, because in modelling your mindset is to sell a product. We didn’t care if we had to wear makeup or not, or get fixed up nor not, because the look all depends on the character you need to model.

That’s why being beauty queen was a total adjustment. I had to be very conscious and prepared everywhere I went. Kailangan lagi akong ayos. It’s a totally different ballgame but modelling helped in a sense that I was confident to begin with and I knew how to project already.”

Parents: studies show nicotine can cause adolescent brain damage YOu may already know that Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs on the planet, but that’s just the beginning of the story. For teens’ developing brains, nicotine poses far more dangers.

“At least it’s not heroin!” a teen vaper might say rolling their eyes. Yeah, about that—evidence suggests nicotine could put teens at risk for substance abuse problems and primes them for addiction as adults. And studies show teens can get addicted to nicotine at lower doses, so even an occasional vape habit could have lifelong consequences.

Nicotine can also amplify teens’ inherent tendencies toward novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and risk-taking. Cringe-worthy, to say the least.

It gets worse. No matter how smart they may think they are, teens’ brains aren’t yet fully-formed, which makes them especially vulnerable to nicotine use. It’s associated with developing emotional and behavioral problems such as major depres-

sive disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. And when you consider that teens who vape are also 3 three times more likely to smoke cigarettes one year later, you’ll see why e-cigarettes are not something teens should mess around with. Furthermore, e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals that may lead to asthma, respiratory infection and other health problems.

When it comes to nicotine, adults aren’t in the clear, either.

(Anyone who says it’s “just like caffeine” is sadly deluded.)

But for teens, there’s so much at stake—and it makes it that much worse that the ecigarette industry hasn’t done much to keep their addictive products out of adolescent hands. Outraged? Yeah, we are too. Learn more at stillblowingsmoke.org.

(Advertising Supplement)

Getting to know this year’s winner...

From Page 2 actor.

• Ma. Ahtisa: A spy role, something like Charlie’s Angels, I want to be a police officer so maybe I can incorporate that into the role. My leading man? Jericho Rosales.

• Catriona: A badass role, a girl who comes out of nowhere and who kicks ass. I have a Black Belt in Taekwondo and I could make use of it. I would have to agree with Michele… yes, with Xian Lim. Height is a big factor because I’m 5’10”.

• Jehza: Something na chill lang, like the roles played by Cara Delevingne… with Ian Veneracion, I’m super in love with him, hahaha!!! Hindi nakakasawang tingnan ang kaguwapuhan niya.

• Karen: I love action movies, like Tomb Raider; and also, drama, like Thalia in Marimar and Rosalinda which I watched when I was growing up in Bohol. Leading man? Dingdong Dantes!!! (Karen did an indie called Bad Romance. As a kid, she joined “Eat, Bulaga!”

Little Miss Philippines search.)

Sexual harassment is very much in the news. What would you advise women so that they could avoid or stop being victimized?

• Michele: It’s important that they are aware of the people around them and what their boundaries are. They just have to be strong and know where they stand. Don’t be scared to voice out how you feel because there are always people who will help you. I have attended self-defense classes but I don’t think it would be of much help when you are in that situation, so…you just have to run fast!

• Eva: My advocacy has something to do with anti-harassment and sexual exploitation. A lot of children are victimized right at their homes.

So everybody…not only women and children but also men…has to be vigilant because it can happen to you anytime. Education is really very important and, like what Michele said, awareness.

• Ma. Ahtisa: I don’t think it’s the women’s fault that they are being harassed. We should teach boys and men that we should have respect for everyone, especially women. It’s sad that women, and even boys, are victims of harassment.

• Catriona: I think we should divert the conversation to what women can do to avoid being in such a situation, to stop people from committing the actual crime. There are people

who say that women shouldn’t go out at night or shouldn’t wear this kind of clothes, but it shouldn’t be us women trying to avoid it, it just shouldn’t happen. It’s the victim mindset and I don’t believe in that.

Education should start early on, especially in schools. In Nigeria, they put up a “no means no” program where they teach selfdefense to girls and that can give you the confidence that you are strong enough. They also teach the girls how to tell boys how to respect relationships and to ask permission from the girls…that no means no and empowering the boys to make the right choice which is not to commit harassment.

• Jehza: The education should start at home. I grew up with solid family values. I have five brothers so, more or less, I know and I understand how men think. Friends tell me that how you project yourself is how people see you. Dapat if you have respect in yourself, people will also respect you. It’s true not only among women but also men and transgender…everybody! We should focus not just on one gender but all genders.

• Karen: The girls have said it all. You have to be really aware; education is very important. You have to know how to stand up, it’s a courageous thing to do, and if you don’t, there could be consequences.

You set a standard not only for yourself but also for everyone around you. Men should also realize that cases of harassment shouldn’t be tolerated.

In beauty contests, candidates always talk about gender equality. If you were a man, what kind would you be and who would be your role model?

• Michele: I would be like my dad. He’s a good provider, a good person; he’s very good with people. He taught me how to fight in life, to always win and to always give my best.

My mom (former Pitoy Moreno model Lollie Imperial) is a great balance but my dad was my inspiration as I grew up. He treated the family very well; he love(s) my mom. I saw true love in them. My parents brought us up the right way.

• Eva: My dad (businessman and Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Eduardo Patalinjug). He was my first love. I always go to him for advice.

• Ma. Ahtisa: I don’t have someone in mind but if I were a man, I would be caring, independent and true.

• Catriona: I am an only child and my dad (Ian Gray, an Australian) was the only man that I really got to know. I’ve learned from my dad so many things. If I were a man, I would be a provider who always looks after his family; I would be sensitive like my dad who is tough on the outside but with me and my mom, he’s like a Teddy Bear.

• Jehza: My dad is an OFW, a seaman, and I would be like him. He has a compassionate heart. He taught us how to have faith, and if you have faith you will be contented with what you have. As a whole, you are happy with small things.

• Karen: I’m getting emotional. My dad (Gavin Gallman, an Australian) passed away two years ago. I love him to bits.

He instilled in me the selfawareness that nothing is ever handed to you for free, that you have to work hard for it. I also look up to scientist Elon Musk.

And, yes, (Australian actor) Hugh Jackman. He’s handsome, super talented and an amazing father.

You are all ambassadresses of beauty. Given a position in government, what would you choose and why?

• Michele: I would love to be the President of the Philippines. I’ve always been competitive; I’m used to being a leader. In the family, I am the breadwinner. If I had to shoot for a position, it might as well be the highest position.

• Eva (a registered nurse and second year Law student): I would be a councilor of LapuLapu City like my dad, then Lapu-Lapu’s congresswoman.

From there, maybe I would be the President of the Philippines after that. (“After me,” joked Michele.)

• Ma. Ahtisa: I would be part of the Philippine National Police (PNP)…or the head of PNP, why not? Since I was a kid, my dream is to be a policewoman. In fact, I have applied for the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

• Catriona: Honestly, I don’t have any idea because I really don’t know enough about politics. I don’t think I would be fruitful in that position.

• Jehza: The Speaker of the House. And also, since I love to travel, I would love to work with the DOT (Department of Tourism).

• Karen: I would be with DepEd. My advocacy is to improve education, especially in the Philippines’ rural areas. I would be useful in that department.

Catriona: I would love to do a badass role, a girl who comes from nowhere and kicks ass. I can use my Black Belt Taekwondo for that.

Michele: I’ve been hosting and I’ve tried acting.

I would love to do kontrabida roles, preferably with Xian Lim who is tall; most of my showbiz friends are shorter than me.

Ma. Ahtisa: I want to play a spy, like Charlie’s Angels. I want to be a police officer and that would be fine. My choice as leading man? Jericho Rosales

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 28, 2018

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 28, 2018