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Volume 29 - no. 20 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE US to continue operations in disputed sea despite China’s dissent - Pentagon from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

WAshINGtoN will continue to conduct freedom of navigation operations (foNoPs) and confront China’s increasing militarization in the south China sea, U.s. Defense secretary Jim mattis said. mattis noted that the U.s. has always been transparent on its operations in the contested waters and that there’s only “one country” that has expressed opposition against the foNoPs. “on the foNoPs, they’re freedom of navigation operations. And you’ll notice there’s only one country that seems to take active steps to rebuff them or state their resentment of them,” mattis told reporters aboard a U.s. military plane. the Pentagon chief further noted that Washington is not hiding its operations in the south China sea as it has always been announced through public affairs statements.

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Duterte doubts US readiness to defend PH vs extremists PresIDeNt rodrigo Duterte has raised doubts whether the United states would be ready to help defend the Philippines from Islamic militants amid concerns raised by some groups over the administration’s dealing with China.

“Because of the threat here in mindanao, you must have an option of where to go.

Is America ready to die for us? Are they ready to send their troops here? or can I call China for more arms because we do not have it?” Duterte said during the inauguration of a bridge in Davao City on thursday, may 25.

Duterte made the statement after some sectors questioned why the government did not contest Beijing’s deployment of missiles and other military equipment in the south China sea. the U.s. was the first to provide missiles, guns, ammunition and other weaponry as

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may 3 1 - j u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8

PH to build 5 lighthouses in Spratly Islands mANILA — the government is building five lighthouses in the south China sea features occupied by the Philippines to ensure the safety of transiting ships and to improve the living conditions of filipinos in the area, an official said on Wednesday, may 30.

National security Adviser hermogenes esperon Jr. said lighthouses are being constructed in Pag-asa, Parola, Likas, Patag and Kota, islets that are

part of the spratly Islands.

“We are upgrading facilities for the comfort of our people,” esperon said during the Kapihan sa manila Bay forum in manila.

“Lighthouses are now being constructed features held by the Philippines to ensure safety of navigation, along our responsibility under the UNCLos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea) to provide

navigational safety for all international vessels transiting the West Philippine sea,” he added. esperon said the construction of lighthouses, which costs about P10 million, is part of the government’s effort to upgrade Philippine-claimed features in the West Philippine sea. the government is also upgrading port and airstrip facilities in Pag-asa island, the largest of the nine features controlled by the

Philippines in the spratly Islands. “this is necessary for trade, the preservation of the livelihood of the fisherfolk, and the timely delivery of basic necessities of the community in the municipality of Pag-asa,” the national security adviser said.

“It is but natural (to carry out upgrades) because we have a fishing community there,” he added.

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PNP chief: Human rights important in drug war

by Ritchel

Mendiola/AJPress

ACCorDING to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General oscar Albayalde, human rights are paramount in the police’s campaign against drugs. he also insisted that the police force is not lacking in training on human rights awareness in their operations. “the rules of engagement are para- PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde mount in every poInquirer.net photo lice operation, and respect for human rights is one of them,” he said. this is why police operatives are instructed to DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS. President Rodrigo Duterte waves to his supporters upon his arrival at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay

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City for his attendance to the San Beda University (SBU) Commencement Exercises on Tuesday, May 29.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Cayetano: ‘Prove Philippines lost an island to China and I will quit’

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

the Philippines has not lost a single inch of its territory to China under President rodrigo Duterte’s watch, according to foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, even promising to quit public office if proven otherwise.

Cayetano on monday, may 28, dared his critics to prove the Duterte administration failed in protecting the country’s rights over disputed islands in the south China sea.

“I challenge anyone of them.

Whatever their professions are— justice, politician, newsman, journalist—if we lost a single island during Duterte’s time, I will pack my bags, go home and I will not serve the public in any elected or appointed position,” Cayetano said during his department’s flagraising ceremony. this was in response to an article published by the Philippine star on sunday, may 27, entitled “how many islands does Philippines still have?”

In the article, columnist federi-

co Pascual Jr. said the “smart answer to the question ‘how many islands comprise the Philippines?’ used to be: ‘Depends on whether it’s low or high tide.’ Not anymore — now the cautious reply is: ‘Before or after Duterte?’”

“Are you willing to face this administration, and show us which island feature or inch, square-inch we lost during Duterte’s time? I’m willing to show you what we lost in the last administration,” Cayetano responded.

China has deployed surface-

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PH Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

Philstar.com photo

DOT chief: Tulfo’s ‘Bitag’ hasn’t given P60-M back Ancajas retains IBF title by outboxing Sultan

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

the P60 million paid by the Department of tourism (Dot) for advertisements on Ben tulfo’s — brother of resigned tourism secretary Wanda tulfo-teo — show on government channel PtV-4 has yet to be returned, current tourism secretary Bernadette romuloPuyat said.

“It has not been returned,” Puyat said regarding the promise of Ben tulfo’s company, Bitag media Unlimited Inc., to return the money.

When asked if she had followed up on the return of the funds, Puyat answered, “they said they would.

But I will check again. they might have returned it today (tuesday, may 29).” however, ramon tulfo, the elCONFIRMED. The Commission on Appointments (CA) recommended to the plenary the confirmation of the position of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat (left). She dest of the tulfo brothers, said that was endorsed to the plenary by the CA Committee on Tourism and Economic Development, lawyer ferdinand topacio was not replacing Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo after she resigned due to a PhP 60-million advertisement speaking on behalf of the tulfos deal with PTV-4. Also in the photo is her father, former Department of Foreign Affairs when topacio promised that Ben (DFA) Secretary Alberto Romulo (center) held at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, May 29.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

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by dong

Secuya Philboxing.com

fresNo, CA – Jerwin Ancajas retained his IBf world super flyweight title by outboxing mandatory challenger Jonas sultan in the first all-filipino world title fight in 93 years at the save mart Center here saturday night, may 26. (sunday morning, may 27, in manila). Ancajas got the nod of judges Wayne hedgepeth, Jonathan Davis and Daniel sandoval with scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 117-111. sultan has been exposed for his lack of skill while Ancajas was content in sniping and controlling the fight most of the night.

Ancajas’s tactical approach to the fight made the skirmish dull and the mostly mexican crowd of about 8,000 became listless and booed both fighters in many rounds and many of the fans head to the exit early. sultan, tried as he might,

Jerwin Ancajas beat Jonas Sultan in a historic all-Filipino world title fight to keep the IBF super flyweight crown in the main event on Saturday, May 26, at Save Smart Center in Fresno, California.

Photo by Jhay Otamias

could find way to penetrate the action heated up in the Ancajas’s solid stance. here last four rounds as sultan tried and there, sultan lands a loop- to force the issue and to make ing left but Ancajas took them the fight into a street fight but well.

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

may 31-June 6, 2018 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

From The FronT Page

PNP chief: Human rights important...

PAGE A1 conduct outright investigations into cases that are perceived as unjustly executed or were done without due process, Albayalde added.

The police chief also asserted that the safety of police operatives is equally important — specifically, situations that are too dangerous during police operations.

A featured guest in the premier episode of the talk show “The

Chiefs” that airs at 8:30 p.m. on One News Cignal TV 8 and 250 (HD), Albayalde talked about police safety and protection.

“What happens on the ground if there is danger on the part of the operatives is something that we cannot control,” he told “The Chiefs” hosts Amy Pamintuan, Ed Lingao and Roby Alampay.

Albayalde also talked about how PNP does not condone any misconduct.

“There have been 608 cases of violations of human rights involving policemen and this is a good indication that we are not tolerating any wrongdoing,” he said.

Lawmen who committed infractions are being filed with administrative and criminal charges, and the PNP is intensifying measures to prevent police officers from committing abuses when implementing the anti-drug campaign.

“Before we used the shotgun approach, anti-illegal drug operations now are limited to identified drug personalities,” he said.

The PNP would continue with what has been started in the war on drugs, Albayalde said, because “it has been a good one, especially in the improved tokhang and buy-bust procedures.”

Presidential Communications Operations Office chief Secretary Martin Andanar, meanwhile, presented the updated and consolidated figures in the campaign against drugs on Tuesday, May 29.

A total of 4,279 drug personalities were reportedly killed in the police’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, and at least P20 billion worth of illegal drugs was seized from July 1, 2016 to May 15, 2018. 192 clandestine shabu laboratories were also dismantled. #RealNumberPH is the consolidated figure in the accomplishment against illegal drugs, according to Andanar.

“These are real numbers that we need to know, all else are either false, misinformation or fake,” Andanar said.

Through #RealNumbersPH, the PNP is taking intervention to rehabilitate drug surrenderees, as stated by National Capital Regional Police Office chief Director Camilo Cascolan.

About 1.2 million drug personalities have surrendered as of last count.

PNP will continue the intensified campaign against illegal drugs, Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, deputy chief for administration confirmed.

“We know there are more challenges to come, but we assure you that the PNP will never give up until peace and order is achieved.

As the president said, we won’t stop until the last drug trafficker, drug pusher, drug lord and user surrender or are put behind bars,” Apolinario said. n

WAGE HIKE PLEA. Militants protest against low wages, price hikes and contractualization in front of the Department of Trade and Industry’s office in Makati on Tuesday, May 29. They claim that the workers are the ones suffering from high prices of basic commodities while wages remain low and contractualization prevails.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

PH to build 5 lighthouses...

PAGE A1 Esperon said the upgrade and repair of the runway on Pag-asa, which China calls Thitu island, would allow the government to send supplies to troops stationed in the area.

China claims historic rights over about 90 percent of the South China Sea including Spratly

Islands while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

While China has been aggressively building new structures, including military facilities, in disputed areas, planned improvements in Philippine-held features were delayed to avoid tensions.

Earlier this month, think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative reported that the Philippines has started the repairs on Pag-asa island, which is inhabited by about 100 Filipinos. Upgrades were also observed on Lawak Island, Panata Island and Rizal Reef. (Alexis Romero/Philstar. com)

Cayetano: ‘Prove Philippines lost...

PAGE A1 to-air and cruise missiles, radio jamming equipment and military transport aircraft to its “big three” islands in the Spratly group since the year started.

Cayetano insisted the government is taking diplomatic actions whenever necessary. Although critics have slammed President

Rodrigo Duterte’s “defeatist” stance on the long-standing maritime dispute, Cayetano assured that the president is ready to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. “The president has said that. If anyone gets the natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, he will go to war,” Cayetano said.

This is contrary to what the president had said in the past — that he would not go to a war he could not win, and that he preferred to maintain friendship with China rather than engage the Asian giant in a war over the two countries’ territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. n

Ancajas retains IBF title by...

PAGE A1 Ancajas, with his highly superior skill, caught Sultan many times coming in. In the last round, Sultan gave his all but got a lump in his forehead in return courtesy of Ancajas’s head

and body combinations.

Sultan may have failed his chance of a lifetime as his skill level was not up to it while Ancajas will continue his journey to probably become the Philippines’ new face of boxing.

If anything, Sultan showed his toughness as he broke Ancajas’s knockout streak to four.

Ancajas improves his record to 30 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw with 20 knockouts while Sultan dropped to 14-4-3, 9 KOs. n

Duterte doubts US readiness to defend...

PAGE A1 well as surveillance equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines when Maute terrorists laid siege to Marawi in May lasy year. Australia followed, providing drones.

China and Russia later donated guns and bullets.

Duterte reiterated that the Philippines could not afford to wage war against China.

He also maintained that he is not abandoning the Philippines’ claims to the disputed areas in the South China Sea. “We cannot afford a war. We cannot win a battle against China and I would only lose maybe thousands of my troops and policemen,” he said.

Duterte had blamed the U.S. for not lifing a finger when China started building military equipment in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Sen. Leila de Lima called on the president to convene the National Security

Council (NSC) in a bid to take up China’s militarization of the South China Sea. De Lima said the country could not afford to remain silent while China continues to construct structures and install missiles in the disputed waters.

She filed Senate Resolution 744, asking the president to convene the NSC, the principal advisory body on the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting national security.

“Diplomatic actions are no longer options as the military activities of China in the West Philippine Sea have placed the whole country under perpetual threat,” De Lima said.

“The president should be presented all possible actions, including forceful diplomacy, close collaboration with allies such as Australia, Japan and the United States, renewed partnership with Indonesia,

Vietnam and other allies in the ASEAN, and availment of other UN mechanisms,” she added.

China has reportedly deployed cruise ship and surface-to-air missiles on three islands in the Spratlys, where the Philippines is one of six claimant-countries.

Beijing has also landed bombers on an outpost in the South China Sea. Duterte admitted shedding a tear after he led the ceremonial valve opening of the Polyard-3 well, operated by the China International Mining Petroleum Co. Ltd. In Cebu City last weekend.

“Last week, I was in Alegria, Cebu. For the first time nakita ko ‘yung apoy na (I saw the fire)... When I turned on the valve para lumabas ‘yung (langis) pag-uwi ko sa chopper kunyari nag-wipe ako ng face ko but I cried. At least for the first time nakita ko oil (I saw oil),” the president said. (Marvin Sy/ Philstar.com) n

PH to join world’s biggest war games

by Dempsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines will for the first time participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (Rimpac), the world’s biggest international maritime war games, to be held off Hawaii in June.

The maneuvers will be led by the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. The biennial exercises will train thousands of personnel from more than two dozen countries on seamanship.

The Philippine Navy will deploy one landing dock ship, one frigate and an Agusta Westland helicopter for the Rimpac, Capt. Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesman, said.

“In the past years, we were active and regularly sending participants as observers for the Rimpac, but this time, it will be the first time we will be sending our ships, the Tarlac class and Del Pilar class and an aircraft [with]around 700 sailors and marines,” Lincuna told reporters.

“We have now the capability to send ships and aircraft to participate in one of the biggest naval exercises in the world,” he added.

Earlier, Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said the Philippines will deploy 700 sailors and marines for Rimpac. They will sail for Hawaii on the first week of June.

Rimpac is held every two years in Hawaii in June and July.

This year, around 30 navies across the world are expected to

The Philippines will participate in the world’s biggest international maritime war games to be held off Hawaii in June.

Inquirer.net photo

participate. The naval exercises seek to enhance the interoperability among the armed forces of the Pacific Rim. Last week, the Pentagon pulled its invitation for China to join the maritime exercises in the Pacific because of Beijing’s “continued militarization” of the South China Sea. “China’s continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilize the region,” Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Logan said.

“We have disinvited the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. China’s behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exer-

cise,” he added.

He said the Pentagon has strong evidence that China has deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and electronic jammers to “contested features” in the Spratly Islands region of the South China Sea. “While China has maintained that the construction of the islands is to ensure safety at sea, navigation assistance, search and rescue, fisheries protection and other non-military functions, the placement of these weapon systems is only for military use,” Logan said, adding that the recent landing of a Chinese bomber on Woody Island had only exacerbated strains.

China participated in the naval exercises in 2014 and in 2016.

(With reports from AFP) n

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

Sen. Leila de Lima hailed as most distinguished Filipino rights defender

day denied her plea to be allowed to attend the graduation rites of her youngest son.

De Lima has been also recogRIGHTS watchdog Amnesty nized as one of the world’s greatInternational Philippines named est leaders by Fortune Magazine, Sen. Leila de Lima as the most one of the 100 Most Influential distinguished individual human People by Time Magazine, one rights defender. of the leading Global Thinkers in The detained senator bested 2016 and 2017 by Foreign Policy fellow Sen. Risa Hontiveros, LGMagazine and one of the SouthBTIQ and rights advocate Ryan east Asia’s Women to Watch by Silverio, PhilRights Executive Dithe Diplomat Magazine. rector Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan In 2017, she was recognized by and DAKILA Executive Director AI as one of the notable women Leni Velasco for the individual human rights defenders. category.

Aside from De Lima, DAKILA De Lima considered the recogwas recognized as the most disnition as a vindication from what tinguished human rights defender for organization. Floyd Scott Tiogangco and Christia Angela Roque were the recipients of Outstanding Young Human Rights Defender and Art that Matters for Film, respectively.

AI Philippines on Monday announced the awardees of the first-ever Ignite Awards for Human Rights—which recognizes the awardees’ impact in changing peoples’ lives through policy advocacy, mobilization and activism.

The awardees were chosen for their impact for human rights Sen. Leila de Lima considered the recognition as a vindication from what she called “politically- work (40 percent), coverage of motivated trumped-up charges” filed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. human rights work (40 percent) Philstar.com photo and credibility (20 percent). n

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

she called “politically-motivated trumped-up charges” filed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is with great honor to receive this latest accolade as recognition for my unwavering stance on human rights despite my continued unjust detention and political persecution,” the former Commission on Human Rights chairperson said.

De Lima, accused of protecting and coddling drug traders inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice secretary, is currently detained in Camp Crame.

A Muntinlupa court on Mon-

DFA alerts Filipinos in southeast US vs ‘Alberto’

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., has cautioned Filipinos living near the southeastern part of the United States against subtropical storm “Alberto.”

In an advisory issued on Monday, the DFA urged Filipino communities in the states of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi to “take extra precaution,” and follow the

warnings of local authorities as the storm enters the northern Gulf coast.

Citing information from the embassy, the DFA said Alberto is expected to dump heavy rain, consequently advising all Filipinos in the affected areas to prepare for flash floods, storm surges, strong winds, and tornadoes.

“There are 179,647 Filipinos in the areas that could be affected

(151,376 in Florida; 14,409 in Tennessee; and 8,244 in Alabama; and 5,683 in Mississippi),” DFA said in a statement.

“Filipinos who may require assistance in cases of emergency are requested to call +1-202-3682767,” DFA added.

According to the DFA, Alberto is the first storm in the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. (Inquirer. net)

DFA: No report of Filipinos affected by flash floods in Maryland THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the Philippine Embassy in Washington has not received reports of Filipinos affected by flash floods Maryland.

The embassy said it was monitoring the situation in southeast US, particularly in the city of Ellicott in Maryland, which was severely affected by the flash floods.

n a statement, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said the embassy is monitoring the condition of the more than 3,000 members of the Filipino Community in Ellicott.

He also reported that subtropical storm Alberto made landfall on Monday evening just west of Panama City in Florida.

Filipinos were advised to take extra caution and heed the warn-

ings of local authorities.

An estimated 25,500 members of the Filipino community are within the storm’s path.

“Our hearts go out to those who were affected by the floods in Maryland,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

“We also pray for the safety of everyone in the path of subtropical storm Alberto,” he added. (Inquirer.net)

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REAL NUMBERS. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Derrick Arnold Carreon; Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.; Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar; House Dangerous Drugs Committee Chairman Representative Robert Ace Barbers; Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña; Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil Military Operations J-7 MGen. Rene Glen Paje pose after the presentation of RealNumbers PH Year 2 in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, May 29. RealNumbers PH is the government’s report on the anti-illegal drugs campaign launched in May 2017.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Filipina Iraq War veteran earns Democratic ticket in Texas runoff 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

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

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 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

Gina Ortiz Jones

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 PAGE A4

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Dateline USa

may 31-June 6, 2018 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Duterte’s latest threat vs drug suspects calls Filipina students graduate Summa for urgency of ICC’s initial review — HRW Cum Laude from Wharton, NYU This should also prompt the United Nations to conduct a separate international inquiry PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s into the killings, the rights group fresh threat of summary execu- also stressed. tion against detained drug susLast week, Duterte told drug pects should send a message to suspects to find ways to get the International Criminal Court arrested and stay in jail if they that there is a “dire need” for a want to live longer. preliminary examination into the “You know if I were you guys government’s drug war, Human in Cebu, stay in jail. You want to Rights Watch said Wednesday. live longer? Stay in jail... Do not

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

go out of that facility. It would not be healthy for you,” the chief executive said.

Phelim Kine, HRW Asia Division deputy director, said the targets of the president’s threat h a v e “ g o o d re a s o n ” t o b e afraid.

“The brutal lesson of the antidrug campaign that Duterte launched on June 30, 2016 is that people he threatens with summary execution often end up in suspicious police ‘buy-bust’ operations, or at the hands of unidentified gunmen,” Kine said.

Duterte’s comments, Kine added, “send a clear message to police officers and other security force members that certain kinds of crime not only can be committed with impunity, but might even draw praise from the president.”

Recent government data showed that there were 4,279 alleged drug dealers and users who had died since the start of the government’s ferocious antinarcotics campaign. But rights groups have higher estimates of 12,000 drug personalities killed, mostly urban slum dwellers.

The HRW executive, moreover, called Duterte’s suggestion that drug suspects who are behind bars are safe from summary execution “perilously wrong,” citing the case of late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Espinosa, a suspected drug lord, was killed in an apparent rubout inside his detention cell on November 5, 2016.

The cops involved in the killing of Espinosa were reinstated. n

DOT chief: Tulfo’s...

PAGE A1 would return the money.

“When Topacio said the Tulfo brothers, in a family meeting, had decided to return the P60 million, the guy was talking for himself,” Ramon Tulfo said.

Wanda Teo-Tulfo resigned as Tourism secretary after the Commission on Audit raised a red flag over the P60 million payment made by the DOT for advertisements on “Kilos Pronto (Fast Action),” a public service show produced by Bitag Media and hosted by Ben and another Tulfo, Erwin.

Puyat was designated by President Rodrigo Duterte as Teo’s replacement on May 8. n

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by MoMar

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

Lara Andrea Montales

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

after her graduation.

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

Filipina Iraq War veteran earns Democratic...

PAGE A3 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 gen-

eration, openly veteran, openly Asian-American, openly everything,” and has used her multihyphenate 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 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, where they’re from or whom they love.” n

US to continue operations in disputed sea...

PAGE A1 Mattis reiterated that Chinese President Xi Jinping has reneged on his promise not to militarize the Spratly Islands.

“We have seen—the last month, they have done exactly that, moving weaponry in that was never there before,” Mattis said.

Beijing has deployed new missile systems and jamming equipment on its “big three” islands in the Spratlys. The Chinese Air Force also recently landed a nuclear-capable bomber aircraft on its outpost in the Paracel Islands.

Washington will continue to confront nations behaving out of step with international law, Mat-

tis said, referring to Beijing.

“That’s the way we do business in the world. But we are also going to confront what we believe is out of step with international law, out of step with international tribunals that have spoken on the issue, and part of this is we maintain a very transparent military activity out in the Pacific,” the Pentagon chief said.

Mattis stressed that US partners and allies are “very open” with Washington’s FONOPs in the region.

“So, when they do things that are opaque to the rest of us, then we cannot cooperate in areas that we would otherwise cooperate in,” he said.

Last week, the Pentagon withdrew its invitation for China to participate in the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercises, the world’s largest multinational naval exercise.

The Pentagon said that the decision to disinvite China was an “initial response” to the latter’s militarization of the South China Sea. “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,” the Pentagon said in a statement. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote.

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING FOR THE 2018 PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the June 12, 2018 Primary Election will begin on May 26, Saturday, and continues through June 8, Friday.

Any voter registered in Clark County is eligible to vote at any early voting location.

Any voter registered in Clark County is also eligible to vote by mail. Any voter wishing to vote by mail must submit a written request for a mail ballot, which must be received in the Election Department by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. For additional information, call the mail ballot hotline at (702) 455-6552.

The early voting locations, dates, and times are listed below. All voting sites are ADA compliant. For additional information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-VOTE (8683). The TTY/TDD number is 711. Also check online at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote.

2018 PRIMARY ELECTION EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE MAY 26 (SATURDAY) TO JUNE 8 (FRIDAY)

LONG-TERM EARLY VOTING SITES: MALLS BOULEVARD MALL, East Corridor near Christy Candy and Rear (EAST) Mall Entrance 3528 S. Maryland Pkwy., between E. Desert Inn Rd. and E. Twain Ave., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 8 Saturday and Monday-Friday (except Mon., May 28, and Thurs.-Fri., June 7-8): 10am-7pm Sunday: 11am-6pm Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): 10am-6pm Last Thursday-Friday, June 7-8: 10am-9pm GALLERIA AT SUNSET, Kohl’s Court, 1st Floor 1300 W. Sunset Rd. @ N. Stephanie St., Henderson MAY 26-JUNE 8 Saturday and Monday-Friday (except Mon., May 28, and Thurs.-Fri., June 7-8): 10am-7pm Sunday: 11am-6pm Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): 10am-6pm Last Thursday-Friday, June 7-8: 10am-9pm MEADOWS MALL, Sears Court, 1st Floor 4300 Meadows Lane @ S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 8 Saturday and Monday-Friday (except Mon., May 28, and Thurs.-Fri., June 7-8): 10am-7pm Sunday: 10am-6pm Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): 10am-6pm Last Thursday-Friday, June 7-8: 10am-9pm LONG-TERM EARLY VOTING SITES: SHOPPING CENTERS ARROYO MARKET SQUARE, Event Tent in Parking Lot near The Men’s Wearhouse CC-215 @ S. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm BLUE DIAMOND CROSSING, Event Tent in Parking Lot between Target and Kohl’s Blue Diamond Rd. @ Arville St., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm CENTENNIAL CENTER, Event Tent in Parking Lot near Home Depot W. Tropical Pkwy. @ Centennial Center Blvd., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm DEER SPRINGS TOWN CENTER, Event Tent in Parking Lot near Michaels N. 5th St., South of CC-215 @ W. Dorrell Ln., North Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN, Event Tent in Parking Lot near Dillard’s Sahara Ave. @ CC-215, Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm THE GRAMERCY, Event Tent in Parking Lot 9265 W. Russell Rd., West of CC-215, Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm SILVERADO RANCH PLAZA, Event Tent in Parking Lot near PetSmart Eastern Ave. @ E. Silverado Ranch Blvd., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 7 (Sat.-Thurs.): 9am-6pm JUNE 8 (Last Fri.): 9am-7pm LONG-TERM EARLY VOTING SITES: PUBLIC BUILDINGS CLARK COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Bldg., 1st Floor, Room 108 600 S. Grand Central Pkwy. @ W. Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 8 Saturday-Sunday, May 26-27 and June 2-3: CLOSED Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): CLOSED Tuesday-Friday, May 29-June 1: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday, June 4-8: 8am-6pm DR. WILLIAM U. PEARSON COMMUNITY CENTER Room C, 1625 W. Carey Ave., West of Martin Luther King Blvd., North Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 1 Saturday, May 26: 9am-5pm Sunday, May 27: CLOSED Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): CLOSED Tuesday-Friday, May 29-June 1: 9am-6pm DOOLITTLE COMMUNITY CENTER Room B, 1950 J St., East of Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas JUNE 2-8 Saturday, June 2: 9am-5pm Sunday, June 3: CLOSED Monday-Friday, June 4-8: 9am-6pm EAST LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY CENTER 250 N. Eastern Ave. @ Stewart Ave., Las Vegas MAY 26-JUNE 8 Saturday, May 26 and June 2: 10am-6pm Sunday, May 27 and June 3: CLOSED Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): CLOSED Tuesday-Friday, May 29-June 1: 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, June 4-8: 9am-6pm DATE / LOCATION MAY 26, SATURDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Buy Low Market Cardenas Market Desert Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Desert Vista Community Center Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Portofino Senior Apartments Skye Center at Skye Canyon Sun City Anthem Center

SHORT-TERM NEIGHBORHOOD EARLY VOTING SITES ADDRESS / CROSS STREETS

TIME

Ann / Simmons Charleston / Town Center College / Horizon Craig / Decatur Nellis / Vegas Valley Tropicana / Jones 1061 W. Owens Ave. / H St. 4421 E. Bonanza Rd. / Lamb Desert Inn / Decatur 10360 Sun City Blvd. / Thomas W. Ryan 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 1001 Las Palmas Entrada Ave. / S. Gibson Rd. 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Dr. / Skye Village Rd. 2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy.

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 4pm 10am - 5pm 8am - 5pm

MAY 27, SUNDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Buy Low Market Cardenas Market Desert Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Desert Vista Community Center Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Skye Center at Skye Canyon Sun City Anthem Center

Ann / Simmons Charleston / Town Center College / Horizon Craig / Decatur Nellis / Vegas Valley Tropicana / Jones 1061 W. Owens Ave. / H St. 4421 E. Bonanza Rd. / Lamb Desert Inn / Decatur 10360 Sun City Blvd. / Thomas W. Ryan 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Dr. / Skye Village Rd. 2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy.

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 5pm 8am - 5pm

MAY 28, MONDAY (Memorial Day) Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Buy Low Market Cardenas Market La Bonita Supermarket (Trailer) Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Sun City Aliante Community Ctr. Sun City Anthem Center Target (Trailer)

Ann / Simmons Charleston / Town Center College / Horizon Craig / Decatur Desert Inn / Pecos-McLeod Flamingo / Hualapai 1061 W. Owens Ave. / H St. 4421 E. Bonanza Rd. / Lamb 6000 W. Cheyenne Ave. / Jones 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 7390 Aliante Pkwy. / Elkhorn 2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy.

3550 S. Rainbow Blvd. / Spring Mountain

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm

MAY 29, TUESDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Aliante Library Boulder City, City Hall James Down Towers La Bonita Supermarket (Trailer) Lakes Lutheran Church Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Mountain Crest Community Ctr. Paseo Verde Library Sun City Aliante Community Ctr. Sun City MacDonald Ranch Community Ctr. Target (Trailer)

Charleston / Sloan Desert Inn / Pecos-McLeod Flamingo / Hualapai 2400 W. Deer Springs Way, West of Clayton 401 California Ave. / Arizona St. 5000 Alta Dr. / Brush St. 6000 W. Cheyenne Ave. / Jones 8200 W. Sahara Ave. / Cimarron 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain 280 S. Green Valley Pkwy., South of Paseo Verde 7390 Aliante Pkwy. / Elkhorn 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., East of Green Valley Pkwy.

3550 S. Rainbow Blvd. / Spring Mountain

8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 11am - 7pm 7am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm

MAY 30, WEDNESDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Aliante Library

Charleston / Rainbow Charleston / Sloan Desert Inn / Pecos-McLeod Flamingo / Hualapai 2400 W. Deer Springs Way, West of Clayton

8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 11am - 7pm

A

DATE / LOCATION

ADDRESS / CROSS STREETS

TIME

MAY 30, WEDNESDAY Boulder City, City Hall Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Mountain Crest Community Ctr. Paseo Verde Library Siena Social / Community Ctr. Silver Mesa Recreation Center Sun City MacDonald Ranch Community Ctr. Target (Trailer) Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr.

401 California Ave. / Arizona St. 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain 280 S. Green Valley Pkwy., South of Paseo Verde 10525 Siena Monte Ave., East of Town Center Dr. 4025 Allen Ln. / Alexander 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., East of Green Valley Pkwy.

3550 S. Rainbow Blvd. / Spring Mountain 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., North of Alta

7am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm

MAY 31, THURSDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Aliante Library Boulder City, City Hall Enterprise Library Green Valley Library Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Montara Meadows Retirement Ctr. Mountain Crest Community Ctr. Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Silver Mesa Recreation Center Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr. Walnut Recreation Center

Charleston / Rainbow Eastern / Warm Springs Lake Mead Pkwy. / Boulder Hwy. 2400 W. Deer Springs Way, West of Clayton 401 California Ave. / Arizona St. 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. / S. Las Vegas Blvd.

2797 N. Green Valley Pkwy. / Sunset 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 3150 E. Tropicana Ave., West of Mojave Rd. 4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain Nellis / Charleston 4025 Allen Ln. / Alexander 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., North of Alta 3075 N. Walnut Rd., South of Cheyenne

8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 11am - 7pm 7am - 6pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm

JUNE 1, FRIDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Alexander Library Enterprise Library Green Valley Library Las Vegas Athletic Club (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Moapa Valley Senior Center Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Silver Sky Assisted Living Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr. Vons Walnut Recreation Center

Craig / Tenaya Eastern / Warm Springs Lake Mead Pkwy. / Boulder Hwy. Village Center Cir. / Trails Center 1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. / S. Las Vegas Blvd.

2797 N. Green Valley Pkwy. / Sunset 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 325 N. Cooper St., Overton Nellis / Charleston 8220 Silver Sky Circle / Roland Wiley Rd. 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., North of Alta Sky Pointe / Buffalo 3075 N. Walnut Rd., South of Cheyenne

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm

JUNE 2, SATURDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Alexander Library Chinatown Plaza Green Valley Library Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Las Ventanas Retirement Community Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Seafood City Sun City Mesquite Target, Boca Park (Trailer) Vons

Craig / Tenaya Flamingo / Durango Lake Mead Blvd. / Hollywood Stephanie / Horizon Ridge Village Center Cir. / Trails Center 1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King 4215 Spring Mountain Rd. / Wynn 2797 N. Green Valley Pkwy. / Sunset 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 10401 W. Charleston Blvd., East of Town Center Dr. 2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee Nellis / Charleston 3890 S. Maryland Pkwy. / Katie 1350 Flat Top Mesa Dr., Mesquite 8750 W. Charleston Blvd. / Rampart Sky Pointe / Buffalo

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 11am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm

JUNE 3, SUNDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Chinatown Plaza Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Mesquite Deuce 2 Building Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Oakmont of West Las Vegas Seafood City Solera Anthem Community Ctr. Target, Boca Park (Trailer) Vons

Ann / Drexel Cheyenne / Durango Flamingo / Durango Lake Mead Blvd. / Hollywood Stephanie / Horizon Ridge Village Center Cir. / Trails Center 4215 Spring Mountain Rd. / Wynn 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite Nellis / Charleston 3250 S. Ft. Apache Rd., North of W. Desert Inn Rd. 3890 S. Maryland Pkwy. / Katie 2401 Somersworth Dr. / Solera Sky 8750 W. Charleston Blvd. / Rampart Sky Pointe / Buffalo

9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 11am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm

JUNE 4, MONDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Bob Price Recreation Center Centennial Hills YMCA Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Heritage Park Sr. Facility Mesquite Deuce 2 Building Mountain Shadows Comm. Ctr. Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Sahara West Library Sartini Plaza Solera Anthem Community Ctr. Target, Boca Park (Trailer) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Whitney Recreation Center

Ann / Drexel Blue Diamond / Buffalo Cheyenne / Durango 2050 Bonnie Ln. / E. Lake Mead Blvd.

6601 N. Buffalo Dr. / Sky Pointe 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 300 S. Racetrack Rd. / Burkholder 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite 9107 Del Webb Blvd. / Crown Ridge Nellis / Charleston 9600 W. Sahara Ave. / Grand Canyon 900 Brush St., North of W. Charleston Blvd.

2401 Somersworth Dr. / Solera Sky 8750 W. Charleston Blvd. / Rampart 4337 N. Las Vegas Blvd. / Craig 5712 Missouri Ave., West of Boulder Hwy.

9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm

JUNE 5, TUESDAY Albertsons Albertsons Albertsons Bob Price Recreation Center Centennial Hills YMCA Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Heritage Park Sr. Facility Mesquite Deuce 2 Building Mountain Shadows Comm. Ctr. Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Sahara West Library Sartini Plaza Solera Anthem Community Ctr. Target, Boca Park (Trailer) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Whitney Recreation Center

Ann / Drexel Blue Diamond / Buffalo Cheyenne / Durango 2050 Bonnie Ln. / E. Lake Mead Blvd.

6601 N. Buffalo Dr. / Sky Pointe 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 300 S. Racetrack Rd. / Burkholder 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite 9107 Del Webb Blvd. / Crown Ridge Nellis / Charleston 9600 W. Sahara Ave. / Grand Canyon 900 Brush St., North of W. Charleston Blvd.

2401 Somersworth Dr. / Solera Sky 8750 W. Charleston Blvd. / Rampart 4337 N. Las Vegas Blvd. / Craig 5712 Missouri Ave., West of Boulder Hwy.

9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm

JUNE 6, WEDNESDAY Albertsons Albertsons Bob Price Recreation Center Canyon Ridge Church (Trailer) Carefree Senior Living Centennial Hills YMCA Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Henderson City Hall Laughlin Library Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Paradise Park Community Ctr. Rainbow Library Sahara West Library SkyView YMCA Southern Highlands Mktpl. (Trailer) Vons

Blue Diamond / Buffalo Buffalo / Vegas 2050 Bonnie Ln. / E. Lake Mead Blvd.

6200 W. Lone Mountain Rd. / Jones 3250 Town Center Dr. / W. Desert Inn Rd. 6601 N. Buffalo Dr. / Sky Pointe 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 240 S. Water St. / W. Basic Rd. 2840 S. Needles Hwy., Laughlin Nellis / Charleston 4775 S. McLeod Dr., North of Tropicana 3150 N. Buffalo Dr. / Cheyenne 9600 W. Sahara Ave. / Grand Canyon 3050 E. Centennial Pkwy.

Southern Highlands Pkwy. / Cactus Horizon / Horizon Ridge

8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am – 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 7:30am - 5:30pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm

JUNE 7, THURSDAY Albertsons Albertsons Canyon Ridge Church (Trailer) Desert Breeze Community Ctr. Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Hollywood Recreation Center Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Paradise Park Community Ctr. Rainbow Library Silver Sky at Deer Springs Assisted Living SkyView YMCA Southern Highlands Mktpl. (Trailer) Vons Vons West Flamingo Senior Center

Buffalo / Vegas Farm / Durango 6200 W. Lone Mountain Rd. / Jones 8275 Spring Mountain Rd. / S. Cimarron Rd. 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., Between E. Sahara & E. Charleston Nellis / Charleston 4775 S. McLeod Dr., North of Tropicana 3150 N. Buffalo Dr. / Cheyenne 6741 N. Decatur Blvd. / Deer Springs Way, Bldg. 3 3050 E. Centennial Pkwy.

Southern Highlands Pkwy. / Cactus Horizon / Horizon Ridge Windmill Pkwy. / Pecos 6255 W. Flamingo Rd. / Jones

8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 10am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm

JUNE 8, FRIDAY Albertsons Albertsons Canyon Ridge Church (Trailer) Desert Breeze Community Ctr. Green Valley Town Center (Trailer) Hollywood Recreation Center Horizon Pines Nellis Crossing Shop. Ctr. (Trailer) Paradise Park Community Ctr. Rainbow Library SkyView YMCA Southern Highlands Mktpl. (Trailer) Vons Vons West Flamingo Senior Center

Buffalo / Vegas Farm / Durango 6200 W. Lone Mountain Rd. / Jones 8275 Spring Mountain Rd. / S. Cimarron Rd. 4500 E. Sunset Rd., East of Mountain Vista 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., Between E. Sahara & E. Charleston 2570 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., South of Carnegie St. Nellis / Charleston 4775 S. McLeod Dr., North of Tropicana 3150 N. Buffalo Dr. / Cheyenne 3050 E. Centennial Pkwy.

Southern Highlands Pkwy. / Cactus Horizon / Horizon Ridge Windmill Pkwy. / Pecos 6255 W. Flamingo Rd. / Jones

8am - 6pm 8am - 6pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 8am - 6pm 9am - 6pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 10am - 6pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 7pm 8am - 6pm 8am - 5pm

Dated this 8th day of May, 2018.

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters Clark County, Nevada PUB: May 24, 31, & June 7, 2018 Las Vegas Asian Journal

A

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

may 31-June 6, 2018 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

OpiniOn

Decongestion

Features

Cable cars are fun, they provide great views, and they don’t get stuck in traffic. The public can only wish that arthur Tugade could finally push through with his plan, first disclosed when he assumed his post as secretary of transportation, to install a cable car service in the country.

If the plan pushes through, the pilot area, of course, will be trafficchoked Metro Manila. Tugade has cited the example of Bolivia, which is using cable cars to ease traffic gridlocks. He reiterated his proposal the other day, adding that he wanted cable car fares to be competitive with those of public utility vehicles.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has conducted studies on the impact of traffic jams in Metro Manila, reports that road congestion is causing P3.5 billion in lost economic opportunities every day. The figure has been revised from the previous estimate of P2.4 billion, calculated in terms of lost productivity, higher fuel consumption and logistics costs, among others.

Commuters in Metro Manila can spend up to six hours a day traveling between their home and their workplace or school. The Metro Rail Transit 3 is an unmitigated disaster. The inadequacy of the mass transport system is the overriding reason for the refusal of car owners to leave their vehicles at

home. It is also the reason for the surge in ownership of motorcycles, which aggravate road congestion as well as air and noise pollution.

People in the country’s densely populated cities will welcome any measure that will ease traffic jams. The Metro Manila subway project is finally underway. Numerous proposals have been made to decongest the mega city. For the long term, mass transport modernization and infrastructure improvement are critical.

For the short-term, the government must compel bus and jeepney owners to end the boundary system and strictly implement regular schedules for picking up and unloading passengers at designated stops. The delivery and collection of shipments at the Port of Manila can use fine-tuning.

The Pasig River ferry service is underutilized.

Where there is no more space to build new roads, certain parts of gated subdivisions can be opened for free public use. Authorities can work on these measures while proposals such as cable car services are being pursued. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Congratulations, Class of 2018: Honoring community colleges MY DAUGHTER Katrina just gradu- The Fil-Am ated with an Associate’s degree in politi- Perspective cal science from San Mateo Community College here in California, and will be transferring to Cali- Gel SantoS-ReloS fornia State University in the fall to continue pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

This was a choice she made as she wanted to be personally invested in her education and in her career in life.

She was a working student as she pursued her Associate of Arts Degree, and was grateful for the free boarding and lodging and car she got from us, her parents, after graduating high school.

Her rationale for her decision was that she wanted to take advantage of the relatively lower cost of education in community colleges and state colleges without having to be burdened with paying for the astronomical cost of attendance in private colleges and universities, the tuition fee of which can go up to as much as six figures at least for four years in college. This choice would spare her from paying for her student loans for at least 10 years.

For Katrina, it was a choice from many options available to her with parents willing and able to help her

in pursuing higher education. Her experience in going to community college, though, had been a defining moment for her, being vice president of their student government and college ambassador.

Because of her direct interaction with students, she has shifted her career path from international relations to policies in education to help struggling and economically disadvantaged students to benefit from the equalizing power education brings to people.

For Katrina, going to a community college first was just one of her choices. For many, if not most Americans, it was the only choice. For some, going to one would forever be just a dream because minimum wages lag behind the escalating cost of living and education. These marginalized sectors of our society had no choice but to find one, two, if not three jobs to support themselves and their families — how could they find the time and resources to pay for college?

On May 25, 2018 — my husband and I were humbled by what we witnessed during the graduation ceremony. We saw so many families there -- three generations in attendance --- beaming with pride because, for many of them,

their student was the first ever to have an associate’s degree. Most of the other family members were already lucky just to finish high school.

Then there were those who looked like they were the parents or the grandparents, when in fact they were the graduating students. The wrinkles in their faces would tell a lot about how the decades of struggles and being “OP” (Out of Place--attending classes with young people) did not daunt them from pursuing their dream to get a higher education.

There were also those young mothers who went up the stage with their babies with them and you could see the pride and the joy in their faces for achieving the seemingly insurmountable challenge of raising small kids, working and going to college. Their smiles and tears of joy radiated the hope that they feel -- they could now offer their kids with opportunities better than what they had because they now have the competitive edge of an associate’s degree.

There were also people of different races coming from different countries of the world, donning their ”national outfit” or symbols with pride, excited to gratefully give back to their adoptive country that is the United States of America — the nation that immigrants built.

I hope President Donald Trump and

his Education Secretary Betsy Devos could attend these graduation ceremonies so they could understand the importance of community colleges in building a stronger, more prosperous better America. In this way, they could fully support these public education institutions instead of cutting funding and subsidies for them. This would help them truly get to know the true core of the heart of America — which is beating, pounding deep inside these people -- young and old — working so hard to fulfill the American dream.

As the government website states: “COMMUNITY COLLEGES offer two-year programs leading to the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. These colleges also have technical and vocational programs with close links to secondary/high schools, community groups, and employers in the local community. You can find large community colleges with multiple campuses in an urban/suburban setting or small campuses in a rural setting.

Undergraduate students studying at community colleges can earn academic credit towards a bachelor’s degree.

Earning academic credit at a community college, which is usually less expensive, can help lower the overall cost of a bachelor’s degree. Community colleges may also have a more

flexible admissions process.

Community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities often develop special agreements for the transfer of credits and degrees between the institutions. In this “2+2 process,” you can earn a bachelor’s degree with two years of community college, followed by two years of university study.

Community colleges often lead the United States in educating students in cutting-edge fields such as biomedical technology, biotechnology, robotics, laser optics, internet and computer technologies, and geographic information systems. The small size of classes at community colleges can be highly beneficial for international students as they adjust to the pace of U.S. academic life and practice their English-language skills.

Community colleges offer a variety of support services and cross-cultural programs, including tutoring, advising, career planning, study skills, and counseling—many designed specifically for international students.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Class of 2018. The best is yet to come! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

What if Sereno or Robredo declared like Joan of Arc: ‘I have nothing more to say’ Opinion

Yen Makabenta I DIGRESS in this column with a note on the story and words of Joan of Arc, even though my ostensible subject are the cases of Maria Lourdes Sereno and Maria Leonor Robredo, the two highest-ranking female officials of our republic.

The two narratives naturally link together as a study in contrast. Joan’s story has the simplicity of finality and closure.

The stories of the two Marias simply go on and on, like broken records.

It has struck me while watching the Sereno and Robredo melodramas, that they may be handling their respective crisis strictly on the advice of their lawyers, instead of drawing on deeper reserves of character.

I discuss this alongside Joan’s story to underscore a point.

It is said that in moments of extreme urgency, character is sharply revealed. The human quality that is brought into view comes from more profound depths than those qualities in-

forming the personality that is visible by everyday light. They evoke the mystery of the human being that the great tragic dramatists evoke.

Joan of Arc’s last words In the case of Joan of Arc, the events of her trial did not just befall her, she shaped them.

It so happens that I have lately been reading the fascinating and gripping account of Joan’s trial and inquisition. What stands out in her story are her firmness of character and her triumph in the end in spite of her being burned at the stake.

Joan’s imprisonment, trial and inquisition transpired over a period of weeks and months.

She was examined and reexamined endlessly by her inquisitors. In prison, she was not allowed to hear mass and was denied the sacraments.

When you combine this with her success in leading French troops in battle, you get a sense of a full-bodied person, a figure of greatness.

In the face of heavy questioning, although she was only 19, she maintained a consistency of character throughout; she did not fall for the traps laid by her inquisitors; and she held firm to her visionary experiences.

On the final day of her or-

deal, Joan told her inquisitors: “If I were at the place of execution, and I saw the fire lighted, and the faggots catching and the executioner ready to build up the fire, and if I were in the fire, even so I would say nothing else, and I would maintain what I have said at this trial until death.

“I have nothing more to say.”

The simple but powerful words sealed her fate and closed the inquisition.

Joan was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, which means that tomorrow is her death anniversary.

Joan’s death was followed by the expulsion of the English from France and the unification of France, two events that were largely the result of the impetus Joan gave to French national feeling.

In 1450, Charles VII held a revision of Joan’s trial; and in 1555 there was another revision which formally pronounced her innocent of the charge for which she was condemned.

She was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.

Can the ladies shut up?

Relating now Joan’s story to the two Marias, I wonder what kind of closure would ensue if Sereno and Robredo were

capable of Joan’s finality and pithiness in their statements.

Suppose VP Robredo were to say in reply or comment on the talk about an alleged affair with her LP party handler Rep. Bolet Banal, “I have nothing more to say.” What will the media, the gossipmongers and the detractors have left to run with? In all likelihood, nothing, unless there is substance to the affair.

Suppose ex-CJ Sereno were to say, “I have nothing more to say,” regarding the quo warranto case and her disputed qualifications for the position of chief justice. The media, the critics and the detractors will have nothing more to chew on, no one to laugh at.

These scenarios could transpire, but I strongly doubt whether the Sereno and Robredo camps, and their common financiers will allow them to shut up.

This is unlikely because their entire value to the opposition rests on keeping the idea of fighting the Duterte administration going? All funding will stop the moment they clam up?

Average needs representation too It is striking that both Sereno and Robredo assiduously avoid being interviewed by serious

journalists. Although they appear incessantly on TV, they stick to interviewers who throw softball questions at them.

Their images are constantly flitting on the screen, yet the public hears nothing substantive or meaningful coming out of their mouths.

Democracy, judicial independence, faith and other platitudes pour out freely from their statements and press releases, but I have yet to see one statement or speech from either Sereno or Robredo that is coherent.

It is perhaps unfair to set their careers alongside the formidable figure of Joan of Arc. Long after her death, Joan of Arc held inexhaustible fascination for writers and scholars, who produced such works as: George Bernard Shaw, Saint Joan; Jean Anouilh, The Lark; Mark Twain, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc; C.W. Lightbody, The Judgments of Joan; and P.B Barrett, The Retrial of Joan of Arc. What will happen to the two Marias after their present time of`fame and celebrity?

There may be no interest whatever in Sereno and Robredo once they leave public office. Their leaving appears to be more interesting than their

occupation of public office.

Paradoxically, it makes sense for Sereno and Robredo to cling tenaciously to their posts, because they have nothing else to look forward to, no careers to return to.

Sereno should seriously think about running for the Senate in the 2019 elections. Her gift for gab seems to be tailor-made for life as a politician. She will have enviable name recall when she runs for office, although her shortcomings will also be wellremembered.

In the case of VP Robredo, everything hangs on her prevailing in the VP election recount in competition with former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos. Although Robredo is nominally the chairman of the Liberal Party, she does not appear to have the tools or the wit to lead a political party, let alone one down in the dumps.

There are many gifted and brainy women in our country, but why are our two highestranking female officials not representative of our best and brightest women?

A wit has said that mediocrities also have a right to representation in a democracy.

Which is more representative, the Senate or the House in Congress? (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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D ateline PhiliPPines Palace backs dropping of Napoles as witness

by CAtherine

S. VAlente ManilaTimes.net

MALACAĂąANG supported the decision made by the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday, May 25, to terminate businesswoman Janet Lim-Napolesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; provisional admission to its Witness Protection Program (WPP).

In a text message on the same day, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. agreed with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra that Napoles cannot claim to be the least guilty in a multibillion-peso scam that used lawmakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pork barrel funds.

Napoles has been â&#x20AC;&#x153;provisionally coveredâ&#x20AC;? by the program since February 27, when Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd still headed the department.

Such coverage was set to lapse on May 26.

Guevarra on Friday disclosed that a formal letter has been sent to Napoles, through her counsel, stating that her provisional coverage under the WPP is terminated effective May 25.

Napoles had requested to be admitted to the program, citing alleged threats to her personal security and specifically requested protection by way of transfer from her place of detention at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Guevarra explained that Napolesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; application for full WPP coverage has been rendered moot and academic after all three divisions of the Sandiganbayan rejected her motions for transfer to a DoJ safehouse from Camp Bagong Diwa, where she is held on plunder charges.

The charges stemmed from the P10-billion scam, which involved lawmakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; discretionary funds being funneled to non-existent projects by bogus non-government organizations that Napoles owned.

Napolesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coverage was good only for 90 days, according to Guevarra.

Under Republic Act (RA) 6981 or the Witness Protection Act, before a person is admitted into the WPP, he or she shall execute

a sworn statement describing in detail the manner in which the offense was committed and his or her participation.

Among the requirements of the law for a WPP applicant to qualify as state witness is that he or she must be the least guilty of the alleged crime committed.

Aguirre had granted Napolesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; provisional admission to the WPP after she executed an affidavit that provided more details on the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAFs) or pork barrel funds last February 27.

The DoJ, however, did not release her affidavit in line with the confidentiality rule under RA 6981.

Lawyer Stephen David, counsel for Napoles, earlier said his client was open to becoming a state witness in the new PDAF cases being investigated by the DoJ. Napolesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s controversial admission to the WPP, through provisional, was reportedly among the reasons why Aguirre was sacked

by President Rodrigo Duterte. n

Robredo: Marcos lying about Comelec rule on shading threshold

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Former Sen. Ferdinand â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bongbongâ&#x20AC;? Marcos Jr. is lying when he said that the Commission on Elections did not adopt the 25-percent threshold in the automated counting of ballots during the 2016 elections, Vice President Leni Robredo said.

Robredo said that Comelec records show that the threshold used for 2016 was 25 percent while the 50-percent threshold was used in the 2010 polls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is lying... because records will show. In fact, the Comelec resolution on this was attached to our pleading,â&#x20AC;? she said when asked to react to Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comment that the 25-percent threshold was not backed by any resolution.

On Monday, My 28, Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator, filed an opposition before the Supreme Court, which sits as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to Robredoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pleading asking the body to reconsider its decision to adopt the 50-percent threshold.

Marcos stressed that there was â&#x20AC;&#x153;no categorical declaration in the

Comelec Resolution No. 16-0600 that the 25 percent shading threshold was adopted by the Comelec En Banc in determining the valid votes during the judicial recount and revision of ballots in an election protest.â&#x20AC;?

Romulo Macalintal, the vice presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead election lawyer, said that the counting of ballots shaded at least 25 percent was already confirmed by the body in its en banc resolution dated Sept.

6, 2016 which adopted the recommendation of Commissioner Luie Guia.

Marcos supporters on social media have pointed out that the resolution was issued months after the May 2016 polls.

Macalintal warned that adopting the 50-percent threshold would result in the disenfranchisement of both Robredoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; supporters, a view also shared by the vice president. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The two of us should be the ones complaining because we will both be affected. Some of the votes of our supporters will not be considered because of technicality.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surprising that he did not want to know the real sentiments of the

people,â&#x20AC;? Robredo said in Filipino.

She stressed that what was important was to know the choice of the Filipino voters, who should not be disenfranchised because of Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desire to return to power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot twist legalities, you cannot twist facts just to get what you want,â&#x20AC;? Robredo said.

Marcos is alleging that votecounting machines used during the 2016 elections were rigged to favor Robredo, who was the official candidate of the then ruling Liberal Party.

The vice president, who is the current chairperson of the party, has denied all allegations of irregularity.

Marcos needs to substantially recover votes in the three pilot provinces he chose for the manual recount for the PET to proceed to the rest of the areas where he alleged cheating happened. Without this substantial recovery, his protest will be junked.

When asked if she is confident of her victory, Robredo said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Very confident, very confident because there was no cheating that happened.â&#x20AC;? n

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

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

FLAG DAY. Philippine flags fly high in front of the monument of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila on Sunday, May 27, ahead of the national flag days from May 28 to June 12. During this period, Philippine flags are displayed in commemoration of the struggles and sacrifices of Filipino heroes who fought for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independence.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

House opposition seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to Australian nun THE seven-strong Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives moved to grant Filipino citizenship to Australian missionary Patricia Fox, a long time aid worker in the country now facing deportation over her alleged involvement in political activities.

The Makabayan blocâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;composed of party-list Representatives Sarah Elago of Kabataan, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis, Antonio Tinio and France Castro of Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Emerenciana de Jesus and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Munaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;made the proposal under House Bill 7806, which they filed on Wednesday or a week after the Bureau of Immigration revoked Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s missionary visa supposedly for violating the law prohibiting foreigners from joining political rallies in the country.

Elago vouched for Fox by citing that the 71-year-old nun has been in the country for 27 years, leaving her hometown of Australia to aid and join the struggles of peasants and indigenous peoples in the Philippines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has integrated and helped the poor and marginalized in immeasurable ways, and she deserves nothing less than to be recognized as a Filipino,â&#x20AC;? Elago

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

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;

said in a statement.

Likewise, Elago also said that Fox has conducted research in communities affected by mining and shared her skills as a lawyer and as a teacher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sr. Pat is intelligent, skilled and a perfect role model for the youth.

She wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t falter amid threats from the administration. We draw inspiration from Sr. Patâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength and courage. And as such, we call on everyone to continue its support for Sr. Pat and to strengthen our call for justice for all victims of harassment, threats, and extrajudicial killings under this fascist administration,â&#x20AC;? Elago added.

Fox welcomed the gesture by the lawmakers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank my friends in Congress for this welcome gesture,â&#x20AC;? Fox said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank these Congress persons for their support and recognition that I have been trying to be in solidarity with the poorer sectors of society while here in the Philippines, listening to their cries for land, security of tenure, just wages, decent housing and that the human rights of all be respected,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Fox was arrested on April 16 and detained overnight at the Immigration headquarters after

The 71-year-old nun expressed gratitude to the seven party-list lawmakers for their gesture to file House Bill 7806, which aims to recognize her service to the poor and marginalized Filipinos.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

an Intelligence agent showed photos of rallies and fact-finding missions that she attended outside Barangay Amihan in Quezon City, where she claimed she would render missionary work prior to her application for a visa.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) granted Fox temporary reprieve and agreed to review her appeal against the Immigration order to forfeit her visa and exit the country. (Llanesca T. Panti, Glee Jalea/ManilaTimes.net)

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 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;

A

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

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may 31-June 6, 2018 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

VEGAS&STYLE

B

Journal

Conrad Ricamora stars in ‘Soft Power,’ a Sharon, Zsa Zsa share snippets political musical from an Asian perspective of three-decade friendship by arlO

by

CustOdiO ManilaTimes.net

Christina M. Oriel AJPress

“Do you mind if I’m on the elliptical during this?” actor Conrad Ricamora asks on a recent afternoon during a phone interview.

For the next 30 minutes, Ricamora talks about the latest stage role that has been filling his time before ABC’s legal drama series “How to Get Away with Murder” — in which he plays oliver Hampton — starts filming season five this summer.

This entire conversation is devoid of any indication that he’s out of breath.

“It’s good training,” he says with a laugh.

In two hours, he’ll then make his way to the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, where’s starring in “Soft Power,” a musical

by Tony Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang (“M. Butterfly”) and composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home”) that premiered on May 16.

The production, billed as a “play with a musical,” is produced by

L-R: Maria-Christina Oliveras (obscured), Geena Quintos, Billy Bustamante, Ricamora, Jaygee Macapugay, Jon Hoche and Daniel May Photo by Craig Schwartz

Center Theatre Group, directed

by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sam Pinkleton.

Coming back to the stage feels like home for Ricamora, who spends most of his year working on the TV show.

“There is no replacement for that immediate sharing of energy with an audience in that theater

Ricamora as Xue Xing and Alyse Alan Louis as Hillary Clinton

that you can’t get from TV or film. Those two forms have great things too that theater doesn’t, but that shared experience that lives and dies every single night is something you can’t replicate or find anywhere else. Also, there is a sense of ensemble that happens in theater because everyone shows up at the same time every night to

Actor Conrad Ricamora, best known for his role on ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” returns to the stage in David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori’s “Soft Power” at the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre, which runs until June 10.

Photo courtesy of Center Theatre Group

tell a story. There are times where I go a week or two without seeing some of the cast on the TV show because we don’t shoot the same scene,” he says.

In “Soft Power,” Ricamora plays Xue Xing, a Chinese film executive who visits the United States trying to do an American show set in Shanghai. There, he meets with a man named David Henry Hwang (Francis Jue) — who is loosely based on the real playwright — and encounters presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (Alyse Alan Louis).

“It is such a complex show about really sensitive topics. People should just go see it…they are bound to have an experience like no other in the theater,” Ricamora says, trying to describe all the elements that go into the musical.

Another layer of the story jumps 50 years later and recounts the 2016 presidential election from a Chinese lens and with China as the main world leader. Essentially, this turns the tables on musicals like “The King and I.” What if American Fil-Am actor Conrad Ricamora stars as Xue culture and historical events were Xing, a Chinese film executive in “Soft Power.” told from an outside perspective?

Photo by Craig Schwartz PAGE B2

TRUE friendship, especially in the dog-eat-dog world of show business, is difficult to come by.

Friends today, enemies tomorrow seems to be the dictum once interests are trodden or endangered—that even those related by blood use every available platform to issue their side or slight the opposite side creating ruckus in showbiz. one genuine friendship known among industry insiders but not much known by fans and their followers is that of Zsa Zsa Padilla and Sharon Cuneta.

Their ages just two years apart, with Cuneta entering showbiz earlier at the age of 12, and Padilla at 17, motherhood definitely have played a major factor in the cultivation of their OPM icons, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Sharon Cuneta ManilaTimes.net photo PAGE B3

Jolina Magdangal shares first photo of newborn daughter

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

“MEET our Vika Anaya,” proud mom Jolina Magdangal wrote on her Instagram account @mariajolina_ig as she shared the first photo of her newborn daughter on Tuesday, May 29.

The actress-singer, who welcomed her eldest child Pele Iñigo in 2014, also shared her excitement in having her first daughter.

“Mukha syang naka maputing foundation pero totoong maputi sya! At parang nakalipstick at mas may buhok sya kesa kay Pele nung bagong panganak. Excited ako ng ayusan sya,” Magdangal further wrote.

Vika Anaya’s first photo came out a few hours after the 39-yearold gave birth via caesarean procedure on the morning of Tuesday.

Vika Anaya, Jolina Magdangal’s first daughter Photo from Instgram/@mariajolina_ig

“Ang sakit ng tahi pero pipilitin ko kayanin. Sobrang worth it ang lahat ng sakit dahil sa nakita kong reaction ni Pele kay Vika,” Magdangal, giving further details PAGE B2

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Julie Anne counts her blessings

Angelica Panganiban on her journey so far: I’m happy by alfred

Bayle ManilaTimes.net

by Honey

orio-escullar Philstar.com

They say that love and career don’t go together. Not in the case of JuIie Anne San Jose who enjoys the best of both worlds.

Julie Anne has been going steady with fellow Kapuso Benjamin Alves for two years now.

But love doesn’t get in the way of her career. She is busy with various projects aside from her ongoing daytime soap “My Guitar Princess” and “Sunday PinaSaya”. She graces the last print cover of Cosmopolitan magazine and will release another single titled “Tayong Dalawa” under Universal Records next month.

When she turned 24 last May 17, Julie Anne didn’t ask for any material thing but only good health for her and her loved ones.

“Love, peace and happiness for everyone. Bonus na lang po yung material things,” Julie Anne said during a recent presscon. “I hope to have more time with my family and to travel more. I’m so grateful and blessed to be surrounded by people close to me.”

Julie Anne added that she’s happy and thankful because her parents approve Benjamin. “yes, may blessing po. Wala

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“My Guitar Princess” star Julie Anne San Jose (with boyfriend Benjamin Alves, right): “I’m so grateful and blessed to be surrounded by people close to me.”

Philstar.com photos

naman pong bawal as long as hindi ko pinapabayaan ang sarili ko… as long as pinagbubuti ko naman yung work ko,” said Julie Anne who got a surprise from Benjamin on her birthday. “I was at the “My Guitar Princess” taping and I didn’t expect him to show up on the set. Nag-usap pa kami sa phone, nag-good night. Then, all of a sudden, pumasok siya. Kinuntsaba niya pala ‘yung crew para i-surprise ako.”

What was Benjamin’s birthday gift?

“Secret, hehehe!” Julie Anne

replied. “Basta it doesn’t have to be any special occasion for us to give each other gifts. his presence is more important than anything else. We’re not materialistic people naman kasi. As much as possible we prefer ‘yung simple lang. Mas importante ang makapag-spend time together.

But lately, we haven’t been able to spend time together so sa Facetime na lang, calls na lang ganun. As long as I know that I have him and he has me, that we have each other, that is what’s important.”

ACTReSS Angelica Panganiban has been reminiscing about her past twenty-five years in the entertainment industry.

Pa n g a n i b a n s h a r e d h e r thoughts through an Instagram post dated May 26. The photo she posted was taken at the Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, during a shoot. She wrote on the caption, “Dalawampu’t limang taon na ko sa industriya. Akala mo, kapag ganun ka na katagal, madami ka ng natutunan. Napundar. Napatunayan. Pero, eto ako. Alam ko, eto pa lang ako. Masaya ko. Kahit eto pa lang ako. eto pinaniniwalaan ko. At sapat sakin to. Ayoko ng sobra. Dun ako sa sapat. Kaya masaya ako.(I’ve been in the industry for twenty-five years. You’d think, working that long, you’ve already learned a lot. Achieved a lot. Proved a lot. But here I am.

I know this is still all I am. I’m happy. Even if I’ve only gone this far. I believe in this. And this is enough for me. I don’t want too much. I’m for what’s enough.

That’s why I’m happy.)”

Angelica Panganiban

Inquirer.net photo

She also shared a snapshot with friend John Pratts while they were at a resort in Bacolod City.

Panganiban captioned the photo with, “My source of positivity.”

Panganiban’s post did not hint on what project she is currently working on, but her Instagram Stories showed Pratts and Ryan Bang may be involved.

Panganiban got her first regular show at the age of six when she joined the cast of the children’s variety show “Ang TV”.

As she grew up, she took on more mature roles, such as her role in “Santa Santita” where she received Best Actress nominations in the Film Academy of the Philippines, FAMAS Awards and eNPReSS Golden Screen Awards.

She also gained praise for her role in “A Love Story”.

As a comedienne, Panganiban has been famous for her funny catchphrases and one-liners, earning her the nickname “hugot queen.” Some of her funniest lines appear in the book “Para Kay ex” by Beau Ang, for which she wrote the foreword. She’s currently one of the regulars of the gag show “Banana Split”.

Panganiban received Best Actress honors from the 2014 Cinema One Originals Film Festival and the 13th Gawad Tanglaw Awards, for her role in “That Thing Called Tadhana”, which was also a major commercial and critical success. A sequel for the film has been hinted at by Panganiban and co-star JM de Guzman.

Jolina Magdangal shares first photo of ...

PAGE B1 of her second delivery, shared on a separate post.

Magdangal’s husband Mark escueta was equally ecstatic with the arrival of their daughter, sharing her photo on his own Instagram

With her eldest child Pele

account and thanking those who have prayed for his wife.

“Our Princess has arrived!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. Jolina is recovering well.

Thank you Lord for another miracle,” escueta wrote.

Photo from Instgram/@mariajolina_ig

Not to be left out in this process of welcoming the newest member of the family was Pele to whom Magdangal wrote a special message to hours before giving birth.

“To my dear Pele: Thank you tinabihan mo parin ako matulog kagabi. Mas napanatag ang loob ko. Pangako ko sayo na hindi ito ang huling akap na tayong dalawa lang. Yayakapin kita habangbuhay hanggat gusto mo pa yakapin si Mama.

“Kung pagkatapos manganak ni mama, wag ka magtaka kung bakit hindi muna kita makakatabi, sisiguraduhin ko na palagi ka ma kiss at maparamdam na na miss kita,” Magdangal wrote.

Finally, Magdangal promised her eldest that she’ll make sure to recover quickly so they can share the journey of welcoming Vika.

“Pagkatapos ko manganak, kakayanin ko maka recover agad para matulungan parin kita maligo, makalaro ka, makakwentuhan ka, at maenjoy natin ang bago mong kalaro na si Vika,” Magdangal ended.

The cast of “Soft Power”

Photos by Craig Schwartz

Conrad Ricamora stars in ‘Soft Power...

PAGE B1

“A part of what David and Jeanine are doing is sincerely turning the idea of ‘The King and I’ on its head.

Rodgers and hammerstein, who are white people, wrote ‘The King and I,’ probably with really good intentions but without any real knowledge of Thailand or anywhere in that area. What happened years down the road when China is now the world power, what America was like way back 100 years ago, and what they would write about it, they might get it wrong the way Rodgers and hammerstein probably got a lot of things wrong when they wrote ‘The King and I,’” Ricamora says. hwang, the only Asian American playwright to win a Tony Award, has stated in interviews his complicated relationship with “The King and I” and how that largely influenced the writing of “Soft Power.” The story was originally part of a commission to mark the 50th anniversary of the Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum.

“I’ve always loved ‘The King and I,’ it’s been a show that has moved me since I was a kid. But as I’ve gotten older, there’s this complicated feeling where I know it is kind of inauthentic and making a political point subtly—reinforcing the dominance of the West. But it’s done so beautifully that by the end of it I’m still in tears,” hwang said previously in a conversation with CTG’s Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

For Ricamora, whose past work includes Lun Tha in “The King and I,” being able to take a critical look at the beloved musical and star in a production written by someone who is Asian American, alongside fellow Asian American actors, is unprecedented.

A recent study by the Asian American Performers Action Coalition found that in 2015-16, the number of Asian Americans de-

Ricamora and Kendyl Ito

creased to 4 percent, the steepest drop among all the groups.

“It’s been an interesting process because the production of ‘The King and I’ that I did at the Lincoln Center was done with a lot of integrity. But when you start with something that was written by people who never even went to the area where the show takes place, then there is bound to be inaccuracies,” he said. “What’s so great about ‘Soft Power’ is turning that convention on its head and to finally be able to play an Asian man who is three-dimensional and what if all of the white characters on the show are based on ideas that Chinese people had of America even if they were trying to do it with the best of intentions.”

Ricamora, who is of Filipino descent on his father’s side, says that acting has in some respects brought him closer to his heritage. his father came to the United States from the Philippines at 10 years old and “tried to be very American.” “even when he was raising us, my brother and [me], he didn’t teach us Tagalog...I think maybe because he left when he was a little kid, he didn’t want us to have an accent or anything. But we did go to Fil-Am events and I remember that sense of camaraderie,” he recalls, mentioning that he mainly grew up in the South.

One of this notable roles was Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. in “here Lies Love” — the musical about former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos — which was an “immediate immersion into Filipino history.”

“That meant the world to me to learn about the country that runs through my blood that I’ve never had the chance to talk or learn about. I got to do it on stage for a couple of years alongside other Filipinos,” he shares. “It felt very

rewarding and it was a safe space for us to all be ourselves and tell our stories.”

For “Soft Power,” Ricamora was offered the role of Xue Xing the same day he got a call back. Leading up to rehearsals, he worked with a dialect coach to master the way his character speaks.

“It lends a lot to how [my character] moves through the world and gets what he wants and I don’t want to say aggression... but his determination to really get his country and culture seen,” he says.

“It’s something that I feel all Asian people can tap into because we haven’t been able to see ourselves on screen. We talk about shows that are whitewashing Asian characters so that kind of desire to move forward our representation in media is something that was really easy for me to tap into.”

The cast of “Soft Power” is predominantly Asian American, including Filipino Americans Billy Bustamante (whose Broadway credits include “Miss Saigon”), Jaygee Macapugay (“School of Rock”), Maria-Christina Oliveras (“Amelie”), and Geena Quintos (“Miss Saigon”).

Ricamora has worked with most of the cast members before so “it feels like family” to reunite with them.

With the 24/7 information cycle and saturation of news, perhaps a political musical is the last thing viewers may want to see. There are no mentions of the current U.S. president’s name in it. however, Ricamora believes “Soft Power” provides that space for the audience to take a step back from what’s happening outside the theater’s walls. Reviews for it have mostly been written in praise for its boldness.

“It’s the ability to laugh at the things that have happened in the last two years since the 2016 presidential election,” he says of his main takeaway of the musical.

“It has been such a dark and trying time filled with so much doubt, fear, and anger so it’s nice to go to the theater and just laugh about it and get new insight into it as well.

It’s a release for all the things that have been happening and I think that has been a great joy. Also the conversations that people are immediately having during and after the show.”

That’s the beauty of an art form like theater. It doesn’t remain stagnant and each performance is never truly the same as the one that came before it. having to keep up with real-life updates and changes has kept Ricamora on his toes.

“Working with David and Jeanine has been the greatest challenge.

Their ability to shift dialogue and the story and sharpen and specify things is really, really quick. Being able to keep up with that has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things I’ve ever done in my career,” he says.

On the morning of this interview with Ricamora, news broke that the U.S. would pull out of an upcoming PAGE B6

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

B

Dingdong, Anne reunite in ‘Atom Araullo is a closet movie star’ a not-a-love-story movie

movie star,” the “Sister Stella l” the film and defending it against director said. “those who would exploit it for But despite the initial state- political mileage and those who JuST two days before “Citizen ment, the director still acknowl- would wish it harm, two types Jake”—the comeback movie of edged Araullo’s contribution to of people of basically the same veteran director Mike de leon—hit the screenplay and performance mold.” theaters for its commercial release saying that it was “substantial,” he also said that he thinks both nationwide, he took on social and that he believes the first-timer he and the actor are relieved to end media to publicly express his did a “good job” as an actor. their collaboration and “finally get thoughts on his lead actor, broad“There were scenes where he out of each other’s lives.” cast journalist Atom Araullo. acted unevenly but there were “i think Atom and i are both in a lengthy Facebook post also scenes, many of them major, relieved to close the book on this on May 21, which has now been where he was terrific. Perfect for collaboration and finally get out of deleted, de leon started off about the role of Jake, the self-absorbed each other’s lives. What is imporhow he ended up casting Araullo, millennial. tant in the unique world of cinema as he thought it was interesting “even if Citizen Jake is my is that C”itizen Jake” has now to work with a real journalist and most personal film, sometimes i acquired a life of its own, separate whom he thought shared his politi- feel it’s a film Atom and myself from us. As Francois Truffaut, the cal convictions. made together, through thick late great French director, said in “Atom is not a professional and thin, through upheaval after ‘Day for Night,’ his film about filmactor and i only came across his upheaval and unfortunately there making: ‘The film is king.’ The only name when he read that he had were many. But i hoped that in thing left is for people to watch it. resigned from his job as a reporter the end, we would still share the (this is me, not Truffaut),” de leon in his former TV network. And same convictions we started off ended. since i never wanted a professional with. Alas, that was not to be,” de With all the hullabaloo, Araullo actor for the lead role of Citizen leon wrote. sent a short message to CNN PhilJake, i thought it is interesting to While the director did not cite ippines over the weekend saying, work with someone whose work the convictions they no longer “it’s best not to comment at this was journalism and who i thought share, de leon said he now finds time, it might distract from the i shared my political conviction,” himself alone in speaking for film.” the post read. “i have known and worked with outstanding journalists before when i was politically active during the latter years of the Marcos era,” he continued. however, de leon came to realize that Araullo’s type of journalism “was not exactly the kind of journalism i had in mind.” “it’s not the gritty kind but more of the celebrity-centered schlock that sometimes verges on entertainment, even showbiz. looking back, i can see why he wanted to become a movie actor. Perhaps the journalist was really a closet Atom Araullo with Mike de Leon at the set of ‘Citizen Jake’ PHilstar.com photo by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

While working together is nothing new for Anne Curtis and Dingdong Dantes, being paired opposite each other is definitely a first for both box-office stars.

Curtis and Dantes first met in the teen-oriented TV show, “T.G.i.S”—she at 14 and he at 18—but they were given different partners at that time. Curtis was with Chubi del Rosario while Dantes was with Antoinette Taus. hence, the latest Viva Films movie “Sid And Aya: Not A love Story” marks the Princess of All Media and the 49th Box Office entertainment Awards’ Film Actor of the Year’s first-ever screen pairing, much to the delight of their huge following.

“When we first worked together 20 years ago, sobrang bata pa ako nun and support roles lang ako palagi. Hindi ko ever naisip na magkakatambal kami. in that sense, this team-up is 20 years in the making,” Curtis recalled during the movie’s media conference.

“Anne was very familiar in the set. When she joined us in the show, she came from the big movie ‘Magic Kingdom’ and she also happens to be the youngest in the set, so she easily stood out. Yung familiarity in working with each other, i believe ay hindi nawala,” Dantes, meanwhile, shared.

The 33-year-old actress then added that while they have never played as couples before, their stint in “T.G.i.S” helped them have a right footing in Sid And Aya. “i guess it helped na nagkakatrabaho na kami 20 years ago kasi sobrang kumportable, hindi na kami nagkakailangan sa set ngayon,” Curtis noted.

As such, both actors agree that the story of Sid And Aya could not be more perfect as their first

After first working together in the ’90s TV show ‘T.G.I.S,’ box-office stars Dingdong Dantes Dantes and Anne Curtis star opposite each other in ‘Sid and Aya: Not A Love Story’.

Photo courtesy of Viva Films

project together. in the story, Dante plays Sid, an insomniac, while Curtis portrays the role of Aya, the mysterious woman Sid meets and asks to spend time with him as he battles those long, sleepless and empty nights.

Based on the trailer released

by Viva Films, Curtis and Dantes displayed such strong chemistry.

But as Dantes’ character Sid tells the audience, “hindi naman lahat ng may ‘i love you,’ ay love story na, eh.” hence, the film’s tagline about it not being a love story became an intriguing topic for the audience.

To this, director and writer irene Villamor (“Camp Sawi” and “Meet Me in St. Gallen”), who worked out the story for four years, noted, “Dapat panoorin kung bakit siya hindi love story kahit na tungkol ito sa mga taong naghahanap ng pagmamahal. it’ll be a giveaway if i tell you why but i am sure you’ll be delighted to find out once you see the movie.” even the movie’s actors guaranteed that the story of Sid And Aya is a refreshing one for the audience to catch.

“Napakaganda po ng material

na the moment i read it, i was challenged to find a way to tackle the character and i know, Dingdong felt the same. The characters kasi, hindi sila yung tulad ng mga nakasanayan natin na lumalabas sa pelikula,” Curtis noted, taking pride in their unique characters.

“Maraming interpretations with the great script that direct irene was able to create. She has the interpretation, us actors have different interpretation and even in the process of editing, the editors could have had a different interpretation of the story. Sobrang naging collaborative effort siya kaya, depending on how you look at it, puwedeng iba-iba rin ang makuha ng audience sa pelikulang ito,” Dantes ended.

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AUGUST 4-5, 2018 Zsa Zsa with Martin Nievera

ManilaTimes.net photo

Sharon, Zsa Zsa share snippets...

PAGE B1

friendship.

“The night before giving birth to KC [Concepcion, daughter by actor Gabby Concepcion] we were still together laughing and sharing stories. Karylle was still so little,” Cuneta, called the megastar in showbiz, shared this anecdote when she appeared as special guest in Padilla’s “The Best Day Of My life” concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila earlier this month.

Among other revelations, the megastar said she struck friendship with Padilla, who brandishes the moniker Divine Diva, over a serving of dessert. She also said that there was a George Canseco song that was initially meant for Padilla but the latter gave way so the piece became one of her hits from the movie “Bituing Walang Ningning.”

The Megastar also took a swipe at the father of her firstborn – without naming him – that made the audience laugh with her.

“Yung loveteam, yung kay Robin [Padilla] na lang, huwag na yung isa, ayaw naman, e, di naman matutuloy,” she said.

Reminiscing life with Dolphy The concert—an occasion for three important events, as Padilla’s 35th anniversary celebration in the biz, advance celebration of Mother’s Day and her 54th birthday on May 28—was jampacked and lasted almost three hours but the audience stayed until the Divine Diva said her final goodbye.

The last part of the show was dedicated to Comedy King Dolphy, her partner for more than 20 years until his death in 2012, and her present partner, Conrad Onglao, who was introduced to her by the megastar.

“You miss him too, don’t you?”

Padilla asked the audience before she sang “Smile” with a lump in her throat. it was in the set of the movie “Mga Anak Ni Facifica Falayfay” that Padilla and Dolphy met.

“Di ko alam na dumidiga na pala siya. Ganun daw kasi siya,

maasikaso sa crush niya at crush niya raw ako. Tawag ko pa nga sa kanya, ‘Mang Dolphy’ at naasiwa ako, kasi that time, bagets pa ako, at siya, 61 na,” Padilla laughed at the memories.

The product of their union, Zia Quizon, now a noted singer in her own right, was also one of the guests—singing together as family with Zia’s boyfriend Robin Nievera; and Karylle and husband Yael Yuzon of Sponge Cola. in her present relationship with architect Onglao, the Divine Diva sang a medley of Carpenters songs. Briefly she admitted of their six-month break-up, but stressed that it’s with him now that she wants to grow old with.

And there are no issues whenever she talks about her love for the King of Comedy.

“Alam naman niya yun,” she shared.

Padilla also took the chance of inviting her friends who were in the audience—iza Calzado, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid—among them to do a zumba fun segment to the tune of “Mambobola.”

The show’s final guest was as surprising as the first one.

When she introduced Kuh ledesma, the original Pop Diva, she said that she could not understand the comparison until she learned that they cater to the same type of audience. Rivals as they were, they’re actually friends and performed together in many shows both at home and abroad. Their repertoire of classics like “The Windmills Of Your Mind” was well applauded.

Padilla was already in the final phase of the show when Martin Nievera appeared to give her a surprise. Nievera was in the uS as he took care of his father Bert until his death and burial in March.

The finale—a vocal showdown of two of the country’s best singers—glued the audience to their seats wanting for more despite ending at almost midnight. Padilla’s 35th anniversary concert was indeed the best day of her life as well as that of her daughters, and her supporters.

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Actor-model Juan Felipe Restrepo scores big, Wil Dasovich on inspiring people online winning best in acting awards in Hollywood

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

By Monet

Lu

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 Juan Felipe Restrepo starred and wrote the script of the award-winning film “Hijo Prodigo” events he witnessed from one (Prodigal Son), which continues to receive awards from different award-giving bodies. 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 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. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning 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

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

FIlIPIno-AMERICAn wil dasovich is prominently known as a housemate in the reality television show “Pinoy Big Brother: lucky 7” in 2016, but prior to that, he has endeared himself to Filipinos with his fluent Tagalog and quirky use of gay lingo in his video blogs, or commonly known as vlogs, shared in popular videosharing website youTube. despite big chances of making it to show business, he decided to continue on inspiring Filipinos around the world through his never-ending adventure from country to country as he experiences different cultures and lives.

His videos are also well-known for his high energy, wild antics, fitness, food and motivational talks.

“After ‘PBB’, I’m back to my normal living. I’ve been doing youTube even before [I got to] the show, at that time I already have a few thousand subscribers.

Entering the ‘PBB’ house was like a break from the youTube world. I was in the house for three months and then after that, I went straight back to youTube and pick up where I left off,” dasovich said during the press conference of youTube FanFest at the world Trade Center.

“A lot of people thought I wanted to be an artist but I never planned that. Before going inside, I said that the whole point for me was to show to television everything that goes on youTube because at that time, vlogging was still not known for most of the people here in the Philippines. And so after “PBB”, I got a lot of my other housemates to do vlogging and they also became content creators. A year after that, vlogging become very mainstream and normal type of thing here. That was the point, para mapansin yung vlogging community,” he explained.

Today, the 26-year-old continues to make videos about his daily life on his vlog “wil’s world” where he was able to share his recent battle in fighting colon cancer. He refused to let his diagnosis last year slow him down, and chose to continue to daily record his treatment and recovery as a way to stay positive, encourage fellow cancer patients and keep his audience close.

Beside him throughout his entire cancer story and road

to recovery is his buddy—now girlfriend—model and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao whom he also met through youTube and award shows.

“It was weird because he was the healthiest person I know—he exercises, he eats well. He is also the person who always convinces me to eat healthier because I love sweets. I don’t really exercise that much because I do a lot of things,” Gosiengfiao shared. “of course, things happen. I just give all my support because what’s also important was the amount of time I should spend with him. you work and come back lang naman eh. After everything, after overcoming the challenge, that’s when we can go back to normal,” she further noted.

Indeed, dasovich’s perseverance and positivity touched the hearts of audiences around the world, and because of this, his subscribers skyrocketed to one million in a few months—a milestone that he thought was a few years away.

And just in April, dasovich was named Vlogger of the year by the 10th Shorty Awards, an award-giving body for social media which honors “the best of social media by recognizing the influencers, brands, and organizations on Facebook, Twitter, yo u Tu b e , Instagram, Snapchat, M u s i cally and more.”

“It’s surreal. Parang di ako makapaniwala hanggang ngayon pero masaya ako.

I never thought I would win an international award Wil Dasovich

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in new york City along with the top creators. It was definitely crazy,” he enthused.

Finally, dasovich added that he continues to seek medical advice amid his revelation of being cancer-free in February.

“It’s a continuous battle. It’s something you have to deal with throughout the years which is a misconception that a lot of people kind of forget. All of us have challenges in life but what is more important is how you react to the challenges you face. That will really define you, your character and how you go on and succeed,” he ended.

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Community Journal

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

New USCIS policy: Students will Calendar of Events across accrue unlawful presence sooner Your Immigration Solution Atty. BrittAny MilliASSeAu & nAnCy Miller U.S. CitizenShip and immigration Services (USCiS) recently issued a policy memorandum changing how the agency will calculate unlawful presence for foreign students and exchange visitors. “Unlawful presence” is a legal term of art which describes time spent in the U.S. after a noncitizen’s period of authorized stay expires or any presence in the U.S. without being admitted or paroled.

Aimed at reducing the number of overstays in the U.S., this new policy will directly impact noncitizens in academic (F-1), vocational (M-1), and exchange visitor (J-1) status, as well as their dependent spouses and children. Under this new policy, which will be effective August 9, 2018, unlawful presence will be calculated in a way that will essentially result in these noncitizens accruing unlawful presence at an earlier point in time. the accrual of unlawful presence may severely impact one’s immigration status in the U.S. in short, noncitizens who accrue more than 180 days of unlawful presence and who subsequently depart the U.S. are subject to a three-year bar from reentry.

Similarly, individuals who accrue one year or more of unlawful presence are subject to a ten-year bar should they depart the U.S. Further, those who accrue more than one year of unlawful presence, whether in a single stay or in the aggregate, and who then reenter or attempt to reenter the U.S. without being admitted or paroled are permanently inadmissible. these bars may prevent a noncitizen from reentering the U.S. as

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (First of a series) SO here you are in the late afternoon of your life. Sundown is on the horizon. the end game is in sight. You know it isn’t a matter of if but when.

You’re still upright on two legs, although your knees are starting to buckle. You aren’t looking forward to walking on 3 legs with the help of a cane or a walker. At least, not just yet …… in the quiet of the early morning hours of days before the coming winter season of your life, you wonder if there is yet one glorious summer time, a glimmer of hope in reprising one’s life unencumbered by the structures and strictures of past choices, right or wrong. there is a part of you that longs for some kind of reprieve to break away and create a life that fills your soul with gladness, so light, so ethereal as the flutter of butterfly wings — that all the hurts, pains, heartaches, and sense of brokenness that have weighed you down and held you hostage for so long a time suddenly went up in smoke, went pouf and VOiLA, disappear as though by magic.

A few of your contemporaries

Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS WhiLe cardiovascular mortality rates the past decades have gone down, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has remained the leading causer of death in the United States. Several clinical studies have shown that there is a strong association between dietary patterns and the incidence of CVD, and that people eating predominantly plant-based foods have lower rates of heart disease compared to those on animal-based foods. this does not even include the beneficial anti-cancer effect of plant-based foods and the higher risk for cancer of meat-eaters.

What is a plant-based diet? the definition varies as there are different forms: 1. Vegetables, fruits, cereal, yogurt, beans, fish, and poultry; 2. elimination of refined sugars, white flour, and animal oils; 3. Minimal animal products; 4. Seafood, with and without, dairy; 5. eggs and dairy; 6. no animal products at all (vegan), just ‘plants.’ But the common among them is absence of red meat. the major concern and rationale here is that red meat consumption is linked to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. those diets, some

either a temporary nonimmigrant or as an immigrant. As such, even if a noncitizen becomes eligible for a green card and departs the U.S. for consular processing of an immigrant visa, he or she may be barred from reentry due to unlawful presence.

Under current policy, F, J, and M nonimmigrants are typically authorized to remain in the U.S. for “duration of status” rather than to a certain date like other nonimmigrant categories. their authorized period of stay ends when they fail to maintain their status or engage in activity that is inconsistent with their current status. Currently, individuals in F, J, and M status do not automatically begin accruing unlawful presence after a status violation or failure to maintain status, but rather only after the occurrence of a certain event, including a formal finding by USCiS that a nonimmigrant status violation occurred or after an immigration judge orders the noncitizen removed from the U.S. Under the new policy, individuals in F, J, and M status who failed to maintain their status before August 9, 2018, will start accruing unlawful presence on August 9, 2018 unless they had already started accruing unlawful presence on the earliest of any of the following dates: 1) the day after the Department of homeland Security (DhS) denied a request for an immigration benefit if DhS made a formal finding that the individual violated his or her nonimmigrant status while adjudicating a request for another immigration benefit, 2) the day after i-94 expiration, or 3) the day after an immigration judge ordered the noncitizen excluded, deported, or removed from the U.S. Further, F, J, or M nonimmigrants who fail to maintain status on or after August 9, 2018, will start accruing unlawful presence on the earliest of any of the following: 1) the day after he or she no longer pursues the course of study or the authorized activity,

or engages in unauthorized activity, 2) the day after completing the course of study or program, including any authorized practical training plus any authorized grace period, 3) the day after the i-94 expires, or 4) the day after an immigration judge orders him or her excluded, deported, or removed from the U.S. not only does this policy change impact F-1, J-1, and M-1 nonimmigrants, but it also impacts their nonimmigrant dependent spouses or children who are admitted contingent on the principal remaining in a period of authorized stay. in essence, an individual in dependent status may begin accruing unlawful presence merely due to their family member’s status violation. it should be noted that children under 18 years old do not accrue unlawful presence. if you are currently in or considering F, J, or M status, it is important to speak with a knowledgeable immigration attorney to see how this upcoming policy change may impact you. in addition, if you have ever failed to maintain your F, J, or M status, or have engaged in any activity that is inconsistent with your status (e.g. worked without authorization), you should consult an experienced immigration attorney regarding how that will impact your ability to legally reside in the United States. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

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

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The bucket list “What goes on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?” asked the Sphinx.

“Man” Oedipus answered after some thought.

–Riddle of the Sphinx have passed and you wonder if you still have what it takes to stay the course you have chosen until the end game. You question if there is time enough to do all those things you wish you did when you could. there’s that long bucket list burning a hole in your back pocket.

Why call it a bucket list? Kicking the bucket means “to die” from where the phrase “bucket list” comes from. there are many explanations but the one that seems to make sense is that of a method of dying, either by execution or by suicide. A person stands on a bucket, with a noose around his neck to cause death by hanging from a beam by the final act of an executioner kicking the bucket or by kicking it himself. i am pretty sure that is nOt a scenario most people would choose. But we now refer to the bucket list as your tO DO LiSt before the end.

You groan, perhaps not because of the thought of dying it-

self, but because there is just too many in your bucket list, so little time, low levels of personal energy and scant resources. SiGh… there’s also this thing called Legacy – a big word but it only means ‘What do you leave behind?’ those anointed by grace to live large will have streets and schools named after them, marble statues on a town square or etched on the side of a mountain like Mount Rushmore. But for ordinary people, great memories frozen in still photos and videos and some intangible influence beyond death would be enough. perhaps a few tears will be shed. there will be sadness for some time. there will be cloudy days as though nature feels the pain of separation, yours and theirs. You pray those you left behind can move on and live purposeful lives pleasing to God. Life goes on.

Most women can be calm, cool PAGE B6

Plant-based diet with multivitamin supplements, have been proven safe and healthy, practiced for centuries in Asia and rural europe.

Is eating minimal red meat safe?

While eating red meat only once a week is obviously not a plantbased diet, it could be safe among some people, depending on their genetic make-up, metabolism, and lifestyle, especially those who do regimented exercise daily. Since science still does not know who among us (based on our genes) could safely smoke, eat red meat ad libitum, drink alcohol daily, or not exercise at all, and still not get sick; the prudent health strategy is to minimize or eliminate red meat and high carbohydrate diets, and concentrate on proteins. this might sound against what we learned in the kindergarten and beyond, but clinical evidence today shows the adverse effects of eating carbohydrates (rice, bread, sweets, etc.) and saturated fats (red meats), especially processed meats. All soft drinks are toxic to our body, especially to children. Someday, science would be able to categorize us humans, based on our genetic composition as to who could eat, drink, or use what, and “are immune to their bad (unhealthy) effects, and who would develop major diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, Alzheimer’s, or cancer)

doing the same. that future would be most welcome.

What are the clinical evidences?

“Randomized controlled trials and epidemiological studies indicate that plant-based diets, particularly vegan diets, are associated with significant improvement in CVD events, lowering risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension and decreasing symptomatic and scintigraphic myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease, as published recently in the Journal American College of Cardiology.

Any other studies supporting plant-based diet? the data above are supported by many recent landmark reports, including Song et al.’s large prospective cohort study of U.S. nurses and other health professionals, which shows “higher intake of animal protein (including processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, dairy, poultry, and eggs) was positively associated with mortality, whereas the inverse was true for high intake of plant protein. in another recent meta-analysis, Kwok et al. found similar results with vegetarians experiencing a 29 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease (ChD) mortality relative to nonvegetarians. these findings suggest the importance of protein source and support recomPAGE B6

B

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JUNE 2

Holy Trinity Church hosts 2018 Fiesta in Los Angeles Come and celebrate Holy Trinity Church’s 2018 Fiesta on Saturday, June 2 from 1 to 9 p.m.

There will be lots of fun games, music and food for the entire family. The program will feature Anatalia Villaranda, Buhay Cali, HTC Choir and more. The coronation of the prince and princess of Holy Trinity Church will also take place. Holy Trinity Church is located at 3722 Boyce Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039.

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/effectivelymarket-to-the-fastest-growing-community-in-southern-california-tickets-45453666139?.

Call Ferdinand at (909) 851-1493 or email at ferdinand@ecferrer.com for any further information.

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

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

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

Collaborating organizations include Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Pilipino Workers Center, Filipino American Service Group, Manaois System Martial Arts, Tender Loving Care Family Caregiver Foundation, HiFi Tennis Association, and MOTHER Movement. Asian Journal serves as the media sponsor for Bayan Masaya 2018. For further information, interested individuals including vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, cultural performers and others may send an email to rosanne0517@gmail.com or mother-pearl@hotmail.com.

J U N E 2- 9

Money Smart for Small Business course in El Monte, CA Join this introductory two-day business course designed for new business owners, self-employed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs on Saturday, June 2 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It will be held at Cathay Bank 9650 Flair Dr., El Monte, CA 91731. The fee is $20 (payable to API SBP). Course topics include startup planning, organizational types, risk management, credit reporting, business insurance, record keeping and more. Breakfast, lunch, and course materials will be provided by Cathay Bank. Limited seating so advance registration is required. To register, please contact Colleen Seto at smallbiz@apisbp.org or call (213) 473-1605. Please provide following info: full name, business name (if applicable), phone number, and email address.

JUNE 3

2018 Philippine Independence Day Parade in NY On Sunday, June 3, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. will host the annual Philippine Independence Parade with the theme, “Honoring Our Heroes, Inspiring Solidarity.” The day will begin at 7:45 a.m. with a Flag Ceremony / Thanksgiving Mass at the Philippine Center (556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036). From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a street fair along Madison Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets and 26th Street, from Madison Avenue to Park Avenue. Tents are pitched on both sides of the Avenue and Street divided into booths selling food and merchandise. Independence Day Parade Opening Ceremony/Ribbon Cutting will take place on Madison Avenue at 38th Street at 11:45 a.m. Before the 2018 Independence Day Parade gets on its way, parade Grand Marshal Dr. Restituto N. Estacio and Honorary Grand Marshal Ambassador Mario Lopez de Leon, Jr. will lead the parade spearhead of VIPs, guests, and marchers, marching bands, floats, open cars, others. From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Cultural Festival Open-air Stage will be at the corner of Madison Avenue and 26th Street where celebrities, performers and talents are showcased on a continuous all afternoon show. For more information, please visit http://www.philippineindependenceday.com.

JUNE 9

City of Carson’s 120th Philippine Independence Day Celebration The City of Carson’s Annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 9 is the biggest event in the City of Carson with thousands of people from all over Southern California in attendance. It begins with a flag raising ceremony, followed by an ecumenical service, and a holy mass. The parade/cultural street dance participated in by different Filipino-American, City-affiliated, and school-based organizations officially open the program. This year’s featured indigenous group is the “Igorot”. Igorot dancers will thus be leading the parade. Non-stop entertainment follows with headliners from ABS-CBN-The Filipino Channel. Interactive booths, exhibits, food and non-food vendors, and a children’s area make the event ideal for families and people of all ages. For parade participation/event information/ volunteer sign up, please call (310) 952-1743; booths (310) 569-7500; sponsorship (310) 819-5108. It will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park (22400 Moneta Avenue - Carson, CA).

Kalayaan Incorporated presents Philippine Independence gala in Los Angeles Kalayaan Incorporated, Southern California’s foremost celebrant of Philippine Independence will host the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 9, at the Universal Hilton Hotel, Universal City, California. For more information, contact Erlinda Granada-Sabah at (562) 682-9576; or Malou Perez at mperez0813@aol.com.

PH Time Is Now event in New York Come to New York City on Saturday, June 9 from 1 to 7 p.m. for a day of inspiring sessions to connect with fellow innovators and forward-thinkers, ignite new ideas and learn from today’s Global Filipino leaders! Set in the prestigious Harvard Club of New York, every minute and every session will teach and challenge you to create meaningful paths for personal and professional success. Speakers include restauranteur Nicole Ponseca of Maharlika/Jeepney and actor Vincent Rodriguez III of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.phtimeisnow.com/.

J U Ly 4

Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party in Los Angeles Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party returns as the county’s largest free July 4th celebration from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Featuring picnicking, games, art-making, music, dancing and a stunning fireworks show high above Downtown L.A., Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party is the ultimate summer holiday celebration. The highly popular event offers activities for all ages including soccer, tag, bubble fun and chalk art. Two stages featuring DJs and live musical performances will entertain audiences throughout the celebration.

Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and soar nearly 500 feet, making them visible throughout Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. The event offers a multitude of dining options from more than 40 vendors including the return of gourmet food trucks. Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party will encompass the entire park, from Grand Avenue to Spring Street, plus the surrounding streets.

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

Features

B may 31-june 6, 2018 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOuRnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Las Vegas Book Festival returns October 20 City of Las Vegas Senior Special Events for July 2018 Nominations are open for Crystal Bookmark Awards ages, poetry, workshops, music, exhibits, panel discussions and more.

The public is invited to nominate individuals and organizations for the Crystal Bookmark Awards. The 2018 awards will recognize contributions made to encouraging mastery of the written, spoken and/or illustrated word to unlock the potential of residents in the Las Vegas and Southern Nevada area; nominees must have made a demonstrable

contribution that has benefitted the advancement of literacy and/or the literary field. An online nomination form must be completed on behalf of the nominee by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13. A panel of judges will select three finalists in each category and winners will be announced at the festival’s opening reception Friday, Oct. 19.

For updates and more information, visit www.lasvegasbookfestival.com.

L-R: Ricamora, Austin Ku, Francis Jue, Geena Quintos, Billy Bustamante and Raymond J. Lee

Photo by Craig Schwartz

LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Book Festival (LVBF) returns to downtown Las Vegas Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual festival is free and open to all ages.

As Nevada’s largest literary event, the LVBF is a celebration of the written, spoken and illustrated word. It will celebrate its 17th year with well-known authors, programming for readers of all

Conrad Ricamora stars in ‘Soft Power...

PAGE B2 summit with North Korea. “I’ve never been part of a show where headlines can really change it,” he muses.

“It’s constantly evolving every day, isn’t it? The news today, it talks about how precarious [U.S.-Asia relations] are. I just read something in the New York Times about how backing out from the summit with North Korea could potentially benefit China, giving it a leg up in world politics. That’s what our show is about: imagining if China becomes a dominant leader, not just politically, but culturally as well. There are signs of that starting to happen because we’re not willing to work and have that dialogue with other nations.”

There are symbols within “Soft Power” that satirize the image of today’s American society, especially abroad, including McDonald’s and being gun-obsessed. The week before, yet another mass shooting at a school occurred in Santa Fe, Texas and that “completely changed the tone of our show,” Ricamora mentions.

“It’s a very much living and

breathing work of art in a way that I’ve never been a part of before,” he adds.

“Soft Power” runs until June 10 at the Ahmanson Theatre before making its way to the Curran Theater in San Francisco from June 20 to July 8.

After that, Ricamora heads back to the studio for the fifth season of “How to Get Away with Murder,” which will film until next February.

“I wish I knew. They don’t tell us anything,” he says, laughing, of what the audience can expect of Oliver in the upcoming season.

“They’re in the writers’ room right now cooking up all kinds of stories but they’re sending us any updates or anything. You’ll know when I know.”

Ricamora was promoted as a series regular in season three for his portrayal of Oliver, an IT specialist and HIV-positive gay man who is the love interest of Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), one of Annalise Keating’s (Viola Davis) law students.

“The main thing that I identify with is how Oliver really wants love

in his life and wants a relationship.

He struggles with that and I’ve struggled with that in less dramatic ways but I definitely identify with wanting to have that closeness with someone else but not knowing how to do that. Now that he’s a part of this group, he blossomed into feeling at home with these people,” he says.

To be an Asian American actor as a regular on primetime network show is “huge,” Ricamora says, because he didn’t see representation for himself growing up.

“It’s not something I usually think about until someone shows up at the stage door, like someone did a week ago, in tears because they finally feel like they have representation. There are all these letters that come into the theater from people all over the country who are thanking me for just being on TV. It’s very strange to take credit for because I’m not a politician out there making new laws for representation. I’m just doing my job as an actor, but it’s an unexpected reward for doing the work that I want to do,” he says, adding, “I’m glad I can be that for other people.”

Las Vegas residents invited to celebrations, luncheons & activities at City Centers

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

Many of these activities contribute to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

A listing of classes and activities is published in the Beyond the Neon Leisure Guide, available online at www.lasvegasparksandrec.com and in the centers. All activities are subject to change. Most activities require $10 annual membership in city of Las Vegas Active Adult/Senior Citizen Programs, available at all senior and active adult centers. Active adults ages 50+ can subscribe here to receive a monthly email about upcoming events and activities, or text LV SENIORS to 468-311.

Indoor Garage Sale Vendor Table Registration Opens Registration for vendor tables opens July 2 for Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., event.

Cost: $5 to rent a vendor table for those with a city of Las Vegas senior programs membership.

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

If you need to clean out your garage and would like an indoor venue to sell your items, join us for our semi-annual indoor garage sale. Purchase one or two six-foot tables and bring in your no-longerwanted treasures to sell! Advance registration required for vendor tables; call 702-229-6454 to arrange for tables, starting July 2.

Red, White and Blue Breakfast (ages 50+) Friday, July 6; 9:30 a.m.

Cost: $5.

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

It’s the annual red, white and

blue breakfast with pancakes and fruit toppings. Register by July 3 by calling 702-229-1600.

Super Summer Theater Trip (ages 50+) Thursday, July 12, 5 to 11 p.m.

Cost: $30, includes box dinner, show ticket and transportation from the center.

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

Grab your friends and ride out to Spring Mountain Ranch for the play, “She Loves Me,” under the stars. This play was the inspiration for the Tom Hanks movie, “You’ve Got Mail.” Rent a chair or bring your own. Call 702-229-1600 for information and registration; register by July 5.

Red White and Blue Barbeque (ages 50+) Thursday, July 12, 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $5 includes a meal; city of Las Vegas senior programs membership required.

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

Join us for the annual barbeque to celebrate patriotism. Enjoy barbecued chicken, homemade potato salad, warm peach cobbler and ice cream! Advance registration required; call 702-229-6454 to register.

Super Summer Theatre Trip (ages 50+) Thursday, July 12, 5 to 10 p.m.

Cost: $30; city of Las Vegas senior programs membership required.

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

Join this trip to the Spring Mountain ranch to enjoy the play, “She Loves Me,” under the stars.

This trip includes show tickets, transportation and a box dinner.

Advance registration required; call 702-229-6454 to register.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Food Pantry Distribution

Friday, July 20, 9 to 11 a.m.

Free and open to those in need of food assistance.

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

Join us as we give bags of food to the community; one bag per household. No registration required. Call 702-229-2238.

All-American Lunch and Hot Dog Day (ages 50+) Tuesday, July 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: $4.

Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., 702-229-6125.

Celebrate National Hot Dog Day with a lunch that includes hot dogs, potato salad, apple pie and beverage. Call 702-229-6125 to register

by Tuesday, July 17.

Crockpot Cooking Contest (ages 50+) Wednesday, July 25, 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $4 if you are coming to taste and enjoy the food; free if you make a crockpot meal to enter in the contest. City of Las Vegas senior programs membership required.

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

Make one of your favorite crockpot recipes to enter the contest! If you would like to come and help judge, you can pay $4 to sample all of the entries. Enjoy salad, bread and dessert, as well! Advance registration required; call 702-2296454 to register.

Happy Burger Day (ages 50+) Thursday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: $3. Advance registration not required.

Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., 702-229-6125.

Enjoy a homemade hamburger/ cheeseburger with all the fixings and chips.

Jessica Sanchez, Jake Zyrus express admiration for each other

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

AFTER three years, “American Idol” alum and Filipino pride Jessica Sanchez is back in Manila.

She performed on Friday at the Skydome for Jake Zyrus’ “Music And Me” concert.

Jessica told The Times that it was so refreshing to meet Jake first time prior to the concert because the last time she was in town, Jake was still Charice.

“I love it! I am so proud of her!

That is why when they told me about her show, I immediately said yes to it. As I can see Jake

is still the same sweet person he was when he was Charice,” she exclaimed.

Jake thanked Jessica for the kind words and revealed why he requested for Jessica to be his special guest.

“I have always admired her back in LA. Now my voice has changed it would be a good balance for us since she is now the power belter and I have to low pitch,” Jake returned the compliment.

For the Filipino fans who are wondering, Jessica could be heard more now in Europe than the U.S.

Jessica Sanchez with Jake Zyrus ManilaTimes.net photo

“I released a new single called ‘Caught Up’ and it’s pretty big there like in Amsterdam, so yes, you’ll see me more there if not here.”

The bucket list

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

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PAGE B5 and collected accepting the notion of goodbyes more readily than men. It seems nature has blessed women with the internal fortitude and strength to be able to plan for the final event with remarkable equanimity.

As for men, well, not so much…… The idea of mortality is not something that most men are comfortable with. Don’t fret. It is in their DNA. There are exceptions of course. Men’s strength is expressed in other ways no less than women, like nature intended it.

The solution is always the same when one is overwhelmed and

paralyzed. With too many items in one’s bucket list, pare it down to bite sizes. Make a molehill out of a mountain.

Size it down as David did when he slew Goliath. Cull out non-essentials ruthlessly, the fluff as we call them, and PRIORITIZE. Since life itself holds no guarantees on how long we are to live, SIMPLIFY and do a triage of sorts.

Do the most important things first, the one that is near and dear to your heart. Then when there is time left over, you can still choose to do the trivial stuff on your bucket list just for the heck of it. OR simply delete the rest of the list.

With still a smidgen of time left, sit back and savor doing nothing.

You’ve earned the right to this bit of luxury.

For now, select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.

Next week: An idea for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Plant-based diet

PAGE B5 mendations to increase plant protein intake, which in turn calls for education of physicians, patients, and the public about the largely unrecognized protein content of plants (e.g., peanuts and beef having the same protein content, 26 g per 100 g).”

What are some actual clinical proofs?

Here are some actual reports from the medical literature that are mind-opening and truly convincing: “The 16-week randomized controlled trial showed that participants who ate a diet of vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits significantly improved their overall metabolic condition, say Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, DC, and colleagues. “Our study suggests the potential of a low-fat plantbased diet in diabetes prevention, addressing both core pathophysiologic mechanisms — insulin resistance and diminished betacell function — at the same time.

The prevalence of diabetes is 46 percent to 74 percent lower in people who eat a plant-based diet compared with meat lovers in the general population.

“Diets rich in plant- vs animalbased monounsaturated fatty acids show significantly lower rates of total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, particularly when

the plant-based fatty acids replace other notoriously unhealthy fats, including saturated or trans fats, as well as refined carbohydrates.

“In the study of more than 63,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and nearly 30,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up, an average of 22 years of follow-up showed that a higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from plants was associated with a 16 percent lower risk for death from any cause. A higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from animals was meanwhile associated with a 21 percent higher risk for death from any cause.

“In overweight adults with no history of diabetes, a low-fat, plantbased vegan diet can reduce visceral fat and significantly improve both pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin resistance, potentially decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.”

What is the societal cost-benefit from this diet?

The benefit to society in general of a healthier diet implemented by the people at large is a massive reduction of disease and healthcarerelated expenditures, such as for medical consultation, medications, hospitalization, rehabilitation, especially for high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, chronic kidney diseases, stroke, heart failure, and heart attack, which is the case currently almost 60 percent of Medicare beneficiaries. Example:

if plant-based diet is adopted, the incidence of hypertension would be reduced to 25 percent of the present rate and save about 30 percent (billions of dollars) of the Medicare budget and reduced sick calls and man power deficit in the work force, besides avoidance of personal and family health problems.

So, what is the healthy strategy?

Turning off the faucet of unhealthy foods that are poison to our body to prevent diseases and maximize longevity makes more sense than mopping up the floor later of major illnesses and premature deaths.

A rational and practical approach is to eat mostly plant foods and push ourselves away from the dining table less than full, as our mothers and grandmothers (with wisdom and foresight, before the informational age of the internet and the world wide web) have been telling us for centuries. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 31-JUNE 6, 2018

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