052318 - SoCal Midweek edition

May 23-25, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 42 • 3 Sections - 26 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Palace: PH renews ties with US in Hawaii meeting

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Children’s hospitals look to voters for financial aid

CALIFORNIA’S children’s hospitals say they’re struggling to keep up with advances in medical care and a growing demand for their services, and they’re asking taxpayers to help — again.

The California Children’s Hospital Association wants voters to pass a $1.5 billion bond measure to upgrade infrastructure and equipment at the state’s 13 children’s hospitals. It would be the third state bond for children’s hospitals in the past 14 years. In

THE Philippines is not abandoning its traditional alliance with the United States, Malacañang said on Monday,

May 21.

Leading the Filipino delegation was Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who met U.S. Admiral Harry Harris Jr., chief of the U.S. Pacific Command (Pacom), in Honolulu, Ha-

waii on Friday, May 18.

Malacañang said the meeting between Philippine officials and the United States Pacific Command (PACOM) chief was meant to reassure that the Philippines has not abandoned its ties

with the U.S. Apart from Medialdea, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior and Local Government officer-in-

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Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat AJPress photo

Palace: Duterte pleased u PAGE A4 with new DOT chief’s Supreme Court says moves vsRcorruption A

employers can now force arbitration

A 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision reached Monday, May 21 made it so that businesses can now forbid their workers from banding together in class action lawsuits, and instead require individual arbitration.

This comes despite roughly 25 million American workers not having union protections.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, in writing for the conservative majority, said that the decision was determined by the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act which the his supporting justices agreed trumped the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) — another federal law that opponents stood by.

The NLRA makes it illegal for employers to enforce contracts that deny employees their right to collective action.

Gorsuch argued that if workers were able to band together, “the virtues Congress originally saw in arbitration, its speed and simplicity and inexpensiveness, would be

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by

OSETTE DEL Philstar.com

PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, May 21, said President Rodrigo Duterte is very pleased with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat’s recent pronouncement against corruption.

“She was appointed with the express mandate to do good and to fight corruption and she’s doing just that,” Roque said.

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CEBU VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with his supporters following his attendance to the annual town fiesta of Tabogon, Cebu. Also in the photo are Cebu Third District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia and Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the president.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Alvarez: Justices can’t be impeached over Sereno decision

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

ACCORDING to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the eight Supreme Court justices who voted to grant the quo warranto petition to invalidate the 2012 appointment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno cannot be impeached.

“I don’t think so, in exercise of kasiseparation of powers ehthey acted within their powers as provided for Philstar.com photo by the Constitution,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez was among the first to suggest the idea of ousting Sereno through quo warranto when the impeachment proceedings against the former chief justice showed that she did not completely file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) to the Judicial and Bar Council during 2012 Chief Justice vetting.

Sereno’s allies have asked the House to send the impeachment complaint to the Senate for trial.

They are also asking the House to

impeach the eight justices — Associate Justices Noel Tijam, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Samuel Martires, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Lucas Bersamin, Diosdado Peralta and Francis Jardeleza — for granting the quo warranto petition brought by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. said on Thursday, May 17, that “the mere act of voting to oust the Chief Justice in gross and cul-

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PH gov’t concerned over Chinese Palawan to be featured in US channel TLC bomber planes in South China Sea

by REICELENE JOY IGNACIO ManilaTimes.net

by RAE

A Chinese H-6K long range bomber flies over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone after the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration trashed China’s 9-Dash Line claim.

Screengrabbed from China’s State Council Information Office Twitter Page/Weibo.com

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE Philippines has “serious concern” over the Chinese bomber planes that landed on an island along the disputed South China Sea, said the country’s presidential spokesman. He added that the Philippines’ foreign ministry had taken “appropriate diplomatic action” but did not give specifics.

The statements come after the Chinese air force landed longrange bombers on a South China Sea island for the first time last week as part of what its officials said was a training exercise.

Harry Roque, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokes-

PALAWAN will be featured as a Philippine cruise destination on American television network TLC in the first quarter of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DoT) boasted on Friday, May 18.

The program will be produced by the Asia Cruise Cooperation, together with the Department of Tourism as one its members.

Four members of the ACC including Hainan, an island province of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will also showcase their respective cruise destinations in order to maximize the awareness of cruise vacations and partnering destinations in target source markets, the DoT said.

Other members of the ACC are

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Pangulasian Island in El Nido, Palawan

AJPress file photo

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From the Front Page

Palace: PH renews ties with US...

PAGE A1 charge Eduardo Año, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez and Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr. joined the meeting.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the two allied countries renewed their commitment to strengthen ties.

“The Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their resolve to bolster their enduring alliance anchored on common values and interest, historic ties, and the Mutual Defense Treaty, in high-level discussions in Honolulu,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The Philippine delegation had a very substantive exchange with Admiral Harris on regional challenges and both sides agreed that the alliance remains consequential to the preservation of regional stability and develop-

ment,” it added.

The meeting came on the same day China deployed long-range bombers in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), but Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the meeting was not intended to discuss the situation in the disputed region.

“Well I can only surmise that the visit is intended to reassure the United States that, while we are pursuing an independent foreign policy, we have not actually – we have not abandoned our traditional ally, the United States,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

“That is probably to reassure that we value the continued friendship, and the security cooperation that we have had with the United States through the years,” he added.

Since assuming the presidency, President Rodrigo Duterte has been seeking closer ties to China and Russia while unleash-

ing several tirades against the U.S. He once threatened to sever ties with the superpower and end joint military training for its criticisms of his war on drugs.

Relations between Manila and Washington only eased when Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency in November 2016.

When Duterte was asked if the Philippines could employ its alliance with the U.S. to address the situation in the West Philippine Sea, he answered, “In the absence of an actual attack, the Mutual Defense Treaty [between Washington and Manila] is inapplicable.”

“It’s because what we need there is an actual armed attack on the Philippine territory or any of the islands. The military build-up by China cannot be the basis,” he said.

Duterte has maintained a soft stance on the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China since assuming office in 2016. n

Palace: Duterte pleased with new DOT chief’s...

PAGE A1 “The president is very pleased,” he added.

Roque praised Puyat after she revealed that she discovered grave corruption and overspending in the DOT. In a television report of ABSCBN, Puyat was seen getting emotional after finding out about DOT

spending.

“I was shocked because every day, I discover something. So I was kind of sad because we are talking about huge money, not just P1 million, P2 million, [but] hundreds of millions. I am from the Department of Agriculture and I saw that our farmers no longer have money,” she said in Filipino

in the television report.

Puyat last week suspended the Tourism Promotions Board’s P320-million Buhay Carinderia project over lack of bidding.

She also reportedly discovered overseas fashion shows awarded to designers close to former DOT chief Wanda Tulfo-Teo, golf tournaments, and questionable trips

MARAWI BOOK LAUNCH. Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna (6th from right); Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Philippine Army commanding general, Lt.General Rolando Joselito Bautista (5th from left); Heritage Foundation Inc. co-founder Isa Suntay (back, 3rd from left) and Dona Isabel Suntay (5th from right), together with other military officers and heroes of Marawi Liberation at the Philippine Army Officers Club in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, May 22. Also in photo are Ambassadors Aruni Ranaraja (Sri Lanka); Tuot Panha (Cambodia); Ly Quoc Tuan (Vietnam); Kok Li Peng (Singapore); Ahmed Abdelaziz Ezzat (Egypt); Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune (Lao PDR); Johariah Wahab (Brunei Darussalam); and Thailand Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya. The Philippine Army launched the 28-series book “Marawi and Beyond: The Joint Task Force Marawi Stories” which documented and paid tribute to the heroism of soldiers who liberated Marawi almost a year ago.

PNA photo by Avito Dala

abroad.

In February, Teo was accused of bringing her personal make-up artist and office clerks on her official travels.’

Documents obtained by The Star showed that Department of Tourism employees joined Teo in her 2016 and 2017 trips to Dubai,

Italy, U.K., Russia, Japan, U.S. and Canada “to attend international travel fairs and conduct inventory of DOT foreign offices.” This was denied by the resigned official.

However, the issue was again raised to Puyat.

“You didn’t enter the government to travel around the world.

You don’t need to bring a battalion, you have attaché,” Puyat said.

Puyat asked the COA to augment the auditors that would look into all the transactions of DOT. She said if the COA finds irregularity in the deals, she would stop them. n

PH gov’t concerned...

PAGE A1 man, said that the Philippines did not have independent verification on whether or not Chinese bombers were present in the South China Sea. “But we take note of the reports that appeared and we express our serious concerns anew on its impact to efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” Roque added during a media briefing at Malacañang Palace, Monday, May 21.

“We view it with very serious concern,” he added.

The Philippine’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was watching the situation closely.

“We are taking the appropriate diplomatic action necessary to protect our claims and will continue to do so in the future,” the department said in a statement on the matter.

The Pentagon criticized China’s move, describing it as “continued militarization” of island positions in the disputed area.

“The United States remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Christopher Logan told Reuters.

“We have seen these same reports and China’s continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilize the region,” he added.

China maintained that it was part of a military routine, and told other countries not to overinterpret its moves.

“We hope that relevant parties do not read too much into this,” said Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesman of China.

“The relevant exercise is just a regular exercise of the Chinese military. There is no need to over interpret it,” he said.

Vietnam — also having claims to the area — added to the criticism.

The recent flights “increase tensions, cause regional instabilities and are not good for maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea,” said Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang, in a statement.

The China H-6K bomber was reported to have landed on what was identified as Woody Island late last week — a location that the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said would put all of South East Asia within the bomber’s range.

Both the Philippines and China have for decades claimed ownership of almost all of the South China Sea. Roughly $3 trillion worth of goods is believed to pass through each year. Other countries also having claims to the area are Brunei, Malaysia,

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Children’s hospitals look to voters...

BEATING THE HEAT. To beat the heat of the summer season, kids along with their parents dip in the cool waters of a swimming pool at the Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center in Tanay, Rizal. The Pilillia Wind Farm could also be seen in the background.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Alvarez: Justices can’t be impeached...

PAGE A1 pable violation of the Constitution will itself be a basis to charge them of an impeachable offense—culpable violation of the Constitution.”

Alvarez, however, does not agree.

He repeated his position in the past that impeachment presupposes a valid appointment. He also added that a quo warranto

maybe used against those whose appointments were invalid.

He thumbed down a proposal to empower the Supreme Court to try justices who are the subject of impeachment by the consultative committee.

Impeachment proceedings may be initiated against impeachable officials like the justices of the court, at the House and if onethird of the congressmen support

PH gov’t concerned...

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Taiwan, and Vietnam.

China has already situated seven artificial islands in the region’s Spratly Islands to act as military outposts.

In claiming ownership, China has said its outposts — like the recent bombers — are strictly for defense purposes.

‘Cannot go into battle’ Duterte on Tuesday, May 22, gave his comments on the situation and said that while he wants to defend the country’s claims to the South China Sea, he is wary of worsening the situation.

“I cannot afford at this time to go to war,” said Duterte at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City during the Philippine Navy’s 120th anniversary. “I cannot go into a battle which I cannot win and would only result in destruction for our armed forces. I really want to do something to assert [our rights].”

He added, “In my own estima-

tion, it would be a great loss to the nation and probably we will end up losing a war. All these things, I want to be made known to you. Whether you accept it or not, that’s the reality on the ground.”

Duterte has received much criticism for his inconsistent strategy in dealing with the dispute, starting back when he pulled out of a 2016 arbitration ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that went in favor of the Philippines’ rights to the area.

Former Philippine foreign minister Albert del Rosario, has since been urging the president and his administration to reconsider the country’s foreign policies.

Speaking on the China bombers, Rosario continued his urges, adding a reminder that the Philippine Constitution “mandates our president to defend what is lawfully ours.”

it, the Senate may try the official for removal from office under the 1987 Constitution.

The constitutional commission is considering that the impeachment of justices under a new constitution be initiated instead together by the House and Senate, with a trial to be done by a proposed constitutional court which will be a strictly judicial proceeding. n He further added that in 2016, a Pulse Asia survey indicated that more than 8 in 10 Filipinos agreed on asserting the rights awarded by the arbitral tribunal.

Encouraging Filipinos to help Duterte and the government, Rosario said, “Our government needs to listen to its people. Our northern neighbor needs to listen to the Filipino people. And finally, all our traditional partners and friends — who are waiting for a united voice — need to hear from us.”

“Let us, therefore, respectfully convey to our President that we eagerly await his inspirational leadership by doing what is right,” he added.

China’s militarization moves are said to be included in the upcoming Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM), a biannual meeting between China and Philippine officials on the maritime dispute concerns.

The first BCM was held a year ago in May 2017, and the second last February. The next is slated for June. n

PAGE A1 2004, voters approved one for $750 million, and in 2008, they re-upped for $980 million.

Earlier this month, the association submitted 643,000 signatures to county election offices in an attempt to place the measure on the November ballot.

“As new breakthroughs in medicine enable children with complex health conditions to grow and thrive, the demand for specialized pediatric care is increasing,” said Ann-Louise Kuhns, president and CEO of the association.

The secretary of state will determine by the end of June whether the measure qualifies for the ballot.

Over a 35-year period, the proposal would cost the state a total of $2.9 billion in principal and interest, according to a summary by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office. That’s about $83 million a year.

David Wolfe, a legislative director with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, urged voters to be wary of bonds and suggested that hospital renovations could be funded by private donors or the state general fund, which wouldn’t come with the added interest costs.

“Bonds are not free money,” Wolfe said. “That’s money that is not spent paying off unfunded pension liabilities or funding K12 education.”

But supporters of the initiative say it’s a price worth paying to update and expand the hospitals, which treat the state’s sickest

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children. The money could be used only for construction and equipment.

The children’s hospitals include eight private nonprofits and five that are part of the University of California medical system. Other hospitals that treat children with special medical needs who are enrolled in the state’s California Children Services program would also benefit, though to a lesser degree.

About three-quarters of the bond proceeds would go to the eight private nonprofit hospitals, because they have the most pediatric beds, Kuhns explained.

Each of these hospitals would be allowed to apply for $135 million.

Valley Children’s Healthcare in Madera is one of them. In 2017, the hospital, which serves all of Central California, logged 430,000 inpatient and outpatient visits, said Tim Curley, director of community and government relations.

Half of the hospital’s 330 beds are usually occupied by children with critical needs such as congenital heart disease, cancer, rare infections, cystic fibrosis, complex diabetes and Valley Fever, he said.

Curley estimated that 78 percent of all visits are paid for by Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents.

Because all children’s hospitals rely heavily on Medi-Cal, which pays less than private insurance, they have had trouble saving money for construction,

Kuhns said.

“This is why the bond act through the years has been really important to us,” Curley said.

“It has allowed us to do things that we would have otherwise not been able to do.”

The two previous bond measures helped pay for a 60,000square-foot expansion of operating rooms and other upgrades at Valley Children’s, he said. The hospital has made no decisions about how it would use the money should the current proposal be adopted, but it is considering possible renovations to its laboratories and pharmacy, he added.

Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in the Inland Empire hopes to invest in both equipment and facilities to keep up with the area’s growing need, said Scott Perryman, a senior administrator there. The 350bed hospital primarily serves children in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Loma Linda is currently using money from the 2008 bond to expand and to meet seismic requirements.

All of the children’s hospitals need to catch up with the latest medical innovations, Kuhns added.

“Think about what your cellphone was capable of 10 years ago and what it’s capable of today,” she said.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Ana B. Ibarra/Kaiser Health News)

Palawan to be featured...

Xiamen in China, and Korea.

Among the destinations in Palawan to be featured are the Mt. Tapyas and the Maquinit Hot Springs in Coron.

“The regional TV campaign, which will be aired in American television network TLC across Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and India first quarter next year, will be composed of four episodes with 30 minutes running time showcasing the traditions, cultural heritages, and natural wonders of Hong Kong, Sanya in Hainan, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Palawan in the Philippines,” the DoT said in a statement.

The campaign is in line with the national cruise strategy “which aims for 656,635 cruise

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Friday that the country’s last frontier, Palawan, will be featured in the first-ever regional cruise-themed television program in the American channel TLC, as produced by the Asia Cruise Cooperation (ACC) and the DOT as one of its members.

AJPress file photo

passengers from 300 ports of calls by the end of 2022,” the DoT added.

The department registered 140 port of calls in 2017, amounting to 114,437 passengers. n

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Bill to protect identities of immigrants and crime victims in court proceedings passes Assembly

Measure would create a standard process for applying for “Doe status”

COLLAPSED. A portion of a flyover under construction collapses at the corner of Aguinaldo Highway and Daang Hari in Imus, Cavite late Saturday. The structure fell on a motorcycle and a truck. No one was hurt, but traffic flow was snarled for hours. The road was finally cleared late afternoon on Sunday, May 20, according to city mayor Emmanuel Maliksi.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Boy Josue

Supreme Court says employers...

PAGE A1 short away and arbitration would wind up looking like the litigation it was mean to displace.

“The policy may be debatable, but the law is clear: Congress has instructed that arbitration agreements like those before us must be enforced as written,” wrote Gorsuch.

“While Congress is of course always free to amend this judgement, we see nothing suggesting it did so in the NLRA — much less that it manifested a clear intention to displace the Arbitration Act. Because we can easily read Congress’s statutes to work in harmony, that is where our duty lies,” he added.

The decision consolidated three cases involving tens of thousands of nonunion employees who claimed they were being underpaid by their employers — Ernst & Young, LLP, Murphy Oil USA Inc., and Epic Systems Corporation. The employers said the arbitration contracts their employees signed prohibited the workers from going forth with any collective proceedings.

Joining Gorsuch in the ruling was Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., and Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito Jr. Writing for the four dissenters was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — the oldest among her justice

colleagues. Joining her were Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Stephen Breyer.

The 85-year-old described the majority opinion as being “egregiously wrong” and said it was a step back in U.S. labor rights where “yellow dog” contracts were often used to prevent workers from joining labor unions.

“The end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th was a tumultuous era in the history of our Nation’s labor relations,” wrote Ginsburg. “Under economic conditions then prevailing, workers often had to accept employment on whatever terms employers dictated.”

“The court today holds enforceable these arm-twisted, take-it-or-leave-it contracts — including the provisions requiring employees to litigate wage and hours claims only one-by-one,” Ginsburg continued. “Federal labor law does not countenance such isolation of employees.”

The justices behind the majority vote argued that using arbitration was less expensive and less time-consuming, but opponents say the decision would be a blow to workers as tens of millions of private nonunion workers will not be able to sue collectively.

Speaking to the Washington Post, president and chief executive of the National Women’s

Law Center, Fatima Goss Graves, said that employees may now be forced into an “individual, costly — and often secret — arbitration process.”

“This will stack the deck in favor of the employer,” she said.

To the New York Times, Gregory F. Jacob, a lawyer at O’Melveny & Meyers in Washington D.C., pointed out that arbitration clauses are already being used by employers.

Jacob argued, “It does protect employers’ settled expectations and avoids placing our nation’s job providers under the threat of additional burdensome litigation drain.”

According to Economic Policy Institute, nearly one in four private-sector non-union employees have been made to sign arbitration agreements that include class-action waivers.

Opponents of the Monday ruling further think that the decision will most likely have a detrimental effect on the civil rights class actions regarding discrimination that have been picking up steam like the #MeToo movement, and others regarding race, religion, or gender.

The decision is being considered as the most important business case of the term which began in October and will commence at the end of June. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

SACRAMENTO — Legislation authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to protect the identities of immigrants and crime victims in California courts passed the Assembly Monday, May 21. Assembly Bill 2185 would create a standardized process for receiving anonymous status in court proceedings and require courts to consider relevant factors, including fear of deportation, when determining the need for anonymity.

“We are better served when our entire community feels safe participating in our court system,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “In the context of Donald Trump and an emboldened deportation force, many lawabiding immigrants are wary of reporting crimes or serving as witnesses. Allowing our immigrant neighbors and others to receive anonymous status can encourage more people to participate in the judicial system and keep all of our communities safer.”

Many immigrants experience hate crimes or are victims of labor violations, such as labor trafficking, sexual violence, or harassment. Yet, they are unwilling to take part in a suit or court proceeding for fear of being deported. This dynamic presents a particular challenge for minors with undocumented parents, who represent 12 percent of children grades K-12 in California.

Minors are required to petition the court to obtain approval for guardian ad litem appointments before a summons in a case can be issued. Protecting the identity of the parents of these children is necessary to ensure these young people have access to justice.

This measure also seeks to provide protections for all those who bring suit in the judicial system who are involved in sensitive or controversial cases.

Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or discrimination would benefit from the proactive anonymous status that AB 2185 will allow for. Currently, plaintiffs can petition to use a pseudonym

only after they have begun proceedings and have already been identified.

AB 2185 lays out a number of criteria that the court would consider when determining if anonymous status is necessary, including whether identification could create the risk of retaliatory physical or mental harm or whether the party legitimately fears being removed from the country if identified.

Other states have formalized processes for allowing plaintiffs to use pseudonyms, but California currently has no such process. The bill allows parties to a case to challenge the anonymous status within 60 days of being served. Should the court order that an anonymous litigant be identified, the anonymous litigant could dismiss their claims without prejudice.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is sponsoring AB 2185. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a committee hearing is expected in June. n

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OPINION

FEATURES

The fighting 14 IN the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice, the House of Representatives has all but relinquished to the executive and judicial branches its constitutional power of impeachment.

At least there’s hope in the other chamber of the 17th Congress, where 14 senators have signed a resolution urging the Supreme Court to review Sereno’s ouster through a mere quo warranto petition filed by the solicitor general.

The ouster was approved with uncharacteristic speed by eight of the 15 SC justices, whose common denominator was their personal dislike for Sereno.

While the landmark SC decision states that it will no longer have any further action on the issue, court rules give Sereno the right to file an appeal within 15 working days. Depriving her of an appeal will be as unjust as what critics of the SC ruling describe as a virtual revision of the Constitution by eight individuals, with the change requiring no approval by the people in a nationwide referendum.

While Sereno is preparing her appeal, and even when the Supreme Court was deliberating on the unprecedented petition, the House – if it wanted to assert its constitutional power of impeachment, and if its members believed there is a strong case against Sereno – should

have proceeded with the impeachment proceedings. Instead the House is sitting on the impeachment and letting the SC carry out Sereno’s beheading.

There’s a microscopic minority in the House that’s making noises about impeaching the eight SC justices for culpable violation of the Constitution. But this initiative is certain to be laughed out of the House by the super majority.

The mood in the Senate raises hopes that the system of checks and balances among the three branches of government might yet survive.

Perhaps the SC might heed the sentiments of 14 senators: Aquilino Pimentel III, soon to lose the leader’s post in the chamber, together with President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Juan Edgardo Angara, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Leila de Lima, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe and Antonio Trillanes IV. Theirs might prove to be a voice in the wilderness, but they deserve to be remembered for their stand. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

‘Five breeds of Duterte haters and why they are all equally ridiculous’ DEVOTE my enmentality wherein tire column today Commentary most Filipinos both to a very enlightin the Philippines and ening piece (with the millions of Filipithe above title) by nos who live abroad American Adam Garsupport Duterte while rie in the website his mostly non-FiliEurasia/Future.

In RIGOBERTO TIGLAO pino detractors have the Asia Times webcrowned themselves site where he also neo-colonial masters contributes, Garrie is described as “a who will “save” the country from a geopolitical expert with an emphasis President that most Filipinos either on Eurasia, Director of Eurasia Future approve or support or love. and frequent guest on Digital Divides, The sanctimonious left RT’s CrossTalk and Press TV’s The DeOne of the biggest myths proffered bate.” both by liberals and the sanctimoI couldn’t have written better his de- niously alt-media far left is that Duterte scription of “Duterte haters,” especially is a “fascist.” Not only is this outright that breed he describes as “those with- slander of the Filipino people and of out a sense of humor.” One breed he Duterte himself, but it is slander of the missed though are the Clerics, who are real victims of real fascism, including aghast that Duterte doesn’t represent those in the Donbass republics who the elites they have always served, and are being slaughtered by those who in turn served by, since the birth of the have openly pledged loyalty to fascist nation. I’ll devote a future column to leaders. that breed of hypocrites.

In actual fact, Duterte is a man GARRIE PIECE STARTS HERE: whose primary goal is to reduce his Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte own power and those around him. is subject to many varieties of slander Duterte’s proposals for a federal refrom all sides of international media public would reduce the power of the and from various political/ideological central government/imperial Manila groups. What all of these otherwise and give more democratic control to disparate groups have in common is local people over their own political that they universally ignore the fact future. that Duterte won a fair and democratic Duterte has further stated that if anyelection in 2016 and remains not only thing he’d like to retire early, so long incredibly popular but far more popu- as his major reforms get implementlar than most elected leaders, includ- ed. Duterte views on issues ranging ing the Presidents of the United States from taxation and labor regulations to and France, as well as the German and health and safety, the environment and British heads of government. infrastructural investment are neither In this sense, one is witnessing a left nor right. They are rational probperverse experiment in the colonial lem-solving policies based on the logi-

cal needs of a developing country with immense potential that has been held back through decades of ineffective rulers.

There is simply nothing remotely extreme, let alone fascistic about this.

If one is in any doubt about this, one need only examine the communist government of China which unlike the corrupt, blood-soaked and malicious Communist Party of The Philippines, is more like Duterte when it comes to finding successful solutions to real-life problems.

Those without a sense of humor The other thing that binds Duterte detractors together is a total lack of any sense of humor. Duterte is not only a prolific President but an expert at trolling his opponents. He often repeats the insults he has to deal with and jokingly turns these insults into positive attributes as a rhetorical device to expose the absurdity of the original accusations. Those who do not understand this are guilty either of having no sense of humor, being objectively stupid or people from the West who can only understand an English speaker if their accent resembles that of Orson Welles or the Queen of England.

Snobs are the other big group of people who are professional non-Filipino Duterte haters. To such people who have never had a family member raped, tortured, murdered and then mutilated by a monster in human form who has taken the drug commonly known as shabu, Duterte is somehow evil because they associate him with a threat to their own perverse drugfixated lifestyles. Because even in the West where drug dealing and consum-

ing is largely normalized, few people who want to be taken seriously will stand up and support drug dealing, they instead attack Duterte using longwinded criticisms that are unrelated to anything in the real world.

Instead of saying what they mean, such snobs engage in a feat of pseudo-intellectual acrobatics in order to say that somehow it would be better for Filipinos to live in a country where druggies kill normal people than in a country where police officers arrest and if necessary shoot resisting offenders in order to protect normal people from criminals.

To these people, the abstract concept of drugs being normal while law enforcement against drugs is somehow wrong, is at odds with the reality of those whose lives consist of something other than trips to liberal art museums and long nights of drug purchasing from the safety of their rich father’s home in New York, Berlin, Paris, London or San Francisco.

The neo-colonial right Then there are the sanctimonious right-wingers who cannot accept the fact that the Philippines is no longer a country that is willing to serve America’s interests in Southeast Asia.

Under Duterte, the country has engaged a radical new foreign policy designed to put the interests of the Philippines first, while maintaining an official stance of neutrality in any global conflicts that could only harm the country if the Philippines were to choose a side. This is called rational multi-polar thinking in the pursuit of win-win geopolitical outcomes. It is the wave of the future, but for many

who are stuck in the past, it amounts to a kind of treason.

Duterte’s domestic opponents who speak freely about why he’s ‘killing free speech’ Finally, there are a minority of Filipinos, usually those in elite circles or extremist political circles who dislike Duterte. They are in some ways Duterte’s best friends as their very presence nullifies their only argument.

They claim Duterte is shutting down free speech and yet Duterte’s opponents in the Philippines are among the loudest people you will ever come across. Thus, if you are freely speaking out against a man you accuse of ending free speech, your very actions have defeated your argument.

In summary, right wingers see Duterte as a kind of Asian Che Guevara out to ‘harm America’ and left wingers see him as a king of far-right dictator simply because he is turning a lawless system into one based on normal laws, many of which long predate Duterte but have simply never been enforced by his corrupt predecessors.

Then there are the snobs for whom Duterte reminds them of the fact that one needn’t be upper class in order to have morality while hammering home the message that many so-called upper- class Westerns live like pigs or even criminals who think they are above the law.

Finally, there are there screaming Yellows and communists who claim they have no rights….all the while exercising their rights. Thus far, it has been impossible to identify any rational voices among Duterte’s detractors.

(ManilaTimes.net)

On South China Sea: Let us help our president

Commentary

ten Filipinos believe we should assert our rights as awarded by the arbitral tribunal in The Hague.

ALBERT DEL ROSARIO However, since the incumCHINA lands bombers on SCS bent administration made the isles” was the headline that early decision to shelve the greeted us on Sunday, May 20. arbitral outcome, not only These landings took place on have we lost opportunities to a reclaimed feature in the Para- advance our position, we have cel Islands, which is within our also found ourselves thrown neighborhood, thus bringing into reverse gear, our position Chinese militarization closer to fully disadvantaged. our backyard.

Would it make a difference What else can we do to defend if we all spoke loudly, clearly, and advance our lawful position and with one voice to fight for in the West Philippine Sea? our national security? Should As a reminder, the Philippine we be more helpful to our govConstitution mandates that our ernment as a proud people of a president defend what is lawful- sovereign democratic nation? ly ours. Our government should Yes, for obvious reasons. also be mindful that, as early as Our government needs to lis2016, a Pulse Asia survey indi- ten to its people. Our northern cated that more than eight in neighbor needs to listen to the

Filipino people. And, finally, all our traditional partners and friends who are waiting for a united voice need to hear from us.

Nearly all Filipinos, I believe, would agree that our foreign policy should be revisited. Let us say this so loudly.

Is it high time for our government to assert our rightful position by utilizing the experience and diplomatic expertise of the Department of Foreign Affairs? If we believe this, let us say so.

Is it high time for our government to defend our rights by relying on the skill, courage and patriotism of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which is capable of developing a credible minimum defense posture against any bully or aggressor,

whoever that might be? If we believe this, let us say so.

As we had previously said, we are opposed to war, as we should be. But if threatened by the use of force, we should be ready to inflict, at the very least, a bloody nose on any attacker who is out to harm us.

For example, it is my understanding that this capacity, which may be provided by Bramos missiles that the AFP can acquire from India, would be a good starting point.

With the President’s thoughtful leadership, and with the coordinated execution by the DFA and AFP under Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, respectively, we can stand together more firmly in defending what is ours and upholding

the security of our people.

Inquirer columnist Solita Monsod also suggests that all of us take a few minutes to write our president. I humbly suggest that we all ask him to be more proactive and assertive in defending our territory.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, a learned and patriotic advocate, believes that a diplomatic protest should be urgently filed, and that we should take our assertive and lawful stand to the doorsteps of our northern neighbor’s embassy.

I fully agree with these suggestions, and trust that many others will share the sentiment.

The president believes, however, that those of us who endeavor to speak in the spirit of

being helpful are not prepared to sacrifice ourselves.

We ask our leadership to have more confidence in our people.

To support our President, to secure our nation and to ensure the future of all Filipinos, we need to believe that there are many of us who are prepared to make the supreme sacrifice for our country, especially when called upon.

Many Filipinos want to be of help. Let us respectfully convey to our president that we eagerly await his inspirational leadership by doing what is right for our country. *** Albert del Rosario is chair of ADR Institute. He is formerly secretary of foreign affairs and ambassador of the Philippines to the United States.

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

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Sotto vows to be a ‘more vocal’ Senate chief

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

Senator Vicente Sotto III became the 29th Senate President on Monday, May 21, after Senate President aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III stepped down.

Sotto serves as the second Senate president of the 17th Congress, after 15 majority bloc senators last week agreed to move for the change of Senate leadership.

Pimentel, who resigned on early Monday morning, May 21, said the “peaceful and willing transfer of power in the Senate” had long been planned.

He formally nominated Sotto as his successor during the Senate plenary session later in the afternoon, saying his nominee is “an institution in the Senate. He has been there and done that in his long career in the Senate.”

He recognized Sotto’s performance as Senate majority leader, saying Sotto solved deadlocks on the floor and clarified difficult procedural issues.

Sotto, of the nationalist People’s Coalition, said he is “deeply humbled and sincerely grateful” for the opportunity to lead the Senate “at this critical and challenging time.” “to my colleagues and to the Filipino people, I am committed to do my very best and, with your help, I am confident that I have in my background the template of 9 other Senate presidents that I have served,” he said.

SOTTO ASSUMES SENATE PRESIDENCY. Newly-elected Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (left) shakes the hand of former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Monday, May 21. Pimentel, who nominated Sotto as his successor, said Sotto was dedicated to his work and the institution.

Senate photo by Alex Nueva España

In his speech, Sotto vowed to be more “vocal” in defending the Senate and asserting its independent voice amid criticism that there were better options to lead the chamber. He also vowed to pass more laws for the benefit of Filipinos.

“I hereby pledge to continue in helping in the passage of laws that will be beneficial to the country and to every Filipino and to continue as well the diligence and dedication of Sen. Koko Pimentel who has been the principal author and sponsor of many landmark laws,” he said.

He also defended the Senate against criticisms saying it has been slow in processing measures passed by the House

of representatives — a “slow chamber” as House Speaker Pantaleon alvarez put it.

“Slow but sure. We are curing DONNING OF RANKS OF MARAWI HEROES. Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna (2nd from left) led the a lot,” he said, adding that the Donning of Ranks of the Newly Promoted General Officers and Enlisted Personnel (heroes of Marawi liberation) at the Philippine Army chamber had only 22 senators Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, May 22. Also in photo Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. General Rolando PNA photo by Avito Dalan who should be judicious enough Joselito Bautista. to scrutinize every bill passing through the Senate.

First elected to the Senate in 1992, Sotto is the most senior member of the Senate.

Sotto has led several committees, among them public services, science and technology, by audRey MoRallo local governments and tourism.

Philstar.com He has also sponsored and authored more than 100 laws, makManILa — a legal consultant ing him one of the most prolific of Vice President Leni robredo senators. on tuesday, May 22 claimed that Senator Miguel Zubiri will rethe Supreme Court ordered to place Sotto as majority leader. n stop the retrieval of ballot boxes from Iloilo City, which her camp claims should not be treated as part of Iloilo province, one of the pilot areas identified in an election protest against her. emil Marañon, a consultant thus, we are hoping for your for robredo’s legal team, said usual support as we work for that the local personnel of the the prompt passage of this law,” Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential electoral tribunal, they said.

Ballots are transported to the staging from different districts of Iloilo province as rain continues If certified as urgent by the received a “verbal order” from to pour. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President President, SB 1717 will take Manila cancelling the retrieval of gave an order to their people “Bongbong” Marcos, who filed shorter time to be passed as ballot boxes from Iloilo City.

“But, apparently, this morning, here not to retrieve the City of an election protest against rolaw.

Congress — the Senate and Supreme Court representatives Iloilo. So that’s around 430 bal- bredo, refused to comment to avoid any “sub judice on [his] the House of representatives in Iloilo received a verbal order lot boxes,” he added.

When asked about the devel- part.”

— have only three more session canceling the retrieval of ballot Marañon on Monday, May 21, days, May 23 and from May 28 boxes in Iloilo (City),” he said in opment, ted te, the Supreme to May 30, before it adjourns a radio interview, a transcript of Court’s spokesman, said that he argued that lloilo City was not which was provided by robre- had not received any informa- part of Iloilo province, one of the sine die on June 2. tion from the Pet regarding the three pilot provinces identified SB 1717 has been approved on do’s office.

by Marcos in his election protest “So, I think the Supreme Court matter. second reading and is undergoVic rodriguez, a spokes- against robredo. ing interpellations. (Bernadette considered the point we raised and today I think they already man for former Sen. Ferdinand Tamayo/ManilaTimes.net) PAGE A8

Duterte asked to certify as urgent passage of Bangsamoro law

tHe Senate leadership has asked President rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) creating the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday, May 21, wrote to the president, to seek help in expediting the approval in the upper house of Senate Bill 1717 abolishing the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (arMM).

In a joint letter dated May 21, Sotto and Zubiri requested the

President to certify as urgent Senate Bill 1717 under Committee report 255 entitled “an act Providing for the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro and abolishing the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, repealing republic act 9054 entitled an act to Strengthen and expand the organic act for the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, republic act 6734 or an act providing for an organic act for the arMM.” “We aim to pass the said measure on third reading before the sine die adjournment of the Senate on June 2, 2018.

SC halts retrieval of ballots from Iloilo City, says Robredo legal consultant

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Opposition to field 6 Senate bets; Mar Roxas not running MANILA — The political opposition’s “Resistance Coalition” will field at least six candidates in the 2019 senatorial elections, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party (LP), said the opposition candidates so far are re-electionist Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, former Quezon congressman Erin Tañada, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and former Akbayan party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez.

Former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II, losing presidential candidate in 2016 and LP stalwart, has signified to Pangilinan that he’d rather not run next year, the senator said.

Pangilinan said the party is still trying to convince actress Agot Isidro to run for senator under the opposition coalition.

Isidro has been critical of President Duterte, even calling him a “psychopath” for his blistering criticism against the United States and European

Union. Duterte has accused the U.S. and EU of interfering with the internal affairs of other countries.

Asked about the possible inclusion of former chief justice Lourdes Sereno in the opposition slate, Pangilinan said: “We have to have strong women in our ticket.” He also said the party was still unsure of Sereno’s political plans.

“There’s no question on the competence and dedication to serve the nation of those in the list of those running under the banner of the true opposition,” the senator added.

He said the six are ready to “give their all for the sake of the Filipino people.”

“Bottom-line is the resistance to what? The resistance to encroachment of China on our sovereignty, in our sovereign waters. The resistance to extrajudicial killings, which is still happening. Of course, resistance to corruption,” Pangilinan said.

“And resistance to the lack of emphasis on creating jobs and

addressing the rising prices of goods,” he added.

Pangilinan said the challenge for the candidates is to bring these issues to the people.

The coalition of opposition parties includes the LP, Akbayan and Magdalo, as well as the organization Tindig Pilipinas.

“It can’t be just LP. It should be based on the issues that we’ll be upholding. We are in talks with Akbayan, with Magdalo...

Tindig Pilipinas is part of the talks. And we’re still discussing and reaching out to other groups,” Pangilinan said, adding that Vice President Leni Robredo, chairperson of LP, is involved in the coalition-building process.

Malacañang wished the political opposition good luck as they prepare their senatorial ticket for the 2019 midterm polls.

“Good luck to them,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing when asked to react to the possible senatorial lineup of the opposition. (Philstar.com)

Aegis Juris fratmen in Atio slay to be brought to Manila City Jail

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — A Manila court has ordered the transfer of the detained Aegis Juris members charged over the fatal slay of law school freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III to the Manila City Jail.

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 20 Judge Marivic Umali on Tuesday issued a six-page court order that denied the accused’s appeal to remain detained at the National Bureau of Investigation.

Umali said that under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, those who are arrested “shall be delivered to the nearest police station or jail.”

The Manila judge stressed: “It must be noted that the NBI Detention Center is neither a police station nor a jail.”

The ten members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity surrendered to the NBI on March 23, barely a day after the Manila court issued

a warrant for their arrest.

They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Law. According to the testimony of state witness Mark Ventura, Castillo was punched and paddled for hours as part of the fraternity’s rites.

By the dawn of September 17, 2017, Castillo was dead.

Accused cited fear of life The accused filed an appeal to be allowed to remain at the NBI, citing their “fear for life and security.”

They pointed out that several gangs are currently inside the Manila City Jail, while the ten accused are “members of Aegis Juris Fraternity which is an exclusive law-based fraternity in UST.” “To transfer them to Manila City Jail runs the risk of subjecting them to jail-bullying and threats which may result to physical confrontation and can lead to unnecessary violence,” the Court order, quoting the camp of the accused, reads.

The fratmen also implored that “with the number of prisoners in the Manila City Jail, the prison guards cannot ensure the security of each of the prisoners detained therein.”

The prosecution argued that “one’s right to life is not a general utility tool that could be invoked to his convenience.”

But Umali stressed that the “City Jail is mandated to implement strong security measures for the control of the inmates.”

He added that the NBI cannot detain them as the accused are facing charges that do not fall crimes listed under the powers and duties of the NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act of 2016.

The Manila judge then denied the accused’s motion.

NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin, in a text message to reporters, confirmed that the bureau has received the court order.

“Transfer is being processed,” Lavin added. n

FOR THE PLANET. Miss Earth Philippines 2018 winners pose for the cameras during the coronation night on Saturday, May 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. From left: Miss Earth Eco-Tourism Halimatu Tanador Yushawu of Zamboanga Sibugay, Miss Earth Water Berjayneth Goc-Ong Chee of Misamis Oriental, Miss Philippines Earth 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi of Rome, Miss Philippines Air Zahra Bianca Saldua of Las Piñas City, and Miss Philippines Fire Jean de Jesus of San Rafael, Bulacan.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Marawi rehab to cost more than P53-B

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

THE rehabilitation and rebuilding of Marawi City will require an investment of more than P53 billion over the next five years, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Monday, May 21.

“The total funding requirement is P53.417 billion. That might still change because we will be holding workshops to vet further PPAs [programs, projects and activities],” Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said during a news briefing.

This amount will fund 892 priority programs, projects and activities for implementation between 2018 and 2022.

Broken down, the investment requirement was estimated at P26.163 billion this year, while P27.254 billion would be needed from 2019-2022.

By sector, P26.148 billion will be needed for physical infrastructure, P5.867 billion for social services, P10.383 billion for housing settlements, P7.765 billion for livelihood and business development, P1.251 billion for local governance and peace building, and P2.004 billion for land resource management, Navarro said.

By source of funding, P24.865 billion will be provided by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, P4.992 billion by the agencies through their budgets, P3.343 billion by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, P78 million by local governments, P3.255 billion by the government and development partners and/or the private sector, and P16.315 billion by development partners and the private sector.

The source for some P569 million worth of projects has yet to be determined.

This photo taken on March 28, 2018 shows an aerial shot of a mosque amidst flattened houses in Marawi City, in southern island of Mindanao, after five months of house-to-house fighting between troops and jihadists loyal to the Islamic State group that killed nearly 1,200.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Merlyn Manos

These estimates were based on the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program’s latest assessment.

Navarro stressed that economic managers and agencies were confident the government could fund the P26.163-billion requirement for this year, as an initial P10 billion from the national budget had been made available.

“There is also a P5 billion provisional fund under the unprogrammed component of the General Appropriations Act, if there are excess revenues from Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs collections,” she said.

Navarro said commitments from the private sector had been endorsed to the government through a list provided the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

“With respect to ODAs (official development assistance), they are actually the ones reaching the government and offering possible funding support. We call them, at this point, pledges,”

she said.

Navarro said the government had so far received funding assistance from Japan, China and Australia.

Last week, the Philippines and Japan officially signed a 2billion-yen grant agreement for the infrastructure program in Marawi City.

This was on top of the 1.5-billion-yen grant (about $13.98 million or P727.05 million) signed on the sidelines of the 31st Asean Summit held in Manila in November last year for the procurement and importation of heavy equipment for Marawi.

Navarro said China had forwarded 150 million renminbi, equivalent to P1.23 billion, while Australia had pledged AUS$24 million, equivalent to P946.38 million.

Muslim extremists attacked Marawi, the country’s Islamic capital, in May 2017 and it took five months before the government declared the city liberated.

More than 1,000 people were killed, including 974 Islamic State adherents. n

Ombudsman Morales to retire P18 million richer by elizabeth

MarCelo Philstar.com

MANILA — Outgoing Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is retiring almost P18 million richer than when she assumed office in 2011.

In her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman’s Central Records Division on April 30, Morales declared a net worth of P58,527,437.84 as of Dec. 31, 2017, higher by eight percent or P4.397 million from her net worth of P54,130,530 at the end of 2016.

Morales’ 2017 net worth is also 44 percent or P17.778 million higher than the P40.749-million net worth she declared in her entry SALN filed on July 29, 2011.

Morales’ net worth for 2017 is computed from her total assets amounting to P58,615,347.84 less her liabilities of P88,000.

The increase in Morales’ net worth was mainly due to the higher values of her personal properties, specifically her jewelry, books, furniture, antique, silverware and related possessions obtained from 1972 to present collectively valued at P3.3 million from P2.9 million in her entry SALN until 2016.

Morales’ cash on hand, retirement benefits, pension and earnings from cooperative invest-

PAGE A7

ments also increased to P35.028 million from P31 million in 2016, as well as her provident fund to P124,787 from P68,000 in 2016.

The value of Morales’ vehicles which include a van and car remains the same for 2017 and 2016 at P522,850.

The total value of her real properties also stays at P19.639 million which include two residential lots in Muntinlupa City (P600,000 each), a house with improvements also located in Muntinlupa (P2.13 million), condominium unit at Providence Tower in Malate (P2 million), condominium unit at Robinsons Residences in Taguig City (P4 million), condominium at Eton Parkview, Greenbelt, Makati (P4.9 million), condominium unit at Albergo Condominium in Baguio City (P2.5 million), house and lot in Lemery, Batangas (P2.6 million), and two memorial lots in Parañaque City purchased in 2003 and 1972 at P300,000 and P1,500, respectively.

Meanwhile from zero liabilities in 2016, Morales last year incurred P88,000 credits from Rustan’s for her purchase of “personal items.”

Just like in 2016, Morales declared financial connection with the Supreme Court Savings and Loan Association Inc. (SCSLAI) in which she is a member since 2002.

In her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman’s Central Records Division on April 30, Morales declared a net worth of P58,527,437.84 as of Dec. 31, 2017, higher by eight percent or P4.397 million from her net worth of P54,130,530 at the end of 2016.

Morales declared three family members in government service – her son Eugene Morales III, a land examiner at the Muntinlupa City Register of Deeds; her brother Emmanuel Carpio, a presiding judge of Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 16, and her nephew Waldo Carpio who is an assistant secretary of the Department of Agriculture. n

SC halts retrieval of ballots...

He said that Iloilo City became independent of the province through Commonwealth Act 158 and was later classified as a highly urbanized city.

The PET is handling the electoral protest of Marcos, the son of the late Philippine strongman who committed massive human rights abuses and corruption during his time.

Marcos is alleging that votecounting machines used during the 2016 elections were rigged to favor Robredo, who was the administration candidate.

The vice president’s legal

consultant said that they were guarding the process to ensure that they would not be surprised about the condition of the ballot boxes, some of which had been drenched by the rains.

“We also don’t want the public to be misled because in our experience with Camarines Sur the camp of Bongbong Marcos used the damaged and wet ballots in their PR (public relations) stunt,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the count of the vote-counting machines and that of the manual recount would tally even if he admitted that the 50-per-

cent threshold to be used by the PET in the recount would affect Robredo’s votes.

“If they return the 25-percent threshold, then we are very, very confident that the results on election day would match up with the last vote to be released by the recount,” he said.

Aside from Iloilo and Camarines Sur, Marcos also identified Negros Oriental as one of the pilot areas. He should be able to show a substantial recovery of votes in these areas for the PET to order a recount in the other provinces and cities he named in his complaint. n

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 23-25, 2018

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Rural banks urged to use fintech to reach ‘unbanked’ Filipinos

BSP Gov. Nestor Espenilla

Inquirer file photo

THE smallest banks in the Philippines can play a key role in bringing financial services — and thus, an easier path toward economic improvement — to some of the remotest parts of the country, many of which

have no access to the most basic banking services.

In a speech on Monday, May 21, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. urged rural banks to leverage

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

THE Department of Finance (DOF) is seeking the approval of Congress for the proposed tax amnesty bill by June, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said Monday, May 21.

During the 65th Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) national convention in Davao City, Dominguez said the government is pursuing the passage of the succeeding packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) to support the country’s massive infrastructure program.

Among these is Package 1B, which includes the implementation of a tax amnesty program. “We hope Congress would pass the tax amnesty bill next month,� Dominguez said.

If Congress passes the bill as

Joey Cuyegkeng, senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said remittances likely recovered in April after recording near double-digit declines for both personal and cash remittances in March.

Philstar file photo

by Lawrence

aGcaoiLi Philstar.com

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Tax amnesty bill eyed for passage in June 2018

by Mary

Remittances likely recover in April — ING

During the 65th Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) national convention in Davao City, Dominguez said the government is pursuing the passage of the succeeding packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) to support the country’s massive infrastructure program.

Philstar file photo

scheduled, Dominguez said the government would roll out the tax amnesty program within the year. “It depends on how complex the requirements will be, but

DUTCH financial giant ING Bank sees remittances recovering after booking its steepest decline in 15 years last March amid the continued repatriation of Filipino workers from the Middle East as well as fewer banking days due to the Holy Week.

Joey Cuyegkeng, senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said remittances likely recovered in April after recording near doubledigit declines for both personal and cash remittances in March. “We expect remittances to exhibit some resilience in April,�

Cuyegkeng said.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed personal remittances fell 9.9 percent to $2.63 billion in March.

For the first quarter, personal remittances inched up 1.3 percent to $7.81 billion.

On the other hand, cash remittances coursed through banks dropped 9.8 percent to $2.36 billion. This was the biggest decline since April 2003 when remittances booked a double-digit decline of 10.9 percent.

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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,Allenby Bridge, Madaba, Mt Nebo Petra, Aqaba Jordan)

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist Nov 12, 2018 to Nov 22,2018 Spiritual Director REV.JOEL BUGAS

OCTOBER 18 to Nov 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct 18, 2018 (Thur) Day 1 – Lax to Tel Aviv, Israel / +0Č’ 1) +1& Ć? &$%1 #/,* 1, "+ 2/&,+ +1"/+ 1&,+ ) &/-,/1Çž ") 3&3Çž 0/ ")Ç˝ Č› " )0 0"/3"! &+Č’Ć? &$%1Čœ Oct 19, 2018 (Fri) Day 2 – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Tiberias Ćž "/ 4" )" / **&$/ 1&,+ +! 201,*0Çž 4" 4&)) *""1 ,2/ ), ) $2&!"Çž 4%, 4&)) " 4&1% 20 !2/&+$ ,2/ 01 6 &+ ,)6 +!Ç˝ "+',6 1%" - +,/ *& 3&"4 ,# 1%" "!&1"// +" +Ç˝ " 4&)) 0-"+! ,2/ Ćœ /01 +&$%1 in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Beach Holy Eucharist Oct 20, 2018 (Sat) Day 3 – Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana/ Mt Tabor We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon.

+ 1%" "4 "01 *"+1 ,,( ,# "3") 1&,+Çž &1 &0 /"#"//"! 0 1%" 0&1"0 ,# 1%" ČŠĆœ + ) 11)"Č‹Ç˝ /,* 1%"/"Çž 4" 4&)) ,+1&+2" ,2/ !/&3" &+1, Nazareth, where we will have Mass in the Church of the Annunciation ,the Cave of the Annunciation and and visit Joseph’s Work0%,- +! %"+ 4" 4&)) *,3" ,+ 1, + ,# )&)""Çž 4%"/" 2/ ,/!

-"/#,/*"! &0 Ćœ /01 *&/ )"Çż % +$&+$ 4 1"/ &+1, 4&+" 1 1%" 4"!Č’ ding feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows,Con1&+2" 1, ,2+1 ,/ Çž0&1" ,# "020 / +0Ćœ $2/ 1&,+Ç˝ Ćž "/4 /!Çž 4" will head to Tiberias. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).

Oct 21, 2018 (Sun) Day 4 – Tiberias/Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/Boat Ride “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven�

Early AM departures to Mt. Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people., Eucharistic Celebration . "+',6 0 "+& , 1 /&!" /,00 1%" " ,# )&)"" 1, -"/+ 2*Çž %,*" ,# 2/ ,/! !2/&+$ %&0 *&+&01/6Ç˝ Ćž "/ 3&0&1&+$ 1%" 6+ $,$2" where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the ), 3"0 +! Ćœ 0%"0Ç˝ %"+ 1, 1%" %2/ % /&* 6 ,# 1 "1"/0Ç˝ Č› Çž Čœ Oct 22, 2018 (Mon) Day 5 – Magdala 2)) ! 6 /"1/" 1Çž , 20 4&)) + )2!" -/,$/ *0 0"! ,+ 1%" %&01,/&Č’ ) +! ")&$&,20 3 )2" ,# 1%" $! ) 0&1"0 More info coming up as we get closer to the dates

Çž 0/ ") Č” Ç—Ç•Ç•Çž &0 ,3"/&"0 #/,* +"4 / % ",),$& ) !&$ are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the %,*" ,# /6 $! )"+"ǽȋ %" )&3"! %"/" +! 0%" *"1 "020 %"/" and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the 1&*" ,# "020Ç˝ ,/!&+$ 1, / % ",),$&010Çž &1ȉ0 1%" Ćœ /01 ,+" !&0 ,3Č’ "/"! &+ 1%" )&)""Ç˝ Oct 23, 2018 (Tues) Day 6 – Jordan Valley/ Jericho/ Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church in Bethany Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" %" ! 1, "/& %,Çž 1%" ,)!"01 &+% &1"! &16 &+ 1%" 4,/)!Ç˝ &"4 1%" ,2+1 ,# "*-1 1&,+Çž 4%"/" "020 0-"+1 ǙǕ days fasting in the desert. We will visit the ancient ruins of the wall.

We will continue to Bethany and will have mass to celebrate Holy 2 % /&01 1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ 7 /20Ç˝ %"+ 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" -Č’ 1&0* ) 0&1" &+ &3"/ ,/! +Ç˝ -,+ //&3 ) &+ ,2+1 ,-20 *" +&+$ Mount of the Watchmen/Sentinels, is a mountain in northeast Je/20 )"*Ç˝ +',6 1%" Ćœ /01 3&"4 ,# "/20 )"*Ç˝ Ćž "/ 1%" ! 6ȉ0 1,2/Çž 4" will check in at our hotel in Jerusalem (B/D) Oct 24, 2018 (Wed) Day 7 – Jerusalem (Old City)/ Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place ,# 0(2))Çž 4%& % &0 ))"! &+ 1%" " /"4 ,)$,1% ǽȋ Č› ,%+ Ç–ÇžÇżÇ–ÇœČœ We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 3&0&1 ,)$,1% +! 1%" ,* ,# 2/ ,/!Ç˝ Ćž "/ * 00Çž 4" /"12/+ 1, the hotel for breakfast. Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) "+1"/ 1%" )! &16Çž 0&+$ %6*+ &+ 1%" Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Then we will 3&0&1 1%" % -") ,# ) $")) 1&,+Çž &1%,01/ 1,0 Č›4%"/" 1%" 0,)!&"/0 -) 6"! 1%" *" ,# &+$0Čœ +! 1%" / % ,# 1%" ČŠ " ,*,Č‹Ç˝ Dinner/Overnight

Oct 25, 2018 (Thurs) Day 8 – Jerusalem Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu ČŠ %" ,/! " *" Ć? "0% +! !4")1 *,+$ 20ǽǽǽȋ Č› ,%+ Ç–ÇżÇ–Ç™Čœ " 4&)) 4 )( 1, 3&"4 1%" ,*" ,# 1%" , ( #/,* 1%" ,210&!"Çž +! visit the Western Wall,( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for "40Ç˝ %"+Çž 4" 4&)) !/&3" 1, 1Ç˝ &,+Çž 1, 3&0&1 1%" --"/ ,,*Çž /"Č’ 3"/"! 0 1%" 0&1" ,# 1%" 01 2--"/Çž 1%"+ 02/3"6 1%" ,/*&1&,+ "6Çž +! 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ "1"/ &+ ))& +12Çž %" 0&1" 4%"/" "1"/ !"+&"! "020 1%/"" 1&*"0Ç˝ Ćž "/ 1%" ! 6ȉ0 1,2/Çž we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Oct 26, 2018 (Fri) Day 9 – Mount of Olives/ Gethsemane/ Bethlehem/ Jerusalem (New City)/ Ein Karem Mass at the Church of Nativity ČŠ *,2+1 &+ ,# ,!Çž /" "&3" *"Çž *,1%"/Çž 4&1% *6 %&)!ǽȋ Č› /,1,Č’ "3 +$")&2* ,# *"0 Ç—Ç—ÇżÇ˜Čœ " 4&)) //&3" 1 1%" ,2+1 ,# )&3"0Çž 1, "+',6 +,1%"/ 3&"4 ,# "/2Č’ salem, visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the ,*&+20 )"3&1 țȊ ,! 4"-1Č‹Čœ 0 + 12 /6Ç˝ "51Çž 4"ȉ)) 4 )( 1%" )* 2+! 6 , ! 1, 1%" /!"+ ,# "1%0"* +"Çž +! 3&0&1 1%" , ( ,# $,+6 +! 1%" %2/ % ,# )) 1&,+0Ç˝ + 1%" Ćž "/+,,+Çž 4"ȉ)) !/&3" to Bethlehem, a city whose name is recognized around the world. Ćž "/ ")" / 1&+$ 00 1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1&3&16Çž 4" 4&)) 0"" 1%" +$"/Č€ 3&0&1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ 1%"/&+"Çž 1%" /,11, ,# 1Ç˝ "/,*" +! 1%" %"-%"/!0ȉ &")!0Ç˝ 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 "/20 )"*Ç˝ - +"51 &0 1/&- 1, &+ /"*Çž &/1%-) " ,# 1Ç˝ ,%+ the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed %"/ # *,20 ČŠ $+&Ćœ 1Č‹Ç˝ " 4&)) "+! ,2/ ! 6 6 /"12/+&+$ 1, ,2/ Hotel. (B/D) Oct 27, 2018 (Sat) Day 10 – Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ")" / 1" * 00 1 1%" %2/ % ,# )) 1&,+0 and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last 01/,+$%,)! $ &+01 1%" ,* +Ç˝ "12/+ 1, "/20 )"* #,/ !&++"/ and Overnight (B, D) Oct 28, 2018,(Sun) Day 11 – Jerusalem/ Allenby Bridge/ Madaba /Jordan/ Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba Mass at Mount Nebo On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We 4&)) $, 1, 1%" -1&0* ) &1" 1 "1% +6Çž 4%& % ,-" ,%+ 2)

3&0&1"! &+ ǗǕǕǕǽ %"+Ǟ &1ȉ0 ,+ 1, ,2+1 " ,Ǟ 4%"/" ,0"0 3&"4"!

1%" /,*&0"! +!Ç˝ 2/ +"51 01,- 4&)) " 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ ",/$" &+ ! Çž 4%& % %,010 1%" # *,20 *,0 & * - ,# 1%" ,)6 +!Ç˝ Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Mov"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç” "0&!"+ "Ç˝ Oct 29, 2018 (Mon) Day 12 – Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ',2/+"6 1%/,2$% 1%" &.Çž 2+1&) 4" $"1 ,2/ Ćœ /01 $)&*-0" ,# 1%" % 7+"% Č› /" 02/6ČœÇ˝ %"+ 4&)) 4" 4 )( !,4+ 1, 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 !&++"/ Č› ČĄ ČœÇ˝ ,3"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç” "0&!"+ " Oct 30, 2018 (Tues) Day 13 – Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/ Overnight Oct 31, 2018 (Wed) Day 14 – Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" ! 0%"* 20"2*Çž&0 0/ ")ȉ0 ,Ć› & & ) *"*,/& ) 1, 1%" 3& 1&*0 ,# 1%" ,), 201Ç˝ 1 &0 !"!& 1"! to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought $ &+01 1%"&/ 7& ,--/"00,/0 +! "+1&)"0 4%, 0")Ć? "00)6 &!"!

Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding 02 % "3"+10 &+ 1%" #212/"Ç˝ Ćž "/ 1%" "01"/+ ))Çž ! 0%"* &0 1%" 0" ,+!Č’*,01Č’3&0&1"!

0/ ")& 1,2/&01 0&1"Ç˝ "12/+ 1, 1%" %,1") #,/ )2+ % +! /") 5 1&,+ &+ -/"- / 1&,+ #,/ ,2/ /"12/+ Ć? &$%1 ( 1, 1%" Ćž "/ !&++"/ 4&)) " 1/ +0#"//"! 1, 1%" &/-,/1 #,/ ǖǿǕǕ * )&$%1 ,3 ǖǞǗǕǖÇ? Č› %2/0! 6Čœ

Day 1 – 12 Nov 2018 – (Mon) Day 2 – 13Nov 2018 – (Tues)

- USA - ROME - Rome -,+ ,2/ //&3 ) &+ ,*"Çž our Tour Escort will wel,*" 20 1, 1 )6Ç˝ ,*" &0 the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all ,3"/ 1%" 4,/)!Ç˝ Ćž "/ short panoramic orienta1&,+ ,# 1%&0 1"/+ ) &16 1, 20 ,* + 1%,)& 0Çž 4" 4&)) have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City.

Č› Çž Čœ Day 3 – 14 Nov 2018 (Wed) – Rome / Papal Audience/ Rome

This morning before we continue with our tour, we will % 3" - ) 2!&"+ "Ç˝ %"+ Ćž "/Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" # Č’ *,20 ,)&0"2* +! 0"" 1%" ,/2*Çž 1%" /"3& ,2+1 &+ and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi ,2+1 &+Çž "#,/" %" !&+$ 1, ,2/ ,1")

Č› Çž Čœ Day 4 – 15 Nov 2018 (Thurs) – Rome / Basilicas We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, +! "3"+ + &"+1 /""( +! ,Č’ man artists. the largest church &+ ,* + 1%,)& &0*Çž 1Ç˝ "1"/ȉ0 Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary ',/Çž ,)),4"! 6 3&0&1 ,# 1%" Č’ silica. We continue to visit the rest ,# 1%" * ',/ 0&)& 0 4&1%&+ 1%" 4 ))0 ,# ,*"Çž +! 1Ç˝ ,%+ 1"/Č’ an, St Paul Outside the Wall.

We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same 01"-0 1% 1 %/&01 0 "+!"! 1, /" "&3" &) 1"ȉ0 2+'201 ,+Ȓ demnation.

Č› Çž Čœ Day 5 – 16 Nov 2018 (Fri)–Rome /San Giovanni Rotondo Ç—Ç•Ç–Ç? &0 1%" Ç–Ç•Ç•1% ++&3"/0 /6 ,# 1%" 01&$Č’ matization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year . + &,3 ++& ,1,+!,Çž 1%" %,*" ,# 1 Č’ !/" &, ,# &"1/") &+ #/,* Ç—Ç? 2)6Çž ǖǞǖǛ 2+Č’ 1&) %&0 !" 1% ,+ Ǘǘ "-1"* "/Çž ǖǞǛÇ?Ç˝ +',6 1%" !/&3" $,&+$ 1, + &,3 ++&Çž Ćž "/ 4" check in our Hotel.

We visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated 4&1% %&* Çž 02 % 0 1%" %/&+" ,# 2/ !6 ,# / " 1% 1 contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditat&+$Çž 0"" %&0 /,,*Çž %&0 ,+#"00&,+ ) ,5 +! 1%" /2 &Ćœ 5 that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Cel" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 Č› ,1") / + / !&0, Čœ

+ &,3 ++& ,1,+!, (BB,D) Day 6 – 17 Nov 2018 (Sat) – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body .Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesomeBasilica.

Č› ,1") / + / !&0,Čœ Day 7–18 Nov2018 – (Sun) – San Giovanni Rotondo / Lanciano /Loreto Ç˝ " //&3" 1 + & +,Çž # *,20 #,/ 1%" &/ )" ,# the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The mira)" 1,,( -) " !2/&+$ 1%" Ç?1% "+12/6 when a Basiline monk doubted the " ) /"0"+ " ,# ,2/ ,/! &+ 1%" 2 % /&01Ç˝ " #,2+! %&*Č’ 0")# %,)!&+$ 1%" %,01 1% 1 % ! % +$"! &+1, " ) )"0% +! 1%" &+" ,+ 1%" )1 / % ! % +$"! &+1, " ) ),,!Ç˝ We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine ,# ,/"1, 1, 0"" 1%" # *,20 0 /"! %,*" ,# 1%" *,01 ,)6 *&)6Çž "020Çž /6Çž +! ,0"-%Ç˝ &+ " ǖǗǞǙ 1%" %,)6 %,*" % 0 ""+ ), 1"! &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& ,# ,/"1,Ç˝ ")" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 &+ + & +, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi Day 8 –19 Nov 2018 – ( Mon) Loreto/ Assisi ,! 6 4" "5-),/" 1%" %&))1,- &/1%-) " ,# 1 / + &0 ,# 00&0&Ç˝ + 1%" /6-1 ,# 1 / + &0 0&)& )&"0 1%" 1,* ,# one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, 1Ç˝ / + &0 ,# 00&0&Çž ,)6 2 % /&01 1 1%" /6-1 ,# / + &0 "" 1%" 0&)& ,# 1 ) /"Çž 4&1% %"/ &+ ,//2-1 body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its Cru&Ćœ 5 #/,* 4%& % "020 0-,(" 1, / + &0 ,21 %&0 *&0Č’ 0&,+ &+ ǖǗǕǛǿ ČŠ ,Çž / + &0Çž +! /" 2&)! *6 %,20"Çž 4%& % 0 6,2 0"" &0 # ))&+$ &+1, /2&+ǽȋ " 3&0&1 1%" 0&)& ,# 1Ç˝ Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi 1,,( -) " &+ ǖǗǙǕǽ %" 0* )) %2/ % ,# 1%" ,/7&2+ ,Č’ ) &0 &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& &10")#Ç˝ ,-" ,+,/&20

$/ +1"!

a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble %2/ % ,+ 2$201 Ç–01 +! Ç—+! "3"/6 6" /Çž 4&1% ,+#"0Č’ sion, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) Day 9 – 20 Nov 2018 – (Tues) – Assisi / Siena / Florence We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built &+ 1%" ǖǘ1% "+12/6Çž &1 &0 1/" 02/" %"01 ,# 1%" "+ &0Č’ sance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great *"!&"3 ) 0.2 /"0Ç˝ ,+1&+2" 1, ),/"+ "Ç˝ Č› Çž Čœ " 01 /1 4&1% $2&!"! 4 )(&+$ 1,2/ ,# ),/"+ "Çž 1%&0 # 0Č’ cinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria !") &,/"Çž &,11,ȉ0 ")) ,4"/Çž 1%" -1&01"/6 ,# 1Ç˝ ,%+ the Baptist.

"01 ,# 1%" ! 6 #/"" Č› Çž Čœ Day 10 – 21 Nov 2018 (Wed) – Florence / Rome " 3" ),/"+ " /,2+! Ç— //&3"! ,*" )*,01 !&++"/ time (BB.D) Day 11 – 22 Nov 2018 (Thurs) – Rome / USA End of our wonderful Pilgrimage .

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867

B MAY 23-25, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

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

Philippines less vulnerable to US rate hikes – Fitch Emperador to grow overseas business by lawrenCe

agCaoili Philstar.com

THE Philippines, together with its banking and corporate sectors, is less vulnerable to the ongoing normalization path being taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve, according to Fitch Ratings.

In a report, Fitch said the Philippines has a strong foreign exchange coverage and is a net external creditor position.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the country’s gross international reserve (GIR) level stood close to $80 billion and is enough to cover 7.9 months worth of imports of goods and services.

Fitch said the country’s current account (CA) balance incurred a small deficit due to rising imports, but is well covered by strong foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and sustained remittances

from overseas Filipinos.

Furthermore, it added the country’s monetary and foreign exchange policy has low vulnerability to the decision of the U.S. Fed to raise rates over the past few years.

The U.S. Fed has raised benchmark rates once this year but is looking at two more rate hikes to match last year’s three rate increases.

Fitch said the BSP has allowed a higher degree of exchange rate flexibility in response to the current account shift to a deficit on the back or rising imports of capital equipment and raw materials to support the country’s growing economy.

It added the BSP’s inflation targeting framework adopted in 2002 is credible.

The BSP’s Monetary Board raised interest rates by 25 basis points last May 10 to arrest po-

tential second-round effects by tempering the buildup of inflation expectations.

Inflation leapt to a fresh-five year high of 4.5 percent in April from 4.3 percent in March amid rising oil prices and the impact of the implementation of Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. This brought the average inflation to 4.1 percent in the first four months, exceeding the BSP’s two to four percent target.

The credit rating agency pointed out the debt dynamics of the Philippines also remain favorable with low participation of nonresidents in the domestic debt market.

However, it noted the high foreign currency debt as well as higher pass-through of higher interest rates could raise debt servicing costs. n

BSP demonetizing commemorative coins

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo

ManilaTimes.net

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has started the demonetization process for the commemorative “Pilipino,” “Ang Bagong Lipunan (ABL)” and “Flora and Fauna” coin series pursuant to a Monetary Board decision.

The commemorative coins were minted on various dates from 1974 to 1994.

“By virtue of Circular No. 81

dated 28 July 1995 the coin series of which these coins were part of were demonetized and ceased to be a liability of the BSP after 2 January 1998,” the central bank said in a statement on Friday, May 18.

But it noted that the coins, either individually packed or included in sets, were not specifically mentioned in the said circular and thus not included in the original call for demonetization.

The commemorative “Pilipi-

no”, “ABL” and “Flora and Fauna” coins — in sets and in individual packaging — will remain legal tender up to April 30, 2019 only.

“Thereafter, the said coins shall cease to be legal tender,” the Bangko Sentral said.

The coins may be exchanged with the central for an amount equivalent to the face value starting May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020.

Starting May 1, 2020, the commemorative “Pilipino”, “ABL” and “Flora and Fauna” coins will be considered demonetized. n

by Karl

angeliCa r. oCaMpo Inquirer.net

TYCOON Andrew Tan-led Emperador Inc. plans to focus on growing its international business this year to make the most out of a string of acquisitions of storied European liquor production assets.

Emperador is set to increase its scotch whisky inventory in Scotland as part of its efforts to strengthen the company’s global footprint, Emperador president and director Winston Co said in a briefing after the company’s stockholders meeting on Monday, May 21.

Co said Emprador would use majority of its capital expenditure overseas – specifically in Scotland where it took over Whyte & Mackay in 2014 – as its scotch whisky business contin-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from last week …)

AN angel is an invisible presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the element of free

leton, and Whyte and Mackay will be bought by consumers in the couple of years,” Co said.

In line with the company’s route to global expansion, it is also eyeing to strengthen its footprint in Latin America where it recently bought three Mexican brands Andrew Tan, chair of Emperador Distillers Inc., at the iconic namely the Presidente, Bodegas Fundador.

Inquirer file photo Azteca de Oro, and Don Pedro under Mexico’s ued to grow.

Without giving any figure, Co Pernod Ricard.

According to Co, brandy still talked about the growing consumption of premium liquor remains as the main revenue across all regions internationally driver in its local business, while including the United States, Eu- whisky remains strong overseas. The goal then is to prorope, Asia, and North America.

“A lot of people gained pur- mote brandy more aggressively chasing power. In fact, we are in the international market and already seeing this happening increase the presence of whisky today… We believe our import- and other premium liquors in the ed brands like Fundador, Shack- Philippines. n

Angels among us (Last of 4 parts)

“All God’s angels come to us disguised.”–James Russell Lowell will in humans.

You can acknowledge the presence of angels or deny it.

It is your choice ultimately. The more angels are acknowledged and become a conduit to heaven, they become a hovering, guiding reality in one’s life growing ever stronger in their influence to shape every thought, word and deed in one’s life.

On the other hand, if the dark side prevails repeatedly in one’s soul that is made progressively weak by severe addictions of any kind, whether chemical, sexual or the human inclination towards pride, disobedience and evil, then the angel’s influence becomes weak. The human protectee is like a a cell phone that is not receiving signals and becomes dead on a skip zone.

Only a direct divine intervention wrought by the most powerful force of intercessory, unceasing prayers by one or more prayer warriors can avert the cosmic disaster of a soul lost

forever to darkness, death and nothingness.

There is a study of angels called angelology. In it, it is claimed that there is a hierarchy of celestial beings grouped into three spheres. According to Wikipedia, there is a First Sphere, the highest ranking of all because they are closest to God. This includes Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Sphere includes Dominions, Virtues and Powers. In the Third Sphere can be found Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

Our personal guardian angels fall in the last group. Each human being is believed to be assigned a personal guardian angel, Christian or not. The angels that keep watch over human beings belong to the lowest order of celestial beings and they are the ones concerned with the affairs of human beings. They are holy celestial beings who are agents of God intended as a help

u PAGE B5

Remittances likely recover...

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Cash remittances inched up 0.8 percent to $7.01 billion from January to March.

The sharp drop was attributed to the continued repatriation of Filipino workers from Middle East countries. Preliminary data from the Department of Labor and Employment indicated that a total of 1,124 overseas Filipino workers were repatriated from Kuwait as of Feb. 8.

In February, the Department of Labor and Employment issued a total deployment ban as ordered

by President Duterte due to a series of reports involving abuse and death of Filipino workers in Kuwait.

Further contributing to the decline was the fewer number of banking days in March due to the Holy Week.

He added the peso was relatively weak in March and traded weak at 52.39 to $1 and closed at 52.16 to $1.

“We had expected that remittances would more than cover the March trade deficit by $100 million. Instead remittances in March were $248 million short to cover the trade gap,” he said.

Cuyegkeng said the recent bout of peso weakness is a combination of this shortfall, low emerging market risk appetite, the dovish take of the BSP’s policy rate hike, and higher oil prices. n

BUSINESS NEWS

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

When am I considered separated from my spouse in a divorce case?

THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property (Family Code Section 760). That means any property acquired by either spouse regardless of who’s name it is on is community and each spouse has a half interest on the asset. That characterization continues until the date of separation. Any property acquired after the date of separation is that spouse’s separate property. If you are the spouse that is not in control of the asset, it would be in your interest to stretch the marriage as long as possible and postpone the date of separation as late as can be so you can characterize more assets as community and also obtain spousal support for a longer duration. If you are the spouse that has control of the money, it would be in your interest to shorten the marriage as much as possible and to establish a sooner date of separation to minimize the community interest of your soon to be ex-spouse.

So how does the court determine the date of separation? In the case of Marriage of Davis, the California Supreme Court held that the couple needs to be living separate and apart in order to be separated. The court looked into the legislative intent of the original statute that was over 100 years old. However,

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES this case holding was abrogated by the state legislature when it enacted Family Code Section 70 effective January 1, 2017 by defining “Date of Separation” in the California Family Code.

Effective January 1, 2017, the “date of separation” is statutorily defined to mean the date a “complete and final break in the marital relationship has occurred,” as evidenced by (i) a spouse having “expressed to the other spouse his or her intent to end the marriage” and (ii) conduct that is “consistent with his or her intent to end the marriage.” New Fam.C. § 70.

Fam.C. § 70 abrogates prior case law that made living in separate residences an additional, indispensable prerequisite to establishing the date of separation.

[Fam.C. § 70(c)] ) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to abrogate the decisions in In re Marriage of Davis (2015) 61 Cal.4th 846 and In re Marriage of Norviel (2002) 102 Cal. App.4th 1152.

So not only do you have to express to your spouse that you are now separated but you have to act accordingly. You cannot tell your spouse that you are separated but are still going out on “date nights” or going on “cruise

vacations” as a couple. Your conduct has to reflect your expression of a separation from your spouse. The flip side of the coin is under the new statute, you can be separated even if you are still living together if you have communicated to your spouse that you are separated and you conduct yourself in the house not like a spouse but more like a roommate including sleeping in separate rooms, not having intimacy, and not going out as a couple. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Chapter 7, Chapter 13 or debt settlement?

Client with $40K in credit card debt examines the differences

THE client is 42 and is going through a divorce. It was a short two-year marriage. He has moved out of the marital home and now lives by himself. He has a toddler who is with his wife, so he expects to pay child support.

There is not alimony because the marriage has not lasted 10 years.

So, if you are the higher income spouse and wondering why your spouse has not filed for divorce despite all of your philandering, it’s because in California you need to be married at least for a decade to claim alimony or spousal support from the higher income spouse.

In fact, I do have a client who was hit with divorce papers right after the ten-year period was reached, and being the higher income spouse, he has to pay $1,500 of alimony to his wife. We had to reorganize his financial affairs under Chapter 13 to handle $60K of credit cards, and to strip off $100,000 of 2nd trust deed. It is unusual nowadays to be able to strip junior liens because of the soaring prices of houses in Southern California. But in his case, a current appraisal report showed that his house was at least $10,000 under water after considering the balance of the first trust deed. His house had a fair market value of $220,000 while the balance owed on the first trust deed is $230,000, leaving the 2nd trust deed, a HELOC line , of $100,000 completely unsecured.

Let’s go back to the client with the short-lived marriage. He left his wife a year ago and has not paid $40,000 of credit cards since then. He asks me what he can do to handle the $40,000 debt because his creditors have started to threaten lawsuits. After interviewing him, I determined that his was a classic Chapter 7 case. So I advised him to file for Chapter 7 to get a fresh start in life without the $40,000 of credit card debt. In Chapter 7, the court will discharge the entire $40,000, i.e., he doesn’t have to pay them at all. Here, the law gives him a chance to start all over again, without the burden of accumulated debt so he can become productive again. $40,000 requires him a minimum payment of $1,200 a month.

But obviously, he hasn’t paid the cards anymore for the last 12 months since he left the marital home. So now that he is getting demand letters to pay, he is looking at the possibility of wage garnishments on the horizon.

His income is a gross of $3,500 a month. Even for a single person, his gross income is below median for California. In California, a single person without any dependent living with him or her earning a gross of less than $4,000 a month is eligible for Chapter 7 under the means test.

Of course, a single person making a gross of more than $4,000 a month, can still qualify for Chapter 7 under different circumstances. But for this client, we do not have to bother with other circumstances because $3,500 is less than $4,000, which is the

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

applicable threshold. Since it’s below the threshold, the means test will conclude that there is no presumption of abuse for this client to file for Chapter 7. The presumption of abuse, if it arises, presents a major obstacle to a successful Chapter 7, although this is not to say that the obstacle cannot be overcome. We don’t want that kind of situation as much as possible.

There is no problem regarding house-ownership as client never owned one. If there was an issue regarding house-ownership with non-exempt equity, the preferred filing for debt relief would be Chapter 13, not 7.

Client said that he was worried that he could not get new credit after filing but admitted that his current credit score was below 500. I informed him that with Chapter 7, he would be getting new pre-approved credit cards within months of discharge from banks and lenders that specialize in issuing cards to debtors who have just filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7. These would have annual fees and higher interest than normal cards. And buying a car can be done immediately after discharge but interest rate would also be higher than for one with good credit. With Chapter 7 discharge, his credit score would increase pretty fast. It would go to 500 on filing and increase to 580 in one year. On year two, his credit score would be 620. On year 5 to 7, his credit score, if he handled new debt timely, would reach and surpass 700 which is very good. And on year 10, the fact of Chapter 7 filing would disappear from the credit report.

On year 3, he can qualify to buy a house at higher interest assuming he handled new credit well.

So, getting new credit after bankruptcy is no problem. I suggested to him, that new credit card use should be paid in full at the end of the month, so it doesn’t become bigger and bigger and go out of control. Further, he can get credit cards at Walmart, Visa or Mastercard, where the credit limit is set by the cash deposit on the account if he wants credit cards immediately for whatever reason.

An alternative to Chapter 7 is Chapter 13, which I suggested he could use if he for some reason wanted to pay a portion of the $40,000. I don’t suggest a Chapter 13, if you qualify for 7 because it makes absolutely no sense to do so. He felt guilty I think, about discharging the entire $40,000 in Chapter 7. Credit card companies factor in their cost of bad debt between 7-10 percent. In other words, they expect that between 7 percent to 10 percent of their card users will not be able to pay them back anything so that cost

is already added to the interest everyone pays. They don’t really lose money on unpaid credit card debt. They just write them off as bad debt and sell the account to third parties at a fraction of the outstanding debt. I informed him that he may pay between $150 to $300 in Chapter 13 for 36 to 60 months. So Chapter 13 costs $18,000 at $300 a month for 60 months. Then, if he completes 60 payments, the court will discharge $22,000. On this point alone, Chapter 13 will cost $18,000 more than Chapter 7 which costs zero.

Another alternative is debt settlement. This does not have a bankruptcy filing. Attempts to settle the $40,000 are made.

Let’s just say the rule of thumb is that creditors will agree to cut the $40,000 by half for a lump sum payment to be made within 48 hours. In this situation, debtor has to have ready at least $20,000 for settlement. This is $20,000 more than Chapter 7, and inferior to Chapter 13 because Chapter 13 allows a five-year repayment plan supervised by the court.

The last alternative is just do nothing and change your phone number. The problem with this is that creditors are apt to file lawsuits and will get a judgment that will result in wage garnishments in due time. In this situation, your credit score has no chance of improving within your lifetime, and you live in the constant fear that your payroll department will receive a wage garnishment notice, or your bank will receive a notice of levy on your bank account.

Can you imagine even if half of the $40,000 got wage garnishments and bank levies? Client would have nothing left to pay rent and food! Why live like a rat under the sewer when you can start fresh without accumulated debt and benefit from rapid increase in your credit score if you handle your new credit right?

Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice, yet Disney is now a billion dollar business worldwide. So, this is something good, not bad.

You have to change the way you think about debt and opt for the most expeditious and simple way of getting fresh start in life without accumulated debt. Maybe you’re smarter than Mr. Disney and Chapter 7 may pave your way to being the next American below 50. Who knows? But certainly if you have accumulated debt that is not discharged, life will be very difficult for you and your family, and you will not get a fresh start in life.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

(Advertising Supplement)

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 23-25, 2018

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M AY 23

Usapang Pagkain: Adapting classic Filipino dishes in Chicago You’re invited to the next Usapang Pagkain, or food discussion, on Wednesday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Hana Center, 4300 N. California (corner Montrose/California, across from Horner Park), Chicago, IL 60618. With community partner, Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights & Empowerment (AFIRE), Filipino Kitchen will be talking about how to adapt pancit and lumpia! Usapang Pagkain is a collaborative effort by AFIRE Chicago and Filipino Kitchen that explores how Filipino food can best serve our community through free, monthly events. The event series resists the notion of Filipino food as incompatible with healthy living.

It is a response to the dearth of culturally-relevant health education and the epidemic of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in our community. Usapang Pagkain will bring generations of Chicagoland Filipinos together to share our stories with one another and collectively learn practices that center our health, community, and food. Each event will highlight a Filipino dish or dishes, including recipes. During the weekday events, a light dinner will be provided.

Specifically organized to provide a much-needed community space for dialogue on health and wellness, Usapang Pagkain will examine the importance and potential of Filipino food in nourishing our body and soul. For more information or to RSVP, please visit: https://www. facebook.com/events/1776288302415547/.

M AY 26

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

“Salida: Simbolo at Kultura” Leyte Dance Theater USA Tour 2018 IDance Studio presents “Salida: Simbolo at Kultura,” Leyte Dance Theater’s USA Tour on Saturday, May 26, at 6 p.m. at Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College at 1600 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, California. Ticket prices are at $50, $35, $25 and $20. For sponsorship and tickets call: Nonie Belarmino at (310) 357-0222, Lourdes Alvarez at (310) 351-2946, Edsel Candido at (424) 702-6604 or Garth Garcia at (209) 765-1677.

JUNE 2

Workshop on marketing to SoCal’s Fil-Am community in Long Beach Calling business owners, importers, and corporate product buyers! Come learn how to market to the fastest-growing community in Southern California on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 4700 Airport Plaza Dr. Rickenbacker Hall, Long Beach, CA 90815. E.C Ferrer CHB, Inc. has scheduled a special presentation & orientation on international trade & marketing geared toward Fil-Am importers, exhibitors, small businesses and major corporation interested in marketing to the fastest growing Filipino-American market in Southern California.

This event is a prelude to the highly anticipated Trade, Tourism & Consumer Roadshow taking place at the Southbay Pavilion in Carson, California on August 4 & 5, 2018 produced by the Asian Journal, with the cooperation of the Philippine Department of Trade & Tourism. We will transparently discuss with potential exhibitors what needs to be done and what to expect in exhibiting their respective products and how the add on feature of product sourcing will come into play. E.C Ferrer CHB, Inc. is the senior organizer of the upcoming Trade event at the SouthBay Pavillion on August 4-5 2018. (Must be an importer, corporate product buyer and business owner to attend on Saturday). To register for free, please visit: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/effectively-market-to-the-fastest-growing-community-in-southern-california-tickets-45453666139?. Call Ferdinand at (909) 851-1493 or email at ferdinand@ecferrer. com for any further information.

Filipino Voter Empowerment Project seminar in Los Angeles The June 5th Primary Election is right around the corner — do you have questions before you go to the polls? Join the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project (fvep.org) on Saturday, June 2nd, 10am at the Pilipino Workers Center (153 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) for a seminar on your rights as a voter and how you can make a difference in the electoral process!

In addition to voting rights, we’ll also have a brief presentation on financial literacy, courtesy of our friends at Banc of California..

Bayan Masaya in LA’s Historic Filipinotown All are invited to the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 2, 12-5 p.m. at SIPA, 3200 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. Dubbed as BAYAN MASAYA (short for Bayanihan sa Araw na Makasaysayan) the event will be a health, cultural and community resources fair in Historic Filipinotown (HiFi), the cultural heart of Filipinos throughout Los Angeles. Gift cards will be raffled off for those who will participate in the educational health workshops on HepatitisB, Mental Health, etc. Door prizes and give-aways will also be available to lucky winners.

Collaborating organizations include Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Pilipino Workers Center, Filipino American Service Group, Manaois System Martial Arts, Tender Loving Care Family Caregiver Foundation, HiFi Tennis Association, and MOTHER Movement. Asian Journal serves as the media sponsor for Bayan Masaya 2018.

For further information, interested individuals including vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, cultural performers and others may send an email to rosanne0517@gmail.com or mother-pearl@hotmail.com.

Money Smart for Small Business course in El Monte, CA Join this introductory two-day business course designed for new business owners, selfemployed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs on Saturday, June 2 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at Cathay Bank 9650 Flair Dr., El Monte, CA 91731. The fee is $20 (payable to API SBP). Course topics include startup planning, organizational types, risk management, credit reporting, business insurance, record keeping and more. Breakfast, lunch, and course materials will be provided by Cathay Bank. Limited seating so advance registration is required. To register, please contact Colleen Seto at smallbiz@apisbp.org or call (213) 4731605. Please provide following info: full name, business name (if applicable), phone number, and email address.

JUNE 3

2018 Philippine Independence Day Parade in NY On Sunday, June 3, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. will host the annual Philippine Independence Parade with the theme, “Honoring Our Heroes, Inspiring Solidarity.”

The day will begin at 7:45 a.m. with a Flag Ceremony / Thanksgiving Mass at the Philippine Center (556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036). From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a street fair along Madison Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets and 26th Street, from Madison Avenue to Park Avenue. Tents are pitched on both sides of the Avenue and Street divided into booths selling food and merchandise. Independence Day Parade Opening Ceremony/Ribbon Cutting will take place on Madison Avenue at 38th Street at 11:45 a.m. Before the 2018 Independence Day Parade gets on its way, parade Grand Marshal Dr. Restituto N. Estacio and Honorary Grand Marshal Ambassador Mario Lopez de Leon, Jr. will lead the parade spearhead of VIPs, guests, and marchers, marching bands, floats, open cars, others. From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Cultural Festival Open-air Stage will be at the corner of Madison Avenue and 26th Street where celebrities, performers and talents are showcased on a continuous all afternoon show. For more information, please visit http://www.philippineindependenceday.com.

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

B3

B4 MAY 23-25, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Delinquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport IN February 2018, the IRS will start certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department.

How will the IRS certification impacts you?

• Upon receipt of certification. The State Department will either deny application or revoke current passport or both.

• You are overseas. Limited validity passport for direct return to the US maybe issued by the State Department if you are overseas.

• Serious delinquent tax debt. IRS tax debt of more than $51,000 inclusive of penalties plus interest for which all administrative remedies under IRC § 6320 has been exhausted, and federal tax lien and levy notices have already been issued. Liabilities limited under Title 26 of the United States Code.

• Tax debt not considered serious. A tax debt is not considered serious if there is: a) installment agreement; b) offer in compromise; c) timely collection due process hearing related to the levy; d) innocent spouse relief under IRC § 6015 has been requested and collection is suspended; e) under settlement agreement with Justice Department.

• 90-Days hold of application. You will be given 90-days to resolve and enter into payment options with IRS to resolve certification issues by the State Department and will hold your application prior to denial of

What’s New ARLENE AL-OS, CPA, MBA passport application.

• Be aware of Notice CP 508C. You will receive notice CP 508C upon certification of IRS to the State Department of serious tax debt, by mail.

• Certification reversal CP 508R. The State Department will be notified within 30-days by the IRS to reverse previous certification of serious tax debt once assessed tax debt is no longer serious in 3. above, no longer enforceable, and or due to erroneous certification.

• Certified debt no longer seriously delinquent. The certified debt previously delinquent is no longer delinquent when: 1) there is timely request for collection due process; 2) has been suspended due request of innocent spouse relief under IRS § 6015; 3) the IRS accepts the installment agreement or offer an in compromise.

• IRC § 7345 failed or error in certification and notification.

You cannot sue the State Department for erroneous notification.

You may file a suit in the U.S. Tax Court and have the court determine if the certification is erroneous and order the IRS to

notify the State Department of the erroneous certification. The court does not have authority to release a lien, levy, or award for damages.

• Passport application is denied. You will be notified in writing by the State Department if your passport application is denied or revoked.

• You owe taxes and cannot pay in full. Apply for installment agreement or offer in compromise if you qualify, to reverse the certification and for issuance of passport.

• Disagreement with the tax amount. Call the number provided on notice CP 508C: 1-866519-4965; for international callers: 1-267-941-1004. For proof of payment, mail to the address on the notice. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

(Advertising Supplement)

Tax amnesty bill eyed for passage...

PAGE B1 t

definitely before year-end,” he said.

Earlier, Dominguez said the DOF is supporting House Bill 7105, filed by House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas, and House Ways and Means chairman Dakila Carlo Cua. The measure aims to enhance revenue administration and tax collection by granting an amnesty on all unpaid internal revenue taxes imposed by the government.

Under the bill, taxpayers who wish to seek for amnesty should pay a rate of eight percent of their net worth covering taxable

year 2017, or P10,000 to P10 million--depending on their taxpayer classification--whichever is higher.

Aside from tax amnesty, Package 1B involves adjustments in the Motor Vehicle Users Charge and amendments in the bank secrecy law. The package aims to supplement the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Meanwhile, Dominguez said the Package 2 of the CTRP is also progressing at a good pace in the Congress. The tax package seeks to lower corporate income tax rates while rationalizing the fiscal incentives system.

Package 3 and 4, covering

reforms in property and capital income taxation, are set for submission to the Congress by the third week of July, he said.

Meanwhile, Dominguez said the DOF also wants Congress to pass a bill that will lift quantitative restrictions on rice and instead allow the importation of the commodity at a 35 percent tariff.

He said the measure would help stabilize the supply and lower the retail price of rice in the country.

The finance chief said the DOF is also pushing for the implementation of a national ID system to enhance the efficiency of transactions in the economy. ■

People and Events

Kick off June with second annual Bayan Masaya in Historic Filipinotown IN response to kababayans who have been calling to ask further details and are excitedly looking forward to the second Bayan Masaya (BM) on Saturday, June 2 at SIPA (3200 W. Temple St. in LA), below are the plans for the day.

Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. with welcome melon drinks and early birds’ ihaw-ihaw catered

by Dollar Hits, makers of the popular Filipino-style street food in LA. In lieu of the ribbon cutting ceremony to commence the event, a cake-cutting ceremony will be held. The independence day cakes will be donated by Red Ribbon. The one-hour program scheduled at 1:00pm follows.

SIPA boardmember Dr. Caroucel Chuateco will oversee the health services that is also participated by the St. Vincent Medical Center Transplant and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Institute (THPBI) who will be offering free Fibroscan Screenings. The Fibroscan is a test which helps determine the state of liver fibrosis.

The test also reveals fatty deposits within the liver. It is non-invasive and quick, it provides immediate results. The THPBI has specialists who treat consequences of fatty liver disease. The extra liver fat is generally benign, but it can also develop into a more serious condition. Physicians will be available to consult with and answer any questions you may have.

Perla Santos, APHCV’s Patient & Community Liaison, will provide a workshop on a very important topic affecting the Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders - “Understanding Hepatitis B.” Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world, about 2 out of 3 people in the U.S. with chronic HepB (CHB) are unaware they have it; one out of 12 Asian American & Pacific Islanders have CHB, which is the number 1 cause of liver cancer in Asian Americans. It is important to know one’s liver condition in order to get vaccinated or treated, as the case may be.

The Philippine American Bar Association will be offering a free legal clinic and topics on timely immigration issues. Resources for kababayans will also be available, including citizenship, and other helpful topics.

Photo courtesy of www.wikipedia.org

Grandmaster Conrad Manaois, who is the Technical Director for the MOTHER Movement, and his assistants will be providing a 30-minute Filipino martial style Anis-Kali-Eskrima self-defense workshop. Kababayans are encouraged to participate and try the return-demo training which is empowering and fun.

The Sarao Philippine jeepney operated by PWC will also conduct a tour for guests desiring to get a glimpse of Historic Filipinotown, the only place in the whole U.S., with Filipino in its name. Be sure to register on site if you wish to ride the jeepney.

Several entertainment numbers - folkdances are being prepared by kababayans led by Cres Go. Those interested to join may please send and email to the address below or see us at our senior line dance-tai-chi & Karaoke activity at SIPA every Friday afternoon from 2-5 p.m.

Karaoke enthusiasts could excitedly look forward to a competition that will also serenade their kababayans with their rendition of Original Pilipino Music that are either Pilipino or English songs composed by Filipino artists. Tess Nones and Loloy Go are coordinating the sing-along contest.

After the program, there will be a merienda cena comprised of Filipino delicacies catered by Fiesta Fastfood. We request potluck donations from friends and benefectors to augment our food.

The event is free for all so come and show your Filipino patriotism in your Pinoy-inspired T-shirts and other native-design outfit – barongs, patadiongs, salakots, kimonas, and more.

As added feature, free fruits, vegetables and other delicacies will also be distributed to all interested patrons on a first-comefirst served basis. There will be games to be conducted by Ely Cabungcal and raffle of door prizes that will culminate the event. Winners have to be present to claim their prizes.

The event is collaborated by SIPA, FASGI, PWC, Manaois Martial Arts System, the HiFi Tennis Association, Tender Loving Care Family Caregiver Foundation and received support from Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, LA District 13 Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, among others.

The other Committee members include Yey Coronel, Dorothy Gamoning, Malou Villacisneros, Andy Ramacho and Romy Borje.

The 2nd Bayan Masaya (which stands for Bayanihan sa Araw na Makasaysayan), is a Health, Cultural and Resources Fair to commemorate the Philippines’ 120th independence. This is a project of the MOTHER Movement that was conceptualized in 2011 by Perla Santos, together with special projects director Rosanne Munoz. For more information, please email Perla at mother-pearl@hotmail.com or rosanne0517@gmail.com. ■

B MAY 23-25, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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PARAMAOUNT High School seniors Karla Navarro and Armando Alexis Torres have encouraged and competed with one another since they crossed paths as freshmen.

Their strong bond and healthy rivalry has pushed the duo to achieve one of the most prestigious scholarship honors available to U.S. students – the 2018 Gates Scholarship, covering all expenses of their college pursuits. The award went to just 300 students.

“We’ve always motivated each other to do better and strive for more,” Navarro said. “His drive to keep going and push for a better life is something that is inspiring to me.”

The feeling is mutual for Torres, who holds a 4.5 GPA and

Rural banks urged to use...

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their benefits of technology to bring more Filipinos into the formal financial system, especially those in far-flung areas that larger firms cannot serve.

“There is much scope for expansion towards countryside development, [as] 554 cities and municipalities, or almost a third of the total, in the country are still unbanked as of December 2017,” the central bank chief said at the annual convention of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) in Davao City.

He also pointed out that only 34.5 percent of Filipino adults have formal accounts, ranging from bank deposits to e-money accounts, according to the World Bank’s 2017 Global Findex.

“Given RBAP’s strategic role and familiarity with rural communities, it is crucial for the industry to leverage on innovative technologies and liberalized branching rules that BSP has initiated,” he said. “This will further expand market reach and enhance existing service delivery channels in the rural areas.”

Rural banks comprise the smallest segment of the country’s banking industry, with the sector’s assets reaching only P250.7 billion at end-December 2017, representing 1.6 percent of total system-wide assets.

Espenilla noted, however, that this sector’s network of 2,745 banking offices nationwide makes it “strategically positioned to be a catalyst for greater financial inclusion.” “[Rural banks’] close ties and familiarity with the rural communities you serve make you effective providers of rural financing and other corollary microfinance products and services,” he said, adding that almost 97 percent of the industry’s network is spread across provinces.

More importantly, the central bank chief noted that rural banks enjoy public trust and confidence as evidenced by the industry’s deposit profile where accounts maintaining less than P10,000 make up 87.3 percent of their retail depositors.

Espenilla urged rural banks to take advantage of available technology to become a strong and

dependable delivery channel in the provision of banking services to the countryside. In particular, “fintech” has shown great potential to transform financial services given the country’s young demographic profile, he said, urging the banks’ leaders to adopt more digital technology. n

POWERED BY

Angels among us PAGE B2 t

to mere mortals. They are powerful but we ourselves need to connect to that power to take effect.

If you acknowledge that you as a child of God was given a personal guardian angel from the time God conceived you in His thoughts, there should be no fear in our hearts to face even the unknown. An angelic relationship can be nurtured daily and can grow wonderfully through time until the end of human life.

Who knows? In the end, we might be able to see this yet unseen godly presence, link up face to face, do a high-five, even

dance a jig and thank our personal guardian angel, whether you gave him a name or not, whether he revealed his name to you or not, when we transition out to a celestial realm ourselves — finally free of ALL heavy worldly concerns and ALL constraints of time, space and gravity.

Just perhaps, that light at the end of a long dark tunnel might give us a glimpse of the face of God himself. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

will attend Stanford to study philosophy and chemistry this fall. Navarro has a 4.4 GPA and is heading to UCLA to study sociology.

The all-expense-paid scholarship is offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Scholarship will go to 3,000 minority high school seniors over the next decade, funding the full cost of college not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Navarro and Torres share similar stories of adapting to American life after each moved to the U.S. from Mexico in the fifth grade. Upon arriving in the States, Torres shared a one-bedroom apartment in Huntington Park with seven family members. He says he now shares the maturity he developed from early hardships with his younger family members.

“I FaceTime with my little sister on a lot of nights, and she tells me she’s going to be smarter than me,” Torres said. “I want to make sure she has a great example to aspire to.”

Navarro said that she has had to overcome barriers of sexism in her family. She was encouraged to pursue community college by some family members and had to convince them that she could achieve more. Navarro is now hoping to redefine what

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 23-25, 2018 B

Glendale Police participates in the Police Unity Tour in Washington DC ON May 9–12, over 2,500 law enforcement personnel from across the nation participated in a 300 mile bicycle tour to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C., to raise funds and awareness for our fallen peace officers.

Additional law enforcement officials joined the tour to provide support for the riders, making this one of the largest law enforcement events in the United States. This marks the 19th year the Glendale Police Department has participated in the New York Chapter 37 Police Unity Tour.

In order to participate in the tour, each rider is required to raise approximately $3,000 to cover the donation amount, bike shipping, airfare, lodging, and incidentals required for the ride.

Any funds left over are donated to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

This year is the twenty-first anniversary since Glendale’s last line of duty death. In May 1997, Investigator Charles Lazzaretto was killed in the line of duty and his name was engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall the

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following year. The Glendale team included Charles Lazzaretto’s son, Andrew Lazzaretto, a police officer with the Glendale Police Department.

Chapter 37 New York Chapter 37 was started

by Port Authority police officers in 2002 and named in honor of the 37 Port Authority Police Department officers who were killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. Although designated the New York Chapter, the membership of active and retired law enforcement officers also includes police departments from California, New Jersey and New Hampshire. The chapter is also known as the 9/11/01 Memorial Chapter. The original Chapter 37 members are represented by members of the Port Authority New York/New Jersey, Huntington Beach-California, Glendale-California, Nassau County and the New York City Police Departments. A pledge was made by the original members that Chapter 37 will always

start the tour at the World Trade Center to honor, respect, and remember the 72 officers who lost their lives September 11, 2001.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET. Police Unity Tour In May 1997, the Police Unity Tour was organized by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty and

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to honor their sacrifices. The Police Unity Tour started with 18 riders on a four day fundraising bicycle ride from Florham Park, New Jersey, to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C., which raised $18,000.

Today, the Police Unity Tour has over 2,500 Law Enforcement Officers that “Ride for Those Who Died” and it is the largest donor to the National Law

Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). In 2017, the tour donated $2.6 million dollars to the NLEOMF. At the conclusion of the tour, a Candlelight Vigil was held on May 13 at the Memorial in Washington D.C., where law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2018 were recognized. The Memorial contains names of over 20,000

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fallen heroes.

We thank our Glendale Team that participated and supported this year’s Police Unity Tour.

The Glendale Police Unity Tour Team: Detective Pete Robinson Officer Cory Galbraith Officer Andrew Lazzaretto Officer Bryan Duncan Officer Sue Shine (retired) Officer Jude Bella (LAPD) n

B MAY 23-25, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 23, 2018

‘Fresh Off The Boat’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and beyond: the state of Asian American representation in film and TV

by Klarize Medenilla AJPress

WHEN the first trailer for the upcoming summer flick “Crazy Rich Asians” dropped on April 23, 2018, Twitter’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community went bananas.

Based off the 2013 novel

by Kevin Kwan, “Crazy Rich Asians” (out Aug. 17, 2018) stars Constance Wu (“Fresh Off The Boat”) and Malaysian-British Henry Golding (in his feature film debut) as the two leads in a romantic comedy about Singaporean social class, the conflu-

ence of marriage and love and the generational gap between Asians and Asian Americans.

AAPI Twitter users praised the film for leading the charge for cinematic diversity and potentially proving that majorityAsian films can be box office hits.

On the same day that the trailer was released, a select few were invited to a special screening of the film and many tweeted the reactions afterward. Rebecca Sun of The Hollywood Reporter nicely summed up the reaction and the film’s significance in one tweet:

“Lots of weeping in the theater and smeared eyeliner afterward,” she wrote. “Crazy Rich Asians is a love letter to Westernized Asians who live in a world that has heretofore largely ignored them.”

Sun’s tweet perfectly summarizes the state of AAPI film and television representation and the opportunities this film could potentially open up for Asian artists in the entertainment industry at large: it’s the first non-martial arts film backed by a major studio (Warner Bros.) to feature an all-Asian cast telling a

cultural story that Asian Americans will likely resonate with.

AAPIs in Hollywood have come a long way from blatant whitewashing, fetishism and various egregious stereotypes to the refreshingly vibrant “Crazy Rich Asians” (which also stars Fil-Am actor Nico Santos of NBC’s “Superstore” and Filipina entertainer Kris Aquino). However, the current state of Asian and Asian American representation in the stories we see on film and television are far from where they ought to be, according to filmmakers, actors and

The movie poster for “Crazy Rich Asians,” which will be released on August 17, 2018.

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The cast of “Crazy Rich Asians” poses with Filipino-American actor Dante Basco.

Chinese-American actress and event hostess Kelly Hu at the first annual Lunar New Year Soiree hosted by Lexus on Thursday, March 1.

AJPress file photos by Noel Ty

other industry leaders. In an age where diversity in entertainment is the hot issue of the moment, Asians continue to be slighted in the conversation to include non-white individuals on and off screen.

A 2016 diversity study from USC Annenberg provided an even more stark contrast and found that, in a survey of more than 800 films from 2007 to 2015, Asian actors only had 3.9 percent of speaking roles in films

compared to the 73.7 percent white actors received. In 2014 alone, only 1.4 percent of lead characters in studio films were Asian.

The television landscape (which features programs set in heavily diverse cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City), perhaps, shows the most egregious neglect of actors of color. A multi-university study released found that white actors Continued on Page 6

Southern California Edison celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by aJPress

WITH May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), Southern California Edison (SCE) held its annual celebration on Friday, May 11 in Garden Grove, California, wherein the company highlighted the contributions of the APA community and business partners.

In 1978, former President Jimmy Carter signed a joint

resolution designating an annual week-long celebration, and in 1992, former President George H. W. Bush extended the celebration to a full month.

At SCE, it has been commemorating this month with a luncheon and award celebration for the past 13 years. The program was emceed by Bill Imada, founder, chairman and chief connectivity officer of IW

The Center for the Pacific Asian Family’s Ellen Hong, community program director, and Michelle Esperanza, development & external relations director receive the Community Partnership Award.

Iris Leong, vice president of human resources and general counsel of Tawa Services Inc. receives the Energy Efficiency Partnership Award on behalf of 99 Ranch Market.

Vicki Cho Estrada of Cho Estrada Communications is honored with the Diverse Business Enterprise Award.

Group.

This year, it gave three awards: the Diverse Business Enterprise Award to Cho Estrada Communication and the Energy Efficiency Participation Award to 99 Ranch Market.

“We’re really honored to be recognized for energy efficiency. What we did to get this award is reduce our carbon footprint and energy use by installing LED lights as well as changing the racks and shelves in our stores to have a cooling refrigerant,” Megan Yu, who is on 99 Ranch Market’s marketing team, told the Asian Journal.

The Community Partnership Award was given to Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF).

“We are the only domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in SoCal that specifically has cultural services for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” Donna Tang, outreach and education coordinator at CPAF, said. “It’s such an honor to be recognized by SCE…it means a lot to our staff and survivors to have this community to support us in that way.”

Before the luncheon — featuring predominantly Vietnamese and Chinese dishes — Wing Lam and Ed Lee, co-founders of Wahoo’s Fish Taco served as the keynote speakers. Imada asked the brothers several questions about how they began their fish taco restaurant, which they said was because they noticed how many taco stands didn’t serve fish.

“The opportunity to talk and meet other Asians is amazing. For [SCE] to sponsor and recognize pretty much the future of California — this market is so big — I’m glad they’re doing outreach, and not for just one specific group of Asians but in general, for everywhere,” Lee told the Asian Journal.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco will mark its 30th anniversary this year with 60 locations across the U.S. and Japan, and are expected to open five new stores later this year.

The brothers also highlighted some of their challenges and advice as business owners, as well as the importance of giving back, which they learned from their parents.

Garden Grove Mayor Steven Jones addresses attendees at SCE’s annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon and award ceremony.

SCE CEO Kevin Payne delivers remarks.

AJPress photos by Noel Ty

“Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. But Wing and I are lucky…I wish our younger brother can come out and speak to the crowd because once you see him, you’re going to understand how Wahoo’s really, really worked,” Lee added. “I always tell people to team up and if you’re really good at marketing…and find people who can offset what you’re good at. The one thing that Wing and I can’t do is Southern California Edison held its 13th annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration on run this company so my little Friday, May 11 in Garden Grove, California. brother does. Every entrepreneur should find a good CFO.” Garden Grove Mayor Steven Jones, SCE CEO Kevin Payne, and SCE’s Senior Vice President of regulatory affairs, Caroline Choi, also gave remarks.

“Giving back is part of who we are as Edison employees.

We partner with local non-profits and look for encouraging ways for our employees to give back by volunteering in the communities where we live,” Guests enjoy a buffet lunch featuring Vietnamese and Chinese dishes.

Payne said.

Edison International, the parent company of SCE, announced in April the names of the 30 high school seniors awarded $1.2 million in scholarships. Each Edison Scholar receives $40,000—paid over four years—to further their academic pursuit of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) fields at a four year accredited college or university. Ten of the scholars are of APA descent.

The day featured performances from various APA cultures.

entertainment 3 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 23, 2018

Filipina artist on finding success in online games abroad

by Edmund

SilvEStrE Philstar.com

A nuMber of millennials trooped to Metrowalk in Pasig City recently to meet one of the popular figures in the world of online games, a Los Angeles-based Pinay, who is a senior concept artist at riot Games, the multi-billion dollar u.S. company behind League of Legends, the worldwide, record-breaking and generation-defining multiplayer online battle arena game.

Gem Lim (a.k.a. Lonewingy) is the creator behind several popular champions for the game such as nami (her first champion and her personal favorite), evelynn, Galio and Irelia. She has also designed “skins” or costumes for many champions.

Young fans, mostly video game aficionados, posed for selfies and groupies with the celebrated balikbayan during a meet-and-greet at Metrowalk’s Coreon Gate Internet Café, where Gem spoke to her fans and gave them inspiring lessons and tips about making it in their chosen fields.

Gem has a b.S. in entertainment design from the prestigious Pasadena Art Center College of Design. Prior to joining the award-winning riot Games about six years ago, she freelanced for many video games and animation studios. born and bred in Manila, she studied elementary and high school at Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City, where she developed her passion for drawing.

“I would draw anything in my textbooks even during class hours and teachers would take my textbooks and ask me why I’m not paying attention in class,” Gem told fans. “That’s how much I loved drawing.”

She planned to take accounting in college, but it didn’t work out. Her supportive

parents — owners of Sterling Global Call Center — enrolled her in an art school in Pasadena that matches her interests.

Following her dream, however, required leaving her sheltered life in Manila for a life of independence and solitude while completing her degree in California.

“I was very happy even if it meant I will be living on my own, even cooking my own meals,” she said with a laugh.

Gem had her own share of frustrations while trying to get into the creative and technology industry. The competition was quite tough, she noted, but giving up was not an option.

Only her love for drawing kept her going.

“I attended conventions, I talked to people in the industry to find out what exactly I needed to do,” she shared.

After graduation, she worked with start-up companies and served as character designer at Cartoon network and visual development artist at Lego Concept Lab, among oth-

THE RIBOLI FAMILY

Gem Lim: You should never stop learning…

There’s a lot of knowledge you can find, especially on the Internet. Get yourself exposed, promote yourself and be visible.

Photo by Edmund Silvestre

ers, before joining riot Games.

“Once you get to riot Games, you need to really play a lot of video games because you’re gonna be making that video game and I just love it,” she giggled. “I really love this company. It’s an awesome place to work at because the people are extremely talented and Continued on Page 4

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 23, 2018

Stellabrate summer with three new flavors at San Antonio Winery!

Riboli Family Wines is making summer even more refreshing with new Stella Rosa red apple, green apple, and tropical mango Riboli Family Wines of San Antonio Winery has just added to its collection of America’s #1 imported italian wine, with three new refreshing Stella Rosa flavors, perfect for summer.

Semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Stella Rosa Wines presents juicy Stella Rosa Red Apple, crisp Stella Rosa Green Apple, and mouthwatering Stella Rosa Tropical Mango. Produced in northern italy, these wines are bursting with natural fruit flavor and ready to be enjoyed chilled for all occasions. You can find them all at San Antonio Winery, just east of Chinatown and Union Station in downtown los Angeles. Visit this historic location for wine tasting, a tour, and delicious meal at Maddalena restaurant.

While there, you can enjoy this tasty trio that will have you feeling like you’re on vacation with just one sip. The wines are all created with a special blend of several aromatic grape varietals including Moscato Canelli. Stella Rosa Red Apple is produced with three different varieties of heirloom apples, contributing to its natural fruit flavor. Stella Rosa Green Apple

similarly enjoys natural fruit flavor and will have you feeling like you’ve just bitten into a lush green apple. both are best enjoyed chilled alone, or as the perfect pairing for a cheese and fruit plate, and cinnamon desserts.

Riboli Family Wines is also turning up the heat with the new Stella Rosa Tropical Mango. The flavor of fully ripe mangos will satisfy any palate, while making you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a tropical island. This wine is delicious enough to enjoy alone or paired with your favorite dish.

All Stella Rosa wines are best enjoyed chilled, so be sure

to pop them in the fridge or enjoy them over ice. Now with more than 20 different flavors, the Stella Rosa originale and imperiale collection has something for everyone. The unique combination of semi-sweet wine and effervescence has made Stella Rosa a one-of-akind, leading brand in the wine industry, and the Riboli Family is excited to release these three new flavors. They can be purchased at your favorite store or at all of San Antonio Winery’s three locations in los Angeles, ontario, and Paso Robles. For more information visit www.stellarosa.com and www.sanantoniowinery.com.

ASiAN Journal’s highly anticipated Travel, Trade and Consumer Exhibit is set to stir the Filipino-American community. People who register in person on August 4 and 5 at South bay Pavilion shall have the chance to win a round trip ticket to Manila, courtesy of Philippine Airlines, one of the main exhibitors.

This exciting and generous offer, which will include 3 days and 2 nights in a hotel in Manila is one of the highlights of the most awaited events this year. To be held at the South bay Pavilion Mall, Philippine products and businesses shall be showcased for two days, that summer weekend in August.

People shall have a chance to discover and rediscover Philippine-made items, and the chance to explore travel deals through the exhibitors.

Filipino food and delicacies will be available in a pop-up area across the main entrance. Entertainment at the Main Stage and business presentations in the b2b area are geared towards inspiring and promoting trade and business in the Filipino-American community.

To join the raffle, just sign up in person during ‪11-8pm on August 4, Saturday‪ and ‪102pm on August 5, Sunday‪. only one entry per person, and Main Stage Area. South bay you must have a working email Pavilion is located at 20700 S Avalon blvd, Carson, CA 90746. address. Drawing will be held (Advertisng Supplement) during the ‪3-5pm‪ block at the

Janella on new movie without Elmo: ‘We didn’t want to go our separate ways’

JANEllA Salvador has always been together with her love team partner Elmo Magalona. but with new projects coming that tend to have them apart, does it mean that the public will be seeing less of the ElNella love team on screen?

The actress is starring in the new movie “So Connected” with Jameson blake. in connection with this, she admitted to talk show host boy Abunda in a recent “Tonight with boy Abunda” episode which aired, May 21, that she and Elmo have (Advertisng Supplement) both been hesitant to take on projects that would set them apart.

“Si Elmo kasi, he’s very understanding naman,” Salvador said when asked if Magalona got jealous of her pairing with blake in the movie. “of course at first, we were talking and we were thinking ‘What’s gonna happen?’”

Salvador went on. “We were kind of hesitant at first na we really don’t know where this is gonna go. like, we didn’t want din naman of course to go our separate ways, in terms of work, you know.”

Not only is Salvador having

Jed Madela: Confident of his own body

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

iF you use social media, chances are you’ve heard about celebrity bashing. it is common nowadays with stars being bashed mercilessly, to the point of breaking their reputation and self-esteem, family relations and friendships. bashers or trolls are known to mince no words in attacking their celebrity-targets.

Jed Madela admitted he once became a victim of fatshaming on social media. The experience was painful and deeply affected the singer in the beginning. “it was hurting although i’m not denying that i do not have a slim body,” Jed said during his appearance in Tonight with boy Abunda. “This cyberbullying is happening because anybody can just go to social media to tell things (against anyone). if they like to tweet that you are ugly or you are so fat, they can just get away with it because they are hiding behind their accounts.

“And what did i do? i answered back saying, ‘Yeah, wala tayong magagawa mataba naman talaga ako. Masaya ka na? What did you get for hurting somebody?’”

The way Jed responded to the negative remark revealed a person who is confident with his own body. it’s natural to feel offended and hurt when foul words are being aimed at you. To protect yourself from trolls and bashers, Jed has some pieces of advice, “Surround yourself with the right people because the people who know you and who understand you are the only ones who have the right to point out things to you. Those who are victims of cyberbullies, all you have to do is to just ignore them. if you can bluff, bluff kasi wala tayong magagawa ‘pag pinatulan natin sila. ‘pag sinagot mo sila masaya sila kasi binigyan mo sila ng atensyon.”

Jed is stepping into a new role as a mentor. As the head of Prime Music, he is discovering fresh, new talents. He has also made a comeback in “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” not as a judge but as the vocal mentor of the contestants.

“Mentoring is totally different from judging where we just sit behind the table and give comments. but this time, we are part of the journey of the kids from the moment they receive the icons whom they will impersonate. We teach them.

Hand in hand, kami ni Nyoy (Volante). He is in charge of the actions, movements and facial expressions while i am more on the vocals like how they are going to imitate the voice of their icons.”

Jed has been working with the kids for several times

Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador

her own movie, Magalona will have a new film out as well, “Walwal”, where Salvador is not appearing. “of course, that talk was to make us ready,” Salvador admitted. “People are gonna say something. There are gonna be more bashers, you know. but in the end, he’s very understanding.’

The tandem, dubbed

Photo from Instagram/@superjanella

“ElNella” by their loyal fans, debuted in the 2016 primetime series “born For You.” Proving a success, the team-up went on to star in two “Wansapanataym” mini-series, and a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode. on the big screen, Salvador and Magalona co-starred in “bloody Crayons” on 2017 and “My Fairy Tale love Story” in 2018. (Inquirer.net)

Filipina shares photos of shoot with Victoria’s Secret by deni

Rose BeRnARdo

Philstar.com

Jed Madela

already that he could now easily describe them one by one. He observed that Esang de Torres and Sheena belarmino are professionals. He felt that Marco Masa really wants to learn. He could not deny that onyok Pineda is a hyper kid and Chunsa Jung is sweet.

He said that Krystal brimmer is like a sponge that absorbs everything, while Noel Comia is a charmer. He agreed that Francis Concepcion, Mackie Empuerto and Kiefer Sanchez, also known as the TNT boys, are entertaining.

As a singer, Jed doesn’t pretend to know it all. He considered Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and lea Salonga as his mentors. “i always talk to Gary and Martin but it is lea whom i get to talk to more often. Si Martin di s’ya matipid sa papuri. He makes me feel that i’m doing the right thing.

“Gary is always there to boost you up. And lea always tells me to, ‘Just do your thing,’ because i’m the type who has a lot of insecurities. i have a lot of questions na kaya ko ba ito maybe it’s just my personality that i need affirmation. but now i’ve learned how to laugh at myself na kapag nagkamali e de nagkamali, tao lang.”

Apart from mentoring, Jed is busy recording for his new album in celebration of his 15th year in the music scene. And while on the show, Jed gamely agreed to play the fun segment called Jed’s Unsolicited Advice for singing stars. Read on.

Morissette: “Keep doing what you’re doing because you

her VS project. in her latest instagram story, the Filipina model shared behind-the-scenes photos on the set of Victoria’s Secret Sport.

Proudly from Pampanga, Kelsey graduated with a degree in Ab Communication from Ateneo de Manila University.

She began modeling at 15 years old, following her model friends’ advice to join them at the Philippine Fashion Week.

From runway modeling, she moved to doing fashion editorials and TV commercials.

When she turned 18, an email shook her early career: an invitation to sign up with New York-based modeling agency

iN February last year, Filipino-American model Kelsey Merritt told Philstar.com in an interview that her ultimate dream was to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. on May 11, Kelsey surprised her Twitter fans when she announced that her utmost wish has become closer to reality.

To prepare for her Victoria’s Secret shoot, Kelsey said she ABS-CBN photo has been exercising and eating healthy like a real Angel. are on the right track.” on May 15, she then began Moira dela Torre: “Keep sharing photos and details of writing songs and keep telling us more stories through your music.”

Kisses Delavin: “Stay sweet and never ever let the industry change you.”

Maymay Entrata: “i’m a MayWard fan and my advice for her is never ever change.

You are the sunshine in the industry.”

Erik Santos: “Never doubt yourself kasi andun ka na bro, andun ka na.”

Darren Espanto: “Enjoy your youth and do not let anybody dictate your action.”

In her latest Instagram stories, Filipina model Kelsey Merritt shared behind-the-scenes photos on the James Reid: “Continue to set of Victoria’s Secret Sport.

Photo from Instagram/@kelseymerritt speak your mind.”

Daniel Padilla: “Continue to be a role model to all those who admire you. You are adFrom Page 3 mirable, especially on how you animé, video games, movies. treat your mom.” awesome and we always talk The way people support each Anne Curtis: “You can sing, about things that we love like other is mind-blowing.” just focus kasi ‘pag napapansin na ni Anne na nag-re-react na yung mga tao jino-joke time n’ya na agad.”

Regine Velasquez: “Don’t stop because you inspire us.

She’s the reason why i’m in this industry. Quick story: i would save my allowance when i was in high school to buy my very first cassette tape and that was a Regine Velasquez cassette tape in 1990. After a week, yung boses ko umiba na pero di ko naabot songs n’ya pero naibalik ko yung boses ko. Then my aunt told me, hahanapin natin ang manager ni Regine. True enough, Ronnie Henares was my first manager and i will never forget what he told me. Sabi nya, ‘i’m going to make you my male Regine,’ (laughs).”

Among Gem’s popular League of Legends creations are (clockwise, from left) Irelia, Evelynn and Nami

Wilhelmina international, founded by Dutch supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper and the agency behind supermodels like iman, Gia Carangi and beverly Peele.

Wilhelmina international also manages singer-actor Nick Jonas; pop star Demi lovato; and models Cindy bruna and Nyle DiMarco, among others.

Apart from Vera Wang’s “White” bridal collection, Kelsey has also modeled for Uniqlo, Kashieca with Soberano and bea Alonzo, and a Maybelline New York commercial, which she shot as an extra to Victoria’s Secret Angel Gigi Hadid.

She is currently represented

by New York-based agency Women Management Milano, which also manages top models Jourdan Dunn and Winnie Harlow.

Kelsey has not yet given details of her Victoria’s Secret project, but if the international lingerie brand would include her in its annual fashion show, she could be the first Filipina Victoria’s Secret Angel that would join the ranks of international supermodels like Tyra banks, Karlie Kloss, Heidi Klum and Adriana lima.

Filipina artist on finding success in online... league of legends has become the most played PC game in the world and a driver of the explosive growth of eSports. Headquartered in l.A., it has 23 offices worldwide.

At the end of her talk, Gem left this message for her fans who wanted to follow in her footsteps: Gem lim said, “You should never stop learning even after you finished school. There’s a lot of knowledge you can find, especially on the internet. Get yourself exposed, promote yourself and be visible. once you’re out there, it’s no longer like competing with your peers, but you’re competing with the rest of the world. Riot Games is always looking for any talented artist no matter where you are as long as you get the job done and you are able to provide something new that Riot doesn’t have yet.”

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 23, 2018

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Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla shares weight-loss journey entertainment Agot Isidro nominated for Best Actress 6

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

because her milk supply was low and she had to exclusively breastfeed her first born.

IF The Times did not see “Akala ko when I gave birth her photos from her daughter that I would return to normal Isabella Padilla’s first birthday party last October, it would have right away I had this picture in my mind. My heaviest was been hard to think that Mariel rodriguez-Padilla hit the scale at not even when I gave birth, my heaviest was when I had 178 lbs. to breastfeed Isabella for 14 Mariel says she was demonths and I was at my heaviest pressed at the time since she at her first birthday party. I had was hiding from everybody so to eat my way as in kahit hindi that no one would see her, “I ako gutom kumakain ako, kakain couldn’t see people when I get ako after ko mag-pump!” invited sabi ko hindi ako puthe weight gain was an issue wede because I’m too fat to be seen. I couldn’t go back to work for Mariel who is very particular with her appearance—she I would even send my photo did not even shy in admitting na okay lang ba I look like this? she had a rule of not repeating Hindi talaga kaya.” clothes. But because of the exMariel knew she was so tra pounds, the first-time mom heavy but she had to do it

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 23, 2018

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Actress Agot Isidro has been nominated for Best Actress at the 41st Gawad Urian for her performance in the movie “changing Partners.”

Agot will be competing

for the award against other actresses like Joanna Ampil (“Ang Larawan”), Angeli Bayani (“Bagahe”), Alessandra de rossi (“Kita Kita”), Gloria Diaz (“si chedeng at si Apple”), Dexter Doria (“Paki”), Jally Nae Gilbaliga (“the chanters”), elizabeth Oropesa

Agot Isidro

Philstar.com photo

(“si chedeng at si Apple”), Bela Padilla (“100 tula Para Kay stella”), Angellie Nicolle sanoy (“Bomba”) and Malona sulatan (“tu Pug Imatuy”).

On her twitter account, the outspoken actress thanked Gawad Urian for the nomination.

“Maraming Salamat sa nomination, Gawad Urian. #c hangingPartners,” the actress wrote.

Based on the Palanca Award-winning musical play by Vincent de Jesus, “changing Partners” is a film adaptation that tells the story of a couple, Alex and cris, in four relationship variations. “changing Partners” also returned to the stage recently. recently, Liberal Party president Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan announced that Agot is in their wish list for the party’s senatorial lineup for the 2019 Midterm elections. Pangilinan said they need “strong women” in their lineup.

“Of course, she’s hesitant but then we said, ‘We need more women to step up.’ she said, ‘You can consider it but let me think about it also.’ so we’re still convincing her,” Pangilinan said. there are still no words from Agot regarding the senatorial issue.

Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla with daughter Isabella

experienced difficulty in buying new clothes at her new size.

“Maternity clothes pa rin suot ko, as in lima lang. I did not want to buy new clothes because ibig sabihin nun na yun na yun, I’ve resigned to my heaviest weight, pero hindi puwede na yun na yun!”

Because of her will power, Mariel made a deal with herself to lose the weight as soon as Isabella stops being breastfed. she did not go under the knife, she just went to Marie France three to four times a week and on weekends she would have five-hour sessions. she also cut her food intake in half and is so proud that in six months time, she lost the baby weight.

“I also did juicing from time to time which I used to do naman before giving birth.”

Mariel is set to return to television in roughly a month’s time and she made a promise to lose an extra 15 pounds.

Besides her discipline and motivation, her husband robin Padilla has been her biggest cheerleader all throughout her weight-loss journey.

“He knew I was eating so much. Never siya nag-complain.

Kaya yung bigote niya never din ako nag-complain! Kasi hindi siya nag-complain na mataba ako so hindi rin ako nag-complain tungkol sa bigote niya.”

‘Fresh Off The Boat’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and beyond...

From Page 2 continue to dominate series regular roles; nearly 70 percent of series regulars are white while 4.3 percent are AAPI. In 53 percent of shows set in LA and 70 percent set in New York city, there are no AAPI series regulars. the barometer for AAPIs in television jumped in 2014 when taiwanese-American restaurateur eddie Huang’s memoir “Fresh Off the Boat” was picked up by ABc. While the show has been criticized for creative reasons (Huang has openly criticized the comedic direction the showrunners went), “Fresh Off the Boat” was recently renewed for a 5th season, proof that a series with a majority Asian cast can last in the age of network television decline. the year after “Fresh Off the Boat” expanded the ways in which network sitcoms can be financially solvent, Indian-American comedian Aziz Ansari and taiwanese-American writer and producer Alan Yang created the emmy and Golden Globe-winning comedy series “Master of None”, a dramatic comedy series about a struggling actor Dev (Ansari) and his heterogenous group of friends.

“Master of None” was met with praise from critics for bringing cinematic flair to the television front, but more profoundly, it was praised for bringing much needed ethnic, sexual and body diversity and bringing visibility to the unique second-generation Asian American experience.

Ansari and Yang have stated that the need for three-dimensional portrayals of Asian Americans was a driving force in their creative direction for the show.

An episode that discussed the relationship between AAPI millennials and their immigrant parents earned Ansari and Yang an emmy win for Outstanding Writing in a comedy series in 2016.

In his emmy speech, Yang made a call to action to uplift the creative Asian community: “there [are] 17 million Asian Americans in this country and there are 17 million Italian Americans in this country. they [Italian Americans] have the Godfather, Goodfellas, rocky and the sopranos. We got Long Duk Dong. so we got a long way to go. But I believe we can get there. I believe in us. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. Asian parents out there, if you can do me a favor just a couple of you: get your kids cameras instead of violins and we’ll be all good.”

Changing Hollywood’s culture While there isn’t necessarily a quick fix to address the issue of cinematic AAPI representation, a two-pronged solution that places responsibility on studios and Asian filmmakers themselves to help change the culture, according to veteran chinese-American actress Kelly Hu. “I think a lot of it has to do with the people who work behind the scenes, the producers, directors and writers creating

ABC’s family sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat,” loosely inspired by the life of chef and food personality Eddie Huang. Since its release in 2015, it became the first American TV sitcom starring an Asian American family to air on primetime since 1994.

Poster courtesy of ABC

these roles,” the chinese-American actress shared with the Asian Journal in a recent interview.

“And also for us to get out there as the Asian community, to go out there and support [other Asian artists]. When there are Asian shows being done to actually watch and go support to show that we can make a huge difference.” changing culture doesn’t happen overnight. Arguing the financial solvency of Asian stories with studios, improving the ways in which AAPIs are represented and getting them on the screen in the first place feels like a tall order. And it is. But the avenues available to create and produce your own projects are more vast than ever.

Korean-American actress and writer Vivian Bang’s career began as many budding actresses’ do: small roles in television roles and largely unseen projects. the 34-year-old actress from seoul, for the span of her nearly 20-year career, grappled with many of the woes experienced by many AAPI actors: scarcity of Asian faces on screen is real, but more insidious are the ways in which Asian faces are portrayed.

In an interview in March, she told the Asian Journal that she believes there’s an “unconscious bias” in the film world and American culture at large wherein there isn’t an active pursuit to shirk AAPIs in entertainment, but there is a noticeable “absence” that has largely gone unnoticed in the system. Asian actors, she said, are too often slighted and are given roles that to represent the scope of their talents.

“We have so many stories to tell, and these aren’t ‘niche’ stories,” Bang said, referring to instances where studio heads are hesitant to finance Asianspecific projects for fear of being too esoteric and, potentially, financially insolvent. “these are human stories because, if you haven’t heard, we’re humans!

Like, why can’t there just be a show about Asian people just living their lives in LA? We can do so much more than just playing the quirky best friend or the token Asian.”

And that’s exactly what she did. she wrote, produced and stars in the upcoming film “White rabbit”, a dramatic comedy about an LA-based Korean-American performance artist struggling to be heard as a multi-dimensional artist. she wrote “White rabbit” out of what she calls a necessity for a

story that, not only features an Asian female lead but to address the issue of invisibility of the AAPI community in the creative world. “there’s just this really deep reservoir of artists and talent coming from [the AAPI] community which hasn’t been given its rightful exposure. It’s not that we’re not there, it’s that we haven’t been given the chance to really shine, but now we live in this time where we can do that ourselves,” Bang asserted.

Addressing diversity Like all issues of culture, many people question the urgency of the diversity problem.

Does it really matter who we see in our movies and shows?

In general, the AAPI population is growing at a rapid rate. the U.s. census Bureau found that the AAPI community is the fast-growing demographic in the United states and naturalization trends see that continuing for the next several decades.

It would benefit the studios looking to turn a large profit and AAPI artists who haven’t been given their due to transform the industry to more accurately represent this new reality and to cater to a growingly ethnically assorted population, as expressed by sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen in her book “reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and racism.” “‘Diversity’ and ‘brilliance’ are not mutually exclusive. Hollywood can reconceptualize racial diversity and inclusion not as a compromise, but as a goal,” she writes “Hollywood simply cannot afford to ignore an increasingly diverse domestic audience base and growing international market. As an industry, Hollywood also risks stagnation because racially and gender diverse groups are more likely to innovate and create than groups with less diverse members.”

Diversity for diversity’s sake isn’t the issue. the call for fair representation isn’t to haphazardly include more Asian bodies in a film to fulfill a quota that film’s past could not, but it is to, rather, challenge the centurylong homogeneity in Hollywood that fails to capture the reality of a growingly assorted American population. culture is, in part, shaped by film and television which have a profound reach, and to accurately represent the AAPI community in thoughtful, constructive ways means accurately representing the world as we know it.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May May 23, 2018

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May May 23, 2018