060218 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

June 2-5, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 45 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

DATELINE

USA

PH files diplomatic protest against China

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

dents previously mentioned by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. He did not proTHE Philippines has filed a vide further additional details. diplomatic protest against China According to various reports, over the latter country’s recent insiders, however, said the note moves in the West Philippine Sea verbale included the installation (South China Sea). of missiles in the Spratly Islands, During a press briefing on and a Chinese navy chopper’s Thursday, May 31, presidential alleged harassment of a Philipspokesperson Harry Roque Jr. pine Navy rubber boat on May Philstar.com photo said the protest covered all inci- 11, when the Philippines was re-

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

‘No better ally for Indo-Pacific than US’ THE new commander of the U.S. forces said on Wednesday, May 30, that Indo-Pacific countries will not find a better ally than the United States in the pursuit of preserving peace and stability.

“To our allies here in the Indo-Pacific, you will have no better ally. To our partners, I look forward to advancing our partnership in a way that serves our mutual interests,” Admiral Phil Davidson said during the command turnover ceremonies at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

According to Davidson, the Indo-Pacific has been largely peaceful for more than 70 years.

“In most ways, this was made possible by two things: the commitment of free nations to the free and open international order… and the credibility of the combat power within U.S. Pacific Command,” he said.

Davidson, who previously declared that China’s posturing in the region had reached

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Los Angeles City Hall’s Bridge Gallery featuring Asian Pacific American female activists and advocates in Los Angeles.

AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

Los Angeles ends Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by honoring AAPI female leaders LEADING in population of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), the City of Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 29, ended this year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) by honoring some of the city’s AAPI female activists and advocates with a gallery reception at City Hall.

“I can’t think of a better way to end this month of celebration for remembering our past and working for a stronger future, than honoring these amazing Asian American women tonight,” said Councilmember David Ryu, who was one of the gallery’s sponsors along with the City of Los Angeles, Pacific Bridge Arts Foun-

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Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

supplying its troops in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).

Cayetano, in a congressional hearing on Wednesday, May 30, said that the Philippines has filed 50 to 100 diplomatic protests against China over the past two years. Not all of those diplomatic protests, however, were considered notes verbale.

According to Cayetano, diplo-

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Sereno appeals to SC: Do what is right and just

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

OUSTED chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday, May 30, filed her motion for reconsideration to the Supreme Court (SC), urging her colleagues there to invalidate their decision of ousting her as the chief justice.

The SC voted 8-6 in finding Sereno “guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the Office of the Chief Justice” on May 11.

According to Sereno, the decision was replete with “legal and factual errors.”

In her 205-page motion filed minutes before the deadline, Sereno said the ruling — which granted the quo warranto petition brought against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida — “illustrates vividly the dire and far-reaching consequences of a denial of due process.”

She asked the SC to reconsider its ruling that abruptly ended her unprecedented 18year term.

“This is essentially a plea to the honorable

POWER PROJECT. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the ceremonial switch-on of the 420-MW Pagbilao Unit 3 Power Project during its inauguration in Pagbilao, Quezon on Thursday, May 31. Joining the president are Jera Co. Inc. Chief Power Development Officer Toshiro Kudama, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Aboitiz Equity Adventures Chief Operating Officer Sabin Aboitiz and Marubeni Corp.

Senior Executive Officer for Power Projects and Plant Group Yasuo Hirotha.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

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Palace: Boracay for all Filipinos, not just rich resort owners

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

BORACAY is intended for all Filipinos, not just the wealthy resort owners, Malacañang assured the public on Thursday, May 31.

According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to give back the island to the “common individuals” especially farmers who could till the land. He also wants Filipinos to enjoy all that the world-famous island has to offer.

“The president, for the third time, reiterated that it should be for the common individual. Boracay is for all Filipinos and

ordinary citizens, and not the rich resort owners,” Roque said during the Palace press briefing.

He added, “If there are beneficiaries, they will be given land. The problem is we still don’t know the beneficiaries.”

Boracay is temporarily on shutdown for six months to allow the authorities to rehabilitate the island — which had become a “cesspool,” according to Duterte.

Roque also said no one can claim ownership over the 30-meter shoreline easement.

“It’s for the public enjoyment so that everyone can enjoy the beach . . . It’s called Bass player Francis Anthony Lapidario; drummer Percy Paa; former Tacloban City mayor Alfred Sison the public easement,” Roque said.

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Romualdez; vocalists Theresa Robel, Princess Belleza, and Gamaliel Gobenciong; guitarist/music director Edwin Espiño; and former Tacloban city disaster management office Derrick Anido.

AJPress photo by Jillian Peñalosa

California 2018 primary Former Tacloban City mayor election rundown Alfred Romualdez recalls A handy guide to the races ahead of June 5

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

FOR the last year, there has been significant media coverage on the 2018 midterm elections.

Held every four years and two years after the general election, the midterm elections are typically seen as less exciting in the Candidates for California governor — state Assemblymember Travis Allen (R-Huntington November elections, a point of Beach), California Treasurer John Chiang, businessman John H. Cox, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin view that generates historically — participated in a debate on Friday, April 27 at Pasadena City College. The debate, hosted by low voter turnout.

However, following the election CAUSE, was the first of its kind to focus on issues specific to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson, considered a frontrunner in of President Donald Trump and the race, was absent.

AJPress photo Noel Ty the seismic shift in the country’s

political and social climates, more people are looking at the 2018 midterm elections as a potential gamechanger.

California, in particular, is holding elections for a wide variety of the state’s constitutional positions and an open U.S. Senate seat and voters will head to the polls Tuesday, June 5 to choose the top two contenders in each of the races who will face off in the midterm election in November.

Here are the top contenders in the races to watch:

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challenges following Haiyan Brings ‘I Love Tacloban’ band as token of thanks

Bridge that stretches from Leyte to Samar, continues to be regularly traveled. Some of the It’s been five years since cargo vessels that have washed Typhoon Haiyan (also locally ashore have turned into memoknown as Yolanda) hit the city rial markers. Businesses have of Tacloban, but the city for the even named themselves after most part is back on the rise Haiyan. with malls, hotels, cafés, and Alfred Sison Romualdez, who other establishments getting served as mayor during the normal traffic. city’s deadliest and toughest caIts famous San Juanico u PAGE A3

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

A june 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn jOuRnAL

PH files diplomatic...

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

From the Front Page

disputed Spratly Islands off the Philippine coast and flew nuclear-capable bombers to a base in dent tells President Xi, ‘That is another disputed part of the sea.

PAGE A1 t Eight senators from both the mine and don’t get the oil,’ that’s matic protests can come in differ- a protest. When we file a note majority and minority blocs signed ent forms, such as a list of issues verbale, that’s a protest. When Senate Resolution 761 on Wednesraised in the bilateral consulta- we have a BCM and we list down day, urging the DFA to file a diptive mechanism (BCM), and a everything, that’s a protest. If we lomatic protest against China for message by Philippine President list down 10 things, then we pro- establishing a military presence in the West Philippine Sea. Duterte to Chinese President Xi test 10 things,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte was Jinping.

This month, China deployed “People think that a protest has anti-ship cruise missiles and earlier criticized by experts for a specific form. When the presi- surface-to-air missiles on the refusing to publicize its diplomatic protests against China.

Failure to file a diplomatic protest is “acquiescing to China’s claim without China firing a single shot,” as stated by acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio.

Cayetano defended the Duterte administration’s approach toward China during Wednesday’s hearing.

“We’re changing the norms.

But we’re not doing it the Aquino way, or the Del Rosario or Carpio or whatever-you-want-to-call-it way, that is through the media and is a shouting match),” Cayetano said.

“We’re doing it the Duterte way, which is traditional building of trust through diplomacy,” he added. n

BBL DISCUSSION. Senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III (center) listen to the commissioners of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) as they discuss the amendments to some provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the Senate in Pasay City on dawn Thursday, May 31.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Sereno appeals to SC: Do what...

PAGE A1 t court to do what is right and just,” Sereno said in the motion.

“Basic, fundamental and longstanding constitutional and legal rules and principles, and settled judicial precedents were ignored, set aside and reversed by the majority decision to achieve one end — the disqualification and ouster of the Chief Justice,” she argued.

The SC had no authority to remove her from office because under the Constitution, the chief justice can be ousted only through an impeachment process, Sereno insisted.

“The indisputable intent of the Constitution is that impeachable officers, save for the president and vice president, can be removed from office only by impeachment,” the motion read.

She reiterated that the on her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) cannot be the basis for determining her supposed lack of integrity and honesty.

“This Honorable Court erred in ruling that the Respondent ‘chronically failed to file her SALNs...’

The filing per se of a SALN neither proves nor negates a person’s integrity,” she argued.

Sereno said her failure to submit her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) should be considered “not ‘inherently immoral.’”

“And since this honorable court has essentially held that the nonfiling of a SALN is not ‘inherently immoral,’ this purported offense should not have negated the Chief Justice’s ‘integrity,’” she said.

Sereno also insisted that the quo warranto petition should not have been granted as it had already went beyond the one-year prescription period from appointment.

Moreover, she said that the decision was made “null and void” after six associate justices — namely Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Samuel Martires and Francis Jardeleza, and Noel Tijam — refused to recuse themselves from the deliberations on Calida’s petition despite their bias against her.

“The justices’ testimonies and

Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

actuations in the hearings before the House committee on justice (and in the oral argument, in the case of Justice Martires) are clear and convincing evidence of actual bias,” Sereno said.

“The justices’ statements, and the emotional implications that are attached to the same, are evidence of actual bias. Actual bias is anchored not simply on their participation in the proceedings, but rather, on the substance of their statements,” she added.

A difficult process deliberately chosen by the Constitution could not be substituted with an expedi-

Philstar.com photo

ent procedure, Sereno said.

The quo warranto could proceed simultaneously with impeachment as the petition was a remedy for challenging an appointed official’s qualifications while impeachment was for acts made after appointment, according to the majority decision.

Sereno was accused of, among other charges, failing to declare her real wealth, buying a luxury car with government funds and making questionable decisions without consulting her fellow magistrates in the impeachment complaint. n

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‘Indo-Pacific to have no better...

PAGE A1 t its tipping point, succeeded Admiral Harry Harris as commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis praised Harris for his achievements as U.S. military commander in the region, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in keeping peace and stability.

“PACOM (Pacific Command) is our primary combatant command, standing watch and intimately engaged with over half

of the earth’s surface and its diverse population,” said Mattis in a statement. “The United States is today, and has been for two centuries, a Pacific nation.”

“Admiral Phil Davidson is wellsuited to operate in the complex international milieu that is the Pacific Command in the 21st Century,” Harris said, conveying confidence in his successor.

Harris also said that Davidson is a battle-tested leader whose experiences and expertise span the globe in a multitude of im-

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

tastrophe, can still recall many of the challenges he faced.

Though born in San Juan, Manila, Romualdez is a full fledged Taclobanon as anyone who knows his family name can attest. The Romualdez name has been a familiar one in the region for a number of generations. His father Alfredo is the brother of the famed Imelda Romualdez Marcos, wife of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. The Tacloban City Airport, also known as the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport — is named after Imelda’s first cousin.

In 1998, Romualdez became congressman while his father was serving as mayor. Following his father’s term, he himself was elected mayor in 2007 which brought him to the city full time.

“At that time, there were still a lot of things to do in Tacloban City,” Romualdez told the Asian Journal in a recent interview.

A capital of the province of Leyte, Tacloban is the center for trade, tourism, culture, education, and government in the Eastern Visayas region. Among his most satisfying achievements as mayor was campaigning Tacloban from a component city, into a highly urbanized city a year into his term. The city became to first to do in the Eastern Visayas region, and the 34th in the Philippines.

But as the city began to reach its peak, it was quickly swept under the waves of Typhoon Haiyan, or Super Typhoon Yolanda as it is more commonly referred as in the Philippines.

“It was very hard as a leader,” said Romualdez, who was serving his second mayoral term during the typhoon. “I couldn’t show them that I was devas-

tated. It’s like being captain of the ship. We go down with the ship.”

Haiyan had become the strongest tropical cyclone to ever be recorded when it hit. Reaching over 300 km/h at its highest, it ransacked everything in its path. Flattened coconut tree farms and washed up cargo boats were common images in international media. Pulling out his cellphone, Romualdez played back videos of the ordeal including a clip of the waters reaching the second floor balcony of a building.

Haiyan’s aftermath further revealed it to be the deadliest with death toll reports ranging anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 depending on the source. Many agree though that its exact number may never be known.

Romualdez said the last body he personally buried was just last New Year’s Eve. But the challenges naturally continued to pile up after the storm as millions of newly displaced people were left disoriented and struggled to make sense of what would happen next. Due to Haiyan’s intensity, even the local government was paralyzed, he said.

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who did extensive coverage on the typhoon, described the situation as being “among the most desperate” he’d seen in the last couple of years he’s covered natural disasters prior to Haiyan.

Being the capital, it’s customary that everyone flocks to Tacloban when there’s a storm, said Romualdez. Tropical storms are common in the region that consists of six provinces. In fact, Haiyan was the country’s 25th typhoon to hit that year, and it was only

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Los Angeles ends Asian Pacific American Heritage Month...

portant security and operational assignments.

Mattis announced that PACOM was changing its name as PAGE A1 t well as its commander during the ceremony.

“In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific oceans, today we rename the U.S. Pacific Command to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” said Mattis.

“Over many decades this command has repeatedly adapted to changing circumstances and today carries that legacy forward as America focuses west,” he added. (AJPress)

Former Tacloban City mayor...

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

Los Angeles City Councilmember David E. Ryu, 4th District, honors AAPI leaders in Los Angeles City Hall.

March.

“I’m a hands on guy,” said the former mayor, recalling the moments after the typhoon. He said he and his team had been driving a payloader around trying to clear a way back to the city. This was made difficult as evacuations centers and the city itself was jam packed with people.

“How do we move all this debris with all these people in the streets?,” Romualdez recalled thinking. In effort to free up space, he said he even began asking for humanitarian flights

by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to help fly people out to relatives outside the city.

“I was on the street the very first day clearing debris, clearing routes to the hospitals,” he added. In the clearing process, bodies continued to reveal themselves, adding to the death toll.

Derrick Anido, the city disaster management officer at the time, likened the streets to scenes one would only wish to see in movies.

“In less than an hour, I saw two dump trucks just full of bodies,” said Anido. “It was a scene you would’ve only seen in the movies. Worse than that.

It was unbelievable.”

Romualdez said the challenges were compounded as he found it difficult to find common ground with the national government.

For one, Romualdez believes that more effort should have immediately focused more on building a community plan rather than just housing.

“Building a community is quite different from just building housing,” he said.

Another instance he shared,

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dation, and Kore Asian Media.

Featured on the walls were photographs of 14 Asian-American women along with captions of their stories — all brought together under the social media hashtag theme, #TogetherWeSpeak.

Among the featured women were actress and filmmaker Anna Akana, Aquilina Soriano-Versoza of the Pilipino Workers Center, Chancee Martorell of the Thai Community Development Center, Cassey Ho of Blogilates, writer and stand up comedian Jenny Yang, transgender criminal defense attorney Mia Yamamoto, and LAPD supervisor pilot Janet Kim. The honorees were captured by conceptual photographer Melly Lee, who received her B.A from the University of California, Irvine, and whose client list includes Google, Warner Bros., LEGO, and HarperCollins.

“For the past month, they have literally and figuratively been the bridge between cultures and perceptions and our future. Not just for the Asian American community, but as a city of activists, dreamers, and doers,” said Ryu of the honorees and their photos which were displayed along the bridge connecting Los Angeles City Hall and City Hall East.

Adding to the celebration of the Asian American women, Ryu gave a personal shout out to his Asian American mother and grandmother.

“I was raised by two strong and powerful Asian American women — my mother and my grandmother,” said Ryu. “So I can tell you from experience, nothing is going to stop these women.”

Representing the Pacific Bridge Arts Foundation was Annie Lam, who in her congratulations to the photographed honorees, cited the increasing visibility of AAPI members in public platforms such as in

American singer Judith Hill who is of Japanese and African descent, surprising guests with her performance.

Aquilina Soriano-Versoza of the Pilipino Workers Center, one of the gallery’s honorees

Criminal defense attorney and civil rights activist, Mia Yamamoto, stands in front of her photo.

AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

the Olympics and through the pioneering upcoming all-Asian cast major motion picture, “Crazy Rich Asians.”

But she also noted that much more representation could be done across all public sectors.

“We have much to celebrate, but yet we still have much to do,” said Lam. She added, “Asian Americans are still very much underrepresented and very much invisible in the arts, entertainment, corporate boardrooms, the newsroom, and the list goes on.”

Of the honorees, she said,

“Our honorees broke barriers in their respective fields — as women and as API — paving the way for future generations to come.”

Closing the reception was a surprise performance by American singer Judith Hill who is of Japanese and African descent. Hill has sang backup for numerous artists including Michael Jackson, Josh Groban, and Stevie Wonder.

She was also chosen as Jackson’s duet partner during his “This Is It” concert tour, for the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

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Dateline USa

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

US warns of capacity to ‘blow apart’ China’s artificial islands in disputed sea

by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

FOllOWInG Beijing’s deployment of new weapons to its outposts in the South China Sea, a Pentagon official warned that Washington has the capacity to take down these man-made islands. lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., U.S. Department of Defense joint staff director, said that the U.S.

has experience in taking down small isolated islands during World War II. “I would just tell you that the United States military has had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific, taking down small islands,” MacKenzie said in a press briefing thursday.

MacKenzie, however, clarified that he was not trying to send a message to China but only stating a fact.

“that’s a core competency of the U.S. military that we’ve done before. You shouldn’t read anything more into that than a simple statement of historical fact,” he said. echoing U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ statement earlier this week, MacKenzie stressed that the United States would continue to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the region.

China, meanwhile, accused the United States of “playing up” the militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying noted that U.S. military presence in the region exceeds China’s military strength.

“We urge certain people in the U.S. to give up all the meaningless hyping up surrounding the situation and do more in a responsible way to enhance trust and cooperation between regional countries and promote regional peace and stability,” Hua said in a press briefing. earlier this week, the Chinese Ministry of Defense confirmed that it has deployed warships to warn U.S. navy warships sailing near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. the U.S. navy’s USS antietam and USS Higgins reportedly sailed within 12 nautical miles of four islands in the Paracels while conducting freedom of navigation operations.

“China firmly opposes this. the Chinese army is determined to strengthen the preparations for sea and air combat readiness, raise the level of defense, defend national sovereignty and security, and maintain the determination of regional peace and stability,” Chinese Ministry of national Defense spokesperson Wu Qian said. the Pentagon had disinvited the Chinese navy from this year’s Rim of the Pacific exercises as an “initial response” to Beijing’s recent actions in the South China Sea. the U.S. said it has strong evidence that China deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-toair missile systems and electronic jammers to its bases on the Spratly Islands. Washington also expressed concern over Beijing’s landing of an H-6K bomber aircraft on Woody Island, its largest base in the Paracel Islands. n

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Photos from INstagram/@WeRise_LA

LA kickstarts community arts festival for mental health awareness We Rise LA seeks to eliminate the stigmas of mental health and encourage personal recovery through creative expression

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Mental health awareness is expanding in ways that we haven’t seen before. through social media, bloggers, entertainment and, even, government-held programs, there is a keen effort to widen the scope of mental health treatment and to start a more open conversation about mental illness.

One of those efforts to shed new light on mental illness came in the form of We Rise la, a new project developed by the los angeles County’s Department of Mental Health (laCDMH) and a host of community organizations. the free 10-day arts and music pop-up festival and rally was held from May 19-30 in Chinatown where artists, activists and health professionals came together to destigmatize mental health with an emphasis in creative expression through the arts.

From panel discussions, to film screenings, to interactive activities, to a dance workshop by hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez, the 10-day affair was designed to be a safe, inclusive space to “create a more positive conversation around mental health,” according to the event’s website. a-list speakers and performers included rappers Common and YG, actors Yara Shahidi and Jesse Williams and lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who surprised high school students and spoke about the potential of young people and students and reminded them of the importance of being mindful.

“I think mental health is extremely important. It’s an issue that’s now coming to the forefront,” Bryant said in an interview at the event. “I see so many kids get so discouraged because they’re expecting to make this quantum leap, and when that quantum leap doesn’t come it feels like it’ll never come. We accept any other challenge that’s presented in front of us, [and] mental health is no different. So let’s face the challenge individually, but understand that we’re facing that challenge collectively.”

On Sunday, May 27, the renowned hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez led an affecting, high-energy dance workshop, hyping up the crowd of mainly young people and encouraging them to let loose. During a crowd Q&a with the dance crew,

Kevin “Kb” Brewer went on an inspiring tangent about how to deal with bullies or people who “try to bring you down.”

“If a bully is getting you down, there’s a chance that that bully is going through something that you don’t even know,” Brewer said, addressing a young boy who has been the victim of intense bullying at school. “the most important thing you can do is to recognize that projecting of emotions has nothing to do with you and you can only control how you feel and work to recognize your own strength, worth and potential. It’s easier said than done, but it’s possible for everyone.” to further emphasize the impact of coping through artistic and creative expression, an art exhibit showcased poignant and moving photographs, paintings, and various installations by artists like Shepard Fairey, Glenn Kaino and CYRCle. (the art exhibit is still open to the public until June 10.)

Mental health in Fil-Am community also on hand were a host of clinicians from the mental health field, including Josephina Dhungana, a mental health clinical supervisor with the laCDMH, who has worked with a variety of people with mental illnesses that range from drug addiction to psychosis to depression and suicidal ideations. “there was this notion that when you say ‘mental illness’, it was often only associated with psychotics or the more severe disorders, when it’s really a broad term to describe a lot of things,” Dhungana, a Filipinoamerican, said in an interview with the Asian Journal at We Rise la. the asian american and Pacific Islander (aaPI) community are, generally, the least likely ethnic group to actively seek out mental health services, according to the findings of two studies from 2008 and 2012 from the national Survey on Drug Use and Health. and within the Filipino community, the resistance to mental health treatment — psychiatry, therapy and medication management — is profound. Since many Filipinos are devout Christians and spirituality permeates the culture, religion is often seen as its own treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma recovery and a whole host of mental disorders, Dhungana said.

“For the Filipino community,

there are a lot of factors associated with [mental illness],” “One is not recognizing the issue as a health issue. they’ll often say, ‘Oh, I’ll just talk to my priest” or “I’ll just talk to my pastor.’ But if you’re not into it, if it’s an inherited religion or faith, you’re just not into it and that’s not going to be an effective coping tool to handle stress and your symptoms.”

She also said that there is a sense of pride within many Filipino families where if someone is going through trauma, it’s “hush-hush.” Many don’t want to admit that something is wrong and, for that reason, don’t seek out professional help.

Over the last few years, the conversation about mental health has evolved rapidly where mental health treatments are available through so many channels. Dhungana, who is based in Palmdale, California, said that many Filipino families she sees who are struggling mentally are more keen to attend churchbased mental health programs, which make them feel safer to discuss what’s affecting their mental and emotional health.

She provides occasional support for families at a Filipino church in Palmdale where regular church-goers speak with her about their issues. She encourages them to seek long-term treatment options and reminds them that there is no shame in seeking professional help which is, at times, necessary. “they feel more comfortable talking about their ‘problems’ with the people in their church because that is what is familiar to them,” she said. “But if it comes to the point where they tell me they can’t sleep and the anxiety is really taking over, I have to tell them this is beyond what we can do right now and I have to refer you to a professional who can see you on a long-term basis and will walk with you through the treatment process.”

Dhungana was one of the many professionals on hand at We Rise la to provide assistance and support to the eventgoers if they need someone to talk to. On the topic of mental health events like We Rise la, Dhungana spoke passionately about the need for more community-based programs, resources and events tailored to relieving the stigmas of mental health and educating people about the vastness of mental health.

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California legislature expands Health4All to elders and young adults Bills would extend state’s low-income Medi-Cal program to all Californians age 65 and over and 25 and under SaCRaMentO, Ca – the California legislature approved two bills in separate votes on Wednesday, May 30 that extend health coverage to all residents age 65 and over and 25 and under who qualify for low-income assistance – including the state’s undocumented residents.

Health4all elders and Young adults extends Medi-Cal coverage to include doctor’s visits and preventive care for qualifying California residents at and below the federal poverty level, currently $33,000 a year for a family of four.

Senate Bill 974 (lara) expands Medi-Cal eligibility to all California residents age 65 and over. assembly Bill 2965 (arambula) extends Medi-Cal to all residents age 25 and younger.

“Being able to go to the doctor is something most of us take for granted when we get older, but thousands of California se-

niors have to rely on emergency rooms and last-minute care,” said lara. “SB 974 guarantees all of our elders the same basic right to healthcare, regardless of where they were born.

Our seniors have worked their whole lives, raised families, and paid their share in taxes, and Washington politics should not decide who gets healthcare in California. We are better than that.”

In 2016, California began offering health coverage to undocumented children, as part of the Health4all Kids effort to offer preventive care and doctor visits to those under age 19. nearly 250,000 children now have full medical coverage as a result.

Under the affordable Care act, the percentage of uninsured Californians has fallen to a historic low of 7 percent.

Undocumented immigrants pay an estimated $3.2 billion annu-

ally in state and local taxes, but those at the poverty level are still barred from access to preventive care and doctor visits.

SB 974 would extend coverage to nearly 30,000 California residents age 65 or over. aB 2965 would cover young adults up to age 26 – matching the affordable Care act guarantee.

Supporters spoke at a press conference before the vote about the benefits of expanding health coverage to young adults. “as a doctor, I don’t ask if a patient is a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident, or has documentation. I treat everyone the same. this is the way we are trained as doctors and this is the way that we provide our best care,” said Dr. Ian Kim, a family doctor at UC Davis. “We know that when more people have access to healthcare, everyone is better off.” n

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A

Sereno ouster sends chilling message to judiciary, says UN expert

by Gaea

Katreena CabiCo

Philstar.com

THE judicial independence in the Philippines is under threat following the removal of Maria Lourdes Sereno as the country’s top judge at the hands of her colleagues in the Supreme Court, a United Nations human rights expert warned.

Diego García-Sayán, UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, stressed that it is the duty of the government and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary.

He said that the landmark decision of the high court granting the quo warranto petition against Sereno seems directly related to the threats made by President Rodrigo Duterte against the former chief magistrate.

“The derogatory statements and threats by President Duterte, which have been televised, broadcast on radio and carried by newspapers, constitute a vicious attack

on the independence of the judiciary,” García-Sayán said.

The former Justice and Foreign Affairs minister of Peru added that such threats “appear to have had a ‘chilling effect’ on the other Supreme Court justices, who may have been deterred from asserting their judicial independence and exercising their freedom of expression.”

Although he repeatedly denied having a hand in the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, Duterte declared that Sereno is “bad” for the country.

“I am putting you on notice that I am now your enemy. And you have to be out of the Supreme Court,” the chief executive said on April 9.

Four days later, Duterte once again lashed out at Sereno calling her “ignorant” and “dumb.”

He recalled the time when Sereno cautioned judges identified by the president as those linked to illegal drugs against submitting to warrantless ar-

Former Tacloban City mayor...

PAGE A3 t came as the Department for Social Welfare began giving 50 kilos (110 pounds) of rice a month to families regardless of how many children were in the household.

Being in excess of rice, Romualdez said that many began to sell portions of their rice to buy other needed things like clothes and medicine. And because it was prohibited to sell relief goods, many were also arrested.

“That’s not the way to do it,” said Romualdez while commending the USAID process of distributing goods depending on the number of family members in a household.

He said USAID were among the first to give assistance — giving foods that were immediately edible.

“Doesn’t taste that great, but its nutritious in that it’s going to help you survive if even for a couple of days,” he said.

“You’re not giving rice because you want them to feel happy. You want them to eat it, right?” he said.

Recovery and Resilience In the weeks, months, and even years following the disaster, Taclobanons and the Waray people in general were praised for their resiliency.

“What I see with Tacloban now is a city that is resilient because of its people,” said Romualdez.

“Here’s what I always tell people,” he added. “Why is Tacloban, or any city strong?

It’s because of its people. So we have to invest in our people.”

As the region’s population began to rebuild themselves, Romualdez said he wanted to make sure that sustainability was in the city’s near future.

“The best way to get back — as I’ve told people — is to start opening shop,” he said. “Open shop, open your stores.”

Among the first to open up again was Coca-Cola which spent around $7 million, he added.

While most of the help financially was going to municipalities around Tacloban rather than in Tacloban itself, he said that what was more important was that the spending was happening in Tacloban because they already facilities up and running.

“We had groceries open, we had the mall opening,” Romualdez added. “This is what we pushed. That’s why we’re able to sustain it.”

Currently, two malls developed by one of the nation’s leading property developers Robinsons Land Corporation, stand in the city. According to the company, the second mall was a testament to the trust the company had in the city’s resilience.

“I had hopes from the very start,” said Romualdez. “I said I’m not leaving. We’re going to build this city back and we did. And I’ll do it again.

‘I Love Tacloban’ Amidst a visit to Fil-Am and Taclobanon communities in California this May and June, traveling with Romualdez was the I Love Tacloban band, an ensemble formed after Haiyan. The band consists of six members — most of whom are typhoon survivors.

The band, Romualdez said, was just part of his many projects. He also has the I Love Tacloban Foundation.

The general message being spread by the band is that of thankfulness to those who have helped the city. At the same time, they’re also representing the city of Tacloban.

Asked why he chose a band to be a part of his efforts, Romualdez responded, “First of all, it’s accessible.”

“It’s something that demonstrates human relation to people. As you can see now, it even shapes society,” he added, mentioning the music of the 60s to now.

“It’s a good way to communicate and it inspires people,” he said.

One of the lead vocalists, Gamaliel Gobenciong, cited the common idea of music as therapy. Music has always been a big part of his family. A survivor himself, he recalled his family being taken by surprise given that Tacloban was always hit by typhoons and storm surges.

Edwin Espiño, guitarist and music director of the group, pointed to the Filipino culture of music.

“All over the Philippines, music is a lifestyle. It’s part of our life as Filipinos,” said Espiño.

“Especially in Tacloban, people gather — relatives, friends — and they drink and they sing. That’s what makes us happy. And that’s what makes the family closer.”

While the band sings many popular songs by artists like Bruno Mars and Adele, Romualdez said they also sing Filipino songs including in Waray which many — especially those who have migrated to the states — may not have heard in a while.

Romualdez also expressed that he would also like to encourage Taclobanons to get involved with the rebuilding and growth of Tacloban. Among the organizations being visited by him and the band are the Waraynon Initiative Network, and the Taclobanon Association of Southern California.

“I’d like people to come back. Share their ideas, their views, their visions,” said Romualdez. “That’s how you make a city strong. You have to work on the people.”

While in California, the group has several performances lined up including for the Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program on Sunday, June 3 at the Levo Entertainment Center in Burbank, CA, and an opento-the-public performance at the Westin Long Beach hotel on Friday, June 8. n

LA kickstarts community...

PAGE A4 t “It’s changed now and there’s this greater awareness and there’s no shame in mental health, and there’s no shame in seeking therapy, medication or any kind of professional help,” she said. “More people can see that mental health encompasses a lot of issues whether you are having a panic attack, stagefright or even anxiety during a test, and it can affect you so much that it impairs your functioning. We all experience nervousness or anxiety but when it completely stops you from doing

what you want to do, then it’s a different story. That’s a disorder, and people should realize that there’s treatment for that.”

If you or somebody you know is going through a non-emergency mental crisis and would like confidential mental health information or referrals to service providers, call the LACDMH 24/7 ACCESS hotline at 1-800854-7771. The National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-273-8255 is free and available 24/7. For emergency situations where significant harm may occur, experts recommend calling 9-1-1. n

rests.

“The use of such derogatory language against the highestranking magistrate in the country sends a clear message to all judges of the Philippines: in the so-called ‘war on drugs,’ you’re either with me or against me,” García-Sayán said.

Sereno on Wednesday filed a 205-page motion for reconsideration, asking the Supreme Court to reverse the historical May 11 decision.

“The right to a fair trial presupposes the existence of an independent and impartial tribunal,” the UN special rapporteur said.

He added: “It is high time to adopt concrete measures to restore judicial independence, which is enshrined in the national constitution as well as in international human rights treaties.”

The International Commission of Jurists on Thursday said that the ouster of Sereno has a hand NEW PSG CHIEF. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a memento from newly-installed Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander Colonel in the “overall deterioration” Jose Eriel Niembra during the Change of Command Ceremony at the PSG Compound in Malacañang Park, Manila on Wednesday, May 30. of the rule of law in the Philip- Also in the photo are outgoing PSG Commander Brigadier General Lope Dagoy and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias pines. n A military helicopter p a t ro l s B o ra c a y ahead of the closure of the top tourist destination last April 26. President Duterte has declared the entire island under land reform, saying commercial establishments and developers will have to adjust to government policies.

Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos

Palace: Boracay for all Filipinos...

PAGE A1 t He noted that the Supreme Court had issued a decision declaring Boracay public land, referring to to the unanimous ruling by the high court on Oct. 8, 2008, upholding Proclamation No. 1064 issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006 declaring the entire island a property of the state, ex-

cept areas with titles.

“There are pending legislation in Congress that would enable some inhabitants to obtain land titles. I think that’s part of the legislative agenda for Boracay, for congressmen ultimately to determine who gets to own what in Boracay,” Roque said. n

Dateline USa

A june 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn jOuRnAL

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California 2018 primary election...

PAGE A1 t

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying

China hits US: Stop hyping South China Sea dispute

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

BEIJING called out Washington for “playing up” its militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the United States to stop “hyping” the maritime dispute over the South China Sea. “We urge certain people in the U.S. to give up all the meaningless hyping up surrounding the situation and do more in a responsible way to enhance trust and cooperation between regional countries and promote regional peace and stability,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing Thursday, May 31.

This statement comes days after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that Washington will continue to confront Beijing’s increasing militarization in the contested waters.

Justifying US freedom of navigation operations, Mattis noted that there was only one country that “seems to take active steps to rebuff them or state their resentment of them.”

Beijing, however, accused the U.S. Navy of deliberately trespassing into waters and features that China claims as theirs in the South China Sea. “They prettify it as ‘freedom of navigation operation.’ Does the U.S. truly want the freedom of navigation entitled under the international law? Or does it just want the freedom to do whatever it likes as a hegemon?” Hua said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson further noted that

U.S. military presence in the region exceeds the total military strength of China and other littoral states.

“China is not the first to deploy weapons in the South China Sea region, neither is it the one that deploys the largest number of weapons, still less the one that conducts military activities most frequently there. It is self-evident to a keener eye that who is militarizing the South China Sea,” the spokesperson said.

Defending the deployment of weapons on its bases in the South China Sea, Hua stressed that Beijing was only exercising its “right to self-preservation and self-defense” under international law.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that Beijing will “never attack others unless we are attacked.”

“Those who are addicted to and going after hegemony always have the illusion that others are coveting their hegemony.

China has solemnly stated on many public occasions that its development will pose no threat to any other country. No matter how developed it grows, China will never seek hegemony or expansion,” Hua said.

The Pentagon recently withdrew its invitation for China to participate in the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercises, the world’s multinational maritime exercise.

This was an “initial response” to Beijing’s recent actions in the South China Sea. The U.S. stressed that it has “strong evidence” that China deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jammers to its bases in the Spratly Islands. n

SCRAPPED. A backhoe runs over the cars which were part of the 122 smuggled vehicles destroyed during the public condemnation led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port Area in Manila on Wednesday, May 30.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

U.S. Senate Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, Democrat Feinstein’s re-election campaign to run for a sixth term surprised many. Feinstein, 84, has been representing the Golden State in the Senate since 1992, and before that, she was mayor of San Francisco and a member of the Board of Supervisors. She has been one of the leading Democratic leaders in the Senate, authoring the famous 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban. However, recently Democrats have been vying for a replacement for her relaxing of Democratic values; although she supposed the Affordable Care Act, she denounces single-payer health care, a top priority among Democrats. In 2018, the California Democratic Party did not endorse any of the candidates, which many saw as a rebuke to Feinstein. Despite party backlash, Feinstein is leading in the polls and is expected to make it to the midterms.

Kevin de León, CA Senate President (Los Angeles), Democrat De León is currently serving as a state senator for the eastern region of LA and serves as the Senate President. De León, 51, previously served in the state assembly and worked as a labor organizer for the California Teachers Association before that. His decision to run for the Senate stems from his belief that the state needs more progressive leadership and believes Feinstein’s actions have not reflected the state’s growingly diverse demographic. As the son of Guatemalan immigrants, de León has made immigrant rights a keystone during his political career and in his campaign. He authored the controversial sanctuary state law, SB 54, which prohibits state officials from aiding federal immigration agents with information about undocumented immigrants.

He is currently trailing Feinstein in the polls and is expected to face off with her in November.

James P. Bradley, businessman, Republican First-time candidate Bradley is a recently-registered Republican who said he registered in March after years of voting without a party preference. Believing the Democratic Party is becoming too progressive, Bradley, 60, has dedicated his “America First Reunite Platform” to fighting against de León’s sanctuary state bill, supporting Trump’s border wall and increasing the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state. He is also a supporter of gun rights, proudly stating on his campaign website that he is a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Despite his Trumpian immigration stances, he supports granting citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have “delayed applications” and reuniting immigrant children whose parents were deported. Another contrast to his party’s values is that he supports climate change initiatives.

Governor Rep. Travis Allen (Huntington Beach), Republican Allen was elected to the State Assembly in 2012 and has welcomed Trump immigration policies: he supports the border wall, the limiting of family reunification programs and repealing California’s “sanctuary state” law; as a representative for the Huntington Beach area, he welcomed the lawsuit that the Justice Department filed against the state for the law.

Allen, 44, advocates for lowering taxes, particularly the new gas and vehicle taxes, which Californians generally disfavor. As an outspoken conservative, he was widely criticized for lying about a California law that he claimed “legalized” child prostitution --- the law he was referring to decriminalized minors who are prostitutes and

instead allowed law enforcement officers treat them as sex trafficking victims rather than criminal offenders. Allen has an A+ rating with the NRA and vocally opposes gun control measures.

John Chiang, CA state treasurer, Democrat Chiang was elected state treasurer in 2014 after serving two terms as the state controller. As controller, Chiang, 55, withheld state lawmakers’ pay for failing to come up with a balanced spending bill in 2011. The key issues of his platform include implementing policy to combat sexual harassment and assault, providing quality public education and increasing access to higher education and moving the state toward a singlepayer health care system. As the son of Taiwanese immigrants, Chiang has spoken out against the Trump immigration policies during the campaign and vows to support the sanctuary state law and find legislative solutions to uplift the immigrant community.

John Cox, businessman, Republican Though not a career politician, Cox, 62, has responded to the public’s general distaste for establishment politics with his campaign. But this isn’t the first time he’s run for office. In 2003, he ran for the U.S. Senate in Illinois only to lose against former President Barack Obama. Cox has largely self-funded his campaign, which largely represents Trump conservatism. He supports immigration reform, the border wall and the repeal of the sanctuary state law. (In several debates, he’s said, “Nobody wants to live next to an MS-13 gang member.) Cox is second in the polls, which could pit him against Newsom, who has a comfortable lead, in the November election.

Delaine Eastin, former California superintendent of public instruction, Democrat Eastin’s career spans all the way to the 1980s. Before she was superintendent of public instruction — which she served from 1995 to 2003 — she served in the State Assembly from 1986 to 1994, even chairing the Education Committee.

During her career, she has been an outspoken advocate for the state’s class-size reduction law, which posits that smaller classrooms provide a more quality K12 education. As governor, it’s not a surprise that she’s made quality public education and affordable higher education a top priority of her gubernatorial campaign. In an early debate in 2018, she openly criticized Sacramento for its lack of funding in public education, claiming that the state spends more money on incarceration than on students, often referencing a 2017 Associated Press study that found California is ranked No. 1 in prison spending and a study from the California Budget and Policy Center found that the state is No. 41 in pupil spending.

Gavin Newsom, CA Lieutenant Governor, Democrat Newsom has served as California’s lieutenant governor (second in command to the governor) since 2011. Before that, Newsom, 50, was Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011, when he made headlines when he ordered the city to issue marriage licenses to LGBT couples in San Francisco in the first year of his tenure. Newsom, 50, has proposed tougher gun laws in the state, supported the legalization of recreational marijuana and helped initiate the country’s first universal healthcare initiative. A vocal opponent of Trump, he has very openly criticized the president and touted a campaign that directly challenges the administration’s stance on immigrant rights, gun reform, LGBT rights and climate change policy.

Newsom has been leading in the polls and is poised to take his campaign to the November elections.

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles, Democrat Villaraigosa served as LA mayor from 2005 to 2013 and before that, he was the speaker of the State Assembly from 1998 to 2000. As mayor during the national economic downturn, Villaraigosa, 65, fought for compromises from public employee unions that were needed because of raises that he sign off on before the 2008 recession. Crimes also decreased during his tenure when he significantly bolstered the LAPD with the hiring of new police officials.

He campaigned for Measure R, a $35 billion transportation package that issued a half-cent sales tax across the LA County, which has reformed the failing public transit system.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra, CA Attorney General, Democrat Becerra became the first Latino attorney general when he was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017 to take over former AG Kamala Harris who was elected to the U.S. Senate. As attorney general, Becerra, 60, has represented California in several challenges against the Trump administration in defending the Affordable Care Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in court and has stood by SB 54 and promised to uphold sanctuary state policies in the event of any massive ICE raids. Before he was attorney general, he had a rich career as an aggressive lawmaker stateside and on the federal level.

He first served in the California State Assembly from 1992 and served as U.S. representative for three different congressional districts from 1993 to 2017.

Dave Jones, CA Insurance Commissioner, Democrat Jones has served as CA insurance commissioner since 2011 after serving as a Sacramento city councilor from 1999 to 2004 and state assemblymember from 2004 to 2010. As insurance commissioner, he has backed legislation that protects policyholders who have suffered natural disasters.

With a background in law, Jones has criticized Becerra’s politicizing of the attorney general’s office. Last month, Jones filed a lawsuit against Becerra for filming a campaign video in a courtroom in the historic Stanley Mosk State Library and Courts building in Sacramento, a move Jones found “unlawful” and “misleading” given Becerra’s “inactive status with the State Bar of California for 26 years before being appointed Attorney General.”

For the Republican ticket, declared candidates include Steven Bailey, retired El Dorado County Superior Court Judge, and Eric Early, managing partner of Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae LLP. Lieutenant Governor Like the race for governor, the top two vote-getters for lieutenant governor in the June 5 primary will appear on the general election ballot in November. Term limits prevent current Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom — who was first elected to the office in 2010 and was re-

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elected in 2014 — from running for a third term; he, however, is running for governor. There are 11 candidates for the state’s second-highest position who serves as the president of the state Senate, a regent for the University of California system, and on the board of trustees for the California State University system.

According to a YouGov poll in May, Democratic candidate Eleni Kounalakis polled at 14 percent of likely voters, Republican Cole Harris at 16 percent, and 41 percent of people were undecided.

Kounalakis is a former ambassador to Hungary, a senior advisor for the Albright Stoneridge Group, and former fundraiser/foreign policy advisor during Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run. Her priorities include affordable housing, health care reform, and lowering cost of UC and CSUs. Harris is a businessman whose top priorities include spending, jobs and the economy, and affordable housing.

Other candidates for this post include state Senator Ed Hernandez (D), former U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich (D), and venture capitalist David Fennell (R).

Secretary of State The secretary of state is considered the chief clerk of California overseeing a department of 500 people, all federal and state elections in the state, and maintaining a database of registered voters.

The incumbent, Alex Padilla, is among the candidates running.

His accomplishments include sponsoring legislation that automatically registers eligible voters when they get or renew a driver’s license. Others include Ruben Major (D), Mark Meuser (R), Raul Rodriguez Jr. (R), and Michael Feinstein (Green Party) and Erik Rydberg (Green Party).

State Controller This position acts as the chief financial officer of the state, with responsibilities that include exerting investigative authority for every dollar spent by the state and being an ex-officio member of the state’s Board of Equalization. The state controller is elected to a four-year term but is limited to two terms.

Incumbent Betty Yee (D) is running again after being elected in 2015. Her priorities include addressing the state’s gig economy and the effects of climate change on the economy. Konstantinos Roditis, an entrepreneur, is running on the Republican ticket and is seeking to audit and cut funding on government projects and implemented a tax plan called “trickle-up-taxation.”

State Treasurer The state treasurer is responsible for the state’s investment and finance with responsibilities like issuing bonds and notes for the state, and trustee, registrar and paying agent for all general obligation bonds and certain revenue bonds investment of temporarily idle state money. Current incumbent John Chiang is running for governor.

Among the candidates for this race include Fiona Ma (D), chairwoman of the California State Board of Equalization;Vivek Viswanathan (D), former Special Advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown and Policy Advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign; Jack M. Guerrero (R), a CPA, Cudahy city councilmember, and economist; and Greg Conlon (R), a businessman and CPA. Ma’s priorities include promoting good corporate governance and combatting the underground economy to ensure fair tax paying, while Guerrero is seeking pension reform and improving the state’s credit ratings.

Insurance Commissioner The officeholder is in charge of the California Department of Insurance, with duties that include licensing and regulating insurance companies and enforcing laws of the California Insurance Code.

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Dave Jones is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

Candidates include state Senator Ricardo Lara (D), pulmonologist Asif Mahmood (D), and Steve Poizner (no party), a former California Insurance Commissioner.

For specific races on your ballot — such those for the House of Representatives, state Senate and Assembly, and city-specific measures — you can visit http://votersedge.org/ca for further information. (With reports by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A7

Robredo: I won VP race but don’t Senate summons Garin, Abad anew Senior citizens call for probe over P10.6-B ‘fund diversion’ have plans to replace Duterte

by AUDREY

by JEFFERSON

ANTIPORDA ManilaTimes.net

MORALLO

Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo stressed that her victory during the 2016 elections was clean and underscored that she was not after President Rodrigo Duterte’s job.

In the second part of her interview posted on her Facebook account, Robredo said that she had already won and some people simply could not move on.

Robredo said her family worked hard for everything they had and pointed to the fact that her family did not have any history of stealing from the nation’s coffers and cheating during elections.

“I’ve already won, and there are still some who can’t move on.

It’s obvious where the fake news on this is coming from. Whenever they say that I’m a fake VP, I will repeat and you can see this in the records, our family does not have any history of cheating,” the vice president said in Filipino.

Robredo said reports that a dead person voted for her in one province were untrue.

“I don’t really have experience in cheating in elections, to steal from the nation’s coffers, and I haven’t committed any irregularity. We will see who has the capacity and the history to cheat,” she said.

Robredo is facing an electoral protest filed by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is alleging that vote-counting machines used during the 2016 polls were manipulated to favor the vice president.

Marcos is the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator who committed massive corruption and human rights abuses during his 21-year reign. Marcos’ father also committed cheating during elections to repeatedly win fresh electoral mandates and to give his authoritarian rule a semblance of legality.

During the interview, Robredo also denied that she was aiming to replace Duterte as president.

“My God, I am not excited to become president. Even the vice presidency, this was not planned.

This just happened even when I

Vice President Leni Robredo

became congressman,” Robredo said.

When asked for a categorical answer if she had any intention to oust Duterte, the vice president said, “None, I don’t want to replace President Duterte.”

Duterte and Robredo, who belong to different political parties, have had a rocky relationship since their election in 2016.

After months of hesitation, Duterte appointed Robredo to a Cabinet post only to tell her to desist from attending meetings in the palace supposedly over fundamental political differences.

This led the vice president to resign from her post.

Since then, their relationship has been cordial, and they have shared the same stage in some public events in the past months.

Just recently, the president loudly wondered if Robredo was really the vice president, a remark which prompted the vice president’s camp to reassure the chief executive that she was indeed the second highest official of government.

Aside from questions on her mandate and her supposedly intention to oust the chief executive, Robredo also debunked other rumors about her which spread on social media.

Robredo explained that her supposed “meet-and-greet” visit to Los Angeles, California was actually on an invitation from the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra to grace its fundrais-

Philstar.com photo

ing event.

She also denied confronting Sen, Loren Legarda in the Senate and stressed that the lawmaker was even one of those championing for a budget for the Office of the Vice President.

There was also no meeting that transpired between her and some members of the European Parliament during her recent trip to Europe, according to Robredo.

On a supposed post from a group of Bicol residents who were allegedly ashamed of Robredo, she said, “This is the only thing I can say: The editing was badly done.”

Robredo also denied insulting Paoay church in Ilocos and owning a bed which cost P700,000.

The vice president also explained that her supposed opposition to the extension of the Philippine National Railways line to Bicol was false, saying that she was only not in favor of the mode of financing being planned for the project which could result in government debt.

She also denied issues surrounding her daughters such as the use of corruption money on Aika Robredo’s study in Harvard University.

“This saddens me because this is happening only now. Before, we were free to express our sentiments and respect differences in our opinions,” she said, emphasizing that fighting fake news is the only way to fight this culture and to prove that it is unacceptable. ■

THE SENATE will summon anew two Cabinet secretaries of former president Benigno Aquino III linked to the alleged diversion of P10.6 billion in funds intended for the health insurance premiums of senior citizens, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said on Friday, June 1.

“They (officials) will be given the chance to air their side. But it would be under the committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon),” Ejercito said in an interview.

The senator was referring to former budget secretary Florencio Abad and former health secretary Janette Garin.

Also summoned was former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Alexander Padilla.

The Office of Sen. Richard Gordon, who heads the blue ribbon committee, confirmed that there would be an inquiry on the alleged fund diversion to health facilities.

PhilHealth Chief Operating Officer Ruben John Basa, in Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography led by Ejercito, named Abad, Garin and Padilla as being responsible for diverting P10.6 billion from the Miscellaneous Personnel and Benefits Fund (MPBF) of the 2015 national budget to the health facilities enhancement program.

The realignment request for P10.6 billion was contained in a memorandum dated on December 29, 2015, signed by former executive secretary Paquito Ochoa, which at the same time sought the realignment of P3.5 billion to procure the Dengvaxia vaccines.

Garin, in a recent radio interview, denied the allegation and claimed that there was no request for a P10.6 billion transfer from PhilHealth because there was simply no fund.

Asked for his reaction, Ejercito said the former government officials would have their chance to explain their side and that it would best if they would give

their statements while under oath.

Ejercito, however, was not convinced with the initial explanation of Garin, noting that documents submitted to his committee indicated that there was a request for a fund transfer.

One of the documents Ejercito’s committee obtained was the August 5, 2015 letter signed by Garin and Padilla, addressed to Abad.

In the letter, Garin and Padilla were asking Abad for the imme-

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OPINION

The virtue of prudence

FEATURES

FROM Wednesday, May 30 until Thursday, May 31, police killed six drug suspects in Bulacan. In recent weeks, several drug-related deaths have been reported almost daily in different parts of the country. On Friday last week, nine drug suspects, including one described as a high-value target, were killed in what a combined police and military raiding team described as an encounter in Matalam, North Cotabato.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front claimed the nine were its members and protested the killings. The incident did not stop the two chambers of Congress from approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law – a step toward a peace agreement with the MILF. But the protest filed by the separatist group over the killings should remind law enforcers about the virtues of prudence when neutralizing drug targets.

Even if lawmen are sure that they have the right suspects, it is always useful to present proof that shooting to kill is justified.

President Duterte promised during his election campaign to crack down on drug dealers and other criminals. Voters embraced him and looked the other way as he fulfilled his promise with zeal

following his victory. Since then, however, the Philippine National Police has been pulled out twice from the war on drugs because of abuses and gross violations of human rights. Surveys indicated slipping public support for the brutal conduct of the war.

As provided by law, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is now taking the lead in the campaign against illegal drugs. Both the PDEA and PNP must not forget the lessons imparted in the recent past in the conduct of the war. Public support is indispensable in any campaign against criminality. That support can be eroded by perceptions that law enforcers are abusing the power of the state to neutralize threats to public safety.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Kababayan shares community college success story

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LAST MIDWEEK, I shared with you through this column about the eye-opening experience I had when I attended the San Mateo Community College graduation here in Northern California.

My own daughter Katrina was among the graduates as she decided to take this route before going to California State University to complete her bachelor’s degree without having to be saddled with student loans as she invests in her own education.

I shared how my husband and I were humbled by what we witnessed during the graduation ceremony. We saw so many families there— as in the whole three-generation family, beaming with pride because for many of them, their student was the first ever in the family to have an associate’s degree. Most of the other family members were lucky 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” ) 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 that 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 also wrote in my midweek column how much hope I President Donald Trump and his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos could attend these graduation ceremonies so they could understand the importance community colleges in building a stronger, more prosperous better America.

In this way, they could fully support these community col-

leges instead of cutting funding and subsidies for them. This will 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.

I got so many responses from our kababayans via email, social media and through the Asian Journal online edition.

One such Filipino is Jun Obrique, a proud father whose letter I will share to inspire Filipino-American families struggling in America.

[Editor’s note: It has been edited and condensed for clarity] I have two daughters who just graduated from from Cal State University in Los Angeles with both having achieved the highest honor of Summa Cum Laude.

Your article “Honoring Community Colleges” reminded me where their journey had started in the first place.

My eldest daughter Melanie, after spending a year in UC Irvine, has made a bold decision to transfer to local community colleges. Long Beach City College was the place chosen due to proximity from our house.

My other daughter Janelle Obrique, after graduating from Millikan High School, has made a bold decision to join her older

sister in the same school.

I couldn’t understand at the beginning what was the rationale [behind] their decision.

But I understand now that both of my daughters have made an outstanding move.

They knew the pros and cons, considering the cost of tuition fees of going to community colleges instead of universities was an enormous burden for me and my wife. Another factor of going to community college is being able to stay at home instead of paying rent for dormitories.

The first two years in Long Beach City College were purely prerequisite aiming toward a nursing career. I have [reminded] them that God will be the guiding force together with their parents whenever the help is needed.

After completing their prerequisites, they moved forward to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing. In the course of their journey, they had to conquer and face the first challenges head-on.

The first challenge was to go under the rigorous selection of only 50 students for the nursing program. The odds of being one of them was very high since hundreds and hundreds of students were on the waiting list from two to four years behind.

I have always reminded them that with God all things are possible — true enough — both of them were admitted to the nursing program at the same time!

There had always been the danger of being kicked out of the program, especially if you fall behind the highest standard set in place by the nursing program director. Both of them had experienced being [almost] kicked out but [were] able to bounce back.

Last year was considered their defining moment at Long Beach City College when both of my daughters completed and graduated with associate’s degrees in nursing.

As parents, both Marissa Obrique and I were so overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving to God. One unforgettable moment of our [lives] was during what we call the pinning of [the] nursing emblem over the collar of their white dress including an announcement of my two daughters’ names.

The same scenario during the graduation ceremonies at Veterans Stadium. This [was] a history-making event when my two daughters graduated [in] the same class and the same community college, [which] set the highest standard which may even surpass other state col-

leges or universities.

Thank you Long Beach City College with such honor you have given us. You paved the way for them to advance to higher level and graduate from Cal State University in Los Angeles, with both having achieved the highest honorof Summa Cum Laude.

This story does not end with a Firework Conclusion which is passing the California Board of Nursing Licensing Test. I can proudly say [they are] officially registered nurses. Congratulations to Janelle and Melanie and tI will not forget but will give credit to all community colleges in the state of California like the one in Long Beach. They are able to build a solid foundation in education, especially for my two daughters, possibly a history-making career and event in the land of the free and the home of the brave: the United States of America. God bless America and the whole Filipino communities in the U.S. Thank you. MABUHAY! *** 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

The fruits of great love at Purple Yam Brooklyn and Malate

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “Cooking is like the fruit of a great love: a strong and slightly egotistical love on the part of the men, altruistic and sensitive on the part of the women. Be it one or the other, it is always present, demanding its share of gratitude and recognition. Isn’t this natural? Technique can improve, just as experience can be acquired.

Nothing can replace this last quality, not even talent, though talent must not be neglected for it is undoubtedly, in large measure, the source of genius.”

– Raymond Oliver, 1969 “KAYA pa ba?” (Do you still have capacity?) Chef Romy Dorotan (the Chef) in his white chef’s uniform, sporting a smile from ear to ear, came to our table in the backyard multiple times. First, to acknowledge us as if long lost family members.

He walked briskly to our table, unfazed by a full house of customers, whom he serves as he alternates to go to the kitchen and even rearranges one pot back to the wood shelf, to be planted with more succulents for the summer.

“Oh, nandiyan pala kayo.” (I see you are here.) “Nag-order na kayo?” (Have you ordered?)

Ever the enthusiastic foodie that I am, I enumerated the appetizers and salads we ordered and a single entrée: peach, radicchio kimchi; eggplant kulawo with mangoes and a few slices of ampalaya with coconut milk; Amy’s eggroll; watermelon with radicchio, mango and lettuce; and chicken adobo with vinegar, turmeric and coconut milk. When our friend the night before, we shared the stage with the Chef, at the book launch hosted by the Philippine Consulate Office in New York. Romy Dorotan was one of the 31 book subjects of “Even the Rainbow Has a Body.”

Conrad, a recent NY-college graduate offered to decode the metaphor embedded in the title, “Your book is evocative. You know the rainbow is ephemeral.

It seems to tell us that you are elevating these subjects as worthy of being sources of awe and inspiration.”

I smiled, nodded my head.

“Yes, if you look at the history of Chef Romy Dorotan, he introduced the Filipino cuisine to the American mainstream palate, here in NY, elevating it perhaps.”

Chef Romy stopped me in the use of “elevate.” I paused, open to being corrected in public. He did it gently, almost apologetic, then, explained that he, too, was corrected by his wife, Amy Besa,

a founding owner of Purple Yam-Malate in the Philippines.

He explained: “Our Filipino cuisine does not need elevation. It is us who need to elevate ourselves to the beauty of our cuisine, to embrace it. Imagine our community spends hundreds and hundreds of dollars to pay for American, Japanese, French, Italian dinners, but our cuisine is equally as good.”

“Long before purple yam was popularized in the American palate in 2017-2018, Cendrillon SoHo (its precursor) was the hangout of foodies in New York. Martha Stewart even invited Chef Romy Dorotan to her television show to cook our Filipino cuisine, adobo. Did you know that one of her favorites was fresh lumpia crepes made with purple ube and green pandan wrappers? And one day, my cousins and I drove from Washington, D.C. to see a play in SoHo, Miracle in Rwanda. We went to lunch at Cendrillon and after the play; we asked each other, where for dinner. The unanimous answer of 7 of us, Cendrillon, so we ate our memorable meals of bibingka, black rice squid paella, kare-kare and more,” I added.

As if a computer had unraveled the ingredients of the entrees, I rattled off and shared them with the audience, and occasionally looked at the Chef for

confirmation. Imagine, I made mistakes in the name of the cultural officer yet I remembered the ingredients of that delicious bibingka that our blind-lawyer friend, Ollie insisted he must “take home” to his mom in DC. Think of how memorable your meals were that you desire to do a take-out for that special person in your life, to convey your love for her? Ollie did this even before we could finish our dinner.

After the Chef said that, my mind quickly ticked off the sixcourse Italian dinner we had at Bestia in LA or the eight-course Japanese dinner at Aburiya Raku in West Hollywood for special anniversaries and birthdays, evoking the anticipation, the exceptional delight and a full sense of satisfaction.

I left myself open, to be delighted at Purple Yam Brooklyn (PYB).

Opening our palate gifts at PYB It was a continuous symphony of entrees that were laid at our table. The first group were the appetizers: two types of kimchi, potato and tocino pizza, eggplant kulawo served on a royal blue and white platter, suggesting to us how royally special this dish was. We were delighted by the eggplant kulawo, I almost ordered a second plate, but held back, and even my husband,

Chef Romy Dorotan holding their latest book

Photo courtesy of Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa

Enrique Delacruz, who is not a foodie, raved about it.

Momar Visaya, the Asian Journal’s editor-in-chief arrived from another assignment, as this was NY’s Filipino Restaurant Week.

He ordered cua pao pulled pork, kare-kare, and his favorite amongst the dessert array that he tasted the night before, ube tikoy with champoy ice-cream, with a special request of mango-

steen ice cream.

The next group of entrees came with chicken adobo cooked with turmeric, vinegar and coconut milk, oxtail kare-kare and Amy’s eggroll. I had carefully spooned the last of the adobo gravy on my rice, savoring every drop. I am now salivating as I write this, hoping to duplicate it in my kitchen.

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

A

The fruits of great love at Purple Yam... Speaker Speaker Alvarez

confirms plot to unseat him

PAGE A8 t

Chef came, and asked, “Kaya pa ba?” We all declined. But, ever the curious foodie, I asked what the entrée would be. He said, “soft shell crab with watercress and heirloom rice.”

“Oh, okay, we said, we have room.” He served it personally and then watched the look in our eyes as we all gasped at this dramatic offering was on a crispy nori taco. It had a palapa crust and was served with rhubarb and horseradish sauce. This was another star of the night, perhaps to merit the most beautiful and tasty offering for the night.

Another star of the evening was the array of desserts – calamansi meringue tart with rhubarb served with guava sorbet, ube tikoy with champoy ice cream, mango tart with mango ice cream and a dish of multiple scoops of homemade siniguelas and mangosteen. As a teaser, another adobo dish was served, made with vinegar, miso and served on a bed of crunchy kangkong. Oh my, another star of the night. That would make it a 17-course dinner, including mulberry vinegar, guava strips and green mango with a quail egg. I am not sure what to say at this point.

Did the eggplant kulawo steal our hearty palate the first time, as if one falls in love the first time? Or was it the adobo in

Five families at Purple Yam during the fall

by LLanesca

Panti ManilaTimes.net

Adobo in Miso

Eggplant Kulawo

Kimchi with Radicchio and Nappa

Mango Tart with Mango Ice Cream Photos by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

miso or the ube tikoy with cham- presented?

Endearing hospitality of Purpoy ice cream? Or the soft shell crab so delectable and royally ple Yam’s owners, whether in Brooklyn or in Malate Chef Amy Besa, who attended the Manila book launch of “Even the Rainbow Has a Body” in May 2017, invited my friends and me for lunch, her treat. She shared how we must incorporate our indigenous crops; our lesserknown fruits and vegetables or we may lose them forever, unless there is a demand for the farmers to grow them.

At Malate, during another dinner I hosted with friends, the heirloom red rice from Benguet with vegetables was laid out with pride as the lechon, and we all said, “Please pass the rice,“ as we all helped ourselves to more.

PY-Malate had the chicken adobo in turmeric as well, with a unique twist of pancit Malate served with the white noodles formed as a squid, with strips of squid and shrimps. The star of the lunch that day was the halohalo, made with preserved fruits and homemade ice-cream, leche flan, and ube halaya. Nothing beats this Malate-based haloPhoto courtesy of Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa

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u PAGE A10

8# ?D: H6N6H! ?G#

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte on Thursday, May 31, confirmed that there are efforts to unseat him, but refused to name names.

The Speaker made the disclosure in a radio interview a day after the House of Representatives adjourned sine die after passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which abolishes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and replaces it with a Bangsamoro Region that will enjoy fiscal autonomy and be governed by the Bangsamoro Parliament elected by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region’s inhabitants.

“May mga nanggugulo ano, at alam ko naman kung sino ang mga nanggugulo [There are those who are trying to rock the boat, and I know who they are],” Alvarez said when asked if there were serious efforts to remove him as the Speaker of the House, the country’s fourth highest post.

There have been persistent talks that Alvarez could be replaced by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque, son of Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. of the Supreme Court.

Velasco is a known ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Last year, the congressman celebrated his birthday in Malacañang.

Alvarez made it known that he was not a fan of Velasco.

“I don’t want to talk to Congressman Velasco. Baka bolahin lang ako ‘ nun [He could just resort to making a fool of me],” he said.

Alvarez then warned that those who seek to unseat him should be ready for his job.

“I would say…. maybe they should look at the mirror, compare themselves to the one they seek to replace and ponder, ‘Can they do the job?’” he said.

“The government will be in a pitiful state if anybody can just swoop into the position without giving much thought to the responsibilities that come with it,” Alvarez added.

It has been reported that there are House members lobbying for former Presidentturned-Pampanga lawmaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be the Speaker, but she has turned

them down.

Arroyo is a member of the PDP-Laban, the political party headed by the President and where Alvarez serves as the secretary general.

She used to be one of the 12 deputy speakers of the House, but she was kicked out by Alvarez last year when she voted no on the bill imposing death penalty on drug-related ofHouse Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez fenses. n Inquirer.net photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

A10 June 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

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Lasting peace miliary’s ‘ultimate priority,’ says AFP chief Galvez

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

Marawi City and the surrender of militants from the Abu Sayyaf group and rebels from the New MANILA — Transformation People’s Army.

“In the next months of my duty and the attainment of lasting peace will be the ultimate prior- as the Chief of Staff of the Armed ity for the Armed Forces of the Forces, we will see to it that our Philippines, military chief Gen. goals of transformation and the attainment and preservation of Carlito Galvez said.

Galvez said that enormous a just and lasting peace shall gains had already been achieved be the ultimate priority,” Galvez following the military’s victory in said during a recent testimonial

dinner hosted by a bank in his honor.

Last year, a five-month battle erupted in Marawi City after Islamic State group-inspired militants tried to overtake the lakeside city and transform it into the capital of the terror group’s province in Southeast Asia.

Galvez was at the forefront of the battle as he was the commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command which has jurisdiction over Marawi City, the country’s only Islamic city.

“As the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command during that critical moment, it was a tough call to lead a thousand men into battle and orchestrate all military platform into a joint operation,” he said as he paid tribute to the valor and sacrifices of soldiers who fought during the siege.

The military chief also stressed that the Armed Forces would protect and preserve the sovereignty and the integrity of the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte named Galvez as the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on April 5. Galvez formally started his term of office on April 14.

Before becoming the chief of the Zamboanga-based Western Mindanao Command, he was also an Army Scout Ranger officer and a veteran of operations against the Abu Sayyaf group.

He was also the overall commander of the military’s anti-terrorism campaign against militants in Marawi and the rest of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

It was also under Galvez’ command when several top commanders of the Abu Sayyaf were captured, the most recent of whom was Nhurhassan Jamiri who was wanted for bombings and kidnappings in several towns and cities in Mindanao.

This lead role against militants led him to be known as an Abu Sayyaf hunter.

However, despite this image, the military chief also espoused a “soft-hand approach” in dealing with militants.

“If you will be able to reform one hardcore terrorist, all of his followers and his relatives will be reformed also,” Galvez said, warning that killing a terrorist might result in three or four of his relatives taking up arms. n

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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 defense secretary meets with US, ASEAN counterparts in Singapore

by PAtriciA lourdes Philstar.com

VirAy

DeFeNSe Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday met with his American and Southeast Asian counterpart at the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, is Asia’s premier defense summit.

Representing the Philippines, Lorenzana is scheduled to discuss terrorism in Asia during the security summit on Sunday, May 27.

Prior to the security summit, the defense ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member-states met with US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Singaporean Minister of Defense Ng eng Hen said that the ASeAN-US meeting “went very well.”

“We have a meeting of minds for a rules-based order to keep

Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of State

this region stable and prosperous. [ASeAN] Defence Ministers were encouraged by US’ continued commitment to this area, including the Indo-Pacific Command,” the Singaporean official said on Twitter.

Aside from the ASeAN member-states and the US, defense ministers from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Germany,

Senate summons Garin, Abad...

Myanmar, New Zealand, Qatar, South Korea, Seychelles and the United Kingdom will attend the summit.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver a keynote address at the annual security meeting. Modi’s speech might include clues on what India will do in the midst of China’s aggression in the region. n

PAGE A7 t

diate release of P10.6 billion in unprogrammed appropriation for the Department of Health (DoH) to augment the 2015 Health Facilities enhancement Program.

Garin and Padilla said the fund would be used for the construction of health stations in identified public elementary schools; equipment provision for village health stations; and infrastructure upgrading and equipment provision for rural health rural health units and urban health centers. ejercito said an indication of the release of funds was the DoH being able to fund the construction of 217 of the 3,700 targeted rural health centers.

Asked if former president Aquino would be invited, ejercito said the Senate would see where the investigation would lead and to determine whether there would be a need for it.

“But as for now the ones directly involved in the issue were Abad, Garin, and Padilla,” said ejercito. elderly coalition alarmed News of the supposed diversion of funds alarmed the Coalition of Services of the elderly (COSe) and Confederation of Older Person Associations of the

Former budget secretary Florencio Abad and former health secretary Janette Garin Philstar.com photo

Philippines (Copap).

“Senior citizens have not totally maximized the benefit of Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage law, thus recent issues on PhilHealth funds for senior citizens concerns advocates for older persons’ rights like us,” says emily Beridico, COSe executive director.

COSe and Copap called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation, to hold all persons and agencies involved accountable.

“The government should ensure that our sector will not be affected by this current controversy and we can continue accessing the PhilHealth insurance regardless of the outcome of the investigation,” said Dioscoro Benalla, Copap president.

Republic Act 10645 or the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage Law was signed in 2014 to provide universal PhilHealth coverage of senior citizens. COSe and Copap lobbied for the passage of the law. n

The fruits of great love at Purple Yam...

PAGE A9 t

halo.

You get a trip back to the earlier centuries of life with the original wood furniture handed down

by Amy’s ancestors, a gift to us now, as part of this restaurant.

With each meal, she honors our indigenous farmers and delights our discerning taste buds.

Both PY-Brooklyn and PY-Malate are special places for the artistic souls, gourmet foodies and

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Enrique with soft shell crab nori taco

those who want nutrient-dense, low fat, organic and balanced flavors with appeals to our vibrant senses and sensibilities. As we closed the restaurant down at 11 p.m., we stopped to appreciate a unique sculpture, made by another cook/artist, Perry, all from animal bones and parts.

Here in this restaurant, the guests/clients are treated royally, as each ingredient of each entrée. The Chef’s talent of combining unlikely ingredients, calamansi with rhubarb, nori as a taco shell, coconut milk and cream into adobo and eggplant is pure genius, as if schooled in the art of food science, and when combined with his decades of cooking a fusion of American, French, and Filipino cuisine, it is simply magic.

Purple Yam Malate and Purple Yam Brooklyn continue to evolve, and both age as if fine wine to be savored, as it grows more nuanced in their flavors and combinations of textures and colors. My husband, a

non-foodie, shared his own version of the meal experience and wanted me to specifically write it the way it unfolds in his logical mind, prompting the Chef to say, “Sabi Ni Ike,” (Ike Said). We all laughed and slowly walked to our Q subway for the night, and with more selfies with the Chef and by the “woke,” 24/7 Times Square.

My profound thanks to enrique Delacruz, Momar Visaya, and the Chef who made this an unforgettable gastronomic heaven for me. I told them both, “I am ready to go to heaven.” “Not yet,” they said. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught

by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof.

Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

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A12 June 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

SHOWBIZ&STYLE

Piolo Pascual plans to have a baby when he’s 50 years old

by Jan

MiLo Severo Philstar.com

Kapamilya actor piolo pascual will definitely give his mom her second grandson, but it looks like she needs to wait for nine more years. in a press conference held at Cities Events place in Quezon City the matinee idol shared that inigo will become a big brother soon —that is when piolo hits 50 years old.

“Baka pag 50 (years old) na ‘ko. Kasi sabi ko dati, 35, 40 ngayon, ano pa ba? Seryoso, gusto ko pa kasi mag-enjoy sa buhay ko eh. i’m 41 now i’ve got

about a couple of years and bago tumanda ng lubusan ang nanay ko, syempre gusto ko siyang bigyan ng bagong apo because she always makes me kulit. Ang dami ko pa kasi gustong gawin sa buhay ko eh,” the actor said. piolo said he is single right now and he is not yet ready for commitment or temptations as he said, he had no sex for the last 12 months. “i tried to surround myself with people para hindi ako nagiisip ng mga ganong bagay. Trabaho na lang muna. Wala pa kong oras. Kaya hindi ako lumalabas mag-isa eh.”

Journal

Moira Dela Torre and Boyce Avenue

was speechless when asked what her reaction was. She only said “thank you” with a big smile. moira revealed she is targeting the U.S. market because her cousin is a singer-songwriter in the States. her cousin created a team of producers, musical arrangers, singers and musicians that just want to collaborate and make music. “in the years that i’ve been going back and forth to see my family, i had done shows with my

Glaiza becomes ‘Contessa’

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

Piolo Pascual

Philstar.com photo

Moira impresses Boyce Avenue, reveals plans to go international ThE three brothers behind the international band Boyce avenue believe Kapamilya singer moira Dela Torre can make it internationally because “she’s the queen of emotion.” in a press conference held at Novotel on Thursday, may 31, for their philippine tour, alejandro, Fabian and Daniel manzano were all praises for the Filipino so-called “soundtrack queen” of this generation. “i think she can make it internationally because based on what we’ve been hearing and seen on her videos, it’s that she’s the queen of emotion. putting that honesty and genuine emotion, i think for us, that’s the biggest reason that we’ve been able to do well internationally. people all over the world want to see that that genuine emotion, so we’re excited to see what’s happened to her. i think it’s gonna be incredible,” Fabian said of moira.

The female singer blushed while listening to the praises from the Florida-based band as she

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Philstar.com photos

cousins. i think they created an atmosphere where we could be free to explore different genres for me, so i feel i can grow more there plus Boyce avenue is in america,” moira said.

Boyce avenue is planning to do a music collaboration with moira, a duet for a certain cover song that has lots of emotions and passion that they will upload on their youTube channel with 10.6 million subscribers. (Philstar. com)

Glaiza de Castro considers her recent trip to australia as one of the most unforgettable journeys she’s ever had. it was her first time in the land Down Under and she saw to it that she would not only enjoy the trip but learn from it as well.

Traveling alone, it did not cause a problem for the independent woman that she is. it was just a short vacation but was all worth it for Glaiza, as she made sure everything would go as planned and she succeeded. “i planned this trip long ago – to the smallest details talaga Glaiza de Castro PAGE B2

GMA photo

EntErtainmEnt

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PAGE B1

Glaiza becomes ‘Contessa’

like the places that I will visit, the people that I will see and the activities that I will do. Would you believe, I was able to squeeze everything in my schedule. Sobrang satisfied ako,” Glaiza volunteered to The Times.

The most unforgettable experience for her in this trip was skydiving, part of her to-do list in her vacation.

“I did it on my last day in Sydney. Sa totoo lang, nung nagbu-

book ako online for skydiving, I was nervous. I was asking myself if I would really do it. And as my skydiving schedule approached, I was still nervous but I was also excited. When I was already on the plane, I conditioned myself that I would do it. I started anticipating the feeling that I would have because it’s one-of-a-lifetime experience for me. It’s out of the ordinary,” Glaiza averred.

She was convinced that she did the right thing. She experienced a

different kind of freedom.

“About 50 seconds after the free fall, when everything was already calm, the parachute has opened, parang ang sarap sa pa­ kiramdam. There was that certain kind of calmness. I see nature. I could see the ocean, the mountains. I think that’s the source of the peace I was feeling. You see the beauty of God’s creation. I’m glad I did it and I hope I can do it again,” she related.

“Hindi talaga ko takot sa heights. Wala akong, what do you call it, acrophobia? Siguro dahil nga mahilig ako sa mga ganitong adventure. I hope nga I can go skydiving even in the Philippines,” she added.

Among the people that Glaiza was able to see were her friends who are based in Sydney. It also served as bonding time for her and co-Kapuso actress and friend Rich Asuncion who was then planning her wedding with then fiancé, now husband Benj Mudie. There were also Filipinos who invited Glaiza to their homes and to her delight many of the Filipinos she met call her Contessa.

“They have GMA Pinoy TV and they watch ‘Contessa.’ And they really follow the episodes because they know the flow of the story and the scenes that we show. Actually, it’s not only Contessa that they watch but all the GMA shows,” she shared with excitement.

Now that Contessa is flying high in the nationwide ratings game, Glaiza couldn’t be happier.

“We’re so happy with the support that we are getting from televiewers. The high ratings is like energizer for us. It is our vitamins. Mas ganado kami na lalong pagandahin ang show namin. It inspires us to do better, to give better performances,” she ended.

This week, viewers witnessed the changing of partners in the tele­ serye. Contessa is now with Gabriel portrayed by Geoff Eigenmann while Jong, the character of Jak Roberto is now the lover of Lauren Young’s character Daniela.

But all these are part of the scheme that Contessa and Jong are separately planning. The catfight between Contessa and Daniela continues. There’s one point when Contessa and Gabriel are having their pre-nup shoot when Daniela did something to ruin the moment.

That is just one of the exciting scenes that viewers should watch out for.

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Abundance of babies in showbizlandia

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

IT looks like there will be no shortage of cuteness source as celebrities continuously share birthing and pregnancy news over the past few days.

Cristalle Belo welcomes Hunter James Skincare entrepreneur Cristalle Belo-Pitt has given birth to her first child, a baby boy.

On Thursday, May 31, the brains behind Belo Essentials shared on her Instagram account @cristallebelo a photo of her cuddling her newborn and revealed she gave birth prematurely on Monday at the Makati.

“It’s time for #HunterJamesPitt to say good morning to all of you!

He was born prematurely at 33 weeks and was delivered by Dr Martin Manahan last Monday, May 28, 2018,” Belo wrote.

“Let’s continue to pray that his lungs develop properly and that he continues to grow to be a healthy baby. I’m doing ok! @ justinpitt77 [her husband]and I are just so happy we can finally hug and cuddle him,” she continued.

Cristalle, the daughter of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo and businessman Atom Henares, got married to Australian hotelier Justin Pitt in September 2016. The 35-year-old announced her pregnancy in March and said they are expecting the baby in July.

Baby No. 2 for Bianca Gonzalez “Hi, I’m ate Lucia.”

And with the exciting face of her eldest child as she introduces herself as ate or older sister, TV host Bianca Gonzalez confirmed her second pregnancy.

A montage of Lucia kissing Gonzalez’ early baby bump ensued.

“Adding to the already looong list of babies being born this year,” the 35-year-old wrote as caption on her Instagram account @iamsuperbianca on Wednesday.

Her professional basketball player husband JC Intal separately made an announcement on his In-

Cristalle Belo with baby Hunter James Pitt

Sitti and husband Joey Ramirez

Photo from Instgram/@cristallebelo

Photo from Instagram/@bossagurl

stagram account @jcintal7, “Lucia is going to be an ate!”

Gonzalez and Intal tied the knot in December 2014 and welcomed their first child in October 2015.

‘Bossa Nova Queen’ Sitti ex-

pecting first child Sitti, dubbed as the country’s Bossa Nova Queen after bringing the music genre to mainstream consciousness, announces the arrival of her first child.

“Three years of trying to get this guy to eat more veggies di bale, babawi nlng ako sa junior namin. Happy anniversary to my newly minted Dadbubs, @ joeyramirez12 [her husband’s Instagram account handle],” Sitti first wrote on her Instagram @ bossagurl on Monday, hinting the arrival of a baby.

The following day, she posted a photo of her and husband James Ramirez while holding a sonogram. “‘Panalo GSW!! At magig­ ing daddy na ako!!’—@joeyramirez12” the 33-year-old wrote with a reference to Golden State Warriors’ win at NBA’s Western Conference finals on Tuesday, May 29.

Navarro married Ramirez in May 2015. Their announcement coincided with their third wedBianca Gonzalez with husband JC Intal with their daughter Lucia Photo from Instagram/@iamsuperbianca ding anniversary.

Iya happy for Heart’s pregnancy despite lost baby

by Jan

Milo severo Philstar.com

THE pioneer video jockeys of music channel Myx, including Iya Villania and Heart Evangelista, recently had a small reunion during the Myx Music Awards 2018 at Araneta Coliseum.

Only a day after posting a reunion photo with Myx VJs, on May 17, Heart announced on Instagram that she originally was carrying twins, but the other embryo did not develop well.

“During our first ultrasound we were a mixture of excitement and nervous but nothing could prepare us for what we would learn. We found out that I had a TWIN PREGNANCY. My sister has twins

Heart Evangelista with Iya Villania

Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

but I never imagined that I would be able to have twins as well. Unfortunately one of the embryos was smaller and behind in terms of development and so we lost one of the twins,” she said.

“Our hearts were heavy at the thought but we knew we had to focus on the good. This is the first photo of the twins where you can see the other embryo who is healthy and showing more positive signs of development,” Heart enthused.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Motherhood this early on it’s that it won’t always be sunshine and butterflies, sometimes there will be cloudy moments. But it’s these ups and downs that I know will make me a stronger Mom. We now have a little angel up there and I trust that God is with us on this beautiful journey. I have to thank my wonderful husband who really has been my partner through it all. There is no one else I would rather do this with...”

She noted that some of these things happened weeks ago, way before she announced that she is expecting her firstborn with husband Sen. Chiz Escudero.

In an interview with Philstar.com, Iya said she is happy for Heart’s pregnancy.

“Heart and I were talking about it. I’m just glad that she’s having a smooth pregnancy. Hopefully up in the very end, it’s a smooth pregnancy for her,” Iya told Philstar.com during a Babyflo event where she, husband Drew Arellano and son Primo are the endorsers.

“Na-excite ako para sa kanya. Ang weird lang kaming mga VJs dating kaming mga young ones.

Tapos ngayon mga nanay na kami. When we had MYX Music Awards ang concern ko siyempre bun­ tis ako I couldn’t stay up too late. Si Primo maaga siya gumigising kaya mas OK kung masasabayan ko siya matulog. Kasi mahirap kapag maaga siyang gumising di ko na siya masasabayan during the day. Iba na ‘yung concerns namin ngayon,” she added.

Iya is set to give birth to her second son, tentatively named Leon, on August. Drew revealed that Iya’s original plan is to have five children, but they cut it down to three after Iya gave birth to Primo.

“Two is a perfect number for now. We will assess after this,” the “24 Oras” host said, adding: “Pero we will assess after this kasi boy uli eh. Pero kung boy uli ang susunod, hanggang don nalang.”

When asked why the age gap of Primo, who is now one year and 10 months, and the second baby is so close, the couple said it is because they want to be able to keep up with their kids.

“Para sabay silang lumaki. They can play together. Ang gusto ko din habang sanay ako sa baby, hindi ‘yung pano ulit to. We want to enjoy our kids.

We want to be able to keep with them also. We’re not getting any younger,” Iya said.

Features

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

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What to see in Jordan’s remarkable ancient city of Petra by emil

Perito

Located in southern Jordan, Petra — originally known as Raqmu — is an incredibly preserved city that has captured the hearts of those who have visited, and tops the travel lists of those looking to visit the region.

Immortalized by its wind shaped landscape, undisturbed c a n yo ns, a n d m on u m e n t al tombs, the sandston city built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabateans has become one of the world’s most coveted UNeSCo heritage Sites since 1985. In 2007, it was designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. here are some of the many things one can find when exploring Petra: The Siq Access to the city is commonly done through a 1.2 km long gorge called the Siq. Reaching up to 200 meters high, its narrow and majestic walls make it one of the first highlights to visit. At some point, the walls begin to block out light — framing the picturesque site of the Treasury.

The Treasury Also known by its Arabic translated name Al-Khazneh, the Treasury is an astounding example of craftsmanship and precision of ancient Nabatean rock-cut architecture. With its distinctive hellenistic facade, the Treasury is believed to be the mausoleum of Nabataean King Aretas IV. The Theatre Constructed more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans before the Roman occupation in the first century A.D., the very impressive hellenic style amphitheater was enlarged by the Romans to fit up to 8,500 people.

Petra by night Visiting the sites at night gives

SHE TRIED TO COMPLY, BUT HER CASE WAS DENIED‌ A MOTHER’S DESPAIR AND AN ATTORNEY’S RESCUE ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Rowena and Mike came to the U.S. in 2010 to build a better life. Rowena was sponsored as a teacher. As she was filing her third extension for her H1-B visa in 2016, the shocking news hit her. She was denied! Then her adjustment (green card) application was denied because, according to the USCIS, she worked a mere 14 days without the necessary DHS authorization.

Three lawyers tried handling her case, to no avail, and her family was urging her to “give up� and return to the Philippines. She finally decided to consult with “the attorney of last hope,� Atty. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL, in a last-ditch effort to be able to provide a better life for her children.

Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to solve the problem in a record 43 days, turning a disastrous denial into green cards for the entire family, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Sofia Andres speaks up on her struggles with anxiety, admits she’s seeking help

by Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

She may be famous, but a celebrity like Sofia Andres showed that she is also human — she revealed that she has been suffering off a different experience. Revel more attractions is included in our from anxiety. in the ancient wonder by moon- trip to the holy Land on october The 19-year-old Kapamilya light or candle light as the Siq 5-12, 2018! actress said in a Twitter post on Established in 1995, Air Plus Wednesday, May 30, that she is becomes illuminated by roughly 1,500 candles. Also sip on some Travel specializes in religious battling the disorder. She described mint tea while listening to tradi- travel. Join us in one of our or- that struggling with it is “so bad.� tional Bedouin music under the ganized trips to the Holy Land in “[Y]ou guys must do appreciOctober 2018. For more infor- ate people around you no matter stars.

Because Petra can get hot in mation, contact Air Plus Travel what,� she advised. “[Y]ou might the summer, the best times to visit at (562) 863 - 0624, or visit us at not need them now but eventually are in spring or in autumn which www.airplustravel.net. you will.� is perfect as Petra and its many (Advertising Supplement) To help her with her anxiety battle, Andres has taken measures. She stated that she’s started seeing a therapist and going to counseling. It’s a relief that she is taking such steps, since “[A]nxiety hair,� she confessed. is anxiety, we don’t know when it’s She opened up on breastfeedgoing to attack you,� she said. ing her two-month-old, stating “Yes, I am worried. Literally that “it has been both wonderful worried,� Andres said of her ill& a challenge.� ness.

It involved “taking (sic) him a She also reached out to “all the bath and worrying about jaundice, survivors� going through the same late night crying and singing fight as her. Andres assured them: weird rhymes to appease him.� “You are not your anxiety.� “Becoming a mom has been a “[I]t just takes time and effort learning experience and I’m loving every minute of it,� she said, adding, “ok maybe not the 2am4am feeding minutes.� “But now I’m ready to introduce the bottle so I can have a few extra hours of rest a night,� she revealed.

Fellow moms expressed support for her journey, sharing their experiences and advising that breastfeeding helped with weight loss. @imchrisinva said, “It will get better. I breastfed my three children the first was the most challenging,� noting that eventually, midnight feedings ceased for her. “he wants to nurse every 2 hours!� Daza said of her baby boy. “Breastfeed (sic) is best for babies up to 2 years, giving more strength to the bones and boost the immune system and easy way to loose (sic) weight for the mommy, base (sic) on my experience,� said @kathmaeanne0212. “You’re doing great, momma Belle!� @demibarluado chimed in. “You’re not less of a mother for choosing to bottle-feed him.�

Daza is the latest in her “It Girls� group to be inducted to motherhood, following model Georgina Wilson and stylist Liz Uy. her son is her first child with Adidas Philippines general manPhotos from Instagram/@isabelledaza ager Adrien Semblat.

Isabelle Daza: Being a glam mom ‘not my reality’ by niĂąa

V. Guno

Inquirer.net

A LooK at new mom Isabelle Daza’s Instagram feed shows her dressed in comfort and style as she performs her motherhood duties, from breastfeeding to taking a sunny stroll.

She also makes sure that she and her baby boy are in matching outfits, whether it’s in color or pattern.

Daza admitted in her latest Instagram post that the “glam� photos are a way of having fun amid the daily challenges. “one thing I struggled with definitely is my weight gain so I compensate by taking nice photos where I’m ‘glammed up’,� she said. “But the truth is this isn’t my reality!� “I just don’t have the guts to post my eye bags and disheveled

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Sofia Andres

to take control of your brain,� she said. Andres also stressed that anxiety is “nothing to be ashamed of,� while admitting that she was scared to tell her friends, loved ones and her family about her anxiety attacks. “[I] over think things, useless things, that’s so unfair right?�

Andres said. “[T]hat’s a big part

Photo from Instagram/@iamsofiaandres

of why I’m trying to become a better person, to control my mind because i love the people in my life and this anxiety makes me treat them like [I] don’t.�

To further assure that she is a partner in fighting anxiety, she reminded fans and followers to keep going: “[L]et’s be brave you guys.�

B June 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

Features

Iza Calzado visits Marawi, shares ‘images of a war-torn city’

by Cody Cepeda

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

Inquirer.net

exACTly a year ago this month, pro-iSiS militants laid siege to the city of Marawi, lanao del Sur, reducing the capital to a battlescarred shell of its former glory.

People have since come together in efforts to rebuild Marawi, even celebrities who flew to the city themselves to witness the aftermath of the war at ground zero.

Award-winning actress iza Calzado was one of the people who flew to Marawi city this month, taking to her instagram page last week, May 23, to share to her fans and followers about her trip down south. She posted some pictures she took while she was in the area. “i visited Marawi just last Monday and was faced with the gruelling images of a war torn city,” wrote Calzado. “There are still bombs buried in ground zero and it will take time and a lot of money to rebuild the city.”

Calzado further wrote that many people are still internally displaced, with some of them living only in tents inside gymnasiums-turned-refuge.

“To this day, people are still displaced with some still living in tents inside gymnasiums. The journey to rebuilding is a long one and i hope we find ways to support the community to rise again. #BangonMarawi.” in another post made just two days ago, May 28, Calzado shared a picture of her with a young girl from Saguiaran, with the two of them wearing hijabs as they smiled for the camera.

“A week ago i saw the sweet and hopeful smile of this little girl from Marawi and i couldn’t help but be emotional as i sat inside

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These photos were shared by Iza on her Instagram account.

Photos from Instagram/@missizacalzado

the airplane on the way back home, thinking of what she has been through and where life will take her,” said Calzado.

Calzado hoped that in her own way, she would be able to make a difference in the life of other Maranao, saying that giving them empowerment and livelihood are the best ways to change the course of their lives.

Calzado revealed that her opportunity to visit Marawi city was on account of Spark Philippines, a non-profit organization, and the Austrian embassy. Calzado was a part of the i am Marawi Women (iM Women) Project, a

post-rehabilitation initiative by Spark which aims to help disadvantaged Marawi women and girls. The team conducted an environmental scanning in the city during their time there.

Calzado isn’t the only celebrity using her influence to help rebuild Marawi. Back in January, action star Robin Padilla, a Muslim himself, visited the people of Marawi with actor Piolo Pascual and film director Joyce Bernal. Anne Curtis, too, conquered the london Marathon just last April for UNiCeF, pledging a donation totaling P1 million for the children of Marawi.

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 animalbased 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 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 plant-based 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.

Plant-based diet 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 recommendations 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 plant-based diet in diabetes prevention, addressing both core pathophysiologic mechanisms — insulin resistance and diminished beta-cell 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

Solenn Heussaff with husband Nico Bolzico

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 lowfat, plant-based 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 costbenefit 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 healthcare-related 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

GMA photo

Solenn Heussaff wants baby with husband Nico Bolzico in 2019

by Lhar Santiago ManilaTimes.net

AlThOUGh her husband Nico Bolzico is saying he’s ready to be a dad, Solenn heusaff says she wants their baby to come next year. She believes they should enjoy each other first before forming a family. it seems that Nico is amenable to what Solenn is saying. Whenever they’re together, wherever they are, they are always having fun.

Netizens are always on the lookout for what Solenn and Nico would post in their respective social media accounts. last week, people were in awe when they posted their picture with no less than hollywood superstar Chris hemsworth who they saw in their weekend in Singapore. The story doesn’t end there. There is a video where Nico is doing a lipsynch as if singing to Solenn. That, according to Solenn, is Nico’s way of saying sorry because he

failed to take Solenn’s video with hemsworth.

Now that her movie “My Two Mommies” has been shown, Solenn is taking it easy. her next movie is not starting until July so she has all the time to attend to personal matters. She can also spend more time painting where she is really good at. But although she does it well, Solenn refuses to accept commissioned artwork.

She doesn’t want to be pressured. if people ask her to do a painting for them, she only agrees as long as she will be the one to decide what she wants to paint.

Aside from her painting, Solenn has time also to be with friends and attend events. She was with her friends Raymond Gutierrez and liz Uy at the premiere night of her sister in-law Anne Curtis’ movie “Sid and Aya” with Dingdong Dantes.

Solenn has another movie “Misterio De la Noche,” which

she has actually finished ahead of “My Two Mommies” but it will not be shown locally yet. The producers of the movie decided that it makes the rounds of different international film festivals before it is shown in the Philippines.

Solenn considers “Misterio De la Niche” her most challenging role to date. She is totally naked in all her scenes from the film’s start to finish. She portrays the role of a woman who grew up believing she’s an animal.

On television, Solenn is just waiting for her next show in GMA to start. She fell in love with her character in her guesting stint in “The One That Got Away” that she wants to do the same character in her future series. “i really enjoyed that character. She’s the type of woman na wala talagang pakialam. i’m happy that she returned toward the end of TOTGA,” she told The Times.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

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Sharon, Zsa Zsa share snippets KZ Tandingan reveals plans of three-decade friendship to release album in China

by ARlo

CustoDio ManilaTimes.net

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 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 jam-packed 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,

Zsa Zsa with Martin Nievera

by Deni

OPM icons, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Sharon Cuneta

ManilaTimes.net photos

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.

Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

Since becoming a contender in the international chinese singing contest “Singer 2018” where she performed alongside international pop stars Jessie J and coco Lee, Filipino singer KZ Tandingan has become a celebrity in china, with fans asking for her autograph and taking selfies with her everywhere she went.

Believing that she should “strike the iron while it’s hot,” KZ revealed her plans to record an all-original album in china right after her June concert in the Philippines called “Supreme.”

She said during the recent press conference of her international singing search “Super K Star” that at the moment, she is just busy preparing for her concert, which she had to set aside when she joined “Singer 2018” early this year.

KZ’s manager, cornerstone entertainment, has recently partnered with short video platform Kwai to launch the “Super K Star” search, where KZ will become a mentor and judge alongside other cornerstone artists like Jay R, Kyla and claudia Barretto. if successful with an album, KZ will be able to penetrate china’s multimillion-dollar music industry with an estimated audience of over 60 million.

Shout out to Jessie J A month after her epic performance with international pop

stars Jessie J and coco Lee for chinese singing contest “Singer 2018,” Filipina chanteuse and “Singer 2018” contender KZ Tandingan still feels nostalgic of her opportunity to compete with Jessie J in the contest. in a recent press conference launching her management cornerstone entertainment’s partnership with Kwai for international talent search “Super K Star,” KZ shared what she learned from Jessie J. “As Jessie J always told me nung nasa ‘Singer 2018’ ako, ‘yung mga rankings didn’t really define me as an artist. They only helped me become stronger and they only helped me grow as a person and as an artist,” KZ said.

She also shared what she learned from the contest.

“Nung nandun ako, i already felt like a winner. Kasi ang daming mga bagay na i did for the first time like learning Mandarin and ‘yung mga kanta na ginawa ko performing for people coming from different backgrounds, coming from different cultures.” if given another chance, she would love to join the contest again, and other international contests, to represent the Philippines. “i think, lahat ng opportunity na dumating na pwede kong ikagrow as a person and as an artist

KZ Tandingan Photo from Instagram/@kztandingan

ay tatanggapin ko.”

KZ gave pride to the country when she became the first Filipino contender in “Singer 2018.”

During her initial performance, she defeated Jessie J and won the number one spot.

B June 2-5, 2018 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

COMMUNITY

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Journal

New USCIS policy: Students will accrue unlawful presence sooner 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 tenyear 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 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.

Your Immigration Solution Brittany Milliasseau and nancy Miller 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 ac-

tivity, 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 M1 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 firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1%" /,*&0"! +!Ç˝ 2/ +"51 01,- 4&)) " 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ ",/$" &+ ! Çž 4%& % %,010 1%" # *,20 *,0 & * - ,# 1%" ,)6 +!Ç˝ Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Mov"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç” "0&!"+ "Ç˝ Oct 29, 2018 (Mon) Day 12 – Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ',2/+"6 1%/,2$% 1%" &.Çž 2+1&) 4" $"1 ,2/ Ćœ /01 $)&*-0" ,# 1%" % 7+"% Č› /" 02/6ČœÇ˝ %"+ 4&)) 4" 4 )( !,4+ 1, visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater.

At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and !&++"/ Č› ČĄ ČœÇ˝ ,3"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç” "0&!"+ " Oct 30, 2018 (Tues) Day 13 – Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/ Overnight Oct 31, 2018 (Wed) Day 14 – Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX Ćž "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" ! 0%"* 20"2*Çž&0 0/ ")ȉ0 ,Ć› & & ) *"*,/& ) 1, 1%" 3& 1&*0 ,# 1%" ,), 201Ç˝ 1 &0 !"!& 1"! to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought $ &+01 1%"&/ 7& ,--/"00,/0 +! "+1&)"0 4%, 0")Ć? "00)6 &!"!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$/ +1"!

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

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

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

C JUNE 2-5, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ACCORDING to statistics, debt problems are one of the leading causes of divorce in this country. When couples have more debt than they can handle, stress and tension easily build up like a pressure cooker.

All too often, husbands and wives blame each other for their current situation and hurtful words are exchanged in the process. This leads into a lot of bitterness and emotional distress.

Both husband and wife feel like a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. Every conversation about money turns into a big argument. Does this sound familiar?

As a bankruptcy attorney, I’ve seen a lot of marriages destroyed by debt problems. If the situation is not resolved with a bankruptcy filing in order to obtain debt relief, divorce is the next inevitable step. In California (as in every community property state), the debts of one spouse are also the debts of the other spouse if acquired during marriage.

Hence, both spouses are often jointly liable to creditors. Some people just can’t accept this fact when I tell them this. They feel that their spouse caused all the problems and that they should

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs GREETINGS from the Holy Land!

I write this article overwhelmed with gratitude to God for bringing me once again to the land of Jesus at the start of my sabbatical.

This time, I’m spending my journey here not as chaplain of a pilgrimage but as a participant of a retreat organized by the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

I never knew much what to expect except that the retreat is led by two distinguished Scripture professors, Fr. Leslie Hoppe, OFM and Sr. Barbara Reid, OP. Through these professors, I knew that I would have a deeper knowledge and love of the Scrip-

Community Journal

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When debt problems cause Do undocumented immigrants really hurt our social security system? stress in your marriage not suffer the adverse consequences. Unfortunately, that is not how things work. There are exceptions to this “joint liability” rule and in certain cases (example: credit card debts where only one spouse is on the account), spouses are able to acquire debts solely in their name and the creditor doesn’t look to the other spouse for payments. If you are unsure about your situation, you should consult with a bankruptcy attorney to find out what your legal rights are.

When debt problems threaten the marriage, it amazes me to see how a lot of people are often more worried about saving their credit rather than saving their marriage! As I said, when couples fight over money, it is always easy to blame the other person.

But I often tell clients who are in this situation that in a marriage where debts incurred have benefited both spouses, it will take two people to solve the problem.

Instead of bickering endlessly, it is probably better to focus your time and energy on finding a solution that can be mutually beneficial. Wouldn’t you agree that this is the best approach in solving your joint debt problems and saving your marriage?

Of course, no one ever wants to talk about bankruptcy but believe me, in thousands of situ-

ations I’ve seen over the years, bankruptcy relief may be just what you need to solve your debt problems and fix your marriage before it’s beyond repair. This is a bitter pill to swallow for most people. But if you have exhausted all your options and have no other way out, why not find out what relief is available under the law and get the help right away?

Obtaining immediate relief from debt may give you the opportunity you need to work on your marriage and resolve your differences with your partner before things get really ugly. If you are in this situation at the moment, the sooner you take action, the sooner you will know what to do to restore peace in your home.

This is what you want, isn’t it?

For an in-depth analysis of your situation by an attorney, you may want to schedule a free consultation by calling Toll-free 1-866-477-7772. I can see you at any of our offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Finding Jesus tures and a more intimate union with Jesus.

What amazed me was the kind of group that I joined: 15 religious women, mostly in their retirement years, who have had long, fruitful, and successful ministries or careers in the U.S. and other countries; and a few younger ones from Mexico, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Japan; two couples, one in their mid 80s originally from Netherlands; and another from Mexico whose daughter is one of the Sisters; three other lay women from New Orleans and Chicago; and two other priests, one from Japan. So it is an interesting group, varied in age, experience, culture, and background.

We’ve been together for four days now, visiting the holy places of Jesus and going to archeological sites in Tiberias, listening to lectures on these places, reflecting on the Scriptures, and

sharing our insights with one another, particularly after dinner. These past days may have been exhausting, but the energy, excitement, and graciousness among us are palpable in the way we speak and relate with one another.

The excavations that are going still on in the Holy Land and Father Hoppe’s brilliant explanations have been amazing. Sr. Barbara’s deep insights into the Scriptures have also been inspiring and thought-provoking. But I believe that the great “excavations” and revelations we’ve also discovered are also the places of Jesus deep in each of our hearts in the group.

One participant shared how she sees Jesus in his humanity when our Lord asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Another one feels strongly affirmed

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NO, they don’t; in fact, undocumented workers help shore up our Social Security system.

You see, they pay millions, no, make that billions with a “b” to a system that they may not collect from. They pour an estimated $13 billion into the system but collect only $1 billion per year.

Why? Some use fake social security numbers when they work but use taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) when they file tax returns. They may not be able to collect their contributions later when they retire. And what happens to that extra $12 billion that they don’t collect? Well, it’s used

by U.S. residents and citizens like you and me. Baby Boomers, in particular, benefit the most from these uncollected funds.

Don’t believe everything that you read about illegal aliens wrecking our economy. Their contributions help our Social Security System tremendously but somehow never get credit for it.

You must have heard of speculation about the insolvency of our

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to

Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA

help fund public schools and local government services by paying sales and property taxes.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (a think tank in Washington, D.C.) estimates that undocumented workers pay about $10 billion in state and local taxes. ***

Social Security system - that it may go bankrupt. For now, it’s undocumented workers that prevent this catastrophe from happening. They are shoring it up with contributions that they may never claim.

Let me explain briefly how this works: When employers send in W-2 forms with Social Security numbers that don’t match numbers on record, the Agency routes the paperwork to an Earnings Suspense File, where it sits until people can prove that the wages are theirs, allowing them to collect retirement benefits later. Maybe.

Undocumented workers also

Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years.

Married sons and daughters of legal permanent residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age.

For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In the-

ory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

Conditional legal permanent residents in failed marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status.

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Community Journal

which questioned whether the technicians’ decision to drive Protecting the service vehicles during the Employee home commute was truly voluntary, given that the employer & Consumer did not provide enough secured Rights parking spaces and the technicians could become financially Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. responsible for tools and service parts stolen from their vethe branch offices. hicles, forcing them to take the Technicians are prohibited service vehicles home. from using the company vehicles If technicians were forced to for personal purposes or for car- drive the service vehicles durrying passengers without prior ing their home commute, and approval. Technicians are prohib- if they are further required ited from transporting or storing to perform work during their alcohol in the vehicles. Violating commute such as answering the terms of the vehicle use could their company phones, then the result in the driver being disci- technicians’ time doing these plined or fired. Technicians were are “hours worked” and should also required to respond to calls be paid. on their company-issued cell Rather than continue to phones while driving to and from litigate the case, the employer their first and last assignments of opted to settle the technicians’ the day. claims for $4.2 million.

Alcantar sued Hobart in a Employees such as couriers, class action alleging that Hobart medical, appliance, and cable owed its technicians back wages technicians, and other service because the restrictions and re- representatives may travel quirements imposed by the em- from their homes to employerployer during the “normal com- assigned locations, using commute” time served to place the pany-owned vehicles. If their technicians under Hobart’s con- commute times are subject to trol. Therefore, such time should employer control, they may be be paid. entitled to additional wages.

Ordinarily, the law does not re*** quire that employees be paid for commute time from their home The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. to their worksite. However, Cali- welcomes inquiries about this topic. fornia law requires that employ- All inquiries are confidential and at noees be paid for all time during cost. You can contact the office at (818) which an employee is subject to 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com the control of the employer. If, or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. during the commute time, the Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced employee is really “subject to the trial attorney who has successfully control of the employer” then the recovered wages and other monetary employee must be paid for this damages for thousands of employees commute time. and consumers. He was named Top Labor Here, the employer asked the & Employment Attorney in California by trial court to dismiss the case the Daily Journal, consistently selected arguing that the employees had as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles a choice whether to drive the Magazine, and is the recipient of service vehicles or not. The mat- PABA’s Community Champion Award ter reached the appellate court, for 2016.]

Will a business bankruptcy affect its owners? ing back, this could be viewed as THE client and her husband financial fraud and could be used are the only stockholders of an Debt to pierce the corporate veil. Let’s S corporation that has been doRelief say owners borrowed $5.0M ing well for the last 15 years. In from creditors based on projectfact, it’s still doing well and had a ed sales of $50M per year but in great year last year. reality, sales came in at $1.0M a What is the difference between year, a case can be argued by the an S corporation and a C corpo- Atty. LAwrenCe yAng creditors saying that the owners ration? In an S corporation, the business income is declared in To pierce the corporate veil to were reckless in their decision to the 1040 of the owners, while get to the house of the client, the borrow $5.0M. But certainly, the the C corporation files its own creditors will have to prove that owners may still prevail in provtax returns. But both corpora- the corporation was simply the ing that they were justified in tions are legally separate entities ‘alter ego’ of the owners, that it their $50M sales projections but from their owners. The corpo- was not operated by owners like something happened that was ration is a ‘person’ created by a real corporation. The easiest totally unexpected. It’s really a legal fiction. It can do whatever way to prove the ‘alter ego’ at- matter of proof at trial.

So what is the lesson here? If a real person does, legally. For tack on the corporation is proven instance, a corporation can buy by a preponderance of the evi- you own a business, do not ever and sell land, transact business dence that personal funds of the personally guarantee the debts of the business. If the crediin its own name, file a lawsuit tor requires your personal and be sued in its own name, guaranty, go to another bank without affecting the owners or supplier who will extend of the corporation. credit to your business withIn the client’s case, the out tying you in. If the busiproblem is that her husband ness fails, at least you don’t is ill and can no longer run lose any of your personal the business. So the wife now assets. You will still have a will run the business. Her house to live in. There is no concern is that the corporation owes $1.5M to banks and owners were being intermingled reason to ‘go for broke’ and put suppliers, and that she has equi- with the funds of the corporation. your family’s security at risk, is ty in her residence of $1.0M? So In other words, the owners were there? The other lesson is that do what is the connection between using the corporation as a ‘piggy not intermingle personal funds the two? The client is worried bank.’ So, in the client’s case, with business funds, and make that if something happens to the if there was no intermingling of sure the corporation follows lebusiness and it cannot pay the personal and corporate funds, gal formalities and procedures. $1.5M, can the bank sue her and the client’s house is secure be- If you do this, then your corporaget her house? cause the creditors will not be tion will do business by assumLet’s analyze the problem. The able to pierce the corporate veil ing its own debts and shield your first thing that has to be deter- to get her house to pay for the personal assets from business mined is whether or not the hus- debts of the corporation. Salary debts.

Now if the client wishes to not band, and/or client signed any payments to the owners — bepersonal guarantees that made cause they are officers of the cor- continue doing business, the S them personally liable for the poration — is not intermingling corporation itself can file a Chapdebts of the corporation. If nei- of funds. Money lent by owners ter 7 bankruptcy to handle the ther one of them gave any written to the corporation is considered $1.5M of corporate debt. The corpersonal guaranty to any creditor to be a debt owed by the corpo- porate bankruptcy will not affect for the debt of the business, then ration to the owner-lender, just the personal assets of the client the answer is that the creditors of like any other debt. This is not because as I said earlier, a corporation is a separate “person” crethe business will not be able to intermingling of funds. get her house to satisfy the debts However, if the owners use the ated by legal fiction; therefore, it of the business. But certainly, corporate account to pay person- can file for bankruptcy without the creditors will attempt to pen- al bills, this is an intermingling of affecting the personal assets of etrate the veil of corporate fic- funds. Another reason to pierce the owners of the corporation. tion to get to client’s house. The the corporate veil is that corpo*** creditors will sue the corporation rate formalities were not followed and the client and allege that the such as recording board resolu- Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in corporate fiction should be in- tions for decisions made by the bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil validated or ‘pierced.’ Of course, company. Yet another reason is litigation and has successfully represented the creditors will attempt to do that the owners perpetrated a more than five thousand clients in California. this, but can they be successful financial fraud on the creditors. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) in proving the allegation, and What is financial fraud? If the 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. end up with a court order setting owners acted recklessly in their Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite aside the corporate that shields business transactions resulting 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey the personal assets of the owners in major debt that they knew the Road, Walnut, CA 91789. of the corporation? business had no chance in pay(Advertising Supplement)

“In the client’s case, the problem is that her husband is ill and can no longer run the business.”

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a woman when Jesus invited not only men but also women to be his disciples. The 86-year-old man in the group, who is still full of energy, continues to keep asking why he is in the Holy Land with his wife at this point in his life. Most of the Sisters in their 70s are still zestful and zealous about ministry. One of them, an Australian, is still finishing her Masters in Systematic Theology so she can go back to Papua New Guinea to teach. All other insights

from and about other group members made me realize how Jesus is alive, how he continues to walk among us, and how he continues inviting all to follow him — men and women, young and old.

When it seems like some of us have done it all and just want to lead a quiet life, it’s fascinating to know that there are people who keep on hearing the call of Jesus “to feed his lambs,” “to pour their nets into the deep,” to get lost in the mission because after all, that’s where they have real-

ized that they can “find” the Lord!

*** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1991-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

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Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases

Should “commute time” in company vehicle be paid?

JOSELUIS Alcantar works for Hobart Service as a service technician travelling to Hobart’s customers to perform after-sale maintenance and repair services on equipment sold by Hobart’s parent company. Service technicians regularly drive to and from customer locations in company vehicles, carrying the tools and repair parts. Each technician is assigned to one of Hobart’s thirteen California branch offices.

The technicians are paid for each hour they spend fixing equipment and the time they spend driving to and from different assignments. If they commute in the service vehicles, they are also paid for the time spent driving from their homes to their first assignments and from their last assignments back home, but only if such a drive falls outside their “normal commute.” A normal commute is the time it takes a technician to drive from home to the branch location. If a job site is farther from a technician’s home than the branch office, the technician is paid for the extra time it takes to reach the job site. But if a job site is the same distance or closer to a technician’s home than the branch office, the technician is not paid for that drive time.

As a condition of employment, technicians signed an agreement on the use of the vehicles. The technicians supposedly have the option to commute using the service vehicles and leave the service vehicles at their branch offices after work. However, Alcantar alleges this choice is illusory.

The branch offices do not have enough secured parking spaces for the service vehicles, placing technicians at risk for paying for any stolen tools and parts if the vehicles are burglarized at

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2-5, 2018

UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses.

In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages.

The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel.

Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/ she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider.

After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim.

Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings.

If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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4 ways filing for divorce...

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The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be

able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case.

Married aliens in non-imm grant visas and those without status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the

US to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse.

If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001.

Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to

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sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such

as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law

Calendar of Events across

Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JUNE 3

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

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

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.

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

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People and Events Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA to celebrate 40th anniversary on July 7

by DAN

E. NINO

PANGASINAN BrotherhoodUSA (PB-USA), one of the oldest non-profit and tax-exempt umbrella organizations in the U.S., will celebrate its 40th foundation anniversary coinciding with the induction of its officers on July 7 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Marriott Hotel Long Beach on 4700 Airport Plaza Dr. This year’s PB-USA theme is, ”Believe it can be,” which bodes well to the phasing in of second or third generation new officers who are leading this umbrella organization founded by former Ambassador Armando C. Fernandez, himself a Pangasinense from Dagupan City.

Ferdinand “Bong” Soriano, 40, a next-gen community leader who represents Bayambang Association of Southern California, will lead the inductees as PBUSA president and as member of the board. Other members of the board who will be sworn-in include Jackie M. Ferrer (San Carlos City) - chairperson, Neil Estrada (Calasiao) - vice chairman; Lina Cabal (Alaminos City) secretary Rhenee M. Ferrer (San Carlos City), Elisa Urbano (Bani), Roger Cabal (Alaminos City), Mellie Soriano (Bayambang), Ely Turingan (Sual), and Dean Mandapat (San Carlos City). Nieves Coquia (Dagupan City).

Soriano, a marketing specialist, succeeds Lino F. Caringal, Jr. while Jackie M Ferrer, a customs broker executive succeeds Nieves Cocquia. A second generation Filipino-American, Soriano‘s mantra during his two-year administration (2018-2019) is “Empowerment, Collaboration

*** Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Alhambra, CA 91803. bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave,

and Culture.”

Part of his executive officers are: Elisa Urbano, executive vice president; Sue Ann Tumakay, Jesse Mandapat, Mac Posadas, Steve Soriano, Danny Tejada, Mea dela Cruz (vice presidents); Mary Ann Alejandro and Mark dela Cruz (assistant vice presidents), Helen Rosario Hansen, secretary; Arlene Junio-Soriano, assistant secretary; Grace Alvarez, treasurer; Glenn Alejandro, assistant treasurer; Bart Garcia, auditor; Mel Oxciano, legal counsel; Fernando Soriano, finance officer; Tony Soriano, assistant finance officer; Andrew Soriano, public relations officer; and Joseph Araquel, social media officer.

Lynda Johnson, the Field Deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will be the guest and speaker and inducting officer. Consul General Adelio Soriano Cruz (whose mother is from Dagupan City), will deliver a special video greeting due to a prior commitment.

Proceeds of this gala night are earmarked for the social programs of the organization that includes charitable projects, supplemental scholarship

grants, Gawad Kalinga affordable homes, livelihood programs, disaster relief and youth projects, among others.

“This major event of our venerable organization is an opportunity to reconnect us, to rejoice, rejuvenate our energy, recharge our batteries, rekindle our organization’s history, reminisce the good old days, listen to the golden music of Babes & Friends Band — as we journey together.

Borrowing from an anonymous author, Soriano invoked, “Always have eyes to see the best in everyone, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that always works to improve the life of others, and a soul that never lose faith in people. This will define your legacy and those by your side will follow you.”

He added, “I have always believed to make strong effort everyday to truly be a character of integrity, value driven and with a servant attitude. I know I am not perfect so I only expect from people to strive to be the best that they can be.”

For further inquiries, interested parties may call Bong B. Soriano at 909-851-1493 and Jackie M. Ferrer at 714-757-3502. ■

Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrates annual Santacruzan-May Crowning THE Archdiocese of Los Angeles – Filipino Ministry celebrated its 14th Annual Santacruzan-May Crowning on May 12 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

The main presider of the Holy Mass was Msgr. Alex D. Aclan, Vicar of Clergy of the Archdiocese of LA and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Albert H. Avenido, chaplain and moderator of the Filipino Ministry and pastor of The entire cast of the LA Archdiocesan Santacruzan-May Crowning on May 12, 2018 at the Cathedral of (AJPress photo by Andy Tecson) St. Philomena Parish, and Our Lady of the Angels.

Fr. Juan Ochoa, associate pastor ation, Reyna Emperatriz of Cathedral of Our Lady of the – Lorimelle Grace R. Beltran from the 2000 Hail Angels.

Santacruzan-May Crowning Marys Devotional Group, is a cultural and religious festi- and Reyna De Las Flores val introduced to the Philippines – Justine Franchesca S. by the Spanish colonizers in the Ramos from the Santa 1800s to evangelize the popu- Maria Bulacan Associalace. It has since become part of tion.

The “Sagalas,” young Filipino tradition focused on the youth and its devotion to emulat- girls and women with ti- Reyna Elena – Miss Ayris Mauricio crowns the image of the (AJPress photo by Andy Tecson) tles of Angeles (angels), Blessed Virgin Mary. ing the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It commemorates the finding of Estrellas (stars) and Reyimages. Music was provided by the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, nas (queens), processed in the the following: Inter-parish choir mother of Constantine the Great, celebration as the Court of Honor directed by Recx Cangco, Santa the emperor who made Christi- of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They Maria Bulacan Wind and Brass anity as Rome’s national religion. were presented to the congrega- Ensemble directed by Marcus May Crowning honors the Moth- tion together with the members Manahan and GOD Faith Choir er of God, as well, by crowning of the ethnic communities who of St. Philomena Parish directed her statue or icon with the flow- bear popular images of the Vir- by Erick Del Mar. This event was ers of spring enacting crowning gin Mary from their country of made possible through the genorigin. Different statues of the erosity of the benefactors known of the Queen of Heaven.

Primarily a faith formation pro- Blessed Mother were processed as “Hermanas”. The “Hermanas gram for the Fil-Am youth and by numerous religious/devo- Menores” are Fe E. Montano and children in the Archdiocese, all tional groups and joined by sev- Cristel Serrano-Goco. The “Hermajor participants of its Santa- eral civic organizations led by manas Mayores” are Maria Luz cruzan-May Crowning undergo the Philippine Consulate General Cayabyab, Yolanda Versoza Ciria day’s retreat, after which ma- of LA. lo, Lourdes Cronin, Ami Nakagiri A eucharistic celebration was and Erlinda Olivera. jor titles such as Reynas (queen titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary) held and before it ended, the In the evening, the celebration are awarded to the aspirants who image of La Purisima Inmacu- was capped by a dinner-dance have best articulated both in lada Concepcion c/o of the Santa award night where the “Sagawriting and in personal interview Maria Bulacan Association-West las” and “Hermanas” and their how they wanted to pattern their Coast, was crowned. This was escorts were acknowledged and lives according to the virtues of followed by a flower offering to awarded their certificates and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This the Blessed Mother by boys and plaques. The Santacruzan-May year’s top three Reynas are: Rey- girls from different devotional Crowning 2018 committee was na Elena – Ayris Mauricio from organizations and the blessing chaired by Arnel Bailon and Fe the Santa Maria Bulacan Associ- of different Blessed Virgin Mary Amit. ■

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DNA testing to establish family relationships

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ In the Philippines, establishing family relationships can sometimes be extremely complex. A child may be born and then “given” to a relative, such as a childless aunt. A simulated birth certificate is bought on Recto Street and then recorded, making the aunt the biological mother.

In other cases, a child is born out of wedlock, but the mother does not want to disclose the identity of the father (who may be married to someone else), and so lists the father as “unknown.”

Years pass, and perhaps the true biological family member wants to file a petition for the child, but the birth certificate and family relationships are so messed up, that it could be hard to unravel, especially if the birth certificate lists someone else or “unknown” as a parent.

One possible solution is DNA testing, whether it is between a parent and child or even be-

tween siblings. There are several requirements in connection with DNA testing, such as: • The test should be performed by a lab/testing facility approved by DHS or the Embassy.

• USCIS and the Embassy cannot “require” a person to undergo DNA testing; they can only “suggest” the person to do so.

• The Embassy and/or USCIS may consider what other documentation may exist to prove identity, or whether no such documentation exists.

• The DNA results need to show at least a 90% or higher probability of the claimed relationship.

Several other requirements must be met in connection with DNA testing to show family relationships. However, if you have a case where the claimed relationship is in doubt because of lack of documentation, or simulated birth certificates were filed, you should consult with an immigration attorney who can evaluate the situation, whether it is for petitioning a family member or perhaps a

parent wanting to transmit U.S. citizenship to a child. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York.

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

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Fo l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k . c o m / G u r f i n k e l L a w a n d Tw i t t e r @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Boracay shutdown to cost Cebu Air up to P1B

billion in foregone revenues for Gokongwei-led budget carrier Cebu Pacific.

THE shutdown of tour“Caticlan and Kalibo constitute ist hotspot Boracay Island is seen about 6-7 percent of our domesto translate to P500 million to P1 tic passengers. So for the first

by DORIS

DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net

six months, we anticipate there should be maybe P500 million to P1 billion reduction in revenues because it takes time to transfer the flights to other destinations,” PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “So many technologies start out with a burst of idealism, democratization, and opportunity, and over time, they close down and become less friendly to entrepreneurship, to innovation, to new ideas. Over time, the companies that become dominant take more out of the ecosystem than they put back in.”

- Tim O’Reilly, founder of O’Reilly Media

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San Miguel proposes 100-km TPLEX extension up to Ilocos

by Danessa

rIvera Philstar.com

In this Nov. 13, 2017 photo, South Korean President Moon Jae-In attends a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Presidential Photo

Philippines woos Korea for infra funding ahead of Duterte’s Seoul trip

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is courting South Korea to help foot the bill for President Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious plan to upgrade his country’s dilapidated infrastructure and aging ports.

The Philippines is looking into tapping Korea’s loan facility from the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIMEDCF) for at least six Philippine projects in the pipeline.

According to the Department of Finance, among the projects proposed by the Philippines under a “Framework Arrangement” between the two

countries is the New Cebu International Container Port Project with an estimated loan amount of $172.64 million.

Under the deal, which was formalized last May 4, the Philippines can access Korea’s loan facility under the EDCF up to an amount not exceeding $1 billion over a five-year period until 2022.

The DOF said the Philippines is hoping that the loan agreement for the Cebu project would be signed by the first week of June.

The Duterte government plans to spend more than P8 trillion on infrastructure to supercharge economic growth to 7-8 percent from this year until 2022.

South Korea is the Philippines’ sixth-largest provider of official development assistance, with loans and grants provided to the country amounting to $570.60 million as of December 2017.

South Korea is also among the top sources of foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines for the past three years, with some 1.6 million Koreans visiting the country in 2017.

Among the top Korean companies with current investments in the Philippines are Samsung, Sunjjn, Kepco, Daewoo International, and Asiana Airlines.

Duterte is set to visit Seoul from June 3 to 5 for a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has submitted an unsolicited proposal to extend the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) by another 100 kilometers (km) to reach the Ilocos province.

The group has sent its project proposal to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar for evaluation, SMC president Ramon Ang said in an interview yesterday, May 29.

“We proposed for the extension of TPLEX going to Ilocos,” he said. “It is now pending with the DPWH for them to evaluate.”

Ang said the proposed project would extend TPLEX ending in Rosario, La Union all the way to Ilocos province, adding another 100 km to the expressway.

As for the cost of the project, the SMC official said they are still crunching the numbers.

If approved by the DPWH, SMC would be given the original proponent status (OPS) and the proposal will go through a Swiss challenge.

“If they like the project, we would be given an OPS and then subject to Swiss challenge,” Ang said.

Through the Swiss challenge, SMC would have the right to match the best offer to be given by another group for the project.

TPLEX is an 89.31-km expressway from Tarlac City, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union, divided into three phases.

Segment 7, Section 3A-1 of TPLEX from Urdaneta City to Binalonan, officially opened in July last year.

TPLEX Segment 7, Section 3A-

2, from Binalonan to Pozorrubio in Pangasinan, was opened to motorists in December last year.

The segment, which is approximately 10.10-km, is the second to the last portion of the TPLEX project that would be constructed by SMC unit Private Infrastructure Development Corp. (PIDC).

The last segment or Section 3B covers Pozorrubio in Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union and is expected to be completed by June 2019, based on the timetable posted on the DPWH website.

The completion of the TPLEX is expected to ease and improve traffic in the northern part of the country.

At present, almost 20,000 vehicles traverse the stretch of the existing TPLEX segments daily from La Paz, Tarlac to Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Boracay shutdown to cost...

PAGE D1 Lance Gokongwei, president and chief executive officer of Cebu Pacific operator Cebu Pacific said during the stockholders meeting of JG Summit Holdings Inc. on Monday, May 28.

“But overall, we think this should be a strong positive for the country as we expect that Boracay will return as an even more popular destination after the rehabilitation is complete,” Gokongwei said.

Boracay – which Pres. Duterte had described as a “cesspool” due to a number of violators of environmental regulations – was shut down by the government for six months starting April 26 to pave the way for rehabilitation.

Cebu Pacific photo by RAFFY LERMA

San Miguel revives plan to put up $100-million US brewery

by Danessa

rIvera Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) has revived its plan to put up its first brewery in the US, allotting an investment of $100 million within the year, its top official said.

SMB chairman Ramon Ang said the company is in the final stage of checking the license and tax

environment in the US. “What are the taxes, is there an incentive for taxes, are there transfer taxes and distribution taxes? We need to understand all of that before we jump to put up a brewery,” he said.

Once all of these are ironed out, SMB can start building a brewery in the US, he added. “(We can start construction)as soon as we get the final numbers

on the viability,” Ang said.

The US is already a huge export market for the company and putting up a brewery there will translate to cost savings.

“The US is a big export market for us. It’s better for us to put up a plant there to save on freight and hauling,” Ang said.

The company first announced plans to put up a brewery in the US last year. At that time, Ang said he

was heading to the US to finalize the purchase of a 10-hectare site in Los Angeles where the planned two million-hectoliter brewery would rise.

SMB’s international facilities are currently located in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, SMB is also looking at opportunities to expand in other ASEAN countries given favorable

results from its Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia operations.

“We are looking at ASEAN expansion. We are looking at options,” Ang said.

Locally, the company is undertaking a capacity expansion program to improve and save on logistics.

“We are looking at several location to save on logistics. This is part of our cost cutting measures.

We’re trying to cut costs so you can spend the money you save on advertising on TV, multimedia, and other marketing initiatives,” Ang said.

The company recently broke ground for a new brewery in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, the company’s sixth in the country. It is also planning to construct more breweries in key locations across the country.

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Philippines remains world’s call Economic losses from cybersecurity center capital — CCAP incidents could reach $3.5 billion

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines remains the call center capital of the world last year, leaving closest competitor India in the dust, and is expected to remain so this year amid the local industry being past its heyday.

“The Philippines continues to be the largest location for delivery of contact services in the rest of the world. So as an outsourcing destination, we continue to dominate the No. 1 spot as a country. There is no close No. 2. We continue to be No. 1 in terms of market share,” Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) chairman Benedict Hernandez said.

Citing data from Texas-based global consulting and research firm The Everest Group, CCAP said the Philippines is seen to continue being the biggest contact center market this 2018, taking 16 to 18 percent of the total outsourced services globally.

This again will put the country ahead of India, its nearest competitor in this market.

In 2017, CCAP president Jojo Uligan said the country’s global market share stood at a range of between 16 to 20 percent, again beating India for the top spot.

The Everest Group cited language skills and high empathy of Filipino agents, cultural affinity to Western countries, competitive

costs, and government incentives like tax discounts and talent development programs, and competitive costs as factors that allowed the country to maintain its dominant status.

“From a cultural, language empathy, customer centricity standpoint, the Filipino customer representative is really preferred around the world. There is also a cost advantage to doing work in the Philippines. If you combine all those qualities, plus cost advantage, then it becomes an attractive location for contact center services,” Hernandez said.

The contact center industry, which is a part of the broader business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, has been among the country’s top revenue generators in the past decade.

While the industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years, Hernandez, however, admitted that the industry may not be able to grow as robustly as it has in the past, with its last double-digit expansion recorded in 2015.

Based on The Everest Group data, the Philippine contact center sector generated revenues of $13 billion in 2017, a slight improvement from $12.77 billion revenue in 2016.

This year, CCAP expects the industry to expand by another seven to nine percent.

“We are forecasting to add another $1 billion in revenues this

year. That translates to an additional 70,000 more jobs,” Uligan said.

Under its existing roadmap, CCAP expects the sector’s revenue to rise to $20.4 billion by 2022.

Hernandez, however, said the group may need to “reforecast” should “something happen,” referring to local and foreign policies that may affect the sector moving forward.

“For us, we would go for the growth rates that were forecasted.

We do want to stay in the high single digit. We don’t want to be stagnant. Our goal is to keep adding jobs and revenues,” Hernandez said.

Uligan said the group is working closely with the government with regards to the proposed rationalization of the country’s fiscal incentives under the second tax reform package.

“We are also trying to help the government try to understand the industry, especially at this stage that we’re growing. We feed data and information to the government... if they can maintain some of the incentives that will help us remain competitive,” Uligan said.

“Our competitions are increasing, some of the incentives they’re giving the BPO or the call center companies who will locate in those areas and in those countries. We want the Philippines to remain competitive. One of the thing that has kept us competitive are the incentives,” he said.

Robinsons Land mulls venture into dorms, shared office spaces by iRis

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property development arm of the Gokongwei family, is venturing into the dormitory, warehousing and possibly, the shared office space business, its president and COO said.

RLC president Frederick Go said the dormitory business could be a new source of revenue, targeting those who cannot afford a condominium unit.

“Not everybody can afford to buy a condominium unit, a lot can only afford to rent. It’s being consistent with our goals to provide housing for everyone,” Go said in a briefing following the company’s annual stockholders meeting.

“We have to also accommo-

date those who cannot buy units but can only afford to rent,” he added.

The company is also looking at the share office space business, which it said is a disruptor in the shared office industry.

“We are studying and going into that market. There are a lot of shared offices but not from property developers,” he noted.

If the plan pushes through, RLC will run the office and deliver more services to companies.

The company has also ventured into the warehousing business, putting up with its first project in Muntinlupa City with a gross leasable area of 32,000 square meters.

Go said RLC would expand with two more warehouse facilities in Laguna.

“We can rent it to anybody who needs to take up space. It’s a logistics warehouse so it can be for anything the client wants,” he said.

RLC operates malls, hotels and offices, among others, banking on the country’s steady economic growth both within and outside Metro Manila.

It plans to end the year with at least four new malls– Robinsons Place Ormoc, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Robinsons Place Pavia and Robinsons Place Valencia.

The target is to increase its gross leasable area to 1.508 million sqm by the end of the year from 1.389 million last year.

For office space, it also plans to open new office projects this year, the Exxa and Zeta Towers and the Cyberspace Gamma.

by louella

desideRio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Cybersecurity incidents could cost the Philippine economy $3.5 billion, according to a study from Frost and Sullivan commissioned

by Microsoft.

In the study titled “Understa nd i ng t he Cyber secu r it y Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World,” Frost and Sullivan said the estimated cost of cybersecurity incidents in the Philippines is equivalent to 1.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product of $305 billion.

The study said a large-sized organizat ion in t he count r y could incur an economic loss of $7.5 million from cybersecurity incidents, more than 200 times higher than the average economic loss for a mid-sized organization of $35,000.

Frost and Sullivan arrived at the estimates using an economic loss model based on macro-economic data and insights shared by 1,300 business and information technology decision makers from mid-sized organizations and large organizations.

The model factored in three kinds of losses from a cyber breach such as direct or financial losses associated with a cybersecurity incident, indirect or

opportunity cost to the organization such as customer churn due to reputation loss, and induced or the impact of cyber breach to the broader ecosystem and economy such as the decrease in consumer and enterprise spending.

Based on the study, more than half of the organizations surveyed in the country have either experienced a cybersecurity incident (18 percent) or are not sure as they have not performed proper forensics or data breach assessment (34 percent).

“Although the direct losses from cybersecurity breaches are most visible, they are but just the tip of the iceberg,” Edison Yu, vice president and head of enterprise for Asia Pacific at Frost and Sullivan said.

“There are many other hidden losses that we have to consider from both the indirect and induced perspectives, and the economic loss for organizations suffering from cybersecurity attacks can be often underestimated,” he said.

Apart from financial losses, cybersecur it y i ncidents are preventing organizations from future opportunities in today’s digital economy as more than half (57 percent) of respondents said they put on hold digital transformation efforts due to the fear of cyber risks.

The study also revealed there are gaps in terms of how organi-

zations protect their data as only 44 percent of those surveyed consider cybersecurity before the start of the digital transformation project.

It likewise showed only 25 percent of respondents see having a cybersecurity strategy as a competitive advantage to help in digital transformation.

W hile there are gaps, the study showed there are organizations which are ahead as they are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to boost cybersecurity.

In particular, almost four in five (79 percent) organizations in the country have either adopted or are looking to adopt an AI approach to boost cybersecurity.

An AI-driven cybersecurity architecture is seen to allow organizations to fix or strengthen their security posture before problems emerge.

It will also enable companies identify cyberattacks, remove persistent threats and fix bugs much faster.

“The ever-changing threat environment is challenging, but there are ways to be more effective using the right blend of modern technology, strategy, and expertise,” Microsoft Philippines managing director Hans Bayaborda said.

He said Microsoft could help businesses in the Philippines through its secure platform of products and services.

Facebook expands presence in PH, opens new office by miGuel

R. camus

Inquirer.net

SOCIAL media giant Facebook is expanding its business presence in the country, where it is used by over 66 million Filipinos.

Facebook recently opened a new head office in Bonifacio Globe City, Taguig, and launched initiatives to help small to medium as well as large businesses tap a $4-billion e-commerce opportunity.

“Businesses are embarking on the journey to digital transformation with the aim of unlocking growth opportunities and to better connect with today’s mobilesavvy Filipinos. In the Philippines

alone, more than 50 million Filipinos are connected to an SME business page on Facebook,” said John Rubio, country director, Facebook Philippines.

“Looking internationally, we’re also focused on helping businesses connect with the 130 million people living outside of the Philippines who are already connected to an SME on Facebook based in the Philippines,” he added.

According to Facebook, it has partnerships with Bayan Academy and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Among the goals was to reach small to medium enterprises through so-called digital marketing workshops. Facebook wants to reach over 4,500 entrepreneurs

across 25 cities across the Philippines in 2018.

Facebook, which mainly earns from advertising, said it also had solutions for large businesses.

Data from the company showed that over 95 percent of Filipinos on Facebook “discover” products through the social media platform.

Moreover, three out of five Filipinos proceed to purchase these products.

“For large businesses, we also want to help them realize untapped potential across all touch points—from strategic partnership and insights, to conversational commerce on Messenger, to hands-on workshops and education,” Rubio said.

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Aki-Home opens largest US location and flagship store in Ontario, CA by

AJPress

Aki-Home held its grand opening celebration on Friday, May 25 for its Ontario Mills store, the company’s 6th and largest store to open in Southern California.

“Here in Ontario, we pride ourselves as being one of the very best cities in all of California for retail sales and here in Ontario Hills is also one of the greatest locations for retail anywhere in the state of California,” Brad Gates, business operations director for the city of Ontario said on Friday.

The weekend-long celebration kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by prize drawing and gift bag giveaway, prize wheel, Taiko drum performance, refreshments and balloons for children. Present at the ceremony were various officials and community leaders from Ontario as well as Shunichi Osawa, CEO for Nitori USA and Toshiyuki Shirai, president and

chief operating officer of Nitori Holdings Co. “This store here in the U.S., it is our 6th store with Aki Home however worldwide, including stores that we have in Japan, China, and Taiwan. But I believe the inside of the store, the way that it is displayed — this store is the best,” Shirai said.

Aki-Home, owned by Nitori, sells indoor and outdoor furniture, home decor, bedding, bath and kitchen items, rugs, window treatments and lighting.

The company began in 1967 when founder and chairman, Akio Nitori, opened a small furniture store in Hokkaido, Japan.

Today, Nitori is Japan’s premier place to shop for furniture and home furnishings. With 481 stores in Japan, Nitori has provided the Japanese consumer ways to coordinate their homes with style, affordability, and convenience. This winning strategy paved the way for expansion beyond Japan, with 16 new stores in Taiwan. More incredibly, Akio

Nitori wanted to “return the favor to our teacher” by bringing his concept back to the United States.

“The first store that we opened in America, it was in 2013. Since the time that we started opening our stores here in the U.S., we learned so much from our customers and that’s why were able to continue making improvements,” Shirai said. “And our sourcing and merchandising prowess really gives us the strength to be able to provide affordability, quality, value, as well as coordination to our customers that no other company in this country at least or possibly in the world is able to provide so that is our promise to our customers.”

Aki-Home is located at the Ontario Mills mall at 4655 Mills Cir, Ontario, CA 91764. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, please visit: https://aki-home. com.

Officials participate in a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at Aki-Home’s Ontario store on Friday, May 25.

Aki-Home sells indoor and outdoor furniture, home decor, bedding, bath and kitchen items, rugs, window treatments and lighting.

The Ontario Mills location of Aki-Home is its sixth and largest store to open in Southern California.

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Shunichi Osawa Sunichi Osawa, CEO for Nitori USA

AJPress photos by Mark Xavier Bautista

Toshiyuki Sharai, president and COO of Nitori Holdings Co.

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