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

Volume 25 - No. 11 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

march 30-aPril 5, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Palace reiterates: Duterte not eyeing term extension

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhiliPPine President rodrigo Duterte has no plans to extend his term beyond 2022, malacañang reiterated on tuesday, march 27. in a statement, Palace spokesperson harry roque Jr. stressed that Duterte will still observe the term limits under the current 1987 Constitution, as well as the ban on re-election, should the push for a federal form of government succeeded. rather than extending his

term, roque claimed anew that Duterte prefers to step down ahead of the expiration of his tenure. “the president has expressed that he has no intention of staying a minute longer than what the term of the president provides under our Constitution,” roque said in a statement. “the president has even stated that he would step down from the presidency earlier should the Philippines shift to a federal system of government as early as 2020,” he added. the Palace official issued the

statement a day after Consultative committee head reynato Puno said that Duterte cannot run again for presidency even if a new federal charter will allow a president to serve for two terms.

During a news briefing on monday, march 26, Puno explained that Duterte was elected under 1987 Constitution, making him bound by its provisions.

“As of now, the prohibitions and term limits under the 1987 Constitution would still be binding,” he said.

u PAGE A2

PEACE TALKS. President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chair Ghadzali Jaafar and MILF Peace Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal during a meeting in Davao City on Tuesday, March 27.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

DATELINE

DuTErTE’s Holy WEEk mEssagE:

‘Renew relationship with God, help the oppressed’

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

asian americans and other minority groups risk misrepresentation in 2020 Census the 2020 Census is underway with only two years left to go, and for Asian Americans and other minority groups, the upcoming census is being seen as either an opportunity for being accurately counted, or a chance at being misrepresented. on monday, march 26, the U.s. Department of Commerce announced that the upcoming 2020 census to take place on April 1, 2020, will include a question on citizenship. this, after the Department of Justice in December requested that the census include the question to help administer the Voting rights Act (VrA).

u PAGE A2

The winning domestic employee with Attorneys Evangelista and Sayas of the Law Offices of Joe Sayas.

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 Supreme Court (SC) Security Division chief Joery Gayanan conducts an ocular inspection of the ballot boxes for the recount of the recent vice-presidential votes set on April 2, 2018 at the sidelines of a press briefing at the our fellowmen.”

“As we put our hands together SC Gymnasium in Manila on Tuesday, March 27. The SC will sit as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) during the recount filed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Maria Leonor Robredo.

PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr. in prayer, may we use this as an

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.

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PET prepares for VP ballot recount PH votes in favor of China-led human rights resolution

by AJPress

the Presidential electoral tribunal (Pet) is ready for next week’s revision of votes on former senator ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr.’s electoral protest against Vice President maria leonor “leni” robredo. the supreme Court (sC), sitting as Pet, is set to start its manual recount on around 1,400 ballot boxes from Camarines sur—one of the three pilot provinces cited by marcos in his protest—on monday, April 2.

An ocular inspection was conducted on tuesday, march 27, at the sC-Court of Appeals gymnasium, where the revision of ballots will be held.

According to lawyer Jose lemuel Arenas, member of the tribunal’s Adhoc committee, the Pet is currently housing ballot boxes from Camarines sur, while the remaining ballot boxes from iloilo and negros oriental—the two other pilot provinces—are currently with the Commission on elections (Comelec). the next week’s recount is set to start from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with 15-minute breaks and an hour lunch break—from monday to friday. there would be a total of 50 revision committees to work on the initial recount. each revision committee is assigned one ballot box. “there’s a revision report per box,

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the Philippines has voted in favor of a China-led resolution upholding multilateralism and working together to “promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights.”

With a vote of 28 in favor, one against, and 17 abstentions, the United nations (Un) human rights Council adopted the resolution, titled “Promoting mutually Beneficial Cooperation in the field u PAGE A4 of human rights,” on friday, mar-

cha 23. in introducing the resolution, China stressed that all countries need to firmly establish the concept of win-win cooperation in order to achieve the goal of universal human rights.

“All peoples lived on the same earth and faced common challenges. China had co-sponsored this resolution for mutually beneficial cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights,” China said.

China also expressed strong

u PAGE A4

5 Filipinos recognized on 2018 Filipina nanny wins $827,506 in wage trial Forbes’ ‘30 under 30 asia’ list Judgment one of highest verdicts to a domestic worker on pure wage claim

A liVe-in filipina domestic employee has won a wage claim of $827,506 against her former employers who had her care for two of their disabled children in addition to doing housework, errands, and cooking, for what amounted to way less than minimum wage. the judgment announced last february appears to be among the highest verdicts to a domestic worker on a pure wage claim.

u PAGE A2

by AJPress this year, five filipinos were featured in forbes’ “30 under 30 Asia,” which recognizes young entrepreneurs, innovators, and disruptors of industries across the region. one Philippine-based entrepreneur was also recognized in the list.

With a theme of “Disruption and innovation,” the list featured 300 young men and women across ten categories who are “re-inventing

their industries and driving change across this diverse region.” filipino nationals named in this year’s list were pastry chef miko Aspiras, artist Archie oclos, thinking machines founder stephanie sy, Youtube Vlogger Bretman “Bretman rock” sacayanan, and Waves for Water (W4W) Country Director Carlo Delantar. the Arts category featured 29year-old Aspiras, and oclos, 28.

Aspiras, who used to be a comFilipino nationals named in this year’s Forbes’ “30 under 30 Asia” list are Youtube Vlogger Bretman “Bretman mis chef at the shangri-la manila, Rock” Sacayanan, Waves for Water (W4W) Country Director Carlo Delantar, Thinking Machines Founder Stephanie

u PAGE A4

Sy, chef Miko Aspiras and artist Archie Oclos.

Philstar.com photos

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From the Front Page

‘Renew relationship with God, help...

PAGE A1

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.

“Let us take a moment to pause in the spirit of contemplation 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

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

Philstar.com photo

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 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.

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 that there will be hell to pay if any violation of human rights is done by any police officer. So, I think Cardinal Tagle is referring to world leaders who are violent and cocky,” Panelo added. n

HOLY WEEK TRADITION. An illuminated tableau of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion makes its way around Intramuros, Manila during a procession to mark Holy Week. The faithful will join processions, read the Passion of Christ or visit churches to mark one of the biggest religious events for Catholics.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Palace reiterates: Duterte not...

PAGE A1 Puno also pointed out that no need for Duterte to extend his term as the “transition period will not go beyond 2022.”

“There will be no holdover provision. By the time we have already shifted to a federal form, a new president will be voted,”

he added.

He went on to say, “If you look at the transitory provisions of our different constitutions, it did not take an indefinite length of time to be able to go to the regular government.”

The revision of the 1987 Constitution and the shift from a

unitary to a federal form of government were among the top priorities of the Duterte administration.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez previously floated the idea of a possible extension of Duterte’s term if the country becomes a federal state. n

Filipina nanny wins $827,506...

PAGE A1 “The court’s judgment is a victory for Ms. Alzate, especially in the face of a vigorous opposition that did not concede any dime of wages that was owed to her,” said a release from the law firm that represented the Filipina. “It was a testament to the courage of this Filipina to have pursued her claims all the way up to trial.”

Fil-Am employment lawyer Attorney Joe Sayas represented Linda Alzate (not her real name) and argued that she should be paid for the entire time she was on-call to care for the disabled children at which the court agreed.

Just as in previous cases he’s handled for employees in similar situations, Alzate was paid a flat monthly rate regardless of how long she was made available to work which went from 18 to 24 hours per day.

Under the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights made effective in 2014, domestic workers with hours similar to Alzate who are caring for children or seniors are entitled to overtime pay being their regular hourly rate multiplied by one and a half, or “time and a half.”

24/7 care, two children with disabilities Alzate began working in the home of Drs. Peter Sim and Lorraine Diego — located in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles — in 2002 where she initially received a flat monthly salary of only $1,000 to care for the couple’s three to four-month child despite being on call for 24 hours, seven days a week. That computes to less than approximately $2.00 an hour.

At 18 months, the child was diagnosed with severe autism, adding to the workload and responsibilities. In 2005, another child was born with autism yet

the couple still failed to give Alzate her proper wages.

In addition to caring for the children, Alzate was made responsible for other tasks including laundry, running errands, house cleaning, and cooking for the family.

Alzate’s last salary in 2014 was $3,000 per month, despite a correctly calculated salary for her 24/7 live-in wage computing upwards of $6,000. Her claims cover the period worked from April 2011 to April 2014 with a significant part of the wage based on regular hourly rates.

Alzate said her daily schedule would consist of waking up at 6 a.m. at the latest to cook for the family and prepare the kids for school. The rest of the day, she would spend cleaning the house, running errands, and cooking for the whole family.

Evenings consisted of assisting the children’s much-needed therapy sessions, cooking dinner, and preparing the children for sleep during which she would continue to be on-call.

The older child with severe autism often would wake up every two or three hours, said Alzate. The children’s parents offered no help.

U.S. law defines a night’s rest as a minimum of five hours for employees on duty for 24 hours or more which Alzate rarely got.

“Live-in employees should still be paid for each and every hour worked,” said Sayas in an email to the Asian Journal. “This means that even if the employee is not engaged in productive work, but is required by the employer to stay in the workplace (due perhaps to an all-day or all night 24/7 supervision of an elderly or child they are taking care of), they should still be paid as the law sees that as work performed.”

Alzate was also discouraged from taking days off. She said

that getting even just one day off required her to get permission three to four months in advance.

In one instance she did manage to get four days off for her birthday which falls on Thanksgiving, Alzate said Sim got angry.

“I just want to put out there, if anyone is in my situation, they can always ask for help,” said Alzate, thanking Sayas and his firm.

After having some suspicions of her salary, Alzate’s aunt advised her to contact Sayas’ firm to inquire if she was entitled to back wages after noticing her payments and hours were not what they should be.

Sayas said that wage theft and unpaid overtime wages are not unusual because some employers take advantage of immigrant workers who are often intimidated into working long hours without proper pay. Some employers are also do not know about laws regarding proper salaries.

“Going through this process is not easy, but if you know that if you have someone behind you, you will go for it,” said Alzate.

Appeals proceedings Although the court went in favor of Alzate, the couple has decided to go forth on appeal proceedings, which Alzate and Sayas’ firm are ready to fight against.

The couple has since reportedly hired three people to take shifts, doing what Alzate did herself. The workers are also reportedly being paid minimum wage, together amounting to what should’ve been paid to Alzate while she was working.

“The trial court’s judgment in favor of our nanny client is based on good facts and good law.

Make no mistake about it,” said Sayas. “We will vigorously fight for the worker on appeal.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Asian Americans and other minority groups...

PAGE A1 “Having citizenship data at the census block level will permit more effective enforcement of the VRA [Voting Rights Act], and Secretary [Wilbur] Ross determined that obtaining complete and accurate information to meet this legitimate government purpose outweighed the limited potential adverse impacts,” read a statement by the Commerce Department.

But many are worried the question will prompt people to opt out of participating, thus rendering an incomplete picture of their communities in the U.S. Central to worries are the current political and racial climates that have many immigrants wary of disclosing any personal information.

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

Questions regarding citizenship on the decennial census have not been asked in the past 70 years and those against the

question say that no reason for it to be added now has been provided.

“Immigrants and citizens who have immigrants in their household will be reluctant to participate in a census that asks about citizenship,” said legal and civil rights organization, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Los Angeles (AAJC) in a statement.

It added, “The administration is trying to sabotage the 2020 Census with the addition of a citizenship question that it knows will chill participation by communities that the administration seeks to marginalize.”

Democratic National Committee spokesperson Vedant Patel described the announcement in a statement as an attempt by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration to “silence the voices of millions immigrants, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — who are the fastest-growing immigrant group in the United States.”

AAPIs 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. By 2055, the AAPI community is projected to surpass Hispanics, thus becoming the largest immigrant group in the country.

The U.S. AAPI population is also very diverse, as the 20 million Asian Americans find their roots coming from over 20 countries throughout East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

Despite having been conducted since 1790, the upcoming will also be the first to have an “Asian” category alongside categories 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.

Those encouraging disaggregated data while opposing the questioning of citizenship say that failing to get an accurate count of these communities means taking a risk in making sure specific PAGE A4

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A

A

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Dateline USa

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5 Filipinos recognized on 2018 Forbes’ ‘30...

PAGE A1 has founded his own food group called Tasteless. He also co-owns seven restaurant concepts in the country.

Oclos, meanwhile, is an artist who has painted murals criticizing the Philippine government’s drug war. Describing him as a “firm believer that art can inspire social change,” Forbes said Oclos “keeps his technique simple, often opting for industrial paint and heavy brushstrokes, so viewers could focus on the subjects and message.

Under the Finance and Venture category, Forbes featured 29year-old Sy, founder of Thinking Machines, which aims to make artificial intelligence systems work for humans.

She is currently working with

the Philippine government in solving traffic congestion using data from Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app.

Sacayanan, on the other hand, was featured in the Media, Marketing, and Advertising category.

More popularly known as Bretman Rock, the 19-year-old social media sensation was also featured in Time Magazine’s 30 Most Influential Teens in 2017.

“The beauty vlogger is known not only for makeup tutorials, but also his often humorous views on life,” Forbes said.

Meanwhile, Delantar is listed under the Social Entrepreneur category. The 26-year-old is the country director of the non-profit group Waves for Water, which helps provide clean water to com-

munities.

“After helping the NGO with relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, Carlo Delantar saw potential for the W4W model to benefit water-insecure communities in his native Philippines in the long term, becoming W4W’s Country Director there,” Forbes said.

Forbes also recognized Philippine-based entrepreneur Patrick Lynch, an Irish native and cofounder of financial tech startup, First Circle.

First Circle is a financial technology company providing finance to small to medium enterprises who find it difficult to secure capital and has loaned millions of dollars to businesses in the Philippines. n

Asian Americans and other minority groups...

PAGE A2 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 in 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 AAJC. “If you lump all Asians together, then you really don’t know us at all,” he added.

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 KoreanAmericans — the former having eight percent without healthcare, and the later at 27 percent with-

PET prepares for VP...

PAGE A1 the objections and claims are on a per form per box basis so it’s easier to track,” Arenas said.

Each revision committee is composed of the PET-hired head revisor, and one revisor each from the camps of Marcos and Robredo.

They will record objections, claims, and other notes which will be transmitted to the PET. The PET will review a total of 5,418 ballot boxes. The revision will be off-limits to media.

In his poll protest, Marcos accused Robredo of benefiting from “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” during the vice presidential election in 2016.

Marcos filed three causes of

action in his protest. In his first cause of action, which was already junked, the former senator asked to declare all the certificates of canvass used to proclaim Robredo’s victory as “authentic.”

In his second cause of action, the former senator asked for the manual recount of votes in 22 provinces and five cities. PET, however, decided to hold an initial recount of three pilot provinces first before deciding whether the revision on other provinces should be pursued or not.

Marcos, in his third cause of action, sought the nullification of vice presidential votes in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Maguindanao due to alleged occurrence of “traditional” modes of cheating. n

out.

“Advancing Justice calls upon the Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau to reverse their decision and remove the citizenship question immediately before more confusion is caused within our communities. We also call upon Congress to act if the Census Bureau will not reverse its decision,” said AAJC in its statement.

“Advancing Justice will fight the addition of this citizenship question, consider our legal options, and support lawsuits against the Department that protect our communities,” it added.

(Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

HYBRID CARABAO. Scientists at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) have developed a “three-in-one” carabao that is adaptable to hot and humid weather, resilient to climate change and profitable for farmers.

The first four of this breed, called Philippine Dairy Carabao, were introduced on Tuesday, March 27, when the PCC celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Inquirer,net photo by Anselmo Roque

PH gov’t welcomes US duty-free entry scheme re-authorization THE Philippine government, through the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, welcomed the reauthorization of the United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of the scheme that allows duty-free entry of more than 5,000 products to America.

Philippine Ambasador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said the Philippines has enjoyed preferential duty-free entry to the U.S. through the GSP program.

GSP exports account for 18 percent of Philippine exports to the U.S., valued at an estimated USD1.59 billion.

In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Romualdez said he emphasized

the importance of this program to Philippine exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises.

“It has been and will remain an important component of the development cooperation framework of the Philippines and the United States,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 27.

“We thank the U.S. Congress and the Trump Administration for the renewal of this triple-win program for developing countries, U.S. businesses and American consumers,” he added.

“We also thank other GSP beneficiaries, industry associations and U.S. importers who joined us in advocating for the renewal of GSP.”

The scheme, instituted in 1974 and renewed periodically, provides duty-free access to thousands of eligible products for beneficiary developing countries, such as the Philippines.

It expired in December 2017 and was reauthorized March this year after it was included in the Omnibus Spending Bill signed into law last March 23 by President Trump.

The renewal authorizes the GSP until Dec. 31, 2020 and covers a total 5,057 products or tariff lines or roughly 47.7 percent of the 10,600 total U.S. tariff lines.

Effective July 1 last year, a total of 23 travel goods articles were added to the program. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA)

PH votes in favor of China-led...

PAGE A1 belief that the Human Rights Council “should be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity for greater cooperation, capacity building and technical assistance, in order to build a new type of international relations, which reflected the times.”

Apart from the Philippines, other countries who voted in favor of the resolution were Angola, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela also supported the resolution.

Only the United States voted against it.

In a comment, U.S. claimed it was “clear that China was attempting through this resolution to weaken the United Nations human rights system and the

norms underpinning it.”

“The ‘feel good’ language about ‘mutually beneficial cooperation’ was intended to benefit autocratic States at the expense of people whose human rights and fundamental freedoms all were obligated, as States, to respect,” the U.S. added.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Peru, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom abstained. n

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D ateline PhiliPPines LP eyes ‘resistance’ coalition in 2019 polls

A

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE liberal Party (lP) is pushing for a “resistance” coalition in the 2019 elections to prevent any possible “slide to authoritarianism and anti-democratic rule.”

In a statement released Tuesday, March 27, lP President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stressed the need for a “strong” opposition coalition “to ensure that our democracy remains vibrant.”

The lP, he said, hopes to help in building the “broadest coalition of groups and individuals united behind defending our freedoms and our civil and political rights.”

“We hope this coalition is one in ensuring our economic development is not sidelined by corruption and human rights violations,” said the senator. “Resistance is our movement. We must vigorously resist the slide to authoritarianism and antidemocratic rule.”

Pangilinan, however, acknowledged that the lP needed support from other parties to achieve the goal.

“We will need to work with other groups and forces willing to unite and to resist extra-ju-

Liberal Party President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan

dicial killings and human rights abuses, the undermining of our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, and the continuing rise of prices of basic commodities, among others,” Pangilinan said.

Sen. Bam aquino, also an lP member, earlier raised the need for a “genuine” opposition slate.

In a television interview on Monday, March 26, aquino stressed the need for a slate “that’s independent from PDPlaban, that’s willing to oppose, willing to stand up even if it’s unpopular, and even when it’s dangerous.”

PDP-laban, or Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–lakas ng Bayan, is the ruling party being chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“In 2019, hindi lang ‘The

Philstar.com photo

Force’ kailangan (it’s not only ‘The Force’ that we need), we need ‘The Resistance’ – a genuine opposition slate. You will find me on that slate,” aquino told aBS-cBn news channel, apparently referring to a movement against the ruling “First Order” in the “Star Wars” series.

Malacañang, meanwhile, downplayed the planned resistance coalition. commenting on the issue, chief Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said: “There is nothing new there. They’ve been resisting this administration.”

“They can always try. They can always fail. They will always try to repeat what they have failed. They are welcome. We welcome. It’s a free society,” Panelo added. n

FOR DISMISSING ESPINOSA, LIM DRUG CASE

PACC seeks charges against prosecutors

by Ralph

VillanueVa ManilaTimes.net

THE Presidential anti-corruption commission (Pacc) has recommended the filing of administrative charges against prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) who dismissed the charges against alleged drug traders Kerwin Espinosa and Peter lim, Peter co and several others.

In a news conference in Manila on Tuesday, March 27, Pacc commissioner greco Belgica said the motu proprio Investigation Team of the commission called on President Rodrigo Duterte to order the filing of raps against assistant State Prosecutor Michael John Humarang, Senior assistant State Prosecutor Rassendell Rex gingoyon and chief Prosecutor Jorge catalan.

The three allegedly violated Section 3(e) of Republic act 3019, or the anti-graft and corrupt Practices act, pertaining to “manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence,” according to the 15-page initial report and recommendation of the investigation team.

The Pacc recommended the preventive suspension of the respondents, pending further investigation of the case.

It also pushed for the lifestyle check of newly minted Regional Trial court (RTc) judge aristotle Reyes.

The Pacc also called for the issuance of a show-cause order

against the “incompetent” officers of the Philippine national Police-criminal Investigation and Detection group (PnPcIDg) who failed to include the testimony of Espinosa in the Senate, where he admitted that he was really a drug trader.

“The incompetence in preparation of complete and comprehensive complaint to stop illegal drugs brought a great deal to perpetuate miscarriage of justice,” Belgica said.

On December 20, the DoJ cleared the alleged drug personalities in connection with illegal drug trade operations in the Visayas region, saying there was no probable cause in the case filed by the PnP-cIDg. The news was made public only on March 12. a few days after, Justice Secretary Vitaliano aguirre 2nd reopened the case, saying that it would be “wide open” for both the complainants and respondents to supply additional evidence to strengthen their respective cases.

‘Duck in a cockfight’ Belgica likened the sudden dismissal of the charges to a duck who joined a violent cockfight.

“The dismissal of the DoJ is not different from the duck who participated in a cockfight, it died but it still won. This is one big farce intended to discredit the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Belgica said.

He also slammed the DoJ panel, saying he was “disturbed” as its members should have moved mountains to serve justice.

Instead, they put their personal interests above the people, according to Belgica.

Pacc chairman Dante Jimenez said in a statement: “Something is fishy. The dismissal of Espinosa drug case will not be taken sitting down by the Pacc. Our mandate is to assist the Office of the President to investigate corrupt and erring public officials in relation to the performance of their duties and that is exactly what we will do.”

Police alleged that illegal drugs were delivered to a grocery store in Makati city and then distributed by Espinosa’s men to Bohol, Samar, northern and Southern leyte, Biliran and some parts of cebu.

The transactions supposedly involved 20 kilos of shabu from Peter co on February 5, 2013; 20 kilos from lim on February 16, 2013; and 50 kilos from lim on June 7, 2015. There were four other supposed transactions and deliveries with lim as supplier, allegedly in 2014.

Espinosa, tagged as the “biggest drug lord in the Visayas region, is the son of the slain albuera, leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed by PnP-cIDg men in his detention quarters in 2016. lim is reportedly a kumpadre (fellow wedding sponsor) of the President. n

OPAPP: Duterte assures MILF leaders of Bangsamoro law support ManIla — President Rodrigo Duterte has reassured members of the Moro Islamic liberation Front of his support for the Bangsamoro Basic law in a meeting in Davao city, the Office of the Presidential adviser on the Peace Process.

Peace adviser Jesus Dureza said that the meeting was upon the request of MIlF leaders and was done at the Matina Enclaves in Davao.

“President Duterte reiterated to them his continuing and consistent desire and commitment to install the enhanced government structure and governance that will hopefully solve the root causes of the Moro rebellion and address the historical injustice suffered by the Bangsamoro over generations,” Dureza said.

The president also said he would relay to congress “his determination to help push for the passage of the BBl that is compliant with the comprehensive agreement of the Bangsamoro and as close as possible to the new draft law submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition commission.”

Dureza said that the president is willing to issue “administrative directives to fulfill this commitment” in case the draft BBl again falters in the House of Representatives and Senate.

“The timely meeting yesterday (Tuesday) also dispelled negative speculations following the visit of President Duterte the other day in Jolo, Sulu where he told the Tausugs that he would meet with Moro leaders at the soonest possible time due to reported

Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza with Hadji Murad Ebrahim and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Ghazali Jaafar.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

opposition of some Bangsamoro leaders,” Dureza said.

In his speech, Duterte said he was concerned that passage of the BBl might not address ethnic divisions within the region, saying there might be a need for different leaderships by region and ethnic group.

“This BBl, it is going on in congress, let us look at it closely. I am a little worried, would it do well to mix it all in one pot?” Duterte said in English and Filipino on Monday, March 26.

Duterte said he wants to make sure that the sentiments of all indigenous people that will be included in the new Bangsamoro region would be reflected in the new law.

“Meaning to say if you Tausug want the Maranao will lead like the present aRMM (autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” Duterte said. aRMM Regional gov. Mujiv Hataman is actually a Yakan from

Basilan province. He succeeded ansaruddin-abdulmalik adiong, a Maranao, and Zaldy ampatuan, a Maguindanaon. ampatuan, whom adiong replaced in 2009 in the aftermath of the ampatuan massacre, succeeded Parouk Hussin, a Tausug.

The position of regional governor is elective.

Lawmakers reiterate support Dureza added that Rep. gloria Macapagal-arroyo (Pampanga), former president, also assured MIlF chairman al Haj Murad Ebrahim that she supports the version of the BBl filed by House Speaker Pantaleon alvarez (Davao del norte) and would withdraw a versio that she filed. The move is meant to fast-track passage of the alvarez bill, which was drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition commission and endorsed by the Palace.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who PAGE A7

HOLY WEEK RUSH. The volume of passengers at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City continues to increase as they rush to their provinces for the Holy Week on Tuesday, March 27. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently approved the special permit applications of an additional 990 bus units as an outflow of passengers was also expected for the vacation season.

PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr.

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

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 Roque issued the statement after aquino lauded de lima’s leadership and urged public to continue 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 ex-

Sen. Leila de Lima

change 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, entitled, “Dispatches from crame I,” aquino lauded the senator for being a woman of principle.

Philstar.con photo

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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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

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).

FoRmeR SpeakeR JoSe C. de VeneCia, JR. (PART 3 OF 3)

(Remarks of Hon. Jose De Venecia, Former Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); CoChairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); Chairman Emeritus, Universal Peace Federation (UPF); Special Envoy of the Presi-

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 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

In pursuit of lasting peace

PeaceMaker

Philstar.com photo

dent 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 1822, 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 Ber-

lin 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

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

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-

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

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

Since then, not only the Unit-

ed 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, representing 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 PAGE A7

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. ***

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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Bill allows Filipinos married to foreign divorcees to remarry

by Delon

Porcalla Philstar.com

ACT OF PENANCE. Dressed as Roman soldiers, men scour the town plaza in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro as part of its Centurion (Moriones) festival, which started on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday with the “beheading” of Longinus, the one-eyed Roman soldier who regained his eyesight after stabbing Jesus while nailed at the cross. The activity is patterned after the Moriones festival of Marinduque province, where many residents of Pinamalayan trace their roots.

Photo courtesy of Pinamalayan Tourism Office

Business tycoon Lucio Tan offers to build drainage system in Boracay “They want to close it so they can do all the required capital investments for the drainage and sewage treatment unimpeded by tourists and other individuals. So if they decide to actually construct waste water facilities and waste drainage system, they would have to destroy all roads, to expand all roads, put treatments under the roads,” he added. n

by catherine

Valente ManilaTimes

BUSINESS tycoon Lucio Tan has offered to build a second drainage system in Boracay Island, a Palace official said.

In a radio interview on Monday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Tan sent a letter to the concerned agencies regarding his offer.

“There’s a letter from Lucio Tan, because he owns the Boracay Tubi there, he supplies water but he has no sewerage system.

He said he wants to build a drainage,” Roque said in an interview with dzMM radio.

Aside from the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc., Tan also supplies water to the island through Boracay Tubi.

Roque said Tan’s proposed drainage system would connect to a wastewater treatment facility, ensuring that the water that comes out to the sea is clean.

“And the drainage will connect to a waste water treatment. So it means the rainwater, the water used by other people will be treated,” he said.

Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said his office has asked Tan to provide more details about his proposal.

Tan’s plan comes as a government panel composed of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism recommended the closure of Boracay for six months beginning

Lucio Tan

April 26.

The recommendation is subject to President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval.

Duterte likened the worldfamous tourist destination to a “cesspool,” prompting the creation of an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of the island.

On March 20, the President expressed support for the recommended temporary closure of Boracay.

Last week, Roque said Duterte might consider implementing the recommendation during the “lean season” to allow the nonstop construction of drainage and sewage systems in the entire island.

“We’re looking at possibly, if the President finally accepts the recommendation, (Boracay will be closed during) lean season,” the Palace official said.

In pursuit of lasting peace

PAGE A6 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 politicoreligious 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 Nagorno-Karabakh, 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

MANILA — Voting 202-3, the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that recognizes, and enforces as well, a foreign decree granting divorce to a foreigner – eventually allowing a Filipino spouse to remarry.

House Bill 7185, which seeks to amend Executive Order 209 (Family Code of the Philippines), also seeks to recognize the foreign decree of termination of marriage and allows its subsequent registration with the Philippine Civil Registry.

The proposed amendment of EO 209 states that, “The Filipino spouse need not seek recognition or enforcement of the foreign decree of termination of marriage.”

“The registration of the duly authenticated foreign decree of termination in the Philippine Civil Registry shall be sufficient proof of capacity to remarry,” a portion of the divorce bill reads.

It further states that, “where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is celebrated and a decree of termination of marriage is thereafter obtained abroad by either spouse and subsequently registered in the Philippine Civil Registry as provided in Article 13 hereof, the

Filipino spouse shall likewise have capacity to remarry under the Philippine Law.” The amendment also states that Article 412 of the Civil Code shall not apply in recognizing the termination of marriages in the bill.

Any agreement on the liquidation, partition and distribution of properties of the spouses, the custody and support of common children, the delivery of their presumptive legitimes included in the degree of termination of marriage shall be recognized, according to the bill.

Other provisions can be availed of by a Filipino who is married to a foreigner whose marriage has been terminated abroad by either spouse, including a Filipino whose marriage has been terminated abroad prior to the effectivity of the proposed law; who has been divorced from a spouse who had subsequently acquired foreign citizenship; or who has subsequently acquired foreign citizenship and who has divorced from the Filipino spouse abroad.

Authors include House Deputy Speakers Pia Cayetano and Gwendolyn Garcia, Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Sol Aragones (Laguna), Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela), Evelina Escudero (Sorsogon), Bernadette Dy (Bagong Henerasyon), Cristina Puno (Antipolo).

No less than the seat of Catholicism — Spain, which propagated the faith in the Philippines and Italy, where the Vatican is located — have their own divorce laws that “do not make them any less Catholic,” one of the main authors of the divorce bill said.

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

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

Lagman argued that nothing is cast in stone even if a provision of the 1987 Constitution provides for the “inviolability” of marriage as an institution, but which he insisted does not necessarily prohibit absolute divorce.

“Inviolability prescribes a norm or standard for marriages but does not forbid the dissolution of a marriage,” he clarified. “It does not cast a marital union in an immovable stone because the Constitution itself does not prohibit absolute divorce.” n

OPAPP: Duterte assures MILF leaders...

PAGE A6 leads the panel holding hearings on the BBL at the Senate, also assured the MILF that the Senate would act on the bill before May 15, when the 17th Congress

adjourns.

Dureza said Murad told them that the MILF has never doubted Duterte’s sincerity to the government’s commitments.

“If this does not get done dur-

ing the presidency of President Duterte, we seriously doubt if we can do it at all, in the future.

President Duterte is now our only and last card,” the OPAPP quotes Murad as saying. n

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march 30-april 5, 2018 • Oc/iE aSiaN JOUrNal

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

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march 30-april 5, 2018

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march 30-april 5, 2018

Carrying on Holy Week traditions

2

by AJPress

Holy 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 24hour 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 God in the liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of Jesus Crucified in the adoration of the Cross, and Jesus applies what he did on the Cross to each of us personally when we receive him in Holy Communion,” suggests the Station of the Cross Catholic Radio Network.

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 Artwork by Kendrick Tan 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.

• 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.

One of Batayan town’s processional tableaux showing Jesus being whipped by Roman soldiers.

Americans buy over 700 million of them.

Inquirer.net photo by Trizer D. Mansueto • Decorating Easter eggs — traditionally called pysanka Black Saturday other observations during — represents the empty tomb. Christians believe that Easter eggs The celebration of Easter this day include abstaining from symbolize new life and resurrection.

Sunday events begin on Black eating meat, reflecting on the • According to the Guinness Book of World Records the largSaturday and is when the Blessed Seven last Words of Jesus, and est chocolate Easter egg ever made debuted in 2011. It was just Sacrament is returned to the doing the Stations of the Cross, over 34-ft high and weighed nearly 16,000 pounds. The largest tabernacle. The Easter Vigil, a which means stopping at each chocolate bunny ever made weighed in at 6,635 pounds and was station to say selected prayers and liturgical practice, is an hours-long 12 feet tall; it took a team of four people in South Africa three celebration of the resurrection of reflections. days to sculpt it.

Christ. It is a special day during • The largest Easter egg hunt, was held in 2007 at Cypress Holy Week, as it is when new Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida. It contained Catholics are baptized. The priest 501,000 eggs that were searched for by 9,753 children and their celebrating the mass wears white parents. for this occasion, as Jesus’ victory • The White House hosts an annual Easter Egg Roll on the over death is a joyous time. front lawn. This tradition was started by President Rutherford B. Practices like Visita Iglesia Hayes in 1878. and Stations of the Cross and confession are part of the day for festive, non-religious customs an angel (usually portrayed by Filipinos who haven’t done them that symbolize Easter, such as a young girl) lifts the black veil previously. egg hunting, the Easter bunny, of sadness called lambong from Easter Sunday parades, and a feast.

Mary. This symbolizes the end of Holy Week ends with Easter Although the Filipino Holy her mourning as Jesus Christ will Sunday, which begins with the Week has more recently been have risen. pre-dawn rite called salubong associated with activities other “Men typically accompany (welcoming), marking Christ than those related to religious the statue of Christ, and women, reuniting with the Virgin Mary ones, many devout Catholics still still in mourning until they meet after his resurrection. Salubong use the holy days (and, for those Christ, accompany the statue of starts with two separate in the Philippines, the time off ) Mary. The meeting is an occasion processions from opposite ends to do what is meant to be done for joy and celebration,” according of the community with a statue A “Carozza” passes in front of the ancient in that time: reflect, pray and to catholicsandcultures.org. of Mary at one end and one of stone church of Bantayan town, Bantayan remember the life and suffering After this, many families Jesus at the other.

They eventually For Filipinos who identify with the Christian faith, this final week of the Lenten season is a Island, Cebu. of Christ. proceed to participate in more period for reflection.

Photos from Pexels.com Inquirer.net photo by Trizer D. Mansueto meet at a midpoint, during which

Gerald Anderson on relationship with Bea Alonzo: ‘It’s steady’

Bert Nievera performs with son Martin Nievera.

Contributed photo by Bert Eljera

Filipino balladeer Bert Nievera dies at 81 in Las Vegas

by Pocholo

concePcion Inquirer.net

BERT Nievera, one of the country’s most popular balladeers in the 1960s, died on Monday, March 26, (Tuesday, Philippine Time) in las Vegas, at age 81, his son Martin Nievera confirmed in a post on his Instagram page.

Born Roberto Jose “Bert” dela Cruz Nievera in Baguio, the aspiring singer joined amateur contests in his hometown as well as in Manila, where he won in the search for the Johnny Mathis of the Philippines on the TV show “Student Canteen.”

His professional singing career flourished in the local club scene, until he accepted an offer to go to the United States, where he spent many years performing.

He went on to become a member of the Hawaii-based vocal group Society of Seven.

In recent years, he has been living in las Vegas in the past decade and suffered from poor health in the last few years until his confinement in the hospital last week for severe infection.

At his bedside when he died were Martin, Vicky and Rachel – his children with Inquirer lifestyle columnist Conchita Razon.

Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson

IF it were up to Gerald Anderson, he would want to take rumored girlfriend Bea Alonzo home with him to General Santos City.

The actor opened up about his recent trip to his hometown, as his mother expressed he missed him so much. This he told talk show host Boy Abunda in a recent “Tonight with Boy Abunda” episode.

Anderson revealed that her mother wished to give him a feast, complete with lechon. It also led him to the idea of giving everyone a block screening of his new movie “My Perfect you” starring Pia Wurtzbach.

When Abunda asked the actor how much of his hometown is still with him, he replied “Umiikot ako kung saan ako tumatambay dati, yung katapat ko kung saan ako na-discover ni Joross (Gamboa)…” (I roam around where I used to hang out, right in front where Joross discovered me.) Gamboa has been his friend even before they both entered show business.

But when Alonzo was brought up in the conversation, the actor admitted that he has not yet taken her to his province. He said: “Natatakot ako sa nanay niya kasi di ba medyo hotspot yung GenSan?” (I’m afraid of her mom, because isn’t GenSan a bit of a hotspot?)

Would he take her there, given the chance? on this question, his reply was, “oo naman, gusto ko ma-expose siya sa ganun. Gusto ko makita niya yung provincial life, kung paano kami sa probinsya, ‘yung ganun ka-simple… kung saan ako galing,” (Of course, I want her to be exposed to that. I want her to see the provincial life, how we live in the province, how simple it is… where I came from.)

Anderson proudly said that Alonzo has seen the movie last week. In fact, he shared that she text-messaged him, praising the movie.

While Anderson still shows affection towards Alonzo, the two made headlines recently after Alonzo unfollowed him and Wurtzbach on Instagram. She also deleted previous posts of photos of them together, including the poster for “My Perfect you” which she promoted. The actress’ hair stylist also posted a quote about infidelity, which led to fans pointing their fingers at Anderson.

In a separate interview with ABS-CBN Europe, Gerald was asked, “How’s your love life?” To which he simply replied, “Ayos naman, ABS-CBN photo steady naman. (It’s okay. It’s steady.)” (Katrina Hallare/Inquirer.net)

march 30-april 5, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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Pulse the Heart of Vice Ganda in America Gabbi Garcia loves her flat chest, stretch Another surprise is at stake for patrons and followers of Pechanga resort Casino in temecula, California, on the nearing scintillating performance at Pechanga Summit come May 13 at 6pm by the famous visiting artist Vice Ganda, popularly-known as a comedian, tV host, singer and actor in the Philippines.

Pechanga resort Casino is wellknown for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers such as Megastar Sharon Cuneta, the singer/actress and tony Award Winner Lea Salonga, popular singing group 4 Voices 1 Journey, winner of “Star Power Search 2011� Angeline Quintos, international actress and top endorser Anne Curtis, and Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo - who all gave wholesome entertainment to the delight of the crowd.

Before becoming well-known as Vice Ganda, he is commonly called ‘totoy’ (young boy). the youngest of five, ‘tutoy’ or Jose Marie Borja Viceral in real life grew up on the streets of Sta. Cruz, Manila. At first glance, he is like any other young boy in their neighborhood, playing basketball and fond of checking on women.

But for ‘tutoy’ he found out since the start that he was not so fond of women.

It became an inspiration for ‘tutoy’ the early demise of his father and the fact that his mother had to go abroad and work for the family. he was branded as “Vice� by his close friend, a sweet version of his surname “Viceral.� he studied Political Science in Far eastern University where he also had an inclination as he became popular while playing basketball.

It was in 1999 when Vice Ganda entered the field of stand-up comedy that started as a casual fun in a comedy bar where his talent was discovered. From here, Vice began his career as a comedian in Punchline and the Library. Comedy bar owner ricardo Castaneda coined the name Vice Ganda or “Beautiful Vice,� --- the name that led him to further his career and became popular even in cinema

while gaining avid followers.

As he loved his newfound destiny, Vice Ganda continued to rise to stardom and he penetrated the television through tele-series, sitcoms and variety shows. his biggest break was when Vice Ganda, in 2009 became an official member of the television giant ABS-CBn where it became a toprated noontime variety show. he was tagged as “the unkabogable Vice Ganda� when he became regular in the shows as a result of backing from his followers. the fashion icon and endorser, Vice proved his success on screen in his strings of movies that really became a hit-- the reason he was branded as “the phenomenal boxoffice star. “he was the first ever Gay superstar in Asia.� the wide array of songs he interpreted and recorded also became a hit like his album “Lakas tama� under Vicor Music.

Let’s follow Vice Ganda in his fun-filled, exciting performance on May 13 at the Pechanga Summit.

Make it a habit to witness and watch surprising live performances in the only one entertainment hub in temecula, California-- the Pechanga resort & Casino. You may purchase tickets ranging from $118, $98, $88, $78, $68 and $58 from the Pechanga Box office, 888-810-8871 or online at www.

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Pechanga Summit was added to Pechanga resort Casino as a part of the property’s $285 million resort expansion. the Pechanga Band of Luiseùo Indians broke ground on the two-year project in December 2015 that will conclude in December 2017. entertainers, concerts, live sporting events, trade shows, weddings, or any large group will now have a 40,000square foot area to book. In total, Pechanga now offers 274,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor contemporary meeting and event space, which will significantly enhance the amenities, space and visibility of Pechanga’s event offerings.

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marks despite bashers’ body shaming

by Cody

Cepeda Inquirer.net

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For actress-singer-model Gabbi Garcia, living in the spotlight is a double-edged sword that comes with constant scrutiny and misplaced hatred. Being in the public eye puts pressure like no other on celebrities to strive for the unattainable: perfect bodies and perfect lives. the multi-hyphenate Garcia, however, is not having any of it.

In a powerful message made on Instagram yesterday, Garcia told her fans once and for all that despite her flaws, she does not see anything wrong with her body. “Whenever I post swimsuit photos, people would always bully me for my body,� wrote Garcia as she posted a picture of her in a one-piece swimsuit. “Well, guess what!! Yes, I have no boobs, I’m flat Casino features a destination that chested + I have my own fair share meets and exceeds the needs of of stretch marks. And I don’t see its guests and the community. anything wrong with it.�

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Gabbi Garcia Photo from Instagram @_gabbigarcia

own way! #notoBodyShaming #LoveYourBody.� the 19-year-old Garcia’s post comes as a commendable force to her almost two million-strong followers, most of whom are young teenaged girls who look up to her. And when it comes to teenage girls, battling with insecurities and low self-esteem is almost a universal concept. there is always a story of a young woman being shamed and bullied for being too fat, too ugly, too short, too tall, or just being too much of everything — saddled with impossible expectations that usually lead to self-harm, depression or eating disorders. And to Garcia’s young followers, her admirable and empowering message can make their dealings with life perhaps at least a little bit easier.

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Paulo Avelino on toughest scenes in movie ‘Goyo’

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

exPeCt more from Paulo Avelino in the coming months with a slew of projects the ABS-CBn actor has been working on. Most anticipated among them, of course, is the biopic “Goyo: Ang Batang heneral� where he portrays the revered national hero Gregorio del Pilar.

While excited for the public to see this historical epic, Avelino admits he feels tremendous pressure given the surprise success of its prequel, “heneral Luna,� which box office garnered P250 million in 2015. “of course there is pressure from heneral Luna so we know there are many people waiting to see Goyo. But our main goal here really is just to make a quality film,�

Avelino shared with members of media during his launch as endorser of Berroca effervescent drink.

According to the 29-year-old actor, they are finished shooting the period movie which took them seven months. “Matagal-tagal din namin ginawa ang ‘Goyo.’ We’ve 60 shooting days to be exact. this is aside from the days we needed to rehearse with the horses on how to jump and all that,� he added.

In February, the film’s producer tBA Studios (tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy entertainment, and Artikulo Uno Productions) gave a sneak peek into Goyo—a twominuter showing Avelino in an underwater scene. the actor confirmed it was the hardest to shoot in the entire movie. “Mahirap gawin dahil kailangan mong lumubog sa ilalim ng tubig at mag-panic. But I love being in the water; without moving I can hold my breath like a minute and 30 seconds to two minutes. “But when you have to act that you’re panicking it’s different—it’s harder but that’s what was required for the scene so you have to do it,â€? he explained. “Another challenge for us was shooting in different locations. We basically all shoot around Luzon— Ilocos, tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Bulacan. Sometimes we had to go up in the mountains, which was tricky because only 4Ă—4 off road cars can make the trip. And then there were times it rained when we got there, so mahirap at magulo.â€?

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Paulo Avelino tells the story of revered Philippine national hero Gregorio del Pilar.

Photo courtesy of Buchi Boy Entertainment

Avelino further shared how he had to do a lot of reading and research to give justice to his role, under the guidance of Jerrold tarog, the same director behind heneral Luna. “I had a lot of questions, so Direk Jerrold gave me a lot of reading materials—entire books photocopied for me!�

Asked how soon the public can meet Goyo, Avelino replied, “For now wala pang sinasabi kung kailan ipapalabas but I think it’s coming out by the end of this year.�

Besides Goyo, Avelino is also busy with the teleserye “Asintado,� as well as shooting the movie “Kasal� with Bea Alonzo and Derek ramsay. “We’re about to finish the film. I think it’s coming out either late this quarter or early next quarter. the film shows a very modern relationship, laging with complications pero ito medyo iniba lang nila ng konti. Linagyan nila ng konting twists para mag-adapt sa time natin ngayon and also para maiba,� Avelino imparted.

With so much on his plate right now, Avelino considers staying healthy his top priority in order to fulfill all his commitments in his truly thriving career. “Like many of us today, I have a very active lifestyle. For me, every day is a big day, with varied commitments aside from very demanding production schedules for tV shows and movies that I treat as a blessing. Despite being busy, I keep healthy by continuing my passion for riding motorbikes; I also work out every week. For sure I have enough energy to keep a healthy balance of work and “me� time,�

Avelino ended.

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march 30-april 5, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

The 2nd Children Art Contest hosted

by H Mart & Woori Broadcasting

4

Warm spring day, hopes and dreams painted by our children on a fun family event

EVA to launch daily Taipei-Chiang Mai flights on July 1 One-stop connections make travel to Northern Thai City easy TAIPEI, TAIWAN – EVA Air will launch daily nonstop flights between Taipei and Chiang Mai, starting on 1 July, 2018. The airline will serve the route with an Airbus A321-200 configured in Business and Economy Classes for 184 passengers. The new route will give passengers on EVA’s 82 weekly flights from North America more convenient access to the largest city in Northern Thailand via easy, one-stop connections through Taipei.

With its rich history, cultural attractions and laid-back Route

atmosphere, Chiang Mai was selected as one of the 25 Best Destinations in the world by TripAdvisor and listed in the Top 10 Best Cities worldwide

by Travel + Leisure. UNESCO recently designated Chiang Mai as a Creative City for its crafts and folk art. And its abundant natural resources, from the lush green countryside, and mountain ranges to primitive rainforests and majestic waterfalls, lure tourists to discover its beauty as they hike, bird watch and make new friends at an elephant

sanctuary.

EVA’s new Taipei-Chiang Mai route makes travel from North America to Northern Thailand easier than ever. Chiang Mai arrival time is early enough in the day for passengers to enjoy some sightseeing. Return flights to Taipei are scheduled so that passengers can make onestop connections to all of the major cities EVA serves in North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York.

Flight No.

Frequency

Departure

Arrival

BR257

1.2.3.4.5.6.7

07:25

10:25

BR258

1.2.3.4.5.6.7

11:30

16:45

Taipei-Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai-Taipei

Travelers can learn more about all of EVA’s routes and services and book travel at www.evaair.com.

EVA Air EVA Air, a Star Alliance member and one of 10 SKYTRAX-rated 5-Star Airlines worldwide, was established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is part of the respected Evergreen Group and a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 70 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to

EMPLOYMENT

H MART and Woori Broadcasting is hosting The Children Art Contest celebrating National Family Month. This second annual art contest in California is held on May 5th, 2018 at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area – The Meadows Area D, (Address: 750 S. Santa Anita Avenue South El Monte, CA 91733) from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Drawing theme is to be announced during the event.

Registration and award winners are categorized in 3 groups, Pre K~ Kindergarten, 1st~5th Grade, and 6th~8th Grade. California winners are awarded with $5,500 worth of scholarships as well as trophies and award certificates, totaling 69 winners; Grand Prize $1,000/1 winner, 1st Prize (1 winner/group), 2nd Prize (2 winners/group), 3rd Prize (3 winners/group), Happy Prize (50 winners/group).

Participants can register for this event at any California H Mart store’s Customer Service Desk during the application period, March 30th~April 30th. Fee of $20 is immediately exchanged for $20 H Mart Gift Certificate. Applicants are encouraged to register during the application period since registration is unavailable on the day of the event.

Variety of events are ready for all guests to enjoy. Handson events for children such as face painting, balloon art, and bubble plays are awaiting, as well as recreation and games for all members in the family can enjoy.

Free food tasting events and goody bags will make this event even more abundant, sponsored

by Haioreum, Hello Home, Nong Shim, Samyang, and other major food & houseware companies.

H Mart sent a message saying, “last year’s successful Art Contest in California brings another year for children and adolescents to

more than 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.

With just one easy stop in Taipei, travelers can connect onward to every major city in Asia, including 17 destinations in China. Travelers can learn more about EVA and book, buy and reserve seats at www.evaair.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

PSYCHIC

broaden their sense of creativity and gain artistic education. We ask for everyone’s participation and attention as this event is full of family activities that would make great memories.”

H Mart Customer Service can be reached for more information on this event (TEL. 877-4277386).

(Advertising Supplement)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA 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.

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 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

Health@Heart

Love as the center of gravity “All you need is love.”

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

‘Stop the heart?’

mushrooms) parasites (ascaris, giardia), from side effect of antibiotics they are taking, and Rotavirus infection (the worst).

PhiliP S. ChuA, There are no effective drugs for Md, FACS, FPCS viral intestinal infection.

Why do cardiac surgeons Over-the-counter drugs for stop the heart during surgery? diarrhea can be dangerous for The conventional technique infants and younger children. These in coronary bypass surgery medications usually worsen the includes, among other elaborate intestinal injury by transferring procedures, arresting the heart in valuable fluid and salt (sodium) out order for the surgeon to have a of the circulating blood stream into quiet (non-beating) and “bloodless” intestinal walls, leading to swelling field to do the delicate stitching of the intestines. This fluid “escape” connection on the tiny (size of a (transfer) dehydrates the baby round toothpick) arteries on the even when the diarrhea appears to surface of the heart. The patient have stopped. Dehydration is very is protected with a heart-lung dangerous in infants and young machine (Pump) that provides children. Dehydration can kill circulation and oxygenation while within matter of hours. Oral fluid the heart is not beating. replacement for mild diarrhea, and After the completion of the intravenous fluid infusion for more coronary bypass, normal heart beat severe ones are the treatment of resumes. With additional hands-on choice, and each works wonders. specialized training, the cardiac When diarrhea occurs, seek surgeon is able to do coronary medical consultation the same day. bypass on a beating heart, A delay may jeopardize the life of amazingly as it may sound. The your child. procedure is called OPCAB (OffWhy do lungs collapse?

Pump Coronary Artery Bypass), a Pneumothorax (medical term minimally invasive technique that for collapsed lungs) literally means does not require the use of the “air (pneumo) inside the chest Pump and the coronary bypass is cavity (thorax),” causing the lungs performed on a beating heart. At to collapse. Normally, the spongy the Cebu Cardiovascular Center lungs inside the chest are like of Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, we inflated balloons inside a sealed have found this technique since airtight cavity. There is no air inside 1998 to be most advantageous the chest cavity; the air is inside for appropriately selected heart the balloons (lungs) only, which patients, who recover faster and go our body uses for oxygenation home sooner. and removal of carbon dioxide (air What causes diarrhea in exchange during breathing). As a babies? matter of fact, there is a vacuum There are various possible (negative pressure) inside the causes of diarrhea in infants, chest, which is one factor that but most common cause is keeps the lungs inflated. The outer viral intestinal infection due to surfaces of the lungs all around are enteroviruses. Other causes are hugging the inside wall of the chest bacteria (salmonella, shigella, cavity, smack against the chest wall, E. coli, campylobacter), food with no space between them but a or milk allergy, food poisoning vacuum. Any opening in the chest (contaminated food, shellfish, wall or laceration of the lungs (like

stab wound or gunshot wound) will make the negative pressure inside the chest (vacuum) rapidly suck in air from the environment, which is positive (higher) pressure, into the chest cavity. Since the chest is a fixed, unyielding, cavity, surrounded by ribs all around, the air that is suck in accumulates and fills up the chest, putting pressure, squeezing and crowding out the soft and spongy lungs, causing them to collapse. The treatment is inserting a chest tube to suck OUT the air inside the chest and allow the lungs to expand and function properly.

Do steroid inhalers help prevent asthmatic attacks?

In combination with steroid pills, yes, inhalers with steroids cut down asthmatic attacks by 50 percent, according to Brian H. Rowe, M.D., lead researcher of the University of Alberta in Edmonton in an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Those who presented to the Emergency Rooms and sent home only on steroid pills had more relapses, compared to those discharged on steroid pills and nasal inhaler with steroids.

Do herbal medications increase the risk of surgery?

Herbal drugs like Gingko, ginseng, or garlic can cause increased risk of excessive bleeding and other complications among patients undergoing surgery, according to an article from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago published in the Journal of the American Medication Association.

These medications, taken by about 12 percent of Americans, interact with drugs prescribed for surgery, increasing the potency of anesthetic agents, and preventing normal clotting of blood. St. John’s Wort increases Continued on Page 6

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Calendar of Events across

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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 AprIl 4

FACCGLA hosts networking mixer in Culver City, CA Join the networking mixer of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 and meet high caliber individuals and company attendees that include professionals, executives, business owners, investors, lenders, entrepreneurs and startups from a diverse range of industries. Appetizers included. Venue is 5446 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230. Free parking at 2nd level. For more info, please visit www. faccgla.org.

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

AprIl 30

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

M Ay 3 -1 2

34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival The 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented May 3 - May 12, 2018 at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight of the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, the Festival is produced by Visual Communications, the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, and enjoys broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. Since 1983, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has presented over 4,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian international and Asian Pacific American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The Film Festival continues to be the largest festival of its kind in Southern California and is the premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. To learn about Visual Communications, visit www.vconline. org.

M Ay 1 8

The Asian American Group to celebrate first annual Asian Culture Day in Las Vegas On Friday, May 18, the Asian American Group (AAG) will celebrate the first annual Asian Culture Day. The event will be held at the Conference Center of Las Vegas (6590 Bermuda Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119), and will start at 6 p.m. There will be a variety of Asian dishes and cultural performances at the celebration.

The primary goal of the Asian Culture Day celebration is to invite and unite the Asian nations of the world, and to educate and share their respective cultures in order to achieve greater understanding and fellowship between nations. The annual Asian Culture Day was established by Senate Bill 175, which proclaims every 18th of May as Asian Culture Day in the state of Nevada. The bill was introduced and authored by State Senator Scott Hammond, and was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval last year. The bill gives recognition to the Asians and Asian-Americans who were instrumental in the settlement and early development of the State of Nevada; the culture and traditions shared by Asians and AsianAmericans; and the Asian and Asian-American communities that continue to make important contributions to the cultural, religious, political, and business environment. To purchase tickets visit https://www.asianamericangroup.org/saac-2/.

M Ay 26

FACCGLA’s bowling tournament The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) will host a bowling tournament on Saturday, May 26 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Winnetka Bowling Lanes (20122 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA 91306). Open to both members and non-members, in teams of four or we can assign you a team. Slots are limited. To register your team, please call FACC-GLA Secretary Ms. Connie Mapue (323) 337-7714 or FACC-GLA boardmember Ms. Doreen Remo (310) 428-7200. For more information and online payment, please visit www. faccgla.org.

June 9

Kalayaan Incorporated presents Philippine Independence gala in Los Angeles Kalayaan Incorporated, Southern California’s foremost celebrant of Philippine Independence will host the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 9, at the Universal Hilton Hotel, Universal City, California. For more information, contact Erlinda Granada-Sabah at (562) 682-9576; or Malou Perez at mperez0813@ aol.com.

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

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Embassy lauds PH Fulbright Program’s 70th anniversary

Why Jolo Revilla hasn’t proposed to Jodi Sta. Maria

by MJ

MArfori ManilaTimes.net

WE will surely be seeing a lot more of Jolo Revilla in the next couple of months, especially since he’s making a showbiz comeback WASHINGTON, D.C. along with his brothers Bryan and – The Philippine Embassy, led by Luigi in an Imus Production movie Philippine Ambassador to the titled “72 Hours.”

United States Jose Manuel G. According to Jolo, he and his Romualdez, organized a reception brothers are doing this for their to celebrate the 70th anniversary of father, Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., who the Philippine Fulbright Program at wrote the action trilogy for them the Philippine Chancery Annex in from his detention cell in Camp the evening of March 22.

Crame.

The Philippine Fulbright The Times joined Jolo on Program is the longest running the set of 72 Hours all the way Fulbright Program in the world and at the Navotas fish port where the longest education exchange in Filipino Fulbright scholars - Filipino Fulbright scholars with Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez big scenes were being shot. the Philippines.

(4th from right); Ambassador Jennifer Galt (5th from right); Ambassador John Maisto (4th There was a boat that was blown Philippine Secretary of Foreign from left); and Embassy Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (2nd from right). up, giant drones and “Mission Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano Impossible-esque” chasing students and scholars from both the delivered a congratulatory video scenes to boot!

Philippines and the United States greeting that was played at the start “Para talaga sa daddy ko ito the opportunity to study, teach, the program. dahil pangarap niya ibalik ang and conduct research in academic “The Fulbright Program has action genre sa Philippine movies. environments that strengthen been an important vehicle that He wrote these stories from there. the ties between our peoples,” the ensures the enduring friendship Naninibago nga ako eh pero buti na Ambassador further noted. between our two peoples,” said lang Jodi [Sta. Maria, his girlfriend] One of the guest speakers, Secretary Cayetano.

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau In his welcome remarks, of Educational and Cultural Romualdez underscored the longAmbassador Jose Manuel Romualdez delivers Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant standing friendship between the the opening remarks at a reception hosted by Secretary, Ambassador Jennifer Philippines and the United States the Philippine Embassy in celebration of the

by Annelise Piccio Zimdahl Galt, emphasized in that stems from their peoples, 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Philstar.com Program on 22 March 2018. her remarks the dynamic role highlighting the importance of WHEN Katchry Jewel Golbin of education exchange in U.S.Fulbright Program.

Galt.

— or “Kat” to family and friends Philippines relations through the “We are, therefore, honored to U.S.-Philippines Society years. celebrate with all of you tonight President, Ambassador John Maisto, in Capiz City — isn’t blogging or writing poetry, she performs on “Thousands of outstanding the longest continuously operating who was once a representative stage.

Filipinos and Americans have Fulbright program in the world. to the Philippine Fulbright And how! participated since the program Established in 1948, the first batch Commission, also stressed the The now 27 year old won began, and have gone on to serve of Filipino Fulbright scholars left for importance of building on what the renown in 2016 when she landed as leaders in their fields. Among the Fulbright Program represents. the United States a year later,” said a finalist slot in the 11th season secrets to the Fulbright program’s Romualdez.

“We raise awareness; we call of “La France a un Incroyable Talent” longevity in the Philippines, and its “Seventy years hence, the attention to the modern U.S.(France has incredible talent) in continued strength and vitality is program continues to be what it Philippine relationship, which is the country’s M26 channel. As was conceived for in the early years that it has enjoyed strong support based on mutual understanding. of the diplomatic relations between from both our governments, We reach out to the Filipino citizens “Alienette Coldfire,” she brought reflecting its importance in our our two countries. It is a vehicle for and the Filipino-American diaspora the judges and audience — both in the theater and in their homes overall bilateral relationship,” said mutual understanding. It provides here in the United States,” said — to tears with her rendition Maisto.

A simple reception followed the of Michel Legrand’s “Windmills of Your Mind” and Schonberg conclusion of the program which and Boublil’s “I Dreamed a was live streamed at the Embassy’s Dream” from “Les Miserables” in, get official Facebook page. this, French.

A gala event organized by the Alienette failed to land Philippine-American Educational the grand prize but she won Foundation (PAEF) was also held at countless fans, not in the least The Peninsula Manila, Philippines her kababayans residing in in the evening of March 23. Former Philippine Ambassador to the United France, one of whom, an OFW, said the young girl proved to be States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was one of an inspiration and testimony that the 10 Filipino alumni inducted to U.S.-Philippines Society President John Maisto, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Galt, great things could be achieved with the Fulbright Hall of Fame during the and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez engage in a conversation at the reception held to determination.

Manila celebration. celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine Fulbright Program.

Kat is blind. Upon hearing the incomparable Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” years ago, she fell in love with everything French. She learned this foreign language from conversing nearly nightly online for three years with French speakers, who became her friends, and with the help of a special software.

Never far from the spotlight these days, Kat, who adopted the nom de scene (stage name) Alienette Coldfire to symbolize “someone mysterious, an alien… a little alien,” has had a hectic March. Earlier this month, she was a guest performer at the Singapore Alliance Francaise’s Month of Francophonie. Her presence served to show people what passion for the French language and diligence could do.

From March 23 to 25, she represented the country again in another international event, the inaugural True Colors Festival — the Asia-Pacific Celebration of Artistes with Disabilities. The stars gallery consisted of 20 exceptionally talented individuals and troupes, who were set to impress and rouse

Jolo Revilla and Jodi Sta. Maria’s relationship is stronger than ever.

is there—she’s my cheerleader.”

According to Jolo, Jodi was present on the set during the first few shooting days to make sure he had that extra boost of confidence for his return to showbiz. He even shared how happy he is that their relationship—which began in 2012—is now stronger than ever, with no less than “asawa” as

their term of endearment for one another.

Jolo admitted he plans to settle down soon but that he’s just waiting for something before he finally goes down on his knee.

“We are very stable already but there are just some things kasi we have to fix and we are both waiting for that before [marriage] will be a go.”

The girl from another planet

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ

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

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

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

From Page 5

the city’s cultural scene like never before.

Specially commissioned for True Colours program were new works by contemporary inclusive dance troupe, DAZZLE from Japan; wheelchair dancer Rodney Bell from New Zealand, a collaborative theater production by Singapore’s Very Special Theatrics and Australia’s No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability. Japanese contemporary dancers Kazuyo Morita and Natsumi Sadayuki also performed a special festival commission on the outdoor Festival Village stage while No Strings Attached had the World Premiere of its new work, I Forgot to Remember to Forget.

Among the other highlights were Canadian virtuoso violinist Adrian Anantawan, crooner Tony Dee from Australia (star of the 2016 Rio Paralympics trailer We’re the Superhumans), multinational crew ILL-Abilities (considered one of the world’s most talented street dance crews), Drake Music Scotland’s Digital Orchestra and Ma Li and Zhai Xiao Wei (the first pair of dancers with disabilities ever to enter China’s CCTV national dance competition).

Alienette was the Philippines’ lone participant.

Audrey Pereira, True Colours Festival director, said she was inspired after attending a UNESCO conference in 2015 to mark International Day of Persons with Disability. One thing led to another and her Very Special Arts Singapore — also dedicated to helping the disabled — became the producer of the event. She said: “As festival director, I was guided by the objectives of showcasing the most outstanding talent we could find, generating respect, shifting the needle on negative attitudes toward disability and adding to the changing narrative about disability.”

Said Alienette: “We (persons with disabilities) are not special or different. We just do things in a special way.”

Bravo is all we can say!

The festival comprised a ticketed multimedia indoor concert experience at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, a free admission outdoor festival village just a short walk away, and an international

Katchry Jewel Golbin

Philstar.com photo

conference on arts and disability.

Born blind in a small town in the Philippines, Aliènette did not have easy access to Braille books and publications, but fast forward 26 years later, she earned herself a third-place finish in the finale of the 11th season of the French television program La France a un Incroyable Talent (France Got Talent).

“That’s more than enough for a mere Francophile who dreamed of nothing but a short vacation in France,” Aliènette, who drew tears for her rendition of Les Miserables’ I Dreamed a Dream, had posted on her Facebook page after her performance in December 2016.

The daughter of a taxi driver father and a clerk mother, Aliènette never let her impairment stop her from achieving her dreams. Case in point: In college, she enrolled in a French class as a course elective, but she really learned the language online. Almost every night, she would diligently practice speaking French with Facebook friends using a special software and three years into doing it, she became fluent in the language. Aliènette had told the show’s judges that she wanted to learn French after she became mesmerized by a rendition of La Vie en Rose.

Like learning French, social media and technology played a huge role in Aliènette’s singing career. She was first noticed when she became an online sensation in 2014 after a video of her singing Mariah Carey’s I’ll Be There at SM City in Iloilo City became viral.

Since the TV show, Aliènette has returned to France for a concert and has performed and collaborated with other online artists and in the Philippines.

‘Stop the heart?’

metabolism, Ephedra causes irregular heartbeat, ginseng can aggravate low blood sugar level, kava and valerian exaggerates the effects of anesthetic agents, and Echinacea makes the patient prone to poor wound healing and infection. It is most important for patients to tell their surgeons what medications, herbal or proprietary, they are taking, because many of these may have to be stopped weeks before surgery to prevent complications. To begin with, the fundamental question is: Are any of these herbal medications really as safe, beneficial and effective as they are claimed to be? The USFDA, the Philippine BFAD, and the international medical community, are still waiting for scientific proofs on the efficacy, value and safety of these, and dozens of other, herbal medications on the market. The final verdict is not out yet.

What gadget can prevent sudden cardiac death?

A medical device that can prevent sudden death among heart patients is called AICD (automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator). It is a small titanium shelled unit (about 2 x 3 x 1 inches), larger than a heart

pacemaker, which is implanted under the skin in the left or right upper chest. This unit has a computerized component that senses the heart rhythm round the clock. When serious or fatal heart rhythm disturbance occurs, this AICD rapidly (within seconds) cardioverts (shocks) the heart back to normal sinus (normal) rhythm and thus prevent sudden cardiac arrest. AICD was the unit recently implanted in U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who did well and was discharged from the hospital the same day after the implant.

What causes milk intolerance?

Some people (many Asians) have intolerance to milk, to any food made with milk, and other dairy products. This is caused by lactase deficiency. Lactase is an enzyme normally present in our digestive system. People who, from infancy to adult life, have been drinking milk, or consuming dairy products regularly, produce adequate amount of lactase in their digestive system to help digest these foods. Those who did not develop the habit of drinking milk or eating dairy products from early on have diminished or insufficient lactase enzyme, and

therefore, unable to digest lactose (complex sugars in dairy foods).

When they start drinking milk or eating dairy products later in life, these individuals are unable to digest the lactose in their digestive tract, which results in abdominal discomfort, gas, cramps, sensation of bloating, and even diarrhea.

Today, there are lactase pills (one of them called Lactaid, with 9000 FCC Lactase units) available in drug stores. These pills are heavensent for countless individuals, who would otherwise not enjoy milk, ice cream, milk shakes, pizzas, cakes and other desserts, creamy soups, sauces, and other dairy products. If you think you have lactose intolerance, consult your physician about lactase dietary supplement. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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