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Volume 18 - No. 16 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

APRIL 19-25, 2019

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Locsin: PH can turn to US if there’s ‘clear DATELINE USA PH doubts US list of high act of aggression’ in South China Sea FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

kidnap risk countries

THE Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) questioned the United States State Department list of countries with high kidnapping list as it included the country among the 35 countries in the travel advisory.

DILG Secretary Eduardo AĂąo doubted the accuracy of the list as he emphasized that the kidnapping cases decreased significantly in recent years. He noted that he would seek the explanation of the U.S. embassy as to how they arrived with the said list. “A list is just a list. What we have are factual data pointing to the decreasing number of kidnapping cases in the Philippines. That’s what we are banking on,â€? AĂąo said in a statement as reported by The Philippine Star. “We don’t know yet how they came up with the list but with the strong stance of President Duterte against criminality in general, we see no basis for including us in this list. We will request from the U.S. embassy (for) the param-

by CHRISTINA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines can turn to its “only military ally� the United States should there be “a clear act of aggression� in the South China Sea. In an interview, Locsin apparently went back to the assurance made by U.S. in March that it would support the Philippines should there be any “armed attack� in the disputed marginal sea – the second most used sea lane in the world.

“We can turn more to our only military ally,�

Locsin said over CNN Philippines on Tuesday, April 16, when asked about what the Philippine government can do aside from filing diplomatic notes to China over alleged incursions in the internationally significant waterway.

Earlier, the country’s top diplomat said U.S. remains the “only military ally� of the Philippines.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his visit to Manila last March 1 said the U.S. government’s “commitments� under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) “are clear,

our obligations are real, the South China Sea is certainly part of an important body of water for freedom of navigation.â€? “We‌get clearer understanding with our only military ally, ‘What happens if this actually escalates into a clear act of aggression?,’â€? Locsin said during the interview.

The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) was signed in 1951, which some Philippine officials said should be reviewed. But Locsin believed there won’t be any need to review the treaty. â–

Duterte to human rights advocates: You were being listened to

u PAGE A2

Comelec warns overseas voters: Beware of fake news AS the overseas absentee voting (OAV) program commenced on Saturday, April 13, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) eyed the possibility of fake news proliferation as observed in the previous elections.

COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez assured the public that the commission is on the alert for those who plan to spread false information as a propaganda move to get their candidates elected. “The biggest reaction we are preparing for is the possible deluge of fake news accounts. We are on the lookout for efforts like that. That is what we are watching out for,� Jimenez said as

u PAGE A2

President Rodrigo Duterte by

Inquirer.net ďŹ le photo

DARYYL JOHN ESGUERRA Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte warned human rights advocates allegedly concocting black propaganda against him and his family that they were “being listened to.�

Speaking during PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan on Tuesday, April 16, Duterte said he would release an “intelligence report� from another

u PAGE A3

HOLY WEEK TRADITION. Catholics join a procession marking Palm Sunday in Sto. Tomas, Batangas on Sunday, April 14. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on the Filipino faithful to spend the Holy Week reecting on the passion of Jesus Christ. In his homily during the traditional Palm Sunday mass at the Manila Cathedral, Tagle reminded Filipino Catholics that the Holy Week observance is not just an opportunity to take a vacation.

Philstar.com photo by Joven Cagande

New human species discovered in the Philippine island of Luzon Homo luzonensis revealed to have lived more than 50,000 years ago

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

A NEW branch of the human family tree has been appropriately named ‘Homo luzonensis,’ after several teeth and bones — believed to be that of two adults and one child — were found on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon.

In a report published Wednesday, April 10 in the journal Nature, scientists revealed that the human species previously unknown to scientists likely lived in Luzon more than 50,000 years ago.

Based off the cache of seven hominin teeth, a thigh bone, two foot bones, and hand bones unearthed from Luzon’s limestone Callao Cave, researchers said the H. luzonensis may have stood at

by PATRICIA LOURDES

Seven teeth, believed to belong to a new hominin species, Homo luzonensis, were found in Luzon’s Callao Cave.

Photo courtesy of Callao Cave Archaeology Project

around four feet tall.

Clues to the species first came about in 2007 when Armand Mijares, a Filipino archaeologist at the University of the Philippines found a toe bone in Callao Cave.

The cave features seven large chambers — one of which was turned into a chapel by locals.

It was unclear at the time which species the bone came from, but

MENDIOLA

AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, claimed some journalists are being paid to produce “false reports� to serve their “clients� while he dismissed reports about the increase of his

wealth while in public service. “They accept (payment) from clients to (write) political attacks.

AC/DC (attack and collect, defend and collect). You attack to get paid. So don’t believe that they are clean,� he said during a campaign rally in Bukidnon.

u PAGE A3

researchers concluded it to have dated 67,000 years ago with measurements the size of a small Homo sapien.

In 2010, Mijares and his colleague Philip Piper, a zooarchaeologist at Australia National University, published a description of the finding. A year later, more of the bones were discovered. u PAGE A2

VIRAY

spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday.

Panelo noted that the cathedral THE Philippines expressed serves as a symbol of Catholicism, symphathies to France following having housed several historical a fire that devastated the Notre artifacts.

The cathedral has also become Dame Cathedral in Paris early Tuesday (Manila time), April 16.

MalacaĂąang said it was deeply “saddened and botheredâ€? by the fire that hit the centuries-old landmark.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of France as well as in solidarity with the rest of the world for this heartbreaking incident. We wish the French nation all the best as they undertake efforts to rebuild this great monument in Paris restored to !.$2%7 " 3(). its majestic sight,� presidential Philstar.com

Duterte to journalists: You attack to get paid

by RITCHEL

Philippines stands in solidarity with France amid Notre Dame fire an icon immortalized by French novelist Victor Hugo through his novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.� “Thousands of various races have at one time or another stood u PAGE A3

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APRIL 19-25, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

From the Front Page

PH doubts US list of high kidnap risk...

PAGE A1 eters used since even Malaysia and Russia were included,� he added.

As per the data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Interior secretary explained that the latest figures showed only 68 kidnapping cases in 2018 as compared to 79 cases in 2017.

The said 19.29 percent decline of 11 cases reduced the risk of visiting the Philippines.

Only 10 kidnapping cases were documented in 2019. AĂąo attributed the decline in kidnapping cases to the implementation of martial law in Mindanao. He noted that the military rule made the southern part of the country safer. “While personal precaution is necessary, martial law has al-

lowed the Philippine government to deploy more security forces to Mindanao to ensure the safety of the people and foreign guests,� Aùo explained.

The other countries included in the list were Afghanistan; Mexico; Colombia; Lebanon; Mali; Burkina Faso; Libya; Haiti; Central African Republic; Iraq; Iran; Nigeria; Niger; Pakistan — particularly in the areas of Balochistan province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The list also included Turkey — with areas near the Syria and Iraq borders; South Sudan; Democratic Republic of the Congo including North Kivu and Ituri provinces; Sudan; Syria; Cameroon — specifically in the North,

PAGE A1 t reported by The Manila Bulletin.

The poll body spokesman urged the public to report any questionable information to their office so they could easily clarify or deny any claims so as not to compromise the citizen’s right to suffrage. “We call on the public to forward to us any such news or information that they would encounter to the Comelec so that we can quickly find the truth and correct such claims,� the spokesman said as reported by The Philippine Star.

Jimenez recalled an incident in 2016 wherein he received a complaint that the names on the voter receipt were not the candidates that the complainant voted for. “The person who complained used a ballpen n voting for a particular position and then used (a) marker for the other. When the voter receipt came out, the vote marked with ballpen obviously was not read by the vote counting machine,� Jimenez stated. “That video was uploaded within the first day. That basically set the

Far North, Northwest and Southwest regions, and parts of East and Adamawa regions.

Somalia; Venezuela; Papua New Guinea; Kenya; Ukraine — specifically in the Eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts; Uganda; Ethiopia — Somali Regional State; Trinidad and Tobago; Bangladesh specifically Southeast Bangladesh and including the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Russia specifically the north Caucasus including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus; Yemen; Algeria with areas near the Eastern and Southern borders and areas in the Sahara Desert; Malaysia specifically on the Eastern area of Sabah State and Angola on its urban areas. (Nathalie Robles/AJPress) n

Comelec warns overseas voters: Beware of fake...

tone for the attack on the integrity of the election system,� he added.

The spokesperson noted another dissemination of false information to which somebody claimed that the voting was already done and counted. He added that they also announced that this and that candidate already won.

A group for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Migrante International expressed their concern on the elections in Japan and Europe.

The group noted that the OFWs were required to shoulder the postal stamp costs in order to send their votes to the Philippine embassies. “The right to vote should be free,�

Migrante International stated.

According to Migrante, many registered OAV voters don’t have stable addresses. As such, the voters cannot guarantee that they will receive their ballots. Similarly, they won’t know for certain if the returned ballots will be received by the embassies or consulates. “We are appealing to the Comelec to give OFWs the option to get their ballots from the embassies,�

Migrante said.

Migrante International emphasized that only a few Filipino workers would exercise their right to suffrage if those issues were not addressed as soon as possible.

The migrant group noted that the election commission must focus on OFWs in this month-long OAV. The Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) will run until election day in the Philippines, May 13. (Nathalie Robles/AJPress) n

FIGHT AGAINST HARASSMENT. Members and supporters of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) troop to the Supreme Court in Manila on Monday, April 15, ahead of their filing of a petition seeking protection from alleged threats of state agents. The group filed a petition for a writ of amparo as they said that their rights to life, liberty and security have been violated by “persistent threats and harassment, and red-tagging,� preventing them from carrying out their profession as members of the bar.

Photo courtesy of NUPL

New human species discovered in the Philippine...

PAGE A1 t The excavations at Callao Cave were conducted with researchers from the Griffith University in Australia, and a number of universities in France namely the University of Bordeaux, Paul Sabatier University, and the University of Poitiers. Leading the project was Dr. Mijares, and Dr. Florent DĂŠtroit of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.

Mijares told CNN Philippines that he had a feeling that the 2007 discovery would be significant, and that the following years of work leading up the new species was well worth the wait. “The opportunity to name a new species is difficult and rare.

That per se, for me, is a major contribution to knowledge,� Mijares told CNN Philippines. “And for this to happen in the Philippines, although I collaborate with foreigners, I am a very nationalistic person.�

Discoveries in Southeast Asia and the Philippines The discovery of H. luzonensis is the second new human species to be identified in southeast Asia in recent years, according to Nature.

In 2004, another team of Aus-

tralian and Indonesian researchers discovered bones of the Homo floresiensis species in the Flores island cave east of Bali, Indonesia.

Similarly short in height, the species have often been described as “hobbits.� The National Geographic reported them having lived with pygmy elephants and Komodo dragons on a remote Indonesian island some 18,000 years ago.

Aside from bones, tool-like artifacts have been found in the South Pacific, further bringing curiosity to the region as to how early humans could have arrived in the first place.

In 2016, stone tools dating back about 66,000 years before the arrival of the first anatomically modern human were found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Last year, dozens of abandoned artifacts next to a butchered rhinoceros carcass and other animal skeletal remains were reported to have been found in Luzon’s Cagayan Valley province of Kalinga.

Researches dated the clay-rich bone bed in which the tool-like artifacts were found to go back sometime between 631,000 and 777,000 years.

But in regards to H. luzonensis, DÊtroit said that the bones found in Callao Cave have recognizable differences from H. floresiensis and other hominins like Homo erectus — the species believed to be an ancestor of the modern humans that left Africa some two millions years ago.

While researchers are cautious in estimating H. floresiensis’ height, DÊtroit told Nature that the teeth and foot bones suggest they had a height similar to that of some Indigenous ethnic groups currently living in Luzon and throughout the Philippines.

As for Mijares, he’s hoping archaeological discoveries will be made in other parts of the Philippines including Palawan and Panay island. A two-year excavation project in Bulacan is also in the works to find out when H. sapiens first arrived in Luzon. “There are a lot of potentials also there,� Mijares told CNN Philippines. “But what I want right now is not for me to personally leave those digs but to let my students now take over those sites. Because I’m training my students, and later on, give them the opportunity to lead those excavations.� 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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 19-25, 2019

A

US to fly, sail, operate anywhere int’l laws allow despite China warning

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

ThE United States on Friday, April 12, maintained it will continue its operations in the South China Sea (SCS) despite China’s protest about American forces stirring trouble in the waters.

“The U.S. will fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows. That’s it. Wish we had a longer statement for you, but that’s the simple truth,” said Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the Japan-based U.S. 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces, during a post-Balikatan media interview at Camp Aguinaldo along with Brig.

Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command and the Balikatan director for the Philippines.

The statement was made after Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Wednesday, April 10 noted that the presence of “nonregional forces” could stir tension in the South China Sea. “I can tell you that the principled position of the Chinese side is that we hope non-regional forces will refrain from stirring up troubles in the calm South China Sea,” Lu said.

Gapay, for his part, said the presence of U.S. forces in the West Philippine Sea, as well as its allies like the Australian troops, as part of the Balikatan exercises had long been planned. he added that it was not intended to agitate neighboring forces, particularly China.

“The presence is not really to agitate or anything else, but purely for training, so nobody should be alarmed of the presence of all those forces during the Balikatan,” Gapay said.

This year, amphibious and assault helicopter carrier USS Wasp and F35B Lightning II fighter jets were deployed in the South China Sea for the joint Philippine-U.S. Balikatan exercises.

According to Smith, the deployment of USS Wasp was a great opportunity for participants to train “and they don’t want to waste the training opportunities.”

“I think the seal of the (USS) Wasp says it best: nothing says I love you better than bringing a ship with 10 F35s on it because that’s all I have on us. We brought

HOLY WEEK EXODUS. Hundreds of province-bound passengers await their turn to board buses at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City as they head back to their home towns this Holy Week on Monday, April 15.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon Philippine Exercise Director for Balikatan 2019, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (left), shakes hands with U.S. Commanding General III Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, during the closing ceremony of this year’s PH-U.S. Balikatan Exercises, held in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, April 12.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

everything we could bring because our partnership with the Philippines is so good. This is a great partnership and mutually respectful, beneficial partnership,” he added.

Strong bond between PH and U.S. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal noted that the importance of mutual cooperation and collaboration between two allied states and their partners was highlighted in this year’s joint drill — which focused on territorial defense and counterterrorism operations and urban missions from the previous humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (hADR).

“This has also bolstered the strong bonds between our countries, as we plan, work and operate side-by-side and shoulder-toshoulder in our joint undertakings to continuously capacitate and empower the Armed Forces as we fulfill our respective responsibilities in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” said Madrigal in his speech at the closing ceremony of this year’s combined military drills at Camp Aguinaldo. he also praised the defense and military observers from Canada, South Korea, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore for participating in this year’s joint military drills.

Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, for his part, said Balikatan is “a demonstration of our nation’s commitment to con-

Duterte to journalists...

PAGE A1 “You protect the rich and hide their secrets, but attack us politicians who genuinely want reform. That’s the truth. You are just being paid,” Duterte added.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) released a report saying the incomes of Duterte, his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio and son former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte have increased over the years despite getting modest salaries from the government and “negligible” retained earnings from the companies they own or co-own.

The PCIJ had published reports on the wealth of past presidents before. The report it released on the Dutertes’ incomes was based on public records that the family filed themselves.

According to PCIJ, the president’s net worth jumped by 195 percent from P9.69 million in 2007 to P28.54 million in 2017.

Meanwhile, Paolo’s net worth rose by 233 percent from P8.34 million to P27.74 million two years ago and Sara’s increased by 518 percent from P7.25 million to P44.83 million.

Duterte, for his part, urged the public to carefully analyze the accusations against him while he gave his explanation about some of the items mentioned in reports about his wealth — which includes a law firm that he allegedly failed to declare in his SALN. “They said that I have a law office that was unregistered. What is it to them if I don’t have it registered? They didn’t discover that my partner died the week after… having a law office was my backup plan in the past years in case I lose in the elections. At least if I lose, I would have a sanctuary and a source of income which is my law office,” he explained.

The president also maintained he did not profit from selling motorcycles.

“But that’s the only issue that they attacked me with apart from selling motorcycles. If you are a motorcycle rider, you immediately become a businessman because if your motorcycle model grows old, you will want to replace it with a new one. If not, you trade it for a new model and just add money. But those transactions weren’t for profit,” he said. n

PAGE A1 either by themselves or with their families or friends in front of this historic cathedral and marvel at its architectural grandeur,” Panelo said.

“Their sojourn there left beautiful memories engraved in their hearts and recorded in photographs. Pain and sorrow were felt by the millions upon hearing the catastrophic fire of the Notre Dame place of worship,” he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the cathedral described as the soul of

the nation and expressed relief that “the worst had been avoided” in a blaze that had at one point threatened the entire edifice.

Macron canceled a planned national policy speech on recent “Yellow Vest” protests and instead headed to the scene, where he vowed the cathedral would be reborn.

“We will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect,” he said, describing Notre Dame as “the epicentre of our life” and the cathedral of “all the French”, whether religious or not. (With reports from AFP) n

Philippines stands in solidarity...

Duterte to human rights advocates...

PAGE A1 country showing human rights groups’ alleged connection with the move to vilify him.

“Kayong mga human rights (groups). Kayong mga nagbablack propaganda pati ‘yung anak ko si Veronica 14 years old drug addict? May ipalabas ako, you just wait (Those of you who are engaged in black propaganda — you even said that my 14-yearold daughter Veronica is a drug addict — I am going to release something. Just wait),” Duterte said.

“Alam mo marami pa ring kaibigan sa ibang bayan. What you did not know is that you were be-

ing listened to habang ginagawa ninyo ‘yang kalokohan niyo. Ilabas ko yan in a few days pineperfect ko lang . It was an intelligence report, not from us, but from another country (You know, I still have friends from other countries.

What you did not know is that you were being listened to while you are doing that. I’ll release that in a few days. It’s an intelligence report, not from us but from another country),” he added.

Earlier, a video series linking Duterte’s children to drugs circulated online.

Malacañang dismissed the videos as black propaganda meant to berate the first family.n

tribute the peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region in the face of evolving regional security challenges.” he added that he is certain the Filipino and U.S. troops who participated in this year’s joint drills are now imbued with strong resolve to counter terrorism as well as respond to the need for a stronger hADR. “As we move forward, it is our hope that the Philippines and the U.S., together with our friends and allies in the region, will continue to work towards mutual peace and stability,” Luna said.

“Shoulder-to-shoulder, we will continue to stand together to defend our values, for our prosperity and for the generations to come,” he added. n

Day of Valor in the nation’s capital honors Bataan & Corregidor heroes WAShINGToN, D.C. — “I can think of no other place I would rather be today than at this ceremony, remembering with you the courage and sacrifice, the resilience and the strength of the Defenders of Corregidor and Bataan.”

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David h. huntoon (Ret) said those words on Tuesday, April 9, at the National World War II Memorial where community leaders, diplomats, veterans, families, and veteran advocates gathered to mark the 77th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor. on April 9 and May 6, 1942, over 72,000 Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to Japanese

Imperial Forces and were forced to march for over 65 miles to prison camps. In the infamous Bataan Death March, approximately 10,000 Filipino and 700 American soldiers died. “here at this national shrine of service, we pause to reflect on their service, to remember their courage, and their resilience in the face of death,” huntoon added. “Learning about and teaching others the stories of these heroic soldiers from the U.S. and from the Philippines matters. In doing so, we are reminded of our common values, of our purposeful lives, and of our mutual respect and compassion for each other that transcends and, in

time, can surmount the pain and suffering of war.”

A 40-year veteran with the U.S. Army, huntoon served as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. he has a deep personal connection with the war in the Pacific as his father worked in the staff of General Douglas MacArthur during the New Guinea campaign. his father-in-law was assigned at Clark Air Force Base for a number of years.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez noted that this year’s theme of the “Day of Valor” or “Araw ng Kagitingan” PAGE A4

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World Health Organization: ‘Fair medicine prices a global rights issue’

by Pia Lee

Brago Philstar.com

GREATER transparency and fair pricing for medicine are a “global human rights issue,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday, April 15.

The WHO, a health agency of the UN, said the price of out-ofpocket medicine each year has pushed 100 million people into poverty.

It said today’s cost of medicine is a worldwide challenge and a key topic of concern at the global medicine forum in South Africa.

Developing countries have long been struggling with the price of medicine.

“This is a global human rights issue,” said WHO assistant director general for medicine and health products Mariângela Simão. “Everyone has a right to access quality healthcare.”

The forum on fair pricing and access to medicine provided a discussion platform for governments, civil society organizations and the pharmaceutical industry to identify strategies to reduce prices and expand access for all.

The WHO forum on medicine in Johannesburg called for greater transparency around the cost of

The WHO, a health agency of the UN, said the price of out-of-pocket medicine each year has pushed 100 million people into poverty.

Philstar.com file photo

research, development and production of medicine to allow buyers to negotiate more affordable prices.

Health authorities in high-income countries are increasingly rationing medicine for cancer, hepatitis C and rare diseases.

The problem extends to older medicine, which patents have expired such as insulin for diabetes.

“Medical innovation has little social value if most people cannot access its benefits,” Simão said.

A 2017 WHO report showed the cost of producing most medicine on its Essential Medicine List was a small fraction of the final price.

Forum delegates said the lack of transparency on the prices paid by governments translates to many low- and middle-income countries paying more for certain medicine than wealthier countries do.

One of the successful examples of countries’ collaboration toward affordable medicine prices is the information-sharing among Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Austria or the Beneluxa network.

The network was cited for yielding promising results such as a bulk-rate discount when several regional countries purchased medicine as a bloc. n

Senators to Filipinos abroad: Go out and vote

by NeiL

arwiN Mercado Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines – Several senators on Monday, April 15 urged Filipinos abroad to exercise their right of suffrage as the month-long overseas absentee voting (OAV) for the 2019 midterm elections touched off over the weekend.

Sen. Joel Villanueva encouraged Filipinos abroad to cast their votes since an election is “highest form of political exercise.”

Villanueva added that lawmakers fought for the enactment of the law on overseas absentee voting in a move to recognize Filipinos’ right to vote wherever they are based.

“For too long a time, Filipinos working overseas and public servants on election duty could not exercise their right to suffrage, so we worked with members of Congress to pass the law on absentee voting,” Villanueva said.

“Kaya po hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa na makilahok sa halalan,” (That is why we encourage our

mation dissemination campaign for the overseas absentee voting process.

“Comelec should put out public pronouncements for the overseas Filipinos to vote. Announce that voting period has started,” Pimentel said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara said that it would be better if the number of polling precincts would be increased to accommodate more Filipino voters.

“Going forward mas maganda pag mas maraming polling places or precincts for overseas voting.

‘Yan ang usually complaint ng kababayan natin – malayo ang Senator Joel Villanueva lugar at di sila makapunta (Going Inquirer.net file photo forward, it would be better if we fellow Filipinos abroad to join the have more voting precincts for the OAV. It is the usual complaint of election) he added.

OAV for the midterm polls start- Filipinos abroad. Precincts are too ed on Saturday, April 13, and will far that they can no longer vote),” he said. end on May 13.

“So maybe in the larger counComelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that the initial voter tries with larger Filipino communities we could study the possiturnout was low.

Sen. Koko Pimentel said the bility of more polling places,” he Comelec should improve its infor- added. n

LENTEN HAVEN. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Sta. Maria Tungkong-Mangga Road, San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan is one of the favorite places of Catholic devotees for their pilgrimage and prayers this Lenten Season. Thousands of devotees flock to the place for the yearly Station of the Cross during Lent.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Day of Valor in the nation’s capital...

PAGE A3 t is “Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran.” This theme “underscores the sacrifices of our war veterans and urges our youth to draw inspiration from this selfless act of giving oneself so that they too can contribute to the advancement of this nation,” Romualdez said. “Knowledge of history is an essential guide to the future. We have to know where we have been and what brought us to the present, in order to be able to chart a course toward a better tomorrow.”

Brig. Gen. Marlo M. Guloy, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché of the Philippine Embassy, expanded on the ambassador’s point by citing Proclamation No. 466, S. 1989, designating April 5 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week, in order to “promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals, and deeds of the Filipino war veteran as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth of the land.”

The great task remaining Attending the commemoration, which included a wreath-laying ceremony, were two Filipino World War II Veterans: 101-year-old Celestino Almeda of Gaithersburg, MD. and 91-year-old Rey Cabacar of Ft. Washington, MD. They are two of only four living veterans residing in the Washington, D.C. area. “Ten years ago, there were more than a dozen of us who were still around,” Cabacar recalls. “I miss my friends especially on occasions like this.” Cabacar keeps himself busy by volunteering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other community service projects.

Despite his age, Almeda is still able to attend public events and, with a strong and forceful voice, always has something to say. This time, at the end of the ceremony, he spoke about his passionate love of country and democracy. Quoting lines from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, he wondered if the nation he fought for had “a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, will perish from the earth?” He reminded the audience: “We did our best to fight for democracy in the Philippines.

But today, it’s going nowhere. Are we going to allow it to perish from the earth? Please rise to maintain democracy in the Philippines.”

That is the great task remaining before the Filipino people, Almeda implied, so that those who died shall not have died in vain.

In his closing remarks, Commodore Elson Aguilar, the Philippine Embassy’s Director of Philippine Veterans Affairs, said the best way to “repay the sacrifices of our veterans” is to get involved in veteran-related activities, such

DAY OF VALOR IN WASHINGTON. Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, a son of a Filipino World War II veteran, shakes the hand of 101-year-old Celestino Almeda, the oldest living Filipino veteran in the Washington DC area, during the Bataan Day commemoration at the National World War II Memorial on Tuesday, April 9.

Photo by Bing Branigin

as participating in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, New Mexico and the Freedom Trail Death March in the Philippines, which is organized by the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Veterans Bank. He also urged support for FilVetREP’s Congressional Gold Medal project, which is now in its education phase.

Also participating in the hourlong ceremony were the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard and Filipino American stage actor Justine de Guzman Moral, who sang the Philippine and U.S. National Anthems.

War and memory At a reception held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery following the wreath-laying ceremony, the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) presented a slide show on the recently-concluded Bataan Memorial Death March 2019. FilVetREP executive committee member Sonny Busa opened the presentation by citing a quote by Vietnamese American scholar and novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen: “All wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory.”

“Our participation in the Bataan Memorial Death March in the last six years has raised greater awareness about the role of Filipino soldiers, 10,000 of whom died in that 65-mile march from Bataan to prison camps,” Busa said. “Not very many people even knew that Bataan is in the Philippines. Today, the Philippines has a prominent presence in this annual event. But it is more than just a marathon. It is a meaningful way of remembering the courage of death march survivors who endured a horrendous experience.

Those who could no longer keep pace with the march due to starvation, lack of water, shelter and medicine were beaten, bayoneted, shot while others were beheaded by the Japanese Imperial Army

soldiers.”

Busa encouraged more participation from the community next year, which will be held on March 15 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This year, 30 FilVetREP members and their families joined as marchers and volunteers.

Next mission: Education FilVetREP National Chairman Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba is now leading a nationwide effort to build a digital national education platform to complement the Congressional Gold Medal, which will be displayed at a major national museum, possibly at the Smithsonian’s American History museum. “The medal is not just a piece of metal,” he says. “It symbolizes the service and sacrifice of Filipino and American soldiers who fought under the American flag and made the ultimate sacrifice. Their stories are deeply moving and compelling. They need to be enshrined in American history and preserved for posterity so the next generation of Americans will learn what happened not only during the war, but after the war.”

The first phase of FilVetREP’s mission is almost completed, with more than 1,500 medals awarded at 56 ceremonies in the U.S. and three in the Philippines.

FilVetREP’s task now is to collect memorabilia, souvenirs, letters, oral histories and other documents related to the war in the Philippines.

The plan is to launch a digital interactive program with an educational curriculum that’s accessible in classrooms, libraries and other public spaces. “We wish to educate the American public on the extraordinary acts of valor and selfless sacrifice of Filipino American soldiers in defense of the United States of America,” Taguba said. “Their exemplary story of patriotism, citizenship and courage embodied the American values of freedom and democracy.” n

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES Angara, Inang Mahal Party-list join Alejano asks Coast Guard for forces to champion Filipino moms clearance to visit Scarborough

MANILA — Reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara and Inang Mahal Party-list are joining forces to advance the interests and welfare of all Filipino mothers in Congress.

Angara is currently seeking another full six-year term in the Senate, while Inang Mahal Party-list is vying for seats in the House of Representatives in the May 13 midterm elections. The group’s first nominee is former Pangasinan Rep. Gina De Venecia.

If they both win, Angara and De Venecia would jointly pursue legislation focused on ensuring the protection of mothers, especially those working abroad to support their families in the Philippines.

De Venecia said the Inang Mahal Party-list plans to bring “meaningful reforms in the lives of Filipino mothers” through the legislative measures they would push if elected.

To do this, she said the partylist group would need an ally in the Senate to ensure the passage of pro-women and pro-mother bills they would espouse.

“Senator Sonny Angara, who is a known champion of women’s

by PATRICIA LOURDES

Senator Sonny Angara is welcomed by a supporter during a sortie. Angara is seeking reelection in the midterm elections in May. Inquirer.net file photo

rights and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), is our ideal partner in the Senate,” De Venecia said.

For his part, Angara said he would be willing to sponsor and facilitate the passage in the Senate of all meaningful bills to be filed by De Venecia’s party-list group.

De Venecia said Inang Mahal would focus on the well-being of OFW mothers, who belong to more than 50 percent of the 2.5 million OFWs worldwide.

Once elected, De Venecia said her group would push for a Magna Carta for Mothers, an expansive law that will look after the interests of mothers.

These would include the establishment of a Communication and Guidance Center in all municipal and city offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, where OFW mothers can communicate with their family, through phone or Internet, to discuss their probPAGE A7

“This is actually not the right time to bring up disagreements over the South China/West Philippine Sea with both sides hot under the collar while a pissing contest is in full flower,” Locsin said in a tweet Monday.

Hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be part of its maritime militia, have been loitering in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island, one the largest features in the Spratly Islands.

“But ‘swarming in unison’ is definitely not traditional fishing under any definition,” Locsin added.

Responding to a netizen who questioned the “sudden pivot” of the administration on he South China Sea dispute, the Philippines’ top diplomat said “they wanted to make the best of a sit-

uation that was legally right but militarily weak.”

Locsin also noted that the Philippines failed to arm itself like Vietnam on international disagreements.

“What is important... is that those in power to do something — even if not much until the Americans come in full force which they will not because they are looking for a trade deal — to correct for a change in circumstances,” Locsin told the netizen.

Del Rosario: Time to bring up arbitral ruling Over the weekend, Del Rosario said now is the right time for the Duterte government to bring up the arbitration ruling with China.

PAGE A7

Locsin: Not the right time to disagree over South China Sea

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA — Amid the Duterte government’s apparent change in tune over the South China Sea, the Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said it is not the right time to bring up disagreements over the maritime dispute.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario earlier called on the government to “unshelve” Manila’s 2016 arbitration win.

Malacañang, however, insisted that the Duterte administration “never shelved” the arbitral award that invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.

VIRAY

the fishing ground.

According to a report from CNN Philippines, Capt. Armand MANILA – Rep. Gary Alejano Balilo, PCG spokesman, said (Magdalo Party-list), a candi- there was no policy preventing date for senator under the Lib- anyone from accessing Scareral Party-led opposition coalition, asked the Philippine Coast Guard to allow him to visit Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, a traditional fishing ground off the coast of Zambales.

In a letter addressed to Adm. Elson Hermogino, PCG commandant, Alejano requested for clearance to visit the shoal, which the Chinese Coast Guard had reportedly been blocking.

The senatorial candidate said in his request that the clearance is required for any individual or group before visiting the shoal.

“The clearance, likewise, is necessary for the records and monitoring of the Philippine Coast Guard in ensuring the safety of participants to the said trip if any unfortunate incident arises,” Alejano said in his letter.

Alejano also said the clearance from the PCG would absolve fishermen should they assist his group in visiting the traditional fishing ground in the West Philippine Sea. Last week, Alejano and his Otso Diretso slatemates human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay visited Masinloc, Zambales, which has jurisdiction over Scarborough Shoal.

The opposition candidates were supposed to visit the shoal itself but were not issued a permit.

According to a statement released by Otso Diretso, the coast guard refused to issue a permit to boat owners if there would be recording equipment in the boat that would carry the visitors.

Alejano, Diokno, Gutoc and Hilbay resorted to waving the Philippine flag, along with local fishermen, on the shores of Masinloc, the jump-off point to Scarborough Shoal.

The PCG, however, denied the claim of the opposition bets that they were barred from sailing to Philstar.com

borough Shoal. He clarified that the Coast Guard should only be advised earlier for monitoring purposes.

The Palace played down the attempt as a publicity stunt. ■

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OPINION

Poverty down?

FEATURES

INCREDULITY has greeted the release of a report showing that poverty incidence is down, as measured by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Critics consider the timing of the release suspect and in aid of election for administration candidates, while organized workers see it as an attempt to discourage wage increases. PSA officials say they are prepared to explain the methodology used.

The PSA assessment covers the first six months of 2018 when rice prices spiked. This has added to the doubts about the report, considering that food accounts for nearly 70 percent of the components in the PSA’s poverty assessment.

The figures could be altered once the assessment for the entire year is completed and the full impact of the fuel excise tax is factored in, although PSA officials say such figures usually improve in the second semester. The PSA placed the number of poor Filipino individuals at 21 percent in the first six months of 2018 – down from the 27.6 percent during the same period in 2015. The figure was lower for families, at 16.1 percent, from the 22.2 percent in 2015.

In the first half of 2018, a family of five needed at least P7,337 a month to meet basic food needs, or P48.91 daily per person, the PSA reported. If basic non-food requirements were added, the amount would be P10,481 a month – which is the poverty threshold.

Whether or not the amounts mentioned are

unrealistic, the statistics indicate that over 21 million people, or about a fifth of the country’s population, live below the poverty line. That’s still too many people needing liberation from poverty. Other studies in the recent past have indicated that up to 30 percent of Filipinos were classified as extremely poor, and remained so despite direct aid programs such as the conditional cash transfer.

The PSA comes up with the periodic assessment to assist policy makers in crafting development and poverty alleviation programs. Even without bickering over the poverty figures, merely driving around Metro Manila and other congested urban centers around the country would indicate that the country has a serious poverty problem. Too many people lack meaningful jobs and livelihoods to sustain themselves and their families. Too many people lack the education and skills to earn a decent living. Even if the PSA figures might be correct, poverty alleviation remains a formidable challenge. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Philstar.com photo

Holy Week reflections: If Good Friday is here, have faith that Easter is coming!

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HOLY WEEK is a good time for us to slow down a little and introspect on the meaning of this season in our life. This is particularly important these days when our day-to-day existence has been saddled with challenges, noise, hatred, doubts and fear because of the complexity and toxicity of today’s life. Most of us only aspire to exist, when we should be truly living, thriving and flourishing.

I found a collection of amazing thoughts to help us slow down and discern what really matters in our life. I found them on Facebook via “Power of Positivity”. If you haven’t read these, I hope they will bless you as much as they they have been blessing me every-

day.

Where ever you are in your life right now, stay in faith. Always remember that if Good Friday is here, Easter is coming. God bless us all.

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

“Care about what other people think and you will always bet their prisoner.”

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle softness overcoming hardness.”

“Health ins the greatest possession.”

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing your self is true wisdom. Mastering oth-

RECENTLY, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund trimmed the Philippine 2019 growth forecast. As U.S.Sino trade talks will give way to the next trade wars, Malacañang needs to monitor closely the eroding global prospects.

EVER since the U.S.-Sino trade talks began almost four months ago, the United States has pushed for a broad commitment focusing on China’s economic practices, including participation of U.S. firms in certain industries and protection of U.S. intellectual property rights (IPRs).

In a recent CNBC interview, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that the countries had “pretty much agreed” on an enforcement mechanism for a trade deal. After his meeting with the Chinese delegation last week, President Trump stated that negotiators may need four more weeks to package the deal.

But the enthusiasm may prove premature.

State of US-Sino trade talks

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

HOLY WEEK DESTINATION. Pilgrims visit the Stations of the Cross at the Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan on Sunday, April 14.

Philstar.com photo by Andy Zapata Jr.

From US-Sino talks to next trade wars

Commentary

DAN STEINBOCK

ers is strength; mastering your self is true power.”

“If you don not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

“Being still does not mean don’t move. It means move in peace.”

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

“If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.”

“Before healing others, heal your self.”

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

“Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.”

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ***

As the last globalist in the Trump administration, Mnuchin’s views carry some weight, but he lacks clout to enforce those views. That’s been the case since Gary Cohn, Mnuchin’s former Goldman Sachs colleague, resigned from the White House ahead of the tariff wars. In turn, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has proven too weak, reluctant and old (81 years) to press for compromise.

That’s why trade talks are led by Peter Navarro, Director of National Trade Council, and Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative. The former is an advocate of trade mercantilism, who has a dark track record in China-bashing; the latter’s trade wars began against Japan in the Reagan administration.

In addition to enforcement mechanisms, the two are pressing for a pact that would allow U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods to snap back in case of violations – but without permitting China to retaliate in response.

Understandably, Chinese negotiators consider such conditions unacceptable. Such conditionality has surprised even Craig Allen, president of U.S.-China Business Council, who believes that Mnuchin may

have been too optimistic about the deal, if it is burdened by a conditionality clause.

Indeed, U.S. business groups tend to focus on commitments, including the proposed “enforcement offices.” They dislike negotiating tactics that needlessly prolong the talks and may undermine the progress achieved.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has expressed greater caution by stressing that by the end the proposed four weeks, the two countries may learn whether a trade deal could be reached. And even if a final deal is achieved, it will take another year or two to verify the structural changes associated with the pact.

Trade wars’ next targets However, a U.S.-China deal will not resolve U.S. trade deficits, which have increased for half a century. The imbalances began in the postwar era after the recovery of the key EU economies—the UK, Germany, France and Italy—and the subsequent rise of Japan. Toward the late 20th century, the deficits reflected the emergence of the four dragons, i.e., Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. China’s role in these deficits became prominent in

the 2000s.

Today, the largest deficits prevail with China, U.S. Nafta partners (Mexico, Canada), key EU countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy), Asean (Vietnam, Malaysia) and India. China has been targeted first, but others will follow.

Last year, Mexico and Canada were pressured into a revised “U.S. first” regional pact. Friction has been steadily rising with Japan and Germany. And Trump has pledged to extend the trade war to Asean – where the deficits are likely to climb if U.S. companies begin to relocate.

Despite half a century of promises to bring an end to deficits, U.S. dependence on trade deficits has only deepened as Washington has become increasingly dependent on foreign financing and sovereign debt (which now exceeds $22.2 trillion, or 106 percent of U.S. GDP). The net effect is a falling trend line (see figure).

Why tariff wars won’t resolve US deficits Do the U.S. tariff wars make economic sense? No. Here are some reasons why: The U.S. deficit issue is multilateral and regional, not bilateral and national. Trying to resolve it by forcing the bilateral

trade deficit down is a bit like mimicking the fictional story of the little Dutch boy who discovered a leak in the dike and stuck his finger in it to save his country. That’s Trump’s strategy.

Unfortunately, it ignores the dike’s many other leaks and may thus make the flood more likely.

Second, Trump’s trade hawks presume that international trade is a competition between companies representing different countries. They ignore the fact that for decades — and particularly since the 1980s — national industry leaders have built multinational value activities around the world. Consequently — as even the OECD has concluded — conventional data on bilateral trade deficits can be misleading, due to multinationals’ global supply chains.

Third, it is the overall size of the trade balance that matters, and that is largely a function of macroeconomic forces, such as domestic savings and investment. If the U.S. domestic investment continues to exceed savings, it will have to continue to import capital and will have a large trade deficit.

Since late 2017, the Trump administration has made this challenge much worse, thanks

to large tax cuts, which have caused U.S. fiscal deficits to soar. That is likely to cause the trade deficit to increase, irrespective of the outcome of the trade war. Of course, one way to avoid this is that the White House will lead the U.S. into a recession, with incomes declining adequately for investment and imports to plummet – as with the aftermath of the 2008 crisis (see figure).

Why tariff wars will weaken global prospects Unfortunately, that path would further penalize the American middle-class and working people, but it would also have even more severe implications internationally. It has potential to further derail global economic prospects (which would harm the very same U.S. multinationals Trump claims to support).

As U.S. tariff wars undermined the global recovery momentum in early 2018, the IMF now predicts that global economic activity is notably slowing. Global growth is projected to slow to 3.3 percent in 2019.

In the absence of more positive signals, the international environment is faltering toward a darker path. (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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 19-25, 2019

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Tagle: ‘Do not follow arrogant kings’

PAGE A5 t

WEAVING PALMS. Vendors weave palm fronds that were sold to the Catholic faithful last Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Angara, Inang Mahal Party-list join forces...

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle delivers his homily at Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

by Catherine

a. Modesto Maniltimes.com

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle told the Christian faithful not to follow “arrogant, revengeful” kings, as he ushered in Holy Week rites with Palm Sunday Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

Tagle lamented that people seek arrogant leaders as they were “easier” to follow and were more “attractive” than Jesus Christ.

“It is not easy to emulate and embrace the traits of Jesus,” who according to Tagle, “is humble and in full solidarity” with sinful humanity.

“But, through God’s mercy, we could love and follow him,” he said in his homily.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, during which Christians commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

Before the Mass, Tagle blessed palm branches brought for the occasion to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem two millennia ago.

Tagle challenged the faithful to practice humility and endure

sacrifices.

“Imposible sa ating hubarin ang sarili, magpakababa, `yung igalang ang umaalipusta sa’yo. `Yung hilumin ang sumusugat sa`yo. ‘Di `yan ang kalakaran ng mundo. Pero para sa Diyos `di `yan imposible (It is impossible for us to practice humility, to respect those who abuse us. To heal others who inflict pain on you, that is not how the world works. But these things are not impossible to God),” Tagle said.

He cited how the apostle Paul urged Philemon, an early Christian leader, to reconcile with and embrace as brother Onesimus, who had wronged him.

This, he said, was the way of Christ, “not like other kings in the world who hold on to their dignity so others may hold them in high esteem and exalt them.”

No revenge The prelate also said Jesus never approved of the use of weapons for revenge.

“Ang tugon ni Hesus sa magmamaltrato sa kanya ay paghihilom. Siya susugatan pero `di siya gaganti, mangsusugat sa iba (His response to those who persecute him is healing. Others would cause him pain, but he

would not seek revenge or hurt them back),” Tagle said, referring to Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees for 30 pieces of silver.

Tagle called anew on the faithful not to “avoid Jesus’ words and deeds” this week, but instead get to know Jesus so they could follow him.

He said: “Holy Week is not just a chance for us to take a break and go on a vacation. This is also a time of getting to know Jesus Christ. ‘Who is Jesus? Why did he take the path for us?’”

In Naga City, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, head of the Archdiocese of Caceres, said in his homily: “As we value this moment of being with our loved ones, let us not forget the very reason why we are gathered together during this Holy Week. It is to remember in prayer and in conversion, the loving and total sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our salvation.”

He added: “This Holy Week, especially the Solemn Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are days of intense prayer and remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross.” n

PAGE A5 lems, in the presence of a guidance counselor.

De Venecia said they would also push for the establishment of women centers nationwide, to be funded by local government units, for abused mothers.

During the 15 years he has been a lawmaker—nine years as representative of the lone district of Aurora province and six years as senator—Angara pushed for a number of legislation aimed at improving the lives of Filipinas, which is the reason why Davao City’s District III Women Federation Inc. described him as a “true ally and defender of Filipino women.”

Angara is one of the authors of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimina-

tion through recognition, protection, fulfilment and promotion of rights of women.

He also co-authored and sponsor of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RA 10354), and the recently enacted Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act (RA 11148) and the Expanded Maternity Leave Act (RA 11210).

Angara is also an advocate for OFWs having co-authored and sponsored a three-yearold law that institutionalized and strengthened the Overseas Workers Welfare Act (OWWA), in his capacity as then chair of the Senate Committee on Labor.

RA 10801 or the OWWA Act of 2016 provides a wide range of services and benefits to OFWs funded by their $25 membership fee collected from them every two years.

Under the law, OWWA is mandated to provide benefits and services to its members, which include gender-responsive reintegration programs, repatriation assistance, loan and credit assistance, on-site worker assistance, death and disability benefits, health care benefits, education and skills training, social services, and family welfare assistance.

Other pro-OFW legislation that Angara co-authored are RA 10928 which extended the validity of passports from 5 years to 10 years, RA 10863 which raised to P150,000 from P10,000 the tax-exempt value of “balikbayan” boxes sent by Filipinos overseas, and RA 10706 or the Seafarers Protection Act that guards seafarers against ambulance chasing and excessive fees. (Inquirer.net) n

PAGE A5 Del Rosario, who led the Philippines in its arbitration against China, earlier filed a communication before the International Criminal Court to conduct a preliminary examination for Beijing’s “near permanent and devastating destruction” of features in the contested waterway.

“Beijing is now clearly revisiting its excessive and unlawful claims in the South China Sea that has been ruled upon by the arbitral tribunal which ruling is ow an integral part of international law,”

Del Rosario told radio dzMM last Saturday, April13.

Presidential spoksperson Salvador Panelo, on the other hand, claimed that the administration never changed its position on the arbitral ruling.

“We reiterate our unchanged stance — the arbitral ruling is irreversible, the same being based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law accepted by most, if not by all, nations. It has the stamp of permanence,” Panelo said in a statement released Sunday, April 14.

Panelo called on the Chinese government to respect the arbitral ruling “that has the stamp of permanence.”

“It only remains unenforceable because no foreign force seems persuaded to help us enforce it, and neither do we have the capability of enforcing it alone by force, not to mention the fact that performing armed acts of enforcement could only trigger a bloody war that could cost the lives of our countrymen and destruction of properties in our land,” Panelo said. n

Locsin: Not the right time to disagree...

A

APRIL 19-25, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

Friday, April 19, 2019

Photo from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Media Office

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

Family, community, and God’s calling: Getting to know Bishop Aclan by

Rae ann VaRona / aJPRess

ON March 5, the Vatican named Monsignor Alejandro “Alex” Aclan the newest auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, making him the second Filipino to ever be presented as bishop in the United States.

“I really see that as an acknowledgement of the church and the Vatican, of the contribution of the Filipino American Catholics in the United States,” said Aclan, whose nomination to bishop comes 15 years after Fil-Am Bishop Oscar Solis was named in 2004.

In a statement announcing the nomination, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez described Aclan as a “proud son of our vibrant community.”

“Bishop-elect Aclan is a man of prayer and he has a true heart for Jesus — and a deep concern for the people he is called to serve,” said Gomez, further describing Aclan as a voice for Filipino Catholics who he said were a “beautiful sign of growth and renewal” in Los Angeles and throughout the U.S. For 25 years, Aclan served as a priest in Southern California, getting to know the Filipino American community while serving in several parishes around the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

But Aclan’s journey to priesthood wasn’t a linear one as many who have gotten to know him may have learned. In fact, it wasn’t until after he paved himself out an already secure career that he decided to switch paths.

But looking closer at his whole story, one may say that his calling to priesthood was just a matter of coming full circle back to his early years growing up in the Philippines where he witnessed first hand the presence of God. “I grew up in a relatively religious household,” said Aclan who was born in Pasay City, Philippines to Emerenciana and Geronimo Aclan as the third among a total of eight siblings.

Growing up in the Philippines — the only majority Christian nation in all of Asia where over 80% are Roman Catholic — Aclan grew up feeling experiencing the tight-knit Catholic community that makes the country so unique.

He also recalled how priests would often visit their home

which was located next door to their parish church in Makati which is now the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

“I’m sure that a few bags of cement used in building the church were donated by my father,” said Aclan laughingly reminiscing.

He recalled how his father, a Philippine Army Air Corps lieutenant, would often lead the family in praying the Rosary and how his parents made it a point to encourage him and his siblings to be active members of their church.

As he and his siblings grew older, his parents continued to make sure they all were able to receive a high quality education while remaining close to the Church. For Aclan, there was the

sional workforce.

Initially choosing a medical path, Aclan graduated from UST with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology.

Upon graduating, his career path then moved towards electronic data processing, which then led him to working as a programmer and systems analyst for numerous companies in the Philippines including Citibank and San Miguel Corporation — the last company he worked for before immigrating to the U.S. Upon moving to the Southern California in 1982 with his family, Aclan began working for Union Bank in Los Angeles as a project manager, all the while continuing to attend church every Sunday with his family, like he always did in the Philippines.

Coincidentally, the church he first came to be a part of when

“We need to remember that Christ did not remain dead,” said Aclan.“He did rise again and we must remind ourselves that our Lord Christ rose again and we can rise again too.” prestigious University of Santo Tomas (UST) — the oldwest university in the Philippines. For his brother, there was the also the esteemed Colegio de San Juan de Letran where his father also attended. For his sisters, there were the all girl schools, St. Scholastica’s College and St. Mary’s Catholic School for Girls.

“My home was a place where I saw and experienced Christianity — not just where I heard about or was told about what being a Christian was. My mom and dad really lived out a good Christian life, especially in the way that they helped others,” said Aclan.

“All of those influences, without a doubt, definitely formed my spirituality and the work that I was eventually going to do for the church,” said Aclan.

An unexpected calling Despite having grown up in a strong Catholic home, Aclan, like many other young Filipinos was set on taking on the traditional career trajectory of getting a degree and entering the profes-

he moved to the U.S. had the same Sacred Heart name as the church he grew up in while in the Philippines. It was there, at the Sacred Heart Church in Covina that he suddenly felt a calling to enter the seminary. This became more apparent as fellow parishioners began encouraging him to follow the calling.

For four years, Aclan discerned his vocation before finally taking the plunge and leaving the career he built and start on a new path. Over the next five years in the St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, his calling grew even stronger.

“I become more convinced that this is where God wanted me to be, primarily because I started to really enjoy formation,” said Aclan of his early years in the seminary.

“I saw myself grow spiritually, and I was growing intellectually. I was growing as a human being. I was growing in my will to serve others,” added Aclan.

During his journey to priesthood, Aclan further found a new

meaning to the importance of community as he experienced an overwhelming amount of support in the trying years.

“During the entire time, one of the realizations I made was the importance of community during that time. A community that will provide support,” said Aclan.

“You have no idea how people were praying for me during that time. It was so moving,” he added.

Still remembering one event in particular, Aclan shared of a time when he unknowingly walked in a group of praying women who were members of the Legion of Mary in his parish who offered one decade of the Rosary for him.

“That was so important and essential. They actually offered one decade of that Rosary for me. Can you imagine that?,” said Aclan, still amazed.

Of the other total of 13 men and women who were a part of his discernment group, Aclan said they became not only his primary support group, but true friends.

“They were not only an emotional support group, they were friends who provided the social support that I needed when I was there,” added Aclan. “It’s hard to do this by yourself.”

Filipinos and the gift of faith “Filipinos have this gift of faith and it really is a true gift,” shared Aclan, who most recently spent two months of his sabbatical in the Philippines at the end of last year.

While there, he was able to again fully immerse himself in the Catholic community he grew up being so close to.

“The deep faith that the people have is the same,” said Aclan. “It is a true gift from God.” Having witnessed the devotion and religiosity during the two months he was there, Aclan said he left encouraged by how dedicated people of all ages were.

Visiting groups of senior citizens, he was amazed at how faithfully strong many of them were despite having experienced obvious hardships throughout their life.

“It’s just so encouraging and heartwarming to see how the people pray,” Aclan gave as an example.

He shared how every mass

Photos from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Media Office

he attended in those two months contained a full complement of ministers and parishioners even in the early 6:30 a.m. masses.

“I was absolutely mesmerized at the fact that everyone came all awake and ready early morning,” said Aclan, adding that everyone from senior citizens to the young children were always wearing their best.

“And kind of like the cherry on top was the music. The music was just so wonderful,” added Aclan, emphasizing the full participation of the youth in the choir and as altar servers.

“Early in the morning, you have all these young kids participating. The participation by the youth in the Philippines is strong,” said Aclan. “It’s just absolutely amazing.”

While Aclan’s position as new bishop does not officially begin until May, he is ready to take on the new role and continue doing what he loves best — helping the community that encouraged him, shaped him, and set an example of what it means to to be a true follower of Christ.

“My favorite thing is being

able to alleviate people’s burdens, big and small, spiritual and otherwise,” said Aclan.

He said that as priests, they have the opportunity to dedicate time to making a difference in people’s lives every moment of the day.

“That’s what we’re all about.

Bringing more people to Christ and letting people experience what Christ is like, with the hopes of course that we’ll have a more peaceful and more loving and more progressive society.

To heal hurt and division among parishioners and to unify our church,” said Aclan.

He added, “We’ve allowed our differences to separate us.

We should focus on what is common among us, because there are much more things that we share in common than the difference that divide us.”

In light of Holy Week and Easter, Aclan encouraged people to reflect on the passion and death of Christ.

“We need to remember that Christ did not remain dead,” said Aclan. “He did rise again and we must remind ourselves that our Lord Christ rose again and we can rise again too.”

Bianca on being morena: ‘We are not pitiful’

by Casey eRidio Inquirer.net

TELEVISION host Bianca Gonzalez aired her sentiments on being a morena, advocating for loving brown skin in light of whitening brands allegedly making brown-skinned women look “kaawa-awa” (pitiful).

Gonzalez took to Twitter Saturday, April 13, to let out her thoughts about being a Filipina with brown skin.

“There is no problem at all sa mga gustong magpaputi.

The problem is when whitening brands make us look [‘kaawaawa’] dahil lang maitim kami.

Kasi, hindi po kami kawawa, maganda ang kulay namin (There is no problem at all to those who want to lighten their skins. The problem is when whitening brands make us look ‘pitiful’ just because we are brown-skinned, because we are not pitiful, our color is beautiful),” Gonzalez said.

Continued on Page SF3 Bianca Gonzales

VPeepz

Photo from Instagram/@vpeepzofficial

No flips, no tricks, Filipino group VPeepz scores 98.7 on ‘World of Dance’

by KRissy aguilaR Inquirer.net

YOUNG Filipino dance group VPeepz was at their best when they received an almost perfect score during “The Cut” of American dance competition “World of Dance.”

VPeepz earned an average score of 98.7 points from their dance routine of Billie Eilish’s “&Burn.”

“Without a flip, without a Photo from Instagram/@iamsuperbianca

trick, without anything. Nobody risked their life and you got the three of us up out of our seats,” Judge Ne-Yo said after the performance.

“The clarity, the choreography, the thoughtfulness.

There was space in the music that allowed us to appreciate those hard moments, those intricate moments with the footwork,” Judge Derek Hough said.

“You didn’t leave any

beat, any moment unturned.

It was so beautiful. Well done, VPeepz! You guys nailed it,” Hough added.

VPeepz, made up of dancers aged 11 to 16, advanced to the Division Finals of the dance competition.

The third season of “World of Dance” premiered last February 26, 2019.

The grand winner of the competition will receive one million dollars.

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. MICHAEL BHOTIWIHOK THE United States Department of State is understandably cautious before they issue a person a U.S. passport.

They are determined to avoid issuing a passport to person, who is only fraudulently claiming to be a citizen of the United States. Since these fraudulent claims do occur, it is often legitimate U.S. citizens who are forced to endure long waits, burdensome requests for additional documents, etc., all just to obtain what they are legally entitled to – a U.S. passport.

A client of Reeves Immigration Law Group was recently a victim of this bureaucratic nightmare. Our client, who we will refer to as Lucia to protect her privacy, was born in the United States through the use of a midwife. She was rightfully issued a U.S. birth certificate following her birth, and she previously used this birth certificate to obtain a U.S. passport. Lucia had no idea that renewing her passport after it expired would be so challenging. There were delays, doubts about whether Lucia was actually a U.S. citizen, etc.

Lucia eventually decided that, rather than trying to complete the process on her own, perhaps she should consult with an expert. She had a consultation with Reeves Immigration Law Group and

American citizen finally receives her US passport

felt encouraged that we would be able to assist her. Attorneys Brittany Milliasseau and Michael Bhotiwihok happily accepted the challenge to represent Lucia in her application.

Due to their experience and research, Attorney Milliasseau and Attorney Bhotiwihok were able to explain to Lucia why the government was challenging her claim of U.S. citizenship. They told Lucia that the U.S. government’s concern about her citizenship was likely because she was born with the assistance of a midwife.

But they also told Lucia that the simple fact that she was born with the assistance of a midwife did not mean that her application should be denied.

After all, it is well known that the use of midwives is a longstanding tradition along Texas’ southern border with Mexico.

In fact, midwifery has been a common practice for more than a century, particularly in rural and other traditionally underserved communities.

Attorney Milliasseau and Attorney Bhotiwihok wrote legal arguments about why Lucia should be issued a U.S. passport. They referenced an agreement in 2009 between the U.S. Department of State and the American Civil Liberties Union to implement new procedures to ensure the fair and prompt review of U.S. passport applications

by Mexican-Americans whose births in Texas were attended by midwives. Attorney Millias-

seau and Attorney Bhotiwihok discussed how due process and equal protection rights of U.S. citizens delivered by midwives should not be violated by burdensome and unnecessary requests for them to prove their citizenship, and their applications should not be arbitrarily denied simply because a midwife was used at their birth.

Reeves Immigration Law Group is now happy to say that Lucia’s application for a U.S. passport has finally been approved. It required convincing legal arguments and supporting documentary evidence, but after years of delay, Lucia now has a valid U.S. passport. And with her passport in hand, she is reassured that her constitutional rights will be protected as she freely travels outside the country for a long-awaited trip to see friends and family abroad. *** 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)

Bianca on being morena...

From Page SF2 The model also said that she loves her brown skin as she grew up looking up to actresses Angel Aquino and Tweetie de Leon who “proudly flaunt their brown skin.”

“I did not need to compare myself to fair-skinned girls. It need not be a ‘battle’ of maitim (dark-skinned) versus maputi (fair-skinned),” she added.

The “Pinoy Big Brother” host also said that while it is up to her daughters, who are both brown-skinned, whether to lighten their skin color or not, she will teach them to not be ashamed of their color.

“What I will teach them is that being brown is not something ‘shameful’, and being brown is not something that makes them less beautiful than

others,” she stated.

Gonzalez has been outspoken about her opinion on skin whitening. In 2017, the host also put out a series of tweets explaining that she “feels sad” when a morena celebrity endorses a skin-whitening brand.

However, she added that whitening is still a choice, but she advocates for celebrating natural skin colors.

community

SF3

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

Photo from Instagram/@mitch_madrigal

Michelle marries American boyfriend in Texas

by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

FORMER actress Michelle Madrigal has tied the knot with her American boyfriend Troy Woolfolk in an outdoor ceremony held in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, April 13.

In her Instagram account, Michelle posted photos of her and Troy in the ceremony, including Michelle and Troy kissing their daughter Anika. “‘What GOD has joined together, let no one separate.’ Mark 10:6-9 — Thank you so much to everyone who made our day extra special,” Michelle wrote.

The ceremony, which was held in Vintage Villas, was attended by her their families and close friends, including Michelle’s sister Ehra, mom Kaye and talent manager Pia Campos.

In his Instagram account, Troy said he still feels on “cloud nine” after their wedding.

“Still on cloud 9. Solidifying my relationship, meeting

new friends and reuniting with old ones. I love my family and can’t wait to embark on this new journey as being not only a father but now officially a HUSBAND!” Troy said.

Reports said that Michelle met Troy after she went to Texas to study Culinary Arts in 2016. She and Troy got engaged on July 2017, while she delivered Anika last October 2017.

SF

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

celebrity world

Binibining Pilipinas announces official candidates for 2019 pageant

By Ferdie Villar FORTY young Filipinas were presented to the members of the press last week, all hoping to bag one of the major titles in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

The major titles and rights to represent the country include Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe and Miss Grand International pageants.

These candidates are also aspiring to achieve the success of past Bb. Pilipinas titleholders like Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray; Miss Intercontinental 2018, the first Filipina to win the title, Karen Gallman; Miss International 2018 First Runner Up Ahtisa Manalo; Miss Supranational Top 10 Placer Jehza Huelar; Miss Globe 2018 Top 15 finisher Michele Gumabao; and Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Eva Patalinjug.

EMPLOYMENT

Among the aspirants include past candidates like 2018’s first runner-up Vickie Rushton and second runner-up Samantha Mae Bernardo. Other returning candidates from last year include Maria Andrea Abesamis, Sigrid Grace Flores and Marie Sherry Ann Tormes.

However, one of the favorites and is considered as a strong candidate is first-time pageantry participant, 24-year-old Bea Patricia Magtanong of Bataan.

According to her social media post, she had to delay her dream to join the pageant to finish college. Bea has a law degree from the University of the Philippines.

There were nearly 90 applicants at the start but only 40 made it to the list. Those who made it are: • Hannah Arnold • Jane Darren Genobisa • Samantha Poblete

• Danielle Joi Magno • Mary Faye Murphy • Joanna Rose Tolledo • Jessica Marasigan • Marie Sherry Anne Tormes • Dia Nicole Magno • Honey Grace Cartasano • Francia Layderos • Cassandra Chan • Danielle Isabelle Dolk • Jessarie Dumaguing • Maria Isabela Galeria • Julia Eugene Saubier • Melba Ann Macasaet • Emma Mary Tiglao • Alanis Reign Binoya • Louisielle Denise Amorog • Gazini Christiana Ganadis • Marianne Marquez • Joahnna Carla Saad • Pauline Anne Cordero • April May Short • Leren Mae Bautista • Rubee Marie Faustino • Larah Grace Lacap • Martina Faustina Diaz • Malka Shaver • Kimberly Penchon • Samantha Mae Bernardo • Ilene Astrid de Vera • Maria Andrea Abesamis • Bea Patricia Magtanong • Jean Nicole Guerrero • Samantha Ashley Lo • Rosham Ramirez Saeed • Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton • Sigrid Grace Flores The Parade of Beauties around Araneta Center is scheduled on May 25, followed by the Fashion Show at the New Frontier Theater on May 29.

Coronation Night is on June 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. *** Our congratulations to Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera for a healthy baby boy!

The proud father shared on Instagram that the actress gave

First-time beauty pageant candidate Patricia Magtanong of Bataan is one of the early favorites among those who made the final list in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas 2019.

(Photo from Binibining Pilipinas website)

Photo shows a collage of the official Binibining Pilipinas candidates for this year. There were nearly 90 applicants but only 40 made it to the final list.

(Photo from Binibining Pilipinas website)

Showbiz royalty Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera welcomed their second child, a baby boy, last Tuesday, April 16

Former Sampaguita matinee idol, musician, businessman and politician Jose Mari Gonzalez passed away Tuesday, April 16 at the age of 80.

He is the dad of singer-actress-politician Cristina “Kring-Kring” Gonzalez-Romualdez.

Actor Gardo Versoza has returned to ABS-CBN 2/The Filipino Channel and is now part of the primetime series, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” with Coco Martin.

Model-turned-actor Clint Bondad is now a regular cast member in GMA 7’s romantic comedy, “Love You Two,” along with Gabby Concepcion and Jennylyn Mercado.

birth on Tuesday afternoon, April 16.

“Yahoo! After around 10 hours of labor, Marian finally gave birth to our baby at 1:35 p.m. today,” he wrote and added, “Welcome to the world, Jose Sixto G. Dantes IV!” The couple shared last September that they are expecting another baby. Dingdong and Marian have one child, Maria Letizia, who was born in 2015.

Rodulfo Pata and family met with the Espiritu family at Red Lobster in San Bruno to celebrate the Pata family’s triple April birthdays of Delia, Erick, and Isabelle. In photo (L-R) Bing, Pamela, Isabelle, Erick, Rodulfo, Delia, Dolores, Carmina, and Minerva.

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

State department reports many Filipino family-based visas go unclaimed, resulting in the case being shred and priority date lost and visas are available, but they are not coming forward to claim Immigration or apply for their visa.

Corner Ordinarily, if a visa is available, but the person does not claim their visa within one year of being notified of its availabilATTY. MICHAEL ity, their visa registration could GURFINKEL, ESQ be â&#x20AC;&#x153;terminatedâ&#x20AC;? and their file RECENTLY, officials from destroyed. If a case is terminatthe U.S. State Department ed because of a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure discussed the monthly Visa to timely pursue their visa, the CONQUERING THE FEAR OF UNCERTAINTY AND SIX ICE AGENTS KNOCKING AT THEIR DOOR ON THIS SUNDAYĘźS â&#x20AC;&#x153;CITIZEN PINOY!â&#x20AC;? After they were offered jobs as caregivers, Danilo (left) and Millet (center) took a big gamble when they decided to stay in the U.S. to pursue their American dream. It was not easy, Bulletin and the movement of priority date is also lost and the especially after their hard-earned money was lost to a lawyer who hardly did anything to move their case forward. They eventually went out of status, and priority dates. (A priority date is petition is gone! A new petition even had ICE. agents come knocking on their door. The couple then consulted with Atty. Michael GurďŹ nkel, who took over the case, and helped them acquire a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;place in lineâ&#x20AC;? for an would need to be filed, and the their green cards. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael GurďŹ nkel (right) was also able to help their two daughters avail of the Deferred Action for Childimmigrant visa, and is typically person would get a brand-new hood Arrivals (DACA) program, and getting approval on their green cards the same day President Trump cancelled DACA. Watch this encore episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Citizen based on the date the petition priority date, meaning they may Pinoyâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) was filed. The monthly Visa Bul- now have to wait another 20 letin reports which priority dates years or more to be processed are now eligible to be queued for their visas. up for immigrant visas and adAt the present time, visas justment of status.) are available in the F-3 and F-4 in tests of 200 human cancer over a period of one day to Sometimes, it could take 20 categories filed before 1996. samplesâ&#x20AC;? which includes cancer years or more for a priority date Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over 23 years ago! A lot a week was associated with a of the prostate, lymphomas and to become current for Filipino dramatic risk increase of heart could have changed since then, PHILIP S. CHUA, different types of breast cancer. family members, especially attack, with ibuprofen causing such as the family moving to a MD, FACS, FPCS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Different cancers have very in the categories of married a 48% hike in risk of myocardial new address but neglecting to different signatures and use infarction. Rofecoxib, another children of U.S. citizen (F-3) and notify the National Visa Center BILLIONS of people around NSAID that had an even more different types of screenings brother and sister of U.S. citizen (NVC) of their new address. the world use painkillers, and to detect. Scientists have been (F-4). State Department officials Therefore, the only address the drastic impact at 58%, had some of them like water, bebeen recalled in 2004, though it unable to identify a simple sigobserved there has been a NVC has for the person is their cause they are readily available is now being considered to renature that was common to all continuing low demand in these original address from decades over the counter and mostly turn to the market as a special- cancers, but this new technolcategories, despite a very large ago. The NVC will then send inexpensive. There is a survey ogy seems promising,â&#x20AC;? says the â&#x20AC;&#x153;poolâ&#x20AC;? of applicants with apized treatment for hemophilinotices (with deadlines) to the that showed 1 in 20 people acs. Higher dosages of NSAIDs UoQ team. proved petitions who have not old address. If the family moved take as many as 6 tablets of Hopefully, someday soon, were associated with an even yet acted on their case. In other to a new address years ago, painkillers for pain or headache. greater risk, though the period test would be invented abnd words, there are many Filipinos the mail may not be forwarded Some even consume more than of intake did not seem to effect appropriate drugs developed whose priority dates are current to them anymore, and so they 365 pain pills in a year. Like all that will detect cancer soonthe odds.â&#x20AC;? will not respond in time. In that other medications, including est and make it totally curable, Of course, there are many maximal power, the presence of case, the NVC could terminate â&#x20AC;&#x153;simpleâ&#x20AC;? aspirin, or vitamins reminiscent of the ravages of individual variables and factors our smartphone nearby, even the case and shred the file, rehave potential side effects. killer pulmonary tuberculosis of face down, or in our pocket, when it comes to response or sulting in the loss of the priority Each person has individual rethe yesterdays before anti-Tb reaction to medications. If you reduces our brain power and date. sponse or reaction to different are on any NSAID and are con- pills were developed, where performance, compared to Remember, it is your obligamedications. the disease invades almost all cerned, be sure to discuss this another person who does not tion to keep the NVC advised A jolting revelation: One issue with your physician. These organs of the body, virtually have a smartphone nearby. of your current address; it is week of ibuprofen increases the drugs are very useful to counta fatal illness at the time, like Our dependence on it virtually, not the job of the NVC to track risk for a heart attack. The most less people around the world. many cancers today. subconsciously, lessens our self- you down. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your fault if popular combination of aspirin Smartphones reduces New life-saving cancer confidence and distracts our documents are sent to your old and ibuprofen (like Advil), a brain power? tests concentration when we are not address because you did not Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammaSmartphones are heavenCancer is almost synonyusing it. Many are addicted to update your new address. tory Drugs (NSAIDs), is effecmous to death in many instanc- sent in most instances. For me their smartphone. I am one of Perhaps thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the State tive for pains and inflammation es. Malignancy is a dreaded dis- it is my second self, but more them, who use it for everything, Department is noting a â&#x20AC;&#x153;low deand preferred over steroids, ease. The usual problem is how smart, more efficient, much from waking me up to putting mandâ&#x20AC;? in Filipinos pursuing their but must also be taken under a to diagnose them, and how to faster when it comes to data me to sleep, and my activities visas despite a â&#x20AC;&#x153;very large pool physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervision. production or retrieval, and has do this as early as possible to Continued on Page SF7 of applicants with approved peThe British, Finnish, and a lot more superior computer catch it early and find a cure.

Canadian 2017 study, which An Australian research team power than my brain. Used investigated the impact NSAIDs from the University of Queenswisely, smartphones make us may have on the risk for heart perform closest to our maxiland found a distinct and attack, revealed this alarming mum potential brain power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;unique DNA structure that is finding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By cross-referencing However, studies have common to every type of canprevious studies encompassing cer they tested for.â&#x20AC;? This new shown that when we are taking a group of 446,763 individuals, technology has been proven to an examination or doing a comthey found that taking NSAIDs plex chore requiring our brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be â&#x20AC;&#x153;accurate up to 90 percent

Health@Heart

Are pain pills safe?

Calendar of Events across

titions,â&#x20AC;? because they may have moved and are not receiving the notices at their new address.

You should check the priority date on your petition and compare that date to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;currentâ&#x20AC;? priority dates. (I always post the most recent priority dates on my website www.gurfinkel.com and Facebook). If your priority date is already current, but you have not yet received any notification or forms from the NVC, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just sit there and do nothing. You may miss a critical deadline, resulting in the shredding of your case. I would also suggest that you seek the assistance of an attorney, who can quickly look into your case to make sure it is still on track, and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall between the cracks, especially if your priority date has been current for some time. *** Michael J. GurďŹ nkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Success Storiesâ&#x20AC;?, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurďŹ nkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurďŹ nkelLaw and Twitter @GurďŹ nkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GURFINKEL Four ofďŹ ces to serve you: LOS ANGELES ¡ SAN FRANCISCO ¡ NEW YORK ¡ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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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 A P R I L 22

West Ranch Music Masters Tournament in Valencia, CA West Ranch High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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/.

A P R I L 26

Avengers Endgame fundraiser screening for Ateneo scholars The Blue Eagle Circle (TBEC) will be hosting a fundraiser screening of Avengers Endgame for the benefit of Ateneo scholars. The screening will be held on Friday, April 26 at Regal LA Live Stadium 14. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. PST. Tickets are $40.00 each, inclusive of popcorn and soda. Event proceeds will go to the Stipend Fund Program â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an annual fundraising program that provides financial assistance to bright and deserving scholars of the Ateneo de Manila University. For more information, go to bit.ly/AvengersTBEC; or find us on Facebook as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ateneo Blue Eagle Circle.â&#x20AC;? For ticket sales and other inquries, please contact Joey Dungca (213-503-6407), Mico Letargo (818-620-4031), or Penelope Uy (213-810-2281).

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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SF

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

The CTV Files

Just say no: Legal advice from the internet

of a Notice to Appear (NTA)?

In September 2018, changes in policy were put in place al“MY brother’s neighbor’s lowing immigration officers to girlfriend’s uncle had the same reject visa applications immediexact case and it got apately due to missing or inacproved and they did not use curate information. Previously, an attorney.”

USCIS will issue “Requests for I’ve heard this many times to Evidence” (RFE) if there are have developed a well-curated missing information, allowing response: Nothing. A person applicants to address gaps in who has set out to hear only their paperwork. “Notices of Inwhat s/he wants to hear can tent to Deny” were also issued, hear nothing else but what s/he as per prior guidance, which wants to hear. Reason and logic gave applicants a 30-day warnbe damned. ing that their application would For the most part, technollikely be rejected. ogy has allowed us to gather Applications affected by as much information as we these policies and its recent are able to handle at the tip changes in policy apply to: (i) of our fingertips. Yet, neither applications and renewals of Google nor Siri nor Wikipedia temporary (non-immigrant) can stand in front of a Judge as visas, and (ii) permanent resiyour advocate. Most attorneys dent status (immigrant) visas. cannot speak about cases they Securing such visas are required have not handled. Each case is in order for non-U.S. citizen forunique – one tiny fact, one tiny eign nationals to legally live and detail could change the course work in the United States. of a case. And, in immigration Can USCIS refer a file to cases where the threat of dedeportation for the issuance of portation is very real why would a Notice to Appear after it the you gamble with your life? Or case has been denied? your family’s life?

Yes. The U.S. Citizenship New policy for rejecting in- and Immigration Services complete or inaccurate filings. (USCIS) may also issue an NTA Did you know that a single when it finds a noncitizen has error could mean a rejected not complied with regulaapplication? And, more importions governing admission or tantly, that a rejected applicamaintaining lawful status after tion could lead to the issuance admission.

Atty. LiLLi BerBAno BAcuLi, eSQ

Thomasians USA officers and board members recently feted the new Advisory Board at a “Meet and Greet” luncheon held at Isla Restaurant in San Bruno. Photo above L-R (front row): Eris Rodriguez, Recording Secretary; Atty. Angelica Galang, Advisory Board; Joseph Palafox, President; Commissioner Marico Enriquez, Advisory Board; Fe Enriquez, Board Member; Rose Pavone, Board Member; Elisa Orlina, Board Member. L-R (back row): Mely Fernandez, Board Member; Lota Torres-Clemente, Auditor; Nora David, Board Member; Princess Baylosis, Corresponding Secretary; Estelle Oloresisimo, Vice President; Atty. Rodel Rodis, Advisory Board; Sylvia Omuro, Treasurer. Missing from the photo are the new members of the Advisory Board: Fr. Eugene Tungol, Fr. Ray Reyes and Fr. Arnold Zamora.

Thomasian USA’s 32nd anniversary focuses on Filipino American empowerment

ThOMASIANS USA is gearing up to celebrate its 32nd anniversary by focusing on its “Filipino American Educational Empowerment Program” as the centerpiece of its celebration.

The alumni organization of the University of Santo Tomas will honor the late Al-

ice Bulos, Thomasians USA’s president for three decades, by giving her a posthumous award. Also to be honored is Esther Lee, an outstanding alumni, for her distinguished service to the Filipino-American community.

The winners of the Essay Competition will be award-

ed cash prizes during the program. Thomasians USA 32nd Anniversary will be held Saturday, May 18, 2019, 5:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, 1177 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1860862970893654/ announcements/Thomasians.

Consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before filing anything.

First things first, do not file anything with USCIS or any other government entity without first seeking advice. Filing for applications “frivolously” can and will come back and haunt you. While certain applications are available online making it easy to access, individuals must nevertheless proceed with caution when filing for any application with USCIS. Just because it is easier now to file for an application does not mean that you should. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines.

The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.

Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www. chuatinsayvega.com.

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Are pain pills safe...

From Page SF5 for the whole day, from setting reminders, getting news updates, emailing, writing my column, navigating, shopping, surfing the net, and communicating with my colleague, Dr. Google.

The advise, especially for children, is to give the smartphone a vacation once in a while, not using it for half a day or more, providing the same break for tablets and laptops. Children on the phone or computer a great part of the day provides passive brain activity, unlike intellectual or brain exercise as in talking to, and interacting with people, reading, doing puzzles, or solving problems, and other active brain exercise. When we always give the task of remembering dates or occasions to our smart devices, for instance, and depend on them as a routine, then our memory bank becomes less efficient, and weaker memory and slower recall result. This does not mean these computers are bad for us.

When used appropriately and with wisdom, computers (like smartphones, etc.) are a great boon to a person’s life and to humanity as a whole.

Inflammation is the culprit The initial process in the formation of most diseases is inflammation. This is not the usual obvious inflammation that results from bumps, injuries, that leads to area redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.

The patho-physiology is more sophisticated than this and the effect more systemic and general. Some of the triggers are stress, exposure to environmental pollution, toxins, etc., bad food we eat (like processed foods, soft drinks, junk foods, contrary diet, smoking, alcohol, inactivity or lack of exercise,

illicit drugs, and some bad behaviors/habits. Any of these, or combination thereof, can trigger inflammation in the inner linings of the arteries all over our body and other organs, production of free radicals and increase in the oxidation processes, and weakening of the immune system.

The food items that are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants include olive oil, broccoli, tart cherries, blue (and most) berries, fish (omega 3), nuts, kelps and fermented foods.

Food items that cause inflammation, which all of us should avoid, especially those with arthritis, include: sugar and all sweet items, rice, bread, pasta, gluten foods, soft drinks of any kind, french fries, processed meats, blackened grilled meats (whose oil drippings cause cancer-causing fumes/smoke that goes back up to the meat being grilled on high heat), nightshades (tomato, white potato, pepper, eggplant, paprika).

Anti-inflammatory behaviors include good attitude, physical exercises, brisk walking preferred over jogging (which causes impact injuries to spine, hip, knee, ankles joints over time), fun activities with family and friends, the act of laughing itself, singing, rest and relaxation, vacations, and any other stress reduction regimens.

Living a healthy lifestyle is antiinflammatory. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888. com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019

SF7

Joint Regional and Provincial Women’s Month Celebration in Batangas City

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

AJ Press

In commemoration of March as Women’s Month, a Joint Regional and Provincial Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women” was held on March 28 in Batangas City.

The theme, which will be used until 2022, emphasizes that women should be active drivers in bringing about positive changes in the world.

Highlights of the celebration included Zumba, free manicure and pedicure for women, and a musical performance by 250 talented scholars from Batangas Province High School for Culture and Arts

Joint Regional and Provincial Women’s Month Celebration 2019 at the Batangas Provincial Auditorium in Batangas City.

joined the celebration. Women have a large role in making the Philippines better, he said.

He also stressed the importance of promoting gender equality, not only in Batangas, but also all over the country.

The National Women’s Month Celebration every March is part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day (IWD). It aims to inform and engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services; create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development (GAD); and inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change.

AJ Press Photos by Godwin Gasacao

Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas

Guest Speaker, Governor Imee Marcos

(BPHSCA).

The musical, entitled “Roselang Bubog,” celebrates Batangas-born Marcela Agoncillo, who gained the title of “The Mother of the Philippine Flag” for being the principal seamstress of the first and official flag of the Philippines.

The celebration was spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in partnership with Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Regional Gender and Development Council (RGADC), and Provincial Women Coordinating Council Batangas Inc. (PWCCB).

Batangas Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas gave a warm welcome to everyone who

Atty. Regina Reyes Mandanas

Guest Speaker, Manay Gina de Venecia

Engr. Ladislao Andal

PSWD Dept. Head Jocelyn R. Montalbo

Engr. Luis G. Banua

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 19, 2019