042018 - New York & New Jersey

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Volume 11 – Issue 27 • 16 Pages

APRIL 20-26, 2018

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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Filipino journalist among Pulitzer Prize winners for coverage of Duterte’s war on drugs

Palace denies crackdown on foreign critics of Duterte admin

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PULITZER Prizes were once again announced on Monday, April 16, entering the second decade of awarding excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition.

Among this year’s list of winners was Filipino Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato, who with his colleagues Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall, won a Pulitzer Prize in the International Reporting category for their coverage on Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.

Patricia Fox, a rights and land reform advocate, was detained for nearly a day Mogato is the second Filipino journalist for supposedly violating the Bureau of Immigration’s Order SBM-2015-025, based in the Philippines to win the Pulitzer which bans foreign tourists from engaging in partisan political assemblies.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman — 76 years after diplomat, journalist, author, and co-founder of the United Nations, Carlos Romulo, won in 1942.

u PAGE A3

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

THERE is no crackdown of foreigners who were critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang said, as it justified the recent detention of 71-year-old Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, April 19, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. stressed that the law banning foreigners from participating in political activities in the Philippines also applies to supporters of the administration.

“Our law is clear: those in the Philippines are here because of

our consent for them to be here, but they are not allowed to engage in any political activity,” Roque said. “There’s no crackdown. It’s really the law. The law may be harsh, but such is the law.”

Fox, who has been living in the Philippines for 27 years as a missionary and as an advocate of farmers’ rights, was arrested by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers on Monday, April 16, at her home in Quezon City for alleged “illegal political activities” in the country.

She was released the following day. In a television interview, she

has denied participating in party politics.

Operations Order SBM-2015025 states that “foreign tourists are prohibited from engaging in any political activity as defined by law and jurisprudence such as joining, supporting, contributing or involving themselves in a rally, assembly, gathering, whether for or against the government.”

BI said Fox was released for further investigation “after it was established that the Australian nun holds a valid missionary visa and, thus...is a properly documented alien.”

u PAGE A2

US Court deems deportation law ‘vague’ in decision involving Filipino

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday, April 17, that the part of a federal law that Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato allows easier deportation of immigrants was too vague, impeding the Trump administration’s efforts in deporting non-citizens.

Bringing in the decision was Justice Neil Gorsuch — President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court appointee — who sided with the court’s four liberal justices in a tie-breaking decision involving a legal U.S. resident Trump administration establishes from the Philippines.

The Tuesday decision in Sessions v. Districter requirements for Medicaid, maya involved James Dimaya, a Filipino who TANF, and food stamps came to the U.S. as a legal permanent resi- PNP CHANGE OF COMMANCD. President Rodrigo Duterte boards the command car as he troops the line during the Philippine National Police (PNP) AMID the shocking news of airstrikes on dent in 1992 when he was 13 years old. Di- Change of Command Ceremony at Camp BGen. Rafael Crame in Quezon City on Thursday, April 19. Accompanying the President is outgoing PNP Director Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante Syria and President Donald Trump’s ongoing u PAGE A2 General Ronald dela Rosa. personal scandals, the president last week ordered for the major overhaul of the nation’s public assistance net.

Though the news largely went under the radar, Trump on Tuesday, April 10 signed an executive order called Reducing Poverty in America By Promoting Opportunity and Ecoby AJPRESS nomic Mobility which calls for departments

by AJPRESS across the government to review their safety SENATOR Nancy Bi- Monday, April 16. net programs and propose new regulations.

THE Supreme Court (SC) may The Senate Blue RibSome of the affected programs in this poten- nay has signed a draft decide on the quo warranto petibon Committee, chaired committee report on the tially significant move include Supplemental tion against Chief Justice Maria Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Med- Dengvaxia controversy by Richard Gordon, is Lourdes Sereno’s appointment seeking the prosecution recommending the fi ling icaid and housing assistance. The executive next month, according to Assoorder directs agencies — including the de- of charges against for- of Aquino and his ofciate Justice Antonio Carpio on fi cials “for all the tragmer President Benigno partments of Commerce, Labor and Housing Thursday, April 19. and Urban Development — to enforce current “Noynoy” Aquino III and edy, damage and pos“We hope to decide as soon as sible deaths” resulting his offi cials. requirements as well as propose more strinwe can. I cannot talk on that yet “I signed already,” from his administration’s Former President Benigno Aquino III but we hope to finish it by end of u PAGE A3 Binay told reporters on Inquirer.net photo u PAGE A2 May. By next month we should be able to decide it,” Carpio told reporters at the sidelines of the launching of Find Justice PH app Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno Philstar.com photo in Quezon City.

by AJPRESS sions meant to debase its integThe quo warranto petition was questioned Carpio’s remark as rity.” filed by Solicitor General Jose they noted that the entire month THE camp of former senator “Leni Robredo cheated her Calida last March. of May is the high court’s writing Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos way to the Vice Presidency and Calida’s petition seeks to nul- break.

Jr. said that Vice President Maria in this ongoing manual recount lify Sereno’s appointment as the “We cannot help but ask, why Leonor “Leni” Robredo should and judicial revision, she is at- chief justice due to lack of in- the rush?” said lawyer Josalee cease from making accusations tempting to cheat the Filipino tegrity for her alleged failure to Deinla, Sereno’s spokesperson. harming the integrity of the Pres- people again by trying to change completely file her Statements of She pointed out that the SC “is idential Electoral Tribunal (PET). the rules in the middle of the Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth supposed to be on break after its Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokes- game,” Rodriguez said. last en banc session on April 24 or SALN. person of Marcos, said the vice Marcos’ camp was reacting to Carpio is currently the act- in Baguio. They are on recess in president should stop accusing Robredo’s motion for reconsid- ing chief justice, as Sereno is on May and are supposed to resume the Supreme Court (SC), sitting eration, which seeks the applica- leave since March 1 to prepare session on June 5.” as PET, “of systematically reduc- tion of a 25 percent threshold for for a possible impeachment trial.

“The quo warranto petition is Sereno’s camp, meanwhile, u PAGE A3 u PAGE A2 Vice Pres. Leni Robredo and former Sen. Bongbong Marcos Inquirer.net photo ing her votes and casting asper-

Trump quietly orders major crackdown on public assistance programs

Sen. Binay signs draft Dengvaxia report SC to rule on Sereno recommending charges against Aquino quo warranto in May

Marcos camp to Robredo: Stop tainting PET’s integrity

A APRIL 20-26, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

Palace denies crackdown on foreign critics...

PAGE A1 t The following Wednesday, Duterte owned up for the “wrongful” arrest of the missionary nun but clarified that his original order was only to investigate Fox. I ordered her to be investigated—not deported at once, not arrested—for disorderly conduct,” the president said. “I take full responsibility, legal and otherwise, for this incident.”

He warned, however, that he will order her arrest if she “begin to malign, defame government in any of those rallies there, I will order your arrest.”

Following Duterte’s statement, Roque said that apologies may be in order over the arrest of Fox. “It seems that there was a

mistake in the case of Sister Fox and maybe apologies are in order because she was immediately released by CID (Commission on Immigration and Deportation, an old name for the BI).

CID also commits mistakes,” Roque said.

The Palace official later clarified that his statement does not contradict Duterte’s.

“There’s no difference. I said my statement early in the morning on the basis of the cardinal statement that the reason why the nun was released because she was not a subject of summary deportation because she was not caught in flagrante delicto,” he explained.

He continued: “Since the process now is first a preliminary investigation to determine if she

should be subjected to deportation proceedings, in my mind there was something wrong.

That’s why I said apologies may be in order.”

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), meanwhile, warned that the arrest of the Australian missionary sets a “dangerous precedent” for human right workers.

The CHR urged the government to not repeat such action which “impacts basic rights and erodes dignity of those affected.”

“Framing their work as ‘interference’ without concrete basis may discourage foreign nationals from doing important missionary and humanitarian work in our country,” CHR said in a statement. n

US Court deems deportation law...

PAGE A1 t

maya was convicted of two residential burglary charges in California in 2007 and 2009, and was sentenced to four years in prison in total.

The case was first argued in January 2017 but was deadlocked 4-4 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. It was argued again in October with Gorsuch.

The government sought Dimaya’s deportation through a clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the detention and deportation of non-citizens convicted of an “aggravated felony.”

Such felonies include “crime of violence” or any felony that “by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.”

But the federal appeals court in San Francisco said that the provision was unconstitutionally vague — an opinion affirmed by the Tuesday Supreme Court ruling.

In her opinion, Justice Elena Kagan cited the 2015 Johnson v.

United States ruling written by Scalia that said a similar criminal statute was unconstitutionally vague.

“We can as well repeat here what we asked in Johnson,” said Kagan. “How does one go about divining the conduct entailed in

a crime’s ordinary case? Statistical analyses? Surveys? Experts?

Google? Gut instinct?”

Commenting on the lower courts’ inability to be consistent with immigration law, Kagan asked if car burglary would qualify as a violent felony.

“Some courts say yes, another says no,” said Kagan.

She added, “What of statutory rape? Once again, the Circuit parts ways. How about evading arrest? The decisions point in different directions. Residential trespass? The same is true.”

Kagan’s opinion was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.

While Gorsuch did not join all of Kagan’s opinion, he agreed with the decision.

“Vague laws invite arbitrary power,” wrote Gorsuch. “Today’s vague laws may not be as invidious, but they can invite the exercise of arbitrary power all the same — by leaving the people in the dark about what the law demands and allowing prosecutors and courts to make it up.”

The court’s 5-4 decision was a setback for the Trump administration which has long called for tighter immigration laws and has favored deportation.

Following the decision, Trump was quick to voice his displeasure in a two part tweet.

VIVA EUROPA. European Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen (center) explains the objective of Viva Europa 2018 during a press conference held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati on Thursday, April 19. He noted the program aims to highlight the shared cultural values between the EU and the Philippines, while marking the 2018 European year of cultural heritage in the country.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

“Today’s Court decision means that Congress must close loopholes that block the removal of dangerous criminal aliens, including aggravated felons,” PAGE A1 t 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Cortweeted Trump. rupt Practices Act, as well as scrapped P3.5 billion dengue He continued, “This is a pubRepublic Act 6713 or the Code vaccination program. lic safety crisis that can only of Conduct and Ethical StanBinay, however, said she be fixed by Congress — House dards for Public Officials and “may amend” and interpellate and Senate must quickly pass a Employees. once the draft report is tackled legislative fix to ensure violent Also tagged as “primary conin the plenary. criminal aliens can be removed spirators” in the procurement of “‘Yung (The) committee refrom our society. Keep America port, it’s not yet the final re- the controversial vaccine were Safe!” former Budget Secretary Florport,” Binay noted.

Immigration and Customs enencio Abad and former Health “Pagdedebatehan at pagforcement (ICE) Deputy DirecSecretary Janette Garin. uusapan pa ‘yan at ide-defend tor Tom Homan said he too was “Aquino, Garin, Abad and pa ‘yan sa floor so hintayin disappointed in the Supreme other officials are primary na lang natin ‘yung magiging Court’s decision. conspirators and must be held “As a law enforcement agency, deliberation na magaganap sa criminally liable… and must be floor (There will be debate and ICE will certainly abide by this prosecuted for all the tragedy, discussions so let’s wait for decision; however, it will have damage and possible deaths the floor deliberation),” she an adverse impact on our ability resulting from the Dengvaxia added. to establish that aliens convicted mass vaccination program,” the The committee is recomof certain violent crimes — such draft report stated. mending Aquino to be charged as sexual offenses, kidnapping, Aside from Binay, Senate with violation of Republic Act and burglary — are removable from the United States and ineligible for certain immigration benefits,” said Homan.

“It is yet another example of PAGE A1 t deemed submitted for resoluthe need for Congress to urgently close the loopholes that an important case which if grant- tion.

But should the SC ruled in allow criminal aliens to avoid re- ed will upend our justice system moval and remain in the United as we know it. The SC has not granting the quo warranto petieven heard the side of any of the tion, Sereno’s camp said they States,” he added. will not be surprised.

Dissenters of the decision intervenors,” she added. and Calida are set to submit Asked to comment on reports were Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Anthony Kennedy, their memoranda on the quo that ponente of the case AssoClarence Thomas and Samuel warranto petition today, April 20. ciate Justice Noel Tijam had Once these are filed, the case is already drafted a resolution in Alito. n

Sen. Binay signs draft Dengvaxia report...

SC to rule on Sereno quo...

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senators JV Ejercito, Gregorio Honasan II, and Juan Miguel Zubiri, also reportedly signed the draft report.

Senators Leila de Lima and Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, expressed against the signing the draft committee report, describing it as Gordon’s attack against Aquino.

“The Gordon Report is as malicious as it is pre-ordained. It is made-to-order in accordance with Gordon’s political agenda,” De Lima said in a handwritten statement.

Lacson, for his part, claimed Gordon was supposedly “directing the investigation to suit the outcome that he had desired from the very start.” n

favor of Calida’s petition, Deinla said: “If true, the report… comes as no surprise, considering that the Justice has exhibited manifest bias and prejudice against the Chief Justice and even refused to recuse himself from the proceedings.”

On April 10, the SC held a oneday oral argument hearing on Sereno’s case at the SC Session Hall in Baguio. n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 20-26, 2018

A

Legarda highlights parliamentary leadership in air quality, climate policies WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Loren Legarda underlined the importance of parliamentary leadership in formulating carbon-reduction policies, and implementing the Paris climate accord and Sustainable Development Goals on clean air, at the 2018 AirQualityAsia Second Annual High-Level Strategy Session (HLSS2) on Sustainable, Healthy Cities and Sustainable Energy that was held on 18 April 2018 in the US capital.

“As parliamentarians, we bear the responsibility of steering our country forward through fostering a policy environment where laws can unlock national potential and serve as the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development where our people could thrive and prosper,” Senator Legarda said.

The Senator noted the close connection between air quality and climate changeas she delved into key legislative measures that advance environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Philippines.

According to the Philippine Department of Health, about one in four deaths in the country are attributed to air pollution, which also relates to sources of high carbon dioxide emissions.

“We are therefore supporting both climate and health goals at once when we implement policies and measures that improve air quality,” Senator Legarda emphasized.

The Senator talked about the mechanisms prescribed by the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that work on improving air quality in the Philippines and forging a path for the country to transition into a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

The Philippines is pursuing this path even though its carbon emissions register at a negligible level compared to other coun-

PH CARBON REDUCTION POLICIES. Senator Loren Legarda shares the Philippines’ laws and initiatives to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions during the Second Annual High-Level Strategy Session (HLSS2) organized by AirQualityAsia (AQA) and the US-Asia Institute at the sidelines of the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, DC. Legarda, Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation, joined Hon. Mathew J. Nolan, Treasurer of AQA, and Hon. Colleen Wakako Hanabusa of the First District of Hawaii, United States Congress, for the panel on Parliamentary Leadership on Carbon Reduction Policies – Implementing the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Clean Air. Senate photo

tries.

“Our vulnerability and resilience as a nation has given us a voice to represent and lead other highly vulnerable countries in climate negotiations. When everyone else found it adequate to set the global warming limit at two degrees Celsius, we pushed it even further. We encouraged greater and more ambitious climate action by setting the limit to 1.5 degrees,” said Senator Legarda.

On the Paris Agreement, the Senator pledged to ensure that the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contributions, which are being finalized and slated for submission this year, will adhere to the 1.5 degree Celsius-limit.

Senator Legarda concluded her remarks by stressing the crucial role of Congress in giving budgetary support to climate adaptation and mitigation projects and programs.

The Second Annual HighLevel Strategy Session on Sustainable, Healthy Cities and Sustainable Energyis organized

Trump quietly orders major crackdown...

PAGE A1 t gent work requirements and give some flexibility to states to issue their own modifications.

Specifically, the order is directed at all agencies with “any program that provides means-tested assistance or other assistance that provides benefits to people, households or families that have low-income.”

“Since its inception, the welfare system has grown into a large bureaucracy that might be susceptible to measuring success by how many people are enrolled in a program rather than by how many have moved from poverty to financial independence,” reads the executive order.

The executive order also encourages these agencies to make cuts to these programs in order to save money.

The executive order has not put forth official policy, but experts say the notion of tougher requirements for these programs could have a drastic impact on low-income Americans.

In the case of Medicaid — the nation’s public health insurance program for low earners — the executive order calls for all applicants to provide proof of employment, which could stunt many Americans.

By tightening up the requirements for Medicaid, which is the last health care resort for many low-income Americans who do not qualify for programs like the Affordable Care Act, the options for the nation’s most vulnerable could be severely limited, according to Executive Vice President of the Kaiser Family Foundation Diane Rowland.

“What we’re talking about in Medicaid is saying that someone who doesn’t meet these requirements than can be locked out and not be able to get medical coverage for a certain number

of months or maybe even up to a year,” Rowland told Michel Martin of NPR’s All Things Considered.

“And they do say that there’ll be exceptions, but the president’s directive wants to narrow those exceptions. So really, some of the purposes of this is to get people off the rolls. And we know that for the people already working on Medicaid, the reason they need Medicaid is their job doesn’t come with health insurance that’s either available or affordable.”

Other programs that could see a dramatic shift include various housing programs, the and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provides poor families with financial aid.

Experts and lawmakers alike have deemed the executive order as a reflection of the overall conservative agenda to slashing these programs and shrinking the federal safety net, programs which Democrats argue strengthen low-earning Americans.

“Attacks on successful programs like Medicaid, nutrition and housing assistance are attacks on millions of vulnerable Americans. No one can argue our nation is made stronger by cutting these priorities,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said in a tweet on Tuesday, April 17.

Moreover, the White House has been accused of attempting to expand the definition of “welfare” — a term that has garnered a negative connotation since the Reagan administration — to include public programs like Medicaid and SNAP (aka food stamps) as a way to vilify them.

“This executive order perpetuates false and racist stereotypes about certain groups supposedly taking advantage of government assistance,” Reps. Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Barbara Lee of California said in a joint statement.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Marcos camp to Robredo...

PAGE A1 t vote validity during the ongoing recount for the 2016 vice presidential race.

Threshold pertains to what percentage of the vote should be shaded to be counted.

PET is currently applying the 50 percent threshold in determining the validity of votes.

In her motion filed Thursday, April 19, Robredo asked PET to follow the 25 percent threshold set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for shading of ballots, citing the “interest of justice and fair play.”

Robredo also said that PET’s decision to apply a 50 percent threshold on validity of votes “has resulted to a systematic decrease in her votes.”

But the camp of the former senator said that the invocation of the 25 percent threshold is “erroneous.”

“The election case was filed

by BBM (Marcos) June of 2016, and since then, jurisdiction of the case is with the PET and no other as provided by Article 8 of the Constitution,” Rodriguez argued.

“Since it is the Rules of the Tribunal that shall apply, her invocation of the 25 percent threshold rule is erroneous as it was made by the Comelec only on 6 September 2016, four months after the elections,” he added.

Marcos’ camp then claimed that “it is an obvious ploy on the part of the Comelec, then led by the impeached chairman Andres Bautista, to favor Robredo once revision process starts.”

The revision of ballots is being conducted in connection with Marcos’ electoral protest against Robredo, who won the 2016 vice presidential race with only 263,473 more than him. Marcos accused her of committing massive electoral fraud. n

by AirQualityAsia in conjunction with the US-Asia Institute.

Held on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, HLSS2 brings legislators, air quality experts, green energy finance and renewable energy business together for clean airfocused environment and energy policies.

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Finance and Climate Change, is the Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., USA. n

DRY SEASON. A farmer walks on a dry rice field in Baliaug, Bulacan. The weather bureau has advised government agencies to take action to mitigate the effects of the weakening La Niña phenomenon of above-average rainfall, noting that most climate models predict a transition to El Niño, in which below-average rainfall could lead to prolonged drought and lower farm output.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Filipino journalist among Pulitzer Prize winners...

PAGE A1 t

Other Filipino winners have been Alex Tizon in 1997 for his article “My Family’s Slave” which went viral last year, photographer Cheryl Diaz Meyer in 2004 for her breaking news photography on the war in Iraq, and Jose Antonio Vargas in 2008 for his and the Washington Post’s coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting.

A Mass Communications graduate of the University of the City of Manila in 1983, Mogato’s journalism career started as a crime, military, and political reporter for local newspapers. He also spent seven years working for the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, covering politics, security, and diplomacy.

Having been a Manila-based political and general news correspondent for Reuters for over 15 years, his work in the Philippines spans over three decades through which he’s covered some of the country’s biggest modern political events like the “People Power Revolution” in 1986 against Ferdinand Marcos, and the 2001 fall of Joseph Estrada.

Mogato has also covered conflicts involving rebellions and failed coups, like the rise of small pro-Islamic State militants who occupied Marawi last year.

He also acts as a board member of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

“Despite some dangers in-

herent in today’s journalism work, Manny remained steadfast and dedicated in carrying out his job. Your FOCAP family is very proud of this accomplishment. Mabuhay ka Manny!” said FOCAP in a statement.

‘Duterte’s War’ Mogato, Baldwin, and Marshall were awarded the International Reporting Pulitzer Prize for their “relentless reporting that exposed the brutal killing campaign behind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.”

The winning work was the team’s series straightforwardly titled “Duterte’s War.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

A APRIL 20-26, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Ph Budget Secretary Diokno shares Gov’t vision, priorities at Washington roundtable discussion

Philippine Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin E. Diokno outlines the Duterte Administration’s socio-economic priorities and policies during The Asia Foundation – US Philippines Society Roundtable Discussion at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 18.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dr. Benjamin E. Diokno, Philippine Secretary of Budget and Management, was the featured speaker in The Asia Foundation – US Philippines Society Roundtable Discussion at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 18.

Providing the audience with more details on the implementation of the Duterte Administration’s socio-economic agenda and the path to becoming a middle-income economy, Secretary Diokno outlined the government’s priorities and policies as reflected in the National Budget.

He identified the priority accorded by the Philippine Government to physical infrastructure and human capital development.

“By the time we step down in 2022, we shall have ushered in the golden age of infrastructure,”

Secretary Diokno said, emphasizing the expected benefits of the Build Build Build program for enhanced productivity and international competitiveness. The program will include 75 big ticket projects involving roads & bridges, transportation, flood management, water supply & irrigation, and other public infrastructure projects.

“We plan to spend between $160 to $180 billion dollars between 2017 and 2022,” the Secretary added. He also stated that the government is expecting economic growth to outpace the acceleration of debt accumulation in assuring the audience that debt-to-GDP growth ratio would be manageable.

In addition to infrastructure, Secretary Diokno said that the government is prioritizing human capital development. He noted increased budgetary allocations for the conditional transfer program, national health insurance, universal access to tertiary education, and the full implementation of K-12.

“We have a very young population with a median age of twenty three years old. In an aging world, that is a very formidable national asset,” Secretary Diokno said in reemphasizing the importance of education, training and capacity building.

At the end of his presentation, he shared the vision that, by 2022, the administration would leave behind a modern Philippines, with first world infrastructure, a competent and trained workforce, more decent jobs and higher wages, and an open and effective governance system.

The presentation was followed by a wide-ranging and substantive discussion ranging from the possible challenges to sustained growth, initiatives in government procurement, Marawi rehabilitation, Boracay recovery, educational programs, and environmental protection.

According to US-Philippines Society President Ambassador (ret) John F. Maisto, “Secretary Diokno’s presentation on the Duterte Administration’s budget and policy priorities drew a diverse Washington audience interested in gaining a fuller understanding of opportunities for increased bilateral trade and investment as the Philippine economy continues to demonstrate impressive growth.” n

HURDLE FOR GOLD. Calabarzon representative Eliza Cuyom, wearing #110 jersey, wins the 100M hurdle secondary girls event for a gold medal during the 2018 Palarong Pambansa held at the Quirino Stadium in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on Thursday, April 19. The Palarong Pambansa, which is organized by the Education Department since 1948, is the premier sports event of both public and private student-athletes coming from the 18 regions of the country.

PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr.

US, PH officials lead groundbreaking of first major EDCA project

by AJPress

THE construction of a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) storage facility in Basa Air Base in Pampanga began on Tuesday, April 17.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and United States Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the warehouse, which is one of five projects under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries.

The facility will be used to store equipment and other supplies critical to responding efficiently and effectively Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (second from left) and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim (third from left) lead the groundbreaking ceremony for a multipurpose to “evolving security chal- Humanitarian Defense Response Warehouse at Basa Air Base in Pampanga. Inquirer.net photo lenges and promote peace” in “As we break ground at the the Asian region, according to of both militaries.

EDCA trainings, likewise, al- very first major EDCA project, Lorenzana.

In his speech, Lorenzana low both forces to respond to we look forward to continuing to also applauded the alliance be- humanitarian crises affecting work closely with Philippine government for future EDCA projtween the Philippines and U.S. the Philippines.

“Hence, it is the Filipino ects at the five agreed locations,” “built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, community that will ultimately the U.S. ambassador said. benefit from this project which “The Philippines, of course, and history.”

“I know that EDCA is one of is not only a testament to our will maintain full control of fathe sure ways to enhance our al- countries’ commitment to hav- cilities,” Kim added.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said the U.S. will continue to ensure “freedom Signed in 2014, EDCA is an liance and help promote peace ing a stronger alliance, but of navigation, freedom of commerce and freedom from fear and coercion.” also to our desire to help one agreement that allows the U.S. and security in the region as it Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales provides a framework through another grow capabilities to- military to construct facilities and pre-position defense aswhich both the Philippines and gether,” Lorenzana said.

Kim, meanwhile, described sets inside Philippine military the United States will approach the evolving security challeng- EDCA as a testament to the bases: Basa Airbase in Pam“continued dedication and panga, Antonio Bautista Air es,” he added.

The Defense chief also said commitment to our partner- Base in Palawan, Fort MagEDCA allows the increase in ship and friendship” and saysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia training opportunities for the an “agreement between two Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and U.S. and the Philippine forces, sovereign nations, a pact be- Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. n increasing the interoperability tween equals.”

US vows freedom of navigation, freedom from fear, coercion

by MichaEl

Punongbayan Philstar.com

THROUGH the presence and more frequent visits of powerful aircraft carriers in in the Philippines and other parts of the South China Sea, the U.S. is sending a loud and clear message that America’s military forces are ready to defend and protect its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at a reception onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the waters of Manila Bay on Friday, April 13, U.S. Ambas-

u PAGE A5

Jinggoy faces contempt over ‘fake’ US invite

by ElizabEth

MarcElo Philstar.com

STATE prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman have asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to order former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for allegedly making false claims just to secure the court’s permission to travel to the United States later this month.

In a motion for reconsideration filed before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on April 13, the ombudsman’s prosecution panel asked the court to reconsider its earlier ruling allowing Estrada to stay in the U.S. from April 30 to May 30.

Furthermore, the prosecution also prayed to the court to order Estrada to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for allegedly using a falsified invitation letter in support of his travel motion.

“The prosecution respectfully submits that the falsity of the invitation letter attached by accused Estrada to his Motion to Travel Abroad makes the motion misleading and deceiving, warranting the reconsideration of the Order granting the same,” the prosecution’s appeal read.

“The exposure of the scheme employed, in effect, has dismantled the propriety of granting the travel,” it added.

It can be remembered that the Fifth Division had earlier granted Estrada’s motion to travel despite the vehement objections of the prosecution.

In his motion filed on March 16, Estrada asked the court’s permission for a one-month stay in the US for a vacation with his family, a medical check-up in connection with his “recurring” shoulder pains and to attend the event of the Filipino-American group US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG).

Estrada said he was invited by USPGG to be a guest speaker in its annual general membership meeting to be held in Sterling Heights, Michigan on May 20,

Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada

2018.

Estrada attached in his motion an invitation letter signed

by USPGG-Michigan chapter head William Dechavez, asking the senator to be a speaker on current issues in the Philippines such as on extrajudicial killings, Dengvaxia mess and the administration’s federalism plan.

The letter bears the official logo of USPGG. However, in a press statement posted on its website a day after Estrada’s travel request was granted by the court, USPGG chairperson Filipino-American philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis and USPGG President Rodel Rodis denied issuing an invitation to the former senator.

“USPGG Willie Dechavez did not invite Jinggoy Estrada to speak in Michigan under USPGG nor is any program being planned by USPGG Michigan since Willie Dechavez is on vacation in the Philippines,” the group’s statement read.

The prosecution said allowing Estrada to still push through with the travel despite his alleged use of a falsified invitation letter “may constitute a travesty of justice.”

“The settled rule is that in the absence of satisfactory explanation, one found in possession of, and who used a forged document is a forger. If a person had in his possession a falsified document and he made use of it (uttered it), taking advantage

Philstar.com photo

of it and profiting thereby—the clear presumption is that he is the material author of the falsification,” the prosecution said.

In a hearing on Monday, April 16, Fifth Division Chairman Associate Justice Rafael Lagos directed Estrada’s legal team to submit its comment on the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration within three days, after which, the motion is deemed submitted for resolution.

In a phone interview, Estrada maintained that the invitation letter he received from De Chavez was not forged.

“I never used any fake letter, I never misrepresented anyone,” Estrada said.

“These prosecutors are crazy to think that I would forge a letter just to be able to travel. Why would I fool the court, when I know that they can revoke my bail anytime?” he added.

Estrada is facing plunder and graft cases before the Fifth Division in connection with his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam.

He has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City since the filing of the cases in June 2014. But on Sept. 15, 2017, the Fifth Division allowed him to post bail on the ground of the supposed lack of evidence from the prosecution showing that he is the “main plunderer” in the case. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 20-26, 2018

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A

De Lima to stay in jail after SC junks appeal

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

MANIFESTATION. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, representing Senator Leila de Lima, present to Senate reporters the manifestation that the two senators had filed at the Supreme Court during a media conference on Thursday, April 19.

The manifestation urged the high court to dismiss the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Senate photo by Marieche Balili

Duterte maintains stance against divorce bill by aJPress PhILIPPIne President rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, april 18, reiterated that he is against the legalization of divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country.

Duterte said he could not support house Speaker Pantaleon alvarez’s bill because his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is “not happy” with his proposed law.

“I’m sorry but I cannot follow you. My daughter is not happy with that, really,” the president said during his speech at the Change of Command of the armed Forces of the Philippines (aFP) in Quezon City.

Duterte teased alvarez, “Magusap na lang kayo ni Sara (Just talk with Sara).” the Davao City mayor and house speaker earlier engaged in a word war after alvarez reportedly called Sara a part of the opposition when she formed a separate regional political party. alvarez is one of the authors of the house Bill 7303 or “an act Instituting absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines.”

Malacañang earlier confirmed that the president is against the bill. “he doesn’t want to comment but since there was voting already in Congress, the president is against

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said he is against the legalization of divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.

Inquirer.net photo

divorce,” Palace Spokesperson harry roque said last month.

Duterte, according to roque, thinks divorce should not be made legal as “children would be pitiful if there will be divorce.” on March 19, the house of representatives approved the proposed law on its third and final reading with a vote of 134-51-2. the bill, however, has no counterpart in the Senate. the bill aims to give “the opportunity to spouses in irremediably failed marriages to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined judicial procedures to terminate a continuing dysfunction of a long broken marriage.”

It likewise aims to grant the divorced spouses the “right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.” among the grounds of divorce include existing grounds for legal separation under article 55 of the Family Code, and annulment under article 45 of the same code, which include physical violence, homosexuality, marital infidelity, and affliction of sexually transmissible infection, among others.

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

Pacquiao wary of Matthysse’s knockout power

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

ManILa – With a high knockout ratio, WBa welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse is the most dangerous opponent Manny Pacquiao has picked in recent years. that’s why Pacquiao is leaving nothing to chance and promised to go the extra mile in terms of preparation for their July 15 showdown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

With 36 of Matthysse’s 39 wins coming by way of knockout, the argentine’s power cannot be questioned.

“Yes, I always consider (Matthysse’s power),” Pacquiao told the media Wednesday at the lone Manila presser for their fight.

Matthysse’s heavy hands coupled with his aggressive style is a recipe for an entertaining fight, and Pacquiao said he was right in choosing the 35-year-old champion as his next opponent. “he (Matthysse) has guts. he is aggressive. he can create more action in the ring than my previous fight,” added Pacquiao. the Filipino icon said he plans to train at least two and half months for Matthysse, which is longer

sador Sung Kim said the U.S. will continue to ensure “freedom of navigation, freedom of commerce and freedom from fear and coercion.”

Kim said the aircraft carrier, carrying a handful of F-18 hornet fighter jets, helicopters and some 5,000 sailors and marines, is named after the 26th president of the United States. roosevelt, a soldier, a visionary president and a nobel Prize winner, is famous for the saying “Speak softly but carry a big stick.” hence the carrier is nicknamed “the Big Stick.”

“But I might take exception to the first part of the teddy roosevelt saying about speaking softly. I think there are times when we should speak loudly and clearly,” Kim told an audience of that included executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Supreme Court Senior associate Justice antonio Carpio, Presidential Political adviser Francis

Sen. Leila De Lima

Inquirer.net photo

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Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse engage in the traditional staredown during Wednesday’s press conference at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams in Paranaque. Philstar.com photo

than he used to. But with the senate in recess, Pacquiao has all the time in the world to make sure he is in tip-top condition against the dangerous Matthysse.

“We cannot underestimate him.

We have to make sure we are in 100 percent condition, physically, mentally, spiritually,” Pacquiao continued.

Matthysse’s camp, for their part, is oozing with confidence, believing that now is the perfect time to

get Pacquiao.

Mario arano, Matthysse’s manager who accompanied the fighter in his Manila trip, made the bold declaration onstage.

“It’s Matthysse’s time now.

Pacquiao’s time is over,” he said in Spanish. they would be wrong though to think that Pacquiao will just roll over.

“My time is not yet done,” Pacquiao countered. n

US vows freedom of navigation...

PAGE A4 t

Senator Leila De Lima will remain in detention after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed her motion for reconsideration on the arrest warrant against her issued by Muntinlupa regional trial Court (rtC).

In a ruling penned by associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the SC upheld the arrest order against the senator, which was issued by Muntinlupa rtC executive Judge Juanita Guerrero on February 23, 2017.

De Lima surrendered to authorities on February 24, 2017, and has since been detained at the Philippine national Police (PnP) Custodial Center in Quezon City. the warrant of arrest came after the Department of Justice (DoJ) charged De Lima for her alleged involvement on the illegal drug trade inside the new Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary from 2010 to 2015. the senator, however, denied the charges and cried political persecution.

In her petition, De Lima argued that it was the office of the ombudsman, not the rtC, which has jurisdiction over the drug cases against her because she accused of profiting from drug trade by using her position as the Justice secretary.

She also claimed that Guerrero committed grave abuse of discretion for ordering her arrest despite the fact that she had a pending motion to quash. the high court dismissed De Lima’s petition to nullify her arrest on oct. 10, 2017 due to lack of merit. the senator later filed a motion for reconsideration, which the SC also dismissed recently.

In a statement on Wednesday, april 18, De Lima lamented the SC’s decision to junk her motion for reconsideration.

“I am disappointed but hardly surprised…It is disheartening because our case is clearly meritorious. and I say that as plainly and as objectively as I possibly could,” the senator said.

She also vowed “to continue fighting for [her] innocence.”

“Because I am innocent. no lie can ever change that fact.

Someday I will attain my vindica-

tion, and all the lies—especially the lies about the deaths of the thousands of victims of the socalled ‘War on Drugs’—will be exposed, and the butchers, tyrants, and oppressors will be brought to answer for their crimes against the Constitution and against humanity,” De Lima added. n

tolentino, Sen. antonio trillanes IV, Philippine navy Flag officer in Command rear admiral robert empedrad, oriental Mindoro rep. reynaldo Umali, Pangasinan rep. Leopoldo Bataoil and business leaders Jaime augusto Zobel de ayala, tessie Sy-Coson, ricky razon, alfred ty. “the presence of the theodore roosevelt here in Manila Bay sends a very clear message to everyone in the region, especially to our friends in the Philippines, because our commitment to the U.S.-Philippines alliance is unbreakable and will remain so indefinitely,” Kim said. “our friendship has never been stronger and we have been and remain an Indo-Pacific nation. and our commitment to this region and its well-being is enduring,” he said.

Kim said the U.S. clearly showed its commitment to the alliance with the Philippines when it came to the assistance of the brave men and women of the armed Forces of the Philippines

(aFP) as they defeated the terrorists in Marawi City last year. he said the U.S. also shows its clear commitment when it welcomes every year tens of thousands of Filipinos to the U.S., to study, to visit loved ones – and sometimes to shop. “our commitment is also clear on the number of U.S. companies investing in Philippines’ thriving economy, providing jobs to talented Filipino workers and also when we welcome Filipino products to U.S. markets,” he added. the USS theodore roosevelt is a fourth nimitz-class aircraft carrier launched in 1984. She saw her first action during operation Desert Storm in 1991 that is now under the command of rear admiral Stephen Koehler of Carrier Strike Group 9 whose crew include some 400 Filipinoamericans. “at well over a thousand feet long and weighing in at well over a hundred thousand tons, sticks don’t come any bigger than the theodore roosevelt,” he said. n

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A6 APRIL 20-26, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Humane treatment

THE situation has improved since the height of Oplan Tokhang.

Back then the typical jail left no room even for a decent sleep.

Inmates had to take turns to be able to sleep lying down in cells that were packed nearly all the way to the ceiling.

The number of persons arrested or who surrendered in the drug war swelled the inmate population nationwide, overwhelming jails that were already filled to capacity even before the start of Tokhang.

While being in jail is better than ending up in a ditch with your head wrapped in packing tape, with your wrists bound behind your back and a bullethole in your head, even crime suspects have a right to a modicum of humane treatment. And inmates can die a slow death in a congested jail.

This week an inmate died at the crowded Pasay City Jail, reportedly from the heat. Jail custodians admitted that congestion worsened the poor ventilation in the facility. Video footage of the jail showed inmates half naked and still

looking like they needed air.

The jail congestion can be horrific particularly for the innocent who are wrongly accused, whether in the drug war or other cases. But even the guilty and convicts deserve humane treatment. They are wards of the state, whose duty at the very least is to keep them alive and, as much as possible, away from abuse and harm in detention.

Lawmakers must work with the executive to correct this sorry situation, by providing additional resources to the jail and corrections agencies. These are intrinsic elements of the criminal justice system. The public generally supports any campaign against criminality. The ongoing one must be backed by the needed detention facilities. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

New US Supreme Court ruling saves Filipino immigrant from deportation DEPORTATION. This is perhaps The Fil-Am among the top stress- Perspective ors of kababayans in the United States, especially those who have already established new lives in GEL SANTOS-RELOS this adoptive country. The fear is real, not only among undocumented immigrants, but even among those who have already been granted green cards, also known as Permanent Resident Status.

Green card holders are technically NOT citizens of the United States of America, and therefore do NOT enjoy the same protections from deportation as those who have already

naturalized. This is especially true under the Trump administration’s goal to deport undocumented immigrants and even limit legal immigration. Such policy is translated to how arrests are conducted and deportation cases are heard in immigration courts.

We have heard heartbreaking stories of immigrants being deported, despite the fact that they have not committed any serious violent crimes, or do not pose any threat to the security of the United States of America. With the new ruling of the

Supreme Court on one kababayan’s case, it may provide hope to many other immigrants fearing deportation.

As we reported on The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” on Tuesday, April 17, the U.S. Supreme Court (SC) justices’ decision struck down a provision in federal immigration law that they consider “unconstitutionally vague,” and has spared Filipino James Garcia Dimaya from deportation. The surprising twist — the deciding vote was casted by Trump’s SC appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Dimaya legally immigrated from the Philippines to the United States and have lived in Northern Califor-

nia since 1992. He was set to be deported because he pleaded guilty twice to residential burglary, and an immigration judge decided this to be a crime of violence.

The Supreme Court ruled on April 17 that home burglary was clearly NOT the kind of crime of violence that would justify deportation, effectively eliminating a federal immigration law that calls for mandatory deportation for non-citizens, including long-time permanent lawful residents, who are convicted of “aggravated felony.”

Legal analysts say that this SC ruling could limit the Trump administration’s deportation enforcement efforts.

An attorney for Dimaya said in a statement to the media, “The Supreme Court delivered a resounding message today: You can’t banish a person from his home and family without clear lines, announcing up front.”

The rule of law is still working in the United States. Kudos to Justice Gorsuch for his judicial independence in this ruling. *** 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

It was Aquino, not Duterte, whom Cambridge Analytica ‘helped’ become president

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO AN article published recently in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) that claimed that a sister company of the controversial Cambridge Analytica helped President Duterte win the 2016 elections by advising him to adopt a tough crimefighter branding turns out to be the perfect example of fake news, maliciously and deliberately contrived.

Rappler.com delighted in the fake news, and echoed it by posting an article that claimed that for this task, Cambridge Analytica used “Facebook data of 1.1 million Filipinos.”

The SCMP article had a sarcastic title: “How Cambridge Analytica’s parent company helped ‘man of action’ Rodrigo Duterte win the 2016 Philippine election.”

The truth is the exact opposite: It was former President Benigno S. Aquino 3rd whom the Cambridge Analytica’s affiliate Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL) advised to adopt a tough crime-fighter branding.

SCMP should apologize for publishing the article contributed by one Raissa Robles, whom it should ban from ever writing for the newspaper for deliberately writing falsehoods to feed her Yellow, anti-Duterte obsession, not just in this case but in several articles there in the past.

(Jack Ma of the online shopping behemoth Alibaba Group who bought SCMP two years ago should fire its editors, imbued for so long with outlooks servile to the West.)

In her article, Robles, a unpaid blogger most of her working time, claimed that SCL “boasted in its website that it helped get Duterte elected in 2016 by rebranding him as a tough crime fighter.”

The SCL didn’t even identify

Duterte, and the blogger’s sole basis for this was a post in its website, with its image in her article: “Facing national elections, the incumbent client was widely perceived as kind and honorable — qualities his campaign team thought were potentially election-winning. By contrast, SCL’s research showed that many groups within the electorate were more likely to be swayed by qualities such as ‘tough” and ‘decisive. Using the crosscutting issue of crime, SCL rebranded the client as a strong, non-nonsense man of action.’

To hint that SCL even tried to hide its help for Duterte, the blogger claimed that SCL removed the “website content about the 2016 election, although archived versions are still visible in the internet.”

Even as the “strong, nonsense man of action” would seem to be Duterte, the SCL wasn’t referring to the 2016 but to the 2010 elections, when he was still Davao mayor and not in his wildest dreams had he thought he’d be president.

The indisputable proof that the SCL was referring to the 2010 elections is the brochure that was posted was dated 2013. The Wayback Machine where the blogger got the brochure also had a time-stamp that showed that it was posted on November 15, 2013. (The nonprofit Wayback Machine, since 2001, has been preserving and making available to the public web content, even if these are deleted by its producers.)

That there is absolutely no doubt that SCL was referring to the 2010 elections is proven in another SCL web content posted September 26, 2010 that read: “SCL Elections [the name of the SCL unit]was asked to run the election campaign for a presidential candidate; this included managing all aspects

of the campaign including research, strategy and output over a seven-month period. SCL Elections successfully won the election for their candidate.”

After 2013 and through 2016, SCL no longer reported the Philippines as a client. Only Kenya, South Africa, India, Thailand and Indonesia were its international clients.

Either Robles was stupendously stupid, or deliberately ignored the time stamps on the SCL’s posts which showed that it was impossible that Duterte was its client. She even wove a web of lies by claiming that former SCL executive Alexander Nix had met with now PCOO undersecretary Joel Egco, whom she hinted was Duterte’s link with the firm.

That is so totally absurd, but so typical of this travesty of a journalist. Egco was president of the National Press Club, and he met Nix when the latter gave a talk on the role of mobile phone texting in elections.

Egco, who was a senior reporter of this newspaper, got to join the government only in the course of the NPC’s lobbying for the government to include the press organization’s representatives in its efforts to prevent more killings of journalists. I met Egco hen I was also Manila Times editorial consultant, and my impression then was he was even critical of Duterte.

How could he be such an insider that he would be the liaison with SCL? My sources in the Aquino camp alleged that it was his cousin Rapa Lopa, formerly president of polling firm Pulse Asia who contracted the SCL’s services, which cost P50 million, paid in dollars, shouldered allegedly by another cousin, they tycoon Antonio Cojuangco, Jr. Lopa asked Yolanda Ong of Campaigns and Grey, to implement the SCL’s recommendations for Aquino’s

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte with former Pres. Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang Palace.

campaign strategy.

The Aquinos have been big believers of foreign political consulting groups, as it was a pioneer in this field, the U.S.-based Sawyer Miller that engineered Cory’s extremely successful PR in the fight against Marcos that led to the EDSA revolt. I was told that it was the firm’s close-in adviser to Cory for this, the British Malloch Brown (also Smartmatic chairman) who recommended SCL, owned by his countrymen, to Aquino.

Despite SCL’s boast that it won the presidency for Aquino,

the “branding” it recommended for him as a tough crime-fighter wasn’t adopted by his campaign camp. Obviously, it was inane advice, as it would have been like rebranding a Forest Gump into a Dirty Harry.

The Yellow Cult adopted a more effective branding strategy: Ninoy as the son of Saint Cory. The Yellows ridiculed SCL’s advice so that no party in the 2016 elections thought of contracting it.

Ironically, it was Duterte who for decades had that Dirty Harry branding, which he exploited to

Inquirer.net file photo

the hilt in the 2016 elections.

For that blogger to claim that a British, U.S.-based firm recommended that kind of image is the height of colonial mentality. Or depths of inanity.

This episode though is as hilarious as in a comedy where a sycophantic servant strives to please his master, only to end up shooting him in the foot. With this fake SCL article, Aquino and the Yellow Cult are again revealed to have stupidly spent huge amounts of money to buy vapid advice from foreigners.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 20-26, 2018

Emotional PNP chief Dela Rosa bids farewell to police

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

OutgOing Philippine national Police (PnP) Chief general Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa bade goodbye to police service in tears on Monday, April 16.

During his final flag-raising ceremony at the PnP headquarters in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa thanked the police force for their hard work in implementing the anti-illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa also apologized to those who were disappointed at his performance as the PnP chief for a year and nine months. “i did my my best” he said. “that’s all i want to convey.

Whether i’m a good or bad father of the organization, it’s up to you to judge.”

He continued: “i don’t have to brag about it. You be the judge. if i had many mistakes, i’d like to say sorry.”

Citing some of his accomplishments during term as the PnP chief, Dela Rosa took note of the 19,086 drug offenders who were arrested during the 12,032 antiillegal drugs operations nationwide from December last year until April 13.

He said these operations were “not at all a walk in the park be-

cause there were isolated lifethreatening confrontations with armed drug suspects that necessitated the use of reasonable force by our operatives, thus resulting in 207 deaths from these police operations.” “i am glad to take note of the responsiveness of the Police Regional Offices in heeding the call of the national leadership and the popular desire to rid our nation of the scourge of illegal drugs,” he added.

Dela Rosa also remarked that the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign will not end with his retirement. “the commitment of the PnP in the illegal drugs campaign does not end with the retirement of Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. Rather, we can expect more results-oriented operations under a new leadership that would infuse new blood into the campaign,” he said.

Dela Rosa will formally turn over his post as the PnP chief to national Capital Region Police Office (nCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde on April 18.

Albayalde, meanwhile, vowed to do his best to “match, or even exceed” Dela Rosa’s performance. “the Philippine national Police chief that we will follow is

‘ALAB NG PUSO’ UNVEILING. Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive Officer (CEO) Vivencio Dizon (right): 4Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. (left) and Taguig City Second District Representative Pilar Juliana Cayetano (2nd from left), lead the unveiling ceremony of the “Alab ng Puso” (Fire in the Heart) sculpture in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Monday, April 16. The sculpture aims to recognize the heroism and sacrifices made by Filipino soldiers in defending the nation.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa Inquirer.net photo

very amiable and well-loved by the public. i may not be able to fill in his shoes but i will do my best to match, or even exceed the public’s expectation of him and his responsibility,” Albayalde said. n

DOT orders foreign offices to stop promoting Boracay

by Jennifer

renDon & robertzon ramirez Philstar.com

MAniLA — More than a week before the six-month closure of Boracay, the Department of tourism (DOt) has issued a memorandum order asking its central and foreign offices to stop promoting the island. the order obtained by The Star said Boracay should be excluded from all the promotional campaigns of the DOt following President Duterte’s order to shut down the island for six months starting April 26. the island will also be secured heavily during its closure to stop people from sneaking into the area while rehabilitation efforts are ongoing. the Police Regional Office 6Western Visayas (PRO 6) said over 600 police and military personnel will secure Boracay along with the Philippine Coast guard.

But some of the rules were relaxed for the sake of the residents,

allowing them, for instance, to fish anywhere in the island. the DOt said the central and foreign offices should instead “strongly” endorse the many alternative Philippine tourist destinations, “particularly emerging attractions in the Mindanao regions.”

However, Jose Clemente iii, president of the tourism Congress of the Philippines, cried foul over the DOt’s order, saying the government should not stop the marketing strategies to promote Boracay even with its closure to maintain its name in the world market.

Clemente said it is important to keep promoting Boracay and retain its good reputation internationally in time for its reopening.

Earlier this month, Duterte approved the recommendation of the inter-agency task force to close the island for six months af-

ter he called it a cesspool.

Select tourism stakeholders and the inter-agency task force met to discuss the developments on the rehabilitation program, but Clemente said that “there was no take away during the meeting.” the government did not consider appeals to rehabilitate the island by phase instead of shutting it down, saying the degradation entailed closure. in Boracay, Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, chief of the PCgCaticlan station, said they are considering people’s complaints and pleas, thus they are allowing residents to fish beyond the 15-kilometer radius from the shoreline during the shutdown.

But to ensure that only Boracay residents could fish in the area, Palabrica said they would enforce the safety, security and environmental numbering system – meaning the PCg will issue an identification number for each vessel. n

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Petra, Aqaba, Jordan

(Tiberias, Ceasarea, Haifa, Meggido,Magdala, Nazareth, Cana, Mt Carmel, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitude, Jericho, Bethany, Mt.Tabor, Mount Zion, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Masada Dead Sea, Allen by Bridge, Madaba, Mt Nebo Petra, Aqaba Jordan)

OCTOBER 18 to NOVEMBER 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct. 18, 2018( Thursday) Day 1 – MNL HKG, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Oct. 25, 2018 (Thursday) Day 8 - Jerusalem Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14) Israel. (Meals served in-flight) We will walk to view the Dome of the Rock from the outside, and visit the Oct. 18, 2018 (Friday) Day 1 – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Western Wall, ( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still Tiberias standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Then, we will Arrival from Manila still Oct. 18,2018 late in the evening. After we clear drive to Mt. Zion, to visit the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Immigration and Customs, will be met by our driver for transfer to tiberias . Supper, then survey the Dormition Abbey, and the Church of St. Peter in enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean. We will spend our first night Gallicantu, the site where Peter denied Jesus three times. After the day’s in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Gai Beach Hotel (Oct. 19, 2018) Holy tour, we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Eucharist Notre Dame Vatican Hotel Oct. 20, 2018 (Saturday) Day 3 - Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana / Oct. 26, 2018 (Friday) Day 9 - Mount of Olives/Gethsemane/Bethlehem/ Mt Tabor Jerusalem (New City)/Ein Karem We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Mass at the Church of Nativity Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon. In the New “O mountain of God, receive me, a mother, with my child.” (Protoevangelium Testament book of Revelation, it is referred as the sites of the “final battle”. of James 22:3) From there, we will continue our drive into Nazareth, where we will have Mass We will arrive at the Mount of Olives, to enjoy another view of Jerusalem, in the Church of the Annunciation, the Cave of the Annunciation and visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus visit Joseph’s Workshop and Then we will move on to Cana of Galilee, where Flevit (“God wept”) sanctuary. Next, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Our Lord performed His first miracle: changing water into wine at the wedding Garden of Gethsemane, and visit the Rock of Agony and the Church of feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows, Continue to Mount all Nations. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name is Tabor, site of Jesus Transfiguration Afterward, we will head to Tiberias. Dinner recognized around the world. After celebrating Mass at the Church of Nativity, and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).Gai Beach Hotel. we will see the Manger; visit the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Oct. 21, 2018 (Sunday) Day 4 - Tiberias/Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/Boat Ride “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Early AM departures to Mt. Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. Eucharistic Celebration. Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry.

After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Then to the Church Primacy of St Peters.

Overnight Magdala ( BB, D)

Jerome and the Shepherds’ Fields. Then we will return to Jerusalem (New City), to view the Temple Model to see how it looked during the time of Jesus.

Here, we will gain a better understanding between the old and new cities of Jerusalem. Up next is a trip to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat”.

We will end our day by returning to our Hotel. (B/D).

Oct. 23, 2018 (Tuesday) DAY 6 - Jordan Valley/Jericho/Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church of St. Lazarus MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one discovered in the Galilee.

famous mosaic map of the Holy Land. Then we will drive down to Aqaba.

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

Oct. 27, 2018 (Saturday) Day 10 - Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations After breakfast, we will celebrate mass at the Church of all Nations and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the Oct. 22, 2018 (Monday) Day 5 - Magdala Full day retreat , Focus will Include programs based on the historical caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to and Religious value of the Magdala sites Jerusalem for dinner and Overnight (B, D) More info coming up as we get closer to the dates MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are Oct. 28, 2018 (Sunday) Day11 - Jerusalem/Allenby Bridge/Madaba/ creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is Jordan/Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She Mass at Mount Nebo lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We will go to that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue the Baptismal Site at Bethany, which Pope John Paul II visited in 2000. dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one Then, it’s on to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Our discovered in the Galilee. next stop will be the Church of St. George in Madaba, which hosts the

Oct. 24, 2018 ( Wednesday) Day 7 - Jerusalem (Old City)/Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:17) We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. After mass, we return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will enter the Old City, sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Then we will visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostratos (where the soldiers played the Game of Kings) and the Arch of the “Ecce Homo”.

Dinner/Overnight Notre Dame Vatican hotel

A

Oct 29, 2018 (Monday) Day 12 - Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba After breakfast, we will journey through the Siq, until we get our first glimpse of the Khazneh (Treasury). Then will we walk down to visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater. At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and dinner (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence Oct. 30, 2018 (Tuesday) Day 13 - Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/Overnight Oct. 31, 2018 (Wednesday) Day 14 - Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX After breakfast, we will visit the Yad Vashem Museum,is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding such events in the future. After the Western Wall, Yad Vashem is the second-most-visited Israeli tourist site. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation in preparation for our return flight back to the USA after early dinner will be transferred to the airport for flight Oct 31, 2018 8:45 PM departure from TLV End of Our Memorable Pilgrimage to Jesus Home Land!!!

Australia, Japan to join Philippines-US joint exercises

by Patricia LourDeS Philstar.com

Viray

MAniLA — Forces from Australia and Japan will also participate in the forthcoming joint military exercises between the Philippines and the united States. the 34th Balikatan exercises between Filipino and u.S. troops will be conducted at multiple locations in Luzon from May 7 to 18. the Philippine military has also invited the united Kingdom to observe training for mitigation of post-disaster suffering, according to the u.S Embassy in Manila.

Australian and Japanese forces, meanwhile, will participate in all major training events. the focus of the joint exercises this year will be on enhancing capabilities of both armed forces of the two countries. “the training will emphasize mutual defense operations so both nations can more effectively employ forces and provide assistance in the event of crises that endanger public health and safety,” the u.S. Embassy said.

Meanwhile, Filipino and American troops have started engaging in community engagement activities a few weeks before the annual joint military exercises.

Filipino and u.S. service members began working on renovat-

The Balikatan exercises will be conducted from May 7 to 18 at multiple locations in Luzon.

Philstar.com photo

ing five schools and conducting medical engagements with local residents in Luzon. “these community outreach projects mark the beginning of several information exchanges and live training events between the two militaries,” the uS Embassy said in a statement. the Balikatan exercises is an annual multilateral military exercise between the Philippines and the u.S., which focuses on mutual defense, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. in September 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his intent to end the joint military exercises with the uS, saying that the war games that year would

be the “last one.”

Duterte said that the military exercises with Washington were something that Beijing “does not want” as he was then seeking new trade and commercial alliances with China. the joint war games still pushed through last year but the exercises were smaller since it focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster response as opposed to previous exercises which included maritime defense drills. the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the focus of the Balikatan had been shifted last year “out of the guidance of the president” that the country will experience many disasters. n

Marian Pilgrimage France, Spain & Portugal September 8 to September 21, 2018 Spiritual Director: rev. John Duy nguyen Still one of the great pilgrimages shrines in the world, visited by thousands of pilgrim’s. Arrive in Lourdes in the late afternoon, orientation to the shrines and spends some time in the sanctuary.

Dinner & overnight.

Sept. 9, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 2 - Paris (CDG) Arrived Paris CDG, Then after we clear immigration and collect our (BB, D) Luggage,. you will proceed to your hotel and have mass and dinner.

Sept. 15, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 8 - Lourdes Overnight in Paris. (D) You will have early morning bath at the healing water of Lourdes.

Then return to the hotel for breakfast. There after attend Holy Mass Sept. 10, 2018 - (Monday) Day 3 - Paris Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, also at the Grotto. continue the day with a walking tour of the shrines and known as the City of Light. Full day touring with local guide, including places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. Spend some time visit of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Sacre meditating on the passion of our Lord through more than life size Coeur, The chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac is the site exotic way of the sacrament and prayers. Afternoon will be free time of Marian Apparitions and contain the reliquaries of St. Catherine for private devotion. Dinner/overnight (BB, D) Laboure and St. Louise De Marillac. The shrine of St. Vincent the Paul is within walking distance, a few blocks from Rue De Bac, visit Sept. 16, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 9 - Lourdes / Zaragoza the chapel which houses the relic of St. Vincent the Paul. Overnight After Breakfast, you’ll continue your drive towards Zaragoza, Spain. Visit the shrines of Our Lady of Pillar, the 2nd most popular in Paris (BB/D) pilgrimages sites in Spain. See the Magnificent altar in the Basilica, built on site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the apostles Sept. 11, 2018 - (Tuesday) Day 4 - Paris/Lisieux After breakfast, Full day in Lisieux, home of St Therese, who at age St. James, before her assumption into heaven. Dinner/overnight 15, entered the convent and became Carmelite nun, she took the Zaragoza (BB, D) religious name of St Therese of the child Jesus and the Holy face. The spirituality of her little ways was not about extraordinary things, but Sept. 17, 2018 - (Monday) Day 10 - Zaragoza / Salamanca rather about doing simple things of life well and with extraordinary After breakfast you will embark on a trip to Salamanca. You will have love. She believed and taught that “Everything is Grace”, God’s face a short stop and panoramic tour of Avila. Upon arrival in Salamanca, and presence could be experienced in every person and situation of you will visit the Old Cathedral and tour the city. Dinner /overnight our lives, if we just attend with love and expectancy. She died at the Salamanca (BB, D) age of 24 believing that her life was really the beginning for God, promising to spend her heaven doing good on earth, her promised” Sept. 18, 2019 - (Tuesday) Day 11 - Salamanca / Fatima shower of Roses” began and have become a torrent in the church After Breakfast, you will spend the first half of the day touring ever since. Return to Paris, Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. Salamanca. You will visit the new cathedral with a short stop at Plaza Mayor for lunch. After lunch you will continue to Fatima, the Overnight in Lisieux (BB, D) famous Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Upon arrival you will have a Sept. 12, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 5 - Lisieux / Nevers / Paray- short orientation tour of the Sanctuary. Attend the nightly Candlelight procession at the Shrine. Dinner and Overnight Fatima (BB, D) Le-Monial After Breakfast, Continue your drive to the picturesque Loire valley to Nevers, visit the convent of St. Gillard, where St. Bernadette’s Sept. 19, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 12 - Fatima incorrupt body miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Breakfast, then Visit the Museum dedicated to the Blessed Virgin At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary Mary followed by Mass at the Apparitions chapel, Full day Guided in Lourdes, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the tours includes the Shrines ground, visit of the tombs of Francisco congregation of the sisters of charity of Nevers. St Gildard convent and Jacinta in the Basilica, In Aljustrel and Valinhos, you see the is her final resting place. After she was blessed with the apparitions two homes of the shepherds, site of Our Lady’s fourth apparitions. of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette retired in Nevers. She Stop at the Parish church where the seers were baptized, and the received her religious habit in 1866. Continue to Paray-Le-Monial for cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. You will do the station of the Cross. We encourage everyone to spend some time Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) in the Blessed Sacrament, which is open every day. Dinner/overnight Fátima. (BB, D) Sept. 13, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 6 - Paray-Le-Monial After Breakfast, you will tour Paray-Le-Monial. Your first stop is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and here you will celebrate Holy Sept. 20, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 13 - Fatima / Lisbon Eucharist. Then you will tour and admire the Romanesque basilica After breakfast ,you will proceed to Lisbon with stops at Santarem and see the Chapel of Apparitions. After the Basilica, you will proceed to visit the church of the Holy Miracle containing the Glorious to the Monastere e la Visitation. Visit the reliquary of Saint Margaret 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem .Then you will do a Mary of Alocoque at the Chapel of Visitation. Still to see and visit after panoramic city tour of Lisbon, with a visit to the Basilica of St Anthony lunch is the Park of the Chaplain and the Chapel of St. Colombiere. de Padua, St Jeronimo’s Monastery and the famous Belem Tower.

Dinner/Overnight Lisbon (BB, D) Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) Sept. 8, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 1 USA/PARIS Transatlantic flight from USA to Paris (CDG )Meals serve on board.

Sept. 14, 2018 - (Friday) Day 7 - Paray-Le-Monial / Lourdes Sept. 21, 2018 - (Friday) - Early AM transfer to Lisbon After breakfast you will continue your pilgrimage to Lourdes. Lourdes, Airport for flight home to USA celebrating 160 Years of apparitions of Blessed Virgin to Bernadette. Full of wonderful memories of Our Pilgrimage

A APRIL 20-26, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

APRIL 20-26, 2018

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Cover photos from Instagram/@rich_tu

2

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 20, 20 1 8

DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR, ARTIST

Rich Tu on mentoring and inspiring the next generation

by MoMar

“INSpIRING the youth and talking to these young, new influencers, they are the future.

It means everything. The spirit of what we are talking about today — visionary leadership — is about thinking ahead and activating the youth to do something meaningful to them.”

That was Rich Tu’s immediate response when we asked about the importance of mentoring and sharing one’s knowledge with the rest of the community, particularly the next generation who may be looking for role models.

That is Rich in a nutshell, specially if we consider the industry he belongs to.

Currently the Vp of Design at MTV, Rich worked extra hard to be where he is today. It was not an easy path, and he knew that getting in, which makes him appreciate more the achievements he has amassed so far.

“It took a lot of hard work, time, conscious effort to get to where I am right now, specially with my history with a lot of different big brands like Nike and MTV,” he shared. “It was (about) consistency and knowing how to manage my time and knowing what I wanted, and a lot of times, knowing when to push and when to lean back and let something happen and when to actively seek a thing.”

It was about finding a border and pushing past that border.

Memories that define his career trajectory are forever seared in his mind. Like getting published for the first time in the New York Times, for example.

For his aesthetic style, he considers Steven Heller as one of his biggest influences. Heller was also the one who gave Tu his first

G. Visaya/AJPress

professional illustration work at New York Times in 2006.

“The first time it happened, it was a life-changing moment, you feel you’ve made it and everyone’s going to see it. My parents are proud of me, I am doing good…and then you realize, cool, it is over. On to the next thing,” he said.

In 2010, Rich received the elusive “Young Guns” award from the Art Directors Club, one of the most coveted awards for young creatives (30 years and below) around the globe. The field includes young talent in the fields of graphic design, illustration, advertising and art direction, environmental design, film, animation & video, interactive design, product design and typography.

At MTV, Rich was part of the team that rebooted and rebranded TRL or Total Request Live, a fixture on MTV that lorded over the airwaves in the late 90s and early 2000s. From logos to animation to mobile and social media, a design system was built from the ground up to make sure that the return of TRL would be fun and meaningful.

In this career, Rich said that he sees himself constantly walking up that mountain, and once he falls off that cliff, he stands up and climbs that mountain again.

That is how he remains at the top of his game.

Rich, who describes himself as a “pop culture nerd” was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey. He went to undergraduate school at Rutgers where he started in communications and psychology. When he left, he wanted to do something more specific within the creative field.

Photo from Instagram/@rich_tu

10 Things About Rich Tu

1. He is the Vp of Design at MTV. 2. Co-directed a Queen music video featuring unreleased Freddie Mercury vocals.

3. Designed the Nike “Hey penny” Foamposite, the Number 1 Kid’s Shoe of 2017 (per HypeKids.com) 4. He was a former bboy.

5. Aside from MTV, he has worked at Nike, Verizon, Coca Cola, The New York Times, and The New Yorker.

6. He is a first generation Filipino American.

7. Hosts an immigrant-based podcast called “First Generation Burden.”

8. Helped rebrand the relaunch of Total Request Live (TRL) – a television series on MTV that features popular music videos.

9. Has been a sneaker head since high school.

10. His favorite video game is Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

He then went to night school at the School of Visual Arts for about two to three years and graduated from the school’s prestigious Illustration as Visual Essay program.

“School never stopped and I was living in New Jersey and I would be a substitute teacher or work in the mall during the day in an effort to achieve the goal,” he shared.

He took illustration, design

Romeo Marquez, Jr. of TFCU Talks engaging the panelists, among them (from left) Jhett Tolentino, Sarah Meier, Norman Dalager and Rich Tu

and advertising classes with the purpose of knowing what he wanted to do at the end of the day. He then built a portfolio and in 2006, the hard work paid off and he got published in the New York Times. prior to his current work at MTV, Rich worked at Nike.

Before Nike, he was doing freelance work for a couple of years. Then the call from Nike came and he found himself moving from New York to portland.

Working at Nike was yet another dream come true for this self-confessed sneakerhead who still remembers his first pair of Nikes (Air Force 1 lows, canvas black/white) bought in Livingston Mall when he was in Grade 7.

It took a lot of time and effort for him to be where he is now at this point in his career and he is thankful to his parents and family for the full support.

“My parents were very supportive, and no one prevented me from stopping the mindset (I had) and as I hit certain milestones, it just empowered me and my support circle to keep pushing me. I was very fortunate that way. Everyone was always in my corner,” Rich said.

Talking about “The Art of the pivot” at the inaugural TFCU Talks in NYC, Rich also mentioned about how he is hoping to empower the

younger generation this early in the game.

“Being Filipino is about being the other and also right now, I care very much about brown pride and being someone who can help empower those who feel different and I think right now, with the first generation immigrant mindset,” he said.

“We are living in a world where this country doesn’t necessarily want us so I care about toughening up the youth and young Filipinos to get them ready for what the world is going to show them, and to show them that they can achieve something really meaningful and to not let the world get them down.”

The bottomline is that conversations must happen in order to learn, not just from the mentors who have been there but also from each other because both camps are coming from different perspectives.

“No matter what is happening right now, with the greater conversation in politics, we have more power now than we’ve ever had. We are part of the future,” he said.

Rich’s parents – his dad is from pampanga, mom from Manila – came from the philippines in the 1960s when they were in their 20s. Both of them are now retired taking care of their grandchildren.

Through his career, Rich has exhibited at galleries and festivals in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, as well as the SCOpE Miami festival, during Miami’s Art Basel week. Commercially, his clients include The New York Times, The New Yorker, Business Week, Alfa Romeo, Bombay Sapphire, GShock, Nike, Converse, American Express, NpR, NorthFace purple Label, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Skype, Fuse TV, and Hamilton The Musical, among others.

Tony Award-winning producer’s new show opens on Broadway

By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

WHEN Jhett Tolentino was invited to see “Children of a Lesser God” last summer at the Berkshire in Massachusetts, he knew he wanted the project.

“I fell in love with it. I think it is exactly what we need in the world right now because everywhere else it is so loud, may it be in the philippines or here in the United States, it is all about banter from every angle,” Tolentino said.

“Children of a Lesser God,” now open at Studio 54, is a revival of the play that premiered in 1980 and became an Oscar-winning film in 1986. It is a decades-old material that still resonates to this day.

“We tried to make it fresh, from our set, which is minimalized. We don’t want to use the word “dated” because we have so many fresh ideas in this show,” Tolentino shared.

Joshua Jackson gives his everything in the play and both he and Lauren Ridloff deliver stunning performances on their Broadway debuts. He does both speaking and signing lines, using dual tones – his and hers. It may not sound like anything on print but when you see it live, you’d understand exactly

Joshua Jackson

what we mean.

Lauren has never acted in theater before although she has appeared in the film “Wonderstruck” and is a former Miss Deaf America.

“She was initially hired to translate and she ended up in the main role because she was good at it. That’s her background, her back story,” Tolentino said.

This is the second time that Jhett is working with Tony Awardwinning director Kenny Leon who was also the director of “A Raisin in the Sun” with Denzel Washington, which gave Jhett his second Tony Award.

He is hopeful that despite the tough competition, they will be

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya Director Kenny Leon at the opening night curtain call of Children of a Lesser God with its cast led by Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff.

Tony Award-winning producer Jhett Tolentino

recognized once the award season starts.

“It is a very tough year this year but I am hoping that the show gets at least four nominations,” he said.

The play has received three Drama League Awards nominations for Best Revival and Distinguished performance for both Ridloff and Jackson).

The triple Tony winner, who is also venturing into film, would like more Filipinos to see the story and the message of the show.

“I’d like to invite people to come in and step back and listen from someone who couldn’t speak.

It is very powerful,” he said. “Take it

from someone else’s point of view na hindi makapagsalita. put on that headphone and hear the silence for two hours. It’s all about promoting art that is valuable and socially relevant.”

After his documentary “Life is What You Make It” last year, Tolentino is off to start filming Lingua Franca (directed by Isabel Sandoval) next month in Brooklyn.

He will fly to Manila in October to shoot another film, “Rooster’s Mass.”

But before that, he is flying back to Manila in a few weeks because he is producing the play “M Butterfly” there.

Anthony Edwards

Immigration Corner

The May 2018 Priority Dates

3

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 20, 20 1 8

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

October 8, 2007

January 22, 2006

September 22, 2017

June 1, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

September 8, 2007

December 15, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

July 22, 1995

April 1, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

October 15, 1995

February 1, 1995

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;place in lineâ&#x20AC;? for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was â&#x20AC;&#x153;current,â&#x20AC;? but later retrogressed (or â&#x20AC;&#x153;moved backwardsâ&#x20AC;? and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Application Filing Date.â&#x20AC;? If a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

January 1, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

January 1, 2017

active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Success Stories,â&#x20AC;? endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-

Garden lessons Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA SPRING is here and the earth beckons. The rains came this year, sometimes with the intensity of a freight train, sometimes rain so fine and gentle, it feels like a caress on your face, a silent benediction from the heavens. Either way, we got a really good dousing. Thank God for this tender mercy.

Spring is a time of favor. The gardener at heart tunes out all dire predictions of doom and gloom we get in spades from our immediate environment or from nasty agenda-driven mass media.

So cut the cable. Turn off the remote or SIMPLY UNPLUG. You might be surprised at the positive effects of reclaiming your life back from social media.

The realist in us thinks there is reason to be anxious with just about everything under the sun.

But the true gardener at heart remains unfazed. Cool, calm and collected, he chooses to live in that rare state of grace called equanimity.

It must come from the zen-like peace one gets when one gardens, even if it is simply tending a single potted plant on an office desk.

Doing what must be done in the garden is his small way of keeping the delicate balance of nature in his own sphere of influence.

In many ways, gardening is like praying. It keeps fears and anxieties at bay and keeps one centered in the belief that all things in the cosmos work together for good.

I was and still am a reluctant gardener. I was thrust into it by circumstances since I have a thing about not wanting anything dying on my shift. I had to seek books and advice despite the frenetic schedule of a workaday world as I multitasked my way through the day. Nothing I did seemed right at the time. I tended to over water not knowing about the dangers of root rot.

My track record at growing things was dismal, yet I have often wondered what it would be like to watch something grow. I marveled at my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s green thumb. She can stick a seemingly lifeless stump at a clump of earth and grow a new beautiful plant nearly every time.

I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one to give up easily though. Tenaciously, doggedly I hung on to an image of me as a confident gardener. My education on the art and science of growing things had begun. I took baby steps and stumbled countless times. I still do.

I became quieter within as I began to observe and seek to understand the process of growth, the seasons and the cycle of life. I read voraciously volumes upon volumes about plants and watched public television that featured gardening. Nurseries and gardens have become my favorite haunts where I could ask those who knew better. I boned up on my rusty, halting Spanish

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Claude Monet, speaking of his garden at Giverny in France

quizzing the gardener as best I could. Finally, I slammed on the brakes fearing I had become boringly, compulsively obsessive.

But I found that unless I got down on the ground myself, nothing happened.

I have discovered gardening to be a quiet, solitary pursuit somewhat fit for hermits and loners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unglamorous, unexciting, backbreaking, time consuming, manual, icky, down in the dirt labor that was certainly not meant for immediate gratification.

So, why do it at all? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know. Must be borderline idiocy. Of course, I speak only for myself. For one thing, it teaches you the patience of Job and the virtue of humility. I have failed more than succeeded and am still working on it. But as time passed, I have been encouraged by modest results. I became synchronized with the seasons and their gentle nuances. I took baby steps and was off and running at one point I could call most plants by name these days and seem to instinctively know what to do when a problem arises. If things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work on my own accord, I seek help. I still am a failure with azaleas. Azaleas have been dying on my shift so I am staying away from them. I suspect it has something to do with the amount of light and too much water that has drenched the soil because of an unusually wetter, longer winter season. I said goodbye too to a beautiful sago palm that must have suffered root rot. Farewell too to a French lavender bush that gave me so much fragrance. The garden gets a lot of shade being in a Northwest orientation so I am quite alright with the fact that I will never have roses which I would love to have but canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Believe me, I tried. So I just admire them in my neighborsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gardens with a southeast orientation.

My journey to self-discovery has been made easier by understanding the process of nature, the seasons and the nature of things: of why a seed no matter how good cannot grow in a certain type of soil; or how a young tree cannot grow in the shadow of a mighty oak; or of how much light a plant needs to burst with flowers, of the impeccable timing and the cycle of the seasons that are in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect divine order like a well rehearsed dance or a Beethoven symphony; of why you must resist moving a plant from a place where it is growing so well to another place simply to satisfy a whim or a feng shui decorating principle; when and where to prune, of knowing when to water by sticking a finger in the soil or noting the droop of the leaves; or the merits of clay pots and plastic pots; of when to re-pot or top dress; even how to propagate.

Continued on Page 5

client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ¡ SAN FRANCISCO ¡ NEW YORK ¡ PHILIPPINES

AFTER ENTERING THE US IN THE BACKSEAT OF A MINIVAN, PINAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEXT HURDLE WAS HOW TO LEGALIZE HER STATUS. Pina (center) entered the U.S. in 2001 through the Canadian border, while seated in the back seat of a minivan. Border patrol asked the driver a few questions, but never spoke with Pina, and let them pass through.

Pina was petitioned by an employer, and eventually married her U.S. citizen husband, John (left), who also petitioned her. Both cases were denied based on the way she entered the U.S. Although she consulted with Attorney Gurfinkel several times, she retained other attorneys, and her case was denied.

She finally retained Attorney Gurfinkel, who was able to obtain her green card through â&#x20AC;&#x153;provisional waiver.â&#x20AC;? Watch how Attorney Gurfinkel came to the rescue, and help Pina achieve her American dream, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

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4

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 20, 20 1 8

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Linda M. Mayo: an instinctive mom and prototypical community leader

The fearless and outspoken Linda m. mayo initiated the founding and establishment of the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action The long-standing notion League, Inc. (PACCAL) together of “women innately possessing with compassionate Filipinomaternal instinct is a myth” has been one debatable subject difficult American veterans way back in October of 1992…that makes the to put to rest despite the fact that service-oriented Jersey City-based even psychologists settled that organization 26 this year. motherhood is the essential aspect An atypical Aries-born (April12), that perpetuates the very essence of Linda possesses that distinct a woman. fierceness to claim her individuality After an extensive review of as a trendsetter and trailblazer. A the scientific views about maternal born-leader and an organizer with instinct, Professor ma. Vicedopractically keen insight this lady in Castello, University of Toronto’s PACCAL’s totem pole has been the Professor of History and Philosophy first (and only) Jersey City woman of Science and Technology, was Deputy mayor of Asian descent. steadfast to conclude that: “There Aptly armed with a full knowledge is no scientific evidence to claim about what she’s fighting for while that there is a maternal instinct fortified with an unrivaled courage that automatically gives women to stand for what she believes is right the desire to have children, makes and equipped with an unflinching women more emotional than men, confers upon them a higher capacity enthusiasm to sustain her drive, and unrelenting determination to for nurturance, and makes them better equipped to rear children than succeed, gutsy but soft-hearted Linda contrastingly finds joy even in men.” simple things.

But for someone who has After having freed herself relentlessly devoted all her life from the bondage of torturing caring for her only son, aside from sleepless nights and swam out of her parents and siblings, Linda the whirlpool of emotional baggage mananghaya mayo has been vocal about the existence of the proverbial abandoned by her not-so-distant marital past, Linda woke up to “mother Instinct” in every woman. the realization of her real purpose “It’s a natural phenomenon among of existence: the moral, spiritual, women…and that separates us and personal responsibilities and distinguishably from our male obligations she has yet to carry on. counterparts,” she profoundly blurts As the founding President and out.

BoBBy T. yalong

Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto

Philstar.com photo

Julia Barretto on relationship with Joshua Garcia: ‘We’re OK’

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

Linda with son Joey, Ric Respicio, and Allah Arcanghel

KAPAmILyA actress Julia Barretto finally came out to speak about her alleged breakup with rumored boyfriend Joshua Garcia.

Linda M. Mayo 4 years ago during her 70th The temporary split was reportedly Birthday celebrator Linda M. Mayo birthday caused by his private message to a beauty queen and former “It’s Showtime” contestant.

In a recent episode of “Tonight With Boy Abunda,” Julia said she and Joshua are now okay but are still in the process of moving on from what happened to them.

“Up to this day, Tito Boy, I’m still trying to gain my trust and that’s the truth. He’s still trying to gain my trust, but we’re OK. Accept, forgive and move on. Life goes on,” the teen star said.

Joshua, in the same interview, PACCAL founder celebrates her birthday with her friends divulged that they did not talk for a recognized by the Hudson County Executive Director of PACCAL Linda couple of days while he was in Bali, Department of Health and Human steadily maintained her focus on while her onscreen partner was Services (DHHS), Office on Aging. what the organization could do. in Siargao. Julia said it was part of Just recently, the indefatigable “Compassion and kind-heartedness their healing process. community leader was duly start from home and extends to the “It’s a process. When I’m not recognized and awarded during last person who needs help. There the 2nd Asian American and Pacific were a lot of problems to address… neither was a hitch nor glitch that Islander Community Hero Awards numerous things to accomplish… hindered Linda’s active life. The acknowledging the hard working and quite a lot of people to serve.” ever-amiable leader and event staff and volunteers of non-profit That was her self-balloon after organizer always wears a ready organizations serving AAPIs age having thought of her main mission smile for everyone but for some 50-plus. and real purpose for living. sort of twist of fate she found Linda, as PACCAL Founder and Linda has served the Filipinoherself in a dilemma she never saw President Emeritus, was joined by American Community for over 30 coming. There was not even a sign Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Director of years since PACCAL’s inception. or premonition that she would be Desi Senior Center in Glen Oaks, As the first service-oriented in a state of quandary following a New york and Shongchai Hang, organization in Jersey City to jubilant holiday revelry with PACCAL an outreach worker of South East address the health and human officers, members and volunteers.

Asia mutual Assistance Association service needs of the Filipino-Asian Until one fateful morning of Coalition in Philadelphia, PA. community focusing on senior December 29, 2017, Linda woke Throughout her more than 3 citizens /veterans’ program. PACCAL up to a different crack of dawn. decades of societal activities and holds the distinction of being She normally greets the first light community involvements there the only Asian Provider Agency

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SERVICES

ready to speak about it, I just want the person to know that I’m aware of what’s happening. I’m aware of what you did. That’s my time to think, that’s my time to reflect, that’s my time to pray,” Julia told Abunda.

Julia admitted that she does not want their relationship to turn into waste, so she made it clear to Joshua what she felt and gave her rumored boyfriend a chance to defend himself.

“With this guy, we have respect to each other, there is love and we built something beautiful. So it wasn’t something na was easily na madali kong sasabihin na ‘Tama na, I don’t wanna talk. I don’t want you anymore.’ It’s not like that. It’s more like ‘This is what you did, I know what you did, this is how I felt, let me hear your side.’ I made it clear. I know my worth, I know my value, things I can tolerate and what I can’t tolerate. I made it clear to him,” the young Barretto stressed. of day with a smile and prayer but this time her muscles and reflexes failed to coordinate and respond effectually. Unquestionably she suffered from stroke!

It was an unforeseen nightmare!

A reality she couldn’t accept.

For someone as active as Linda, suffering from such heightened physical condition is such a brutalizing dilemma…much more spending the holidays in one of the bleak hospital rooms in desolation away from her loved ones. A first in her life, Linda could only kept the Continued on Page 6

Pinoys in US, Canada thrilled to see their Kapuso idols

An Asian Journal Magazine

Sikat Ka, Kapuso! concerts take social media by storm

GMA Pinoy TV’s Sikat Ka, Kapuso! was a huge hit among Filipinos abroad as the back-toback shows featuring Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo, Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado, Kapuso Premier Drama Actress Lovi Poe, Pambansang Bae Alden Richards, Kapuso comedian Betong Sumaya, and Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes took New Jersey and Toronto by storm.

The shows held at the Newark Symphony Hall, New Jersey last April 7 and Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto last April 8 were flocked by excited Pinoys who came from different parts of America and Canada. Fans GMA-Jennylyn, Dennis, Dingdong, Betong, Lovi, and Alden take a selfie with the crowd travelled all the way from New York, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, St. Laurent and Montreal, Ottawa, and Windsor just to see their Kapuso idols perform on stage and get the chance to take photos with them.

The Kapuso abroad also took to social media how much they enjoyed watching Sikat Ka Kapuso! GMA-(L-R) Alden, Lovi, Dingdong, Jennylyn, Dennis, and Betong which became a trending topic over the long weekend.

“One of the best shows I’ve watched in years,” Joyce AndesDavid wrote on Facebook. “[It was] filled with fun, laughter and such wonderful talent and all out performances. Grabe! We’re still talking about it!”

“Very entertaining. We were laughing from beginning to end!” said Marilyn Gacilos Abiva from Queens, New York.

Jocelyn Escanlar, a GMA Pinoy TV subscriber from Cambridge, Ontario, wrote that even though they always see the artists in their respective GMA-Alden Richards surprising the crowd with his moves in a dance showdown with Betong TV programs, seeing them in real nila sa amin, lalo na nung pagfor the shows and gave their all life is a totally different experience. labas namin sa stage, ang daming to provide the Kapuso brand “We knew they were tired because tao! Binigyan ako ng energy boost of quality entertainment. They of their hectic schedule/jet lag and ng mga tao! Sana hindi po ito ang yet their performance level was very offered a variety of song and ating una at huling pagkikita and dance numbers that reminded high,” she said. please subscribe sa GMA Pinoy TV the audience of home as well as “The experience we had is para lagi kayong amazing!,” said laughter and kilig that the crowd something that we wish for every Betong. surely loved.

Filipino / Filipino at heart to have.

Lastly, Dingdong Dennis expressed his gratitude Even though it was cold in Toronto acknowledged the Kapuso abroad to his fellow Pinoys for the warmth and we are far away from the for coming together to enjoy Philippines, the show made us feel they received during their brief stay in the East Coast. “Kung gaano the concert with them. “Alam ko like we were back home. It was a marami sa atin ang napapasaya po kalamig dito, ganun naman night that we truly enjoyed and ng GMA Pinoy TV, mga Kapuso of kainit ang pagtanggap ninyo sa will not easily forget. Thanks to all ages. Thank you mga Kapuso!

GMA for bringing them to Toronto, amin. Salamat po, mga Kapuso!”

Sana makauwi kayo sa Pinas very Jennylyn also thanked Canada,” Jocelyn added. soon!” everyone who supported their Instagram user @mahalo005, Sikat Ka, Kapuso! is a GMAshows. “Maraming salamat po sa meanwhile, said “I’m so happy! produced event which aims to lahat ng mga nagpunta. Sa uulitin!

Worth it pagpunta ko dito, galling bring Filipinos abroad closer Magkita-kita po tayo!” pa ako sa Texas. Thank you to home via its international Lovi was nothing but grateful Kapuso napakabait nilang lahat. channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA for the love and energy that the @aldenrichards02, di ka pa rin Life TV, and GMA News TV audience gave her during their nagbabago mabait at gwapo ka International. show. “That was amazing. Napawi pa rin! I had so much fun! Thank Partner carriers in the US pagod namin sa inyo. Maraming you Betong, Dennis, Jennylyn, and Canada also joined the salamat, mga Kapuso!”

Dingdong, Alden, I love you party. Representatives from On the other hand, Alden Kapuso!”

Charter Communications and said that spending time with his Twitter user Ems noted the RCN attended the New Jersey supporters in the US and Canada positive things about the show. show while Canadian carriers Bell was his way of saying thanks to “Ganda ng team work ng 6 and Rogers set up booths at the them. “We’re very happy to see artists, they blend well. Ganda ng Toronto show. repertoire ng show. Nanonood sila them. Maraming salamat at sana For more updates on Kapuso ng TOTGA. I heard screaming Liam makabalik po kami, napakainit ng events abroad, follow GMA pagtanggap ninyo sa amin,” he and Alex both in New Jersey and Pinoy TV on Facebook, Twitter, said.

Toronto. The audience enjoyed Instagram (@gmapinoytv), and Betong said seeing the venue the show. Congratulations! @ visit the GMA Pinoy TV official filled with an excited crowd really gmapinoytv,” she said. website at www.gmapinoytv.com.

The Kapuso artists, despite the made him forget about his jetlag.

“Ibang iba yung pagtanggap cold weather, tirelessly prepared (Advertising Supplement)

Health@Heart

Insect repellents

going outdoors, where mosquitoes abound.

Should it be reapplied?

PhiliP S. Chua, Since perspiration, washing or MD, FaCS, FPCS rain may render the first application useless, the repellent should be reapplied accordingly, following IS DEET safe? the instructions on the container.

The ingredient DEET ((N,NThose preparations with higher diethyl-m-toluamide) in insect concentration of DEET are not any repellents is safe when used superior or more effective, but will according to directions on the provide longer lasting protection. container, according to the U.S. How about indoors?

Environmental Protection Agency Not really, unless you see or (EPA). For approval, the EPA feel mosquitoes indoors. In this requires manufacturers seeking situation, the use of repellent is registration of a product to present laboratory data showing safety and necessary. More importantly, check on all window and screen doors efficacy supported by extensive which may have holes in them, testing on both the short-term and and making sure the doors and the long-term health effects of the chemical. DEET passed this stringent windows are always properly shut. test, and has been extensively used Getting rid of stagnant waters (in all over the world. Very few incidents potholes and containers) near the house also helps eliminate of toxicity have been reported over mosquito breeding places. its long history.

How does DEET work?

Why use insect repellent?

The reason why female Insect repellents greatly mosquitoes bite people and minimize people’s exposure to tick bites and mosquito bites which may animals is to suck the blood that transmit potentially serious illnesses, contains the protein to help develop their eggs. The skin odors such as West Nile viral infection, dengue fever, malaria, etc. The use of (even perfume, cologne or skin such repellent also allows individuals lotion) and carbon dioxide from our breath attract mosquitoes. Like to indulge in outdoor activities, other mosquito repellents, DEET recreational or labor-related.

When should the repellent be repels mosquitoes, making the wearer unattractive for feeding. applied?

It makes mosquitoes unable to It should be used before going “find” the person. If you wear DEET outdoors, especially in known endemic areas for mosquito-borne and you are not being bitten my mosquitoes flying around, you illnesses. While the West Nile know the repellent is working. If virus-carrying mosquitoes usually you still get a bite, then you have to bite around dusk and dawn, some reapply the chemical. have been reported to bite during Which one works best? the day. The prudent thing to do The repellent that contains is to use insect repellent whenever

DEET has been proven to be the most effective. The higher the concentration (up to 50 percent only) of DEET, the longer the action is. Studies done in 2002 have shown that at 23.8 percent DEET, it provides almost 5 hours of protection; at 20 percent, 4 hours; at 6.65 percent, 2 hours; and, at 4.75 percent and 2 percent soybean oil were both (each) about 1 ½ hours.

The rule of thumb is: choose the concentration that you could use for the various lengths of time you will be outdoors, since you can always reapply if needed for a longer period.

Are non-DEET repellents equally effective?

Plant-based repellents that are applied to the skin also provide some protection, but DEET appears to provide longer lasting protection.

Product labels usually states on them the duration of protection.

Individuals concerned about using DEET should consult their physician.

You could also access the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) over the Internet at www.npic.orst. edu. Those repellents with DEET are labeled accordingly.

How should repellent be used?

(1) Read and follow the instructions on the label of the container; (2) Apply repellent on the skin that is exposed, not the skin under the clothing; (3) Do not over-apply; (4) Do not apply to wounds, irritated skin or cuts and bruises; (5) Upon return indoor, was the treated skin with soap and water; (6) Apply the spray aerosol or pump outdoors and not in an enclosed area or room; (7) Do not

5

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 20, 20 1 8

Celebrating spring the Filipino way

By Monet

Lu

Having four seasons in a year is an idea that is quite foreign to Filipinos who grew up in the Philippines. Back there, we only have dry (summer) and wet (rainy) seasons. Then there are those, like me, who migrated outside the Philippines to a place that has more than two seasons. This change also requires a change of wardrobe, food, scenery, and pastime. So how does the typical “Pinoy” deal with the changing of the seasons?

Food Filipinos love to eat and foreigners know that about us.

One of the running jokes about Filipinos says, “wherever there’s food, that is where the Filipinos are.”

Now that is good if they meant that we cook great food, otherwise, it could mean that we’re known as gluttons. Either way, food is just at the core of every Filipino. And a food-loving Filipino has adapted the ability to adjust his palate according to the season. The spring season calls for a parade of spring rolls.

And by that, I meant spring rolls of different varieties such as lumpiang Shanghai (pork spring rolls), lumpiang sariwa or lumpiang ubod (bamboo shoots spring rolls) and lumpiang gulay or lumpiang togue (bean sprouts spring rolls) are the best sellers at a company potluck or spring banquet. And because we just love to dip everything in sauce, we even have the appropriate sauces for each of the spring rolls. Sweet and sour chili sauce, peanut sauce, and of course,

lumpiang togue’s faithful partner: sukang puti (white vinegar).

Spring is also a great time to check out the newest Filipino restaurants or Asian fusion cafes that invaded Southern California.

You can also venture further south like San Diego and I bet you will the aroma of inihaw na liempo would lead you to these Filipino restaurants. Either that or a park filled with Filipinos with picnic baskets filled with Filipino delicacies. Filipino food is just everywhere and I credit that to the talented cooks and chefs who make Los Angeles such a delicious place to live.

Fashion Spring is the second season of the year. And second to adjusting this season’s menu is switching clothes. This is the time where thermal jackets and winter boots are stored away. Unless you have a perfectly good reason for wearing that fur coat, it should be in the closet.

To the “petite” Pinays, they don a flowery sundress, spring colored jumpsuits, or some cute separates; like a good statement skirt with comfortable and flattering cotton top. Pair it with an accent pump and minimal accessories, and they swing their way to spring! For the men, skinny jeans are not as cool as they were before but still are known staples in any man’s wardrobe.

It’s the season to loosen up a bit, so straight cut cool print chino pants are great alternatives to tight and dark jeans. Pair these up with a lightweight cardigan and a statement eyewear and you’re off to great spring.

Places One of the best things about this season is the blooming of flowers and fruit trees. This is also one of the things about spring that we, Filipinos, can

relate to. And it’s not because we have spring season but because planting and harvesting is a way of life for us. We harvest vegetables and fruits and plant more tropical plants that our gardens could handle.

This season means a picnic at the park, checking out a botanical garden or Knotts Berry Farm, you know, the stuff that you do while you bond over food and wear your flowery and light cotton shirts. Forget about hibernating in your pajamas, walking around your house wearing thermal socks. That is so winter ago! Go out there and watch the cherry blossom, the tulips, open the windows and enjoy the warm sun.

As this new season unfolds, we should make the most of it by welcoming Spring in all its glory.

I do that by thinking of spring as the snow is finally melting, trees are blooming, and the streets are looking lively and green again! For most people, spring is a time of change. Thoughts of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and hope come to us when we wake up from a cold winter night to a warm spring morning.

Oh, spring, you bring so many beautiful things. And as Filipinos fondly say — and let me say it with cheers to a spring season full of hope: “Mabuhay!” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Here’s what went down at Rachelle Ann Go and Martin Spies’ wedding

by Tisha RamiRez Inquirer.net

AFTER getting engaged last year, Rachelle Ann Go and Martin Spies have tied the knot in Boracay.

The aisle that she walked down was decorated with pastel-colored flowers, feathers, and candles. Above the outdoor venue hung strings of flowers and white paper decorations.

Rachelle wore a backless gown with lace sleeves and beaded embellishments by her brother Oz Go. Mark looked sharp in a gray suit and blue tie.

At the reception, Rachelle changed into another gown

Photos from Instagram/@Philippine Weddings

by Oz. It had a sweetheart neckline, thigh-high slit, an was made in a blush pink hue. This is what she wore when she had her first dance with Martin.

As for celebrity

Garden lessons

From Page 3

The most important lesson perhaps is learning when to leave well enough alone and letting go; of accepting death as part of life.

I make it a point to take pictures when the flowers are in full bloom, knowing that no matter how pretty they are, their beauty is fleeting. I am left with images and memories.

These days, I have no time to spare for the garden. My circumstances have become more demanding and certain mandated human activities just suck the life out of me like a giant vacuum

cleaner. Sigh…

The irony of it all is that the more I know, the more I realize how little I know. I guess that is the paradox of all lifelong learning. I now appreciate more clearly the delicate balance on which our planet depends for it to sustain life — of how vastly critical it is for everyone to do their part to ensure that life continues, specially that of human life.

One can see life’s longing for itself in the perennial grass that grows. There is great wisdom in gardening. If you dig in the

spray directly to the face, spray the hands and then rub them gently to the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth; and (8) The adult should apply the repellent on young children, excluding the children’s hands to prevent eye or mouth contamination.

Is DEET safe for children?

There are no specific studies done on the use of DEET in children. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Environmental Health has this report: “Insect repellents containing DEET (N,Ndiethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels.” The AAP and other experts say it is acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET to infants over 2 months old. Other guidelines cite that it is acceptable to use repellents containing DEET on children over 2 years of age. Check with your

pediatrician for more details.

Is allergy to DEET possible?

Yes. As a matter of facts, there are occasional reports of skin allergy to some DEET preparations.

If this happens, wash the areas with soap and water and consult your physician. As far as conclusive studies on pregnant women or data on its effects on the fetus, we are unable to find any, so we recommend against its use by them.

Can DEET be used with sunscreen lotion?

Yes, this is recommended during daytime. Apply sunscreen first and then DEET containing repellent. Some preparations have both, but the use of these combination products is discouraged, because sunscreen may need to be applied more often than DEET repellent. Applying DEET preparation to clothing also helps.

How about non-chemical strategies?

The less chemicals or drugs we use, the better, and the lesser expensive, as long as we

guests, Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Moira Dela Torre, Kyla Alvarez, and Mark Bautista were present.

Congratulations, Rachelle and Martin! garden long enough, you will find an infinite variety of the parallel laws that govern all life with unsurpassed clarity. Gardening, if you stick with it long enough, is a metaphor for human life itself.

Gardening has taught me a zen-like passive skill of enjoying quiet solitude, of observing what works and what won’t, of doing what needs to get done with very little struggle and ultimately, of accepting and of simply letting go when all I have done is all I can do. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com have equally effective and safer alternatives. If wearing long sleeve shirts, head nets and gloves (or, mosquito tent or net) will not interfere with the outdoor activities, and is effective, this is the best choice. However, realistically and logistically, this strategy may be cumbersome and impractical. In this situation, insect repellent may be resorted to. Always remember to take a shower or wash the areas with repellent thoroughly with soap and water after the outdoor activities. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 20, 20 1 8

New York Consulate caps Women’s Month with wellness session

NEw YORk – The Philippine Consulate General in New York invited women from the Filipino Community to take part in a wellness Session featuring Zumba routines led by instructor Shiran Ybañez last March 27 at the Philippine Center in New York.

The activity capped the month(L-R) Patrice Cleary, owner and chef of Filipino-American restaurant Purple Patch; Seng Luangrath, owner and chef of Lao long commemoration of women’s restaurant Thip Kao; and NAAAP DC President Katie Apolinario at Month by the Philippine Consulate “Bringing Food to the Table,” a tableside conversation, held on 17 Chef Patrice Cleary and ChefSeng Luangrath chat before the General.

April 2018 at the Chancery Annex Building. tableside conversation.

The event aimed to promote awareness of women’s health Women of the Filipino-American community in New York and New Jersey availed of the Zumba and more sustainable lifestyles. wellness class hosted by the Philippine Consulate General last 27 March at the Philippine Acknowledging the multi-faceted Center tasks undertaken by women in the Filipino- American Community, the and participants from the Filipino As the founder of the first wASHINGTON, D.C. – The in the restaurant business, Chef Community. Officers and staff of Consulate General aims to do its Lao restaurant in the US capital, Philippine Embassy and the Patrice and Chef Seng both said the Philippine Consulate General part in promoting greater health Chef Seng, a former refugee, is a National Association of Asian that they did not begin cooking and the Philippine Mission to the and wellness awareness. recognized leader of the Lao food American Professionals, professionally until they were in Consul General Theresa Dizon- United Nations likewise took part washington, D.C. Chapter (NAAAPtheir 40s. However, they had always movement. in the wellness session.

De Vega welcomed Mr. Ybañez “Be proud of who you are DC) co-organized “Bringing Food to held a passion for cooking, nurtured and where you come from,” she the Table,” a tableside conversation by their mothers’ influence, that emphasized as she talked about with female Southeast Asian chefs eventually drove them to put up and restaurateurs on Tuesday, April restaurants dedicated to their native her goal of inspiring others within the Asian American Pacific Islander 17 at the Chancery Annex Building, cuisines.

(AAPI) communities. as part of the 2018 programming The guest speakers shared Chef Seng and Chef Patrice of the ASEAN women’s Circlehow being representatives of their offered a simple advice on how washington DC (AwC-DC). cultures is both an honor and a the AAPI community can help Patrice Cleary, owner and responsibility. elevate the profile of Asian cuisines, chef of Filipino-American “You feel this anxiety because “Add value to yourself and to what restaurant Purple Patch, and Seng you want to do it well,” said Chef Luangrath, owner and chef of Lao Patrice with regard to Purple Patch’s the chefs and restaurateurs do.”

Consul General Dizon-De Vega with Mr. By being proud of our identity, restaurant Thip kao, were the guest being the first Filipino restaurant in Mr. Ybañez leads the participants through several Zumba routines All photos by PCGNY Shiran Ybañez culture and heritage, we attach a speakers at the event. NAAAP washington, D.C. value to our cuisines that would DC President katie Apolinario “I don’t consider myself a place them on a par with the other moderated the discussion. pioneer. It’s about passing the gastronomies in the world.

Asked about how they started torch,” she further said.

Lunch followed the conversation, with dishes contributed by Chef Patrice and Chef Seng, as well as the AwC-DC NEw YORk - Close to 100 of members. the top travel agents in the East The AwC-DC is an organization Coast were hosted by Fernando of Southeast Asian women S Virgolino, Director of Marketing associated with the ASEAN and Product Development, Embassies and communities in Metropolitan DC. Its mission is to Downtown Travel and Philippine help develop an ASEAN identity Department of Tourism Attaché among its members, promote for the US East Coast, Ms Susan del greater awareness of Southeast Mundo at the Philippine Center Asian cultures, and aid in building New York kalayaan (Freedom) Hall, the ASEAN Community through on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan for a socio-cultural activities. Under the destination product update last The Philippine Department of Tourism-New York, Downtown Travel US, and Philippine Airlines 2018 Presidency of Malaysia, the hosted a packed event to present the Philippines as a top tourist destination to US agents.

April 12. focus of the organization is women PDOTNY Photo These same agents learned Empowerment. more about the Philippines as a The National Association of Asian American Professionals, multi-dimensional destination washington, DC Chapter (NAAAPfor bespoke tours and travel DC) is a non-profit, all-volunteer experiences that covered organization whose mission is everything from: holidays, to promote and support the architecture, health, wellness, Guest speakers, and members of NAAAP-DC and AWC-DC pose for a group photo after the professional advancement and medical, MICE (meetings, tableside conversation, “Bringing Food to the Table,” held on 17 April 2018 at the Chancery personal development of its incentives, conventions and members.

Annex Building. exhibits), culinary, diving, sporting events, education, honeymoon, heritage and culture tours as well as product updates on the top 10 destinations within the country’s time, in 2016, the North American 7,106 islands. These included, SkyTrak early this year and a the multi-awarded / nominated befitting cap to all the efforts they market has reached a growth rate of more than 14% and has Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, and have done having been the first remained the second largest Bohol, Davao, Siargao, Banawe, Asian international full- service source market with more than 1M Baguio, Ilocos Region and the airline having started in February visitor arrivals, yearly.

Bicol Region.

1941.

The event was capped off Mr. Joesyl Vasquez (Area “The US market is a significant with a prelude of the flavors in Manager) and Ms. Jean Charisse source for tourists who want the Filipino Restaurant week Rodriguez, (Account Manager to explore, experience and (14-26 May 2018 in New York) – International Passenger Sales) enjoy the Philippines, given with one of the participating of Philippine Airlines New York our close country ties and our Chefs, Aris Tuazon of Ugly kitchen presented before partner travel shared historical milestones. preparing a spread of bold, agents. These travel agents we are pleased by this exciting unique and authentic Filipino also learned about the newest travel trade destination update dishes. non-stop flight that the national event organized by Fernando As a surprise, Philippine carrier, Philippine Airlines will be (Virgolino) of Downtown Travel, Airlines had a lucky draw for a operating in October 2018; PR 127 established 30 years ago and roundtrip ticket to the Philippines – JFk-MNL (02:00 – 06:10 +1) and has expanded into one of the which was won by kelsey of PR 126 MNL-JFk (18:30 – 21:00) largest consolidators in USA and Allison Sargent Events (New York). giving international passengers to Europe.” Ms Susan del Mundo For more information about more time on ground in the enthuses. She further added, that the Philippines, available tour Philippines with only a 15-hour as early as 2014, the US market packages and airlines travelling to flight as opposed to the usual 18- has been rediscovering the the Philippines, please visit: www. hour journey currently with one Philippines placing this country philippinetourismusa.com, www. stopover in Vancouver. on the top preferred destinations philippineairlines.com, www.

PAL was also given the long along with China, India and holidayswithdowntown.com. overdue four-star rating from Japan. For the first time in a long

‘Bringing Food to the Table’ tackles the Southeast Asian culinary journey in Washington

Downtown Travel presents the Philippines to top US agents

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If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

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

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

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

Linda M. Mayo: an instinctive mom...

From Page 4 intense emotional pain all to herself and derived transitory relief from praying and crying in silence.

Initially admitted at the CarePoint Medical Center in Bayonne, New Jersey (which became her residence for a month for instantaneous rehabilitation) and currently at Alaris Health at Hamilton Park since her relocation two months ago. Steadily Linda has learned to accept her fate while simultaneously trying to enjoy her progressive rehabilitation every passing day.

Rehabilitation procedures and therapeutic treatments went progressively fine and steadily improving. Tossing her denial into thin air and dexterously embracing reality built a more positive focus towards a glibber road to her recovery. Easily soon she was able to sign vital paper works and documents prepared by her staff or respond to pertinent issues unresolved by the office. The road to normalcy, as her physical therapist would say, is almost visible in the offing.

But despite the positivity of her recovery, the indefatigable leader doesn’t give up to physical devastation. Even in the stillness of her hospital room Linda is relentlessly haunted by the urgency to serve and extend support to the

community she had served for decades. She constantly demands updated reports on the status of PACCAL with regards to the services it extends to the seniors and other related projects. Her physical being may be subdued by stroke but not her distinct sense of volunteerism.

Her long time direct involvement in the community and having interacted with diverse personalities gave Linda the rare opportunity to see life from a different perspective and reevaluate her opinions of others. Her painstaking dedication to champion the mission and vison of PACCAL catapulted the organization that she founded to such an enviable level that made it one of the most recognized Jersey City-based service-oriented bodies.

Her paramount commitment and unflinching enthusiasm indubitably established PACCAL’s eminence with a great difference.

An adorable leader, no matter what her condition is, deserves an equally heartwarming greeting on the occasion of her 74th birthday.

PACCAL President Ramona S. Gapasin, together with Executive Director Bobby T. Yalong, Past Presidents Lumen Castaneda and Rose P. Javier, VP Marieta Lamar, Treasurer Rebecca Samanyaphon, Fiscal Officer Anita Tan, and Creative

staff Tony Abellar, collectively joined hands to give Linda a meaningful red-letter-day treat.

Another group of well-wishers composed of Linda’s son Joey, Ric Respicio, and Allah Arcanghel came shortly after the first group left. The “parties” were brief and unpretentious… far from the usual ostentatious celebrations but the very essence of the fete was highly encompassing.

Outstanding leaders, like Linda, go out of their way to heighten the self-esteem of their personnel to ensure efficient performances with amazing accomplishments.

That is exactly what the amiable PACCAL founder has constantly been implementing: a capacitated leadership that translates vision to reality.

In due time, when she will be finally released from the torturing hospital bondage, it will be a renewed life for Linda. Things around her might be divergent and perplexity of comprehension might ensue but 3 things are certain though… Linda’s faith remains resilient, her motherly predisposition persists, and the quintessential compassion within her endures.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@ yahoo.com.

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