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APRIL 11-17, 2019

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 30 - No. 15 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Palace: Duterte’s threat of revolutionary war an ‘expression of frustration’

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, April 9, downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a “revolutionary war.” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the remark was an “exasperated expression” directed, not at the people, but at the enemies of the state.

“The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but pre-

DATELINE

cisely against their enemies – the criminals, people manning the illegal drug industry, corrupt bureaucrats, greedy politicians, communist rebels, foreign and local terrorists and other enemies of the state,” the spokesperson explained.

Last week, Duterte threatened to declare a “revolutionary war,” suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and arrest his critics after Senator Franklin Drilon urged the administration to exercise caution when

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US judge okays reparation for martial law victims A UNITED STATES federal judge approved the transfer of proceeds from late President Ferdinand Marcos’ ill-gotten assets to compensate the human rights victims of the martial law regime on Tuesday, April 9.

New York City district court Judge Katherine Polk Failla signed the order that mandates the transfer of $13.75 million or about P715 million from the retrieved properties of the Marcos family to the victims of the dictatorial rule.

“The Republic’s OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) sought to kill the settlement and prevent (a) distribution to human rights victims,” the statement from American lawyer Robert Swift, who represented the 9,539 human rights victims, read.

“However, Judge Failla found that the Republic’s New York attorney had actual and apparent authority to bind the Republic to the settlement,” the unified class counsel statement added.

Swift, who was the lead counsel for the mar-

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24 charged in billion dollar Medicare brace scam FEDERAL officials on Tuesday, April 9, dismantled a $1.2 billion Medicare scam peddling unneeded orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting elderly and disabled patients through call centers in the Philippines and in Latin America.

According to the Justice Department, the scheme — which has been described as one of the largest health care frauds in United States history — relied on overseas call centers to pry Medicare numbers from beneficiaries. Twenty-four people were charged, including doctors accused of writing bogus prescriptions.

“These defendants — who range from corporate executives to medical professionals — allegedly participated in an expansive and sophisticated fraud to exploit telemedicine technology meant for patients otherwise unable to access health care,” said Brian Benczkowski, the assistant attorney general for the department’s criminal division, in a statement.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that officials said the profits from the scheme were

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reviewing government contracts.

According to Drilon, no country or entity would forge deals with the Philippines if the sanctity of contracts is not respected.

“I have enough problems with crime, drugs, rebellion and all but if you go too far, I will declare a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you,” Duterte said during a convention of prosecutors in Palawan last week.

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DAY OF VALOR. President Rodrigo Duterte salutes the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Memorial Shrine in Jolo, Sulu after leading the wreathlaying ceremony as part of the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration on Tuesday, April 9.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Sotto tells US senators: ‘Mind your own business’

Locsin on sea dispute: China took what is ours

by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMO

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

MANILA — The West Philippine Sea is “ours” and China “took it,” Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Wednesday, April 10.

“The stand is that it is ours. And they took it. World’s highest court ruled that. Period,” Locsin tweeted in response to a Twitter user who asked for the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) stand amid the alleged invasion of China in the West Philippine Sea. Locsin was referring to the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which favored the

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Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Inquirer.net photo

Supreme Court orders gov’t to answer plea vs Chico River deal

by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

BAGUIO — The Supreme Court has ordered the government to answer petitions challenging the legality of the multibillionpeso Chico River loan deal.

The Star reported that the tribunal, in an en banc session in Baguio Wednesday, directed the Office of the Solicitor General to file its comment on the Makabayan bloc’s petition for prohibition with urgent prayer for temporary restraining order.

Petitioners allege that the loan agreement “contains express waiver by the [Govern-

SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III had this to say to U.S. senators’ meddling in Philippine affairs: “Mind your own business.”

In a Twitter post on Tuesday, April 9, Sotto tagged Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, one of five U.S. senators, who called for the release of Senator Leila de Lima.

“To our U.S. counterparts — “mind your own business, scratch your own galis (sca-

bies),” that’s what my kalaro (playmate) says when I was young,” the Senate leader said.

Sotto said he tagged Rubio in his post because the latter was a signatory to a resolution, which called for De Lima’s release and the dropping of charges against Rappler and its chief Maria Ressa.

Other signatories in the resolution were Senators Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and Christopher Coons of Delaware.

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ment of the Republic of the Philippines] of its sovereign immunity from execution against its patrimonial assets.”

The petitioners also said that a reading of the provision of the loan agreement showed that the Philippine government “has allowed its patrimonial assets to stand as security for unpaid obligations under this Loan Agreement.” “’Collateralization’ of patrimonial property for unpaid obligations under a foreign loan contract or as an award in an arbitral proceeding is unconstitutional and illegal,” the petition read.

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Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

Inquirer.net file photo by Richard A. Reyes

10 war vets receive US Congressional gold medals

by RAFFY

VIRAY Philstar.com

OVER seven decades after World War II, 10 Filipino war veterans received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal on Tuesday, April 9.

Privates First Class Florentino Platero, Macario Roque, Rogel Viray, Leopoldo Gunsay, Francisca dela Fuente and Democrito Domingo attended the awarding ceremonies yesterday at Emiliana Hall, Barangay Tenejero in Balanga City, Bataan.

Posthumous awards were givU.S. Embassy in Manila Deputy Chief of Mission John Law attends the 77th Day of Valor ceremony at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Tuesday, April 9.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila en to the four others: PFC Lewe

Domingo, Staff Sgt. Gabriel Layug, Capt. Quirico Evangelista and Maj. Pedro Quezon.

“The ceremony reminds us (that) the cost of freedom is not measured in pesos and dollars, but in the sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands, neighbors and friends who lost their lives to defend it,” U.S. embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Law said yesterday during the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration at Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan.

Law also emphasized the duty

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From The FronT Page

10 war vets receive US Congressional...

PAGE A1 of keeping alive the legacy of the fighters, preserving their memory and ensuring that their fight was not and will never be in vain. “Because of their exceptional legacy of valor, the (Filipino) people and the Philippine nation will always have from the people of the (U.S.) our greatest respect and our most profound thanks,�

Law said.

Among the guests at the ceremonies were Assistant Director Kevin Mcallister of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of National Defense Undersecretary for civil veterans and retiree affairs Reynaldo Mapagu and Defense Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

Also present were Japanese

Ambassador Koji Haneda and Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia.

The Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by the U.S. Congress, is awarded to Filipino veterans for their achievements and contributions during World War II. Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III of Bataan’s 2nd district cited the heroic deeds and patriotism of the veterans.

Speaking before the veterans and their relatives, guests and local officials, Garcia said the Congressional Gold Medal is a “much deserved and long awaited recognition of bravery and valor of our Filipino World War II veterans.�

He said the medal recognizes what veteran-heroes have sacrificed during the war. “But more importantly, this medal symbolizes and acclaims their indelible contribution in keeping the flame of freedom burning brightly,� Garcia said.

Bataan provincial board member Jose Villapando Sr. commended the “gallantry and patriotic exploits of Filipino American soldiers during World War II.�

Villapando also pushed for an educational program to enrich the knowledge of the youth about the Second World War. For his part, Bataan Gov. Albert Raymond Garcia cited Mount Samat National Shrine as one of the tourism zones in the country.

Few survivors About 5,000 World War II veterans are living and their number is dwindling.

Due to deteriorating health, an average of 295 veterans die every month, the PVAO said as it provides support for their welfare and families.

The PVAO is managing the pension accounts of nearly 160,000 veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars and the dependents of deceased or totally disabled veterans.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Aùo, who represented President Duterte at the commemoration, told the audience of the President’s directive for the PVAO to speed up the processing of monthly pensions of veterans.

AĂąo also announced that a P50-million monthly support will be given to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and pension increase from P5,000 to P20,000 PAGE A4

OMINOUS. Cracks appear on an area in Laguna de Bay that used to have water. Just like dams, the lake’s water level had receded because of El Niùo.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Palace: Duterte’s threat of...

PAGE A1

“Why should I be careful in reviewing contracts that are not in the interest of the people? And the onerous and (burdensome) provisions there that the people will have to honor, so you think I will allow it? Just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?� he added. “I will declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term.�

The president drew flak from critics for threatening to suspend habeas corpus. They claimed his threat was just him trying to divert

attention from the failures of his administration.

Advocacy group Karapatan also pointed out that human rights are not subject to the “personal whims, interests and lunacy� of Duterte.

Panelo, for his part, said Duterte was warning violators of the law that the president would not condone their actions. “When the very democratic institutions are being used to the detriment of the people and have become illusory for the people’s interest; when their safety is im-

periled, when the territorial integrity is at stake, and when the enemies of the republic are bent on bringing it down, then it becomes the constitutional duty of the president to quell the attacks on the people and to save the state,� � the spokesperson explained. “The president’s narrative on the revolutionary war is an expression of frustration and at the same time to put the transgressors of the law on notice that he will not sit idly and watch their transgressions (go) unabated,� Panelo added. n

Locsin on sea dispute: China took...

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Philippines after it filed a case challenging China’s sweeping claims of nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. The country’s top diplomat further said that it was now a matter of figuring out “how to take it back.� “Now the question is how to take it back. I personally have no fear of war. One attack on a public vessel triggers World War 3 with the USofA which is impervious to attack from Asia,� he added.

Locsin earlier mentioned that the United States was and would remain the “only military ally� of the Philippines.

During his visit to Manila last March 1, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed that the U.S. government would come to the Philippines’ aid should there be any “armed attack� in the disputed South China Sea. President Rodrigo Duterte has also warned China not to touch Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, which is the main island feature in the Philippine-occupied Kalayaan Island Group.

The president made the statement after a report by the military’s Western Command showed a surge of vessels from a Chinese fishing fleet around Pag-asa Island. “I am asking you, I will not plead or beg, but I’m just telling you, lay off the Pag-asa because I have soldiers there.

And if you lay a finger on them, it’s another story. I will tell my soldiers, prepare for a suicide mission,� Duterte said during a campaign rally in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province over the weekend. n

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DATELINE USA

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 11-17, 2019

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Harvard admits highest number of Asian Americans in a decade as it awaits affirmative action lawsuit ruling

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE amount of Asian American students admitted to Harvard University is the highest its been in the last decade, as revealed by the university’s latest admission cycle results for its undergraduate class of 2023.

In announcing the demographics for the 1,950 students admitted to the university, 25.4% were Asian American. That’s up from last year’s admission cycle of 22.7% Asian Americans, which was just up less than a percent from years prior.

Not included in this year’s count were international students WATER TREATMENT. A worker of Maynilad Water Services Inc. inspects the firm’s water treatment plant in Muntinlupa City.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina who made up 12.3% of the admitted class last year.

The number comes as federal Judge Allison Burroughs is expected to determine whether the university’s admission poliPAGE A1 states that the government of sang Mabgbubukid ng Pilipinas cies discriminate against Asian According to the Civil Code, China can seize gas from Reed in their petition.

American applicants by taking the patrimonial assets are properties Bank—classified as patrimonial They also asked the high court applicant’s race into account over that are not “intended for some asset, said the senior justice—if to issue a halt order against the factors like test scores and grades public use, and are intended the government fails to pay the Chico River Pump Irrigation Proj- — a practice widely known and for some public service or for loan. ect and a separate order to direct practiced with certain limitations the development of the national The Palace however stressed government agencies to produce as “affirmative action.” wealth.”

In February, arguments from that that the government would certified true copies, upon reSenior Associate Justice An- not default on the loan. quest, of all loan agreements be- both sides of the lawsuit alleging tonio Carpio earlier raised that a The Makabayan bloc represen- tween the Philippine government the discrimination were heard in provision of the loan agreement tatives were joined by the Kilu- and China. ■ a federal court in Boston, repeating much of what was said during a nearly month-long trial that ended in November of last year.

The lawsuit dates back to 2014 PAGE A1 Class members in the Philippines ing the rest of the paintings. when anti-affirmative action group Swift’s co-counsel Rod Domin- Student for Fair Admissions sued tial law victims, said that $13.75 will receive letters about four million will also cover the fees weeks before a distribution advis- go urged the court to expedite the Ivy League university for alrelated to the settlement such ing them of where and when they the reparation process since the as counsel fee, incentive award, may come to receive checks,” the family of most of the victims were poor and in need of financial ascollective costs and expenses of lawyers said.

The said accumulated pro- sistance. counsel, and cost of distribution.

“Many of the victims of human “That will leave $10,712,157 ceeds came from the sale of four for compensation to Class mem- paintings, one made by French rights abuses are dead, so the bers and the cost of distribution. impressionist movement leader money will provide needed assisTHREE minor planets were If the Court directs distribution Claude Monet and three other tance to their families,” Domingo named after three Filipino stuof $1,500 to each of 6,500 eli- paintings sold in November 2018 said.

The family of those that would dents who received major award gible Class members, $762,157 worth over $3 million.

The Monet painting was sold claim the settlement proceeds in an international science fair will remain in the Fund,” Swift for $32 million by Imelda’s for- must bring the letter sent by the last year, the Department of Edusaid.

U.S. District Court Judge Man- mer secretary Vilma Bautista, lawyers’ team with two valid iden- cation said on Tuesday, April 9.

This, after the high school stuuel Real, who has presided over who was “indicted, convicted and tification cards bearing their phothe Marcos litigation since 1990, is currently confined in prison in tos. In the case of deceased vic- dents bagged “second award” in signed the order on March 28. New York for offenses related to tims, the next of kin may be able the Energy: Physical category of the 2018 Intel International Scito receive the check.

The distribution of settlement the sale.”

This would be the third round ence and Engineering Fair for The paintings were believed proceeds will commence in Butuan on May and will continue in to have been part of some 200 of compensation from the U.S. their design and development of art collections former first lady court for the victims after they Solar-Tracking Arduino-Rooted 15 other cities until July.

“Filipinos residing in the Unit- Imelda Marcos accumulated over were awarded $1,000 and $1,100 PV Panels.

“The study aimed to improve ed States or other countries will her husband’s 20-year regime. in previous wins. (Nathalie Rothe power harvesting and genreceive checks through the mail. The court were adamant on locat- bles/AJPress)

Supreme Court orders gov’t to answer plea...

US judge okays reparation for martial...

legedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance.

In 2014, the university admitted a percentage of 18.2% Asian Americans with the percentage slightly climbing up in the following years.

The group claimed that the university held Asian American students to a higher standard and used a subjective “personal rating” system that may be biased against Asian Americans to limit their admissions.

The U.S Department of Justice, in siding with the anti-affirmative action group, once called the scoring system “vague and illusory” and said it scored Asian American applicants lower on the personal rating than white applicants.

Harvard, which moved to dismiss the suit, has argued that it looks at university applicants holistically by taking into consideration a wide range of applicant information, including personal essays, which it uses “to understand that applicant’s full life story.”

In a previously made statement, it added that the personal rating system looked at information like where the student grew up, what opportunities or challenges they faced in their families or communities, and what “impact they might have both at Harvard and after they graduate, as citizens and leaders out in the world.”

Standing with the university, groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), have also described the university’s admission process as holistic and benefitting to underrepresented minority students, including Asian Americans.

Groups in support of Harvard have reasoned that numerical indicators like grade point averages and SAT scores — which data shows Asian American students excelling at — were not colorblind measures of merit.

According to College Board data released last December, the average combined SAT score went up 42 points among Asian Americans — a gain much higher than black and white students who saw gains of five points, and Latino and Native American students who saw a decline in points.

In a statement made last year, Advancing Justice said, “Research also confirms that the most promising students are not always the ones with the highest SAT scores or the best high school grades and that non-academic factors that predict success like grit, resourcefulness, creativity, and critical thinking are independent of (or even correlate negatively with) these traditional academic measures.”

With Burroughs expected to make her ruling in the upcoming months, many are looking at how the outcome may affect the future of affirmative action in higher education. ■

erating capacity of photovoltaic cells by designing and building a solar device that mimics a flower opening when the sun is out, tracks the sun’s movement, closes when the light source is no longer detected and responds to humidity and temperature to maximize power generation,” the abstract of the students’ study read.

DepEd said Eugene Rivera, Joscel Kent Manzanero and Keith Russel Cadores of Camarines Sur National High School in Naga City “each received a

certificate identifying their very own minor planet and an orbital plot showing its current location.”

The agency noted that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory has been naming asteroids it discovered in honor of high school students who excel at science competitions since 2001.

The Intel ISEF, a program of the Society for Science and the Public, is the “world’s largest pre-college science competition.” (Philstar.com)

Minor planets named after 3 Filipinos students who excelled in int’l science fair

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Voting for 1.8-M overseas Filipinos starts April 13

by Jess

Diaz Philstar.com

United States and Philippine military vehicles during the combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) of the annual Philippines-U.S. Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) Exercise 2019 in Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac, Province on Wednesday, April 10.

Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

Philippines, US troops complete biggest drill in Balikatan Exercise FILIPINO and American forces ippines and the U.S. forces offion Wednesday, April 10, com- cially launched the annual joint pleted the biggest drill of this military exercises last week.

“Unique from the previyear’s Balikatan Exercise in Tarous years, Balikatan 2019 have lac.

Military vehicles from both scaled-up exercises gaining countries were used during the more focus on the area of terriCombined Arms Live Fire Ex- torial defense and counterterrorercise at Crow Valley in Capas, ism operations,” Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., AFP chief , said durTarlac.

The Armed Forces of the Phil- ing the operning ceremony.

Aside from live fire exercises, the combined forces would also participate in counterterrorism training, amphibious operations, urban operations training, aviation operations, bilateral planning, subject matter expert exchanges, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects throughout Luzon. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

10 war vets receive US Congressional...

PAGE A2 has been set.

Inspiration to PNP Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said the heroism shown by Filipino veterans during the Japanese occupation in World War II serves as an inspiration to the entire 190,000-strong police force.

“The undying gallantry of the Filipino heroes of Bataan and Corregidor lives on in the ranks of the police service, immortalized by modern day heroes who offered the supreme sacrifice for God, country and people; and those who continue to wage the national crusade against crime, drugs, terrorism and corruption,” he said in a statement.

The PNP yesterday held flagraising rites and wreath-laying ceremonies in all its police camps in honor of the war heroes.

For their part, the Bulacan police conducted ceremonies for Gen. Alejo Santos for his contribution during the Japanese occupation.

Col. Chito Bersaluna, police commander of Bulacan, said a wreath was laid at the bust of the general in Camp General Alejo Santos Provincial Police Office in Malolos City.

Santos is best remembered as the founder of the Bulacan Military Area, the main guerrilla movement in the province that had 23,000 men under its command.

Peace process Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. urged yesterday Filipinos to draw courage from the heroes of Bataan to achieve peace in the country.

“Let us remember the gallantry of these heroes who, even in the

face of death, demonstrated to our nation and the whole world their immeasurable love for our motherland,” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army and local government unit in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon have constructed a bust in honor of Col. Osito Bahian.

Bahian and eight of his men were on their way to negotiate a peace accord with the New People’s Army when they were ambushed in the outskirts of Butuan City.

Bahian’s heroism inspired his sons to join the uniformed services.

Robert Roy Bahian is now the provincial police commander in Camiguin province. Youngest son Neil Osito Bahain graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1995 but died in 1999 when his trainer aircraft crashed in Batangas. n

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He urged his constituents “to use our power to elect leaders who embody our ideals and who will push for the betterment of our lives.” The OAV voting will end on May 13, the day the nation votes for its next set of lawmakers and local officials.

Most of the 1.8 million Filipinos abroad who are registered voters are living or working in Saudi Arabia, United States, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Participation by overseas Filipinos in national elections has been improving since the OAV law was enacted in 2003.

This has prompted candidates to include countries hosting large numbers of Filipinos in their campaign sorties. Administration and opposition senatorial candidates separately campaigned recently in Hong Kong.

The Comelec also on Tuesday called on national and local candidates to have more consideration when holding motorcades, especially on narrow roads.

“We appeal to candidates not to bring their caravans to narrow streets. If they must, please consider not making any stops or else you’ll become a big blockade,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

He added that the streets in Metro Manila are already narrow so they should avoid caus-

THE one-month overseas absentee voting (OAV) starts on Saturday with 1.8 million Filipinos, working or living abroad, who are registered voters expected to cast their ballots.

The lone representative of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Congress on Tuesday, April 9, urged Filipinos abroad to exercise their right of suffrage and vote for candidates who “could best represent and work for their interest and welfare.”

“We are appealing to our compatriots, especially OFWs who comprise the bulk of Filipinos stationed abroad, to take advantage of this opportunity and to choose the right leaders for our country,” Rep. John Bertiz of party-list ACTS-OFW said.

He hopes that all the 1.8 million registered Filipino voters in other countries could find time within the one-month period to go to the nearest embassy, consulate or other voting centers designed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cast their ballots.

“The effort and time it took them to register would be put to naught if they fail to vote. If all the 1.8 million registered Filipino voters abroad exercise their right of suffrage, they could influence the result of voting for senatorial candidates and party-list groups,” he said.

If they could not personally vote, the law allows them to send their ballots through the postal service, he added.

At the same time, Bertiz urged OFWs to vote for party-list groups that could truly work for their welfare and that of their families, push for their advocacies and protect their rights.

“There are some people who just want to get elected, but actually have no concrete plans or proven track-record in helping our migrant workers. Let us choose candidates who genuinely care for OFWs and their families, those who truly understand The lone representative of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Congress on Tuesday, April 9, their struggles and dreams,” said urged Filipinos abroad to exercise their right of suffrage and vote for candidates who “could Philstar.com file photo the former OFW in Saudi Arabia. best represent and work for their interest and welfare.”

Amnesty International urges Filipinos to elect candidates who champion human rights

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

A HUMAN rights watchdog on Tuesday, April 9, called on the public to vote for candidates who will highlight the protection and fulfilment of human rights in their legislative agendas.

In a release, Amnesty International Philippines said the country needs “kinder politics” after being under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte for three years as it launched its May midterm elections project called “Sagot Mo Ba Ako?” “It is imperative that we bring

back the balance and work to end the politics of demonization, which has done nothing but divide us further as a nation,” Olano said.

The rights watchdog will focus on issues such as poverty, physical security and gender equality, which are “universal concerns transcending class and creed.”

“Amnesty International still believes that respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights remain the answer to many social ills plaguing the Philippines today,” Olano said.

Various rights groups stressed

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ing traffic congestion.

Jimenez also urged candidates to tone down their noise so as not to cause discomfort and annoyance to the public.

“It is inconsiderate of the community and it is disruptive of life in the locality. Candidates need to be more considerate,” he said.

Although the Comelec does not have a policy on the closure of roads to give way to campaign activities, he urged candidates to refrain from doing this.

Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III is seeking to amend Section 6 of the Fair Elections Act to ensure equitable media access for all electoral candidates and political parties.

His amendment states that whenever two or more candidates or political parties are mentioned or played together in an election advertisement, the length of their appearance will be deducted from their individual airtime limits.

“By clearly defining limits on a candidate’s time in broadcast media, all those who are aspiring for an elective post will be given equitable access to use broadcast media for their campaign platforms,” Pimentel said. (With reports from Sheila Crisostomo, Cecille Suerte Felipe/Philstar. com)

File photo shows a protester holding a placard that says, “Uphold human rights.”

Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

that the Philippines under Duterte is in its worst human rights landscape since the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos as thousands—mostly urban poor dwellers—have been killed in the brutal campaign against illegal drugs in so short a period.

‘Do your homework’ The Amnesty International Philippines officer urged the public to do their homework by understanding the candidates’ policy track and keeping watch.

“It begins with all of us. If we don’t reinvent our mindset in choosing our leaders, we will continue to suffer the consequences. Our vote determines not just the nation’s future but our own. We need to ask the right questions now during the campaign period, or we will end up with the same broken promises,” Olano said.

He also called on Filipinos to remain vigilant even after the polls and make sure the elected government officials stay true to their sworn duty.

“Elected public servants are accountable to the electorate— they answer to and for the Filipino people. The government’s obligation to uphold our rights under the constitution and international laws is realized through the work that legislators do,” Olano said. n

Sotto tells US senators: ‘Mind your...

PAGE A1 “Akala yata nila Commonwealth pa tayo (They still think we are still part of the Commonwealth),” Sotto said in a text message, referring to the period from 1935 to 1946 when the U.S. administered the Philippines prior to the latter’s independence.

In another Twitter post over the weekend, Senator Panfilo

Lacson also slammed their U.S. counterparts telling them the Philippines is not their “colony.”

“A PH Senate resolution is appropriate to call out these 5 U.S. senators. We are not their colony,” Lacson said.

“We have a Constitution that provides for three (3) co-equal branches and a judicial system where due process is followed, regardless of its flaws and weak-

nesses,” he added.

De Lima has been charged and detained over drug charges while cases have been filed against Rappler and its officials, including Ressa, for allegedly violating the Constitution’s requirement on foreign ownership.

Ressa was also arrested but later freed after posting bail for a cyberlibel case. n

24 charged in billion dollar Medicare...

PAGE A1

laundered through offshore shell companies and then were used to purchase exotic cars, yachts, and luxury real estate around the world.

They added that the scam was detected last summer after beneficiaries complained to the Medicare fraud hotline.

Under the scam, telemarketers would reach out to Medicare beneficiaries offering free or low-cost braces. Interested beneficiaries would then be patched through to call centers that are part of an international telemarketing network operating in the Philippines and throughout Latin America, according to AP. After-

wards, they would be connected to telemedicine companies for consultations with doctors, who wrote prescriptions for orthopedic braces, regardless of whether they were necessary or not.

The prescriptions would be collected by call centers and sold to medical equipment companies, which would ship out the braces to beneficiaries and bill Medicare. Medical equipment companies would earn $500 to $900 per brace from Medicare.

Officials noted that charges were being brought against people in California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.

“The breadth of this nationwide

conspiracy should be frightening to all who rely on some form of health care,” IRS criminal investigations chief Don Fort said.

“The conspiracy…details broad corruption, massive amounts of greed and systemic flaws in our health care system that were exploited by the defendants,” he added.

Healthcare fraud has been costing taxpayers tens of billions of dollars every year. Its true extent is unknown, and some schemes involve gray areas of complex payment policies.

The FBI, the IRS, and 17 U.S. attorney’s offices took part in the crackdown of the Medicare scam.

(Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ ApRIL 11-17, 2019

(702) 792-6678 â&#x20AC;˘ http://www.asianjournal.com

A

D ateline PhiliPPines Sara Duterte backs brother Paolo: BI orders probe of trafficking at Manila airport Show tattoo upon court order

by Nathalie

Robles

AJPress

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara DuterteCarpio on Tuesday, april 9, urged her brother Paolo, not to show the tattoo on his back unless a court issues an order mandating him to do so.

During a Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign sortie in Surigao, Duterte-Carpio told the reporters that she would not show her tattoos if she were in her brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes because she has the constitutional right to refuse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kung ako, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;di ko ipapakita yung tattoo ko kasi I have my right to privacy (If it were me, I would not show my tattoo because I have my right to privacy),â&#x20AC;? the Davao City mayor said as reported by The Philippine Star. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless there is a case about my tattoo, kung sinasabi ng judge ipakita mo yang tattoo mo then thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only time na magpapakita ako (Unless there is a case about my tattoo and if the judge ordered me to show my tattoo then thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only time that I would show it),â&#x20AC;? she added.

This came after Senator antonio Trillanes Iv dared the former Davao City vice mayor to dismiss the accusations regarding the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement with the illegal drug trade in the country by showing the tattoo on his back. according to the opposition senator, Paolo Duterte has a dragon-like tattoo on his back that marks his ties with a known

Senatorial aspirant and former special assistant to the president Christopher â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bongâ&#x20AC;? Go shows his back to reporters to disprove the allegation that he has a tattoo linking him to the illegal drug trade.

Inquirer.net photo

drug-trafficking triad. The younger Duterte already admitted that he has a tattoo on his back but declined to show it by invoking his right to privacy.

Duterte clapped back at the opposition senator and his critics as he taunted them to get a tattoo for themselves instead of focusing on his body art. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pakialam gyud akong tattoo? Pabuhat mog inyo uy! (Really, pick on my tattoo? Have one yourselves),â&#x20AC;? Duterte said in a post on his Facebook account.

The presidential son said that he has not spent years for his tattoo, enduring cries and sweats of pain, only for critics to feast on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;are you out of your mind? No way, Trillilings,â&#x20AC;? Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Locsin: Never accommodate enemies Department of Foreign affairs (DFa) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. agreed with the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter and advised the younger Duterte not to accommodate requests from the opposition so that they would not act â&#x20AC;&#x153;self-importantly.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even show our notes verbale regarding China, tattoo ko pa? Manigas na silang lahat (What more with my tattoo? It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen). It is a matter of honor never to accommodate enemies,â&#x20AC;? Locsin said in a tweet. a six-minute video documentary detailing Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in a drug syndicate circulated online last week. Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp claimed that political enemies were behind the release of the said video. n

Over 1.49-M foreign tourists visited PH from Jan-Feb

by KRissy

aguilaR Inquirer.net

MaNILa â&#x20AC;&#x201D;at least 1.49 million foreign tourists have visited the Philippines over the first two months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DoT) disclosed on Wednesday, april 10. â&#x20AC;&#x153;January to February, we already have 1.49 million foreign visitors,â&#x20AC;? Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said dur-

ing the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Cafe adriatico. according to DoTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data, 1,490,255 foreign visitor arrivals were recorded from January to February 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So this represents almost 6 percent growth compared to the same period last year. [about] 1.4 million last year for the first two months,â&#x20AC;? Bengzon added.

In January and February 2018,

DoT recorded 1,406,337 foreign visitors.

Bengzon said Korea remains to be the top visitor market of the country while China and the United States trail at number two and three, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Number one market natin Korea, number two China, number three, U.S., number four Japan, number five Taiwan,â&#x20AC;? Bengzon said. n

by William

Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

BUREaU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morante has ordered an investigation of alleged involvement of some immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy aquino International airport (NaIa) in large-scale human trafficking. acting BI Port operations Division (PoD) chief Grifton Medina on Tuesday disclosed that Morenteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s order was in reaction to President Rodrigo Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special envoy to China Ramon Tulfoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s column in The Manila Times alleging that several middle-level immigration officials are leaders of a human trafficking syndicate at the NaIa. at the same time, Medina said as head of the PoD, he was taking full responsibility, even as

he urged that it would be to the best interest of everyone if evidence was presented and formal complaints were filed first. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My stand as chief of the [division is that] I remain accountable and responsible for alleged incidents [of human trafficking] and even [for those] incidents that happened before, even if [they] did not happen during my time,â&#x20AC;? he told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview.

Medina said it was possible that there were cases of human trafficking at the NaIa but added that they were isolated incidents.

In his column, Tulfo said the human trafficking syndicate at the NaIa nets P10 million to P50 million a day.

But Medina said the figures were â&#x20AC;&#x153;mathematically impossible,â&#x20AC;? considering the accom-

plishments of BI in preventing human trafficking, which enabled the Philippines to retain its Tier 1 rating for three consecutive years, 2016 to 2018, in the U.S. State Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trafficking in Persons report.

Tier 1 rating implies that a country complies with the minimum standards set by the United States Trafficking victim Protection act.

Immigration records showed that from January 2016 to February 2019, the Traffic Enforcement Control Unit has deferred the departure of 111,912 passengers at the NaIa and other airports and seaports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we have no accomplishments and we are not on Tier 1 status, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible. The figures do not match. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mathematically impossible for me,â&#x20AC;?

Medina said. n

Duterte: ISIS will never gain a foothold in Philippines again by alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MaNILa â&#x20AC;&#x201D; International terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria will no longer gain a foothold anywhere in the Philippines but remains a cause for concern for government forces, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

Duterte cited the militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gains against the abu Sayyaf, a local terrorist group involved in bombings and kidnappings that has pledged allegiance to the ISIS. The strength of the abu Sayyaf has been estimated at about 400. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am especially pleased with our militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent accomplishments against the abu Sayyaf Group. Your efforts have brought us even closer to our ultimate objective of totally crushing the violent extremism at its roots,â&#x20AC;? the president said during the commemoration of araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in Jolo, Sulu on Tuesday, april 9. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this, I can confidently declare that ISIS will never gain foothold anywhere in the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? he added.

ISIS, which aims to establish a worldwide caliphate, inspired

extremists from the Maute group to occupy the Islamic City of Marawi in 2017, a siege that paved way to the longest urban war in the Philippines since World War II. about 1,000 terrorists and more than 160 soldiers died during the siege, which prompted Duterte to place the entire island Mindanao under martial law.

Duterte, nevertheless, said the military should continue its campaign against ISIS and its supporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well of course, there is the ISIS that we have to worry (about) in this part of Sulu, up and down Basilan. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just have to fight and fight,â&#x20AC;? the president said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you fight, I will protect you, the utmost,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Duterte also lauded the soldiers who died and those who were injured during recent military operations in Sulu, a known hotbed of the abu Sayyaf. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I purposely went here to commemorate the araw ng Kagitingan. all Filipinos deserve the title â&#x20AC;&#x153;kagitingan (valor).â&#x20AC;? But here in Jolo, the bravest ones are here. To the gallant men of Jolo, you have my everlasting

gratitude for what you are doing to our country,â&#x20AC;? the president said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me assure you that the government continues to prioritize your welfare and that of your families,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Duterte: No more talks with CPP-NPA Duterte also reiterated he is not ready to talk to communists, whom he said lack sincerity in pursuing peace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (communists) have shown that they do not like it (talks). If they want the two sides to disrespect each other, then letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not talk anymore. If you want, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just kill each other,â&#x20AC;? the president said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot even hang on to a barangay for 24 hours. You just hit and run. Why should I be scared of you?â&#x20AC;? he added of the New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s army, which has been engaged in guerrilla warfare against the government since 1969..

The president vowed to continue upgrading the militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capabilities and to fund programs that would promote their welfare. He promised to look for money so the armed forces can acquire fast craft vessels. n

(Medjugorje, Zagreb, Poland, Budapest, Hungary, Prague CZ) Medjugorje, Black Madonna, Croatia, Budapest, Hungary, Kalwaria, Krakow, Divine Mercy, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Wadowice, Legnica, Prague, CZ

6HSW Ĺ&#x; ĹĄ Spiritual Director: REV CHIN VAN DANG Sep 14 (Sat) Day 1 Our Pilgrimage begins with a transatlantic journey from Los Angeles International Koscielna Street where the future Vicar of Christ was born and raised. The Place has been turned to a museum and the exhibits comprises of Wojtyla Airport to Split, Croatia Familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former possessions such as an oven, a shelf, a table, tableware, a Sep 15(Sun) Day 2: Split ,Croatia/ Medjugorje, B.H laundry basket, family pictures as well as personal belongings of Father We go through Immigration protocol, Collect our luggage ,meet our guide .Coach is waiting for us , With :RMW\OD D UXFNVDFN D FDSH D SUD\HU ERRN HWF <RX ZLOO Ë&#x2030; QG SKRWRV IURP WKUHH our guide, to take us to Medjugorje for Dinner/overnight (3) visits to Wadowice as the Pope, in an exhibit. The building is situated in the town, near the baroque Church of the Presentation of the Blesed Virgin Mary at the Central Square.

Sep 16 & 17 (Mon & Tues) Day 3 & 4: Medjugorje, B H We will have daily breakfast and dinner at our hotel. every morning at 10:00 am. We Possibly even more important is the nearby church itself as the future John Paul II grew up in its shadow, will assemble at St. James Church to attend Holy Eucharist celebrated in English. ZDV EDSWL]HG D &DWKROLF DQG ODWHU FRQË&#x2030; UPHG LQ LW VHUYHG DV DQ DOWDU ER\ DQG SUD\HG GDLO\ KHUH EHIRUH LWV miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gothic chancel dates from 15th century After Mass will meet with our local guide ,to discuss our daily activities. will climb the Apparition Hill (Mt Podbrdo) to see the places marked by the crosses ZKLOH WKH ODWH %DURTXH QDYH DQG DLVOHV ZHUH EXLOW LQ WKH Č V 7KH OHIW DLVOH FRQWDLQV D EDSWLVPDO font where the baby Karol Wojtyla was baptized. Also, the high school where young Karol Wojtyla was ZKHUH LQ -XQH 2XU /DG\ ZDV Ë&#x2030; UVW UHSRUWHG WR DSSHDU WR WKH FKLOGUHQ The next morning we will climb the steep Holy Cross Mountain (Mt Krizevac) for devotions and take in educated has remained in place. Next, we will continue to see the infamous former Nazi concentration the Panorama of Medjugorje below. Free Time to join the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. camp in AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU, as well as its on-site museum. The site remains a chilling reminder of the Confession with multiple Priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please avail yourself to receive holocaust. Transfer to Czestochowa. Dinner and overnight Czestochowa. this Sacrament .

Sep 24 (Tues) Day 11: Czestochowa/ Legnica/ Prague,CZ After Breakfast, we attend the Holy Eucharist at JASNA GORA, a monastery in Czestochowa which Sep 18 (Wed) Day 5: Zagreb/ Budapest , Hungary Early morning, we leave for Zagreb , will have early lunchbreak continue visit Marija withstood the repeated onslaught of overwhelming Swedish Forces, during the religious wars of the Bistrica, it is a town in central Croatia, located in the slopes of the Medvednica WK &HQWXU\ 6LQFH WKHQ LWV BLACK MADONNA has been venerated as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Queen of Polandâ&#x20AC;?. We Celebrate Mountain. There is an Old Marian Shrine of Black Madonna visited by hundreds of Holy Eucharist in the Black Madonna Chapel, Fully Escorted visit of the treasury Museum and other thousands of Pilgrims. We will celebrate Mass and after the Mass we will continue part of the Monastery .Then, we drive to Legnica, city in the southwestern Poland. The Bishop of Legnica, =ELJQLHZ .LHUQLNRZVNL DQQRXQFHG RQ $SULO WKDW D UHSRUWHG ȢEOHHGLQJ +RVWČŁ WKDW ȢKDV WKH KDOOPDUNV to Budapest. of a Eucharistic miracleâ&#x20AC;? was approved for veneration in Poland. According to his announcement â&#x20AC;&#x153;On 25th of December, 2013 during the distribution of the Holy Sep 19 (Thurs) Day 6: Budapest, Hungary &RPPXQLRQ D FRQVHFUDWHG +RVW IHOO WR WKH Ë&#x160; RRU DQG WKHQ ZDV SLFNHG XS DQG SODFHG Spend the day with a local expert, who will explain the history and sights of LQ D ZDWHU Ë&#x2030; OOHG FRQWDLQHU YDVFXOXP 6RRQ DIWHU VWDLQV RI WKH UHG FRORU DSSHDUHGČŁ the liveliest and the most cosmopolitan cities of this part of Europe. Start in The former Bishop od Legnica created a commission to study the occurrence. In ideal location, Castle Hill, in the heart of Buda (the portion of Budapest on the February 2014, a tiny red fragment of the Host was seperated and put on a corporal.

Danubeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s western bank). From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bastion, The commission ordered to take samples in order to conduct the thorough tests ZH FDQ HQMR\ D SDQRUDPLF YLHZ RI WKH VSUDZOLQJ FLW\ KRPH WR PRUH WKDQ RQH Ë&#x2030; IWK RI WKH +XQJDULDQ E\ WKH UHOHYDQW UHVHDUFK LQVWLWXWHV 7KH Ë&#x2030; QDO PHGLFDO VWDWHPHQW E\ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW population. Visit the 13th- Century ST. MATHIAS CORONATION CHURCH, the Citadel on Mount Gellert, and of Forensic Medicine found: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the histopathological image, the fragments were HEROESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SQUARE are also on the agenda. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll celebrate Holy Eucharist in St. Matthias Church. In the found containing the fragment parts of the cross striated muscle.â&#x20AC;? The test also evening, take a dinner/cruise at the Danube River. Overnight in Budapest.(BB,D) found that the sample â&#x20AC;&#x153;is most simlilar to heart muscle with alterations that often appear during agony. The genetic research indicated the human origin of the tissue.â&#x20AC;?

Sep 20 (Fri) Day 7: Budapest/ Kalwaria, Poland Saying the Host â&#x20AC;&#x153;has the hallmarks of a Eucharistic miracle,â&#x20AC;? Bishop Kiernikowksi explained that in January After breakfast,leave Budapest for Kalwaria Poland, is a long drive, relax and enjoy the 2016 he presented the matter to the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In April, in beautiful sceneries on our way to Kalwaria. accordance with the Holy Seeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendations, he asked parish priest Andrzej Ziombrze â&#x20AC;&#x153; to prepare 'URSV RI EORRG Ë&#x160; RZLQJ IURP WKH H\HV RI 2XU /DG\ 2I &DOYDU\ ZHUH QRWLFHG RQ WKH SDLQWLQJ a suitable place for the Relics so that the faithful could venerate it. Celebrate Holy Eucharist, then after, to the Bernardine Fathers in 1641. The veneration of the WeepingMadonna quickly spend sometime praying and venerating the new Eucharistic Miracle. We continue to Prague. Dinner/ became widespread. After the Partitions, the sanctuary at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska united Overnight Prague the Polish nation whose country had been divided before.

We will continue to Kalwaria and will celebrate Mass at the chapel of the weeping Madonna. Transfer to Sep 25 (Wed) Day 12: Prague, Infant Jesus of Prague Krakow. Dinner and Overnight.

We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at Our Lady Victorious Church, home of the Infant Jesus of Prague then after venerate the Icon. We will do some sightseeing tours that reveals why Prague is considered one of Sept 21 (Sat) Day 8: Krakow/ Divine Mercy We start the day with a visit in the SANCTUARY OF LORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MERCY and the congregation Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most attractive capitals. On our tour, we will visit 1,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; year-old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS of Our Lady of Mercy. Holy Mass at the Sactuary of Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mercy in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagiewniki CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Astronomical Clock, which was once District. Built upon the convent where St. Faustina received the messages and image of WKH HQY\ RI DOO (XURSH $IWHUZDUGV ZH ZLOO VHH DQG ZDON LQ &KDUOHV %ULGJH ,WV FRQVWUXFWLRQ VWDUWHG LQ XQGHU DXVSLFHV RI .LQJ &KDUOHV ,9 DQG Ë&#x2030; QLVKHG LQ WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI the Divine Mercy. The 19th century convent of the sisters of Our Lady of Mercy has now the 15th century. Charles Bridge was the most important connection become a part of the vast sanctuary. Pope John Paul II consecrated the new Basilica in between Prague Castle and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Town and adjacent areas.

2002. The original image of the Divine Mercy and St. Faustinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relics are now housed at The â&#x20AC;&#x153;solid-landâ&#x20AC;? connection made Prague important as a trade route the altar of the new basilica. There are frequent Masses held daily in both the convent between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge is 621 m long and church and new Basilica along with the chaplet of Divine mercy which is prayed daily at 3 pm in both nearly 10 m wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by the bridge locations. (BB,D)Overnight Krakow towers, two of them on the lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. Overnight in Prague (BB, D).

Sep 22(Sun) Day 9: Krakow, Poland We will have a sightseeing tour of Krakow (for centuries, the residence of Polish Kings). We will vist the Market Square, the 14th Century Jagiellonian Univeristy, ST. MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHURCH, and also visit WAWEL ROYAL Sep 26 (Thurs) Day 13: Prague/ USA Transfer to the airport in Prague and departure to the USA. CASTLE. In the afternoon. We will visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the largest tourist attraction in End of our Wonderful Pilgrimage!!

Poland, registered on the UNESCO list and visited by over a million of tourist every year (BB,D).Overnight Krakow

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at

Sep 23 (Mon) Day 10: Wadowice/ Auschwitz After breakfast we will go to Wadowice the birthplace of Saint John Paul II. We will visit the new museum RI 6W -RKQ ,, :DGRZLFH VLWH LV FRQQHFWHG WR 6W -RKQ 3DXO ,, 7KH Ë&#x2030; UVW REYLRXV FKRLFH LV WKH KRXVH RI

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APRIL 11-17, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

Honoring valor

EACH year their numbers dwindle, but a grateful nation is keeping alive the memory of their valor. On Tuesday, April 9, 77 years after the heroic resistance to foreign invaders ended with the Fall of Bataan, those who fought and died in Corregidor or were marched off to Capas in Tarlac are being honored again.

Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is marked by the country side by side with its treaty ally the United States, whose soldiers also died or endured the Death March in defense of the Philippines. The event is also commemorated together with the two countries’ former enemy Japan, which has renounced war in its pacifist constitution and is now the largest provider of official development assistance to the Philippines.

War brings out courage and heroism. Sadly, over seven decades after the end of World War II, the Philippines continues to grapple with internal armed conflict, compelling state forces to put their lives on the line in fighting those who threaten national security. These men and women of the uniformed services are also being hon-

ored today, for their brave service to the country.

As important as honoring them is promoting the welfare of those who have served, and the heirs of those who gave their lives for the country. President Duterte has done much since assuming power to correct this, but others can also do their part.

Limited funding is not the only reason why Filipino war veterans do not get the same special privileges that their counterparts in other countries enjoy. There are still sectors of society that regard state forces chiefly as cannon fodder, with no thought about the sacrifice and love of country that are intrinsic to their mission. Araw ng Kagitingan honors these heroes, ensuring that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THERE IS a humanitarian crisis in the U.S.-Mexico border as President Donald Trump declared, but what is ironic is that he caused this crisis.

Yes, there has been an influx of people coming in from Central America — thousands more are arriving as families with women and children in tow to seek refuge from violence and hunger in America. But the way the Trump administration has been trying to address this problem exacerbates the situation and created the humanitarian crisis we now face.

While Trump has the right to stop the illegal entry of immigrants coming through the southern border, this president chooses to violate the law by not only reinstating but expanding the policy that has lead to the mass separation of families, with more than 2,700 children being separated from their parents who were taken into custody for criminal prosecution.

These refugees took a long journey through Mexico to save their families and took the risk

Trump wants to expand his inhumane policy of separating immigrant families at the US-Mexico border of crossing the border illegally to seek asylum in the United States.

This is a LEGAL recourse according to our laws and our treaties, and the asylum seekers can apply for asylum either when they enter the legal points of entry or through the border.

Trump chose to call the asylum program a “scam”, and said asylum seekers are some of the roughest people you’ve ever seen…”

During the campaign and up to last year, Trump has been demonizing immigrants coming from the southern border, calling them “animals,” criminals, who are invading the country to destroy America and steal American jobs.

True to his record, Trump never owned his culpability on this crisis, blaming everybody else except himself.

On Tuesday, Trump pivoted back to his default excuse and lies, saying it was former President Barack Obama who had the [policy of separating families and building cages — an allegation already debunked many times. Trump went further to say it was he who in fact

WE certainly are in deep trouble if the two top officials of the land exhibit a serial tendency, which has become a habit, toward making irrational statements.

Though expressed in different ways, both President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo have this habit of speech that simply begs the application of some hermeneutic skills, if not deconstruction.

The president has on many occasions engaged in what can be construed as incoherent ramblings with incomplete sentences and with a kind of prose and a choice of words that require some skills to decode. This is why he is prone to misinterpretation, and often requires presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo or his cabinet officials to elaborate, interpret or sometimes contradict or negate. President Duterte’s oral skills are characteristic of someone who thinks aloud. His speech is what people who are used to conversing with friends over bottles of beer or gin can easily relate to. And this is why despite the seeming incoherence, there is an air of familiarity with the masses, which is made

ended family separation.

“The Obama administration did not do that, no. We did not separate children from their parents,” former Obama domestic policy adviser Cecilia Muñoz told NPR in May 2018, as reported by credible and independent news organizations.

Muñoz said this “zero tolerance” policy “puts us in league with the most brutal regimes in the world’s history.”

It was then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions who instituted the “zero tolerance” policy at the Southern border in April 2018 and many children up to now have not yet been reunited with their families because the Trump Administration implemented this policy WITHOUT A PLAN on how to reunite the children from their parents.

It was only when a federal judge allowed a lawsuit to challenge the policy in June 2018 that Trump issued an executive order to end it.

Relentless, Trump pushed for the construction of the border wall to please his base, at the expense of shutting down the government after an impasse with the House Democrats who

would not fund the border wall.

Trump then declared a national emergency when in fact there is no emergency that would require a massive expensive wall to be built, because otherwise, he would have asked for it when the Republicans controlled both the Senate and the House before the 2018 midterm elections.

However, Americans living at the border, including many Filipinos, as well as state and military officials who oppose funneling money allocated for military projects and disaster relief operations, contend that what is urgently needed now to solve the humanitarian crisis in the border is NOT the wall. But rather, more people are needed to help speed up processing the asylum claims, and a decent living condition at the border that will keep family together while ensuring their safety and basic needs are met.

Even worse: CNN reported that during a visit to Calexico, California on Friday, Trump told border patrol agents behind the scenes not to let any migrants in and, if ordered to by a judge, to respond, “Sorry,

judge, I can’t do it. We don’t have the room.”

According to the report, “When the agents later asked their commanding officers about the remarks, their superiors said [the] policy was to obey the law and that they would face personal liability if they complied with Trump’s orders.”

Then during Friday’s trip to the border, Trump reportedly ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to shut down the port of El Paso on March 22, with plans to close other ports later.

Trump asked Nielsen to resign after she argued that closing down the ports would simply shut down legal commerce and travel while migrants entered between the ports. Trump reportedly responded “I don’t care,” two people in the room said, according to the CNN report. Nielsen allegedly tried in vain to explain to Trump that migrants from Central America are legally allowed to apply for asylum.

CNN further reported that it was Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney who was

eventually able to talk Trump out of the plan, that was why Trump shifted gears and resorted to refusing entry to asylum seekers.

Trump then ordered that asylum seekers be denied entry to the United States and to just wait in Mexico. But as the Washington Post reported, a federal judge on Monday blocked this policy that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed.

However Trump would like to spin this issue and lie to the American people about his true intent, NBC News reported that Nielsen’s resignation Sunday night was largely due to Trump pressuring her to resume the separation of parents from their children at the border.

Trump argued, “family separation was the most effective deterrent.” *** 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

Presidential ramblings, vice presidential ignorance

Commentary

ANTONIO P. CONTRERAS

Philstar.com photo

even more familiar by the intermittent cursing and vulgarity.

Leni Robredo’s manner of speaking is, however, a totally different matter. The Filipino language is such a beautiful way to express ideas, but it seems that it gets murdered every time Robredo uses it. She has this habit of turning what appears to be logical arguments into inane and empty rhetoric. While president Duterte’s incoherent ramblings appear to be a result of a tendency to think aloud, Robredo’s incoherence appears to be emanating from what many allege as the absence of thought. And it could even be fatal to statements that otherwise make sense but lose their logic and turn into inanities the moment she utters them, like what happened to the feminist advocacy statement that rape exists because of rapists.

But what is even worse is when Duterte and Robredo appear irrational not because of how they say things, but of what they actually say.

Recently, the president threatened to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and declare what he labeled as a “revolutionary war.”

The suspension of the privilege of the writ is a prerogative of the president as provided in the 1987 Constitution, under Section 18 of Article VII, where he can do so “in case of invasion or

President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo

rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”

Under the Constitution, and as commander-in-chief the president can also call the Armed Forces whenever it becomes necessary to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. He can also, aside from suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, declare martial law. However, both the suspension of the privilege of the writ and the declaration of martial law are subject to review and concurrence by Congress, and can be elevated to the Supreme Court on issues of presence or

ManilaTimes.net photos

absence of factual basis.

However, there is no construct in political science where a sitting president declares a “revolutionary war.” He is free to call his campaign against crime and drugs as “wars” but they would be mere labels designed for effect, in the same manner that even civil society activists refer to a war against poverty or environmental destruction.

After all, the only wars that are formally declared are against other countries, for which it is Congress that has the power and not the president. Civil wars are not formally declared, but they

could be outcomes of a declaration of hostilities by rebel forces against the government.

Governments do not declare war against its own people, but simply deploy their monopoly over the legitimate use of violence against rebel forces and enemies of the state. If this is what the President refers to, then it would be perfectly within the bounds of the Constitution as provided in Section 18 of Article VII. But what the president cannot declare is a revolutionary war, simply because it is not the state that initiates a revolution. What he can mount is a palace coup, and oust his own constitutional government, after which he can declare a revolutionary government. This is no longer a constitutional process since it effectively deposes the Constitution.

However, while the president’s irrational utterance may just be based on his lack of familiarity with the academic jargon used by political scientists to refer to types of political violence, the irrationality of Robredo is worse.

It emanates from a fundamental ignorance of what an extra-constitutional process implies.

Robredo expressed her readiness to take over the reins of power in Malacañang if and when the president declares a revolutionary government, because she thinks it is her mandate as vice president. This is evidence no

longer just of an unfamiliarity with the proper jargon, but goes deeper and reveals a fundamental lack of understanding of the concept of a revolutionary government and its implications on political order.

Robredo and her cabal of lawyer friends like Romy Macalintal and Florin Hilbay must be told.

Constitutional succession no longer exists in the event that a revolutionary government is installed.

The basis of the legitimacy of rule is no longer the Constitution but whoever wields the power to mobilize arms and exact compliance from the people. They should be reminded that this is exactly what enabled Cory Aquino, and not Arturo Tolentino who was the legitimate vice president at the time, to become president in 1986 after Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by a coup led by Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel Ramos.

If Robredo wants to become president should Duterte declare a revolutionary government, then she and her allies have to wage a countercoup. However, should they succeed, she must realize that she will also ascend to the post in an extra-constitutional manner. But then again, this is something that Robredo, who evidently lacks understanding of the nature and consequences of an extra-constitutional political transition, would find hard to comprehend. (ManilaTimes.net)

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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LegaL Notice

To merchants who have accepted Visa and Mastercard at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019: Notice of a class action settlement of approximately $5.54-6.24 Billion.

Si desea leer este aviso en espaĂąol, llĂĄmenos o visite nuestro sitio web, www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

Notice of a class action settlement authorized by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

This notice is authorized by the Court to inform you about an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit that may affect you. The lawsuit claims that Visa and Mastercard, separately, and together with certain banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, including by: Â&#x2122;

Agreeing to set, apply, and enforce rules about merchant fees (called default interchange fees);

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Limiting what merchants could do to encourage their customers to use other forms of payment; and

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Continuing that conduct after Visa and Mastercard changed their corporate structures.

The defendants say they have done nothing wrong.

They say that their business practices are legal and the result of competition, and have benefitted merchants and consumers. The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to a settlement. The Court has given preliminary approval to this settlement.

$40 million and (ii) up to $250,000 per each of the eight Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs in service awards for their efforts on behalf of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

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legal righTS

The amount in the class settlement fund after the deductions described below,

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The deduction to account for certain merchants who exclude themselves from the class,

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Deductions for the cost of settlement administration and notice, applicable taxes on the settlement fund and any other related tax expenses, money awarded to the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their service on behalf of the Class, and attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees and expenses, all as approved by the Court, and

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<_b[ W YbW_c je Wia \eh fWoc[dj$ Once you receive a claim form, you can submit it via mail or email, or may file it online at www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

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;nYbkZ[ oekhi[b\ from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class. If you exclude yourself, you can individually sue the Defendants on your own at your own expense, if you want to. If you exclude yourself, you will not get any money from this settlement. If you are a merchant and wish to exclude yourself, you must make a written request, place it in an envelope, and mail it with postage prepaid and postmarked no later than @kbo ()" (&'/, or send it by overnight delivery shown as sent by @kbo ()" (&'/, to Class Administrator, Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, P.O. Box 2530, Portland, OR 97208-2530. Your written request must be signed by a person authorized to do so and provide all of the following information: (1) the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation,â&#x20AC;? (2) your full name, address, telephone number, and taxpayer identification number, (3) the merchant that wishes to be excluded from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, and what position or authority you have to exclude the merchant, and (4) the business names, brand names, â&#x20AC;&#x153;doing business asâ&#x20AC;? names, taxpayer identification number(s), and addresses of any stores or sales locations whose sales the merchant desires to be excluded. You also are requested to provide for each such business or brand name, if reasonably available: the legal name of any parent (if applicable), dates Visa or Mastercard card acceptance began (if after January 1, 2004) and ended (if prior to January 25, 2019), names of all banks that acquired the Visa or Mastercard card transactions, and acquiring merchant ID(s).

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EX`[Yj je j^[ i[jjb[c[dj$ The deadline to object is @kbo ()" (&'/. To learn how to object, visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com or call 1-800-625-6440. Note: If you exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class you cannot object to the settlement.

For more information about these rights and options, visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

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Members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class who do not exclude themselves by the deadline will be bound by the terms of this settlement, including the release of claims against the released parties provided in the settlement agreement, whether or not the members file a claim for payment.

The settlement will resolve and release claims by class members for monetary compensation or injunctive relief against Visa, Mastercard, or other defendants. The release bars the following claims: Â&#x2122;

The total dollar value of all valid claims filed.

Attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees and expenses and service awards for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs: For work done through final approval of the settlement by the district court, Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees in an amount that is a reasonable proportion of the class settlement fund, not to exceed 10% of the class settlement fund, to compensate all of the lawyers and their law firms that have worked on the class case. For additional work to administer the settlement, distribute the funds, and litigate any appeals, Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel may seek reimbursement at their normal hourly rates. Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel will also request (i) an award of their litigation expenses (not including the administrative costs of settlement or notice), not to exceed

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Merchants who are included in this lawsuit have the legal rights and options explained below. You may:

Under the settlement, Visa, Mastercard, and the bank defendants have agreed to provide approximately $6.24 billion in class settlement funds. Those funds are subject to a deduction to account for certain merchants that exclude themselves from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, but in no event will the deduction be greater than $700 million. The net class settlement fund will be used to pay valid claims of merchants that accepted Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards at any time between January 1, 2004 and January 25, 2019.

Every merchant in the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class that does not exclude itself from the class by the deadline described below and files a valid claim will get money from the class settlement fund. The value of each claim will be based on the actual or estimated interchange fees attributable to the merchantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mastercard and Visa payment card transactions from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. Pro rata payments to merchants who file valid claims for a portion of the class settlement fund will be based on:

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To receive payment, merchants must fill out a claim form.

If the Court finally approves the settlement, and you do not exclude yourself from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, you will receive a claim form in the mail or by email. Or you may ask for one at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com, or call: 1-800-625-6440.

The SeTTlemenT

This settlement creates the following Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class: All persons, businesses, and other entities that have accepted any Visa-Branded Cards and/or Mastercard-Branded Cards in the United States at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019, except that the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class shall not include (a) the Dismissed Plaintiffs, (b) the United States government, (c) the named Defendants in this Action or their directors, officers, or members of their families, or (d) financial institutions that have issued Visa-Branded Cards or Mastercard-Branded Cards or acquired Visa-Branded Card transactions or Mastercard-Branded Card transactions at any time from January 1, 2004 to January 25, 2019. The Dismissed Plaintiffs are plaintiffs that previously settled and dismissed their own lawsuit against a Defendant, and entities related to those plaintiffs. If you are uncertain about whether you may be a Dismissed Plaintiff, you should call 1-800-625-6440 or visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for more information.

To

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Claims based on conduct and rules that were alleged or raised in the litigation, or that could have been alleged or raised in the litigation relating to its subject matter.

This includes any claims based on interchange fees, network fees, merchant discount fees, no-surcharge rules, no-discounting rules, honor-all-cards rules, and certain other conduct and rules. These claims are released if they already have accrued or accrue in the future up to five years following the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals.

Claims based on rules in the future that are substantially similar to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; i.e., do not change substantively the nature of â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the above-mentioned rules as they existed as of preliminary approval of the settlement. These claims based on future substantially similar rules are released if they accrue up to five years following the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the settlement and the resolution of all appeals.

The settlementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolution and release of these claims is intended to be consistent with and no broader than federal

law on the identical factual predicate doctrine.

The release does not extinguish the following claims: Â&#x2122;

Claims based on conduct or rules that could not have been alleged or raised in the litigation.

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Claims based on future rules that are not substantially similar to rules that were or could have been alleged or raised in the litigation.

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Any claims that accrue more than five years after the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the settlement and the resolution of any appeals.

The release also will have the effect of extinguishing all similar or overlapping claims in any other actions, including but not limited to the claims asserted in a California state court class action brought on behalf of California citizen merchants and captioned Nuts for Candy v. Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-01482 (San Mateo County Superior Court).

Pursuant to an agreement between the parties in Nuts for Candy, subject to and upon final approval of the settlement of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class, the plaintiff in Nuts for Candy will request that the California state court dismiss the Nuts for Candy action. Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counsel in Nuts for Candy may seek an award in Nuts for Candy of attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees not to exceed $6,226,640.00 and expenses not to exceed $493,697.56. Any fees or expenses awarded in Nuts for Candy will be separately funded and will not reduce the settlement funds available to members of the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

The release Ze[i dej bar the injunctive relief claims or the declaratory relief claims that are a predicate for the injunctive relief claims asserted in the pending proposed Rule 23(b)(2) class action captioned Barryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cut Rate Stores, Inc., et. al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., MDL No. 1720, Docket No. 05-md-01720-MKB-JO (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;?).

Injunctive relief claims are claims to prohibit or require certain conduct. They do not include claims for payment of money, such as damages, restitution, or disgorgement.

As to all such claims for declaratory or injunctive relief in Barryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, merchants will retain all rights pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which they have as a named representative plaintiff or absent class member in Barryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, except that merchants remaining in the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class m_bb h[b[Wi[ their right to initiate a new and separate action for the period up to five (5) years following the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval of the settlement and the exhaustion of appeals.

The release also does not bar certain claims asserted in the class action captioned B&R Supermarket, Inc., et al. v.

Visa, Inc., et al., No. 17-CV-02738 (E.D.N.Y.), or claims based on certain standard commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of business.

For more information on the release, see the full mailed Notice to Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class Members and the settlement agreement at: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com.

The courT hearing abouT ThiS SeTTlemenT On Del[cX[h -" (&'/, there will be a Court hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement. The hearing also will address the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requests for attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees and expenses, and awards for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class Plaintiffs for their representation of merchants in MDL 1720, which culminated in the settlement agreement. The hearing will take place at: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York 225 Cadman Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201 You do not have to go to the Court hearing or hire an attorney. But you can if you want to, at your own cost.

The Court has appointed the law firms of Robins Kaplan LLP, Berger Montague PC, and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP as Rule 23(b)(3) Class Counsel to represent the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class.

QueSTionS? For more information about this case (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you may: Call toll-free: 1-800-625-6440 Visit: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com Write to the Class Administrator: Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement P.O. Box 2530 Portland, OR 97208-2530 Email: info@PaymentCardSettlement.com Please check www.PaymentCardSettlement.com for any updates relating to the settlement or the settlement approval process.

WWW 0AYMENT#ARD3ETTLEMENT COM s s INFO 0AYMENT#ARD3ETTLEMENT COM

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VEGAS&STYLE

B

Journal Jodi: Psych student The multilayered Filipina American experience, as told by rapper Ruby Ibarra and ‘healing’ specialist by

Christina M. Oriel AJPress

“I DON’T feel any more free than I do when I’m on that stage in front of a microphone,” Filipina American rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra says.

Before she takes the stage, she collects herself and starts organizing lyrics in her head. It’s a meditation of sorts until she’s out in front of the audience, then it’s “autopilot” mode from there.

“The nerves help give me that adrenalin I need to be able to perform. When I lose that sense of nerves, that’s when I feel like I should be wondering, ‘Is the passion still there?’” Ibarra says. “The fact that I get nervous before I get on stage means I do care about what the audience will perceive

by iza iglesias

the show to be and I still very much care about my craft.”

It’s been two years since the release of Ibarra’s first full-length album, “Circa91,” but she wants the community and music industry to know that she’s “out here” and still has a lot to say.

When we have our conversation, Ibarra gushes about her anticipation of attending the Grammy Awards the next night for the first time. “Hopefully we’ll be at the Grammys next year again. I’m just going to speak this into existence that somewhere down the road, we’ll be on that stage,” she proclaims.

Ibarra, who was born in Tacloban, Philippines, moved to San Lorenzo, California at four years old.

One of the tangible remnants

ManilaTimes.net

JODI Sta. Maria started her showbiz career doing support roles in popular youth-oriented TV shows “Gimik” and “Flames.”

Her breakout role, however, was as the tomboyish Georgina in the very successful teen drama series “Tabing Ilog,” which ran for four years.

After these youth projects, she transitioned into a soap opera star with the phenomenal hit series “Please Be Careful With My Heart” and such critically acclaimed movies as “Chassis” and “Aparisyon,” which earned her Best Actress nominations in Gawad Urian. For TV, she was also nominated for an International Emmy as Amor Powers in “Pangako Sa ’Yo.” But her list of achievements does not end there. In 2017, the

Jodi Sta. Maria Photo from Instagram/@jodistamaria

actress pursued a Psychology course for pre-med at Southville International School. She finished PAGE B2

Kris takes time off from Instagram

by Krissy

aguilar Inquirer.net

Ibarra joined Reebok’s #BeMoreHuman campaign.

A still from the “Us” music video, featuring Rocky Rivera, Klassy and Faith Santilla.

Photos courtesy of Ruby Ibarra

Ibarra performs in Oakland in 2018.

carried over from the homeland was her mother Evelyn’s cassette tape of Filipino rapper Francis Magalona’s (whose stage name was FrancisM) album “Yo!” Ibarra recalls being able to recite the lyrics at an early age because the album was on loop “in the background constantly.”

“It somehow introduced me to music and I ended up falling in love with it. I ended up memorizing the lyrics, being a little kid reciting ‘mga kababayan ko.’ I think at the time, I didn’t really fully fathom the socially conscious themes that were very much integrated in his music,” she narrates.

With threads like colorism — the culture of skin tone discrimination in the Philippines — to unifying Filipinos found in FrancisM’s music, Ibarra would continue those conversations two decades later from the lens of a Filipina American millennial raised in the Bay Area.

As a teenager, Ibarra started writing her own poetry and rhymes, which led to learning music production and eventually performing publicly at colleges and local venues. By 2010, she made her own videos on YouTube and two years later, she released her debut mixtape, “Lost in TransPAGE B3

KRIS Aquino has decided to take time off from Instagram as she revealed her “real depression” due to complicated medical diagnosis.

“I want to stop pretending I’m okay. I need to make peace with all that’s broken within me. And I need to do that PRIVATELY,” Aquino wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday, April 9.

“I’m sure you’re now making bets on how long this will last, BUT i’m taking control, so my return is up to me, when i’m ready,” she added.

Aquino said comments for her post would be turned off and that her Instagram application would now be deleted.

“Comments shall be turned off, Kris Aquino Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino PAGE B4

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How JM and Arci wage war against Is Nadine Lustre willing to play Darna? ‘paralyzing pain’ of depression

by Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

I try my best not to show it, but I still wage an internal war with depression every single day,” admitted actor JM de Guzman, who spent time in a rehabilitation center twice for substance abuse.

“I’m not giving up. When I feel like it, I remind myself that I’ve already gotten this far. Palag lang nang palag, kasi may buhay,” added the actor, as he was speaking to reporters during a gathering to promote his latest film, Eduardo roy Jr.’s “Last Fool Show.”

“I learned from therapy that I was unconsciously trying to sabotage myself [when I did drugs]. the second time was a cry for help, also unconsciously,” JM explained. “I was so overwhelmed by emotions that my mind failed to function right. At the time, I wasn’t just merely dealing with heartache. Sometimes, depression attacks you suddenly—and for no reason. It’s so strong that you feel intense and paralyzing pain.”

At one point during the press con, JM, and his leading lady, Arci Muñoz, were asked for their opinion on the campaign by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), urging broadcast networks to conduct surprise and

JM de Guzman and Arci Muñoz

mandatory drug tests on their talents.

“It’s a smart move by the PDEA,” said JM. “As celebrities, we are aware that we have a social responsibility to set a good example to our audience. I have been in rehab for three years. I’ve spent time with drug dependents, who did drugs because they were going through something that proved too difficult for them to handle. they have now chosen a different path, and have chosen to fight.”

He added: “What I’m asking for is that, sana ’wag lang masyadong masaklap ang trato sa kanila. yes, there’s no death penalty in the Philippines, but these people are already as good as dead.”

JM said he was also well aware of his duty to inspire former drug dependents to combat addiction.

“It’s not too late for us. We can still fight it. Whatever help the PDEA needs, I will give my all-out support. I’m willing to help anytime, anywhere,” he declared.

Arci agreed: “Drugs are not the solution, but merely a distraction.

If drug testing will help stop the spread [of substance abuse], why not do it?”

Arci then admitted that she once went through depression, “but it didn’t reach a point where I became suicidal. I’m glad to

have my family beside me. there was a time in my life when I got really depressed, but I kept on going, thanks in part to my strong relationship with God,” she recalled.

For Arci, it was her first-ever heartbreak. “I was still so young and naive then. I remember it was Christmas Day. My Papa asked me why I was feeling down, then he said, ‘there’s only one man who will never hurt you. that’s me. I’m here for you.’ then, he danced with me. I’m thankful that I have people around me comforting me.”

JM said he was able to relate to his character Paulo because “I’m like him. I need to see for myself [that my girlfriend is cheating on me] before I move on. Sometimes, even though I’ve already seen her do it, I still need to feel the hurt more, ’yung nadudurog ako, before I’m able to let go,” he explained.

Arci said she could relate to Mayessa because “I was able to use my heartaches in all the crying scenes I’ve done as an actress. If I need to show anger, I would just think of my ex and what he did to me. I also use this to motivate myself when I work out. I would tell myself, ‘I have to be sexy.

I have to be a better version of myself.’”

AFtEr actress Liza Soberano backed out from her Darna role because of an injured finger, the public is waiting for a new actress to put on the iconic Filipina superhero’s costume.

One of the leading contenders for the role is another Kapamilya actress, Nadine Lustre.

Nadine said she is happy that she is one of those being suggested to remake the movie of the Pinay heroine.

“My God. I’ve heard about that. I’m really happy that they’re very supportive, but I know naman kasi that the role is going to be given to someone who’s deserving and someone who can do it. I mean, it doesn’t have to be me. It just has to be someone who can give justice to the role,”

Nadine said.

When asked if she is willing to do the role, Nadine said it depends.

“I don’t know. It depends.

I don’t really like saying that I don’t want to do it or not because mapupunta talaga ‘yan sa kung sinong deserve nung role na ‘yun eh,” she said.

Nadine admitted that she does not have a new teleserye coming soon, but said she has a new movie with Sam Concepcion.

“I don’t have a teleserye, but I do have a film coming soon. It’s called ‘Indak.’ It’s parang a dance musical. I’m working with Sam Concepcion on this one. I’m doing movies this year, so parang same lang naman siya. I’m still acting,” Nadine Lustre Nadine said. (Philstar.com) Photo from Instagram/@nadine

Jodi: Psych student and...

PAGE B1 top of her class with a 3.8 GPA last semester and will be graduate next year.

Moreover, she also secured a certification as Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist in October 2018.

“After a week of intense training, I found a better appreciation for those actively practicing this.

When you start your day healing people from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. you realize that this is hard work. It is when we meet others’ needs that our [own] needs are satisfied in the process. By healing an individual, you heal a community. you need not be a medical practitioner to do this — all you have to be is someone who cares for another person’s well-being,” she wrote in her Instagram account.

“I met new people, made new friends, who I know will eventually become family because we share the same advocacy. I am truly grateful for all that I have learned here and I am fired up to share it with you!” she added.

Being a mom is what matters most But while Sta. Maria is passionate about acting and pursuing medical school, she notes that her most fulfilling role was becoming a mother to thirdy Lacson.

“Ultimately, it’s the role of being a mother and being active in our children’s lives to shape, mentor, and inspire them that matters most,” she noted.

It is indeed not easy for her to juggle time being a mother, an actress and a student. But it did Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes not stop her to reach her goals

in life.

“I’ve been in this profession for the past 21 years. I work three times a week, and then for school once a week lang, so I still have time for other things. Sometimes when you do so much kasi parang you don’t have time to do other things pero for me meron pa naman, and I can still manage.

In fact, I still have time to travel and do blogs from it. I really have certain schedules blocked off like Sundays. Hindi siya dapat magalaw because it’s my rest day,” the 36-year-old pointed out during a press conference.

“And with that I can say that I’m at a point in my life wherein I’m in between reaching my goals to inspire people and trying to be the best person that I can. Wearing these different hats in my life, I don’t think I can add more roles pa sa buhay ko dahil busy na rin. the things that I’m doing I’m okay with them muna, if I add up pa, I don’t know kung paano pa magpi-fit sa schedule ko. What I am doing now is just really to reach those goals that I have set, let’s say two years ago. Yun muna, after I reached them, I’ll set a new one,” she said.

Busy year this 2019, aside from her recent horror movie “Second Coming” which was released in February, Sta. Maria is also busy taping with her teleserye, titled “Sino Ang May Sala?: Mea Culpa” and another horror-thriller flick called “Clarita” for Black Sheep Films.

Aside from her new projects, she is also on an assignment be-

ing Ever Bilena’s latest endorser.

For this new and enviable job, Sta. Maria will embody the classic Ever Bilena woman whose beauty cut across generations, seasonal trends and styles.

Aside from appearing in the brand’s latest digital campaign, her role as brand ambassador is to enjoin Filipinas to embrace their innate beauty and go back to the timeless basics as far as makeup is concerned.

“Makeup is a great way to boost one’s confidence. But for me, it should only highlight your natural beauty and not overpower it,” she shared.

“Beauty is no longer just about the physical. It’s more of the internal disposition that you have in life na you’re not only beautiful because you’re wearing makeup. Or you’re not only beautiful because you’re wearing a certain hairstyle but it’s really how you relate to the people closest to you and how much of yourself you give to those around you. Beauty can also mean being selfless,” she said.

“Motherhood made me realize that it is no longer just about me but about this life in front of you.

But that doesn’t mean hindi mo na aalagaan ang sarili mo. First and foremost you have to take care of yourself also because we cannot give what we don’t have,” she added.

Indeed, from being a doting mother to a critically acclaimed actress, and a top psychology student, this woman of beauty and grace not only gives her best in every role given to her, she also makes sure to always look good.

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Features

The multilayered Filipina American...

PAGE B1 lation,” hosted by DJ Kay Slay, which premiered that same night on Shade 45 Satellite Radio in New York City.

Ibarra studied biochemistry and molecular biology at University of California, Davis and is a scientist by day, but turns into this musical force by night and on weekends. She released “Circa91” in October 2017 under independent label Beatrock Music, which has Filipino artists Bambu, Rocky Rivera, Klassy and more in its catalog.

The 18 tracks on the album — some of which are interludes that tie together Ibarra’s experience — were all challenging to write, Ibarra admits.

“Circa91,” which was fittingly titled after the year her family migrated to the United States, was her chance to get raw about the layers of her personal identity and history, which she had kept at a distance before the album. The manner in which she speaks is introspective, yet flows in a way similar to her music wherein she emphasizes certain words and pauses in between statements to let them sink in with the recipient.

She brings listeners into her world to learn where Ruby Ibarra is coming from and who she is, while infusing English, Tagalog and Waray, the language spoken in the Eastern Visayas. For example, the second verse of Playbill$ is entirely in the latter language, which she has said that in addition to Tagalog, is perfect for hip-hop.

“Prior to the album, my approach as a rapper was trying to prove myself on the mic and show people my lyrical abilities and expand my lyricism, but I wouldn’t really show people who the person was behind the microphone,” she says.

On “Background,” Ibarra narrates the experience of being scolded after playing in the sun and being scrubbed by whitening tools like papaya soap: “They say papaya soap only works when it burns. And It burns deep. So scrub harder / When we played outside on hot days, our mothers would say we smell just like the sun / You don’t wanna be in the sun…they all say / We are taught to fear darkness but ironically find solace in the shade / But this skin, was built to change colors like chameleons.”

“With ’Circa 91’ or the poetry I write, I see how much they are similar to the themes that FrancisM was talking about,” she says.

“I think it’s coming full circle.”

In addition to the late Filipino rapper, Ibarra credits listening to Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lauryn Hill as furthering her interest in hip-hop and music in general.

Wu-Tang’s music inspired her to learn more about boom rap and experiment with different lyrical techniques, while “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” was the “soundtrack” of Ibarra’s formative years.

“Being influenced by that and seeing the power of storytelling through the medium of music are what inspired me to try to delve into that and try to make music on my own,” she says.

She adds, “I find it important more than ever to use my platform to share my voice because I can provide that sense of identity for someone else, just like how I felt as a little 5-year-old girl listening to Lauryn Hill. If I could give, even just 1% of that feeling that Lauryn gave me to someone else, then I feel like I’ve accomplished what I’ve wanted to do with my art.”

Mainstream influences aside, Ibarra candidly draws from her lived experiences teetering two cultures, questioning where she fit in, and being raised by a single mother.

“These are people who don’t

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 11-17, 2019

B

Sharon Cuneta praised by Fil-Am actor Reggie Lee for professionalism in delayed US concert

by Niña

GuNo Inquirer.net

The cover of “Circa91,” Ibarra’s debut full-length album released in October 2017.

Photos courtesy of Ruby Ibarra

necessarily have a platform to share their experiences,” she describes. “We never hear about the story of a single parent, Filipina immigrant in the middle of the Bay Area or we don’t hear about the story of a Filipino immigrant who came to the U.S. in his 30s and couldn’t find a job. Why can’t we glorify and amplify those kinds of voices as much as those we hear in the mainstream?”

In “7000 miles,” she recounts about her family’s immigrant experience “7,000 miles away from home with language barriers” and trying to fit into American culture (“Mama said to learn their way, every day I emulate / ’Til identity erased, overcome by inner hate”).

On “Broken Mirrors,” she speaks about growing up without a father and being raised solely by her mother. “Reflections of a 5-year-old lookin’ in the rear view / Wonderin’ why she ain’t got a father like her peers do,” she bares.

“I got to show the vulnerability and show people what I experienced growing up and who I truly was,” Ibarra says. “‘Broken Mirrors’ was one of the most challenging because I really reflected and looked back at my personal life.”

There are moments when she’s not afraid to get political with references of what’s going on back in the Philippines, call out rape culture and toxic masculinity, and unpack colonial mentality. On “Taking Names” (feat. Bambu and Nump Trump), she talks about the Philippines and the Filipino people being colonized by Spain and the United States.

“From Morro Bay to the East Bay, we stay survivin’ where we stay / They keep invading’ where we lay, there’s no debating’ that we pay / That naval base up in Subic Bay / To all the places that they tried to take / From Magellan’s days to Philip’s raid / When the land was raped and they changed the way.”

One of the standout tracks of “Circa91” is “Us,” featuring Rocky Rivera, Klassy and Faith Santilla, which has taken a life of its own and has become an empowering Filipina American anthem. Its music video, which Ibarra directed, features over 100 Pinays, as well as costumes from different regions of the motherland.

“Island woman rise, walang makakatigil / Brown, brown woman, rise / They got nothin’ on us (aye!)” Klassy chants in the hook.

Early on in the writing process, Ibarra knew she wanted to bring on a “multitude of female voices” after noticing that the woman’s perspective is still largely missing, even in immigrant stories.

The first verse has the lyrics: “Yo f*ck a story arc if it don’t involve

Ruby Ibarra was featured on billboards in New York for the MasterCard’s #StartSomethingPriceless campaign.

Photo from Instagram/@RubyIbarra

no matriarchs / Our mothers work from the ground up.”

This song was a way to “dismantle the patriarchy and that notion that the Filipina has to always be on the sidelines and be the backbone to the men and always in the background,” Ibarra says.

“To have a track like that, where we’re celebrating sisterhood and feminism, we’re showing, not just in rap, but in our community that we’re out here.”

Ibarra said that if “Circa91” is any indication, she has a following PAGE B4

SHARON Cuneta’s professionalism shone through in her Los Angeles concert last March 30, earning her praise from Fil-Am actor Reggie Lee. Lee posted a picture of him and the Megastar locked in an embrace last Tuesday, April 2, and told fans about her stellar performance despite hours of delay in the last leg of her United States and Canada concert tour.

Cuneta was flying in from her Toronto show on March 30 when the trip was delayed due to engine issues on the plane, as per her Instagram post on the same day.

Fans ended up waiting for hours until she could show up, and Cuneta delivered her best despite the stress and a lack of sleep.

Lee recalled her ordeal in his Instagram post where he said, “This lady never ceases to amaze me.”

“She did a concert in Toronto the night before and after a more than 10-hour flight delay this morning, no sleep the night before, and a several-hour delay of her show due to the flight delay, stepped onstage at the Alex Theatre directly from the airport a little later than 10 p.m. with nothing but a sense of humor, a glorious voice, and a whole lotta love for her fans,” he narrated.

“It’s no wonder the entire

Sharon Cuneta with Reggie Lee

crowd stayed through a 4-hour delay in the show,” Lee added.

“She is so loved and she gives it right back.”

Cuneta’s daughter KC Concepcion shared the love back for Lee in a picture of them which she posted on Instagram on Saturday, April 6.

“So happy to FINALLY meet you in person,” she said of Lee’s backstage visit.

She listed some of his work, which ranges from TV shows like “Prison Break” and “Grimm” to Hollywood blockbusters “Pirates

Photo from Instagram/@mrreggielee

of the Caribbean” and “The Dark Knight Rises”.

“Pinoy yan. Ang galing talaga (He’s Filipino. Really brilliant),” she said.

Cuneta linked with Lee in 2017 during her U.S. concert tour. She said in a 2017 Facebook post that she tweeted him after remembering years ago that he referred to Christopher de Leon and her as his favorite Filipino actors.

She treated him and his parents to her concert and since then, they have called each other their BFFs.

B april 11-17, 2019 • laS VEGaS aSiaN JOUrNal

EntErtainmEnt

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WGU takes on college-readiness gap Kim Chiu, Xian Lim to reunite in new series with launch of WGU Academy

by Krissy

AguilAr Inquirer.net

New entity will leverage WGU’s success in student support to prepare students for college studies LAS VEGAS – The nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU) today announced the creation of WGU Academy, an independent operating unit established to help solve the growing college-readiness gap. WGU Academy’s courses and programs will provide aspiring students with an affordable, low-risk onramp that prepares them for college success either at WGU or at other institutions.

“This is a remarkable new effort that will help numerous individuals who need a boost as they seek college degrees,” said WGU Nevada Chancellor Spencer Stewart. “As the characteristics of today’s college students have changed, so must the means of serving them.”

While nearly 70 percent of high school graduates enroll in college, 26 percent drop out in their first year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And among the 20 million individuals enrolled, according to Higher Learning Advocates, more than 41 percent are over 25 years old, 55 percent are financially independent, and 26 percent are parents. Additionally, there are 80 million adults who need access to post-secondary credentials to be readied for the future of work.

WGU Academy will leverage WGU’s success in serving contemporary students, especially in underserved populations, and provide personalized learning onramps that improve individuals’ progress, persistence, and attainment in their college-level programs.

REAL and reel life sweethearts Kim Chiu and Xian Lim are reuniting in a new soap titled “Love Thy Woman.”

Dreamscape Entertainment shared on Monday, April 8, a photo of the soap’s cast on its official Instagram page.

“The powerhouse cast of the newest teleserye of @dreamscapeph #LoveThyWoman!” Dreamscape wrote in its caption.

Chiu and Lim will be joined by a stellar cast which includes Erich Gonzales, Eula Valdes, Christopher De Leon, Sunshine Cruz, Ruffa Gutierrez, Jennifer Sevilla and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Also part of the cast are Jana Victoria, Chienna Filomeno, David Chua, Tori Garcia, among others.

Kim Chiu and Xian Lim This is Chiu and Lim’s comeback project with Dreamscape edy-drama “My Binondo Girl.”

The airing date for “Love after their 2011 romantic com-

for admission to WGU, the organization intends to seek partnerships with other institutions and organizations to scale its impact.

The goal is to serve hundreds of thousands of students who need foundational college-readiness competencies and empower them with a greater chance for success upon enrollment—whether at WGU or at another college or university.

In the initial program aligned to WGU, students who attend WGU Academy will pay a monthly fee rather than committing to a full term of tuition. With an expected median completion time of three months, most students will complete their Academy program for less than $500. Initial enrollment in WGU Academy will begin May 1, 2019.

WGU Academy is led by Patrick G. Partridge, who serves PAGE B3 and people will eventually listen as the organization’s president. and love what you’re doing.” and people are listening.

Partridge joined WGU and led Ibarra continues to tour “Cir“It was because of the recepthe university’s successful stution of the last album and these ca91” nearly two years later dent outreach, enrollment, and last shows I’ve been doing that around the United States (some admissions operations for more have been affirming to me as upcoming performances this than 15 years. an artist where I realize there summer include Levitt Pavilion in “College readiness—or the are people who want to hear the Los Angeles and the Smithsonian lack of it—is one of the primary things I talk about and who feel Folklife Festival in Washington, barriers to opportunity for many like they’re represented through D.C.) and in the Philippines, inAmericans, particularly those my music and are seen through cluding Malasimbo Music & Arts who are part of underserved or Festival this past March in Puerto the music videos,” she said. disadvantaged populations,” said In 2018, a year she says “gave Galera. Currently, she’s in the Partridge. “It is estimated that [her] the best memories of life so process of writing and directing U.S. colleges spend $7 billion a far,” she collaborated with SZA a short film version to accompany year on remediation programs, on MasterCard’s ‘Start Something the album. with nearly half of incoming Audiences can expect Ibarra to Priceless’ commercial leading students at four-year public inup to the Grammys. The Filipina drop another album this October, stitutions enrolling in at least one American rapper was featured just in time for Filipino American remedial course. WGU Academy on billboards in New York’s Time History Month. will provide an affordable—and “I feel like I’m here at a time Square and across from Madison scalable—solution by closing the Square Garden for the campaign. when the community has me on gap in college readiness.”

It’s an opportunity she “would their shoulders and I think that have never expected to happen completely challenges the notion of crab mentality in our commuin a million years.”

“When we see these big main- nity,” she said. “A lot of people stream artists in the spotlight, are lifting me up and want to see we believe oftentimes it was an me succeed and I’m very honored i am not.” right,” she said.

“I became too good at putting overnight success. That’s really and humbled to see that happen.

“This has been my best acting in my life: outwardly showing you on the ‘armor of a warrior’ to make not the case. I can speak for my- At the end of the day, I want to see that i was keeping it together, sure you mostly saw a HAPPY self that…this is years and years us all rise up together.”

She credits seeing Filipinos when deep inside i’ve been con- Kris, a BRAVE Kris, and a PALA- of working on my craft, investing sumed by real depression, primar- BAN Kris. She was trained to hide in myself and trying to put myself like Darren Criss sweeping major ily because of my complicated her insecurities, vulnerabilities, out there. You have to remember awards like a Golden Globe, R&B to keep putting in the work and artist H.E.R. winning Grammys, and fears,” she said. medical diagnosis,” she added.

Last year, Aquino was diag- keep practicing and perfecting and Bruno Mars selling out arenas But Aquino said she no longer wanted to lie and pretend she nosed with an autoimmune dis- what you’re doing,” she says. “If around the world as a “pivotal mowas strong: “I no longer have ease. She also has an ongoing you’re authentic in what you do, ment for Filipino Americans in the the strength to lie to all of you legal battle with former project if you actually speak your truth, entertainment industry.”

“The fact that we’re seeing then people will take notice of that about how strong i am, because manager Nicko Falcis.

“Higher education remains the surest pathway to opportunity and social mobility, but for many, lack of adequate preparation puts a college degree out of reach,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “At WGU, where the average student age is 36 and more than 70 percent of our students are part of at least one underserved population, we have learned how to create flexible, personalized learning experiences that lead to great outcomes. WGU Academy will provide courses and coaching that strengthen academic and noncognitive competencies to prepare these individuals for the learning demands of college.”

WGU Academy courses will be delivered in an online, competency-based format similar to the WGU learning model. Students will enroll in customized programs of two or more college-level courses that typically include a writing course and one or more courses in math, general education, or introductory-level classes focused on desired degree paths.

In addition to college-level courses, WGU Academy offers the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA).

Modeled on a nationally recognized social and emotional learning course used by WGU for several years, the course provides group sessions, peer interaction, and one-to-one coaching to build confidence and college persistence.

While WGU Academy’s initial startup will focus on prospective students who are not yet ready

EMPLOYMENT

Thy Woman” has yet to be announced.

The multilayered Filipina American...

Kris Aquino takes time off...

PAGE B3 di ko rin naman mababasa, because the IG app on my 2 phones will for now be deleted. IG is my sole sovereign digital territory,” she said.

Aquino also revealed being consumed by “real depression” because of her complicated medical diagnosis.

“For so long, bashers and trolls labeled me a ‘drama queen’ and for about a year-they’ve been

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

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these representations of people who look like us, we’re seeing a shift in Hollywood as well. This is the perfect window and opportunity for artists like myself to just jump in and do our thing and support each other more than ever,” she says, putting out a call to support other Filipino American art and stories to “build each other up and increase visibility for us.”

From the lolas (grandmothers) who spend their retired time raising the kids to the titas (aunts) who share the role of motherhood to the nanays (moms) who do everything they can to keep the family afloat, Ibarra hopes to honor them with her music.

“After having met so many Filipinas this past year who are all inspiring, incredible and powerful, coupled with my experiences with my own mother, when I think about the identity of what it means to be Filipina, it’s to be completely resilient, strong, and selfless,” Ibarra says.

“Women are more important than ever and we’re not onedimensional characters that the media perceive us to be. There are so many stories and so many different voices and it’s important to amplify these different perspectives because when we say ‘woman,’ it’s not just one story that can encompass the identity of all women.””

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Get your green card even though you have been ordered deported Your Immigration Solution ATTY. DEVIN CONNOLLY The ability to apply for permanent resident status (green card) in the U.S. rather than at the Embassy in your native country is frequently more than a simple convenience. Rather, being forced to depart the U.S. and apply abroad can have lifealtering consequences. By leaving the U.S. an applicant may be making themselves ineligible for the very thing they are leaving the U.S. to apply for – a green card. And no, it does not matter that they only reason you left the U.S. was because you were told that you were ineligible be granted your green card from within the U.S. So it is clear that it is beneficial to apply in the U.S. Not only is it less disruptive to your life and less expensive since you do not have to travel, but you also will not trigger any bars to returning because you would have never left. Unfortunately though, not everybody is eligible to be granted their green card in the U.S. There are many reasons why a person may not be currently eligible to apply for their green card in the U.S. A common reason for this ineligibility is because they were previously ordered deported. Whether they were ordered deported after failing to appear in Immigration Court or because the Immigration Judge denied their application, this outstanding order of deportation will make you ineligible for your green card. It then becomes necessary to have the prior court case reopened.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Fourteenth of a series, ) WHAT is your greatest fear?

Some say that for most men, the greatest of fears are the fear of death, fear of failure and fear of public speaking.

I know of someone who is deathly afraid of dogs, completely convinced that dogs are out to bite her. Telling her that her fear is baseless only drives her into raging fits. There is another I know who cannot abide the polka dot print design on anything she sees. There are a number of people who are afraid of riding boats and planes and just the thought of being in either one makes them nauseous. Weird huh? But who is to say that their fear is not valid as yours.

There are perhaps as many kinds of fears as there are people on earth but the one that many people admit to is the fear of speaking before crowds.

Psychology can dig up all the reasons for such fears deeply entrenched in the human psyche.

But whatever the reason is, there is a time during one’s life that confronting that fear that paralyzes you from fully functioning and realizing your full potential on earth needs to be addressed.

It is time for a face-off.

If you are so inclined to add this to your bucket list, try mustering enough courage to face

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS NATURE is full of wonders.

Among them are gems in the form of many food items, basically plant-based, have therapeutic effects that can provide safe relief from pains and other illnesses.

A great example: The antibiotic penicillin, which has saved countless lives around the world, comes from penicillium mold (fungi) which naturally produces it, as discovered in 1928

by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming.

Today, we shall devote our column to exalting the “medicinal values or therapeutic effects” of regular, ordinary food that people all over the world eat as a part of their diet. The reported health benefits of some of the foods we have listed hereunder are anecdotal, passed down from generations after generations, and have not been thoroughly and scientifically proven. But since they are regular food items

A person will be ordered deported if they fail to appear for their hearing in Immigration Court. This is referred to as an in absentia order of deportation.

A foreign national issued an in absentia order of deportation has 180 days to file a motion with the Immigration Court requesting that the order be rescinded because their failure to appear was due to ‘exceptional circumstances.’ The term ‘exceptional circumstances’ refers to compelling situations beyond the control of the foreign national, such as serious illness to themselves or serious illness or death of their spouse, child, or parent. As you can see, a case will not be reopened for something as trivial as car problems the day of the hearing or an inability to take time off from work. Rather, it truly must be an exceptional situation for a case to be reopened on this ground.

A second reason an in absentia order of deportation may be rescinded is if the Immigration Court did not provide proper notice of the time, date and location of the hearing. And while many people are indeed notified and simply choose not to appear because they fear the outcome will not be positive, many others are not properly notified. There are no official time limits on filing a motion based on a lack of notice, but a person should make this request to the court in a timely manner after learning that they were ordered deported. It is also important to note that a foreign national is required to inform the Immigration Court when they changes their address, Thus, a person cannot fail to appear after moving and then ask for their case to be reopened because the post office did not properly forward their mail.

There are also times when

a person appears in court and submits their application for relief, only to have the Immigration Judge deny their case.

The foreign national may even appeal and have their case denied by the Board of Immigration Appeals as well. In this situation a person is required to fi le their motion to reopen within 90 days of the decision.

But what happens if you do not become eligible for your green card for several years, perhaps when your child turns 21-yearsold. Despite being well beyond the 90-day limit, it may still be possible to have your case reopened and be granted your green card. You will have to show clear evidence that you are eligible for your green card if the court case is reopened, and it helps to also show compelling evidence why your case should be reopened, such as hardship to family members or significant ties to the U.S. Despite an outstanding order of deportation, a green card may still be within your grasp.

It is advisable to consult an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated solely to the practice of immigration law so that they may advise you of potential options and their likelihood of success. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

The bucket list Face the fear of public speaking “...Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.”

— Mark Twain this one fear that you think is worth conquering.

People admit that having them speak in front of a crowd is like facing a firing squad. They would rather melt away than speak up. Experts say that there are baby steps that can be taken to conquer this.

The one thing that characterizes people who speak in public at a drop of a hat is confidence— lots of it— that it practically oozes out of their pores. It is doubtful they started out with that level of confidence right off the bat. Most professional public speakers probably had to start being afraid themselves until they had a winning judo match with that gnawing fear in their gut.

Mastery comes with taking baby steps, learning consistently from those that went before and were great, engaging speakers.

Choose a role model and emulate what works. First off, one must dive deep into the sea of available information and cull out nuggets of wisdom on wide ranging areas to know what to speak of. In short, read up and never stop learning.

Otherwise, one would simply

be winging it with disjointed thoughts and flawed delivery. It sounds cheesy but there may be some truth to the advice — fake it until you make it.

In the beginning, that is probably how it works until repetitive practice over time builds that precious confidence and the chutzpah to speak unrehearsed and extemporaneously in public.

Sometimes, the words come out so smoothly that you know without a doubt there is a higher spirit that flows in a particular speaker.

Perhaps, the same is true of any other fear that you decide to have a face--off with. The greatest battle is with yourself when you finally decide you have had it living with the fear that threatens to eat you up and finally doing something about it.

One day, you might even surprise yourself on how far you have gone with that ounce of courage you mustered early on in order to gain mastery of a particular kind of fear. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Natural home therapy we consume daily, trying them for some of the ailments or situations they are allegedly effective for is simply natural and safe.

As long as one is not allergic to them, ingesting these food items does not result in adverse “sideeffects” as could be encountered in, say, Noni Juice or some other cure-all “food supplements” in the market today.

Besides their essential nutritional value, many of the foods we ingest regularly have “medicinal effects” that we are not conscious about but which help alleviate or correct some diseases or conditions. It is common knowledge that scurvy (vitamin C defi ciency), for instance, is cured by eating a lot of citrus fruits, or that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) among diabetics will be alleviated by eating candies, sugar or other sweets. Or, that banana and apples are good for diarrhea, while papaya, prunes and other fruits, and vegetables are good for constipation.

But did you know that onion, hot pepper and tomato are good for common cold? Or that cherries are good for cramps? Or that

apple, grapefruit, kalamansi are good for halitosis (bad breath)?

Here is a list of medical conditions and the corresponding food items claimed to either prevent, alleviate and/or cure them: 1. Arthritis: Apple, pineapple, cantaloupe, grape, grapefruit, orange, mustard green, strawberry, tangerine, cucumber, lettuce, cherries, celery, cauliflower.

2. Insomnia: Onion, cabbage, celery, avocado, onion, apple 3. Hemorrhoids: Prunes, date, beans, eggplant, plum, sweet potato 4. Nausea: Pineapple, papaya 5. High cholesterol: Soybean (tofu), red wine, oat meal, grapefruit, tomato, apple, eggplant, corn, cabbage, peas, beans, green leafy vegetables, high fiber cereals 6. Indigestion: Plum, papaya, pineapple, banana, apple, grapefruit, cucumber, peach 7. Sinusitis Onion, hot pepper, tomato 8. Gastric ulcer: Pumpkin, rice, avocado, banana, date, okra, peach PAGE B6

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 11-17, 2019

Calendar of Events across

B5

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 13

2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit in LA The 2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Center of Cathedral Plaza (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). In partnership with the LA County of Department of Mental Health, registration begins on March 11. This is a FREE event for all. Breakfast and lunch included with registration. Please email FilipinoWellBeing@Gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoWellBeing for more updates.

Recycling used motor oil event in Los Angeles, CA Attention all Florence Firestone residents! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters in exchange for a free new oil filter on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place at AutoZone at 1262 Firestone Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90002. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and helps our water stay clean. So, don’t miss out - we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

A P R I L 22

West Ranch Music Masters Tournament in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School’s Instrumental Music Program is excited to announce their inaugural Golf Tournament fundraiser to be held on Monday, April 22 at The Oaks Club at Valencia, CA. Check-in and breakfast starts at 10 a.m. with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. The $125 per player fee includes: 18 holes of golf, use of golf cart, practice facilities, lunch and dinner. There will be an optional Mulligan and Magic Putt package for purchase. Additionally, a wide array of silent auction and raffle baskets will be available. The awards dinner will be served starting at 5pm and will feature students performing live jazz music. For those who wish to attend only the dinner and award festivities, the cost is $50. All proceeds go directly to support the West Ranch High School Music Program. To register for the tournament or for more information contact Jean Conway at westranchband@gmail.com or visit westranchmusic.com. Deadline to register is on April 11.

A P R I L 25 -28

Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.

M AY 1 7-1 9

Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii The Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Association (SMISGA) and the Santa Marians of Hawaii are sponsoring the Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii from May 17-19, 2019. The festivities will start with a meet and greet on May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom to be followed by a gala night on May 18 at 5 p.m. at the Dole Cannery Pomaikai Ballroom. A picnic is also scheduled at Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island on Sunday, May 19 starting at 10 a.m. The ticket to attend all the events is $130.00 per person. Due to limited space, reservations must be made not later than March 31, 2019. Hats and t-shirts will also be on sale for $20. For further information, call Nena Empleo at (808) 384-0394, Carlito Soria at (808) 487-3370, Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 or Orlino Baldonado at (865) 789-8324. Leave a message if there’s no answer. Additional information is also on SMISGA.com and Facebook @ SMISGA19FB. Proceeds from the events will be for various projects in Santa Maria Ilocos Sur and in Hawaii. Donations are tax deductible since SMISGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service.

M AY 25

Marist School Marikina to celebrate 55th anniversary in Buena Park, CA Marist Alumni Abroad, coordinated by Arthur ‘Jojo’ P. Armada ‘77, invites alumni, family and friends, and the public who are interested, to the 55th anniversary grand reunion of the Marist School Marikina, to be held on Saturday, May 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620). The event’s theme is “Celebrating Our Marist Life...The Legacy Continues,” hosted by Marist Alumni Abroad. Dinner and dance: 6 pm to 11 pm; donation: $55/pax (per person). Contact person is overall chair Jojo P. Armada at (626) 216-3529 or email: armadaarthur@yahoo.com.

JUNE 1

7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival in LA The 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.

Kalayaan Incorporated’s annual Philippine Independence Day gala in LA Kalayaan Incorporated invites the community to its celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel (5855 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA). Kalayaan is extremely proud to have Honorable Risa Hontiveros, an incumbent senator who assumed office on June 30, 2016, as the grand gala’s guest of honor and speaker. For tickets to the Gala Night, please contact Annie Cuevas-Lim, Kalayaan President at (213) 447-7078. For more information, contact KI PROs Violet Mislang at vmislang@gmail.com or Lady Hope Robillos at lhopepr@yahoo.com.

J U LY 2 0

The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 423-2299 / email: imay02@ yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail.com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.

J U LY 24 -28

40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.

AU G U ST 1 - 9

University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.”

On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.

AU G U ST 3 - 4

Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.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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PeoPle and events

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WGU Nevada kicks off ‘High Five for Health 15th Annual Runnin’ for the House sets new records Care’ surprise scholarships to encourage more individuals to pursue nursing careers KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE ONE STEP AT A TIME

LAS VEGAS — Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas hosted their 15th Annual Runnin’ for the House 5K Run & Fun Walk on Saturday, April 6. The family-fun event brought out 40 teams and more than 1,200 attendees - the highest number of participants in the organization’s history. Attendees enjoyed a McDonald’s pancake and sausage breakfast as well as various family-friendly activities, including a rock-climbing wall, bounce house, Angel 1 Fire Truck, face painting, birdhouse painting, and more. Cosmo with the Aviators, UNLV Cheerleaders, and the Las Vegas Avengers came out to show their support and cheer runners at the finish line.

“It was a beautiful day and an even more beautiful event,” said Alyson McCarthy, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Las Vegas. “To see so many individuals, companies, and families turn out to support other families going through some of the most difficult days of their lives was absolutely heartwarming.”

RMHC raised more than $85,000 from this single event, exceeding the fundraising goal by more than $10,000. Sponsors of the event include McDonald’s, UFC, Lexus of Las Vegas, Masters of Barricades, NV Energy, Wrich Air, Boyd Gaming, and Beasley Broadcasting Group. Funds raised from this event stay locally to benefit RMHC and their mission of providing a “home-away-fromhome” for families that travel to Las Vegas for their children to receive critical medical care.

Believing that every child deserves a safe and supportive place to grow, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Greater Las Vegas creates and supports

Scholarships will be awarded at local hospitals during National Nurses Week in May

LAS VEGAS/RENO – WGU Nevada, an online, accredited, competency-based, nonprofit higher education institution, is kicking off a surprise scholarship campaign to help shine a light on the need for more nurses and the high demand in this field.

The “High Five for Health Care” scholarships will be given out during National Nurses Week with the targeted dates of May 8 through 10. The scholarship title refers to higher education and five stops: WGU Nevada will be visiting five Nevada-based hospitals that employ those being awarded $5,000 each in scholarship funds for the nursing program at the college.

The effort comes at a time when new healthcare job opportunities become increasingly abundant, so more professional and educated workers are needed to fill these roles. So far, since its launch in June of 2015, WGU Nevada has graduated 580 students from its College of Health Professions, according to WGU Nevada.

“The desire for our nursing degrees at WGU Nevada continue to grow among our statewide student base,” said WGU Nevada Chancellor Spencer Stewart. “We know from our hospital partners and others in the medical industry that turning out additional quality nurses is a necessity in

Nevada. This scholarship effort will help encourage hospital staff members to look into nursing as the next step in their careers, and we are finding a fun way to reward five of those who apply.”

Stewart will be teaming up with hospital executives and local dignitaries to announce the surprise scholarship recipients at their hospital job sites. Along with the surprise, WGU Nevada will be hosting a catered breakfast or lunch for the nursing staffs at the specific locations.

In order to apply for the scholarships, information can be found online at: https://www.wgu.edu/ financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/nevada/high-five.html

Las Vegas May 2019 senior special events Residents invited to celebrations, luncheons and activities at city centers

programs that directly improve the health, education and well-being of children in our community.

We fulfill our mission by providing a “home- away-from-home” at the Ronald McDonald House for families who travel to Las

Vegas to receive critical medical treatment for their children and manage programs that service the immediate needs of children and families in our community.

For more information, visit www. rmhlv.org.

THE city of Las Vegas active adult and senior centers offer exercise, fitness, craft, arts, dance, music and computer classes; cards; games; discussion and social groups; luncheons; sports; and special events Monday through Friday to residents age 50 and better. Many of these activities contribute to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

A listing of classes and activities is published in the Beyond the Neon Leisure Guide, available online at www.lasvegasParksandRec.com and in the centers. All activities are subject to change.

Most activities require $10 annual membership in city of Las Vegas Active Adult/Senior Citizen Programs, available at all senior and active adult centers. Active adults ages 50+ can subscribe here to receive a monthly email about upcoming events and activities, or text LV SENIORS to 468311. Centers will be closed May 27 for holiday observance.

Fall Prevention Class (ages 50+) Wednesdays, May 1 through June 5, 9 a.m.

Free and open to seniors ages 50 and better.

Derfelt Senior Center in Lorenzi Park, 3343 W. Washington Ave., ‪702-229-6601.

This is a six-week class. You will learn a sixstep balance system to help avoid injuries and fears associated with falling. Registration is open until full; call ‪702-229-6601 for registration and information.

Princess Leia Pancake Breakfast (ages 50+) Friday, May 3, 9:30 a.m.

Cost: $5. Advance registration required by May 1.

Lieburn Senior Center; 6230 Garwood Ave., ‪702-229-1600.

May the 4th be with you! Enjoy Princess Leia cinnamon roll pancakes, meat, fruit, juice and coffee. Call ‪702-229-1600 for information and registration.

Mother’s Day “Jeans & Bling” Brunch (ages 50+) Thursday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: $8. Advance registration required by May 6. Space is limited.

Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., ‪702229-6125.

Let’s celebrate the Doolittle Senior Center mothers with brunch and tea. Wear your favorite jeans and bling it up with your favorite accessories! Special guest performance by Mr. Phil Flowers.

Computers Q & A (ages 50+) Monday, May 13, 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost: $4. Current senior programs membership and advance registration are required.

Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, ‪702-229-6454.

Bring your computer and internet-specific questions to get answers!

PAGE B5

Senior Health Fair and Fitness Day (ages 50+) Wednesday, May 15, 9-11 a.m. health fair; 11 a.m. lunch; 12-3 p.m. guest speakers and fitness class demonstrations.

Cost: $5, includes T-shirt and lunch.

Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, ‪702-229-1702.

Annual BBQ Luncheon (ages 50+) Friday, May 17, 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $6. Advance registration required by May 15.

Lieburn Senior Center; 6230 Garwood Ave., ‪702-229-1600.

Enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill with all the fixings and root beer floats.

Call ‪702-229-1600 for information and registration.

Spring Carnival in the Park (ages 50+) Wednesday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: $6. Advance registration required by May 16.

Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., ‪702229-6125.

Enjoy carnival fun, food and games in Doolittle Park, located just south of Doolittle Senior Center.

Havana Nights (ages 50+) Wednesday, May 29, 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $5. Advance registration required.

Derfelt Senior Center in Lorenzi Park, 3343 W. Washington Ave., ‪702-229-6601.

Enjoy entertainment by salsa dancers while you have lunch. Call ‪702-229-6601 for registration and information.

Intergenerational Tea (ages 5+) Wednesday, May 29, 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $7 per person, includes a tea luncheon.

Advance registration required by May 10. East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., ‪702-229-1515.

Seniors are encouraged to bring children or grandchildren to enjoy an afternoon tea party, and learn about the etiquette of tea. A senior with a city of Las Vegas senior programs membership must accompany each person under age 50.

Seating is limited; no one may register more than three people. Reservations are non-transferable; no refunds. Call ‪702-229-1515 for information and reservations.

Bunco (ages 50+) Thursday, May 30, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $2. Current senior programs membership and advance registration are required.

Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, ‪702-229-6454.

Enjoy a fun dice game with prizes for the most buncos, most wins and most losses. Light snacks will be served.

Natural home therapy

9. Hypertension: Bamboo shoots, guava, pear, tangerine, squash, cherries, jackfruit, peach, celery, orange 10. Impotence: Pumpkin seeds, avocado, seaweeds, date, oyster, hot pepper 11. To lose weight: All variety of fruits and juices, like grapefruit, orange, apple, pineapple, radish, tomato, lettuce, especially when eaten as a substitute for red meat and carbohydrates.

12. Cancer: For prevention, high fiber, low cholesterol diet (fish), plus frequent intake of processed tomato (ketchup, tomato paste), broccoli, apricot, strawberry, cherries, mustard green, okra, apple, carrots, papaya, prunes, spinach, peach, pumpkin, watermelon, green leafy vegetables 13. Heart attack: Just like for cancer prevention, high fiber and low cholesterol diet, plus a lot of fruits (persimmons is one) and most vegetables.

14. Stroke: The same antioxidants as above.

15. Cuts & burns: Sesame Seed Oil, coconut oil, olive oil 16. Dry scalp, skin: Coconut oil, papaya, avocado, sesame seed oil 17. Constipation: Papaya, prunes, green leafy vegetables, peanuts 18. Dizziness: Onion 19. Gall Stones: Soybean, radish, tomato, apricot 20. Headache: Beets, cabbage, apple, asparagus These are only a few sample

conditions where foods have been taken not only for their fundamental nutritive and caloric value but for their alleged medicinal effects. We want to emphasize that these food items are not substitutes for prescription medications. As a general rule, one should never stop taking prescription drugs without consulting with a physician.

Diet, smoking and alcohol are the three most important, if not the most notorious, killers of man and the reason why in today’s world we have catastrophic numbers of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, depression, infertility, male erectile dysfunction, and degenerative diseases like arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, etc. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to the epidemic of these ailments, but food, even more than heredity, plays a very significant role in the causation of diseases. What we eat, how much we eat, what we do not eat, how we take care of ourselves, or how we abuse our body, determine, to a great extent, how healthy or unhealthy we are, our quality of life, and our longevity.

The United States Congress and the Food and Drug Administration are now putting the screws on the so-called “food supplements, alternative medications, herbal and homeopathic therapies,” all of which make up for a flourishing 30 Billion U.S. Dollar-business annually. The medical and lay

community in the United States are now (finally!) realizing that majority of the so called “food supplements” with purported therapeutic values are mostly useless, and nothing more than a money-making scheme that victimizes hundred of millions of unsuspecting people around the world.

The hundreds of food supplements in the market today are still not adequately regulated for efficacy, side effects, and potential complications. They advertised them so attractively, with money back guarantee, etc., just to lure the unsuspecting and misinformed public mostly for profit, not to help people become healthier. As a matter of fact, the use of unneeded substances, could be hazardous to health.

The long term side-effects of these supplements, not to mention the money wasted purchasing them, should really concern the public. Living a healthy lifestyles is the best strategy for good health and longevity. *** 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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