052618 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

May 26-29, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 43 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Palace to activists: Prove military DATELINE USA Labor rights legend violated human rights in Mindanao Larry Itliong inducted FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

into hall of fame

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

DECADES after his accomplishments in the labor movement were largely ignored by history books, the Filipino leader behind the West Coast agriculture labor movement Larry Itliong as been formally recognized as one of Inquirer.net photo history’s most Larry Itliong pivotal figures in labor activism.

On Thursday, May 17, the Labor’s International Hall of Fame honored the legacy and memory of Itliong, who many call “one of the fathers of the West Coast labor movement”, at Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School in Union City with an induction into Labor’s International Hall of Fame.

“This is huge. He’s an American hero. He stood up for people who weren’t being heard,” Johnny Itliong, Itliong’s son, said at the ceremony.

MALACAÑANG has dared human rights activists to prove allegations of human rights violations committed by members of the military in Mind-

anao under martial law.

During a press briefing on Thursday, May 24 in Marawi City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called on the presentation of proof or “let us not accuse our soldiers.”

“Many soldiers offered their lives.

Many of them were wounded, hurt or lost limbs. Let us not accuse them of committing violence if we do not have proof,” Roque said.

He added, “We recognize the heroism of soldiers and we give them the presumption of good faith. To the ac-

by EDITH

REGALADO Philstar.com

Filipina Iraq War veteran earns Democratic ticket in Texas runoff

ON Tuesday, May 22, Filipina American Gina Ortiz Jones won the Democratic nomination in the primary race for a Texas seat in the United States House of Representatives, advancing her to a November race against Republican incumbent Will Hurd.

The 37-year-old — who is a lesbian, single mother and former Air Force intelligence officer during the Iraq War — defeated Democrat Rick Treviño in the race for Texas’s 23rd congressional district, garnering a whopping 67.9 percent of the vote over Treviño’s 32.1 percent among the district’s Democratic voters.

“Last [night’s] vote made it clear: Democrats are united to change Congress and

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Duterte may return as mayor after term ends in 2022

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If elected, Gina Ortiz Jones could be the first openly lesbian and first Filipina to represent the state of Texas in the U.S. Congress

cusers, the burden of evidence and burden of proof lie on you. Where is your evidence? Otherwise, just shut up because you are not the ones dying for the country.

According to the human rights

DAVAO RIVER BRIDGE WIDENING PROJECT. President Rodrigo Duterte listens to the briefing on the Davao City Coastal Road project of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Davao River Bridge widening project at Carlos P. Garcia Highway in Davao City on Thursday, May 24.

Malacañang photo by Joey Dalumpines

DAVAO CITY — President Duterte, who at 73 admits to having various ailments two years into office, is not yet thinking of retirement.

At the inauguration of the Davao River bridge widening project along Diversion Road here the other day, Duterte said he might just return as mayor of this city after finishing his term as president in 2022.

“Sige lang, baka sakali mawalan ako ng trabaho, magbalik ako mayor dito. (Go ahead, if ever I lose my job, I’ll go back to being mayor here),” the president said.

Duterte was reacting to people praising him for his accomplishments as mayor for 23 years before he became president.

Duterte also served as vice mayor and first district representative of the city.

The President is particularly proud of the smoking ban he implemented in Davao and eventually adopted in the whole country.

Personal advocacy Duterte explained the smoking ban was

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Philippines and US want to move forward with a bilateral trade deal

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE United States and the Philippines want to move forward with a bilateral free trade deal, said the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The consensus followed a visit to the Philippines on Wednesday, May 23 by Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jeffrey Gerrish and his delegation to further trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Meeting with Gerrish on the Philippine side were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Agricul-

ture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

“President Trump has made clear his commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, and the United States values our very important trade relationship with the Philippines,” said Gerrish.

“Greater engagement on trade and investment will benefit both countries, and we look forward to resolving outstanding issues and exploring the best arrangement for strengthening and expanding our trade relations,” he Former Health Secretary Janette Garin added.

Acknowledging the opportunities already in place under the current Trade and Investment

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Trump doubles down on MS-13 during immigration roundtable

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

FOR the second time in his presidency, President Donald Trump made way to Long Island on Wednesday, May 23 to convene a roundtable for tougher immigration laws. Central to the discussion were the gruesome crimes of the notorious MS-13 gang.

“It’s a menace, a ruthless gang that has violated our borders and transformed once-peaceful neighborhoods into bloodstained killing fields,” said Trump as he opened up the roundtable discussion.

President Donald Trump, joined by Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and families whose loved ones were “Horrible people, by the way.” victims of MS-13 gang violence, participates in a roundtable on immigration issues at the Also joining him and the numMorrelly Homeland Security Center on Wednesday, May 23, in Bethpage, NY. ber of local and federal officials White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

were the parents of two young high schoolers, Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas. The two young girls had been killed by MS-13 gang members in 2016 as a result of what is believed to have been a social media altercation.

“It’s one thing for kids to have a little argument. But to murder a fellow classmate… You’re not an ordinary human,” said Robert Mickens, father of Nisa Mickens.

“Our streets should not have to be bloodshed,” he added. “Us as parents should not have to bury our child. We can’t have children kill children anymore.”

By Mickens’ side was his wife Elizabeth Alvarado who donned a black t-shirt with a photo of their

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Philstar.com photo

PH ‘alarmists’ creating fear over Dengvaxia vaccine

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FORMER Health Secretary Janette Garin said the Philippines is the only country letting “alarmists” cause uproar over the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy, on Thursday, May 24.

The Dengvaxia vaccine, created by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, has been tagged in the deaths of over 80 Filipino children.

During the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Garin said “the truth will come out” as the legal process moves forward and scientific facts determined.

“Of the 20 countries in the world using Dengvaxia, only in the Philippines are we allowing alarmists to exaggerate things

and sow fear in public,” she stated.

Regarding the documents citing that she had been warned of the negative effects of Dengvaxia even before the immunization project started, Garin said the issue has been tackled during the investigation on Dengvaxia by the Senate.

Represented by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), complainants had presented a letter dated March 27, 2016 signed by academicians, scientists, and clinicians expressing concerns on the effect of Dengvaxia during the preliminary investigation.

“Meetings were specially convened by virtue of that letter and I personally requested a pull-out meeting in WHO (World Health Organization) Geneva to present those questions,” she added. ■

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From the Front Page

Palace to activists: Prove...

PAGE A1 t group Karapatan, 49 incidents of extrajudicial killings, 116 frustrated extrajudicial killings, 22 torture cases, 89 illegal arrests and detention, 9,738 cases of threats/harassments/intimidations, 336,124 cases of indiscriminate firing and bombings, 404,654 cases of forced evacua-

diate lifting of martial law, which was declared after Islamic Stateinspired terrorists laid siege to tion, and 979 forced surrenders Marawi City on May 23, 2017. It had been recorded from May 23, claimed that the martial law has been used by Philippine security 2017 to May 23, 2018.

Karapatan also claimed to forces as “license to further perhave documented 404,654 per- petuate rights violations.”

A call for an immediate invessons displaced by bombings.

The human rights group has tigation of the Armed Forces of asked the Commission on Hu- the Philippines (AFP) and the man Rights to look into the prosecution of perpetrators is abuses and called for the imme- also being urged by Karapatan.

Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. claimed that “the people of Mindanao want martial law to stay across the region” given the choice.

“We talked to the people and they love martial law. They have been telling us they want Mindanao to be under martial law forever,” he said.

According to Galvez, the people are asking the military and political leaders for the retention of military rule due to its contributions to the improvement of the peace and order in the entire Mindanao. They reportedly also do not seem to mind the setup because its enforcement is being directed not against any peace-loving individuals but against lawless groups.

“Very effective because we

File photo shows men being frisked by police at a checkpoint as they leave Marawi City. Among the complaints about martial law in Mindanao is the ‘automatic’ suspicion against Moros at checkpoints, according to Datu Alvin Camandong of the Alliance of Tri-people for the Advancement of Human Rights.

Inquirer.net photo

can search houses once we have monitored or have suspicions that there are hidden firearms or illegal materials hidden inside these particular places,” Galvez said.

Government enforcers of

martial law managed to to seize or recover 6,000 firearms of various calibers, particularly in Sulu during the first quarter of the year, as stated by Galvez.

However, these just represent a small percentage of loose

firearms still in the hands of various lawless groups in Mindanao.

“There are around 80 percent of loose firearms that we have to recover in Mindanao,” Galvez said. n

Duterte may return as...

Philippines and US want...

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a result of his having suffered various ailment such as Barrett’s esophagus and now hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating due to smoking during his younger days.

The President recalled how he once forced 11 men to eat cigarettes for refusing to follow the smoking ban.

Duterte apologized for being late and told the audience that his shirt and pants were soaked: “That’s excessive sweating.

Something to do with a procedure that I underwent many years ago.”

The President likewise cited the prevailing liquor ban in the city that shortened the operating hours of bars and restaurants.

He said that his daughter, current Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio also instilled the same discipline and is much stricter than him. “(I am) near, very near the end of the road. So I’d like to thank you again for supporting

me, for helping me. Most of you are really my supporters,” the President added.

He also encouraged those who want to take positions in national government to apply as long as they are qualified and he would be happy to appoint them if there is vacancy.

But he warned them against corruption, saying he will be “unforgiving” when it comes to this.

He said he wants to do something right before he dies – to gladden his parents.

“At least once bago ako mamatay, may ginawa akong – para naman ‘yung tatay pati nanay ko mag-smile,” the President said.

Aside from Barrett’s esophagus, which causes stomach contents to back up into the esophagus, and Buerger disease, a constriction of the blood vessels caused by accumulation of nicotine, Duterte also has a slipped disc due to a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. n

Framework Agreement (TIFA), Lopez said, “We are looking forward to exploring a free trade agreement with the U.S.,” added Lopez.

“Meanwhile, we can simultaneously pursue low-hanging opportunities like the existing TIFA and the privileges under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of the U.S.,” added Lopez.

Under the GSP, the Philippines currently benefits preferential duty-free entry to the U.S. Last year, GSP exports accounted for 17 percent of PH exports to the U.S., valuing at $1.492 billion. Lead exports included tires, electronics, sugar, and fruit and vegetable juices.

Instead of an annual review, the latest GSP renewal was also made to be effective for three years. It further extended duty-free treatment to travel goods including suitcases, handbags, backpacks, attaché cases, and similar cases and bags. The DTI said it also hopes to add footwear to the list.

“This, in turn, will promote Fili-

pino-made shoes and to encourage foreign shoe manufacturers to locate in the Philippines,” said the DTI in a news release.

In other DTI news, Lopez — who also co-chairs the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) — said he found “hard to believe”, a world competitiveness report that showed the Philippines falling nine notches.

Dropping from last year’s ranking of 41st, the Philippines fell to 50th out of 63 countries in the lastest 2018 World Competitiveness Yearbook — the lowest its ranked since 2014. The country has averaged around 41st or 42nd place annually in the report published by the International Institute of Management Development (IMD).

But taking an optimistic tone, Lopez said, “I believe the fast growth we are having, infrastructure buildup and variou reforms in east of doing business, [as well as the] growing middle class and demographic attractiveness to investors will enable us to improve the rank soon.” n

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

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Labor rights legend Larry Itliong...

Hailing from poverty-stricken Pangasinan, Philippines, Larry Dulay Itliong was born on Oct. 13, 1913 and only achieved a sixth grade education. Itliong was 14 when he first came to the United States and became a farmworker working alongside Filipinos in Alaska (where he organized cannery and agricultural unions), California, Washington, Montana and South Dakota.

He was a natural-born leader with excellent linguistic and oratory skills that propelled him to organize protests, call for action on low wages and squalid working conditions.

Along with Mexican-American labor activist Cesar Chavez, Itliong co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) which merged the

Filipino and Mexican labor efforts to establish a coalition that would eventually lead to one of the most powerful labor union forces in U.S. history.

In May 1965, Itliong led the majority Filipino Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to strike in the Coachella Valley and, later that year, led thousands of Filipino and Mexican farm workers in the Delano grape strike that resulted in significant improvements in wages and working conditions.

“What he did is Filipino-American history, and it’s American history. It’s important to our community, and our community’s history, but what he did was even bigger than that,” Dawn Mabalon, a professor of history at San Francisco State University, told the East Bay Times.

Despite Itliong’s pivotal role in changing the world’s view on farm labor from the 1930s until his death in 1977, his legacy was eclipsed by Chavez, who was viewed as an international labor hero following the Delano grape strikes, in which Itliong actually had to persuade Chavez to participate. Itliong, however, was rarely given the same praise.

“It’s very important getting him recognized for what he did,” Johnny Itliong told NBC News in 2015. “He didn’t do it himself, but he initiated it all…How did Cesar Chavez become the founder of a union he was asked to join? That’s on him for creating the fallacy, doesn’t mean he didn’t do any good. Just a matter of setting the record straight.” (Klarize Medenill/AJPress)

Trump doubles down on MS-13 during...

PAGE A1 t daughter on it. Also at the table were Cuevas’ parents, Evelyn Rodriguez and Freddy Cuevas.

In the audience were the family members of three of the four young men murdered by MS-13 in April of last year behind a soccer field in nearby Suffolk County.

Easily among the world’s most deadliest gangs, MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, was born in Los Angeles during the 1980s and has since become a cross-border criminal organization whose motto “mata, viola, controla” translates to “kill, rape, and control.”

Machetes are often their weapons of choice.

Its founders were refugees from El Salvador’s civil war who in part initially wanted to provide protection to immigrants from El Salvador. According to the U.S Justice Department, roughly 10,000 members are in the U.S. and about 30,000 are scattered internationally.

Since entering office, the gang has been a big part of Trump’s rhetoric on illegal immigration and has become even more so in recent weeks.

Last week, Trump described criminals who enter the U.S. illegally as “animals,” which elicited some criticism from those who initially took the description as being meant to cover all immigrants.

Calling out his critics, Trump defended his remark Wednesday when describing MS-13.

“I called them ‘animals’ the other day and I was met with rebuke,” said Trump. “They said,

‘They are people.’ They’re not people. These are animals.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deputy director Thomas D. Homan backed Trump and said his description was being “kind”.

“Animals kill to survive,” said Homan. “MS-13 kills for sport.”

Joining in the discussion, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who has been at odds with Trump over the Russian investigation, took issue on how MS-13 gang members have been targeting vulnerable unaccompanied minor children who cross into the U.S. illegally often without a support system or family.

When caught, many of them are eventually released from custody which further worsens the issue, he added.

“Some develop gang ties,” said Rosenstein.

Quoting statistics drawn by the Department of Homeland Security, Rosenstein added that less than four percent of unaccompanied minors are eventually removed from the United States.

According to Homan, 300 arrests of MS-13 members were made in Long Island last year, with over 40 percent of those arrests being unaccompanied minors.

Immigrant advocates have long argued that the children — many of whom come from Central America — comes to the U.S seeking safety in hopes of escaping violence back home. Trump and his administration have argued that such processes were

“loopholes” in the law for them to gain residency.

“We have the worst immigration laws of any country, anywhere in the world,” said Trump.

“They exploited the loopholes in our laws to enter the country as unaccompanied alien minors.”

“They look so innocent,” he added. “They’re not innocent.”

On the dias, Trump later said he was working on a plan to reduce aid from countries he said were not doing anything to prevent MS-13 members from entering the U.S illegally.

“We’re looking at our whole aid structure. It’s going to be changed very radically,” said Trump who has previously accused countries like Mexico for not helping in the prevention of illegal crossings.

Acknowledging the tension regarding immigration, Mickens urged people to see the the issue from his and the other parents’ perspective.

“Obviously this is a very touchy subject because there is immigration involved,” said Mickens.

“America is based off immigration. Everybody who came here wanted the American dream,” he added. “The American dream is still here. But if you’re going to come here with acts of violence, you can stay in your own country with that, because we don’t need it here anymore.”

According to Customs and Border Protection, 228 of the tens of thousands seized at the border were found to be members of MS-13 — down from 437 in 2014. ■

WOUNDED HERO. President Rodrigo Duterte confers the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan award to one of the wounded soldiers whom he visited at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center in Davao City on Thursday, May 24. Joining the President is Secretary Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi Jr.

Filipina Iraq War veteran earns Democratic...

PAGE A1 t send politicians like Will Hurd packing,” Ortiz Jones wrote on her campaign’s Facebook page on Wednesday, May 23. “I look forward to working with [Rick Treviño] and people across Texas to make sure Congress serves communities like ours by delivering on health care that working families can afford, instead of serving special interests that will never put Texas families first.”

If Ortiz Jones wins in the midterm election in November, she will make history as the first lesbian, the first Iraq War veteran and the first Filipina-American to become a Texan U.S. representative. However, she faces an uphill battle against longtime incumbent Hurd --- who has almost double the campaign funds as Jones --- and a right-leaning district that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso.

Ortiz Jones was raised in Texas by a single mother, Victorina Ortiz, who was from the Philippines. Her mother, despite earning graduate degrees from the Philippines, worked several menial jobs before becoming a teacher to support the family.

In high school, Ortiz Jones won a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship and then went on to

Boston University where she attended as an undergrad and as an graduate student; as an undergrad, she earned degrees in economics and East Asian studies and then earned a master’s degree in economics.

After college, in 2003, she joined the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer and was deployed to Iraq. She served for three years in active duty, she returned home in 2006 to care for her mother who had colon cancer.

“You have many jobs during your life, but you only have one mom,” she said in an interview with the Harvard Political Review in 2017. Her mother fully recovered and, soon after, she returned as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Africa Command in Germany.

In 2008, she went on to work for the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency and eventually became a special adviser to the deputy director.

In 2016, she began working for the Executive Office of the President with the U.. Trade Representative, first under former President Barack Obama and then for President Donald Trump, whose presidency inspired her to run for office.

“When I worked for fiveand-a-half months under [the Trump] administration in the Executive Office of the President, I saw firsthand how his policies would affect my communities: as a woman, as a veteran, as an LGBT American and as a first generation American,” she said in 2017.

Running on a platform fuelled by identity politics in the #MeToo era and the national conversation on immigrants and xenophobia, Ortiz Jones describes herself as “openly gay, openly first generation, openly veteran, openly Asian-American, openly everything,” and has used her multi-hyphenate identity as a way to highlight her inclusive platform.

According to her campaign website, her views align with contemporary Democratic values, including immigration reform and strengthening the immigrant community, affordable higher education, responsible national security practices and protecting civil rights.

As an intelligence officer during the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy (which prohibited LGBT military service members from disclosing their

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Filipina students graduate Summa Pentagon disinvites China from major US military exercise Cum Laude from Wharton, NYU

by MoMar

by ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

G. Visaya

AJPress

A couple of students from the philippines graduated Summa cum laude from their respective universities this week.

Twenty one year-old lara Andrea Montales graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in economics Major in Finance and Business Analytics from Wharton School at the university of pennsylvania, listed as Forbes’ 2017 Best Business School in the u.S. Montales was the valedictorian in elementary at the colegio San Agustin-Makati and she graduated with honors at the philippine Science High School before enrolling at Wharton School.

Janelle Micaela S. panganiban also graduated summa cum laude last week from the New York university with three majors: Global public Health, public policy, Sociology (Honors). panganiban received the prestigious Alexander l. Shluger Award for excellence in Sociology. This is awarded to a senior student who has majored in sociology and who has excelled in his or her study of this subject. She was likewise a consistent Dean’s lister and a Founders Day Awardee of her graduating class.

She is a member of the Gaddang indigenous group from Isabela.

With her achievements, panganiban said that, “As a Filipino, I feel like I have the obligation to bring all of these back to the philippines and at the same time, as a descendant of the Gaddangs, I find myself impassioned for indigenous resurgence as a step to combat the long and embedded history of colonization.”

CAMP What do they both have in common?

Both got to the universities of their choice with help from cAMp (college Admissions Mentors for peers) philippines, an organization that provides and expands international education opportunities for young Filipinos.

Three former Filipino scholars at the International School Manila - Michi Ferreol (Harvard college ‘15), Kimi Rodriguez (NYu Abu Dhabi ‘15) and Kaye Kagaoan (Hamilton college ‘15) – started cAMp in May 2012 to bridge the international education resource gap between international school students and local school students. panganiban and Montales both began their overseas journey when they left Manila in 2014 to be part of their respective colleges’ class of 2018. little did they know, both of them would be graduating with the highest honors a week apart four years later.

“I didn’t feel like I did anything extraordinary. I was just studying what I loved studying. It was less for me and more for my family who was more excited than I was,” panganiban told the Asian Journal in an interview a few days after her graduation.

“I was passionate about getting out of the bubble and I realized all

Lara Andrea Montales

Janelle (center) is joined by her proud parents Rep. Jose T. Panganiban, Jr. (left) and Mayor Lourdes S. Panganiban (right)

the new ideas that were out there.

I learned to love learning,” she added. panganiban finished secondary school at IcA (Immaculate conception Academy) in Greenhills. While still there, she saw a number of IcA graduates who went outside the country to pursue their college education. It was also there that she met some members of cAMp. “That’s where it started. They were teaching high school students how to study abroad and they gave tips about applying.

I heard their experiences and I wanted to experience that as well,” panganiban shared.

Wharton Wharton awards the summa cum laude honor to a student whose grade point average (GpA) is between 3.80 and 4.00. Montales entered Wharton School in 2014 where she was a consistent Dean’s lister.

She received the Freshman leadership Award in 2015 for taking initiative and engaging with the Filipino community in pennsylvania.

Montales was an elementary valedictorian at colegio San Agustin-Makati and graduated with high honors at the philippine Science High School-Main. on her social media account, Montales posted “My very first profile picture at penn was with the loVe statue, so it’s only fitting that my last one be with the loVe statue as well. So thankful for the love that I have given and received at this school, for the friends I have met and the families I have found, and for the home I have made. until next time, penn.”

Her testimonial about how cAMp helped her in getting to penn is also posted on cAMp’s

website.

“Thank you very much for standing by me throughout the whole process, for guiding me in the completion of my application, and for advising me on the best action to take. I don’t think my admission would have been possible without cAMp’s help,” Montales wrote.

NYU panganiban said she chose NYu specifically because she has family members in long Island, New York and also in New Jersey.

“It was easier to settle and I knew that NYu is a global university and there was something in me that was itching and wanting to really explore the world and look what’s out there,” she shared. “And also, it’s not a closed campus so it made New York the campus.”

And after four years at NYu, she gained experience enough for her to be able to give advice to Filipino students who might be thinking of studying abroad as well.

“Remain curious, step out of your comfort zone, and engage in conversation. In our world that’s growing more and more divided, I still have hope that we can find ways to transcend our differences,” she said. panganiban is the daughter Representative Jose T. panganiban, Jr. of ANAc-Ip party list and Mayor lourdes S. panganiban of Angadangan, Isabela. panganiban will be one of the awardees in the 6th Annual philippine Graduation (pGRAD) at the philippine center. pGRAD, which is slated to happen on June 9, is a flagship project of the philippine consulate General in New York, in cooperation with unipro. n

THe pentagon withdrew its invitation for china to participate in a major u.S.-hosted naval drill after a strong evidence showed that Beijing has deployed weapons in the Spratly Islands, violating china’s promise not to militarize the South china Sea. “As an initial response to china’s continued militarization of the South china Sea we have disinvited the plA Navy from the 2018 Rim of the pacific (RIMpAc) exercise,” lieutenant colonel christopher logan, a pentagon spokesperson, said. plA is the english-language acronym of china’s military, the people’s liberation Army.

“We have strong evidence that china has deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile systems, and electronic jammers to contested features in the Spratly Islands region of the South china Sea,” he said. china’s behavior in the South china Sea was inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Rimpac exercise. The decision to uninvite them from the maritime exercise was an “initial

response” to china’s militarization of the disputed waterway. “china’s continued militarization of disputed features in the South china Sea only serve to raise tensions and destabilize the region,” logan said.

According to the pentagon, Beijing has insisted that the construction of artificial islands were meant for non-military functions but the installment of weapons on the islands is for military use.

“We believe these recent deployments and the continued militarization of these features is a violation of the promise that president Xi made to the united States and the World not to militarize the Spratly Islands,” logan said.

Meanwhile, The chinese government’s top diplomat, State councilor Wang Yi said that the decision was “unhelpful to mutual understanding” between the two countries and urged the uS to change its “negative mindset.”

“We find that a very unconstructive move,” he told reporters in Washington after meeting with u.S. Secretary of State Mike pompeo.

Wang described the deployments as self-defense, compar-

ing it to u.S. military presence in Hawaii and Guam.

“We hope that the u.S. will change such a negative mindset,” Wang said. china’s air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South china Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the philippines, over the weekend.

Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst at Rand corporation, said that disinviting china before the Shangri-la Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit which will be held in Singapore, was “pretty cold” and “embarrassing” for Beijing. china insisted that the deployment of an H-6K bomber on Woody Island was just normal training of the chinese military. “on the so-called militarization in the South china Sea, we talked about this issue just now ... It is a normal deployment and has nothing to do with militarization,” Wang said. chinese Ministry spokesperson lu Kang, in a press briefing on Monday, May 21, said that “there is no need for other parties to over-interpret that.” n

Filipina Iraq War veteran earns Democratic...

PAGE A3 t sexual orientation) which fuelled her eagerness to fight for women’s and minorities’ rights.

“In and out of uniform, I have served in countries where women and minorities have been targeted,” ortiz Jones told MilitaryTimes. “I’ve also seen what happens in countries when good people don’t step up when institutions are under attack. Those experiences have obviously shaped my desire to run at this point in time.”

Inspired by her mother’s illness, she has also made affordable health care a central issue of her campaign, criticizing Hurd for wavering on the failed and widely panned Affordable

Health care Act of 2017 while promising to advocate for universal health care, especially for children.

“There is a national security aspect when not enough kids are healthy enough to grow up and serve our country,” ortiz Jones said.

“Gina ortiz Jones would be a consistent voice for equality in congress and a trailblazing figure in Texas politics,” Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights campaign (HRc), said in a statement. “HRc is proud to endorse ortiz Jones and fight alongside her as she endeavors to make Texas a more fair place for all, no matter who they are, what they look like,

Gina Ortiz Jones

where they’re from or whom they love.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

RELIGIOUS DESTINATION. Catholic devotees visit the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio was established with a vision to build a sanctuary centered on Jesus Christ, as inspired by St. Padre Pio. Its mission is to provide pilgrims with a place that draws them to a closer encounter with God and to know St. Padre Pio, being the patron saint. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 26-29, 2018

A

‘Time’s Up’: Covered California to enforce quality and safety targets

by April

Dembosky, kQeD Californiahealthline.org

Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, has devised what could be a powerful new way to hold hospitals accountable for the quality of their care.

Starting in less than two years, if the hospitals haven’t met targets for safety and quality, they’ll risk being excluded from the “in-network” designation of health plans sold on the state’s insurance exchange.

“We’re saying ‘time’s up,’” said dr. Lance Lang, the chief medical officer for Covered California. “We’ve told health plans that by the end of 2019, we want networks to only include hospitals that have achieved that target.”

Here’s how hospitals will be measured: They must perform fewer unnecessary cesarean sections, prescribe fewer opioids and cut back on the use of imaging (X-rays, MrIs and CT scans) to diagnose and treat back pain. research has shown these are problem areas in many hospitals — the procedures and pills have an important place, but have been overused to the point of causing patient harm, health care analysts said.

C-sections, in particular, have come under scrutiny for years.

Hospitals get paid more to perform a C-section than a vaginal delivery and C-sections usually take less time: 40 minutes for a scheduled procedure versus 24-hour on-call staffing for vaginal deliveries. Many women who don’t need a C-section often get one anyway, according to the data — and rates vary by hospital. even in low-risk cases, several California hospitals are delivering 40 percent of babies

by C-section, Lang said. At one hospital, it’s 78 percent.

“That means that when a woman goes to a hospital, it’s the culture of the hospital that really determines whether or not she gets a cesarean section, not so much her own health,” said Lang.

C-sections are major surgery. doing them when they’re not needed exposes women to unnecessary risks: infection, hemorrhage, even death. Babies delivered by C-section are more likely to have complications and spend more time in the neonatal intensive care unit.

That’s not quality health care, Lang said, and that’s why Covered California is telling hospitals they need to reduce their Csection rates to 23.9 percent or lower, for low-risk births.

In this case, “low-risk” is defined as a healthy, first-time mom who has carried a single baby with its head down, all the way to full term — 39 weeks gestation.

Medi-Cal, the state health program for low-income residents, CalPerS, the retirement program for state employees, and the Pacific Business

Inquirer.net photo

Group on Health, which represents self-insured employers, are also calling on hospitals to improve their quality measures.

Together, these groups pay for the health care of 16 million Californians, or 40 percent of the state, which gives them substantial leverage with hospitals.

But only Covered California is telling hospitals that if they don’t play by the rules, they’ll be benched.

“It’s probably the boldest move we’ve seen in maternity care ever,” said Leah Binder, Ceo of the Leapfrog Group, a Washington, d.C.-based nonprofit that rates hospitals on quality. expecting hospitals to meet external metrics for quality control is a recent phenomenon, and compliance is still largely voluntary, she said.

“Back in the ’80s and ’90s, nobody ever thought that hospitals should have to report to anyone on how they were doing,” she said. “There’s never been a culture of accountability.”

Covered California’s move is nationally significant, Binder said, given the consequences for hospitals, and the agency’s reach — 1.4 million people buy coverage through the marketplace — and they shop among plans offered by 11 state-approved insurance companies.

Insurers and business groups across the country are already keeping an eye on California’s effort, she said, to see how they might band together to demand similar change from the hospitals in their regions. overall, California’s hospitals are on board with the C-section goal. of the 243 maternity hospitals in the state, 40 percent have met the target, Lang said, and another 40 percent have taken advantage of coaching and consulting to help educate doctors on how they can adjust their practices. They’re also finding they have to educate patients who request C-sections about the procedure’s risks.

“While many may prefer [the surgery], when having the full information about the risk that they may be putting themselves and their babies in, they elect not to move in that direction,” said Julie Morath, Ceo of the Hospital Quality Institute, a subsidiary of the California Hospital Association. Both groups

support the C-section reduction goals as “the right thing to do,” she said.

The strategy has raised some concerns among mothers who hear about the 23.9 percent target and worry about rationing.

“We don’t just chase rates,” Morath said in response to that concern, “but rather look at what the clinical needs are and how to best respond to those. So if there is an indication for a cesarean section, the mother will receive a cesarean section.”

Still, not all hospitals will find it easy to comply. State data show there are about 40 hospitals that are still far off the target, including a cluster of hospitals in east Los Angeles that treat low-income, often uninsured, patients.

“If you have somebody who is on methamphetamines and is homeless and has not gotten

u PAGE A6

GIRL SCOUT CONVENTION. (From left) Laguna Council Communications Committee Chairperson Laarni Mabiliran; San Pedro City Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz, Laguna Council President; Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) National President Susan R. Locsin; GSP National Executive Director Ma. Dolores T. Santiago; and Cadet Girl Scout Ivy Cirilo join hands in vowing to strengthen the Girl Scouts Program during the GSP 24th National Council Convention at Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay City on Friday, May 25.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

UNICEF: Marawi children still at risk one year on from conflict oNe year after the Marawi conflict, over 100,000 children remain displaced. risks for children affected by the conflict are increasing, especially for young children becoming malnourished and school-age children being unable to return to school.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICeF) calls for a province-wide approach throughout Lanao del Sur to ensure that children and their families fully recover from the emergency.

The situation of children living in Lanao del Sur was among the worst in the country even

before the conflict. It is the poorest province in the country with well over 60 per cent of families living in poverty and inadequate coverage of essential services in many parts of the province. With many displaced families moving from Marawi City to other areas in Lanao del Sur (as well as to Lanao del Norte), the capacity of the province to provide essential services for children, and the capacity of host families to support their displaced relatives has been even further challenged.

Many families apart from

those displaced from Marawi City have been affected, including around 500,000 children.

Children in host families have shared their homes, food, possessions, and school materials with children temporarily living with them.

“While recognizing the good progress made to assist over 40,000 families to return to their homes in Marawi City, many children’s lives are still far from returning to normal.

A comprehensive approach is needed to focus not only children from Marawi City but for

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4 non-communicable diseases killing Filipinos

by SheilA

criSoStomo Philstar.com

The mission members also recognized the updated multisecONE in three Filipinos die pre- toral plan to tackle NCDs in the maturely from four leading non- Philippines. communicable diseases (NCDs) However, the experts pointed before the age of 70. out that there are difficulties in This was the warning of spe- raising awareness among policycialists from the United Nations makers and the public about the Interagency Task Force on Pre- threats of NCDs. vention and Control of NCDs and “To beat NCDs, we need urgent the World Health Organization’s action taken at various levels of Framework Convention on To- the government and engagement bacco Control Secretariat who of all relevant stakeholders,” said came for a week-long mission in Gundo Weiler, WHO representathe Philippines. tive in the Philippines.

The experts said that one in “The participation of different three Filipinos is likely to die from sectors during this joint mission cardiovascular diseases such as clearly demonstrates that progstroke or heart attack, diabetes, ress in NCDs prevention and concancers and chronic respiratory trol requires coordinated action diseases such as emphysema. by many sectors, such as finance, But experts said there are trade and industry, budget and many progressive initiatives to management, parliamentarians, lower the burden of NCDs in justice, education, labour and the Philippines. These include employment, agriculture, lothe taxation of sugar-sweetened cal government and others,” he beverages and effective tobacco added.

The experts have observed GETTING READY. Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao trains at a gym in Manila on Sunday, May 20, as he prepares for his bout with Lucas Matthysse. control measures such as placeThe two will face off in Malaysia on July 15, 2018.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma ment of graphic health warnings that the current investments on and the Sin Tax Law. NCDs are still focused on treat-

Matthysse must do a Jeff Horn to beat Pacquiao by

AbAc cordero Philstar.com

MANNY Pacquiao’s strength coach put himself in the shoes of Lucas Matthysse, and tried to figure out what the Argentine champion must do to stand a better chance inside the ring on July 15.

He saw a dirty fight.

“I think Matthysse will try to do what Jeff Horn did – rough him up, headbutts, elbows,” said Justin Fortune as Pacquiao wrapped up what looked like an easy day at the Elorde Gym last Saturday, May 19.

Matthysse, 35, four years younger, is puncher, and the best way for him to be effective is for him to stand close to Pacquiao – and fight like Horn.

The WBA welterweight champion may pick up from where Horn left in that cold day in July in Brisbane, where Pacquiao was bullied and stripped of his crown.

“If I was fighting Manny I’d try to do exactly the same thing Jeff Horn did. Rough him up and put Manny on the ropes. But we’re planning for that,” said Fortune, who flew in three days ago.

“Matthysse is an aggressive fighter and he’s a puncher. And he needs to be this close to Manny,” he told The STAR. With his hands, Fortune motioned that Matthysse must be 12 inches close to Pacquiao to land his punches.

“That close,” he said.

Pacquiao would welcome Matthysse as close to him as pos-

sible.

Other lessons were learned in the fight against the former schoolteacher from Brisbane, and one that’s as important as the others is that Pacquiao must not overtrain for this one.

“To some extent, we overtrained (for Horn). Three weeks before the fight we did a ridiculous amount of rounds. And he burned himself out,” he said.

Otherwise, it would have been an easy fight as the Pacquiao camp had expected.

“That fight should have been done in four to five rounds. But even if we were overtrained, I think we still won the fight, and so does the rest of the world,” said the former heavyweight contender from Australia. n

UNICEF: Marawi children still at risk one year...

PAGE A5 t children in all of the 39 municipalities in the province,” UNICEF Philippines Lotta Sylwander said.

Almost half of all children in Lanao del Sur were malnourished even before the Marawi crisis. Without the means to generate livelihoods and having to sell their assets, affected families have become even poorer. This has reduced quality and quantity of food intake

for children and puts them at greater risk of malnutrition.

UNICEF is concerned that without significant additional investments in communitybased nutrition programmes and cash support programmes to restore household incomes in Lanao del Sur, the number of children malnourished will increase, including children with life-threatening severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

The organization is con-

cerned that around 100,000 children may already have missed a year’s schooling by now. Without significant focus to support education services to get all children back to school, many of them will miss up to two academic years of schooling and may never be able to fully catch-up.

The organization claims to be assisting children and families since the start of the conflict. Together with partners,

ment.

They underscored that preventing premature deaths from NCDs will require greater investment in health promotion and protection measures.

International experience shows that investments in the prevention of NCDs are amongst the most effective public health investments, providing return of $5 to $94 for each dollar allocated to measures to reduce tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and increase physical inactivity.

“Non-communicable diseases not only threatens an individual’s health, they also jeopardize the social fabric and economic development of the Philippines,” UN Philippines resident coordinator Ola Almgren said.

“We commend the Philippine government on their commitment to address NCDs in the country.

The UN stands ready to continue its support in the translation of this commitment into effective action for the Filipino people,” Almgren added. n

‘Time’s Up’: Covered California...

PAGE A5 t

any prenatal care, her chance of a C-section is way higher than someone who is not all those things,” said Dr. Malini Nijagal, an OB-GYN at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

“And so the problem is, how do you adjust for the patient population of a hospital?”

At Memorial Hospital of Gardena, the C-section rate is 45.2 percent. At East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital, the rate is 48.1 percent, according to publicly available state data listed on CalHospital Compare and Yelp.

Both hospitals are working diligently to lower the rates, according to Amie Boersma, director for communications for Avanti Hospitals, which owns both hospitals.

She said the hospitals will meet the 23.9 percent benchmark and are committed to doing so for the sake of their patients.

Being excluded from Covered California health plan networks, she added, would make it even more difficult for those patients to get care. They would either have to pay out-of-network fees to be seen there, or they would have to travel farther to another facility that was still in the network.

“We are in underserved, economically challenged urban neighborhoods and it is vitally important that we continue to provide appropriate, high-quality care for our communities,” Boersma said.

Health plans can request an exemption from Covered California’s contract rules (in order to keep noncomplying hospitals in their networks) — as long as they document their reasoning.

“That is flexibility that we asked for to ensure that we maintain adequate access to providers,” said Charles Bac-

chi, CEO of the California Association of Health Plans, a trade group for insurers. “Any major changes to health plan networks must be filed with regulators. And health plans have to ensure that patients continue to receive services in a timely manner.”

So far, the prospect of exclusion, plus the coaching for hospitals on how to reduce the rates, have functioned as an effective motivator. By 2020, Covered California’s Lang predicted, all hospitals will either have met the target or be on their way.

“It’s a quality improvement project,” Lang said, “but with a deadline.”

This story is part of a partnership that includes KQED, NPR and Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

the organization claims to have been able to: • Screen 40,000 children aged 6-59 months in evacuation centres and in host communities for malnutrition and refer 214 children with severe acute malnutrition to life-saving services.

• Provide over 100,000 peo-

ple with sanitation and hygiene promotion, over 20,000 with improved access to clean water and some 400,000 with essential water and sanitation and hygiene information though mass media.

• Assist 35,000 children to return to school including providing 6,500 children with es-

sential learning materials • Ensure safe spaces for 8,000 children, including providing psychosocial recovery support services.

• Strengthen government-led partner coordination through technical support for WASH, education, nutrition and child protection. (Philstar.com)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 26-29, 2018

A

D ateline PhiliPPines PH Senate, House panels OK national ID system Ozamiz City Councilor Parojinog nabbed in Taiwan

by Ritchel

MenDiola AJPress

by DJ

Yap Inquirer.net

As early as this year, Filipinos will be carrying national identification cards with their personal data that can serve as proof of identity in transacting with the government and the private sector.

Having a national ID card won’t be compulsory, but it will be “very inconvenient” for citizens to manage without one, according to sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the senate public order committee.

He said the senate and the House of Representatives reconciled their differences and agreed on a common version of the bill in a meeting of the bicameral conference committee on Tuesday night, putting it on the verge of passage into law.

Under the version adopted by the bicameral committee, only the individual’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address and nationality, as well as biometric information, will be stored in the ID system, Lacson said on Wednesday, May 23.

The two panels agreed to adopt the senate version with minimal amendments, doing away with the proposal in the House to require sensitive information, such as the cardholder’s parents’ names, permanent address, height and weight.

“They agreed to adopt the senate version with minor amendments,” Lacson said of the House contingent. “They had some suggestions, but substantially, it’s the senate version.”

Both the House and senate versions provide for the creation of a Philippine Identification system to help citizens establish their identity “as a means of simplifying public and private transactions.”

Besides serving as official proof of identity, the ID card may be presented in requesting social welfare, services and benefits from government agencies, applying for passports and driver’s licenses, opening bank accounts, registering as a voter, and getting admitted to schools and hospitals.

Jose Celorico Jr., an employee of the Makati Public safety Department, said a single ID card would be more convenient for

Critics have raised fears that the proposed ID system will jeopardize the security of Filipinos and leave them vulnerable to violations of their privacy and other rights. Inquirer.net photo

him. “I don’t have to bring all my IDs (at least six), which may be easily lost,” he said.

Critics’ fears Critics have raised fears about the proposed ID system jeopardizing the security of Filipinos and leaving them vulnerable to violations of their privacy and other rights.

Kabataan Rep. sarah Elago cautioned against the national ID system. “For a regime that holds a record of criminalizing dissent and silencing vocal critics, this could be an additional arsenal for further espionage and repression,” she said.

Beyond the provision of an ID card, the government should deal with people’s demand for better access to quality social services, Elago said.

“What good is an ID, if there are not enough public hospitals, schools and facilities for our people who need these services the most?” she asked.

Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, said that on its face, the proposal would simplify transactions and identification.

“However, there is reasonable ground to be wary that it will be abused to intrude into one’s privacy and liberty,” Olalia added.

Loretta “Etta” Rosales, former human rights commission chair, said Filipinos should oppose the proposed national ID system.

“Under more humane conditions where people are free to walk the streets and enjoy the comfort of police protection, I would say ‘yes’ because this facilitates government services to

the public. But conditions are not healthy and safe,” she said.

Safeguards, penalties On the contrary, a national ID system can facilitate control of people’s profiles by forces in government that do not believe in the rule of law, Rosales said.

Human rights group Karapatan also opposed the measure.

“The measures in Congress on the national ID are designed to infringe on the citizens’ right to privacy, the right against surveillance and other forms of civil rights violations,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

u PAGE A9

OZAMIZ City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog was arrested in Taiwan for illegal entry on Wednesday, May 23.

Parojinog is a younger brother of slain suspected drug kingpin Reynaldo Parojinog sr. He been the subject of a 10-month police hunt for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

He was placed on the Bureau of Immigration’s lookout list in August 2017.

Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) representative Lito Banayo made the announcement on Thursday, May 24, saying Ricardo Parojinog was arrested around 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Taiwan’s Pingtung county for overstaying and violating immigration laws.

Parojinog was reportedly taken into custody by Taiwanese immigration for possible deportation.

Chief supt. John Bulalacao, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of Parojinog. He is the last Parojinog to be accounted for, after his elder brother Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo “Aldog” Parojinog and several relatives were killed in a police raid in July last year.

“What I can tell you now, that is it confirmed that Ardot Parojinog was arrested (on Wednesday) by

the Taiwan government for illegal entry. He has pending warrants of arrest, so when he comes back he will face these cases,” Bulalacao said.

According to Bulalacao, the PNP has no information as to when Parojinog will be deported.

“Although we have no date yet, the PNP is always ready to go to

Taiwan to fetch Ardot Parojinog.

We will file for the process for deportation. He committed several violations during his stay in Taiwan, which was the reason for his arrest. It will take some time before he will be deported, it is not yet definite, because the process may take long, depending

u PAGE A9

A8 MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Losing competitiveness

FEATURES

OLDER generations of Filipinos remember when the country ranked second in the region only to Japan in terms of economic prosperity and many human development indicators. Since then the Philippines has slid progressively, left behind by Asia’s tiger economies and then by faster achievers such as Thailand. China became the world’s second largest economy only in the past four decades.

A recent report indicates that the downward trend for the Philippines continues. In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook prepared by the International Institute of Management Development, the Philippines fell by nine notches to 50th spot among 63 economies.

It was the biggest fall for the country in the past 10 years in the competitiveness ranking, after a fournotch slide to 42nd place in 2014. It also made the country place second to the worst among 14 economies in the Asia-Pacific – a region that is home to the world’s three most competitive economies, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore.

What accounted for the Philippines’ ninenotch drop? The explanation can help guide policy makers. The report pointed to declines in tourism and employment, concerns about the education system and the need for more investments in human capital. It also cited the inadequacy of quality infrastructure and worsening

of public finances.

Based on 258 indicators, the country saw significant competitiveness declines in terms of government efficiency, economic performance and business efficiency. In sub-indicators, the Philippines ranked 61st in basic and education infrastructure, and 60th in technological infrastructure as well as business legislation.

The labor market remains one of the bright spots; the workforce has long given the country its competitive edge. But almost all the other indicators need improvement. Competitiveness rankings tend to reflect the level of development in every economy. It’s not so much that the Philippines is doing worse. There has been progress in the past decades, and the country remains one of Asia’s fastest growing economies. It’s that other countries are doing better. The nine-notch drop should ring alarm bells and give urgency to reforms. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

A young Fil-Am survivor’s journey toward progressive leadership

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. DEAR Mama, I remembered that Saturday morning in late August in 2015 when I first told you that I was sexually assaulted. I remembered sitting on the couch and I couldn’t look at you, dad, or Andrew in the eye. It felt like the entire room froze, and no one ever expected those words to come out of my mouth. Andrew kept switching glances between the three of us, Papa had his head in his hands with tears in his eyes, and you rushed over to comfort me. I remembered bracing myself for the “I told you so” that would follow.

I remembered the streamline of questions you sent my way, and I think it’s because you never prepared yourself to have this conversation with me. You wanted to avenge the pain I was in by trying to pry any information you could get your hands on and put my perpetrator away. But at the same time, I prayed that I wouldn’t see the disappointed look in your eye when I told you. I always felt like I knew exactly what I was doing, and this was the first time that I just didn’t know how to move forward.

Sometimes I found it hard to explain what I really did at school.

As an Asian American studies major, I felt like you just nodded your head and trusted that I knew what I was doing. Progressive

leadership to some might seem like a very radical term to describe my work as an ethnic studies student in this polarized day and age. But to others, progressive leadership is helping evolve their campus community in more than just a project that benefits themselves. I would like to think that my work at CSUN is an example of progressive leadership in higher education. I believe activism starts in many corners of campus. From the times when I called to tell you about the conferences I was going to, to the non-profit work I was doing, or when I started crying because I felt that my world was pulling me in five different directions. I just need to be comforted by you, and to be reminded that it was all a part of a process. I have learned that progressive leadership is not necessarily the end goal, but it is the never-ending journey of selfless work needed to help someone who might one day walk in the same shoes I did.

I was not sure when I realized that I was not alone in my journey, but when I took my AAS 311 - Research Methods class, I found institutional support from Dr. Tracy Lachica- Buenavista to pursue a qualitative research study on the experiences of Filipina American and Chinese American women’s experience with sexual harassment. From that research, I found that so many other Asian American women had been silently suffering from their experiences from sexual harassment and to

some extent, incomplete rape.

After the paper, I knew that many Asian American women did not have someone who looked like them, are open about their experiences, and knew about resources on campus to help them get through their trauma.

I knew that my experience was not an isolated case and that finding support was key to my recovery. From that point on, I realized that I had to become a model for other women and become knowledgeable about resources and support on campus in a moment’s notice. When I found Project D.A.T.E., I knew that advocating for survivors and educating the campus community about sexual assault awareness and rape prevention was going to be mentally challenging and emotionally draining, but the work would be necessary. It took me two years to gain the courage to speak to others about a serious and heavy topic, but I wanted to show other Asian American folks on campus that there are resources on campus that can be cathartic and healing for survivors. Some days I would walk out of presentations on a high, feeling like my words affected people. And then there were some days that I would leave the presentation hitting the autopilot button because I would get flashbacks from my assault, and just mechanically walk home, curl up into a ball, and avoid every single thought that ran through my brain. This was the part of my journey that I realized that

Global browning

Street Talk

THE wedding of Prince Harry and biracial TV star, GREG B. MACABENTA Meghan Markle, is a milestone in race relations as significant as the assumption of the U.S. presidency by half Black Barack Obama. The White supremacists who continue to cling to the fantasy nurtured by Adolf Hitler, fanned by American neo-Nazis and abetted

by President Donald Trump are witnessing a phenomenon as inexorable as global warming.

Global browning.

And some pundits are saying that when that happens, the global population will look like kayumanging kaligatang Pinoy.

Indeed, it is a very interesting thesis: the perfect blending of the colors of the world population — Caucasian white, African black, Asian yellow and native American red — is Malayan Filipino brown.

There was a time when only two countries could be considered a rainbow of races, namely, the United States and the Philippines. The U.S., because it is a country of immigrants that started with a Caucasian base and, subsequently, with African Blacks added to the mixture, and then “colored folks” from all other world. The Philippines because of centuries of trading and colonization that made the country a salad bowl of ethnicities, ranging from the Hispanic Zobels to the Chinese Sys to the African-Pinoy rock star Apl.de.Ap to everything else in-between, from the swarthy Binays to the mestizo Gordons and Sottos to white-skinned

Gloria Romero and the pretty boys and girls who populate Philippine showbusiness.

Now, it’s no longer just the U.S. and the Philippines. The racial mixtures in many countries in Europe have become diverse with the influx of immigrants from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

While it is illegal in France to collect data on ethnicity and race, available figures put the number of people of White or European origin at 85 percent, with an estimated 10 percent from North Africa, 3.5 percent Black and 1.5 percent Asian.

About Germany, an online entry states, “Most Hollywood films about Germany take place during World War II. It’s no wonder, then, that most people’s impressions of the country can be summed up in a few words: Nazis, lederhosen, beer, bratwurst and more Nazis. But to be deterred by the Hollywood version of Germany is to miss out on a modern country that is home to more black people than many people realize.”

Out of a population of nearly 83 million, 2.3 million people in Germany have family links to the Middle East and around 740,000 have African origins. According to the German Mikrozensus 2011, there were about 1.8 million people with an Asian immigrant background, of which about 600,000 were Southeast Asians, primarily from Vietnam and Thailand.

Based on the 2011 census, of the 56 million who lived in England and Wales, 86 percent were White, 8 percent were Asian and 3 percent were Black. Also based on the 2011 census, London only

sacrifices had to be made. But if I knew that I was helping someone else find support, it made the bad days worth it.

It was always been my habit to not give you full details about the trips I went on or the things I did off campus. I remembered calling you a couple of days before my first trip to Sacramento, when I lobbied with CSUN’s Student Government, Associated Students, to advocate for a fully funded CSU system. I remembered trying to explain to you what CHESS (California Higher Education Student Summit) was and what I was doing there. I did not know how I was going to explain to you that I was going to use my story in order to push assemblymembers and senators to convince Governor Jerry Brown to fully fund the CSUs. I did not know when I walked away from CHESS, it was going to a new skill to my toolbelt. I did not know that advocating for survivors and on-campus support services was crucial to my recovery, but it could be the defining moment when the next survivor needs resources and support, and I hoped that support will still be there. I never believed that I, an Asian American woman, survivor, student leader, but most importantly your daughter, could do something beyond the campus community and directly going into California government spaces to promote and actively create change.

Sometimes, I could hear your

voice in the back of my head, bragging to everyone around you of how proud you are of me. I am grateful for you being so supportive of my wish to vocalize my experience when it was the norm to either remain silent or internally handle my situation within our family. I am forever grateful that you never turned me away.

I am grateful for the days when you are more compassionate and understanding when I snapped for being extra sensitive around the month of August, the time when I am the mostly broken. I am blessed that you were proud of my work as I am fortunate to have an amazing supportive mother. This journey has not been an easy one, nor is progressive leadership tackled without a strong backbone of allies, friends, comrades, fellow survivors, but most importantly family. Not everyone is as fortunate as I am to have my mother pick up me from such a hard fall. I can only hope we can become an example of the change in our community, to open up a dialogue with more compassion and understanding when it comes to topics about recovering survivors. I believe that change starts with us as we continue to take steps forward together.

Love always, Your daughter, Abigail *** Abigail Garcia is a recent CSUN graduate who majored in Asian American Studies. She advocates for resources for Asian

had a 44.9 percent White British population with 37 percent born outside the United Kingdom and 24.5 percent born outside of Europe.

On the other hand, British royalty has been consistently White, going back 37 generations or 1,209 years and counting from King Alfred the Great who reigned in 871.

But now comes Meghan Markle, born to a Black mother and a White father, marrying into the royal family. Because Prince Harry is 6th in the line of succession to the British throne, an offspring from this marriage will yield the first mixed-race child in the House of Windsor – a British-African-American.

In stark contrast to the anti-miscegenation and apartheid policies of yesteryears that made mixed marriages a crime and, therefore, had to be solemnized in the shadows, this mixed-race union was conducted with neither embarrassment nor apologies. Wrote the British daily, The Guardian: “It wasn’t just the black preacher, though Bishop Michael Curry’s fiery address evoking Martin Luther King and the misery of slavery certainly packed a punch. There was also the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the spiritual – This Little Light of Mine – sung by a black gospel choir. There was symbolism stitched in to so many elements of the wedding service chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that spoke to her mixed-race heritage.”

The only wrinkle, albeit insignificant, was Tom Markle, Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, wanting desperately to get Prince Harry to change his mind about marrying his sibling for whatever demented reason.

Perhaps Markle Jr. was thinking of British poet Rudyard Kipling’s opening lines in his epic poem, “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and

American survivors and hopes to one day change the dynamics of internalized silence within Asian American communities.

Footnote: Once a year, an essay competition is held at CSUN, amongst Asian American Studies and Education majors, as part of an endowment set up by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz for her deceased mother, Asuncion Castro Abarquez and her deceased sister, Rosalinda Abarquez Alcantara to provide a scholarship grant to deserving students. The essays are then reviewed and carefully vetted by a committee headed by Dr. Teresa WilliamsLeon, Dr. Philip Hutchinson and Kimberly Teaman Carroll with oversight from Dept. Chair Gina Masequesmay this 2018. This year’s winning essay is from Abigail Garcia on Progressive Leadership, Asian American Studies and Education. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years.

She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine.

Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

never the twain shall meet…” which would seem to suggest an unbridgeable gap between lovers of different ethnicities. But the poem is, in fact, an ode to mutual respect between people of contrasting backgrounds and stature as the subsequent lines show: “But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth.”

The union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is another unorthodox chapter in the colorful romantic history of the British royal family. In 1936, King Edward VIII created a constitutional crisis when he decided to give up his crown in order to marry once-divorced and about-to-be-divorced-again American socialite Wallis Simpson.

Edward’s brother George VI assumed the throne.

When he died in 1952, he was succeeded by his daughter, the present Queen Elizabeth II. Her eldest son, Charles, would have been the heir apparent but for his entanglement with his mistress, Camilla Bowles, for whom he divorced his wife, Princess Diana, mother of Prince Harry and the current heir-apparent, Prince William.

As the lyrics of one of my favorite Harry Belafonte songs put it, “It was love, love alone, caused King Edward to leave his throne.” And it was also love, love alone that caused Prince Charles to lose his place in line for the crown.

We understand that for love, love alone, Prince Harry would have turned his back on the royal household had his family not approved of Meghan Markle.

Indeed, for many dreamy-eyed young girls fantasizing about snaring a Prince Charming, this was

u PAGE A9

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 26-29, 2018

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PH Senate, House panels OK national ID system PAGE A7 t

The ID system, to be maintained by the Philippine Statistics Authority, put in safeguards against unwarranted disclosure of private information.

In the Senate version of the bill, entities that fail to accept the ID card shall be fined P500,000.

Anyone who commits fraud using the card will be fined up to P500,000 or imprisoned for up to two years, or both.

Severe violations carry tougher penalties.

Willful use or disclosure of a cardholder’s personal data carries a penalty of six to 10 years FRATMEN TO CITY JAIL. Aegis Juris fraternity members pile out of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention center on Wednesday, after the Manila Regional Trial Court ordered their transfer to Manila City Jail. The plea of the frat men – suspects in the hazing death of UST law student Horacio ‘Atio’ Castillo 3rd – to stay at the NBI was denied.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Andre De La Cruz

DOJ: Napoles no longer under WPP

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, May 25 announced that principal accused in the pork barrel scam Janet Lim Napoles is no longer under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he already issued a letter to Napoles “giving notice of the termination of her provisional coverage, under the Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP) effective 25 May 2018.”

Napoles’ coverage will expire on May 26 after three months since she was admitted to the program last Feb. 27.

Napoles was provisionally admitted to the WPP during the term of then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II after she executed an affidavit that implicated more names in the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

Under Republic Act 6981 (Witness Protection Act), before a person is admitted into the WPP, he or she shall execute a sworn statement describing in detail the

PAGE A8 t

manner in which the offense was committed and his or her participation therein.

Guevarra said Napoles had requested that she be admitted into the WPP due to threats to her life.

She also sought her transfer from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to a secure housing facility of the WPP. Napoles also filed urgent motions for transfer of custody to the DOJ’s WPP before the First, Third and Fifth Divisions of the Sandiganbayan where she is facing a string of plunder and graft charges. However, all the Sandiganbayan Divisions have denied her motion.

“The main purpose for which Ms. Napoles had sought admission into the WPSBP has become moot and academic. As there has been no further claim of threats to her personal security inside Camp Bagong Diwa, (we) found no reason to extend further Ms. Napoles’ provisional coverage under the WPP,” Guevarra said.

Napoles’ affidavit reportedly identified a former cabinet secre-

Janet Lim Napoles

in prison and a fine of up to P5 million.

P2-B funding The same offense, if committed by state officials or agents with custody of the ID system, is punishable by up to 15 years in jail and up to P10 million in fines.

“Implementation [can happen] this year” when the bill is signed into law, Lacson said.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, ensured a P2-billion funding for the ID system for 2018.

Full implementation of the

program will require P25 billion in five years.

Nograles said the approved consolidated bill “will help prevent another Marawi from happening.”

The House passed the bill in September last year, while the Senate approved its version in March. The final version will be returned to both chambers for ratification and then sent to Malacañang for President Duterte’s signature.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the proposed national ID system was a priority administration bill. n

Ozamiz City Councilor Parojinog nabbed in Taiwan

PAGE A7 t

on how fast the Taiwan government could process the deportation,” he said.

Malacañang on Thursday welcomed Parojinog’s arrest assured the public that he would be accountable for his actions, claiming his vain effort to escape arrest was evidence of his guilt.

“This is good news. First, what was he doing, hiding in Taiwan

if he did not violate any law? As they said, flight is evidence of guilt,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“To the residents of the town of mayor and councilor Parojinog, we will ensure that there would be justice. If Councilor Parojinog violated a law, he would be investigated and punished for the crime,” Roque added.

Parojinog faces illegal posses-

sion of firearms and ammunition in connection with the contraband found by police operatives at his house in a raid on July 30 last year.

Sixteen people were killed during the raid, among them were Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife Susan, Misamis Occidental board member Octavio Parojinog Jr. and the mayor’s sister, Mona. n

Philstar.com photo

tary and more senators involved in the scam.

The DOJ, however, did not release her affidavit due to confidentiality under the WPP law.

Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David earlier said that his client is open to becoming a state witness in the new PDAF cases being investigated by the DOJ. But Ombudsman Conchita Carpio – Morales rejected such a possibility, saying Napoles is “one of the principal alleged malefactors” in the scam and is therefore not qualified to become state witness. n

Global browning

the stuff of fairytales. Wrote TIME Magazine: “The fact that a woman of Meghan’s background can become a royal duchess makes the House of Windsor a lottery rather than a cabal. Every little girl now can legitimately dream of marrying Prince George, whatever

their color, nationality or sexual history.”

Hopefully, the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will last longer than that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. But if it hits the rocks prematurely, let us all hope it will not be for reasons of race.

And for the thousands – nay, millions – of Pinays who desperately want to whiten their complexions to make themselves more “racially desirable,” we hope that Meghan Markle’s story will make them realize that brown is beautiful. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

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A10 May 26-29, 2018 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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More Filipinos see better life, economy – SWS

by CatheRine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

percent expect it to get worse.

This translates to a net optimism score of “excellent” MORE Filipinos are hope- +40, a slight decrease from last ful that their quality of life quarter’s +46. will improve within the next The SWS pointed out that net 12 months, the latest Social personal optimism has been exWeather Stations (SWS) survey cellent (+40 and above) since results showed.

December 2015, except in The poll conducted March 2017 when it was a very from March 23 to 27 with 1,200 high +36. respondents found 46 percent It attributed the six-point deof Filipinos expecting their per- cline in net personal optimism sonal quality of life to improve nationwide to declines in Metro in the next 12 months, while 6 Manila, Balance Luzon and the

Visayas, combined with a steady score in Mindanao.

Optimism fell from excellent to very high in Metro Manila (+49 to +37), stayed excellent but fell five points in Balance Luzon (+45 to +40) and eight points in the Visayas and stayed at +50 or excellent in Mindanao.

Net optimism also remained steady among social classes A, B and C, while it remained “excellent” in classes D and E despite a five-point and 17-point decline, respectively.

Meanwhile, the SWS found that 42 percent are optimistic that the general Philippine economy would “get better” in the next 12 months, compared to 12 percent who said it would “deteriorate,” bringing the net score to +31.

It is 11 points below the excellent +42 (52 percent optimistic, 9 percent pessimistic about the economy) in December 2017, according to the polling firm.

“Net optimism about the economy has been excellent (+20 and above) since December 2015, reaching as high as +56 in June 2016,” the SWS said.

It added that the 11-point decline in national net optimism about the economy was caused by decreases throughout the country.

Mindanao experienced a 17point decrease from December to March (+61 to +43), 12points in Balance Luzon (+40 to +28), 8-points in Metro Manila (+36 to +28) and 7-points in the Visayas (+30 to +23).

While still classified as excellent, personal optimism among Class ABC dropped from +59 in December 2017 to +42 in March 2018 and +47 in December 2017 to +42 March 2018 for Class D. Class E optimism remained at very high despite the two-point drop from +33 to +31 from December to March.

Optimism for the economy, however, remained excellent and increased for Class ABC by 4 points from December 2017 to March 2018 (+31 to +35).

Though still deemed excellent, the same could not be said for Class D (+43 to +32) and Class E (+41 to +24).

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. welcomed the latest SWS survey, saying the people “are feeling the effects of a growing economy.”

u PAGE A11

LOOKING INTO THE PLIGHT OF OFWS. Senator Joel Villanueva (center), chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources, asks labor officials to enumerate the steps the labor department has taken to update its deployment protocols and prevent the abuse of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during a committee hearing on Wednesday, May 23. Villanueva called for a review the Overseas Employment Program in view of the death of domestic helper Joana Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in Kuwait. Also in photo are Senators JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

Boracay rehab may go beyond 6 months

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA — The closure of Boracay might be extended as rehabilitation efforts on the island may not be completed within six months, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said Friday, May 25.

Cimatu said more time might be needed to rehabilitate Boracay as 43 illegal pipes were discovered on the beachfront of the island where most tourists go swimming.

A team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau unearthed the illegal pipes after conducting a survey along the beach using a ground-penetrating radar. The team also found a high level of coliform bacteria in the waters.

“The unearthed pipes were also proof of violation of the 25 meters plus five meters no-build zone from the shoreline,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu warned that criminal and administrative cases as well as fines amounting to P10,000 up to P200,000 per day will be imposed to those found responsible for the installation of illegal pipes.

President Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay from April 26 to Oct. 31 to give way to rehabilitation and establishment of proper sewerage system.

The leader of the Tourism Con-

gress of the Philippines (TCP) is disappointed with Cimatu’s pronouncement that the closure of Boracay might be extended to more than six months.

“We cannot accept this. Any closure for more than six months will be catastrophic not only for the stakeholders of Boracay but (also) for its people… very disappointing. They promised six months and we will hold them to that,” TCP president Jose Clemente told The Star.

“This was the very reason we were requesting for a detailed plan of the rehabilitation from the beginning. This eventuality was also the reason we asked that we be given a few months before closing the island to prepare the people and our clients,” he added.

Clemente also said the TCP will consult with other groups and come up with proposals “to mitigate the effects of a possible prolonged closure,” and ask the Department of Tourism to intervene to help them.

Should the government extend the closure of Boracay, Clemente said the TCP will be compelled to exhaust all legal remedies to stop the extension of the closure.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it can provide cash-for-work (CFW) assistance to 8,000 workers and residents

affected by the closure of Boracay.

For the implementation of CFW assitance program in barangays Balabag, Yapak and Manocmanoc, P77 million was allocated.

Under the program, each worker will receive P323.50 as daily wage with the work lasting up to 30 days. Various works will be done such as digging, dredging, desilting of canals and drainages, planting of trees, reforestation, clearing pathways, shelter/facilities repair, demolition of illegal structure, clearing of debris, garbage collecting, installing of support facilities and hauling of food and non-food items.

Depending on their skills, workers may also be assigned to do office work such as enumeration/profiling activities, monitoring, writing reports and camp management.

The DSWD operations center also provides financial assistance to affected workers and residents. From April 23 to May 21, the operations center has disbursed P18,687,000 to 7,693 individuals who availed themselves of the assistance.

The DSWD has also profiled and assessed 7,396 individuals as possible beneficiaries of the Livelihood Assistance Fund. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Rainier Allan Ronda

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Sister Fox files appeal at DOJ

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

AustrAliAn Missionary Patricia Fox on Friday, May 25 has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reverse the Bureau of immigration’s decision downgrading her Missionary Visa to a temporary Visitor’s Visa and ordering her to leave the country within 30 days.

Her 30-day deadline to leave the country was on Friday.

But Atty. Katherine A. Panguban said while the immigration’s order is immediately executory, Fox’s appeal has stopped its implementation. “ito pong pag file natin ng apela, under the (immigration) rules, this will stay the execution of the order of the Bi. therefore, the missionary visa is still valid. Hintayin natin ang desisyon ng DOJ. Yung order na sya ay umalis kasabay ng cancellation ng kanyang visa ay di po dapat i-execute. (The appeal that we have filed today, under the rules, will stay the execution of the BI’s order. We wait for the

Sister Patricia Fox and her lawyer Atty. Katherine A. Panguban. Inquirer.net photo by Ryan Leagogo

DOJ’s decision. The [BI’s] order that she has to leave the country after the cancellation of her visa should not be executed),” Pan-

guban said.

Panguban appealed to the Bi to recognize its own rules and respect Fox’s pending appeal. n

Sereno asks for more time to explain her actions vs. judiciary’s code of conduct

tHe camp of former Chief Justice Maria lourdes sereno on Friday, May 25 asked the supreme Court to give her more time to respond to the show cause order issued against her for publicly expressing her “disdain and contempt” against some members of the Judiciary.

Atty. Josalee Deinla, one of sereno’s spokespersons, confirmed that the motion has been filed on Friday and that they are asking for 15 more days or until June 9 to submit her compliance. last May 11, the high court gave sereno 10 days from receipt of notice to explain why she should not be sanctioned

for violating the Code of Professional responsibility and the Code of Judicial Conduct “for transgressing the sub Judice rule and for casting aspersions and ill motives to the Members of the supreme Court.” the sub Judice rule prohibits the public discussion of pending cases in court.

“When this petition for quo warranto was filed, respondent (sereno) continuously refuses to recognize this Court’s (sC’s) jurisdiction. instead of participating in the process and answering the charges against her truthfully to assist in the expeditious resolution of the matter, respondent opted to proceed to a nationwide cam-

paign, conducting speeches and accepting interviews, discussing the merits of the case and making comments thereon to vilify the members of the Congress, cast aspersions on the impartiality of the Members of the Court, degrade the faith of the people to the Judiciary, and falsely impute ill- motives against the government that it is orchestrating the charges against her,” the 153-page decision, penned by Associate Justice noel tijam, said. “it is well-nigh unthinkable for respondent to profess deprivation of due process when she herself chose to litigate her case before the media,” the high court said. (Inquirer.net)

More Filipinos see better life...

PAGE A10 t

“We consider these latest survey results as a vote of confidence in the President and the members of his economic team,” roque said during a news conference in Marawi City.

“Our economy remains on target hitting 6.8 percent during the first quarter of 2018,” he added. the sWs’ first quarter survey was conducted using face-toface interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) na-

tionwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. it has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 26-29, 2018

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A12 May 26-29, 2018 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal Darren Espanto remains unstoppable Maine Mendoza reveals source of happiness

by Mark

Bonifacio ManilaTimes.net

SINCe coming home to the Philippines from Calgary, Canada to try his luck for the first season of “the Voice Kids Philippines” at the age 12 in 2014, everything has been non-stop for Darren espanto. though ending up only as runner-up to Lyca Gairanod, it seemed like he is the winner with the endless opportunities right after the contest.

A triple Platinum Award for his debut album “Darren,” a Platinum Award for his sophomore album “Be With Me,” the youngest singer to ever perform a soldout concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, release of his album

Darren Espanto

Philstar.com photo

“Be With Me” and promotions across Asia, more than 15 million streams for a single, countless awards from various award-giving bodies (including the recent Myx Music Award for Remake of the Year for “I’ll Be there” with Jed Madela), part of ABS-CBN show “ASAP” and in-demand for shows here and abroad—are just some of his achievements.

Celebrating his 17th birthday, Darren is still indeed “Unstoppable,” which is the title of his oncert on May 26 at the Kia theater, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. espanto released a new single “Poison” on Friday, May 25, which he wrote himself. He is currently Myx’s Headliner for the month of May. One thing that differentiates him from other singers is that he remains humble considering his popularity and status.

In this chance interview with Music Geek, this wonder kid turned teen star talks about how excited he is for the concert, how sad he was that his original guest Gary Valenciano couldn’t make it to his concert due to his heart surgery, his new single and his opinion on his “the Voice Kids” coach Sarah Geronimo’s recent breakdown.

How excited are you with your upcoming concert?

Very excited is an understatement. I wasn’t able to do a concert last year due to my schedule and that alone would somehow explain the level of excitement and nervousness I have right now. I am also looking forward to my collaboration with our creative team led by Direk Pao Valenciano and Direk Nikko Rivera.

Why Unstoppable as the title of your concert?

Because I am unstoppable as an artist. I would like to

show the people especially my followers that I will not back down from any challenges. I will continue to pursue my dreams and my passion for music.

What can you say that for this concert, you have big name artists such as Martin Nievera, Kyla and more like Jayda, Kyle Echarri and AC Bonifacio as your special guests?

I just feel so blessed to have the support and love of these people, and that, I will be thankful forever.

What was your reaction when you were told that Gary Valenciano (replaced by Martin Nievera) could not make it to your concert due to his heart surgery and Gary said he’s been looking forward to it?

I always believe that things happen for a reason. Bittersweet as it may sound because he won’t make it to my concert but I am glad that tito Gary is doing well now after his successful surgery and that is what matters most.

I will bring with me all his kind words and moral support on the day of the concert and hope to somehow inspire people the way he does all the time.

What can Darrenatics expect from your concert?

Aside from the usual sing and dance, I hope to be able to perform an instrument that will showcase the other side of me. I will also try other musical genres this time.

What are your preparations for the upcoming concert?

Vocal training, mind conditioning and trying to get as much rest as possible.

Will it have a leg on national or international level?

Hopefully, that would be something to look forward to.

What can you say about your Coach Sarah’s breakdown during her US concert? Do you at times feel the same way especially you being famous at such a young age?

PAGE B4

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

It was a sweet-smiling Maine Mendoza that sat down with The Times for a tete-a-tete after she finished her scenes in the taping of GMA Sunday show “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.” She looked so simple yet ravishingly beautiful that late afternoon. Happiness was evident in her eyes and smiles.

“I’m just happy,” Maine replied after The Times complimented her on her beauty that radiates even in just a simple get-up.

Counting her blessings is making Maine happy. She is contented with what she is, with where she is in her life.

“Yung estado ko po ngayon na

parang masaya lang. I have come to realize that there are still a lot of people who love me despite everything. Whenever we go to different barangays I see people who are still excited to see me, tumitili pa rin. It gives me a very good feeling. It gives me happiness,” Maine explained.

When The Times rephrased the question and asked Maine who makes her happy, she was quick to reply, “Mga dabarkads po sa lansangan. they are the ones I see almost everyday. I mingle with them, I interact with them. Making them happy by just smiling at them or waving at them makes me happier.”

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Maine Mendoza

ManilaTimes.net photo

B MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Heart Evangelista not bothered by Raymond Lauchengco: Walking on Sunshine non-greetings from Ai Ai and Kris

by LouLette

scents. But if there’s one thing that heart goes admittedly crazy about, it’s “white” food like eggs, PRACTICALLy like any woman bread, mayonnaise, among othheavy with a child, heart evan- ers.

The Kapuso actress isn’t fingelista (Love Marie Ongpaucoescudero) is going through the icky though, a loving request of usual hassle in her first trimestral mayo-filled ham-and-egg sandwich from Senator Chiz escudero period of pregnancy.

Apart from the vomiting spells, in the middle of the night isn’t her nostrils are allergic to certain strange at all.

by Ronnie

CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net

iii

CabaLde-MaCasa

When in love or broken hearted, who would not want to hear the voice Raymond Lauchengco. his hits are the “hugot” songs of the 80’s. It will either make you cry, reminisce or fall in love all over again. his big hits include, “So it’s you”, “I need you back”, “Kapag puso’y sinugatan”, “Saan Darating ang umaga” and of course, every high School Graduating class’ national anthem...”Farewell”.

Raymond first entered show business at the age of 12. he became a part of the Repertory Philippines’ staging of the “King and I”. he then established his name in the Theater Industry as he continued to star in various musicals, “The Sound of Music,” “Romeo & Juliet,” and “South Heart Evangeslita Pacific” to name a few.

Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte A heartthrob at 18, he moved The Times is just too happy for heart who has actually planned getting pregnant three years after she and Chiz got hitched.

She couldn’t possibly make a go for it as the following year— 2016—had Chiz running for Vice President.

That time, too, heart—aside from keeping a regular weekly program on GMA—was too much involved in her painting exhibits (she later branched out in painting designer bags).

Congratulatory messages flooded heart’s IG account soon after her announcement. netizens, however, couldn’t seem to get enough of those as they were expecting the same heartwarming words from no less than Kris Aquino and Ai Ai de las Alas, at the very least.

Why them? Kris is open about her long-standing friendship with Chiz, while Ai Ai—back in ABS-CBn—has always treated heart as her own daughter (heart played one of Ai Ai’s kids in “Tanging Ina”).

Could it be—as the netizens speculated—that Kris and Ai Ai “abstained” since they’re both close and identified with Mrs. Dantes? Kris is godmother to Mr. and Mrs. Dantes while Ai Ai and the latter co-host GMA’s “Sunday PinaSaya.”

The Times, however, believes otherwise. For all we know, both Kris and Ai Ai did congratulate heart via other means of communication. It’s also flimsy, if not trivial to think it was for Mrs. Dantes’ sake that they chose to remain silent.

on to explore mainstream showbiz and was chosen to be one of the five male leads of the movie, “Bagets”. he was then considered the hottest teen idol of the 80’s.

As an actor, Lauchengco appeared in 9 movies and 20 stage productions. he was also a part of the youth oriented variety show “That’s entertainment” hosted by German Moreno. As a performing Artist, he became the Philippines’ representative to the prestigious Tokyo Music Festival in 1987. he has released over 7 recording albums and has done numerous concerts around the world.

On June 2, 2018 come and be serenaded by Raymond Lauchengo as he sings to you his greatest hits that will surely make you fall in love all over again, in a concert entitled “Walking on Sunshine.” Catch him at the Levo entertainment Center 2070 Floyd St. Burbank, CA.

91504. Doors open at 7pm.

Part of the proceeds of this concert will be for the Family of the Filipino Pastors and Missionaries. This event, is made possible by the JIR Foundation.

JIR Foundation, was founded by henry and Monica Chen. For 12 years now, this organization helps insufficiently paid Christian workers by providing for supplemental resource to help with food, clothing and medical needs to their families. In so doing, these Christian workers who dedicate their lives in their ministry will be able concentrate in making disciples and sharpen their skills for a more effective ministry.

For more information or to make a donation, you may visit www.jirfoundati on.org. For concert tickets, you may call/text henry Chen (818)6124500, Monica Chen (818)7266333 or visit www.

RaymondLa.eventbrite.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Ruru Madrid breaks free from Gabbi Garcia’s ‘clutches’

Ruru Madrid and Gabi Gaecia

GMA photo

The Gabbi Garcia-Ruru Madrid tandem is now history.

This was announced by the GMA Artist Center via an official statement. The GabRu loveteam started in the series “Let The Love Begin” and ended in “Sherlock Jr.” According to the GMAAC, the two will be given separate projects to enhance their respective solo careers.

Gabbi thanked the GabRu fans who supported them in the last four years. She also asked for understanding and wished that the fans will accept wholeheartedly the breakup of the GabRu tandem.

We wonder if all the GabRu fans are really sad of the breakup of the tandem. We’ve come across social media postings of some fans expressing their displeasure over Gabbi’s alleged haughty attitude toward Ruru. These fans claim that during the time Gabbi and Ruru were still taping “encantadia,” Gabbi for no reason at all, would get mad at Ruru. The fans who often visit the set were witnesses to Gabbi’s alleged rudeness.

Since Gabbi and Ruru are no longer a tandem, do we hear solid Ruru fans shouting for joy, now that their idol is finally free from Gabbi’s “clutches?” (ManilaTimes.net)

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B

Maine Mendoza reveals source of...

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Conquering the fear of uncertainty and six I.C.E. agents knocking at their door on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY! After they were offered jobs as caregivers, Danilo (left) and Millet (center) took a big gamble when they decided to stay in the U.S. to pursue their American dream. It was not easy, especially after their hard-earned money was lost to a lawyer who hardly did anything to move their case forward. They eventually went out of status, and even had I.C.E. agents come knocking on their door.

The couple then consulted with Atty. Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case, and helped them acquire their green cards. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel (right) was also able to help their two daughters avail of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and getting approval on their green cards the same day President Trump cancelled DACA. Watch this encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS What is passive smoking?

Secondhand smoke is the fume that one involuntarily inhales after someone who smokes exhales it (called mainstream smoke), or the fume that goes directly to the atmosphere from the burning tobacco (cigarette, pipe or cigar) called side stream smoke.

When non-smokers breathe in these smokes or fumes from other people’s cigarettes, cigars and pipes, this is involuntarily inhalation, called passive smoking, a more deadly source of lung diseases and cancers. Tobacco smoke contains about 4000 (yes, four thousand) chemicals, 200 of them known poisons. Some of them are benzenes, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, which are released into the air by smokers.

Not only is the smoker inhaling these poisons, but so is everyone around them.

Is secondhand smoke really more toxic?

Yes, it has been scientifically proven that secondhand smokes are more dangerous to health than firsthand smoke. The smoker, who

Passive smoking: More deadly illness, have sued cigarette manufacturers, and have won millions in awards. While they vehemently denied before, cigarette companies today have admitted in public that tobacco causes cancers and other lung illnesses. The courts have likewise ruled in a similar fashion in favor of victims of passive smoking (as in the airline stewardess’ case). In 1986, the Surgeon General of the United States reported that involuntary (passive) smoking can cause lung cancer in healthy non-smokers.

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now classified secondhand smoke as a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).

Does passive smoking hurt children and infants?

More so, young children and infants are more vulnerable to tobacco smokes and fumes. Pregnant mothers who smoke, pass these dangerous substances to the fetus, causing higher incidents of smaller babies, some with diminished mental acuity, or even wit retardation, most with babies that are prone to frequent respirator infections and asthmatic attacks.

Studies have shown that in their first two years of life, babies whose parent(s) smoke(s) at home have PAGE B4

inhales the (mainstream) smoke “filters� it so some degree before exhaling it, but the non-smoker around him/her inhales the “pure� and more dangerous side stream smoke. Besides the tar and nicotine in secondhand smoke, there are several cancer-causing substances in secondhand smoke, and in much higher concentration than in mainstream smoke. So, the person who smokes in public, around people, is giving himself/herself a lower dose of poisons, and giving his victims (family members, friends and strangers) around him/ her a higher and a more deadly dose of poison. Technically, it is criminal to “spray� harmful chemicals to the atmosphere for others to breathe in, exposing them to cancer-causing agents. Obviously, the smokers do not intentionally do this to hurt his family or other people. The smoker is simply “hooked� on this addictive habit and is simply satisfying his/her urges when he/she smokes.

Does passive smoking cause cancer?

Yes, most definitely. Smokers developing lung and other cancers from smoking tobacco is a scientifically proven fact. In the United States, cancer victims of smoking and family members of smokers who died from cigarette-related

to do light assignments. That’s why As she counts her blessings, she accepted doing her guest stint Maine realizes she has so many in “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko�. “Ako naman po, kapag ‘Daig’, things to thank God for. She said her 10 fingers are not enough to OK naman po talaga ko kasi gusto count them. She’s so thankful that ko talaga, light and it’s for kids where at the end, there’s a lesson her supporters are still there. “Opo, meron pa rin po. There that can be learned so I want to have been a lot of things that do it.�

In the episode she taped she transpired. Dami nang nangyari.

I thought then that the people characterized Laura Butangera, a who said they love me would start girl who does not back-off from disappearing, like isa-isa silang any challenge. “Kahit away sa mga maton. She mawawala. But what happened is parang mas nadadagdagan pa sila and they make me feel that they’re always there, that they love me, they never cease to support me. I consider them as blessing,� added Maine.

But there is truth to the saying that you cannot please everybody.

There are also those people who say negative things about her, bashing her in social media. She said she has learned to live with it that she does not even bother to answer them or give any explanation. “I believe I don’t owe them any explanation. Hindi ko na po dapat ipaliwanag ang sarili ko sa kanila.

So whatever they want to think about me, I just let them. As long as I know that I don’t do anything that may hurt anyone, as long as I treat people with kindness and respect, OK po ako. If they still find it bad, it’s up to them,� she said.

Being an inspiration to many young people like her is something that Maine considers a big deal.

Many people tell her that they are inspired by her rise to fame and how she handles everything, including her finances, especially now that she has invested her earnings in business ventures. “Yun naman po kasi with the help of my mom. She advises me on what I will do with what I earn. What I can tell the young ones is they should listen to their parents. They are the ones who are seasoned with experiences in life. They know better,� Maine stressed.

If she has her way, Maine would like to do what some people in the industry call millennial films. “Actually, that’s what I really want to do, something that’s light and realistic. A movie where a lot of millennials can relate to. Yung drama, parang hindi ko pa kaya.

Let’s go light first. I think that’s what we also need right now, pampa-good vibes. So yun po talaga gusto ko na next movie na gawin, and happy.�

AJ Ads light 51_Layout 1 8/26/15 2:35 PM Page 1 Even on television, Maine opts

is bungangera, palengkera until one day she committed something na hindi naman nya sinasadya and she got punished,� she narrated.

With Maine in the episode is Baby Baste so the more that she was excited to do it. “Si Baste ang masasaktan ko nang hindi sinasadya kaya mapaparusahan ako. I really looked forward to working with Baste because this is the first time that we are acting together in a project,�

Maine enthused.

age gracefully

Try This Savory, Simple Curry Cabbage Slaw

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Surprise your guests with a unique slaw of unexpected texture and color packed full of flavor and healthful nutrition! Cabbage has anticancer and cardiovascular benefits because of the unique enzymes, antioxidants and nutrients including glucosinolates that it contains. These compounds contribute to the pungent nature of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and Brussels spouts and are health promoting when consumed.

By adding complex natural flavors like coconut, lemon juice, and soy sauce, this dish offers a savory and unique blend of textures that your guests will love. Adding turmeric, curry powder, and cumin skyrocket the nutritional and antioxidant value and lend a beautiful deep golden color to the dish.

This simple, fresh summer salad is perfect for lunches, picnics, or to take to a party.

Simple Curry Cabbage Slaw Serves ???

1 medium head green cabbage, shredded 1/3 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened) 2 Tbs. lemon juice Ÿ cup extra-virgin olive oil Ÿ cup low sodium soy sauce, tamari or shoyu 3 Tbs. white sesame seeds ½ tsp. ground turmeric ½ tsp. curry powder ½ tsp. ground cumin Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl and mix well to coat cabbage evenly. Chill for one hour and serve.

GRACE O – Combining her passion for food and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, GRACE O has created FoodTrientsŽ, a unique program for optimizing wellness. Grace O is a fusion chef with a mission: to cook up recipes for a long and joyful life that are built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 15 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com Š 2015 by FoodTrients.com

B MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Visiting Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, with Super Vacation

Silverlake Adult Day Health Care provides a ‘second home’ for seniors and the severely injured SADHC and its wide range of services are free to anyone who has Medi-Cal

by Klarize Medenilla AJPress

wHETHER you are a senior citizen or a seriously injured individual, boredom can creep up on you rather early on. you’re often spending whole days at home, remaining stagnant instead of maintaining an active lifestyle.

It’s easy to get into the habit of staying home for days at a time.

For Filipinos who don’t want to sacrifice their social lives for their age or health, Silverlake Adult day Health Care (SAdHC) offers a wide range of healthcare services, meals and activities that can help participants feel active. located in Historic Filipinotown, SAdHC offers exercise to help and encourage participants to stay active. The broad range of health services offered at SAdHC cover include restorative services including physical, occupational and speech therapies aided by a diverse and talented team of registered nurses (RN), licensed vocational nurses (lVNs), dieticians and other health professionals who speak both English and Tagalog.

Each participant is treated according to his/her own specific health care needs whether its diabetes or hypertension or dementia or Alzheimer’s. The cooking staff also offers daily hot meals for breakfast and lunch, including various Filipino and Korean cuisine options.

“This is the place for them to allow them to express themselves with friends and get rid of their loneliness and talk about their

future plans,” said Tita Bernie Targa-Ganon, activities director at SAdHC. “So there’s a lot of conversations and activities going on that makes them feel alive. It gives them a release of energy that is within them to be loved because we give love to them. This is not just a health center, but it is a second home for them.”

But SAdHC isn’t just a run-ofthe-mill old folk’s home. SAdHC is a state-funded deterioration prevention facility meant to keep seniors from going to traditional nursing homes. But what truly differentiates SAdHC from other similar centers is its staff that puts in the extra effort to connect its participants with the community and encourages them to remain active. Their No. 1 goal is to bring personal fulfillment to each participant’s life while making sure they’re getting the health care they need. due to its location in Historic Filipinotown, SAdHC makes it a point to celebrate various Philippine holidays each month. This month, they celebrated Flores de Mayo and in June, there will be a Philippine Independence day celebration.

“our goal here is for them to be a part of the community and be active in it,” said lester Hernandez, program director of SAdHC. “we have participants here who are 100 years old and they’re still active! we really do our best to connect them to the community, so it’s not just to come here and do some bingo and go home.

This is a second home and Tita Bernie has done a great job to be able to create something new and something for patients to look forward to. She goes beyond to provide something that would remind [participants] of family and home.”

The daycare is free to anyone who has Medi-Cal; just schedule an appointment to visit the facility and ask how to join. For those in the area, SAdHC offers a convenient pick-up service that picks participants up from their homes. Call or visit today to learn more information!

Silverlake Adult day Health Care is located at 3339 w. Temple St., los Angeles, 90026 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. you may reach the center at (213) 383-0050.

PAGE B3

possible. However, when these choices conflict, the health and the preferences of nonsmokers should prevail and come first. More and more private companies, on their own, are also adopting policies that restrict smoking and protect nonsmokers.

What are the other adverse effects of smoking?

Besides the health hazards among smokers, and to those people around him who are forced to inhale secondhand smoke, tobacco smoking leads to environmental pollution. Burning tobacco causes bad odors, which cling to people’s clothes, hair, skin and even curtains, etc. In an air-conditioned room, the cooling unit demands can jump as much as 600 percent in order to control the bad odor of tobacco, which also lingers on. The bad odor is due to the burned chemical that penetrates our skin and the fabric of our clothes. The habit, which used to be so glamorous and very “in” is now “out” and considered “dirty.” It is also expensive and very offensive to nonsmokers.

The prediction is that some day, smoking, in view of all these health hazards, will be tabooed, and smokers will be outcast.

What can be done about secondhand smoke?

Both the smokers and nonsmokers have their rights. Smokers have the right to smoke, even if smoking is bad for their health.

People have the right to commit

suicide. In the same token, nonsmokers have their rights also.

They have the right to protect themselves and their children from unwanted cancer-causing smokes. Someone’s enjoyment should not be tolerated to be somebody else’s endangerment.

Steps that could be taken: 1. let family, friends and co-workers know that you mind if they smoke around you; 2. Put “No Smoking” signs in your home, car or office to make people aware; 3. Support legislation to restrict smoking in public places, like workplace or restaurant, movies, busses and other public places; 4. Propose non-smoking resolutions in your social/civic organization meetings; 5. Encourage management, unions and companies where you work to establish policies to protect nonsmokers on the job; and, help promote the concept of smoke-free families in your community. After all, we have the right to say no to poisons and cancers. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Darren Espanto remains...

PAGE B1

She’s a human being just like any of us. Sometimes, we can only take so much and things can be very overwhelming. I totally understand her. I have to admit that I feel the same way sometimes.

What can you say that “Dying Inside To Hold You” has now more than 15 million streams on Spotify and over 34 million views on YouTube?

I did not expect that it will turnout to be a hit. I am very grateful to all the people who have enjoyed my version as much as I did.

What is your new single “Poison” all about? Is it an upbeat or ballad song?

It’s about a toxic relationship that someone goes through. It’s when someone is driving you crazy and you just don’t know how to get out because you actually want to keep it yourself. It’s

an upbeat song. Something pop for the millennials.

What inspired you to write it? yes, this is my fourth original composition. Toxic relationship is just so common in social media and that’s how I got the idea.

How was the recording process? Who did you collaborate with this time?

MCA introduced me to Sir Bryan Bauro, an Australian music producer. we had him listen to my recorded demo and to my surprise, he liked it. He did the music and produced it as well. we had a session together in the studio before he left for U.S. and after that, we were just communicating online, he was monitoring and supervising the next few sessions via online video call.

Will “Poison” give the clue as to what your third album will sound like?

Somehow yes, my musicality

Those looking for a shorter trip may want to check out their yMA-6 option which lasts six days and covers five locations with two relaxing days in yellowstone National Park. Their most popular packages though are their ySB-7 which lasts seven days covering seven destinations including two nights on the las Vegas strip, and their yMB package options which can last up to eight days covering up to fifteen destinations with a start at the historic Route 66.

So as summer quickly approaches, consider checking off many of the nation’s most famous destinations off your travel bucket list with Super Vacation!

Established in 1981, Super Vacation specializes in travel packages throughout the U.S. and Canada. To book, or get more information on their tours and rates, call them at (626) 571 - 2988, or visit them online at www.americaasia.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Actor-model Juan Felipe Restrepo scores big, winning best in acting awards in Hollywood

By Monet

Lu

(Advertising Supplement)

Passive smoking: More deadly higher incidence of lung diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia than babies of non-smokers.

Smokes also aggravate asthma in children and may even precipitate attacks. Parents, especially pregnant mothers, and all of us for that matter, should not smoke, but if we have too, we should do it outside our home, and away from people.

Studies have shown that, even among children without asthma, acute respiratory illnesses occur two times more often to young children whose parents smoke around them as compared to those with on-smoking parents.

Passive smoking by children (secondhand smoke exposure) is associated with 150,000 to 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia each year in infants and young children less than 18 months old. we should not be doing this to our children.

How about secondhand smoke at the workplace?

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report of 1996 established that the simple separation of smokers and non-smokers within the same air space may reduce but NoT eliminate the risk of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. In view of this, an increasing number of state and local laws now restrict smoking at the workplace. The idea behind this law is that the preferences and rights of both the nonsmokers and the smokers should be considered whenever

wITH summer holiday just around the corner, many are beginning to materialize plans of what to do during the warm weathered break. why not spend the sunny months outdoors in some of the United States’ — and even the world’s — most famous and beautiful national parks? yellowstone National Park in wyoming continues to be among the most visited national parks in the U.S., reaching over 4.1 million visitors in 2017, making last year the second busiest on record, according to the United States’ National Park Service.

Established on March 1, 1872

by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park, with numerous beautiful and awe-inspiring attractions within it’s 3,472 square miles.

Visit its world known geysers, including the legendary “old Faithful” geyser which propels hot water roughly 150 feet into the air every 60 to 90 minutes. Also make a visit to its yellowstone waterfalls, its Mammoth Hot Springs, and yellowstone Canyon among others. And make sure you don’t miss out on seeing some of its many wild animals like birds and bison which begin to come out starting in July. with Super Vacation, exploring and experiencing yellowstone National Park is easy through their numerous travel package options which also brings travelers to other famous destinations like Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, and the photogenic Antelope Canyon with its unique vermilion-colored rock formations and Ponderosa pines.

is also maturing and I continue to grow and learn as time goes by. This single will show more maturity in my writing.

How do you adjust your changing voice since experiencing puberty?

I sought help from the people around me, my family and music professionals to make sure that I was not just ignoring it. I continued singing and regularly did my vocal exercises as advised.

I also prepared for it mentally by accepting the changes and finding ways on how to properly handle it.

Any message for your fans?

I can’t thank them enough for all the genuine love and sincere support they have been giving me since day 1. I will forever remain grateful to the darrenatics. Please watch out for it! It will be best experienced live. one thing is for sure, it will be very exciting.

Hollywood, CA - In living his American dream, Hollywood actor-model Juan Felipe Restrepo is continuously setting goals for his international career. Back in his country of Colombia, he was involved in a popular theatre group named “la Maleta Roja.”

This led him to performing in numerous plays inside and outside Colombia and Ecuador via the touring group, International Theater Festival. After moving to los Angeles and graduating from the prestigious American Academy of dramatic Arts (AAdA), he was immediately signed by a manager and an agent.

In less than a year, Restrepo’s major achievements include receiving several awards in acting, and writing a screenplay. “The Prodigal (Hijo Prodigo),” a short film he wrote based on the true events he witnessed from one of his close friends. The film is about a closeted gay teenager who came out to a conservative latino family, and shows what many latino teenagers go through after they come out of the closet to their traditional parents.

The film gave him the 2018 Best young Actor Award at Film Freeway’s 2018 los Angeles Actors Award. It also won him two awards at Festigious International Film Festival: 2017 Best Actor at and the Best lGBT Festival Award. The film also won him 2018 lA Shorts both Silver Awards Best Actor and Best drama, as well as the 2018 April Best Actor Award at Top Shorts Film Festival.

This past year he had booked 48 different projects from indie features, commercials, web series, shorts, music videos, working mainly as leads, with

*** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary

MUlTI-platinum recording artist Ice Seguerra (formerly known as Aiza Seguerra) is back with “Anghel Sa lupa,” Ice’s first single after the release of Gold certified album “Araw Gabi: Mga Awit ni Maestro Ryan” in 2015.

Ice rose to prominence as a former child star, appearing in over 30 films since the debut in Vic Sotto’s “okey Ka Fairy Ko.” From there, Ice has become one of the country’s most respected singer-songwriters, with hits such as “Pagdating Ng Panahon” and “Pakisabi Na lang,” among many others.

Known more for “hugot” and melodramatic songs, Ice changes pace with this new single, a fresh acoustic tune that tries to encapsulate the inexplicable feeling of being in love with someone. Though it gives more of a light-hearted feel than his previous songs, Ice

still manages to deliver signature vocals prominent in Ice’s body of work.

The feel-good song will be a pleasant surprise for those yearning to hear more from the certified hitmaker, and will once again capture the hearts of many, including

Juan Felipe Restrepo starred and wrote the script of the award-winning film “Hijo Prodigo” (Prodigal Son), which continues to receive awards from different award-giving bodies.

one where he was excited about most was the privilege of working with Mexican actor danny Trejo. There is no stopping this young Hispanic actor/model living his dreams in Hollywood and his becoming popular in the Asian market as he had just been hand-picked by two popular Filipino couture designers to model in a fashion show slated on June 2. Get to know more about his other skills on his website: www.

JuanFelipeRestrepo.com.

all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Aiza changes name to ‘Ice Seguerra’

Aiza now comes by the name Ice

Photo courtesy of Universal Records

a younger audience. “Anghel Sa lupa” is now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, deezer and Amazon.

Ice will return with more singles, and a full-length album to be released sometime in 2018 under Universal Records. (Philstar.com)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

B

----------------- Know the ----------------Filipino-AmericAn mArKet

Effectively market to the fastest-growing community in Southern California T

• Median income in California - $85,000 (the

second highest in the state, according to a 2013 U.S. Census Bureau survey)

June 2 event to discuss how to tap into the Filipino-American market

here are now over 4 million Filipinos living in America, and they have the 2nd highest median income amongst all ethnic groups in the United States at $80,000 per year.

There is no doubt that the Filipino community is growing fast, and economic potential and possibilities are endless.

Now, just imagine as a business owner: how can you effectively market your products or services to the fastest-growing community in America?

On Saturday, June 2, 2018, e.C. Ferrer ChB Inc. will hold a workshop nd information session event at the Long Beach Marriott hotel. This event is a prelude to the highly anticipated TrAVeL, TrADe, TOUrISM & CONSUMer rOADShOW taking place on August 4-5, 2018 at the Southbay Pavilion in Carson, California, in the goal of connecting the U.S. and Philippine markets together.

They will explain and present what they think will help Philippine manufacturers and U.S. importers to be successful in bringing their products into the United States. each process of importing

•

Filipinos have the highest proficiency in English at 82% in contrast to all Asian Americans at 70%.

of the product into the U.S. will be discussed, as well as tips on how to make it easy to import the right way will be revealed.

The event aims to engage Filipino-American producers or entities who are in the trade industry or pursuing to be in it – referring to would be exhibitors, buyers (importers), & possibly Broker traders who will have interest to purchase Philippine made products. e.C. Ferrer ChB, Inc.’s long, trusted and established network of industry professionals is the

•

37% of Filipinos attain a Bachelor’s degree.

In contrast, the general American population is only at 19%.

key to this business model. One of the company’s reasons for success — specifically in Philippine trade — is its counterpart in the Philippines named SKYLINK, INC. having this partnership creates a more reliable transportation of the products in to the U.S. Skylink Inc. is headed by Annie Yu and have worked with e.C Ferrer ChB Inc. for over 20 years.

“We are heading into a new age of importing and exporting.

Technology is driving efficiency and the growth of e-commerce,” said Ferdinand B. Soriano, Marketing Director of e.C. Ferrer ChB Inc. “The future is bright for Philippine products. You just need to continue chipping away and make steady and measurable progress. “ e.C. Ferrer ChB Inc. has found a way to decrease the stress, effectively price and efficiently coordinate all of the tasks needed to successfully import the products into the U.S. These tasks start from coordinating with the Philippine manufacturers in bringing their product to the port of departure, booking a cost-effective transport on a ship, clearing the product thru U.S. customs, arranging the freight forwarding to the desired location, possibly warehousing the products and helping with arranging a fulfillment process appropriate for their product.

“Along with their long established marketing partner, PLANeT63, who will then proceed with creating sales and marketing opportunities for their products to be sold in bulk, that whole

•

58% of Filipinos own their homes and have the lowest rate of poverty at 7.5%. In contrast, 12% of Asian Americans live in poverty. process is the value and much needed service that all Philippine manufacturers will need to chip away, using the analogy that I used in the beginning, to create a highly defined impression in the minds of the U.S. consumer market,” explained Soriano. “Consistent, effective and sustainable efforts are what best describes some of the factors that will help the Philippine manufacturers create a market for their products in the U.S. It sounds easy, right? It’s not.

Knowing that a company that can provide these types of services exists will provide confidence and hope in knowing that they have a shot in expanding their market in the U.S. Of course, with that hope and with that confidence comes with the mindfulness that their product definitely needs to be of high quality, competitively priced and packaged that suits the U.S. market.”

The TrAVeL, TrADe, TOUrISM & CONSUMer rOADShOW is produced by the Asian Journal Media Group, with the cooperation of the Philippine Department of Trade and Tourism. e.C Ferrer ChB, Inc. is the senior organizer.

The event will be on Saturday, June 2, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; at the Long Beach Marriott hotel, 4700 Airport Plaza Dr., rickenbacker hall in Long Beach, California. rSVP is needed and is on a FIrST COMe, FIrST SerVe basis. Seating is limited and will only accept 40 guests. Deadline for rSVP/registration is on Wednesday, a 30.

For questions/to RSVP, contact Ferdinand at (909) 851-1493 or email at ferdinand@ecferrer.com.

For more information/to register, log on to: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/effectively-market-to-the-fastest-growing-community-in-southern-californiatickets-45453666139.

• A r e t h e r e I D, minimum age or other requirements to enter the event?

Please bring your ID and business card. You must be at least 18 years old and must currently own a business or represent one that is interested in marketing to the Filipino-American market.

• What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There is plenty of free parking available at the event.

• What should I bring into the event?

Your business card and an inquiring mind.

• Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Yes. We want to make sure that whoever attends is truly interested in the potential of marketing to this growing market.

• Is my registration fee or ticket transferable?

No. There is no registration fee.

• Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends?

No.

B MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

COMMUNITY $3&%*5 $"3% JOURNAL

‘Say yes!’ to admitting to your mistake

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. NANCY MILLER & ANDA C. KWONG ARE those bells ringing? With wedding season approaching, many are keeping in mind the traditional rhyme detailing what someone should wear at his or her wedding for good luck: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.

With the major backlogs in the American immigration system, life goes on regardless of immigration status. And many noncitizens have decided to get married after finding true love. What happens when “something borrowed� is someone else’s name when the noncitizen entered into the United States? In some cases, individuals utilized assumed names in order to obtain nonimmigrant visas to come to U.S. On rarer occasion, individuals used assumed names and consular processed to enter into the U.S. as permanent residents. Regardless of when, where, or why the noncitizen used the assumed name, if found to have been used in connection with obtaining an immigration benefit, the assumed name is considered to be fraud or material misrepresentation. Fraud is a more grave version of material misrepresentation, but both are categorized as grounds of inadmissibility, thus potentially precluding the granting of a green card and rendering that person a candidate to be removed from the U.S. Cases involving fraud or misrepresentation are serious but waivers are available for those who are applying for a green card and for those who already obtained their green card without disclosing the fraud. We will discuss the latter situation in this article. The noncitizen is typically placed in removal proceedings in front of an immigration judge (“IJ�). The IJ then has the

power or jurisdiction over what happens to the case and whether the noncitizen will be ordered removed to her native country.

There may be reasons why noncitizens do not or cannot return to their native countries despite genuine regrets for their unlawful actions. Some reasons include financial obligations, family members who are dependent on them, and medical problems requiring treatment that cannot be easily accessed in the home country.

What can be done about this dire situation, especially in a political climate that has perpetuated fear among immigrant communities? With the help of “something old,� which is the existence of laws in place to ensure fairness, noncitizens are protected by certain types of available relief in the immigration court system. While it is intimidating for noncitizens to come forward to try to fix their prior indiscretions, the IJ has the authority and may be willing to grant a discretionary waiver for the fraud or misrepresentation to a noncitizen.

To be eligible for this form of relief, the noncitizen must have a qualifying relative and have been in possession of an immigrant visa or otherwise admissible to the U.S. at the time of admission.

To clarify, a qualifying relative is U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, son, or daughter. The second requirement means that the noncitizen cannot have had any other inadmissibility aside from the single instance of fraud or misrepresentation (or anything that was a direct result of that fraud) when she was admitted as a permanent resident.

Aside from meeting the elements required by law, the waiver applicant must show to the IJ that she is deserving of a favorable exercise of discretion. The IJ will weigh the positive factors against the fraud or misrepresentation and any other negative factors.

The IJ will consider all aspects of the noncitizen’s life, such as

presence of family members in the U.S., the presence or lack thereof of family members in the home country, duration of stay in the U.S., length of employment, property ownership and business ties, existence any medical problems, the applicant’s good moral character, the value and contributions to the community, and any other life circumstance that is specific to the applicant.

Negative factors are things that show that the applicant is not deserving of relief, such as whether there is a criminal record. If there is a criminal record, the IJ will consider the severity of the crime committed, how long ago it was, and whether there was any rehabilitation. Other negative factors are the failure to file and pay any Federal income taxes, and the failure to support dependents.

As such, please hold onto “something new,� which is optimism for the future. Because of the changes that each detail can make whether this relief is available, please discuss the particulars of your case with an immigration attorney. If granted, the waiver reaffirms the green card from the date of its original issuance, which means that the noncitizen may be eligible to immediately apply for naturalization.

Upon taking the naturalization oath, the newly sworn-in citizen can obtain a U.S. passport, which is “something blue.�

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***

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*** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

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 ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 19, 2018 (Fri) Day 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Tiberias Ć&#x17E; "/ 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/ Ć&#x153; /01 +&$%1 in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Beach Holy Eucharist Oct 20, 2018 (Sat) Day 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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%" Č&#x160;Ć&#x153; + ) 11)"Č&#x2039;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 Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Work0%,- +! %"+ 4" 4&)) *,3" ,+ 1, + ,# )&)""Çž 4%"/" 2/ ,/!

-"/#,/*"! &0 Ć&#x153; /01 *&/ )"Çż % +$&+$ 4 1"/ &+1, 4&+" 1 1%" 4"!Č&#x2019; ding feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows,Con1&+2" 1, ,2+1 ,/ Çž0&1" ,# "020 / +0Ć&#x153; $2/ 1&,+Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/4 /!Çž 4" will head to Tiberias. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).

Oct 21, 2018 (Sun) Day 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tiberias/Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/Boat Ride â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heavenâ&#x20AC;?

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˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 3&0&1&+$ 1%" 6+ $,$2" where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the ), 3"0 +! Ć&#x153; 0%"0Ç˝ %"+ 1, 1%" %2/ % /&* 6 ,# 1 "1"/0Ç˝ Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Oct 22, 2018 (Mon) Day 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Magdala 2)) ! 6 /"1/" 1Çž , 20 4&)) + )2!" -/,$/ *0 0"! ,+ 1%" %&01,/&Č&#x2019; ) +! ")&$&,20 3 )2" ,# 1%" $! ) 0&1"0 More info coming up as we get closer to the dates

Çž 0/ ") Č&#x201D; Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x17E; &0 ,3"/&"0 #/,* +"4 / % ",),$& ) !&$ are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the %,*" ,# /6 $! )"+"Ç˝Č&#x2039; %" )&3"! %"/" +! 0%" *"1 "020 %"/" and she continued with Him. Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the 1&*" ,# "020Ç˝ ,/!&+$ 1, / % ",),$&010Çž &1Č&#x2030;0 1%" Ć&#x153; /01 ,+" !&0 ,3Č&#x2019; "/"! &+ 1%" )&)""Ç˝ Oct 23, 2018 (Tues) Day 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jordan Valley/ Jericho/ Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church in Bethany Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" %" ! 1, "/& %,Çž 1%" ,)!"01 &+% &1"! &16 &+ 1%" 4,/)!Ç˝ &"4 1%" ,2+1 ,# "*-1 1&,+Çž 4%"/" "020 0-"+1 Ç&#x2122;Ç&#x2022; 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&#x2019; 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%" Ć&#x153; /01 3&"4 ,# "/20 )"*Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" ! 6Č&#x2030;0 1,2/Çž 4" will check in at our hotel in Jerusalem (B/D) Oct 24, 2018 (Wed) Day 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem (Old City)/ Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher â&#x20AC;&#x153;And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place ,# 0(2))Çž 4%& % &0 ))"! &+ 1%" " /"4 ,)$,1% Ç˝Č&#x2039; Č&#x203A; ,%+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;ÇżÇ&#x2013;Ç&#x153;Č&#x153; We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 3&0&1 ,)$,1% +! 1%" ,* ,# 2/ ,/!Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ * 00Çž 4" /"12/+ 1, the hotel for breakfast. Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 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&#x203A;4%"/" 1%" 0,)!&"/0 -) 6"! 1%" *" ,# &+$0Č&#x153; +! 1%" / % ,# 1%" Č&#x160; " ,*,Č&#x2039;Ç˝ Dinner/Overnight

MORE THAN 5,000 CASES

-Ă&#x160;- Ă&#x160;"

Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration ďŹ rms in the United States with ofďŹ ces in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS Oct 18, 2018 (Thur) Day 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lax to Tel Aviv, Israel / +0Č&#x2019; 1) +1& Ć? &$%1 #/,* 1, "+ 2/&,+ +1"/+ 1&,+ ) &/-,/1Çž ") 3&3Çž 0/ ")Ç˝ Č&#x203A; " )0 0"/3"! &+Č&#x2019;Ć? &$%1Č&#x153;

C1

Oct 25, 2018 (Thurs) Day 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu Č&#x160; %" ,/! " *" Ć? "0% +! !4")1 *,+$ 20ǽǽǽČ&#x2039; Č&#x203A; ,%+ Ç&#x2013;ÇżÇ&#x2013;Ç&#x2122;Č&#x153; " 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&#x2019; 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˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" ! 6Č&#x2030;0 1,2/Çž we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Oct 26, 2018 (Fri) Day 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mount of Olives/ Gethsemane/ Bethlehem/ Jerusalem (New City)/ Ein Karem Mass at the Church of Nativity Č&#x160; *,2+1 &+ ,# ,!Çž /" "&3" *"Çž *,1%"/Çž 4&1% *6 %&)!Ç˝Č&#x2039; Č&#x203A; /,1,Č&#x2019; "3 +$")&2* ,# *"0 Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2014;ÇżÇ&#x2DC;Č&#x153; " 4&)) //&3" 1 1%" ,2+1 ,# )&3"0Çž 1, "+',6 +,1%"/ 3&"4 ,# "/2Č&#x2019; salem, visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the ,*&+20 )"3&1 Č&#x203A;Č&#x160; ,! 4"-1Č&#x2039;Č&#x153; 0 + 12 /6Ç˝ "51Çž 4"Č&#x2030;)) 4 )( 1%" )* 2+! 6 , ! 1, 1%" /!"+ ,# "1%0"* +"Çž +! 3&0&1 1%" , ( ,# $,+6 +! 1%" %2/ % ,# )) 1&,+0Ç˝ + 1%" Ć&#x17E; "/+,,+Çž 4"Č&#x2030;)) !/&3" to Bethlehem, a city whose name is recognized around the world. Ć&#x17E; "/ ")" / 1&+$ 00 1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1&3&16Çž 4" 4&)) 0"" 1%" +$"/Č&#x20AC; 3&0&1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ 1%"/&+"Çž 1%" /,11, ,# 1Ç˝ "/,*" +! 1%" %"-%"/!0Č&#x2030; &")!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 Č&#x160; $+&Ć&#x153; 1Č&#x2039;Ç˝ " 4&)) "+! ,2/ ! 6 6 /"12/+&+$ 1, ,2/ Hotel. (B/D) Oct 27, 2018 (Sat) Day 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 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 Herodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortress and the Jewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last 01/,+$%,)! $ &+01 1%" ,* +Ç˝ "12/+ 1, "/20 )"* #,/ !&++"/ and Overnight (B, D) Oct 28, 2018,(Sun) Day 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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"! &+ Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç˝ %"+Çž &1Č&#x2030;0 ,+ 1, ,2+1 " ,Çž 4%"/" ,0"0 3&"4"!

1%" /,*&0"! +!Ç˝ 2/ +"51 01,- 4&)) " 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ ",/$" &+ ! Çž 4%& % %,010 1%" # *,20 *,0 & * - ,# 1%" ,)6 +!Ç˝ Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Mov"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç&#x201D; "0&!"+ "Ç˝ Oct 29, 2018 (Mon) Day 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ',2/+"6 1%/,2$% 1%" &.Çž 2+1&) 4" $"1 ,2/ Ć&#x153; /01 $)&*-0" ,# 1%" % 7+"% Č&#x203A; /" 02/6Č&#x153;Ç˝ %"+ 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&#x203A; ČĄ Č&#x153;Ç˝ ,3"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç&#x201D; "0&!"+ " Oct 30, 2018 (Tues) Day 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/ Overnight Oct 31, 2018 (Wed) Day 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" ! 0%"* 20"2*Çž&0 0/ ")Č&#x2030;0 ,Ć&#x203A; & & ) *"*,/& ) 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˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" "01"/+ ))Çž ! 0%"* &0 1%" 0" ,+!Č&#x2019;*,01Č&#x2019;3&0&1"!

0/ ")& 1,2/&01 0&1"Ç˝ "12/+ 1, 1%" %,1") #,/ )2+ % +! /") 5 1&,+ &+ -/"- / 1&,+ #,/ ,2/ /"12/+ Ć? &$%1 ( 1, 1%" Ć&#x17E; "/ !&++"/ 4&)) " 1/ +0#"//"! 1, 1%" &/-,/1 #,/ Ç&#x2013;ÇżÇ&#x2022;Ç&#x2022; * )&$%1 ,3 Ç&#x2013;ÇžÇ&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2013;Ç? Č&#x203A; %2/0! 6Č&#x153;

Day 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Mon) Day 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (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˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 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&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14 Nov 2018 (Wed) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rome / Papal Audience/ Rome

This morning before we continue with our tour, we will % 3" - ) 2!&"+ "Ç˝ %"+ Ć&#x17E; "/Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" # Č&#x2019; *,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&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 Nov 2018 (Thurs) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rome / Basilicas We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, +! "3"+ + &"+1 /""( +! ,Č&#x2019; man artists. the largest church &+ ,* + 1%,)& &0*Çž 1Ç˝ "1"/Č&#x2030;0 Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary ',/Çž ,)),4"! 6 3&0&1 ,# 1%" Č&#x2019; silica. We continue to visit the rest ,# 1%" * ',/ 0&)& 0 4&1%&+ 1%" 4 ))0 ,# ,*"Çž +! 1Ç˝ ,%+ 1"/Č&#x2019; 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"Č&#x2030;0 2+'201 ,+Č&#x2019; demnation.

Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16 Nov 2018 (Fri)â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Rome /San Giovanni Rotondo Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2013;Ç? &0 1%" Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;1% ++&3"/0 /6 ,# 1%" 01&$Č&#x2019; matization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year . + &,3 ++& ,1,+!,Çž 1%" %,*" ,# 1 Č&#x2019; !/" &, ,# &"1/") &+ #/,* Ç&#x2014;Ç? 2)6Çž Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x203A; 2+Č&#x2019; 1&) %&0 !" 1% ,+ Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2DC; "-1"* "/Çž Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x203A;Ç?Ç˝ +',6 1%" !/&3" $,&+$ 1, + &,3 ++&Çž Ć&#x17E; "/ 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 &Ć&#x153; 5 that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Cel" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 Č&#x203A; ,1") / + / !&0, Č&#x153;

+ &,3 ++& ,1,+!, (BB,D) Day 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17 Nov 2018 (Sat) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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&#x203A; ,1") / + / !&0,Č&#x153; Day 7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18 Nov2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Sun) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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&#x2019; 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˝ &+ " Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x2122; 1%" %,)6 %,*" % 0 ""+ ), 1"! &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& ,# ,/"1,Ç˝ ")" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 &+ + & +, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi Day 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;19 Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ( 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&Ć&#x153; 5 #/,* 4%& % "020 0-,(" 1, / + &0 ,21 %&0 *&0Č&#x2019; 0&,+ &+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x203A;Çż Č&#x160; ,Çž / + &0Çž +! /" 2&)! *6 %,20"Çž 4%& % 0 6,2 0"" &0 # ))&+$ &+1, /2&+Ç˝Č&#x2039; " 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,,( -) " &+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2122;Ç&#x2022;Ç˝ %" 0* )) %2/ % ,# 1%" ,/7&2+ ,Č&#x2019; ) &0 &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& &10")#Ç˝ ,-" ,+,/&20

$/ +1"!

a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble %2/ % ,+ 2$201 Ç&#x2013;01 +! Ç&#x2014;+! "3"/6 6" /Çž 4&1% ,+#"0Č&#x2019; sion, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) Day 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Tues) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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%" Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2DC;1% "+12/6Çž &1 &0 1/" 02/" %"01 ,# 1%" "+ &0Č&#x2019; sance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great *"!&"3 ) 0.2 /"0Ç˝ ,+1&+2" 1, ),/"+ "Ç˝ Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; " 01 /1 4&1% $2&!"! 4 )(&+$ 1,2/ ,# ),/"+ "Çž 1%&0 # 0Č&#x2019; cinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria !") &,/"Çž &,11,Č&#x2030;0 ")) ,4"/Çž 1%" -1&01"/6 ,# 1Ç˝ ,%+ the Baptist.

"01 ,# 1%" ! 6 #/"" Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21 Nov 2018 (Wed) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Florence / Rome " 3" ),/"+ " /,2+! Ç&#x2014; //&3"! ,*" )*,01 !&++"/ time (BB.D) Day 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 22 Nov 2018 (Thurs) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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

Community Journal

C MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Bankruptcy: Should you file now or later?

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon THE last several years have been financially difficult for a lot of people. When the real estate marked crashed a few years ago, millions of people found themselves with a mortgage they could not afford.

A lot of people simply walked away from their homes out of desperation in some cases, they were forced out of their homes after the bank foreclosed. Millions went to the bankruptcy courts seeking relief and hoping to find a way to get their finances back in order.

Debt is a very personal matter so most people don’t even talk about it. You may not realize this but chances are that someone close to you, perhaps a family member, a friend or a co-worker is seriously struggling with debt at this moment and have not told anyone about it. They seriously need help but don’t even know where to begin.

Like most people, you’ve worked hard, paid your taxes and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But at some stage in life, all of us get into debt. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives.

Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. I have seen marriages become unstable and relationships destroyed forever. If you are currently in debt, rather than allowing your money problems to affect your life in such a dramatic way, filing for bankruptcy

“If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, it is time to face your debt problems with dignity and do what your situation calls for.” protection may help you get your life back on track.

If your liabilities exceed your total assets, you’ve suffered a job loss, are facing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bankruptcy laws that can help you get your finances in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous so they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late. I find this unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could have turned their situation around much sooner had they taken the time to find out what their legal rights are.

Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only option. In the process, they use up hard-earned assets like their retirement plan, savings accounts, etc. but in the end they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem.

If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, it is time to face your debt problems with dignity and do what your situation calls for. I am not saying that bankruptcy is for everyone but after being a bankruptcy attorney for 19 years now and having represented thousands of clients

*** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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petition and visa; 6) and Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States.

The beneficiary must be prepared to show proof of the original I-130 that was filed, proof of I-130 approval if approved, Atty. Kenneth a copy of the Petitioner’s death uRSuA ReyeS certificate, proof of substitute sponsor’s relationship to the priority date on the petition is beneficiary, and meet all the Icurrent, the beneficiary may ap- 864 requirements. ply for adjustment of status. The *** beneficiary may also apply for an employment authorization card. Please note that this article is not DHS discretion does not mean 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.

Barrister’s Corner

“The beneficiary must be prepared to show proof of the original I-130 that was filed, proof of I-130 approval if approved, a copy of the petitioner’s death certificate, proof of substitue sponsor’s relationship to the beneficiary and meet all the I-864 requirements.” “guaranteed” approval. The case will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Some of the factors that the DHS may consider are 1) disruption of an established family unit; 2) hardship to US citizens or lawful permanent residents; 3) beneficiary is elderly or in poor health; 4) beneficiary has had lengthy residence in the US; 4) beneficiary has no home to go to; 5)undue delay by USCIS or consular officer in processing

Affected transactions and sanctions under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) AFFECTED Transactions A. Currency Transaction Report (CTR): You must report cash transactions in excess of $10,000 during the same business day.

The amount over $10,000 can be either in one transaction or a combination of cash transactions. It is filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

B. Monetary Instrument Log (MIL): You must indicate cash purchases of monetary instruments (money orders, cashier’s checks and traveler’s checks) in value totaling $3,000 to $10,000, inclusive. This form is required to be kept on record at the financial institution, and produced at the request of examiners or audit to verify compliance. A financial institution must maintain a Monetary Instrument Log for 5 years.

C. Suspicious Activity Report (SAR): The SAR must report any cash transaction where the customer seems to be trying to avoid

in bankruptcy, what I have seen is that oftentimes, bankruptcy is THE ONLY WAY for most people in debt to get a fresh start when they are in over their heads in debt. If bankruptcy is the best option for you, you don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single month.

Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once you’ve taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help you get out of debt, you may realize that it’s actually not as difficult as you first may have thought.

If you are in debt and feeling The hopeless about your situation, I would like to help you. Call my Prophetic office for a free confidential con- Voice sultation at Toll-Free 1-866-4777772. We have offices in GlenReVeRend dale, Cerritos and Valencia.

Reinstating a deceased petitioner’s family-based petition IT is very common for beneficiaries of family based petition to wait many years before their petition’s priority date becomes current. This is usually the case with US Citizen parent petitions to adult son or daughter. This is also common among petition’s between Siblings. What happens when the Petitioner dies? Are all those years of waiting wasted?

Not quite. Normally, the Petition is automatically revoked once the Petitioner dies.

However, all is not lost by the death of the Petitioner.

The beneficiary has a couple of options depending on whether they are inside the US or outside the US. The beneficiary may either avail of the INA § 204(l) which was signed into law in 2009 if the beneficiary is inside the US at the time the petitioner’s death and continues to reside inside the US. Alternatively, if the beneficiary is outside the US, beneficiary may seek to reinstate the petition based on humanitarian grounds. The DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) may exercise discretion “for humanitarian reasons” to reinstate the petition and to allow the Affidavit of Support requirements to be satisfied by the qualifying I864 of a spouse, parent, motherin-law, father-in-law, sister-inlaw, brother-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or legal guardian of the beneficiary, as long as the petition was “approved” prior to the Petitioner’s death.

If the beneficiary is inside the US either in legal status or grandfathered by INA §245(i) and the

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

*** 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.

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Rodel G. BAlAGtAS

THE Book of Jeremiah presents the most powerful passage regarding the role of a prophet.

In Chapter 20:9 of the book, Jeremiah confessed that he could not be silent to speak in God’s name: “I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.”

I tell seminarians to take Jeremiah’s words as their own because it will be their primary duty as priests to preach God’s Word like “fire burning in their hearts,” to proclaim it boldly without weariness and hesitation. I share with them that it is my responsibility as their mentor to see them growing in unceasing love and zeal for preaching the Gospel and living it out authentically every day of their lives.

This call to preach the Gospel like fire burning in our hearts is

AmericAn DreAm Allison Aquino-silvA, Esq THE USCIS issued another Policy Memorandum on May 10, 2018, that imposes significant restrictions to F and M students, as well as J exchange visitors, who violate their status. The new policy will impose additional hurdles for legalizing the immigration status for those who violate their F, M, or J nonimmigrant status.

The new policy changes the USCIS’ determination of when an individual who violates their F, M, or J status begins to accrue “unlawful presence” in the United States. When an individual begins to accrue “unlawful presence” is significant as it may subject an individual to inadmissibility from the US for 3 years, 10 years, or permanently.

Under the immigration laws, an individual who has been “unlawfully present” in the US for more than 180 days but less than 1 year triggers a 3-year bar of inadmissibility once they depart the US. An individual who has been “unlawfully present’ in the US for 1 year or more triggers a 10-year

Tax Tips VictoR Sy,

fail to file CTRs, MILs, or SARs. There are also penalties for a bank which discloses to its client that it has filed a SAR about the client. Caveat: Penalties include heavy fines and prison sentences. ***

Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State BSA reporting requirements by University with an MBA. Vic worked with not filing CTR or MIL, for ex- SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen ample. A SAR must also be filed Consulting) and Ernst & Young before if the customer’s actions suggest establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation that he is laundering money or in Pasadena, California. otherwise violating federal crimi*** nal laws and committing wire transfer fraud, check fraud or He has 50 years of experience in mysterious disappearances. The defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, bank should not let the customer FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental know that a SAR is being filed. agencies. He is publishing a book on his These reports are filed with the expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE Financial Crimes Enforcement IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire Network (“FINCEN”). about the book or email tax questions at Sanctions vicsy@live.com.

There are heavy penalties for individuals and institutions that (Advertising Supplement)

cPA, mBA

To be prophets of the world for all of us Christians. In today’s world wherein we face difficult issues of immigration, poverty, homelessness, human trafficking, global conflicts, and threats of nuclear war, the Lord challenges us to speak courageously on his behalf. He challenges us to speak up for greater respect and promotion of the dignity of every child, woman, and man; for the care of their well being; and for the protection of the environment and all of God’s creation.

The Lord also sends us into this world to remind people to be faithful to God’s commandments of love, forgiveness, and mercy. He asks us not to be afraid to warn people of their wickedness—their selfishness, greed, corruption, and pride. He summons us to do this not only out of great concern for poor and weak but also out of great love for sinners.

In his Letter to the Romans (13:8-10), St. Paul reiterates this responsibility: “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,’ and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying, name-

ly, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

The most pressing we need we have in this world is to be united in prayer and fidelity to God’s commandments. It is our earnest prayer as the Gospel tells us (Matthew 18:15-20) to agree on earth about anything for which we are to pray, “for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

May we never stop proclaiming God’s love, peace, and justice for the world! May all nations and citizens of this world be united in the Spirit of the Gospel! *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

USCIS tightens policy on student and exchange visitor violators bar of inadmissibility once they depart the US. Moreover, when an individual has been “unlawfully present” in the US for a total combined period of more than 1 year, a permanent bar is triggered should they depart the US and then either attempt to enter or enters the US without inspection.

The current policy that is being changed affects individuals who are in the US as an F, M, or J nonimmigrant, as these individuals are generally given authorization to remain in the US for “Duration of Status” (“D/S”).

Under the current policy, these individuals only begin to accrue “unlawful presence” on the day after USCIS formally finds them to have violated their status or the day after an immigration judge orders them deported, whichever is first. In many situations, neither of these actions ever occur and so many F, M, or J nonimmigrants who have violated their status would never accrue “unlawful presence.”

The new policy, which takes effect on August 9, 2018, completely changes this so that individuals who violate their F, M, or J status will begin to accrue “unlawful presence” on the earliest of the following: The day after the F, M, or J nonimmigrant no longer pursues the course of study or the authorized activity, or the day after he or she engages in unauthorized activity; The date after completing the course of study or program (including any authorized practical training plus authorized grace period); The day after the Form I-94 expires, if the F, M, or J nonimcertain; or The day after an immigration judge, or in certain cases, the Board of Immigration Appeals orders the alien excluded, deported, or removed (whether or not the decision is appealed).

For those F, M, or J nonimmigrants who have violated their

u PAGE C3

Community Journal

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

What is unlawful discrimination and how to protect against it ON May 29, 2018, about 175,000 Starbucks workers at about 8,000 locations will undergo a training on race discrimination. The training session will focus on understanding both racial bias and the history of racial discrimination in public spaces in the United States.

Starbucks announced the training session after two black men were arrested for allegedly trespassing in a Philadelphia Starbucks. A store manager had called the police because the two men were sitting in the store without buying anything. The customers said they were waiting for another person to arrive. They were later released by the police for lack of evidence. The customers alleged racial profiling and discrimination.

The Starbucks CEO mandated the training to educate its employees on understanding bias and how it affects everyone and to ensure that nothing like the arrests will happen at a Starbucks again.

Though the Starbucks discrimination scenario happened to consumers, Starbucks certainly has the right idea about educating oneself and others on the nature of discrimination, how it may arise, and what people can do to recognize and prevent victimization.

As a law firm that works to protect the rights of employees, we would like all employees to be educated and to be vigilant in this area.

Discrimination occurs when an employee receives less favorable treatment because of a specific characteristic they have. Not all types of discrimi-

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. nation are illegal. Illegal discrimination occurs when one is being targeted for a specific characteristic that the law says should be protected. These protected characteristics include race or skin color; ancestry, national origin; religion or creed; age; disability (both mental and physical), medical condition and genetic information; sex and gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; gender identity and gender expression; marital status; and military and veteran status.

Unlawful discrimination claims fall into two general categories: 1. Disparate treatment discrimination occurs when an employee is specifically targeted because of the employee’s protected characteristic. For example, the employee is disciplined or fired for going on medical leave or for being pregnant. In this instance, the employer is motivated by a discriminatory reason, i.e., disability or pregnancy discrimination.

2. Disparate impact discrimination occurs when the employer adopts a seemingly neutral policy that applies to all employees, but the policy has a more negative impact on those with a certain protected characteristic. For example, the employer may say it will lay-off all employees who are earning $100,000 or more

per year. But the result is that only employees who are over 60 years old are terminated.

Though the policy was initially neutral, it resulted in age discrimination against older employees.

California law provides several remedies for victims of employment discrimination, including: back pay (for past lost earnings); front pay (for future lost earnings); reinstatement to the job; out-of-pocket expenses; policy changes; reasonable accommodation(s); damages for emotional distress; punitive damages (where the employer’s conduct was especially bad); and attorney’s fees and costs where allowed by law.

Since discrimination law can be complex and highly technical, employees who believe they are being treated unfairly at work may want to consult with an experienced employment attorney to find out if remedies are available for them. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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Residing removal/ deportation order to allow for adjustment status WE have all heard the popular saying, “Timing is everything.” Unfortunately, this saying often adversely applies to those persons who have found an avenue from which to obtain a green card, only to be prohibited from doing so because he/ she has a prior removal/deportation order. A typical scenario involves a person who entered the US years ago on a B-2 tourist visa, overstayed, and was ordered removed by the Immigration Court. Fast forward to today, that person who was ordered removed finds true love and marries a US Citizen.

Seemingly close to finally obtaining permanent resident status, he/she is precluded from doing so because of the prior removal/ deportation order.

What options does one have in such a case? A motion to reopen the removal/ deportation proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order can be filed in Immigration Court.

If the motion to reopen the proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order is successful, the alien can pursue whatever relief from removal/deportation that is available to him/her. For the scenario cited in the first paragraph, the relief would be adjustment of status to permanent resident via marriage to a US citizen spouse.

The relief would be presented in Immigration Court, with the Immigration Judge to decide the merits of the adjustment of status application. Alternatively, if an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can be obtained to terminate the proceedings, a decision on the adjustment of status application can be made outside Immigration Court, by the USCIS. Generally, a motion to reopen removal/deportation proceedings must be filed within

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn 90 days of the date of entry of the removal/deportation order.

However, several bases upon which a motion to reopen may be filed past 90 days exist, and are discussed below.

Under 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(4), a motion to reopen can be filed at any time if notice of the proceedings was not received by the person subject to the removal/deportation order, and a removal/deportation order was

required procedure, which can be the basis for reopening the removal/deportation proceeding.

Further, the Immigration Judge has discretionary authority to reopen or reconsider cases on his or her own motion (“sua sponte”) at any time providing a valid basis can be shown. 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(1). Careful analysis of not only the immigration court file, but also the specific facts and circumstances of the case is necessary to put forward a valid basis on which the Immigration Judge can rely to reopen the proceedings. Some bases upon which cases I have been able to reopen cases include improper section cited by the DHS attorney in the charging document, insufficient evidence presented by the DHS attorney in proving up the case against the alien, and hardship and humanitarian concerns.

If you have a prior removal/deportation order which is preventing you from adjusting status, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to ascertain the bases upon which a motion to reopen can be filed.

“ A typical scenarion involves a person who entered the US years ago on a B-2 tourist visa, overstayed and was ordered removed by the Immigration Court.” entered in his absence. Written notice of the time and place of removal proceedings must be given in person to the alien, or shall be given by certified mail to the alien or to the alien’s counsel of record. INA §242B(a)(2)(A).

Further, written notice of the proceedings, if provided by certified mail, must be provided at the most recent address reported by the alien. Matter of Grijalva, Interim Decision 3246 (BIA 1995).

The requirements for notice of removal/deportation proceedings are strict, and careful analysis of a person’s immigration court file often results in finding evidence that DHS did not comply with

*** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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USCIS tightens policy on...

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status before August 9, 2018 but have not already began accruing “unlawful presence” under the current policy, they will begin accruing “unlawful presence” on August 9, 2018.

The new policy applies to both the principal F-1, M-1, or J-1 nonimmigrant, as well as their dependent, F-2, M-2, and J-2 dependents. When the principal nonimmigrant violates their status and begins to accrue “unlawful presence,” the derivate beneficiaries will also begin to accrue “unlawful presence” unless they

have already began accruing it due to their own violation.

As indicated, the accrual of unlawful presence is problematic as it may accordingly subject an individual to a 3 year, 10 year, or permanent bar. It would effectively preclude the option of legalizing one’s status at a Consulate Office, which may otherwise be the only option for an individual who is unlawfully residing in the US. It is therefore extremely important that an F, M, or J nonimmigrant maintain status and not conduct any activity that may violate their status and poten-

tially trigger the “unlawful presence” bar of inadmissibility. *** For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@aquinoloew. com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and read about us on Yelp. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996.

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Debt Relief

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

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Clients seek to discharge $100K and $30K in credit card debt

Both qualify for different chapters of the bankruptcy code Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

MOST debtors prefer to have a Chapter 7 wipe-out of debt. This is called a fresh start without debt. Most debtors who qualify for Chapter 7 debt relief get to keep everything they own but are able to get rid of all of their debt, thus, they start life again without debt but keep all their assets. They are able to keep their assets by “exempting” their assets under CCP 704 or 703. Let’s compare the following two cases to appreciate the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code.

Client no. 1 is 58 years old and separated from her husband who lives out of the country. They owned and operated a business ten years ago. The business failed and husband decided to go back to his home country. Wife decided she wanted to stay here, so they are in fact separated and live apart. Wife makes about $30,000 a year and does not own a house. She doesn’t know what husband is doing in his home country. For purposes of bankruptcy, the client is de facto separated from her husband, so we don’t care what husband does in his home country. His income, if any, is not a factor in the calculation of client’s household income. In other words, even if the separated husband has become a millionaire in his home country, his income is irrelevant in the determination of client’s ability to qualify for Chapter 7 debt relief here in Southern California.

Client completely on her own here, has to make do with her income of $30,000 a year. It’s only her income that is relevant in the means test calculation.

The client has $100,000 of credit card debt, most of which were used to operate their business that failed ten years ago.

Believe it or not, for the last ten years, the client has been making minimum payments on the $100,000 at the required $3,000 a month. I guess she used to make more than $30,000 a year before because he now only makes $2,500 a month, which is less than $3,000 a month.

But in the last 10 years, she has paid $360,000 to keep $100,000 of credit cards current. Today, she still owes the very same $100,000! Yes, sad but true and

not at all fair but nevertheless that’s the reality of what happened. If she had filed for Chapter 7 10 years ago and wiped out the $100,000 in 2008, she would probably have $700,000 in her wealth portfolio now, growing at the rate of between 6 percent to 10 percent a year.

But she took her own sweet time, perhaps she was afraid to

file for Chapter 7 10 years ago, or even five years ago, and now suffers the consequence of that wrong decision. Now, she still owes the very same $100,000 but had paid $360,000 to keep that $100,000 current in the last 10 years. Now, that’s not being smart, is it? No, that’s being pretty dumb. Because if the cli-

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

C4 MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

A

merica

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 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..

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

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Clients seek to discharge $100K...

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ent did actually get Chapter 7 relief and wipe out the $100,000 10 years ago, the consequence of that smart decision, would be that she would have at least $700,000 now, and that’s a smart move. Of course, it’s not too late to get Chapter 7 relief now. Better late than never with a Chapter 7 wipe-out of the $100,000 now and to have a fresh start now at the age of 58, instead of having a fresh start at the age of 48. Further, if she did have the

“Judgment lien creditors can force the sale of the house in order to get paid.” fresh start in 2008, her credit score would be perfect now over 800, and there would be no fact of filing Chapter 7 in her credit report. It’s like it never happened. No wonder Pres. Trump thinks bankruptcy law is heaven sent. His own businesses filed

for bankruptcy, 4 Chapter 11s, in the 90s wiping out more than a billion dollars of unsecured debt.

The client now qualifies for and is eligible for Chapter 7 under the means test and all her assets are exempt so she gets to keep all her assets including her retirement account of $50,000and her fully paid MB 300 in 2013, while wiping out the entire $100,000.

So she goes for it 10 years late because as we said earlier, better late than never.

Client no. 2 is 52 and married.

I did his join Chapter 7 exactly 20 years ago. Then, he and wife were able to discharge $20,000 of credit cards and an uninsured car accident liability of $40,000.

They got the fresh start then, and now he has racked up another $30,000 of credit card debt, while the wife has her own credit cards too. The client recently lost his job and his unemployment benefits are about to expire. Certainly, he wants a Chapter 7 discharge of his $30,000 of cards. However, he owns with his wife as joint tenants, their house worth $500,000 on which they owe a total of $300,000. So, they have equity of $200,000. But since he is only 52, their homestead exemption is only $100,000, leaving nonexempt equity of $100,000. This means that if he does a Chapter 7, the trustee will sell their house for $500,000, give him $100,000 for his exempt equity, and use the rest to pay off his $30,000 credit cards, and if there is any money left, the balance will also be given to him.

Chapter 7 is not advisable in this case, as the client will lose his house for $30,000 of credit cards. This makes no sense.

Why lose over your family’s head for the sake of credit card debt? Makes no sense whatsoever. The client needs to file Chapter 13 to protect his house from eventual judgment liens from the $30,000 credit cards.

Judgment lien creditors can force the sale of the house in order to get paid. Unbelievable but true! A judgment creditor for $5,000 with a lien on your house can force the sale of the house

u PAGE C5

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

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People and Events Filipino textile traditions to be showcased in ‘Strands’ exhibit at Pinta*Dos Gallery

by MICO LETARGO

THE Pinta*Dos Gallery in San Pedro, CA will host a two-part exhibition showcasing the ancestral weaving traditions of various indigenous tribes of the Philippines, and the works of contemporary Filipino and FilipinoAmerican artists inspired by the traditional fabrics and textiles.

Each part of the “Strands” exhibit will focus on a specific theme: The first—from May 26 to July 14, 2018—will feature fabrics and textiles from the private collection of Linda Nietes and Robert J. Little, Jr. The second—from August 18 to October 28, 2018—will feature the works of contemporary artists Cirilo Domine, Christine Morla, and Manila’s Aze Ong, all of whom have been conceptually, spiritually, or formally inspired to use textiles as a starting point of inquiry.

In a recent statement, co-curator Joseph Sancho Santarromana said that the selection of beautiful fabrics in Nietes’ collection “showcases a history of Filipino craftsmanship and design in textile that helps shape the Filipino identity.”

Nietes said that it is important to preserve these cultural works before they are gone, puting the exhibit’s mission and vision into a sombering perspective.

“I started collecting these textiles some 40 years ago to preserve the culture of the a group of people whose numbers are slowly diminishing,” Nietes said.

“And with their departure, their beautiful weaving traditions will likewise disappear.”

Some of the works in the collection include fabrics that use

Philippine abaca, a banana plant, made into Manila hemp that has been used for woven T’nalak textiles by the T’boli people of Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the artists featured in the second exhibit utilize and challenge some of the sensibilities of traditional Filipino textiles craftsmanship as well as notions of cultural identity, Santarromana added. Santarromana believes the two exhibits highlight the “roots and trajectory” of Filipino culture.

Co-curator Maryrose Cobarrubias Mendoza explained that Strands I—Nietes’ and Little’s collection—is an exhibition of more than 30 works in textile, clothing, jewelry, and accessories in a displayed in a salon-style manner.

Strands II—the contemporary artists showcase—will incorporate modern Filipino and Fil-Am works in textile, paper, yarn, cro-

chet, painting, and installation.

“I am interested in honoring the traditions of the Philippines and sharing points of view from contemporary artists of Philippine descent with the Fil-Am community,” Mendoza said.

The opening receptions for the exhibitions will be held on May 26th and August 18th respectively, from 4pm to 7pm, at the Pinta*Dos Gallery located at 479 West Sixth Street, Suite 107, Historic Arts District, San Pedro, CA 90731. **** “Strands: Indigenous Filipino Textiles” and “Strands II: Contemporary Artists Encounter Textile” are presented by Pinta*Dos Gallery.

Gallery Hours: Thurs. thru Sat. 3pm – 6pm or by appointment Address: 479 West Sixth Street, Suite 107, Historic Arts District, San Pedro, CA 90731 Tel: (310) 514-9139

Clients seek to discharge $100K...

PAGE C4 t

to satisfy the judgment as a last resort.

Chapter 13 will protect client’s house from judgments occurring in the future from the $30,000 of credit cards. The Chapter 13 plan will allow him to pay the $30,000 at the rate of $500 a month. On the 60th month, the court will give him an order of discharge.

At that time, he will owe credit cards zero. Using Chapter 13 to handle his $30,000 credit cards entails no risk of losing his house because the Chapter 13 trustees have no power to sell debtor houses, unlike Chapter 7 trustees who are hungry for houses with non-exempt equity.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will an-

alyze 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.

C MAY 26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

&

ICE deports student for not attending classes

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently issued a press release that they had a student removed/deported, when they found out that he was not attending class, as is required with a student visa.

That student was enrolled in college as a nonimmigrant F-1 international student in an academic and cultural program. As an F-1 student, he was “required to attend classes, which he did not.” He was then placed in deportation/removal proceedings.

Eventually, in March 2018, the immigration judge ordered this student deported/removed because “he did not comply with the terms of his nonimmigrant status.” As a result, he would not be allowed to return to the U.S. for at least 10 years. But even after 10 years, it will be unlikely he will be able to gain another nonimmigrant visa. I don’t think a consul would issue him another student visa, or even a visitor visa, especially since he violated his student visa and was deported because of it.

Although he was deported on the grounds he had violated his student visa status by not attend-

ing classes, it seems there were other underlying issues in this particular case. The ICE press release indicated he was arrested “for being a security concern on campus.” It was also noted that people around him “noticed a distressing change in this young man,” and alerted campus police.

He also purchased high-powered firearms. Therefore, although he was deported/removed for not attending classes, it could be that U.S. government officials were concerned he had mental issues and may have eventually become a school shooter.

But the point remains that under the Trump administration, the government is being very strict about people’s compliance with their existing visa and visa status. If they have a student visa, they should attend school.

If they have a visitor visa, they should visit and not work. If they have an H-1B working visa, they should be working at the job and for the employer who filed the petition, and not moonlight.

Noncompliance could always come up when a person applies for an extension or change of non- immigrant visa status.

When an extension or change of status is filed, the Department of Homeland Security may question them, and ask them to document

and prove they complied with their previous immigration status, either by attending school, working for the employer who petition them, etc. If they did not, they may face the same consequences as this student -- removal. ***

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

‘PH more active in blockchain tech than West’

a Chinese-organized international blockchain summit and exhibition are to be held in Manila.

THE Philippines is seen as more On the sidelines of the Australengaged in blockchain technology ian Innovation Summit in Makati than Western countries, an Aus- City, Ronald Tucker, founder and tralian commerce group said on president of the Australian Digital Tuesday, May 22 a month before Commerce Association, told reby MA. LISBET

K. ESMAEL

ManilaTimes.net

porters that the country was more open to the technology.

Blockchain technology is a digitized and decentralized public ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions, according to the Investopedia website.

PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something.

It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”

– Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, Inc. and Chuck E. Cheese

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018

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D MAY26-29, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Dirty money monitoring expanded to jewelry dealers, fund managers by lawrence

agcaoIlI Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is strictly monitoring jewelry dealers, fund managers, lawyers, and accountants as it continues to step up efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

AMLC Secretariat executive director Mel Georgie Racela said the council has issued a resolution adopting the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism FinancIn 2018, IMD said among the key “challenges” for the Philippines are investing in quality infrastructure, increasing investment in human ing (AML/CTF) guidelines for Descapital particularly on health and education, and strengthening institutions.

Benson Kua/CC BY-SA, File ignated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBP).

Racela said the Philippines would now be more technically compliant with international standards as the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) which cited the country’s lack of a regulatory framework for DNFBP in its last mutual evaluation in 2008.

Racela said the guidelines were based on Republic Act 10365 signed by former president Betiveness and mitigating political comes to establishing plans and nigno Simeon Aquino III which

by Ian nIcolas cIgaral operations there,” Bris added. risks.

Philstar.com included as covered persons jewThe United States returns to elry dealers in precious stones and “I think that the Philippines MANILA, Philippines — The has been booming as a coun- the first spot, followed by Hong metals; company service providers Philippine economy experienced try where large multinationals Kong, Singapore, the Nether- who deliver fund or securities the most significant decline in the can bring their global services lands and Switzerland. management services for other region in terms of competitive- like [information technology] According to IMD, the return persons, and persons and entities ness dragged by “worsening” or [human resources],” Arturo of the US to the top was driven by who, as a business, provide servtourism, employment and public Bris, director of the IMD World its strength in economic performfinances, as well as concerns Competitiveness Center, was ance and infrastructure. about the country’s education quoted as saying in a report by “This year’s results reinforce system. a crucial trait of the competitiveBusinessWorld.

The country fell nine notches “But compared to other coun- ness landscape. Countries un- PAGE D1 to 50th spot out of 63 economies tries like Indonesia and specifi- dertake different paths towards The move of some financial tracked in this year’s World Com- cally Vietnam, it is lacking appeal competitiveness transformation,” leaders’ to increase blockchain petitiveness Ranking published for foreign investors when it Bris said in a statement. presence in the market is proof of

by Switzerland-based business this, he added. school International Institute for “[It is an opportunity to] apply Management Development. that technology in a market where The Philippines also slipped to the conditions are much better for 13th place from its 11th ranking that transformation than in some in 2017 among 14 Asia-Pacific of Western economies, where the nations. change can be more difficult,” Across sub-factors, the counTucker said. try’s rank dropped in terms of He noted that banks in Australia economic performance, governpreferred the traditional model, ment efficiency, business effiand thus might not entertain the ciency and infrastructure. idea of adopting emerging techIn 2018, IMD said among the nologies. key “challenges” for the PhilipThey profit under the existing pines are investing in quality model, and are perhaps “less infrastructure, increasing investinterested in driving changes,” ment in human capital particularhe said. ly on health and education, and Blockchain summit strengthening institutions.

His statements came ahead of IMD also pointed out that the the Global Blockchain Summit and Southeast Asian nation struggles Inaugural Blockchain Application with increasing digital competiInfographic by Philstar.com

Philippines drops the most in Asia in competitiveness ranking

ices to organize, create, and manage companies and arrangements under the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.

“Inclusion of DNFBP as covered persons is something new to us. Businesses and professions that, until now, have played a marginal role in our fight against money laundering and terrorism financing will find themselves heavily involved in it. The AMLC itself had very little contact with these DNFBP prior to 2018. It will probably take time for the newlyadopted measures to take root. But we have one foot through the door, and this is a remarkable achievement,” Racela said.

According to Racela, DNFBP could be used as instruments in the commission of money laundering and terrorism financing.

“Certainly, professional secrecy cannot be used as a cloak to commit crime. I see that in the foreseeable future, the Philippines will come to embrace international AML/CTF standards more and more,” he said.

Under the guidelines, the AMLC would now oversee the compliance by DNFBP with the provisions of the AMLA. Furthermore, lawyers and accountants who provide the services enumerated under Section 3(a)(7) of the AMLA, as amended,

are considered covered persons, and must, therefore, report covered and suspicious transactions to the AMLC. “Nonetheless, following the law, the guidelines respect the attorney-client privilege and other client confidences, and recognize that some lawyers and accountants perform these services, not as a business but as their bread and butter, or primary source of income,” AMLC said.

AMLC now requires DNFBP to register, submit deeds of undertaking to comply with the provisions of the AMLA, and to attend regular AML/CTF trainings just like money service businesses as stated under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 942.

The guidelines governing DNFBP were also patterned largely after the casino implementing rules and regulations issued last October.

President Duterte signed RA 10927 placing casinos as covered persons under RA No. 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA) and authorized the AMLC to adopt implementing rules and regulations.

The international policy-making body Financial Action Task Force (FATF) considers both casinos, the non-financial businesses and professions as DNFBP.

‘PH more active in blockchain tech than West’ Exhibition at the Manila Marriott Hotel’s International Hall in Pasay City on June 24.

In a statement, organizer Lailook Finance said the summit would gather politicians, international experts, and scholars on the technology “to forecast the new global economy of blockchain.”

The event, hosted by the Global Blockchain Application Research Foundation and GOBA Foundation, shall deal with topics ranging from digital currency considerations and internet giants’ view of blockchain technology to opportunities and challenges the blockchain industry presents to service providers.

Preciosa Monica D.V. Ang (seated, far left), senior executive vice-president of The Manila Times College, poses with speakers and organizers of the Global Blockchain Summit and Inaugural Blockchain Application Exhibition during a press conference at the Manila Marriott Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Pasay City on May 20.

Photo by Andrea De La Cruz

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Marketplace

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 26-29, 2018 D

Philippines seeks Korea assistance in development of e-vehicle industry

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeking the assistance of Korea in the development of the country’s electric vehicle industry as the country prepares to go full speed with its public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Officials of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), together with high-level Department of Trade and Industry officials, met recently with representatives of the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in Seoul to identify ways on how Korea, being more advanced in electric vehicle technology, can support the Philippines’ electric vehicle industry.

EVAP said Korea’s assistance is very timely given the ongoing PUV modernization program of

the government that seeks to upgrade dilapidated PUVs. During the meeting, EVAP said the Philippines proposed a cooperation with Korea in the joint conduct of a market feasibility study on electric vehicle to include safety standards, regulations, and financing.

The country is also considering to adapt the safety and quality control systems of Korea and how the two countries can possibly collaborate to achieve the goals of PUV modernization program of the Philippines within the Duterte administration.

“We know our government is very supportive of this sunrise industry and we just need reliable electric vehicle technology, parts, and components to use in the PUV modernization program of the government.

These are things Korea has,” EVAP president Rommel Juan

said.

The PUV modernization program of the Department of Transportation and the DTI is aimed at upgrading some 200,000 PUVs over the next six years. Specifically, the target are vehicles that are more than the maximum allowable 15 years of age.

The old PUVs will be replaced with the modern PUVs that are powered by either brand-new Euro 4 compliant diesel engines or electric motors.

The program is part of efforts to provide a safer transport system for commuters while Members of Stop TRAIN Network hold a signature drive at the MRT North Avenue Station in Quezon City, May 22, 2018, against the Tax Reform mitigating the effects of climate for Accelaration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law which has caused new taxes to commodities. They call on Congress to scrap the new tax law, which they tag as a burden on consumers.

The STAR/Michael Varcas change.

Considering its current manufacturing capability and state of the domestic electric vehicle industry, EVAP is targeting to provide about 10 percent of the total volume, or 20,000 units, over the next six years.

Emperador focuses on overseas business

by KaRl

R. ocampo Inquirer.net

TYCOON Andrew Tan-led Emperador Inc. plans to focus on growing its international business this year to maximize a string of storied European companies and assets that it had acquired in recent years.

In a briefing after the stockholders’ meeting of Emperador Inc., president and director Winston Co said the company would earmark the bulk of its capital expenditure overseas— specifically in Scotland—as its scotch whisky business continued to grow.

Without giving any figure, Co said consumption of premium liquor had been rising particularly in the Europe, Asia and North America.

“A lot of people gained purchasing power. In fact, we are already seeing this happening today … We believe our imported brands like Fundador, Shackleton and Whyte and Mackay

will be bought by consumers in a 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, namely, the Presidente, Azteca de Oro, and Don Pedro under Mexico’s Pernod Ricard.

In 2014, it also bought Scottish whisky maker Whyte and Mackey as part of a plan to go beyond its traditional brandy offering.

According to Co, brandy remains the main revenue driver of its local business, while whisky is strong overseas. The goal then is to promote brandy more aggressively in the international market and increase the presence of whisky and other premium liquor in the Philippines.

Despite the imposition of an additional excise tax on alcohol products, Co said the company was banking on the country’s

expanding economy to grow its business in the country.

Co noted that the adjustment in the income tax of middle-income earners gave consumers stronger purchasing power that enabled more people to spend on luxury items like liquor.

For this year, Emperador will be adding three more Fundador Cafés in the country where visitors can enjoy spiked coffees and cupcakes, in addition to its flagship store in Venice Grand Canal Mall, also owned

by Tan. Emperador Inc. independent director Enrique Soriano said they were hoping there would not be any further increase in the excise tax on alcohol products.

“I think everybody in the industry feel the same way. The 4 percent is already good for the government. The current law on excise tax is actually quite enough … Any further increase would be a problem” he said.

Dominguez: TRAIN has been ‘unfairly’ blamed for rising consumer prices by ian

nicolas cigaRal Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — It is “unfair” to blame the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act for the rising consumer prices, the country’s Finance chief said Tuesday, May 22 as the Duterte administration defends the new tax law that critics call “anti-poor.”

The tax reform law—which lowers personal income taxes while raising excise levies on fuel, sugary drinks and cigarettes, among others—has been adding upward price pressures to widely used goods and services.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers say Congress might “suspend” the TRAIN law if inflation becomes unmanageable.

In his opening statement during the first congressional hearing on Package 2 of the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the TRAIN law contributes only four-tenths of a percent to the inflation rate.

“This means that for every additional peso our people have to

spend because of inflation, only 9 centavos can be attributed to TRAIN,” Dominguez explained.

Using 2012 as base year, the overall surge in prices of key consumer items accelerated to a five-year high of 4.5 percent in April, putting the year-to-date tally to 4.1 percent or above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2-4 percent target range.

According to Dominguez, fully two-thirds of last April’s inflation rate was “typical” of a rapidly expanding economy, while the remaining was due mainly to higher global oil prices, weaker peso and robust spike in domestic demand.

Dominguez then noted that the TRAIN law’s inflationary impact—which he projects to diminish over the coming months—was limited on prices of “sin” products and sugary beverages, adding that the tax rates imposed on these commodities are intentionally punitive to improve the health of Filipinos.

He also said the Philippines is expected to bag rating upgrades soon due to the implementation of the TRAIN law.

To recall, international debt

watcher S&P Global Ratings recently raised its outlook for the Philippine economy to “positive” from “stable” and said the country’s ratings could be bumped up if the government’s fiscal reform program leads to “further achievements” in the next two years.

“Revenue policies, after all, are not only about raising money to reduce deficits or meet our debt payments. More importantly, they are effective instruments for reducing poverty, investing in the future and fashioning a fairer society,” Dominguez said.

The central bank, which recently lifted policy rates to curb soaring commodity prices, now expects inflation to remain elevated in the coming months and peak “towards the end of 2018,” citing a possible jump in world crude prices and second-round effects of the tax reform law.

For his part, House Ways and Means Committee Chairperson Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua (Quirino) urged the government to immediately implement the social protection measures provided in the TRAIN act amid strong calls from various sectors to freeze the law.

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Rural banks urged to use fintech to Peso touches 12-year low Bangko Sentral lets PH currency seek own level reach ‘unbanked’ Filipinos

by Daxim

by InquIrer.net 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 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

m. Lucas

Inquirer.net

BSP Gov. Nestor Espenilla

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

Inquirer.net photo

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.

THE Philippine peso hit its lowest level in almost 12 years during intraday trading on Wednesday, May 24 as traders braced themselves for the possibility of more capital outflows next month.

The local currency declined to as low as P52.60 to the dollar during the morning session after the US Federal Reserve released details from their latest meeting pointing to the possibility of a rate hike in June.

Higher interest rates in the world’s largest economy make investing in securities more attractive, resulting in investors selling pesos to buy dollars.

The peso opened the session weaker at 52.50 and slid to 52.60 — the lowest since July 2006 — before recovering slightly to

GomEz

ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine coconut industry is yet to reach its maximum potential, particularly when it comes to coconut oil production and value adding, the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) said recently.

UCAP said the billion-dollar industry lags behind those of India and Indonesia, despite the Philippines remaining the world’s top exporter of the commodity.

Data from UCAP showed that the country’s coconut oil (CNO) exports in 2017 reached $1.461 billion for a 30-percent increase from the $1.050 billion generated the prior year.

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“It is the biggest agricultural export, yet there is way more we can do specially in higher value product exports”, UCAP Chairman Dean Lao Jr. said.

“Local demand for coconut oil can also be bolstered to help augment revenues lost for farmers due to external market forces,” he added.

Philippine Statistics Authority data from 2016 showed there are about 3.6 million hectares of land planted to about 338.7 million fruit-bearing coconut trees, accounting for 26 percent of total agricultural land in the country.

Average coconut yield is 4,000 nuts per hectare annually, which is lower compared to world leader India that has an average of

10,000 nuts per hectare every year.

Lao said the coconut industry can do better as CNO has potentials that can contribute to the improvement of the country’s total agriculture output.

“Coconut oil can be used to produce countless products— from cooking oil to food ingredients, medicines, and natural consumer goods like soaps and detergents,” he added.

Earlier this month, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) requested the National Biofuels Board to raise coco-biodiesel blend in automotive diesel from the current 2 percent to 5 percent to boost the price of CNO. PCA Administrator Romulo de

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peso either,” he added.

“With the break of P52.50, the next resistance is “53.00,” he said.

“Expect the currency to range within the P52.30-P52.60 levels in the near-term.”

The central bank, however, is letting the currency seek its own level instead of expending its resources to defend it.

Espenilla pointed out earlier that the country had more than ample dollar reserves, now at about P80 billion, to meet the needs of the country, whether they be Filipinos needing dollars to pay for foreign goods and services or investors repatriating their assets overseas.

More recently, Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla Jr. said the central bank could afford to use up to $20 billion of its reserves to meet the dollar outflow needs of the country.

Marawi rehab, PPP projects lined up for ADB funding by mary

GracE Philstar.com

PaDin

MANILA, Philippines — Three projects focused on public-private partnerships (PPP), financial inclusion and Marawi rehabilitation are in the pipeline for possible funding assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

PH coco industry needs improvement

by EirEEnE JairEE

52.45 to a dollar.

It closed the trading session at P52.55 to a dollar which was weaker than the previous day’s level of P52.47. Trading was brisk with a total of $899.95 million exchanged between currencies, compared to Wednesday’s $529.9 million.

“That’s the market. It goes up and down,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said when asked about the peso’s weakness.

BDO Unibank chief strategist Jonas Ravelas, meanwhile, said the prospects of a rate hike in the United States to head off inflationary pressures would continue to provide a boost to the dollar against other currencies like the peso.

“The recent rise in oil prices and the continued outflow of foreign funds are not helping the

la Rosa said the move to increase the coco-biodiesel blend “could effectively support coconut farmers and farm workers” who are threatened by the declining prices of CNO in the international market.

UCAP also said the advocacy will create new demand for coconut oil and bolster coconut farmers’ revenue.

“More importantly, the inclusive benefits to the country include less dependence on oil importation, less forex outflow, and mileage improvement for motorists,” it added.

For 2018, PCA projected CNO exports could decline by at least a fifth to $1.2 billion from lower international prices.

Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Edita Tan said the projects are in various stages of the approval process, but two of them may be signed within the year.

Among these is the Expanding Private Participation in Infrastructure Program, which seeks to strengthen the country’s PPP policy to increase investments in infrastructure, particularly by the private sector.

“We have several projects in the pipeline. There’s this program loan for Expanding Private Participation in Infrastructure Program, Subprogram 2. This is actually focusing on reforms for the PPP, regulations, and procedures.

That’s about $300 million (in financing assistance),” Tan said.

According to Tan, the project has already been approved by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and is awaiting the issuance of a special presidential authority before the government can negotiate its terms with the ADB. “This will be signed sometime in July,” Tan said.

Another one in the pipeline for ADB financing is the Inclusive Finance Development Program, which would entail $300 million in assistance from the bank.

The program aims to support government efforts to increase

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financial inclusion in the country by supporting policy actions under the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.

“For the Inclusive Finance Development Program, we’ve requested for the DBCC approval. So this may take a while,” Tan said.

She said the government is targeting to have the loan agreement for the project signed by September this year.

Meanwhile, Tan said the ADB has also committed to support the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City.

“They are very much interested in providing assistance for Marawi. So we are looking into that,” she said.

The DOF official said the ADB is eyeing to finance road projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Marawi, together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

In January this year, the government and the ADB signed a $380 million loan agreement for the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP.) The project involves the construction of 280 kilometers of national primary, secondary and tertiary roads and bridges in the Zamboanga Peninsula and TawiTawi in Mindanao.

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