061318 - Southern California Midweek Edition

June 13-15, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 48 • 3 Sections - 26 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump participates in rocky G7, and historic summit with North Korea PRESIDENT Donald Trump participated in what turned out to be a difficult G7 Summit in Quebec last Friday, June 8, where he met with leaders of six other industrialized nations being Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. Amidst an ongoing trade war with allied nations, Trump threatened to stop trades with countries that did not remove tariffs on U.S. goods — a move he said was a “very profitable answer.”

“We have a tremendous trade imbalance,” said Trump during a Saturday press conference following the summit. “With one country, we have $375 billion in trade deficits.”

Trump has imposed tariffs on aluminum and steel from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union in recent weeks. Just days before the G7, Trump posted a tweet aimed at Trudeau and Macron accusing the two of

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California Attorney General Xavier Becerra AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

California’s Attorney General Vows National Fight To Defend The ACA

Pres. Duterte urges Filipinos to be like heroes for ‘meaningful, lasting change’

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, joined the nation in celebrating the country’s 120th anniversary of its independence, calling on Filipinos to emulate our he-

roes to bring “meaningful and lasting change” in the society.

In his Independence Day message, Duterte said Filipinos should value the sacrifices of our heroes, saying “this historic day forms the foundation of the liberties we enjoy today.”

“I join the Filipino people in cel-

said.

“May solidarity and heroism exhibited by our ancestors fuel our desire to spur meaningful and lasting change in our communities as we collectively battle the social ills of corruption, illegal drugs and criminality that im-

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On PH Independence Day, former colonial master US highlights ‘enduring alliance’

by IAN

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

THE United States on Tuesday, June 12, highlighted its “enduring alliance” with the Philippines, which is celebrating its 120th Independence Day. In a message on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington is “proud” to call the Philippines a friend and ally.

“On this special occasion celebrating Philippine independence, we remember and honor our enduring alliance and wish the Philippines a happy and prosperous national day,” Pompeo said.

“The U.S.-Philippines alliance is underpinned by a shared history, rich peopleto-people ties, and a strong and growing spirit of cooperation on trade and security,” he added.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made a stunning shift in his nation’s foreign policy since assuming office in

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DUTERTE LEADS PH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION. President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, joined his countrymen in honoring the patriots who have given their lives for the Philippines’ liberty, urging Filipinos to be worthy of the “great sacrifice.” Duterte led the flag raising ceremony at the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo as he graced the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence. On June 12, 1898, the Philippine flag was waved by, as the Marcha Nacional Filipina played, at former President Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence here, following the proclamation of independence from Spain.

Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias

Lorenzana: Aquino ‘mismanaged’ West PH Sea dispute

by DEMPSEY

REYES ManilaTimes.net

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Xavier Becerra pledged on Friday, June 8, to redouble his efforts as the Affordable Care Act’s leading defender, saying attacks by the Trump Administration threaten health care for millions of Americans.

Becerra’s pledge came in response to an announcement from the administration Thursday that it would not defend key parts of the Affordable Care Act in court. The administration instead called on federal courts to scuttle the health law’s protection for people with

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ebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence… Through the patriotic fervor shown by our forefathers, we have freed ourselves from colonial subjugation and proved to the world that we stand united as the pioneer of republican democracy in Asia,” Duterte

PH Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

Inquirer.net photo

IT was the previous administration that mishandled the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), not the Duterte administration, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana claimed on Monday, June 11.

In a news conference after a flagraising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Lorenzana insisted that the handling of the Aquino

NEW MACTAN-CEBU TERMINAL TO BOOST TOURISM

PH opens ‘awesome’ international airport

by RALPH

VILLANUEVA ManilaTimes.net

President Rodrigo Duterte takes a tour inside the Mactan-Cebu-International Airport (MCIA)Terminal 2 during its inauguration in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday, June 7.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, June 7, inaugurated the Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu City, which the Department of Transportation plans to transform into the “world’s friendliest airport.”

The 65,500-square meter terminal increases the airport’s passenger capacity to 12.5 million.

The president admitted the airport was awesome.

“It is exciting to see that we have come this far in letting our kababayans and visitors see

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administration led to the “chaotic” dispute.

“We have managed it very well through the president’s leadership…The one who mismanaged it was the previous administration wherein everything went chaotic,” he told reporters.

Lorenzana noted that when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency, the dispute between Manila and Beijing was close to boiling point.

“What we saw when we assumed is that we had no trades with China, they were not purchasing our products and there were no Chinese tourists going here. We were also not able to fish within Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal and [the Chinese]were harassing our troops back then,” the Defense chief explained.

“Now, they buy all our bananas, the tourists here have doubled, and

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Golez, former national security adviser; 71

by FRANCES

MANGOSING Inquirer.net

FORMER National Security Adviser Roilo Golez spent his last hours on Monday, June 11, defending the Philippines’ sovereignty in the South China Sea. In an interview on dzRH radio early on Monday, which he also posted live on his Facebook page, Golez, a former Philippine Navy officer and member of the House of Representatives, urged the Duterte administration to be transparent in its dealings with China, following a series of aggressive moves by Beijing in the South China Sea, including deploying weapons on reefs claimed by Manila in the Spratly Islands and landing long-range bombers on Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago, from where

hometown.

ABS-CBN said ANC was supposed to interview Golez early Monday about the South China Sea dispute, but the interview fell through because Golez “felt unwell.”

Golez died hours later, according to his son, Parañaque Vice Mayor Rico Golez. He was 71.

True patriot “We lost a true patriot. He was an indefatigable defender of the West Philippine Sea,” acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio said Former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez in a text message, using the loInquirer.net photo cal name of the waters within the the country is within the planes’ Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclufighting range. sive economic zone in the South Golez also spoke about the Fili- China Sea. pinos’ concerns over the landing “He embraced lawfare as a of a People’s Liberation Army Air peaceful means of asserting our Force transport plane last week in sovereign rights in the West PhilDavao City, President Duterte’s u PAGE A7

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From the Front Page

Pres. Duterte urges Filipinos to be...

PAGE A1 pede our progress as a nation,” he added.

The president said the country’s journey to freedom was achieved through the Filipinos’ sweat, blood, and the ultimate act of selfless sacrifice.

“By cherishing the sovereignty that is borne out of the sweat and

blood of our heroes, we stand firm and unwavering in our conviction to create a brighter and better future for all Filipinos-regardless of their status in life,” Duterte said.

“Inspired by the sacrifices of those who have bravely stood before us, may we also find the courage to defend our cherished

democratic ideals now and in the years to come,” he added.

Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, took part in the main Independence Day rites in Kawit, Cavite, where Philippine independence was first proclaimed in 1898.

Last year, the president skipped the Independence Day rites at the Rizal Park, with his spokesman saying the Chief Executive was attending to the nation’s “challenges.”

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni Robredo” instead led last year’s Independence Day rites while Duterte was represented

by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

It could be recalled that Duterte had called off the hosting of the traditional Vin d’Honneur for the diplomatic corps at Malacañan Palace to attend to matters concerning Mindanao, which has been placed under martial law.

It was June 12, 1898 when Philippines’ first president, General Emilio Aguinaldo, proclaimed the Philippines’s sovereignty at his ancestral home now known as the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine. n

HISTORIC HANDSHAKE. Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un made history Tuesday, June 12, becoming the first sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders to meet and shake hands, as they seek to end a tense decades-old nuclear stand-off. The two men strode toward each other and shared the momentous handshake beneath the white-washed walls of an upscale hotel in neutral Singapore, before sitting down for a half-day of meetings with major ramifications for the world.

Photo courtesy of the Department of State

On PH Independence Day...

PAGE A1 June 2016, as he cozies up to China and Russia while berat-

Pompeo’s remarks came amid doubts over the U.S.’ commitment to come to the aid of the Philippines in case of an attack on its territory or armed forces in the disputed South China

Sea, where China has been aggressively staking its claim.

“Our bilateral relationship stands as a model for ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific,” Pompeo said. n

Romulo-Puyat said the new terminal would boost Cebu’s poDuterte administration’s Build, tential in improving the econoBuild, Build infrastructure pro- my.

“Cebu plays a very strategic gram.

“The construction of this role in our development efforts. world-class transportation facil- Our National Tourism Develity shows that government and opment Plan of 2016 to 2022 our private sector partners are recognizes it as a top destinacommitted to provide our people tion and valuable international with the necessary infrastructure gateway. Now more than ever, that enable them to live more Cebu will continue to help the comfortable, productive and country provide greater access to markets and promote seammeaningful lives,” Duterte said.

Saying the airport is a “cata- less travel,” Puyat said also on lyst for inclusive countryside Thursday.

“Our national target of 12development,” the president commended the Department of million inbound visitors and Transportation, Mactan Cebu 89.2 domestic travelers in 2022 International Airport Authority are now within closer reach as and the GMR-Megawide Cebu we move to upgrade gateways Airport Corp. for the construc- develop more destinations and uphold international domestic tion of the new terminal.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette standards,” she added.

Terminal 2 has an architectural design inspired by Cebu’s island heritage. The new terminal is expected to transform MCIA into a world-class facility and resort gateway.

Construction of the P17.5billion project started in June 2015.

“For the past two years, MCIA’s demand has exceeded the physical capacity of its terminal. With the addition of Terminal 2, not only will we be able to sustainably cope with the steadily increasing number of passengers, we will also be able to open Cebu to more international flights,” airport president Louie Ferrer said.

Ferdinand Pecson, executive director of the PPP Center, said passengers can expect quality service. n

ing traditional treaty ally and former colonial master, the U.S.

PH opens ‘awesome’...

PAGE A1 and experience real and lasting change. As one of the finest airports in Asia, this facility showcases the best of what the Philippines has to offer,” Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration event.

“I was awed when I started to walk towards this place. The airport is very beautiful. I am jealous because I was mayor of Davao for 23 years, I suppose that I’d also like the Davaoeños to enjoy an airport as beautiful as what you have here,” he said in his speech.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the second largest airport in the country and one of the busiest.

Terminal 2 is part of the

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Dateline USa

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California Big 11 Mayors applaud unprecedented action to address homelessness in State budget agreement SACRAMeNTO, CA – Mayors of California’s largest 11 cities announced Monday, June 11, that Governor Jerry Brown and legislative leaders reached an unprecedented agreement to directly address the homeless crisis in the state. The budget agreement includes $500 million to the Homeless emergency Aid Program, which will fund immediate solutions to get people off the streets.

The budget deal also includes $200 million for existing programs, enhanced outreach, and resources for homeless youth and seniors.

Since January, the Big 11 have worked with legislative leaders, the administration and local government representatives to advocate for a meaningful investment to combat the statewide homeless crisis.

Throughout their advocacy, Big 11 Mayors maintained that cities should receive state

funding because they are on the front lines of the homeless crisis. They also argued that resources allocated to this issue must be flexible enough for cities to deploy solutions that best fit their communities.

Nearly half of California’s 135,000 homeless people reside in the state’s biggest 11 cities. Half of all the country’s homeless are in California. “I commend Governor Jerry Brown, state legislative leaders and Assemblymember Phil Ting for rising to this moment and directly confronting the homeless crisis in the state,� said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who serves as Chairman of the Big 11 Mayors. “Our big cities are the front lines of this crisis and these new state resources will allow us to increase our emergency shelter capacity, rental assistance programs, and

clinically trained outreach that will have immediate impact in human lives.�

This agreement prioritizes immediate relief in the form of building new shelters, expanding supportive services and emergency solutions that will take thousands off the streets. The agreement also includes additional investments into outreach and programs that help people experiencing homelessness access housing, mental health services and other supportive services to end their cycle of homelessness. Additional funding for seniors, domestic violence YOUNG PINOYS REPRESENT. AJ Boy Victoriano (young footballer) and Matteo De Venecia (young journalist), the selected 12-year-old shelters, homeless youth and ambassadors from Philippines, arrived in Moscow, Russia to participate in the Football for Friendship (F4F) Programme. They will be part of mentally ill homeless show the opening ceremony of the International Friendship Camp. The young journalists will also start their work at the International Children’s PNA photo the state government’s desire Press Center. to partner with local governments on finding a comprehensive approach to the growing problem.

PAGE A1 in last year’s tax bill rendered the 1, 2019, when the mandate penThe Homeless emergency preexisting medical conditions entire ACA unconstitutional. In alty goes away.

PAGE A8 and its requirement that people the tax law, Congress repealed Because the lawsuit could the penalty for people who fail to easily go all the way to the U.S. buy health coverage.

Becerra accused the adminis- have health insurance starting in Supreme Court, a process that could take years, the protections tration of going “AWOL.� It “has 2019.

Becerra is leading an effort by for people with preexisting condecided to abandon the hundreds of millions of people who depend Democratic attorney generals ditions are likely to stay in place on� the law, he said in an inter- from others states and the District during that period. of Columbia to defend the ACA Lieutenant Governor Gavin view with California Healthline. “It’s, simply put, an attack on against that lawsuit. In May, the Newsom, the Democratic frontthe health care that millions of court allowed them to “intervene� runner in the race for California’s next governor, breathed the same Americans have come to count in the case.

The Trump administration filed fire as Becerra against the federal on, and California, being the most successful state in implementing a brief in the case on Thursday, government on Friday. “Trump and his cronies can’t the Affordable Care Act, stands to arguing that without the tax to lose perhaps more than anyone encourage healthy people to sign unilaterally roll back preexisting up, the parts of the law guarantee- protections for millions of Califorelse.�

About 1.5 million Californians ing coverage to people with previ- nians,� Newsom said. “California buy coverage through the state’s ous health conditions — without will fight like hell to protect our ACA exchange, Covered Cali- charging them higher rates — families and their healthcare.�

A spokesman for his opponent fornia, and nearly 4 million have should be struck down as well.

In a letter to House Speaker in the race, Republican guberjoined Medicaid as a result of the program’s expansion under the Paul Ryan explaining the admin- natorial candidate John Cox, deistration’s decision, U.S. Attorney clined to comment. law.

If the court ultimately declared The state has been at the fore- General Jeff Sessions cited the front in resisting many Trump Ad- Justice Department’s “longstand- the provisions targeted by the ministration policies, including on ing tradition� of defending the Trump Administration unconstituconstitutionality of federal laws tional, California would be tempohealth care and immigration. “This is not a new experience “if reasonable arguments can be rarily cushioned from the effects because there are laws already on for us under this new Trump era made in their defense.�

But in this case, he wrote, he the books should the ACA – or its of having to defend Californians,�

Becerra said. In the case of health could not find those arguments to provisions – go away.

For instance, existing rules care, “fortunately we have 16 oth- defend the constitutionality of the er [Democratic attorneys general] provisions and “concluded that would protect people with prewho are prepared to do it with us. this is a rare case where the prop- existing conditions for twelve er course is to forgo defense.� months if the ACA were struck �

The administration called on down.

At issue is a lawsuit filed by 20 During that time, “policymakRepublican state attorneys gen- the court to declare the provieral on Feb. 26, which charged sions that guarantee coverage to ers in California would look rethat Congress’ changes to the law be invalid beginning on January PAGE A5

California’s attorney general vows national fight...

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Trump participates in rocky G7...

PAGE A1 “charging the U.S. massive tariffs and creating non-monetary barriers.”

Tweeting again on Saturday, he said the actions were “killing our agriculture”, thus hurting U.S. farmers.

In a move overturning talks made during the meeting, Trump tweeted Saturday that he had instructed U.S. representatives not to endorse the G7 communique that had been made out at the summit.

The remark followed an announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who following the summit, said that Canada would go through with retaliatory tariffs on July 1.

He said he told Trump that “it would be with regret but it would be with absolute clarity and firmness that we move forward with retaliatory measures on July 1, applying equivalent tariffs to the ones that the Americans have unjustly applied to us.”

“Canadians, we’re polite, we’re reasonable, but we also will not be pushed around,” said Trudeau.

Trump also at the G7, called for Russia to readmitted into the G7, despite Russia’s occupation in Crimea.

“I think it would be an asset to have Russia back in,” said Trump at a press conference at the summit. “I think it would be good for the world. I think it would be good for Russia. I think it would be good for the United States. I think it would be good for all of the countries of the current G7. I think the G8 would be better.”

Formerly part of what was the G8, Russia was suspended from the group in 2014 as the majority

of the group’s member countries united against its occupation of Crimea — the first breach of a European country’s borders since World War II. “I would say that the G8 is a more meaningful group than the G7, absolutely,” said the U.S. president.

Of the annexation, he said, “You’ll have to ask Obama, because he was the one that let Crimea get away.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that talks of letting Russia back in were not on the table.

“We agree that a return by Russia to the G7 format cannot happen as long as there isn’t any substantial progress in regard to the problems with Ukraine. That was a common view,” said Merkel at a press conference Friday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed the consensus on Saturday, June 9 and said that Trump’s request was “not something we are even remotely looking at.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said to journalists Saturday that Russia would be able to rejoin the summit if Moscow were to honor the Minsk agreements which were meant to end the crisis in Ukraine.

“For four years, we have been saying we will extend again if and when the Minsk agreements are respected,” said Macron. “We will, but only when and if the Minsk agreements are respected. So it’s up to Russia now. As soon as the agreements are upheld, we will open the game. And that’s really my wish. I’d like to have a G8 in Beatrix next year and that will be because the Russians fulfill the

conditions of the Minsk agreements.”

Historic Summit with North Korea Trump’s rocky G7 summit was followed by a historic and much awaited meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday, June 12 where the two signed a broad statement calling for a “firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”

The meeting was the first to happen between a North Korean leader and sitting U.S. president.

“We’re starting that process very quickly — very, very quickly,” said Trump regarding North Korea’s willingness to denuclearize.

When asked if he trusted Kim, Trump said, “I do. I do.”

“I think he wants to get it done. I really feel that very strongly,” he added, before acknowledging previously failed attempts.

Trump also said that the U.S. military would stop joint U.S. and South Korea military exercises which have taken place since the 1970s, and have long aggravated North Korea.

“We will be stopping the war games, which will save us a tremendous amount of money,” said Trump. “Plus I think it is very provocative.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said, “At this moment, we need to figure out President Trump’s accurate meaning and intention.”

Asked about the death of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who was released by North Korea last year and died soon after returning to the U.S., Trump said, “I think without Otto this would not have happened.”

“It was a terrible thing, it was

California’s attorney general vows national fight...

PAGE A4 ally hard at being able to try to do something so we don’t lose those gains,” said Deborah Kelch, director of the Insure the Uninsured Project in Sacramento.

“It’s hard to look at California and imagine just folding it up and starting over.”

Some critics of the administration’s decision said California should go forward with enacting its own mandate for individual coverage, as a few other states have done. No one has pushed that issue forward in the Legislature.

Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg),

chairman of Califoria’s Assembly Health Committee, did not address that issue but said he’d do whatever it takes to keep the Affordable Care Act’s protections alive in California.

“So many families from every political persuasion will lose the ability to find and purchase coverage because they have a pre-existing condition,” Wood said.

Since he took office in January 2017, Becerra has emerged as a top opponent of the Trump administration, filing more than 30 lawsuits on health care and other issues.

In California’s primary elec-

Dateline USa

tion Tuesday, Becerra, a Democrat, dominated the race with 45 percent of the vote. He will face retired judge Steven Bailey, a Republican, in the November general election.

Bailey’s spokesman Corey Uhden said Friday that he wouldn’t comment on the constitutionality of the ACA provisions. However, he said, Bailey opposes the individual mandate and wants less government regulation of health insurance.

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

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNe 13-15, 2018

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INDEPENDENCE DAY IN ANGONO. Some Higantitos are displayed for the 60 Higantitos art competition to celebrate the 120th Independence Day at SM Center Angono, Rizal on Tuesday, June 12. The higantitos, which were created by Dredd Santos, is the winning entry among 15 participants, who were required to submit four higantitos each. PNA photo by Cheryl Basar

brutal. But a lot of people started to focus on what was going on, including North Korea. I really think Otto is someone who did not die in vain,” said Trump.

Among the U.S. Delegation was Department of State Secretary Mike Pompeo; White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly; National Security Advisor, Ambassador John Bolton; Press

Secretary Sarah Sanders; U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim; and Deputy Assistant to the President for Asian Affairs, Matthew Pottinger. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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OPINION

FEATURES

120 years of independence THE country celebrated its Independence Day on Tuesday, June 12 as another country is occupying a Philippine reef, patrolling the Philippines’ maritime exclusive economic zone, and confiscating the catch of Filipinos fishing in a shoal within that EEZ. As part of its responses, the Philippine government even allows a Chinese military plane — possibly used to patrol the South China Sea — to refuel in Davao.

This weakness aptly reflects the circumstances surrounding the event 120 years ago that is being celebrated today: the founders of the Philippine republic’s declaration of independence from foreign rule as an American naval armada sat in Manila Bay, while Spain was negotiating the sale of its colony to the United States for $20 million. For the next half-century, the Philippines would be a commonwealth under the U.S. Clearly, declaring independence must be supported by realities on the ground. Aside from political independence, a sovereign state must be able to protect that sovereignty by developing minimum

credible defense capability. While defense alliances are important, they should not mean dependence on others for one’s own defense.

It’s a healthy foreign policy; even the country’s allies will appreciate it.

The Duterte administration has issued statements in this direction, but it must be backed by the necessary resources. National defense — even minimum credible defense — does not come cheap. An independent foreign policy, backed by minimum credible defense capability, is best supported by a robust economy.

China managed to become a 21st century military power because of its phenomenal economic growth within the past four decades. A prosperous state can afford to stand on its own feet, becoming as self-reliant as globalization will allow it, and undoubtedly independent. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trumps attacks long-time US allies, praises and advocates adversaries and dictators nation’s history durI NEVER thought that ing 9/11. They sent one day would come The Fil-Am their own troops to when the leader of the offer their ultimate Free World, the bastion Perspective sacrifice when they of democracy, the dejoined the U.S. lead fender of human rights wars in Iraq and Afwould one day attack ghanistan. the allies of the United Trump accused States, only to sing GEL SANTOS-RELOS our allies of bepraises and advocate for the cause of the very countries that ing unfair in their trade dealings with attack the United States’ democratic America, betrayed them by not honoring America’s commitment in the Paris values, institutions and processes.

Well, it just happened. The 45th accord to protect the environment and president of the United States made it fight against global warming, would happen. Donald J. Trump made it hap- not work with our allies during the G-7 pened, and his loyal fans and political summit just before heading to Singapore, vowed to break away from the allies are cheering him on.

Since the campaign and especially North American Free Trade Agreeafter becoming president, Trump es- ment (NAFTA), withdrew from the calated his attack against the allies of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). He the United States who have stood with spoke ill of the leaders of our allies, atus even during the darkest times of our tacking them personally.

But as Trump alienates the U.S. from the allies of the United States, he has become cozy with our adversaries and dictators who do not value democratic principles, human rights, and basic decency.

Trump wouldn’t call out Russian President Vladimir Putin even after Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections and continued meddling in the 2018 and 2020 elections. It took him forever to impose new sanctions for Russia’s meddling not only in our elections but also in our power grids. He would hail Putin for being a strong leader and would want to nurture a relationship with our number one political foe. And, he even advocated to include Putin back in the G-7 group despite the sanctions!

During the campaign, Trump would lambast China for bad business prac-

tices, currency manipulation, etc., but when elected, he invited President Xi JinPing to Maralago and bonded with him, and even expressed that maybe America should emulate China’s ending term limits for president. Then, he lifted sanctions against Chinese company ZTE to “help save jobs for China”.

And just last June 12, six months after his kindergarten playground fire and fury war of words against North Korean President Kim Jong-un, Trump legitimized the young dictator by meeting with him in Singapore for the historic summit, the first time a sitting U.S. president met and shook hands with the North Korean dictator. He sung praises for Kim and honored him without getting much in return for the U.S. other than to talk about the promised denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, without details about time

frame and measure of compliance and fulfillment of such promise.

Don’t get me wrong. I am very much for peace talks. BUT what is really troubling here is the kind of diplomacy and international relations Trump has been breaking and forging, and the true spirit behind these actions.

Could Trump supporters please make sense of this? How would this help the United States of America? How would these help American workers, farmers and manufacturers? How would these actions help our economy? How would these actions earn the respect of the world for America? *** 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

Will there be war with China? Let’s hope not

Opinion

RICARDO SALUDO RECENTLY, two defense experts from opposite sides of the world spoke of war with China.

In Washington, Admiral Philip Davidson, the new chief of the Pacific Command in Hawaii, wrote to the U.S. Congress that with its three man-made islands in the Spratlys, “China is now capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States.”

Then, in Manila, Arroyo-era Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales raised the possibility of Chinese invasion. “China does not have a history of invading other countries, but it is not averse to using military might to settle territorial conflicts,” he wrote to Rappler.

“A Chinese invasion is not unthinkable.”

Gonzales cites a possible Beijing concern over President Rodrigo Duterte ending his term in 2022, which may then lead to a new leadership hostile to China. If there were an invasion, he predicted that “within hours, the Chinese can destroy most of the country’s defense facilities and probably some of our cities.”

Let’s assess these comments and see if they hold water. Today, we look at the invasion scenario, and next Tuesday, war prospects in Asia.

In this assessment, it’s crucial to set aside biases and leanings for or against certain countries, so one can coldly weigh the geopolitical, security, and other factors in play.

Will the Chinese invade?

Gonzales cited Beijing’s fear of Duterte’s successor reversing his friendship with China.

Can it happen?

Well, it did when then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd ended his predecessor Gloria Arroyo’s cordial relations with Beijing.

Arroyo had eased tensions by, among other things, quietly dealing with Chinese fishermen caught in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. But Aquino did the opposite, sending a navy frigate to arrest Chinese fishermen in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which he lost in the ensuring confrontation with China in April 2012.

To counter Chinese encroachment, Aquino forged the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in 2014, to escalate American military deployment in the country, and give U.S. forces access to our bases.

President Duterte has stalled EDCA implementation, rightly fearing that U.S. forces in the country would attract foreign attack. Indeed, if America had facilities in the archipelago, they would have been threatened by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in his 2016-2017 brinkmanship with the U.S. over his nuclear and ballistic weapons.

The Philippine threat to China So, will China invade if it looks like the next administration would revive EDCA and allow the Philippines to become a platform for the 60 percent of U.S. naval assets Washington wants to move to the region under its Pivot to Asia policy?

From our country, nuclearcapable cruise missiles can strike most of China and all of

the South China Sea, where vital commodities pass, including 80 percent of Chinese oil imports. Indeed, fear of the U.S. military buildup in the Philippines probably led the People’s Liberation Army to turn reefs into man-made islands ready for PLA use.

That the U.S. aims to use Philippine bases in conflicts elsewhere in Asia can be gleaned from its first EDCA facility at the Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, closest to potential flashpoints in Korea, Taiwan, and the Senkaku/Diaoyutai islands, held by Japan but also claimed by China.

The Pampanga facility is not as helpful as other bases earmarked under EDCA, especially where the Philippines needs U.S. assistance most: maritime frictions in the Spratlys, to which the Puerto Princesa air base is closest; and disaster relief in the Visayas and Mindanao, where Cebu and Cagayan de Oro are best situated.

If EDCA can provoke Chinese attack, why doesn’t President Duterte abrogate it? He can do that on his own, since EDCA is not a treaty, but an executive agreement, as the Supreme Court had long affirmed.

Maybe Duterte is keeping EDCA as an option, even allowing some construction, to serve notice he can let U.S. forces in if the Chinese move too aggressively. For now, though, China relations are solid, while EDCA is stalled.

Attack, maybe; invasion, no But if the Philippines does let U.S. forces deploy massively, China will respond.

For starters, there will be warnings about harboring forces threatening China. Economic pressure comes next.

The Philippines recently filed a protest against the reported taking by Chinese coast guard of the catch of Filipino fishermen on Scarborough Shoal if the incident is “established,” a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday, June 8.

Philstar.com photo

Chinese aid, credit, and investment will dry up, and trade restrictions will multiply. So might curbs on overseas Filipino workers, including more than 120,000 in Hong Kong.

The PLA can escalate deployment in waters around the Philippines, even the Pacific, including Philippine Rise. Meanwhile, cooperation on such concerns as drugs, transnational crime, and piracy might grind to a halt. And China’s immense diplomatic clout, as the leading trading partner and funding source of most nations, could further put the squeeze on the Philippines.

This scenario is not specu-

lation; the U.S. did worse to Cuba for half a century after the island nearly hosted Russian nuclear missiles in 1962.

Don’t expect easier treatment if we bring in American forces capable of nuking China and blocking its access to oil and gas — a war strategy urged by the 2016 U.S. Army-sponsored RAND think-tank report, “War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable.”

The report also warned that primary wartime targets would be American aircraft carriers and air bases in Asia.

That would include facilities in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa, Basa Air Base, and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Eci-

ja, if EDCA goes ahead.

Will Beijing mount an invasion, too, as Washington tried but failed in Cuba?

No, mainly because America and its allies would wage full-scale war to prevent the Philippines falling into China’s hands and becoming its regional military platform.

Against Western and Japanese naval and air forces, any invading force would be crushed even before it landed.

Given the foregoing scenario, the Philippines must keep foreign forces out, enhance ties with all powers, and build our own defense capabilities.

Exactly what President Duterte is doing. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

China vows ‘serious investigation’ into Chinese seizures of fish catch in Philippine waters

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — China on Monday, June 11, said it will “seriously” investigate the reported Chinese confiscations of Filipino fishermen’s catch at Panatag (Scarborough) shoal, adding that it has allowed Filipino fishermen to fish in the area “out of goodwill.”

GMA News reported last week that Chinese coast guards have been forcibly taking the best catches of Filipino fishermen at the disputed shoal, which is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The shoal is a traditional fishing ground, therefore, China, the Philippines or any other country cannot block access to the area.

In a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said relevant Chinese departments will handle the case “in a serious manner.”

Geng also maintained that Chinese coast guard patrols “have always acted in accordance with

the law.”

“China has made appropriate arrangement for the Philippine fishermen to fish in relevant waters out of goodwill. This policy remains unchanged,” he said.

“The Chinese coast guards have been safeguarding peace, order and tranquility in relevant waters and offered humanitarian aids to Philippine fishermen for many times... As to whether the situation mentioned by the media exists or not, the Chinese side is now conducting an investigation seriously,” he added.

The current administration has been trumpeting supposed better access for Filipino fishermen at Panatag, which was seized by China in 2012.

Ties between China and the Philippines soured after the previous Aquino administration filed a case in 2013 with a United Nations-backed tribunal. The ruling, which favors Manila, was handed down a few days after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency.

However, China rejected the landmark decision, which Duterte put on the back burner in exchange for warmer ties and Chinese funding for his administration’s ambitious infrastructure program.

Duterte has also been under fire over his apparent refusal to confront China, which recently landed nuclear-capable strategic bombers and installed missile systems on outposts in the contested waters.

Meanwhile, some Filipino officials say the Philippines can file a new case against China’s behaviour in the contested waters.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, June 12, China Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said Duterte has expressed concern on reported Chinese seizures of fish caught by Filipino fisher- DRENCHED. A family wades through a flooded street in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City on Sunday, June 10, just hours after Typhoon men at Panatag.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez Domeng left the country.

Zhao also said Chinese Coast Guard personnel involved in taking of the catch of Filipino fishermen will be punished, adding that such actions by coast guards are PAGE A1 table), his motto in his social methroughout his lifetime.” not allowed. n ippine Sea. His death strengthens Sen. Francis Pangilinan, presi- dia account, truly fits him,” Panour resolve to carry on,” Carpio dent of the opposition Liberal gilinan said. said.

“He was a true statesman who Party, remembered Golez as a The Armed Forces of the Phil- “true freedom fighter, being one will be sorely missed, especially Philippines to suggest through ippines mourned the death of the of the few solid voices defending during these trying times in our country’s history,” said Sen. Franthe PCFR a proposal for a joint former naval officer, who was the country’s territorial rights.” cis Escudero, who had served in Indomitable exploration and joint develop- also a graduate of the U.S. Naval “’Di ka pasisiil’ (You’re indomi- the House with Golez. n ment of the South China Sea,” Academy in Annapolis, Maryde Venecia told the members of land.

In a statement, Col. Edgard the CCCWS led by Jin Xin, direcArevalo, spokesperson for the tor-general of the CCCWS. The CCCWS is involved in the military, said Golez was “a sailor, field of research on international a patriot, and a public servant situation, political party politics, whose contributions to the Filipipolitical system in foreign coun- no nation and its people extended tries, China’s foreign strategies, socialist theories, social and po- be immediately joined by Vietlitical trends, and comparative nam so it will become a tripartite studies in development modes. agreement,” he said.

De Venecia explained that inMalaysia and Brunei can also stead of importing oil from the join in “so nobody will be exMiddle East, the Philippines cluded,” de Venecia said. and China could begin drilling Jin welcomed the proposal. oil wells in the WPS and supply He maintained that China has their own markets. provided great importance to the “Why do we need to import WPS issue and Chinese President oil when right in our own back- Xi Jinping had said that claimant yard in the South China Sea, and countries should shelve their difeast Philippines sea we have the ferences and make the area a sea great potential where we can im- of peace and friendship. mediately drill wells,” he added.

“We believe that mankind still The former speaker said other has a lot of room to explore in claimants like Vietnam can join terms of exploration of oceans as the venture. well as space resources and we “Initially it will be between the surely can enhance our cooperaPhilippines and China and will tion in those regard,” Jin added. n

Lorenzana: Aquino ‘mismanaged’...

PAGE A1 we can fish there [at Scarborough],” he added.

The only harassment incident that happened under the Duterte administration was the hovering of a Chinese helicopter over Philippine Navy troopers aboard a rubber boat, which was on a supply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. It was an “isolated case,” he said.

“So, is that mismanagement?”

Lorenzana asked.

China will not invade PH Lorenzana also downplayed talk that China was out to invade the Philippines, an idea floated by former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales.

“You know, although China is a superpower, it is not in their culture to invade other countries even in ancient times,” Lorenzana said.

“So, I don’t think they will invade and they are trying their best to become also a good, respectable superpower [country],” he added.

Lorenzana said it would be best if the Philippines stuck to

diplomatic options in addressing the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea. “We will use diplomacy. War is hard power while soft power is talking to the Chinese,” Lorenzana noted.

Meanwhile, a multi-sectoral group on Monday said the crisis in the West Philippine Sea can be resolved if the Philippines and China will enter into a joint exploration and development in the contested waters.

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, advisory board chairman of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations (PCFR), noted that a joint exploration agreement would not only help maintain peace but would also lessen the dependence of countries in Southeast Asia on Middle East crude.

De Venecia made the proposal before members of the Chinese think tank, the China Center for Contemporary World Studies (CCCWS), during their meeting held in Makati City.

“We would like to take advantage of your presence in the

Golez, former national security...

A june 13-15, 2018 • SoCal ASIAn jOuRnAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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CBCP thumbs down proposal to arm priests MANILA — The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines opposed the idea of arming priests for their personal safety amid the spate of attacks on clergymen.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles stressed that it is part of the priests’ ministry to face risks.

“I would strongly oppose to arm the priests. We are men of God, men of the Church and it is part of our ministry to face (not always) but to face dangers, to face deaths if one may say that way. But we would do it just what Jesus did,” he told

Radio Veritas.

The CBCP president earlier condemned the death of Father Richmond Nilo—parish priest of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija—calling it an “outrageously evil act.”

Military Ordinariate Administrator Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio also said that arming clergymen with guns is not the solution for crimes against them.

“It will create more chaos. It will not solve anything,” Florencio told Radio Veritas.

Last Sunday, Nilo was gunned down by unidentified attackers

as he was about to celebrate mass inside a chapel in Brgy.

Mayamot, Zaragoza Nueva Ecija.

He was the third priest killed in the last six months.

Activist priest Father Marcelito Paez was shot dead in Jaen, Nueva Ecija last December 4, while Father Mark Ventura was killed by armed men in Gattaran, Cagayan Province last April 29.

Nilo’s death came less than a week after Father Rey Urmeneta of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Calamba, Laguna survived a shooting attack. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

Duterte son faces probe over statement of assets, liabilities — Ombudsman Morales 120TH INDEPENDENCE DAY. A member of the Philippine Army checks on one of the armored personnel carriers at Luneta, Manila, in preparation for the Independence Day on Tuesday, June 12.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

De Lima slams SC for confirming legality of arrest

by Marvin

Sy

Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Leila de Lima slammed the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to junk her motion for reconsideration on the legality of her arrest.

In a statement, De Lima said the decision was an indication the Duterte administration has already extended its influence to the judicial branch.

De Lima said former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has no basis to say the SC’s ruling was a vindication of the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s prosecution against her.

“Aguirre’s record of baseless accusations should be the only basis for the credibility of the DOJ charges against me,” De Lima said.

De Lima pointed out that during Aguirre’s stint at the DOJ, he was well-known for his “outrageous accusations against a variety of individuals and personalities, including a congresswoman and a former senator for supposed bribery of the convict-witnesses against me, senators for their supposed conspiracy in the Marawi uprising and South Korean embassy personnel’s alleged involvement in a syndicate.”

She said Aguirre then proceeded to accuse her of almost every crime that took place during his term, including the attack on the

Sen. Leila de Lima

Resorts World casino and the riot inside the New Bilibid Prison.

De Lima insisted Aguirre fabricated all the testimonies used against her in order to persecute her as a critic of the administration.

“As DOJ secretary, Aguirre was nothing but a lawyer under the service of the Davao criminal syndicate led by Duterte. He was simply the Davao mafia’s lawyer, who earlier on defended the Davao Death Squad leaders to prevent the exhumation of DDS victims from the Laud property in Brgy. Ma-a, Davao City,” De Lima said.

She said this “Davao mafia” has used the entire state machinery to pursue its criminal activities, including legitimizing extrajudicial killings, exonerating big-time shabu smugglers and drug lords, and institutionalizing large-scale corruption in

Philstar.com photo

government.

“The SC’s denial of my motion for reconsideration does not mean that Aguirre or the DOJ is vindicated in filing charges against me. It only means that the Davao criminal syndicate that has captured state power in 2016 has not only been using the power of the executive department to eliminate their sworn enemies, like myself, but was also able to extend its influence as well to the judicial branch of government,” De Lima said.

She noted how acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio himself called that decision “one of the grossest injustices ever perpetrated in recent memory.”

“Definitely not because it vindicates the DOJ, but precisely because it was a great travesty of justice that six members of the Court refused to sign,” De Lima said. n

FORMER Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte will be investigated in connection with his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), according to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

“I think it has to do with his SALN,” Morales said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source,” which was aired on Monday, June 11.

“If I recall it correctly, it was raffled to the MOLEO,” she said, referring to the Ombudsman’s Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices.

Morales, aunt-in-law of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, inhibited from the case.

She told reporters in an interview in May that Duterte was facing an investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman but was unable to say what it was about.

Morales’ seven-year term ends in July. The Office of the Ombudsman aims to resolve all complaints pending before it in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam by

Former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte

yearend.

However, Morales said during the same interview that “unfortunately, given the volume of cases that the office is

Philstar.com photo

handling, I am afraid we may not able to finish all PDAF cases. There are several of them.”

(Reina Tolentino/ManilaTimes. net)

Sara Duterte to join dad on trips to prevent future kissing scenes

by ChriStina

Mendez

Philstar.com

MANILA — To avoid a repeat of the controversy involving President Rodrigo Duterte’s kissing a Filipina on stage during his official trip to Seoul last week, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has expressed intention to join her father on his next foreign trips.

Speaking at the groundbreaking for the provincial capitol in Davao Occidental, the mayor said she wants to make sure that such incidents will not happen again.

“Next time, I will join the president’s trips and will spend my own money, just to make sure that the kissing incident will not happen again,” she

said in the local dialect.

It was the first time that the presidential daughter has publicly reacted to Duterte’s kissing of the Filipino woman.

The incident generated negative publicity here and abroad, raising anew questions on Duterte’s lack of respect for women.

Duterte defended his action as a “gimmick,” similar to “showbiz gimmicks.”

Sara’s statement also came following a verbal spat between actress Kris Aquino and Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.

Sara was displeased that the incident resulted in an argument over social media between Uson and Aquino.

“When I heard that there

was an incident in Korea, I thought of writing the Office of the Presidential Management Staff. Can you please, please send me an invitation every time you have events to make sure that Kris Aquino and Mocha Uson will not fight over PRD (President Rodrigo Duterte) again,” she said.

Sara added she did not join Duterte in Seoul to save people’s money but lamented that the incident overshadowed the gains of the president’s threeday official visit to Seoul.

Duterte has publicly acknowledged that he is afraid of his daughter, who has a reputation for being tough, having once punched a sheriff during a tiff in Davao a few years ago. n

California Big 11 Mayors applaud...

PAGE A4 Aid package includes $500 million in immediate assistance and more than $200 million in additional investment.

The $500 million investment in the Homeless Emergency Aid program will be allocated in the following ways: 1) $250 million to Continuums of Care (CoCs) – which are local entities responsible for administering federal dollars to address homelessness – based on groupings described in the Governor’s May Revise; 2) $150 million split among cities with 330,000 or more people, based on their proportional share of homelessness and; 3) $100 million to CoCs based on their proportional share of the statewide homeless population.

Other members of the Big 11 also commented on the historic budget agreement: “Governor Brown and the Legislature are stepping up in a big way, with funding that will help cities accelerate the work of putting an end to the humanitarian crisis on our streets,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I am grateful for the commitment and compassion represented by those dollars. We are making historic investments in the emergency bridge shelter, long-term supportive housing, and services that people in desperate need are counting on to begin rebuilding their lives — and the spirit of shared responsibility shown in Sacramento today will bring new resources and hope to Los Angeles and communities across California. This is exactly what we need, exactly at the right time.”

“Homelessness is a statewide crisis with needs far greater than can be addressed by cities on their own,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “This state funding will go a long way toward turning

people’s lives around by bolstering programs and facilities already showing promising results. Thank you to state leaders for standing with us and adding significant resources in the budget to tackle the problem.”

“I thank our state leaders for investing in our cities’ efforts to confront the growing homelessness crisis,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “In San Jose, these dollars will enable us to get a shovel in the ground to quickly and costeffectively house more of our homeless neighbors.”

“Governor Brown understands that homelessness is not an issue that stops at city borders or town lines,” said San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell. “These issues are facing cities throughout California and addressing the root cause of homelessness requires a comprehensive approach and partnerships between our state and local leaders. I applaud Governor Brown for realizing the depth of this crisis and committing funds to support crucial programs that will help us collectively tackle these challenges.”

“Homelessness is a growing challenge here in Fresno and across California,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand. “I want to thank the Legislature for making these funds available that will help jumpstart our new, comprehensive community plan to address the crisis locally. We will not rest until everyone has a place to call home.”

“Long Beach has seen great success in addressing homelessness and leveraging funds to support people experiencing homelessness in our community,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “Homelessness is the moral obligation of our generation. We must solve it,

and we are making progress.

We thank the State for providing support to cities to continue building infrastructure and capacity to serve those still experiencing homelessness.”

“Oakland will now receive a direct line of funding from the state to help address the crisis and human suffering on our city’s streets caused by homelessness,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “Joining with California’s largest cities made Oakland’s voice louder and stronger, and I am grateful for our partners in Sacramento who heard and answered the call.”

“Thank you to the Governor and the Legislature for their swift action in answering the call and providing these resources, which are so critically needed,” said Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh. “This is a big victory for all who will utilize this funding to assist the most vulnerable citizens in their communities.”

“This commitment recognizes the leading role California cities are playing in changing the lives of those struggling with homelessness in our state,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “We applaud our state partners for their leadership, innovation and investment in Anaheim and other cities to confront what is the defining issue of our time.”

“The City of Santa Ana has been at the front line addressing Orange County’s homeless population for decades,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. “The Homeless Emergency Aid resources will be instrumental both at a local level and across the state towards the implementation of programs to assist some of our most vulnerable residents. I applaud our state leaders for hearing our concerns and responding through such an unprecedented action.” n

Dateline PhiliPPines

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A

Ombudsman: No selective justice in ‘pork barrel ’ probe by elizabeth

MaRcelo Philstar.com

MANILA — Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has admitted that her office could not file the remaining pork barrel scamrelated cases involving some allies of the previous administration before her term ends in July.

Morales assured the public that there was no selective justice in the investigation of the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund anomaly.

“I said I intended to finish it before or on or about the expiration of my term. Unfortunately, given the volume of cases that the office is handling, I am afraid we may not be able to finish all PDAF cases. There are several of them,” Morales said, referring to the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

She said that as of the end of 2017, there were about 6,000 cases pending before the ombudsman, making it hard to meet her self-imposed target to resolve the pork cases.

Morales earlier told journalists that she intended to file with the Sandiganbayan the third batch of pork misuse cases by end of 2017 or at the latest, before her term ends on July 26.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed with the ombudsman the third batch of pork cases in August 2015.

Among those named respondents in the NBI’s third complaint were Sens. Gregorio Honasan and Joel Villanueva, Abono party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III (P45.03 million) and former congressmen Robert Raymund Estrella of Abono, Manuel Ortega of La Union, Victor Francisco Ortega of La Union, Amado Bagatsing of Manila, Isidro Real Jr. of Zamboanga del Sur and Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City.

Morales said she did not consider the political leanings of the respondents in deciding which cases to prioritize.

Earlier, she admitted that her office prioritized the filing of plunder and graft cases against then opposition senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada because of the amount of public funds involved and the availability of evidence.

Aside from Enrile, Estrada and Revilla, the ombudsman also filed with the Sandiganbayan plunder charges against former representatives Rizalina Seachon-Lanete of Masbate and Edgar Valdez of APEC partylist. Also charged were former congressmen Rodolfo Plaza of Agusan del Sur, Samuel Dangwa of Benguet and Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro City, who were all included in the first batch of complaint filed by the NBI at the ombudsman in September 2013.

Filed in 2016, the second batch of PDAF cases included those against former Customs commissioner and incumbent Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, former Energy Regulatory Commission chair Zenaida Ducut and four other former congressmen: Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro, Arrel Olaño of Davao del Norte, Marc Douglas Cagas IV of Davao del Sur and Arthur Pingoy Jr. of South Cotabato.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales

‘Napoles cannot be a state witness’ Morales lauded Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra for lifting the provisional inclusion of alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in the government’s witness protection program (WPP) last month.

“He’s fair. He has no integrity issue. And I believe that he did correctly by lifting or at least recognizing the termination of the provisional placing of Janet in the WPP,” she said.

In March this year, former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II announced that Napoles was provisionally admitted to the WPP to shed light on the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

Aguirre said the affidavit of Napoles was still undergoing assessment by his office for the possibility of turning her into a state witness in the PDAF anomaly.

Morales said Aguirre’s placing of Napoles in the WPP, although provisional, was unfounded as the “pork scam queen” was among the respondents in the pork-related cases pending at the Sandiganbayan.

“So, what was he talking about? The cases filed in court was not his concern. It was the concern of the ombudsman. He was out of tune when he was saying that he was considering Napoles to be a state witness,” Morales said.

“Whatever investigation they had, they have to refer it to us and the final say on who will be indicted and who will be freed will be from the ombudsman,” she added.

No politics Morales has categorically said that she has no plans of entering politics after her retirement.

She said there is a provision in the Constitution prohibiting an ombudsman from immediately running for a public position immediately after his or her retirement.

“Politics is not for me,” Morales said when asked if she is considering running for public office several years after her retirement.

She said she would continue supporting the Duterte administration’s fight against corruption, although she and the President previously had a spat.

Despite a seemingly hostile relationship with Duterte, Morales said she wishes the President well, especially in his remaining years in office.

Asked if she believes Duterte can bring “better times” for the Filipinos, Morales said: “He’s only on his second year, he has six years. So, belief is one thing, perception is another and actu-

PNP: 22,983 deaths under inquiry since drug war launched by cecille

SueRte Philstar.com

Felipe

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded a total of 22,983 cases of killings that were classified as deaths under inquiry (DUI) since President Duterte launched the war on drugs.

In a report, the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) said at least 33 persons were killed daily from July 1, 2016 until May 21 this year.

The report did not indicate a breakdown of regions with the highest incidents of DUI. Authorities said the recorded homicide cases under investigation (HCUI) were different from incidents of drug suspects who were killed in supposed shootouts with police.

A report by the #RealNumbersPH Year 2A showed that a total of 4,279 drug suspects were killed as the police launched an intensified campaign against illegal drugs when Duterte assumed office in July 2016.

The report also showed that the PNP confiscated a total of P20.77 billion worth of illegal drugs during the same period.

The PNP also dismantled a total of 192 shabu laboratories.

Earlier, Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec-

retary Martin Andanar said the #RealNumberPH was the consolidated numbers in the administration’s accomplishment against illegal drugs.

“These are real numbers that we need to know, the others are either false, misinformation or fake,” he said.

DIDM records showed that the MIMAROPA (Mindanao, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Police Regional Office under Chief Supt.

Emmanuel Luis Licup ranked No. 1 in terms of efficiency in resolving HCUI during the 32nd Oversight Committee meeting held at Camp Crame in Quezon City on May 24.

Of the 420 HCUI incidents in MIMAROPA, 343 cases were cleared while 77 are still under investigation, or 81.67 percent in crime clearance efficiency rating.

Licup attributed the accomplishment to the relentless efforts of all police station commanders and field investigators to identify the suspects and file charges in court.

He said a crime is considered “solved” when the case has been filed in court and at least one suspect has been arrested and detained. A crime is considered “cleared” when the case has been filed in court and the suspect was identified but still at-large. n

Philstar.com photo

ality is still another.”

Morales’ nephew Manases Carpio is the husband of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. n

PAYING TRIBUTE. Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo makes a salute to the National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, during the 120th Independence Day celebration at the Luneta on Tuesday, June 12.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

DAR to tap experts on Boracay agrarian reform

by Rhodina

VillanueVa

Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will seek the help of experts to ensure that the plan to dump topsoil on more than 800 hectares of agricultural land in Boracay — set to be covered by agrarian reform — will be a safe method to make the land productive.

DAR Undersecretary for policy, planning and research David Erro said the DAR will ask concerned agencies if it is possible for them

to conduct a study that will support the plan to deposit soil following demolition of commercial and residential structures in the area.

“Under an executive order that the department recently crafted, we are authorized to mobilize government agencies to help us in the process of implementing land reform program in the island,” he added.

DAR agricultural engineers earlier recommended the dumping of topsoil, about a foot to three feet deep, to make sure that crops

will grow.

President Duterte earlier promised to distribute Boracay lands to farmers after declaring the 1,032hectare resort island an agrarian reform area.

Erro said a team from the DAR identified more than 800 hectares in Boracay that could be covered by the government’s agrarian reform program. About 25 hectares could be immediately subjected to land reform and will be distributed to 80 Ati families on the island.

The EO to be signed by the President will also authorize the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources to transfer management of the agricultural areas to DAR. “This will take effect 15 days after the President signs the EO. Once the President signs this, we can immediately begin work in the island,” Erro said.

He added that it will take time before the land could be covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program since the demolition of structures would have to be completed first before topsoil could be dumped on land. n

A10 june 13-15, 2018 • SoCal ASIAn jOuRnAL

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

SEAFOOD CITY FPFC

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

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B

Proposed 3rd telco selection process â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;weakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; DOF by ian

nicoLas cigaraL Philstar.com

THE proposed process in selecting the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; third telecommunications player wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ensure that the entrant could effectively compete with incumbents, the Department of Finance said Saturday, June 9.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the suggested selection process â&#x20AC;&#x153;fails to set up parametersâ&#x20AC;? that can guarantee that the new service provider has the financial and technical capability to compete in the long term.

Dominguez also said the DOF is hoping that the second and final draft of the Terms of Reference (TOR), which spells out the rules and regulations in choosing the new telecom carrier, will be approved â&#x20AC;&#x153;by Friday next week.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve expressed my concerns on the proposed process as I find the pre-qualification

criteria as being weak, and I think that scoring should not be based on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;commitments,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Dominguez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, the beauty contest in the past resulted to frequency hoarding and those companies failed to improve service. They just made money by flipping assets government owns. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want that to happen again,â&#x20AC;? he added.

u PAGE B2

More OFW families turning to investments

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MORE households are investing instead of saving the money sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFW), the results of a quarterly survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Redentor Paolo Alegre, head of the BSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Economic Statistics (DES), said the 2nd Quarter Consumer Expectation Survey showed the percentage of OFW households using remittances to invest as of the second quarter improved to 5.2 percent from 4.2 percent in the first quarter.

The ratio of OFW households using remittances for invest-

Airport privatization needed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PPP Center

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the suggested selection process â&#x20AC;&#x153;fails to set up parametersâ&#x20AC;? that will strengthen the new service providerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial and technical capability to compete in the long term.

Philstar file photo

Manilatimes file photo

by reiceLene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

THE government needs to privatize airports to boost tourism in the Philippines, the Public-Private Partnership (PCC) Center said after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned last week about the negative impact of such a move, especially on passengers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Philippines is competing with the rest of Asia in business and tourism. The first thing that investors and tourists will see is the airport, so we really have to make sure that we have world-class airports,â&#x20AC;?

PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson told The Manila Times last Thursday, June 7.

Asked whether the government was capable of building world-class airports, he replied: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tell me a government airport that is matching what Singapore, Hong Kong, [and]Malaysia [have]. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to say it (government) is not capable, but look at the evidence.â&#x20AC;?

Pecsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarks came days after IATA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de Juniac said â&#x20AC;&#x153;airlines have not yet experienced an airport privatization that has fully lived up to its promised ben-

efits over the long term.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important that governments take a long-term view focusing on solutions that will deliver the best economic and social benefits. Selling airport assets for short-term cash injection to the treasury is a mistake,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The remarks also came more than two weeks after former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Director Max Sangil warned that auctioning off a 25-year concession agreement to operate and maintain Clark International Airport in Pampanga province to the private sector may endanger

u PAGE B2

Households with savings higher in Q2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BSP survey tal Region) while the number of savers decreased in NCR,â&#x20AC;? the Bangko Sentral said in a stateTHE number of Filipino house- ment last week. holds with savings rose in the secSixty-one percent of the reond quarter of 2018, data from a spondents said they had bank nationwide Bangko Sentral ng accounts, 47.8 percent kept their Pilipinas (BSP) poll showed. savings at home, while the rest According to the latest Con- put their money in cooperatives, sumer Expectations Survey paluwagan (rotating savings and (CES), 37.4 percent of the 5,339 credit association), other credit/ households that responded said loan associations and in investthey had savings during the ments such as insurance and quarter, up from 36.6 percent in stocks. the previous quarter.

Respondents said their savings â&#x20AC;&#x153;The increase in the number of were intended for emergencies, savers was observed in AONCR education, health and hospital(areas outside the National Capi- ization, retirement, purchase of

by MayveLin

U. carabaLLo ManilaTimes.net

Philstar file photo

ments was more than double the 2.3 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2007 when the CES was launched.

On the other hand, Alegre said the percentage of OFW households saving remittances further declined to 33.9 percent in the second quarter from 38.3 percent in the first quarter.

The percentage of OFW

u PAGE B5

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)

Oct 19, 2018 (Fri) Day 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Tiberias Ć&#x17E; "/ 4" )" / **&$/ 1&,+ +! 201,*0Çž 4" 4&)) *""1 ,2/ ), ) $2&!"Çž 4%, 4&)) " 4&1% 20 !2/&+$ ,2/ 01 6 &+ ,)6 +!Ç˝ "+',6 1%" - +,/ *& 3&"4 ,# 1%" "!&1"// +" +Ç˝ " 4&)) 0-"+! ,2/ Ć&#x153; /01 +&$%1 in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Beach Holy Eucharist Oct 20, 2018 (Sat) Day 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana/ Mt Tabor We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon.

+ 1%" "4 "01 *"+1 ,,( ,# "3") 1&,+Çž &1 &0 /"#"//"! 0 1%" 0&1"0 ,# 1%" Č&#x160;Ć&#x153; + ) 11)"Č&#x2039;Ç˝ /,* 1%"/"Çž 4" 4&)) ,+1&+2" ,2/ !/&3" &+1, Nazareth, where we will have Mass in the Church of the Annunciation ,the Cave of the Annunciation and and visit Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Work0%,- +! %"+ 4" 4&)) *,3" ,+ 1, + ,# )&)""Çž 4%"/" 2/ ,/!

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

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

Early AM departures to Mt. Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people., Eucharistic Celebration . "+',6 0 "+& , 1 /&!" /,00 1%" " ,# )&)"" 1, -"/+ 2*Çž %,*" ,# 2/ ,/! !2/&+$ %&0 *&+&01/6Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 3&0&1&+$ 1%" 6+ $,$2" where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the ), 3"0 +! Ć&#x153; 0%"0Ç˝ %"+ 1, 1%" %2/ % /&* 6 ,# 1 "1"/0Ç˝ Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Oct 22, 2018 (Mon) Day 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Magdala 2)) ! 6 /"1/" 1Çž , 20 4&)) + )2!" -/,$/ *0 0"! ,+ 1%" %&01,/&Č&#x2019; ) +! ")&$&,20 3 )2" ,# 1%" $! ) 0&1"0 More info coming up as we get closer to the dates

Çž 0/ ") Č&#x201D; Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x17E; &0 ,3"/&"0 #/,* +"4 / % ",),$& ) !&$ are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the %,*" ,# /6 $! )"+"Ç˝Č&#x2039; %" )&3"! %"/" +! 0%" *"1 "020 %"/" and she continued with Him. Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the 1&*" ,# "020Ç˝ ,/!&+$ 1, / % ",),$&010Çž &1Č&#x2030;0 1%" Ć&#x153; /01 ,+" !&0 ,3Č&#x2019; "/"! &+ 1%" )&)""Ç˝ Oct 23, 2018 (Tues) Day 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jordan Valley/ Jericho/ Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church in Bethany Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" %" ! 1, "/& %,Çž 1%" ,)!"01 &+% &1"! &16 &+ 1%" 4,/)!Ç˝ &"4 1%" ,2+1 ,# "*-1 1&,+Çž 4%"/" "020 0-"+1 Ç&#x2122;Ç&#x2022; days fasting in the desert. We will visit the ancient ruins of the wall.

We will continue to Bethany and will have mass to celebrate Holy 2 % /&01 1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ 7 /20Ç˝ %"+ 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" -Č&#x2019; 1&0* ) 0&1" &+ &3"/ ,/! +Ç˝ -,+ //&3 ) &+ ,2+1 ,-20 *" +&+$ Mount of the Watchmen/Sentinels, is a mountain in northeast Je/20 )"*Ç˝ +',6 1%" Ć&#x153; /01 3&"4 ,# "/20 )"*Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" ! 6Č&#x2030;0 1,2/Çž 4" will check in at our hotel in Jerusalem (B/D) Oct 24, 2018 (Wed) Day 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem (Old City)/ Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher â&#x20AC;&#x153;And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place ,# 0(2))Çž 4%& % &0 ))"! &+ 1%" " /"4 ,)$,1% Ç˝Č&#x2039; Č&#x203A; ,%+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;ÇżÇ&#x2013;Ç&#x153;Č&#x153; We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 3&0&1 ,)$,1% +! 1%" ,* ,# 2/ ,/!Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ * 00Çž 4" /"12/+ 1, the hotel for breakfast. Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) "+1"/ 1%" )! &16Çž 0&+$ %6*+ &+ 1%" Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Then we will 3&0&1 1%" % -") ,# ) $")) 1&,+Çž &1%,01/ 1,0 Č&#x203A;4%"/" 1%" 0,)!&"/0 -) 6"! 1%" *" ,# &+$0Č&#x153; +! 1%" / % ,# 1%" Č&#x160; " ,*,Č&#x2039;Ç˝ Dinner/Overnight

Oct 25, 2018 (Thurs) Day 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu Č&#x160; %" ,/! " *" Ć? "0% +! !4")1 *,+$ 20ǽǽǽČ&#x2039; Č&#x203A; ,%+ Ç&#x2013;ÇżÇ&#x2013;Ç&#x2122;Č&#x153; " 4&)) 4 )( 1, 3&"4 1%" ,*" ,# 1%" , ( #/,* 1%" ,210&!"Çž +! visit the Western Wall,( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for "40Ç˝ %"+Çž 4" 4&)) !/&3" 1, 1Ç˝ &,+Çž 1, 3&0&1 1%" --"/ ,,*Çž /"Č&#x2019; 3"/"! 0 1%" 0&1" ,# 1%" 01 2--"/Çž 1%"+ 02/3"6 1%" ,/*&1&,+ "6Çž +! 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ "1"/ &+ ))& +12Çž %" 0&1" 4%"/" "1"/ !"+&"! "020 1%/"" 1&*"0Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" ! 6Č&#x2030;0 1,2/Çž we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Oct 26, 2018 (Fri) Day 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mount of Olives/ Gethsemane/ Bethlehem/ Jerusalem (New City)/ Ein Karem Mass at the Church of Nativity Č&#x160; *,2+1 &+ ,# ,!Çž /" "&3" *"Çž *,1%"/Çž 4&1% *6 %&)!Ç˝Č&#x2039; Č&#x203A; /,1,Č&#x2019; "3 +$")&2* ,# *"0 Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2014;ÇżÇ&#x2DC;Č&#x153; " 4&)) //&3" 1 1%" ,2+1 ,# )&3"0Çž 1, "+',6 +,1%"/ 3&"4 ,# "/2Č&#x2019; salem, visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the ,*&+20 )"3&1 Č&#x203A;Č&#x160; ,! 4"-1Č&#x2039;Č&#x153; 0 + 12 /6Ç˝ "51Çž 4"Č&#x2030;)) 4 )( 1%" )* 2+! 6 , ! 1, 1%" /!"+ ,# "1%0"* +"Çž +! 3&0&1 1%" , ( ,# $,+6 +! 1%" %2/ % ,# )) 1&,+0Ç˝ + 1%" Ć&#x17E; "/+,,+Çž 4"Č&#x2030;)) !/&3" to Bethlehem, a city whose name is recognized around the world. Ć&#x17E; "/ ")" / 1&+$ 00 1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1&3&16Çž 4" 4&)) 0"" 1%" +$"/Č&#x20AC; 3&0&1 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ 1%"/&+"Çž 1%" /,11, ,# 1Ç˝ "/,*" +! 1%" %"-%"/!0Č&#x2030; &")!0Ç˝ Then we will return to Jerusalem (New City), to view the Temple Model to see how it looked during the time of Jesus. Here, we will gain a better understanding between the old and new cities of "/20 )"*Ç˝ - +"51 &0 1/&- 1, &+ /"*Çž &/1%-) " ,# 1Ç˝ ,%+ the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed %"/ # *,20 Č&#x160; $+&Ć&#x153; 1Č&#x2039;Ç˝ " 4&)) "+! ,2/ ! 6 6 /"12/+&+$ 1, ,2/ Hotel. (B/D) Oct 27, 2018 (Sat) Day 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ")" / 1" * 00 1 1%" %2/ % ,# )) 1&,+0 and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortress and the Jewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last 01/,+$%,)! $ &+01 1%" ,* +Ç˝ "12/+ 1, "/20 )"* #,/ !&++"/ and Overnight (B, D) Oct 28, 2018,(Sun) Day 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem/ Allenby Bridge/ Madaba /Jordan/ Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba Mass at Mount Nebo On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We 4&)) $, 1, 1%" -1&0* ) &1" 1 "1% +6Çž 4%& % ,-" ,%+ 2)

3&0&1"! &+ Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;Ç˝ %"+Çž &1Č&#x2030;0 ,+ 1, ,2+1 " ,Çž 4%"/" ,0"0 3&"4"!

1%" /,*&0"! +!Ç˝ 2/ +"51 01,- 4&)) " 1%" %2/ % ,# 1Ç˝ ",/$" &+ ! Çž 4%& % %,010 1%" # *,20 *,0 & * - ,# 1%" ,)6 +!Ç˝ Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Mov"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç&#x201D; "0&!"+ "Ç˝ Oct 29, 2018 (Mon) Day 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) ',2/+"6 1%/,2$% 1%" &.Çž 2+1&) 4" $"1 ,2/ Ć&#x153; /01 $)&*-0" ,# 1%" % 7+"% Č&#x203A; /" 02/6Č&#x153;Ç˝ %"+ 4&)) 4" 4 )( !,4+ 1, visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater.

At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and !&++"/ Č&#x203A; ČĄ Č&#x153;Ç˝ ,3"+-& ( "0,/1 Ç&#x201D; "0&!"+ " Oct 30, 2018 (Tues) Day 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/ Overnight Oct 31, 2018 (Wed) Day 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX Ć&#x17E; "/ /" (# 01Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" ! 0%"* 20"2*Çž&0 0/ ")Č&#x2030;0 ,Ć&#x203A; & & ) *"*,/& ) 1, 1%" 3& 1&*0 ,# 1%" ,), 201Ç˝ 1 &0 !"!& 1"! to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought $ &+01 1%"&/ 7& ,--/"00,/0 +! "+1&)"0 4%, 0")Ć? "00)6 &!"!

Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding 02 % "3"+10 &+ 1%" #212/"Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ 1%" "01"/+ ))Çž ! 0%"* &0 1%" 0" ,+!Č&#x2019;*,01Č&#x2019;3&0&1"!

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

Manilatimes file photo

abroad also decreased in the second quarter.

Of the 446 included in the survey, the percentage of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) households that used remittances for savings was lower at 33.9 percent from 38.3 percent in the first quarter.

The survey showed that 94.2

u PAGE B5

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist Nov 12, 2018 to Nov 22,2018 Spiritual Director REV.JOEL BUGAS

OCTOBER 18 to Nov 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct 18, 2018 (Thur) Day 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lax to Tel Aviv, Israel / +0Č&#x2019; 1) +1& Ć? &$%1 #/,* 1, "+ 2/&,+ +1"/+ 1&,+ ) &/-,/1Çž ") 3&3Çž 0/ ")Ç˝ Č&#x203A; " )0 0"/3"! &+Č&#x2019;Ć? &$%1Č&#x153;

real estate, and business capital and investment.

The percentage of respondents who reported that they could set aside money for savings during the quarter, meanwhile, slightly improved to 43.3 percent from 41.8 percent in the previous quarter.

However, the survey also showed that the proportion of Filipinos willing to save 10 percent or more of their monthly income declined to 31.6 percent in the second quarter from 39.2 percent three months earlier.

Families with savings from remittances received from relatives

Day 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Mon) Day 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Tues)

- USA - ROME - Rome -,+ ,2/ //&3 ) &+ ,*"Çž our Tour Escort will wel,*" 20 1, 1 )6Ç˝ ,*" &0 the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all ,3"/ 1%" 4,/)!Ç˝ Ć&#x17E; "/ short panoramic orienta1&,+ ,# 1%&0 1"/+ ) &16 1, 20 ,* + 1%,)& 0Çž 4" 4&)) have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City.

Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14 Nov 2018 (Wed) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rome / Papal Audience/ Rome

This morning before we continue with our tour, we will % 3" - ) 2!&"+ "Ç˝ %"+ Ć&#x17E; "/Çž 4" 4&)) 3&0&1 1%" # Č&#x2019; *,20 ,)&0"2* +! 0"" 1%" ,/2*Çž 1%" /"3& ,2+1 &+ and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi ,2+1 &+Çž "#,/" %" !&+$ 1, ,2/ ,1")

Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 Nov 2018 (Thurs) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rome / Basilicas We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, +! "3"+ + &"+1 /""( +! ,Č&#x2019; man artists. the largest church &+ ,* + 1%,)& &0*Çž 1Ç˝ "1"/Č&#x2030;0 Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary ',/Çž ,)),4"! 6 3&0&1 ,# 1%" Č&#x2019; silica. We continue to visit the rest ,# 1%" * ',/ 0&)& 0 4&1%&+ 1%" 4 ))0 ,# ,*"Çž +! 1Ç˝ ,%+ 1"/Č&#x2019; an, St Paul Outside the Wall.

We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same 01"-0 1% 1 %/&01 0 "+!"! 1, /" "&3" &) 1"Č&#x2030;0 2+'201 ,+Č&#x2019; demnation.

Č&#x203A; Çž Č&#x153; Day 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16 Nov 2018 (Fri)â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Rome /San Giovanni Rotondo Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2013;Ç? &0 1%" Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x2022;1% ++&3"/0 /6 ,# 1%" 01&$Č&#x2019; matization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year . + &,3 ++& ,1,+!,Çž 1%" %,*" ,# 1 Č&#x2019; !/" &, ,# &"1/") &+ #/,* Ç&#x2014;Ç? 2)6Çž Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x203A; 2+Č&#x2019; 1&) %&0 !" 1% ,+ Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2DC; "-1"* "/Çž Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x203A;Ç?Ç˝ +',6 1%" !/&3" $,&+$ 1, + &,3 ++&Çž Ć&#x17E; "/ 4" check in our Hotel.

We visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated 4&1% %&* Çž 02 % 0 1%" %/&+" ,# 2/ !6 ,# / " 1% 1 contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditat&+$Çž 0"" %&0 /,,*Çž %&0 ,+#"00&,+ ) ,5 +! 1%" /2 &Ć&#x153; 5 that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Cel" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 Č&#x203A; ,1") / + / !&0, Č&#x153;

+ &,3 ++& ,1,+!, (BB,D) Day 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17 Nov 2018 (Sat) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body .Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesomeBasilica.

Č&#x203A; ,1") / + / !&0,Č&#x153; Day 7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18 Nov2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Sun) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; San Giovanni Rotondo / Lanciano /Loreto Ç˝ " //&3" 1 + & +,Çž # *,20 #,/ 1%" &/ )" ,# the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The mira)" 1,,( -) " !2/&+$ 1%" Ç?1% "+12/6 when a Basiline monk doubted the " ) /"0"+ " ,# ,2/ ,/! &+ 1%" 2 % /&01Ç˝ " #,2+! %&*Č&#x2019; 0")# %,)!&+$ 1%" %,01 1% 1 % ! % +$"! &+1, " ) )"0% +! 1%" &+" ,+ 1%" )1 / % ! % +$"! &+1, " ) ),,!Ç˝ We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine ,# ,/"1, 1, 0"" 1%" # *,20 0 /"! %,*" ,# 1%" *,01 ,)6 *&)6Çž "020Çž /6Çž +! ,0"-%Ç˝ &+ " Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x17E;Ç&#x2122; 1%" %,)6 %,*" % 0 ""+ ), 1"! &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& ,# ,/"1,Ç˝ ")" / 1" ,)6 2 % /&01 &+ + & +, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi Day 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;19 Nov 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ( Mon) Loreto/ Assisi ,! 6 4" "5-),/" 1%" %&))1,- &/1%-) " ,# 1 / + &0 ,# 00&0&Ç˝ + 1%" /6-1 ,# 1 / + &0 0&)& )&"0 1%" 1,* ,# one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, 1Ç˝ / + &0 ,# 00&0&Çž ,)6 2 % /&01 1 1%" /6-1 ,# / + &0 "" 1%" 0&)& ,# 1 ) /"Çž 4&1% %"/ &+ ,//2-1 body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its Cru&Ć&#x153; 5 #/,* 4%& % "020 0-,(" 1, / + &0 ,21 %&0 *&0Č&#x2019; 0&,+ &+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2022;Ç&#x203A;Çż Č&#x160; ,Çž / + &0Çž +! /" 2&)! *6 %,20"Çž 4%& % 0 6,2 0"" &0 # ))&+$ &+1, /2&+Ç˝Č&#x2039; " 3&0&1 1%" 0&)& ,# 1Ç˝ Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi 1,,( -) " &+ Ç&#x2013;Ç&#x2014;Ç&#x2122;Ç&#x2022;Ç˝ %" 0* )) %2/ % ,# 1%" ,/7&2+ ,Č&#x2019; ) &0 &+0&!" 1%" 0&)& &10")#Ç˝ ,-" ,+,/&20

$/ +1"!

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

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

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

B JUNE 13-15, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

Peso sinks to weakest in 12 years

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

THE peso retreated last Monday, June 11, closing to its lowest in almost 12 years at 52.95 to U.S.$1 due to uncertainties caused by the recent developments in the G7 meeting, analysts said.

The local currency weakened by 25 centavos from last Friday’s (June 8) close of 52.70 to $1.

This was the lowest since the peso closed at 52.98 on July 3, 2006.

It opened at 52.80 to $1, lower compared to the 52.58 recorded the last week. Total volume reached $653.10 million, lower than Friday’s $724.20 million.

Emilio Neri, chief economist at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), said the peso weakened due in part to uncertainties on global trade after President Donald Trump backed out of the

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA THE tax laws refer only to two controlling principles whether you are a resident alien or nonresident alien while the immigration laws of the US refer to aliens as immigrant, nonimmigrant, and undocumented or illegal aliens.

Who are resident aliens and nonresident aliens or both?

For tax purposes unless you are an exempt individual, you are a resident alien if you meet either substantial presence test or green card test for the tax year.

You are considered substantially present in the US at least 31-days (count all days present) during the current tax year (2018) and 183 days during the 3- tax year

the work of employees there and result in higher airline fares.

The airport is the first hybrid PPP project under the Duterte administration. The government selects, finances, and builds such projects through public budding, and after they are completed puts their operations and main-

Confidence still high despite drop in foreign investments

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

The local currency weakened by 25 centavos from last Friday’s (June 8) close of 52.70 to $1. This was the lowest since the peso closed at 52.98 on July 3, 2006.

Photo by KJ Rosales/Philstar.com

G7 joint communique.

“It’s partly reflecting uncertainties about the fate of the global trading system following the G7 developments over the weekend,” Neri said.

“The rapid widening of the Philippine trade gap, dwindling gross international reserves of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the variance in our interest policy versus the U.S. all point to the need for the Philippine peso

to become more competitive against the dollar,” he said.

The country’s trade gap more than doubled to $3.62 billion last April from the $1.55 billion recorded in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the country’s foreign exchange reserves thinned for the second straight month last May, reaching $78.97 billion compared to the April level of $79.61 billion. n

Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise

period (2018, 2017, 2016) including current year (2018 count all days present) and 2-years (2017 count 1/3 of days present, 2016 count 1/6 of days present) immediately before the current year.

And you will be taxed the same as US citizens based on worldwide income. For more information refer to Publication 519 US tax guide for aliens.

If you are a green cardholder, your residency starts on the first day you are present in the US as a lawful permanent resident or if you choose to be taxed as a resident alien for the entire tax year.

Anyone who is not considered resident alien is a nonresident alien except if you are an exempt individual. Refer to Publication 515 the tax withholding guide for nonresident aliens for more information.

Are you an exempt individual?

Exempt person are exempt from counting of days presence in the US and do not refer to anyone exempt from tax.

Person/s who are temporarily present in the US are exempt individual/s: Foreign governmentrelated, teacher or trainee under J or Q visa and have substantially complied with the visa requirements, student under F, J, M, or Q visa and have substantially complied with the visa requirements, and professional athlete to compete in a charitable sports event.

Closer connection exception You may claim the closer connection exception even if the substantial presence test is met, if 1) you have a tax home in foreign

u PAGE B4

Airport privatization needed...

PAGE B1 t

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

tenance up for bidding by private companies.

“That is something the BCDA is talking about, and has to take into consideration as it enters into agreement with the private sector,” Pecson said.

The employees “have a very valid concern. They are stakeholders. They cannot just be ne-

glected,” he added.

The PPP center official advised people to look at the overall economic impact of the airport.

“The public has to look at the overall impact, not the individual. There are plus and minuses; you cannot just look at the minus side. There has to be a balance,” Pecson said. n

DESPITE a dip in foreign investment pledges at the start of the year, investor confidence remains high, especially among domestic enterprises, the head of the Duterte administration’s economic team said.

“The total approved investments of both Filipinos and foreigners in the first quarter of 2018 actually grew by 52.3 percent, or P63.5 billion more than in 2017. Trust in the economic policies of the Duterte administration can also be seen in the P170.8 billion worth of investments pledged by Filipino nationals during the same period,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told reporters late Thursday, June 7.

Dominguez was reacting to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest report on total approved foreign investments, which

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.]

THERE is a dumbing down going on in modern society in the last 30 years or so currently accelerated by mass media and the internet. They feed the masses with an endless cycle of news, opinions and entertainment that are meant to follow an agenda set by the global masters of media and tech companies.

There is an overwhelming volume of information often manipulated to suit an agenda. Ironically, this does not necessarily lead to the desired wisdom of the mind and heart.

Their platforms — television, print and the internet — are used largely, as propaganda tools to advance an agenda. Ad revenues for their bottom line are fine and dandy but the real goal behind mass media and tech companies’ existence these days, when they provide news and information, is the manipulation of the mental and behavioral control of the masses. What is the ultimate goal? It is the pursuit of power to produce changes in the mind and heart to preserve the status quo.

And what is the status quo? That the elite continue to be so …

So mind what you watch. If you think the promotion and furtherance of your well-being drive the large media companies’ agenda these days, I have a bridge in the Sahara I can sell you.

So what is one then to do for news and entertainment these days if you’re just a normal, average human being just minding your business?

I would say GO ROGUE. Go au naturel. Cut off the cable. Minimize plugging into the internet.

If you need information, use Bing or Duckduckgo as your search engines instead of Google that has lately been behaving as the Master of the Universe employing algorithms that filter out ideas that go against their globalist agenda. Disengage from social media slowly or go cold turkey. It is your choice. You have the power.

Social media produces no product. It is no more than a data collection agency that sells and repackages information you provide to them via your postings and sells them to the highest bidder, whether a political entity seeking votes and thereby power or commercial companies wanting your business. Test it by searching for any widget to buy and lo and behold, within minutes, there are pop-up ads of similar widgets driving you nuts.

Talk about online stalking!!! It is disconcerting, to say the least.

showed that the commitments of foreign firms with the country’s seven investment promotion agencies (IPAs) fell 37.9 percent year-on-year to P14.2 billion during the first three months.

IPAs give away fiscal and nonfiscal incentives to investors, which the Duterte administration wanted to rationalize under the proposed second tax reform package.

When these foreign investors’ commitments materialize, usually after a couple of years, they are then counted as foreign direct investment (FDI).

As noted by Dominguez, total first-quarter pledges, which include those of local investors, reached P185 billion, of which 92.3 percent were committed by Filipino companies.

The PSA report, however, showed that of the 33,704 jobs to be generated by the firstquarter total investment approvals, 22,535 or two-thirds would

be from foreign projects. This means Filipino-led projects, despite their bigger investments, are not as labor-intensive.

Also, Dominguez said that “if we look at approved investments and actual investments during the past years, you can see that since 2012, approved investment figures have been dropping annually yet actual FDI is consistent in reaching record-highs every year—last year we even recorded FDI at $10 billion.”

“So I think we should not read too much into this particular report and instead focus on actual FDI figures,” Dominguez added.

PSA data showed that from 2012’s record P289.5 billion in foreign investment approvals, these fell to P274 billion in 2013, P186.9 billion in 2014, P245.2 billion in 2015, P219 billion in 2016 and a 12-year low of P105.7 billion in 2017, the first full year of the Duterte administration. n

The bucket list Watch the Perseids!

(Third of a series)

“...Humility, like darkness reveals the heavenly lights.” - Henry David Thoreau We fume quietly or rage and rant for the most part about the death of our privacy. But take comfort. Life is a series of action and reaction much like a pendulum. One day, when people are fed up enough to set things in motion to rein in the undue influence of these amoral tech giants, these obtrusive entities will have to be broken up to smaller bits so they cannot be a danger to society much longer. Will this happen in our lifetimes? That, my friend, is a 64,000 dollar question.

What have we got to lose? The news, for the most part, is fake.

The alphabet networks have lost credibility as they shill for their liberal agenda. Most celebrities are nothing to celebrate about.

As their masks fall off, their oversized egos are cut down to size, their veneer of respectability cracks. You realize these socalled stars do have feet of clay after all, just like you and me. So dump them.

So here’s one for the bucket list for those who are innately curious about the origin of life and life itself and want some honest to goodness entertainment that brings a life perspective. If you really want to be in awe of something greater than yourself, go star gazing heavenly bodies — real stars — the sort that burns out after billions of years.

It promises to be quite an experience.

Start small by watching meteor showers. They occur all the time but they are visible to human eyes on cloudless, moonless nights. Meteors may be the residual particles of the seemingly infinite cycle of creation and destruction as the universe continues to expand in the last 13 billion years during an event called The Big Bang, according to the best educated estimates by cosmologists.

Meteors are made of dust and ice ranging in size from a grain of sand to a corn kernel, hurtling through space at great speeds and burning up quickly in a spray of colors as they enter earth’s atmosphere.

Thoreau once said that humility like darkness reveals the heavenly lights. And it is true when you become a night sky watcher.

If your circumstances permit it, and you have family and friends that are up to it, do this one thing that others have suggested we do before we kick the bucket.

Schedule time to hie off to a safe place (a public park, a friend’s mountain cabin, a boat at sea or even a cemetery) far from the city lights at night with friends or family or any kindred spirit to set up camp between July 17 and August 24 to view the Perseids, the most popular and spectacular of meteor showers.

This summer, it is show time.

The Perseids is a celestial treat for those who take the time and wait patiently in darkness. Experts say that there is an average of 70 meteors per hour guaranteed to put up a show For 2018, the Perseids are projected to peak on the night of August 12 and the early morning hours of August 13. Mark these dates. Pray for good weather.

There is a new moon and the darkness will create ideal conditions to watch these shooting stars.

Check out the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, if you leave anywhere close. Their reason for being is watching the night sky.

Before midnight, dress appropriately and lie down on camping blankets on the ground keeping a thermos of hot chocolate and some munchies within reach and wait eyes wide open. Bring bug spray. There will be streaks and flashes of colors against a backdrop of velvet black firmament as the Perseids, like celestial clockwork, hit the earth’s atmosphere, as they have done so for thousands of years.

Come to think of it, like meteors, we are made of dust and our life is just a brief flash on an infinite timeline. If we do this often enough, we may come to realize how great is our God who has fashioned each one of us out of ordinary dust to create a unique person capable of reflecting the beauty of the creator within a lifetime.

The experience can show to us the vastness of the universe and how little we are in the great scheme of things. If social media has the power to bloat our egos, the opposite is true of this exercise. Patiently waiting for shooting stars all in God’s perfect timing, can grind our egos into dust.

This can make us humble enough to ponder the heavenly lights.

We can then begin to appreciate our life and the lives of those in our immediate orbit and live the rest of our lives praising God. That’s what watching meteor showers even once during our lifetime can do for us. It can give us an inkling of how great God is and how blessed we are.

When we’re ready, willing and able, we may even go bolder and include the adventure of seeking the Northern Lights in the freezing cold of the Arctic zone. But that’s another entry on the Bucket List for another day.

Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List …

The company with the highest committed investment and level of service for the next five years will be selected as the new telecom provider.

According to Dominguez, the DOF—which is part of a committee formed by Duterte to oversee the entry of the new player—is “evaluating what pre-qualification criteria, like financial and previous telco experience, can be applied to improve the selection of the third player.”

Deadline The Finance chief last April said a new telecom carrier in the country’s wireless communications industry should prepare a P200-billion war chest to challenge PLDT Inc. and Globe Tele-

com Inc. “Government should not forget what the task at hand is. The mandate of the President was not only to bring in a third telco player, but more importantly, to ensure that its entry will result to rendering of better services to the consumers at the lowest possible cost,” Dominguez said.

DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. earlier said the deadline for naming the new player depends on the release of the TOR. Malacañang had initially said the third telecom would be announced within the first quarter of 2018.

Rio had also reportedly assured the public that the announcement would happen “definitely before the end of the year.” n

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Proposed 3rd telco selection...

PAGE B1 t

To break a duopoly and boost service, President Rodrigo Duterte invited foreign firms, backed by a consortium of Filipino businesses, to take a role in the country’s wireless communications market.

Based on revised selection rules issued by the Department of Information and Communications Technology last April, companies that are eyeing the third telco slot must have paid in capital of at least P10 billion.

Applicants should hold a congressional franchise and must have an experience in provisioning, delivery and operations of telecom services for the last five years.

BUSINESS NEWS

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Does the creation of a revocable living trust, during the marriage, transmute separate property to community property?

DIVORCING couples may have established revocable living trust for estate planning pusposes during their marriage which was funded primarily with assets acquired by one spouse prior to the marriage. The issue is what is the characterization of those property when the couple gets the divorce.

Transmutation is the changing of the characterization of a property from community to separate or vice versa. Family Code Section 852, subdivision (a) states the requirement for a valid transmutation to occur which provides: “A transmutation of real or personal property is not valid unless made in writing by an express declaration that is made, joined in, consented to, or accepted by the spouse whose interest in the property is adversely affected.”

Our Supreme Court has interpreted “an express declaration” as language expressly stating that a change in the characterization or ownership of the property is being made. Estate of MacDonald, supra, 51 Cal.3d 262, 272, 272 Cal.Rptr. 153, 794 P.2d 911. “[A] writing signed by the adversely affected spouse is not an ‘express declaration’ for the purposes of [Civil Code] section 5110.730(a) [now Family Code § 852, subd. (a)] unless it contains language which expressly states that the characterization or ownership of the property is being changed.” ( Ibid.)

An “express declaration” does not require use of the terms “transmutation,” “community property,” “separate property,” or a particular locution. Estate of MacDonald, supra, 51 Cal.3d 262, 273, 272 Cal.Rptr. 153, 794 P.2d 911. For example, the language “I give to the account holder any interest I have in the funds deposited in this account,” is sufficient to establish transmutation. ( Ibid.) The express declaration must unambiguously indicate a change in character or ownership of property. In re Marriage of Koester (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 1032, 1037, fn. 5, 87 Cal.Rptr.2d 76.) A party does not “slip into a transmutation by accident.” ( Ibid.)

Does one spouse’s separate

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES property become transmuted into community property by virtue of being funded into the revocable trust established during the marriage?

One has to examine the trust document itself. A general provision in the parties’ trust agreement establishing a revocable trust for estate planning purposes and stating that property transferred to the trust is community property, unless either spouse as transferor identifies it as separate property, is not itself effective to transmute separate property transferred to the trust to community property. Marriage of Starkman (2005) 129 CA4th 659, 661, 28 CR3d 639, 640 . In addition Family Code § 852(a) writing requirement in Starkman is not by a General Assignment (conveying all of the parties’ assets to the trust) or stock brokerage transfer forms transferring husband’s securities into the trust (but not describing them as separate or community).

However, a trust transfer agreement, even if executed only for estate planning purposes, effects a present transmutation when it includes language expressly stating the characterization or ownership of the subject property is being changed.

Marriage of Holtemann (2008) 166 CA4th 1166, 1172–1173, 83 CR3d 385, 390–391. In Hotermann, the trust transfer agreement unambiguously stated assets listed in incorporated exhibit are “hereby transmuted” from husbands separate property to community property. Another example is in Marriage of Lund (2009) 174 CA4th 40, 51–54, 94 CR3d 84, 94–96 where the trust transfer documents unambiguously stated all of husband’s property was “hereby converted” to spouses’ community property and each had a “present, existing

and equal interest therein” The management and control of community property held in a revocable trust is subject to Family Code § 761 and Family Code § 1100(a). The trustee may “convey and otherwise manage and control” the trust property without either spouse’s joinder or consent unless the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise. In addition, except where the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise, either spouse acting alone may exercise the power of revocation. However, any power to modify rights and interests in the trust property during marriage may only be exercised with both spouses’ joinder or consent. Family Code § 761(a),(b) & (c)Marriage of Lund (2009) 174 CA4th 40, 54, 94 CR3d 84, 96.

For divorcing couple that have a revocable trust during their marriage, it is important to analyze the wording of the trust document to determine the proper characterization of the trust assets to be divided in the divorce case. It is therefore best to obtain the representation of an experienced divorce lawyer. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Client needs Chapter 13 relief for $36K taxes and $80K unsecured debt THE client is 50 and single but has a cousin who lives with him.

The cousin has been employed on and off and has lived with him for 10 years. The cousin is also 50. The client does not own a house so he rents an apartment for $1,600.

Unfortunately, the cousin is unable to help him with any portion of the rent. Let’s just say that the cousin is the client’s dependent for all intents and purposes even though the client does not claim him as a dependent on his tax returns. The cousin has certainly depended on the client for a place for food, shelter, and clothing for the last 10 years. The client has a good heart. Without the client, the cousin would be homeless. I would say that the client has a household of two for bankruptcy purposes because the cousin is, for all purposes, his dependent.

A dependent would be beneficial for the client in bankruptcy because a family of two has a higher median income than a single person in the calculation of the eligibility to qualify for Chapter 7 or 13 under the means test. For instance, a single person earning $50,000 a year may have a presumption of abuse flag in Chapter 7, but would easily qualify without a presumption of abuse if this same debtor had a two-person household.

But can the client qualify for Chapter 7 even if he wants to?

Why does he want Chapter 7 relief? Let’s look at his financial background. He says his gross income is $72,000 a year. He shows me his pay stub. It looks more like $79,000 a year because he gets paid bi-monthly.

This means that in bankruptcy, to arrive at his effective yearly gross, the pay stub he gets every two weeks is multiplied by 26 then divided by 12 months.

This would yield a $79,000 yearly gross instead of $72,000 as he thought he was making.

Indeed, if his yearly gross were $72,000, with a two-person household, he would be close to Chapter 7 than Chapter 13. He owes $36,000 to the IRS for back taxes. More than half of these taxes are for tax years before 2012. This means that if there was no fraud involved with these taxes owed, most of them would be discharged because the general rule is that taxes owed for at least three years pre-filing are discharged. Taxes that came due starting 2015 would not be

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

discharged in Chapter 7 because they are not more than three years old. The client pays the IRS $500 a month on an installment plan to pay back the $36,000 of principal owed. Unfortunately, even if the IRS agrees to an installment plan, interest & penalties on the unpaid portion are applicable. So, this is like a high interest loan from Uncle Sam. The client further owes $80,000 in credit cards and payday loans! That’s a significant debt; particularly payday loans that can have 100 percent of interest a year. They’re disguised like Good Samaritan loans but they are actually usurious loans that are designed to keep you in debt forever. His credit card debts are hitting about 25 percent in interest. The client cannot get out of this heavy debt burden without some kind of bankruptcy relief. The client has had some family emergencies, which required him to borrow more from credit cards recently, including funeral expenses.

The client has also recently been served with a lawsuit for collection on a credit card debt.

He is also getting a lot of collection calls from rude creditors representatives who have threatened to call him at his place of work which by the way is illegal being a violation of the Fair Debt Collections Act. So the pressure on the client due to debt burden has been steadily ramping up and taking it’s deadly toll on client’s well being. Let’s just say that he looks like and feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest. No doubt, the client needs immediate and permanent relief from accumulated debt. What’s the use of making a good income of $80K a year when most of the net income has to be given to satisfy your creditors every month?

Each creditor has to be given the client’s pound of flesh every month for minimum payments.

So what happens when you have to give your pound of flesh every month? Eventually, you will be skin and bones, a skeleton of your former self!

Although the client prefers a Chapter 7 wipe-out of accumu-

lated debt, including the $36,000 owed to the IRS, his case is actually a Chapter 13. In Chapter 13, the IRS debt of $36,000 would have in full as a priority debt, as a minimum. In other words, in Chapter 13, his minimum plan payment would be $550 a month for five years to fully pay off the IRS. During the Chapter 13 period, he will be paying off 100 percent of the $36,000 principal owed to the IRS because remember, in Chapter 13, interest and penalties do not apply.

Further, he may be able to qualify for a zero percent plan.

This means that as long as he is paying the $550, he doesn’t have to pay anything for his $80,000 of credit cards and payday loans!

Yes, you read that right. Zero payment to $80,000 in credit cards and payday loans. If client completes his $550 plan payment for 60 months, the IRS is paid in full and he gets a discharge of the $80,000 credit cards and payday loans. Well, this is better than Trump’s tax deal anytime.

Note that client has been paying $500 a month on his IRS installment plan. In Chapter 13, he only pays $550, with zero payments to credit cards and payday loans.

Without Chapter 13, he pays $500 a month to the IRS with interest and penalties still accruing, and he still has to pay a minimum of $2,500 to keep his $80,000 of credit cards and payday loans current every month. If he completes the plan payments, he won’t owe the IRS anything, and he won’t owe anything to credit cards and payday loans. In effect, he gets a fresh start in life even on Chapter 13.

Wife with $30K in credit card debt needs Chapter 7 relief In the next case, the client is 45 and married with an 8-year-old son. She owes $30,000 of credit cards, while her husband owes $5,000 of credit cards. Off the bat, this will be a single filing by the wife only. The husband does not have to file since he owes only $5,000. Their household income is $5,000 a month. So, definitely, for a household of three, the client can qualify for Chapter 7 wipeout of her $30,000 credit cards. They don’t own a house but pay for three cars. I don’t know why they have three new cars. But they can keep the three cars as long as they continue to pay for them. They can reaffirm the car loans. This is not a problem. Most car loans do not

u PAGE C5

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 13-15, 2018

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JUNE 16

Columban missionaries’ Dancing for the World celebration in Glendale, CA Join the celebration of the centennial year of Columban missionaries with Dancing for the World (DFTW) on Saturday, June 16 in Glendale, CA. Since Columban missionaries have received so many blessings during this past century for which we wish to give thanks to God, this year’s DFTW celebration with a Mass of Thanksgiving. It will be a multi-cultural Mass, reflecting the variety of traditions and languages in the countries where Columban missionaries serve, as well as the cultural diversity of our supporters in California. This Mass, which will be the Vigil Mass for Sunday, will be celebrated at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium located at 1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208. Afterwards, there will be a social, followed by dinner and dancing, so please bring your dancing shoes! There will also be a raffle with several tantalizing prizes. As you can imagine, it’s going to be a faithfilled and a fun-filled evening! First prize is a trip for two (2) to Hawaii; Second Prize is a cruise for two (2) to Alaska; Third prize is $500 cash; Fourth prize is a trip for two (2) to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. For $2.00 ticket you can win these amazing prizes. The dinner and dance is also available for forty dollars ($40.00). You can contact Ariel Presbitero (323-691-5262) or Carmencita Enriquez (213-880-5075) for tickets and other information.

JUNE 19

Asian Foster Family Initiative information session in Los Angeles To learn more about how to possibly become a foster parent for Filipino children in the LA foster care system, join the informational orientation session on Tuesday, June 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be conducted in Taglish. It will be held at the Korean American Family Services (3727 W. 6th St. #320, Los Angeles, CA 90020). Parking lot available behind the building. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP as soon as possible to alicelee@kfamla. org to reserve your place.

J U N E 2 1 -3 0

SIPA presents Filipino Summer Program (Session 1) in LA Join SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program that showcases LA youth the beauty of Filipino culture and history. Every single day students will learn and gain a better understanding of different aspects of the Filipino culture and community, such as Filipino food, Pilipinx cultural dances, Filipino Martial Arts, etc. The last day of the program will be a SIPA Summer Party where the families can come join SIPA as we celebrate the end of the program with food, music, and fun! Youth ages 6-15 are eligible for the program. Those over the age of 16 can volunteer. Participants do not need to be Filipino. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are served for all students! Session 1 is from June 21-30 (excluding Sundays). Registration ends on Thursday, June 14 at 11:59 p.m. Drop-Off of children begins at 8 a.m., and pick-up ends by 6 p.m. at SIPA Office (3200 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). The application and more information is at bit.ly/sipasummer18.

J U N E 28

United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys, CA United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley’s 8th annual Valley Mega Mixer Register early for a unique networking opportunity on Thursday, June 28! At the 8th annual Valley Mega Mixer, connect with hundreds of business decision makers in one night! The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at at Anheuser-Busch (15800 Roscoe Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406). In order to attend, register through the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) where members pay only $20 online by June 27, $30 at the door. Non-members pay $40. Includes light appetizers. Register online at http://faccgla. org/8th-annual-valley-mega-mixer/.

J U LY 4

Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party in Los Angeles Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party returns as the county’s largest free July 4th celebration from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Featuring picnicking, games, art-making, music, dancing and a stunning fireworks show high above Downtown L.A., Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party is the ultimate summer holiday celebration. The highly popular event offers activities for all ages including soccer, tag, bubble fun and chalk art. Two stages featuring DJs and live musical performances will entertain audiences throughout the celebration. Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and soar nearly 500 feet, making them visible throughout Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. The event offers a multitude of dining options from more than 40 vendors including the return of gourmet food trucks. Grand Park + The Music Center’s Fourth of July Block Party will encompass the entire park, from Grand Avenue to Spring Street, plus the surrounding streets.

J U LY 6 -26

Solo exhibit of Fil-Am Artist Lynda A. N. Reyes in Burbank The Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center, the municipal gallery of Burbank, is proud to present the Solo Exhibit of artist Lynda A. N. Reyes from July 6 to the 26,2018. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The gallery is located at 1100 West Clarke Avenue, Burbank, California 91506. The exhibit will highlight her watercolor and oil paintings that have been featured in museum exhibits in California, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Montana and in national juried shows in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Sta. Monica, Glendale, Brea in Orange County and in international shows in Kentucky, Canada, Maryland, Wisconsin, Colorado and New York. Paintings that have given her recognition, as well as new works will all in one big venue. For more information about the artist, visit www.lyndaanreyes.com or contact her at lyndaanreyes@gmail.com. For information about the gallery, call 818-238-5397 or visit www. burbankca.gov/cac. The gallery hours are Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

J U LY 7

Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA celebrates 40th anniversary in Long Beach, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA (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 Saturday, 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,” and will present the induction of new officers. 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. For further inquiries, interested parties may call Bong B. Soriano at (909) 851-1493 and Jackie M. Ferrer at (714) 757-3502.

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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B4 JUNE 13-15, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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People and Events

APO-GLA invites Filipino director Ferdinand Dimadura

THE Alpha Phi Omega Greater Los Angeles (APO-GLA) Alumni Association has invited renowned Filipino musical and film director, Ferdinand Dimadura, as its guest for their monthly General Membership Meeting (GMM) on June 16, Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Banquet Halls 1&2 at the Days Inn Hotel in Glendale, Calif.

Dr. Eric Serrano, past President of APO-GLA and a chapter mate of Dimadura stated, “It is truly an honor for us to invite Bro. Ferdie Dimadura, an acclaimed musical composer, arranger and film director to share with us his films and his music.”

Dimadura, it will be recalled, gained international acclaim when his short film, “Chicken ala Carte”, won at the 56th International Berlin Film Festival in 2006. The film was eventu-

ally seen by more than 25 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most viewed short films ever.

Dimadura’s guesting at the monthly APO-GLA GMM is a truly special event because he will showcase a new art form he created, which he calls the “DocuMusical,” a documentary that is narrated/set in music. This new approach in documentary filmmaking has never been seen anywhere in the world.

The theme of this Docu-Musical will be the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence, as well as the unique events in Filipino history and culture. The music are all original compositions and are of the pop/contemporary genre that everyone will surely appreciate and connect with.

When asked how he was able

to come up with this approach, Dimadura answered, “I’m blessed to be a composer and a film director at the same time.

Coming up with the Docu-Musical was a natural progression of my career.”

Current APO-GLA President Casey Mansilla is excited about the event. “We are very honored that Bro. Ferdie has chosen our GMM to unveil this historic and exciting new art form,” he said.

The event is not exclusive for APO-GLA members only. Everyone is invited to watch the screening of Dimadura’s DocuMusical. A very talented Filipino-American singer, Elisha Sonorio will be singing Dimadura’s original musical compositions.

The Days Inn Hotel in Glendale is located at 450 Pioneer Drive, Glendale.

Admission is free. ■

Maniquiz clan to celebrate 9th biennial reunion

The Filipino Community of Bakersfield & Vicinity, Inc. celebrated Philippine Independence Day on June 9 at Stockdale Affairs Event Center.

We also gave our scholarships to our 17 applicants. We also feature our local Pinoy Retrovibe Band with the theme “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” wearing casual attire - any shirts from the Philippines.

MEMBERS of the Maniquiz/ Maniquis/Maniquez/Manikis clan will take a stroll down memory lane once again, to celebrate their 9th Biennial Family Reunion on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the Westborough Park Recreation Bldg, located on 2350 Galway Dr. South San Francisco, CA 94080.

This year’s host, May Maniquis Avila, is calling on family members interested in attending this

“Barrio Fiesta” fun event to register by calling (510) 739-0009, or by email at mayavila@hotmail. com. For more details, visit the family website www.maniquiz. com The program of activities starts with registration at 3:30 pm, followed by family-oriented games, contests, prizes and talent presentations from each of the four branches of the clan. A delicious

dinner of favorite Filipino food and desserts will follow. Music will be provided by DJ Andy Maniquis Angeles.

The clan’s roots dates back to 1730, when Carlos Agustin Maniquiz, a young Spanish-Mexican trader-adventurer, made his way from Acapulco, Mexico to Mission Bartolome, Bulacan (now Tartaro, San Miguel, Bulacan) in the company of the early Augus-

tinian friars assigned to perform missionary and evangelical work in the northern Bulacan area.

He was believed to be the first Maniquiz to arrive in the Philippines, eventually married a local lady named Maria Juana Puno, and together with their four sons, Dionisio, Miguel, Alejandro, and Santiago settled in the town of San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan. From these 4 sons descended the 4 branches of the entire clan.

Carlos had a fifth son, Agustin, by a second wife, who died at an early age and had no known descendants.

The family historian and genealogist, the late Joseph Roura Maniquis, in his book Familia Maniquiz, Its History and Genealogy published in 1998, compiled the names of 1357 descendants from the first to the sixth generations. According to the May 2016 update Familia Maniquiz, the past, present and future genera-

tions, compiled by Pet Palomo Maniquis, the clan has grown to 11 generations, with names of 6437 registered individuals/family members.

Previous family reunions in the U.S. were well-attended with family members coming from as far as New Zealand, England, Dubai, Canada and the Philippines, and all over the United States. Similar family reunions were also held in the motherland, the Philippines, and were also well-attended.

B5 JUNE 13-15, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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Resident, nonresident alien status...

PAGE B2 t

country which you can establish closer connection than in US. ; And 2) you are present in the US for less than 183 days during the tax year. You must attach Form 8840 closer connection statement upon filing of Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ. Form 8840 must be filed separately if you are not required to file for the tax year.

To be continued in the next issue. the appropriate parts of Form 2555. Since it is voluntary, your choice to exclude foreign earned income remains in effect for that year and all years unless you revoke it.

Housing Cost Exclusion or Deduction. You may also claim an exclusion or deduction from gross income for your housing amount if you meet the following requirements: • Have foreign earned income.

• Your tax home is in a foreign country.

• You qualify for the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test.

The housing exclusion applies only to amounts considered paid for with employer-provided amounts while the housing deduction applies only to amounts paid for with self-employment earnings.

Like the foreign earned income exclusion, the housing cost exclusion or deduction is filed by completing Form 2555. However, a separate election is required for each exclusion claimed. You may choose to revoke the exclusion for any year.

Foreign Tax Credit or Deduction. The credit and deduction are intended to relieve U.S. taxpayers of double taxation on foreign source income. The election is made on an annual basis. If a U.S. citizen incurs or pays income taxes to a foreign country, he may elect to deduct them in determining his taxable income, or take them as a credit against his U.S. tax. The election must be made as to all foreign taxes of the tax year. The credit will be limited to the percentage of the total tax that the taxable income (before deduction for personal exemptions) from foreign countries is of the total taxable income.

Other Reporting Requirements.

Please note that any person or entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates having a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, bank accounts, securities, or other financial accounts having an aggregate value exceeding $10,000 at any time during the calendar year in a foreign country, shall report such a relationship. Although there are some limited exceptions, filing requirements also apply to taxpayers that have direct or indirect control over a foreign or domestic entity with foreign financial accounts, even if the taxpayer does not have foreign accounts. For example, a corporate-owned foreign account would require filings by the corporation and by the individual corporate officers with signature authority. Failure to disclose the required information to the U.S. Department of the Treasury may result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties.

In addition, the Internal Revenue Service also requires information reporting under applicable Internal Revenue Code sections and related regulations, and the respective IRS tax forms are due when your income tax return is due, including extensions. The IRS reporting requirements are in addition to the U.S. Department of the Treasury reporting requirements stated above. Therefore, if you fall into one of the below categories, or if you have any direct or indirect foreign interests, you may be required to file applicable IRS forms.

• File Form 8938: For individual or entity with ownership of foreign financial assets and meet the criteria. There is a penalty of $10,000 for failure to file, am additional penalty of up to $50,000 after IRS issued notification for continued failure to file.

• Form 5471: If you are an officer, director, or shareholder with respect to certain foreign corporations attach Form 5471 to your income tax return by the due date including extensions for that return.

You are a foreign-owned U.S. corporation or foreign corpora-

Client needs Chapter 13...

PAGE C3 t

require reaffirmations anymore.

As long as the client continues timely car payments, she can keep her cars.

We don’t need Dennis Rodman to tell us that client qualifies for a Chapter 7 wipeout of accumulated debt for a fresh start in life so she can be productive again.

As we all know Mr. Rodman will be in Singapore next week to help his friends POTUS Donald J. Trump, and Marshall Kim Jung Un arrive at a historic peace accord that will eventually ensure the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. All of us will benefit from peace in Korea particularly, the great Korean people who have had to live under the

threat of mutual self-destruction in the last 60 years. This makes no sense. It’s about time for them to have peace over there. Thank you Mr. Rodman, for making the prospect of peace much closer to reality.

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

tion engaged in a U.S. • trade or business, Form 5472; • You are a U.S. transferor of property to a foreign corporation, Form 926; • You are a U.S. person with an interest in a foreign trust ,Forms 3520 and 3520-A; or • You are a U.S. person with interests in a foreign partnership, Form 8865.

Notice 2018-13 Code section 965 of the 2017 tax cuts and jobs act added that US shareholder in a foreign corporation are possibly liable for the transition tax.

Failure to timely file the appropriate forms with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service may result in substantial penalties.

Calendar year corporation ending December 31, 2017, the tax us due and payable with the US shareholder’s 2017 return. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

(Advertising Supplement)

Households with savings higher...

PAGE B1 t

percent of the OFW households used the remittances received to purchase food and other needs.

“The proportion of households that said so as well as those that allotted part of their remittances for education (64.1 percent), medical expenses (46.9 percent), debt payments (22.9 percent), purchase of appliances/consumer durables (21.1 percent), pur-

chase of house (8.7 percent), and purchase of car/motor vehicle (7 percent) declined,” the Bangko Sentral added.

Meanwhile, the percentage of OFW households that allocated some of the remittances received for investment (5.2 percent) and other miscellaneous expenses (4.9 percent) increased.

“By geographical area, a bigger percentage of OFW house-

holds in NCR used their remittances for purchase of food and other household needs, medical expenses, savings, and purchase of consumer durables and house compared to their counterparts in areas outside NCR,” the central bank said.

The latest CES was conducted from April 2 to 14, 2018 with a sample size of 5,517 households nationwide. ■

More OFW families turning to...

PAGE B1 t

households using remittances to save as of the second quarter of the year was almost five times the 7.2 percent recorded when the CES was launched 11 years ago.

“OFW households that utilize their remittances for savings decline while those for investment increase for Q2 2018,” Alegre said.

Of the 446 households included in the survey that received OFW remittances for second quarter, he said 94.2 percent used the remittances that they received to purchase food and other household needs.

He added the proportion of households that allotted part of remittances for education reached 64.1 percent, medical expenses with 46.9 percent, and debt payments with 22.9 percent.

The CES survey for the second quarter was conducted between April 2 and 14 covering 5,339 respondents. More than eight percent of the total respondents or

446 households received remittances from abroad.

Latest data showed the amount of money sent home by overseas Filipinos posted its steepest decline in almost 15 years on the continued repatriation of Filipino workers and the fewer banking days in March due to the Holy Week.

Personal remittances fell 9.9 percent to $2.63 billion in March from $2.91 billion in the same month last year, while cash remittances coursed through banks dropped 9.8 percent to $2.36 billion from $2.61 billion.

This was the biggest decline since April 2003 when remittances booked a double-digit decline of 10.9 percent.

For the first quarter of the year, personal remittances inched up 1.3 percent to $7.81 billion from $7.71 billion in the same quarter last year, while cash remittances inched up 0.8 percent to $7.01 billion from $6.95 billion.

The decline was traced to the continued repatriation of Filipino workers from the Middle

East countries as data from the Department of Labor and Employment indicated that a total of 1,124 OF workers were repatriated from Kuwait as of Feb. 8.

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

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

Despite this, the Philippines and Kuwait signed a memorandum of agreement providing additional protection for Filipino workers in the Gulf country. This could pave the way for the partial lifting of the deployment ban on Filipino workers to Kuwait.

There were also fewer banking days in March due to the Holy Week.

The BSP has set a growth target of four percent for this year.

Remittances sent home by Filipinos abroad account for about 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and provides the country with much needed buffer to survive external shocks. ■

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Delving the Earth’s depths produces clues to ancient volcanoes UNLIKE the spectacular — and catastrophic — volcano eruptions spewing dramatic hot lava flows in Hawaii, and ash clouds and flows in Guatemala, Cal State Fullerton geochemist Vali Memeti studies the magma plumbing systems of ancient volcanic eruptions like those found in Yosemite National Park.

Memeti, assistant professor of geological sciences, and her students investigate the crystal growth rings of the crystals that once crystallized out of the hot magma — the molten rock beneath the Earth called lava at the surface — to find out how the magma environment changed over hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of years.

“With the chemical crystal ring record, we can interpret what was going on in the magma chambers of these systems,” she said. “This is where my work connects with both recent eruptions. Once the erupted materials can be touched and sampled, geochemists look at the rings of the crystals, and the quenched molten rock that turns into glass, to examine what might

EMPLOYMENT

Geochemist shares outlook on explosive Hawaii, Guatemala eruptions

have caused these specific eruptions.”

This summer, Memeti’s students are doing fieldwork in Yosemite to study the crystals that formed from magmas. They’ll backpack into the wilderness with llamas to carry gear and rock samples.

Summer research at Yosemite CSUF geology students, under the mentorship of Memeti are heading into the wilderness this summer to continue research on Yosemite National Park’s ancient volcanoes. The students and what they’ll be doing: Graduate student Cullen Scheland and undergraduates Alejandra Angulo of Fullerton and Jamie Hayward of Orange will conduct geological mapping of the so-called Jack Main Intrusive complex in the northwest side of Yosemite. In this remote area, they will backpack into the wilderness starting June 20, sometimes with the help of llamas to carry gear and supplies. Memeti was awarded a U.S. Geological Survey grant for the research.

Graduate student Melissa

Cal State Fullerton geologist Vali Memeti, seated in front, with students in her volcanology class at Panum Crater in May. The crater erupted 600 years ago and is part of the larger, still-active Long Valley caldera system. In the background is Yosemite National Park.

Chambers of Fullerton, along with undergraduates Ryan Bremer of Anaheim Hills and Jackson Flanagan of Irvine, will hike into the northern and southern por-

EMPLOYMENT

tion of Yosemite July 18-Aug. 1.

They are studying the formation of large feldspar crystals, known as megacrysts, which formed from magmas 88 million years

ago at 6 miles below the surface, and are now exposed at the surface. Chambers also is spending six weeks at Princeton University in New Jersey to analyze

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the age and growth rate of these megacrysts with geochronology, or age dating, experts. This research is funded by two National Science Foundation grants. n

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The Asian Journal

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

CSULA graduate inspired by father’s memory to pursue cancer research Fil-Am biomedical student Benjamin Nittayo will go on to UC Davis in the fall for a PhD

by KlArize MedenillA AJPress

I

T’S not easy to comprehend the unexpected trials and tribulations life throws at us.

Grief through the loss of a loved one is one of the the most difficult, confusing emotions to deal with and understand, and it takes work to process certain experiences and to, somehow, make good out of tragedy. filipino-American Benjamin Nittayo, a recent graduate from Cal State Los Angeles, took a tragedy and decided to serve the world in a magnificent, selfless way. After his father passed away from acute myeloid leukemia, Nittayo, 24, was motivated to pursue cancer research to

help develop vaccines, therapies and treatments for cancer patients.

“Once I had that experience, I knew I wanted to find ways to help advance cancer research and medical research in general,” Nittayo shared with the Asian Journal in a recent interview.

His path toward a career in health care began at Pasadena Community College (PCC).

As a student, he clocked in more than 700 volunteer hours at hospitals like the Adventist Health Glendale and the Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia, shadowing doctors and having plenty of facetime with patients undergo-

“

I was with him in the last moments, and I told him, ‘I love you,’ but at that point I don’t know exactly what he understood, but then he told me that he loved me, too, and I think that was the last coherent thing he told me. ing illnesses that ranged from benign to acute.

Although he appreciated the work and learned a lot from volunteering, the experience of working long hours and its physical and mental toll discouraged him from a career as a clinician, and it wasn’t until he began research in college that his

Benjamin Nittayo with his late father

”

ambition to work in biomedical research really came into focus.

“It took a big toll on me. I’d be at the hospital from four to eight hours and the day would just drag,” Nittayo said. “I was always looking for some other alternative, and then I started doing research and I said maybe I can make a career out of this, and a lot of people do.”

It was around the time that he transferred to Cal State LA that his father was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and, eventually, got a bone marrow transplant which was rejected by his body, resulting in graft versus host disease (GvHD). Just as he was about to undergo a second bone marrow transplant, he caught a flu virus in the winter of 2015 that turned the MDS into “full-blown leukemia.”

The doctors told the Nittayo family that he had six more months, but passed away about a month later. During his father’s last few weeks, Nittayo spent as much time as he could with his father, dropping out of school to accompany him while he had blood infusions.

“We both knew, in a way, that this wasn’t going to end well but we just talked about whatever was on our mind,” Nittayo said. “We never really acknowledged it, but I think he knew in his mind that it wasn’t going to end well. So we just talked, and one thing he really wanted me to do was to go

back to school.”

Nittayo recalled, “I was with him in the last moments, and I told him, ‘I love you,’ but at that point I don’t know exactly what he understood, but then he told me that he loved me, too, and I think that was the last coherent thing he told me.”

Building on his father’s request, Nittayo went back to school and, this past May, graduated from Cal State LA with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Microbiology. But Nittayo didn’t just finish school doing the bare minimum.

In addition to amassing hours of volunteering, Nittayo was a research intern at the City of Hope in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics through the competitive Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy. He also received two research fellowships through Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE) programs and also served as

vice president for the Cal State LA Cancer Research and Awareness Society.

“Ben is an inspiration to me, the members of my research lab group, and many others here at Cal State LA,” Nathan J. Lanning, a professor whose lab Nittayo worked in, said in a Cal State LA newsletter.

This fall, Nittayo will begin the journey to a Ph.D. at UC Davis, which awarded him the floyd and Mary Schwall fellowship in Medical Research to fund his studies. “[My dad] told me, ‘You know you gotta do something that you really want to do,’ so I chose to do this,” Nittayo said, acknowledging that his experience with his father solidified his aspirations in medical research. “[My dad] taught me that to always work hard and to complete every job and don’t leave until you’re finished.

That’s something he’s always told me, and that’s something I always try to do.”

History and fun facts about Father’s Day

by AJPress

WITH father’s Day coming up this Sunday, June 17, you may wonder how we came to celebrate this holiday for fathers and father figures.

The annual observance — which falls on the third Sunday of June — was inspired by Mother’s Day in the early 20th century.

A West Virginia church hosted the United States’ first event in honor of fathers on July 5, 1908.

During a Mother’s Day church service on June 20, 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington was struck with the idea of creating a special holiday to honor

fathers because her mother died while giving birth to her six child, leaving her father to take care of them. The state of Washington observed the first father’s Day on June 19, 1910.

It wasn’t until 14 years later in 1924 when President Calvin Coolidge recognized father’s Day and encouraged states to observe it too.

In the 1920s and 30s, there was a national movement to get rid of Mother’s and father’s Day and instead have a one “Parent’s Day,” according to History.com. Many fathers were not receptive to the day because they felt that the holiday was “emasculating,”

Inquirer.net photos

while others didn’t like that the gifts given to them were likely bought with the fathers’ own money and was another attempt at a commercialized holiday.

In 1956, Congress officially recognized the day with the passage of a joint resolution.

Ten years later, President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday of June to be recognized for the holiday; in 1972, President Richard Nixon permanently established the observance of the third Sunday in June as father’s Day in the United States.

Today, father’s Day is celebrated all over the world, with several countries similarly marking the third Sunday in June for fathers as well.

In time for the day for dads, here are some interesting facts: • father’s Day is the busiest day of the year for collect phone calls.

• Over 87 million cards are Illustration by John Michael Carreon

sent each year making father’s day the fourth-largest greeting card occasion of the year.

• Though Dodd’s petition for the holiday wrote it was “fathers’ Day,” the U.S. Congress used the term “father’s Day” when they established the day as an official holiday.

• The rose is the holiday’s official flower. A red rose is worn in your lapel on father’s Day if your father is living, and a white rose is worn if he has passed away.

• In 2011, there were 2.6 million households led by a single father, a 900 percent increase from the 1960s.

• The necktie is considered one of the most popular gifts for father’s Day. Neckties are believed to have dated as far back as 221 B.C. when Chin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor,” and his “terracotta army” were discovered, each replicate was wearing a necktie, according to History.com.

If your dad has a sweet tooth, he may be in for a treat with a “SmashCake.”

Based in Beverly Hills, LA SmashCakes are custom designed cakes made out of chocolate and filled with candy.

“I work my SmashCakes like a puzzle. If the chocolate/candy fits, I glue it — with chocolate of course — and carry on,” says Jenny, the owner of LA SmashCakes.

Each order comes with a mallet — a smash hit for every celebration!

“Who would ever think of smashing a cake with a mallet and eating it too?” Jenny says. “There is something about smashing a cake, that makes it fun and exciting! The best part, is the joy and happiness emanating after a smash! It makes everything worth it!”

This father’s Day, you can work with LA SmashCakes for any design — whether it be construction inspired (like the one pictured here), shaped like a soda bottle, or donut. for more info, please check out www.LASmashCakes.com.

features 3 Martin Nievera is back on late night TV The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

The 2nd Annual Hmart & LA Woori Broadcasting & The Korea Times I Heart Children’s Art Contest Award Ceremony The 2nd Annual hmart & LA Woori Broadcasting & The Korea Times I heart Children Art Contest Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at ehlers event Center – Liberty hall (8150 Knott Ave. Buena Park 90620) at 11am with winners and their family.

The Grand Prize winner, Anderson Chen (Kindergarten), will be given $1,000 scholarship, trophy and award certificate.

Chloe Mulia (Pre-K), Daniel h.

Kim (1st Grade), and Aiwa Wang (6th Grade) are the 1st Prize winners in their category, which they will receive $300 scholarship, trophy and award certificate.

2nd Prize, 3rd Prize, and happy Prize winners will receive total of $3,600 in scholarship.

Names of the winners can be found at hmart website (www. hmart.com).

Sang Chul Lee, hmart CA Regional Manager sent out a message saying, “We would like to thank all of The 2nd California Children’s Art Contest participants and congratulate all of our winners. We hope everyone had a wonderful time and we look forward to seeing you again next year.”

For additional event details, please contact hmart Customer Service Center @ 877-427-7386.

(Advertising Supplement)

LSS is the acronym for “Last Song Syndrome”—the inability to keep singing or thinking about a catchy song a person last heard. It is the kind of effect iconic OPM balladeer Martin Nievera’s hits have had—and continue to have—on the public for example. The likes of “Be My Lady,” “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” “Say That You Love Me” to “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin,” among many others.

In the age of social media, however, these three letters have gained another definition, and when texted means, “long story short.”

Though completely different from the original LSS, the millennial meaning can also be applied to Nievera, as the reigning Philippine Concert King resurrects another title he earned in late ‘80s, that of “King of Late Night Talk.”

Very soon, the singer-host will pick up the mic anew to compress extensive narratives in “LSS: The Martin Nievera Show.” The program is part of ABS-CBN News Channel’s (ANC) Lifestyle block on cable television, which features both local and foreign content.

Nievera was crowned King of Late Night Talk from the success of his wacky musicaltalk show “Martin After Dark,” which started out on GMA Network in 1988.

Made for him and by him, the celebrity took MAD along when he moved to ABS-CBN in 1993, slightly retitling it, “Martin Nievera After Dark” until its conclusion in 1998. The show was then reformatted to “Martin Late @ Nite” for an update and successfully ran anew until 2003 with a short reprise in 2013.

No. 1 in his timeslot for many years, Nievera’s non-stop talking further earned him the moniker, Big Mouth, which he quickly used as the name of his own production company.

“My big mouth has brought

Martin Nievera

me places. It has gotten me jobs [including the Presentation Show of the 1994 Miss Universe held in Manila]and it has also gotten me into trouble,” Nievera admittedly laughed in a past interview.

Still gifted with gab—but with wisdom too now, which comes with age, LSS will see the Concert King get up close, personal, and candid with the movers and shakers of the country, and experience new adventures with them outside the studio. The concept is entirely different from his current stint on the Sunday noontime variety show “ASAP” and as judge on various ABS-CBN talent shows.

“This new show is really very exciting because I’ll be asking my guests—businessmen, leaders, entrepreneurs, and celebrities— questions that the public want answered,” he said. “I’m going to be just like people you meet in the streets [or on social media]– the fan, the spectator, or even the basher,” he added.

Nievera was introduced as

ABS-CBN photo

the newest member of the ANC family at the ANCx event held in Rockwell, Makati on May 29. he had been away for several weeks to attend his father Bert Nievera’s funeral in the US and be with family, and has since returned in time to guest in good friend Zsa Zsa Padilla’s concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila on May 11.

Received by ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs with a rousing welcome, Nievera, who is now 56 years old, is reenergized to get behind the desk again and chatter away. Just like his voice, his wit is as golden as ever and raring to be unleashed on ANC’s late night line-up.

Besides LSS, actress Iza Calzado has also been given a spot on the cable channel via “State Of The Art,” a five-episode series on the growing art industry in the Philippines.

News chief Ging Reyes said the lifestyle block marks the beginning of a strong partnerContinued on Page 6

Gretchen Barretto issues public apology on‘insensitive’ viral video, Lea Salonga’s ‘Once on This Island’wins at Tony Awards 2018 hits back at being called ‘plastic’ 4

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

by JaN

Milo Severo Philstar.com

neW YOrK — filipino pride Lea Salonga adds another feather on her cap as her musical “Once on this Island” bagged the tony Awards 2018 for Best Musical revival at radio city Music hall.

the new Broadway production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen flaherty bested “My fair Lady” and “rodgers & hammerstein’s carousel” in the category.

“Once on this Island” is a musical that follows a peasant girl in the Antilles who falls

by Niña

GuNo Inquirer.net

Gretchen Barretto has spoken up about the viral video that showed her and her friends laughing while reading a letterrequest from a fan last week.

In an Instagram Live video she posted on Saturday, June 9, she along with friends Mimi Que and Patty Pineda issued an apology for laughing at the letter they received as part of their wish-granting project. their online granting of Lea Salonga plays the role of one of the gods, wishes began as an easter giveGoddess of Love, Erzulie in ‘Once on This Island’ away but has since continued, in love with a young man she and has focused on providing saves from a car crash. When for medical needs, and at times he returns to his wealthy family education and livelihood. on the other side of the island, the video which has been four gods guide her through a circulating on social media test of her love against prejushows Pineda reading a letter dice and hate. asking for help; as she was readLea plays the role of one ing, Que and Barretto burst into of the gods, Goddess of Love, laughter with her. critics attriberzulie. uted the supposed insensitive On her twitter account, Lea laughter of the three to the way posted congratulatory message the letter was written, since the to her friends for a job well letter sender was from Surigao. done.

Barretto said she and her “today is going to be the friends learned much from the craziest of crazy days, and I may reaction to the video: “It was not be able to see my friends very rude I admit, it was very from other shows because of inappropriate, unladylike for us shuttles and busyness. So to to behave that way.” you all, I send you tight hugs they said they had apoloand congratulations on jobs ex- gized personally to the sender, cellently done! tonight, let’s all Jo-Ann Mula on the same celebrate!!! @thetonyAwards,” night of the incident. Barretto the theater actress tweeted. explained that the uploaded Before the awards night, video, which had since been the “the Voice Ph” mentor also taken down, was incomplete: received an award days ago “hindi namin pinagtawanan ang as a popular website’s annual may sakit (We weren’t laughing theater fans’ choice Awards at the sick).” awarded her as Best featured Mula told Inquirer.net that Actress in a Musical for her she understood why they were performance in the musical. laughing.

“Oh my!!! thanks to our “Akala nila lahat ng perfans for all the island love!!!” sons doon may request ako she tweeted. sa anak ko, kapatid ko na Salonga shares the award may cancer.. hindi pala ensure with the play’s tony Award-win- [milk] lang pala…” she said. ning costume and set designer, “Ok lang po.. nakakatawa nafilipino-American clint ramos, man talaga.” reportedly the “first person of (They thought I had requests color to receive a tony Award for my son and my brother who for Best costume Design of a has cancer; it’s just the Ensure Play” in 2016. milk that I want. It’s OK, it really

Gretchen Barretto

is funny.)

“Sorry po at minsan nakakalimutan ko po na 48 years old na ako (I’m sorry and sometimes I forget that I’m 48 years old) and I should be behaving my age,” Barretto said. “I am glad that we are going through this trial, this hurdle because it is only through this kind of situation we grow. And so we’re learning to grow and tears won’t hurt. It won’t kill us.”

‘Plastic’ accusation Since the video and the ensuing reactions, Barretto has been posting messages from both supporters and detractors.

One of the messages shared

by Barretto was from a certain Ken Dadico Olithao (@kendadico), who lambasted her charitable acts: “Ung Pag tulong mo sa mga kapuspalad ay isang pakitang tao mo lang (sic). Ang plastik ng pagkatao mo.”

(Your help to the unfortunate is only for show. Your character is so fake.)

“And what will I gain from being plastic?!” Barretto

Photo from Instagram/@juansarte

retorted. “I have retired from show business, I am not into politics. I do not need your approval. Move on… Get a life.” her message for the netizen may well be her message to other critics: “You are projecting your anger & bitterness towards me. Be productive, work earn a living & help others before you waste precious time on me (someone you don’t know personally).”

“If you think you can bully me by posting nasty comments, this one’s for you,” she said.

She also explained in her apology that posting the grants on her Instagram was to show the grantees that their wishes had been delivered.

“If you can solve that problem for me, we could do it privately, I don’t have to announce it,” she reasoned. “But to be honest, this is our way to get in touch with the real world.”

Barretto also said she’s not going to give up helping others just yet. She declared, “I’m not going to quit.”

Derek on his love life, tattoos and nude scenes

by Kathy

MoraN Philstar.com

“LIfe, makes me happy,” says Derek ramsay.

And how could it not? his current movie “Kasal,” in which he stars with Bea Alonzo and Paulo Avelino, is now in its fourth box office week. the hit movie has earned over P100 million.

Derek recalls how reluctant he was to start his showbiz career because he had envisioned himself as a sportsman competing in the sports he loved like Ultimate frisbee, basketball, football, cricket, swimming, golf and rugby.

“I think the only sport I did not get into was synchronized swimming,” he laughs. “I remember when I was studying in London, and then later on in the U.S., I would come back to the Philippines to do a few commercials. Back then, I was always being asked to join showbiz but I didn’t because my mom wanted me to finish my studies first.”

Derek shares that when he decided to settle in the Philippines for good in 2004, he came back to play for toyota-Otis in the PBL. But, not wanting to live a life of “what ifs,” he decided that he should give showbiz a try — “so that there would be no regrets in the future,” he shares.

It was a good decision for him because he gives each role he plays on screen his 200 percent, much like the amount of sweat and tears he puts into each sport he competes in.

Follow your passion Derek is blessed because he is able to juggle life between showbiz and the sports that he loves, both of which hold the same weight in his life. “there are sacrifices that come with being in showbiz,” he shares. “I couldn’t compete in sports events where I was less than 100 percent because I did not get to train properly,” the sportsman says. “I have those regrets but being puyat is part of the job — and it is really hard to balance the time between showbiz and competing as an athlete at the highest level.”

Derek Ramsay’s latest business venture, Platinum Fitness, is a boutique gym equipped with the best brands in fitness equipment.

Philstar.com photo

Acting dreams “Although I have acting awards and my movies have become box office successes mas kinikilig ako when someone approaches me and asks for my autograph because they know me as an accomplished sportsman,” he says. “I get a lot of that in the frisbee community. It always makes me happy that most of my endorsements have come from me being a sportsman and that I live a rugged life.”

Derek shares that he dreams of playing Lapu-Lapu or a historical figure one day. Or perhaps be part of a war film.

“I have always liked watching period movies and war films,” he says. “the Philippines has so much history and it would be great to go back and see how many countries abused and took advantage of our kindness. It would be great to go back to a time when the Philippines was a paradise.” for now, Derek has put his acting career on hold until after July where he will compete for Australia in the Ultimate frisbee world cup as the Philippines is not sending a team this year.

Philippine Star: With a body like yours, in which movie have you revealed the most skin?

Derek ramsay: In “Kasal”. I had butt exposure, but it was not used in the final edit of the movie because we would not get the PG rating if it was

included.

It was an accidental exposure of my butt. I was doing a love scene with Kylie Verzosa and nahila ni Kylie yung boxer shorts — direk asked Kylie to do it for the scene. nahila ni Kylie all the way down so kita yung buong puwet ko, hindi partial.

Would you agree to a nude scene?

It depends on the script. I wouldn’t do a bed scene just for the sake of it. If the script doesn’t call for it — then no. All the directors that I have worked with know that I express what I am feeling and what I am thinking. there was a scene in the movie “the escort” where I had to doggie-style Lovi Poe. I questioned that because I felt that it did not fit the scene — we did nothing else. But, if it’s in my character I will do it. however, if I have to do it just for the sake of doing it I won’t.

I don’t want to do a scene so that it becomes the selling point of a movie.

Are you comfortable with your body?

I am very comfortable with my body so if a role requires for me to go nude — I would do it.

In “Kasal” I had to kiss a guy — I am not comfortable with that — but I did it.

Advice for someone who just broke up from a relationship?

Continued on Page 7

Let Super Vacation take you on a five day trip through Oregon and beyond THERE is more to exploring the United States’ West Coast than just California. Take Oregon for example — home to scenic byways, captivating vistas, and even incredibly blue waters.

From California’s world renowned Wine Country, to Oregon’s most treasured Crater Lake National Park, Super Vacation has you covered this summer with its five day trip through some of the West Coast’s most famous outdoor destinations.

Here are just some of the highlights featured in Super Vacation’s 5 day Oregon—Crater Lake Deluxe Tour: Sequoia National Park Located in central California, Sequoia National Park is rightly nicknamed as the World of the Giants. While there, visit the General Grant (named after 18th U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant), the second largest tree by volume after the General Sherman Tree also found in Sequoia. The General Grant’s long history of inspiration has further dubbed it the Nation’s Christmas Tree.

Napa Valley Also known as the world famous Wine Country, Napa Valley has long been a California getaway destination. See an endless view of grape vines before enjoying some picks from local winery favorites.

Redwood National Forest Entering Redwood National Forest brings you into the “Avenue of the Giants”, a worldfamous scenic drive that runs

features 5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

Nora Aunor not keen on National Artist accolade

by RONNIE

CARRASCO ManilaTimes.net

Nora Aunor

III

GMA photo

“WISDOM comes with age,” acknowledged superstar Nora Aunor who turned 65 on May 21. She believes the years have given her a broader perspective about life, and even her career, which has reeled from its share of ups through acres of spectacular Mount Shasta and downs. redwoods.

Get a view of the enormous The country’s Superstar Crater Lake National Park White Mountain Peak which is again on the nominees’ list The only national park in Or- stands 2,000 feet over Mr. Fuji, for this year’s National Artist egon, Crater Lake National Park before exploring the fascinating for Film given by the National is a prized destination of the Lake Shasta Caverns. Formed Commission for Culture and state as evident by its image roughly 200 million years ago the Arts (NCCA). It will be reon the license plates of many by flowing water, the entire membered that Nora failed to Oregon residents. Around cave is made of limestone with clinch the elusive plum under 400,000 people visit yearly to its wide variety of formations, the Noynoy Aquino administrasee it’s blue waters — among stalagmites, soda straws, and tion. the bluest in the world. Reach- flowstone. Also pay a visit to “But I always say, the recing 1,949 feet deep, Crater the world’s largest sundial at ognition is meant for me if it’s Lake is also the deepest in the the translucent glass decked God’s will. Kung hindi naman, nation and was formed from Sundial Bridge! maraming salamat. Perhaps, the collapse of volcano Mount Roaring Camp Railroads there are more deserving ones Mazama some 7,700 years ago.

What better way to get a in the industry,” she humbly final view of the West Coast’s said. redwood groves than by old Meanwhile, Nora has her fashion sightseeing train. Take hands full as she’s busy taping a morning ride on the Roaring for a GMA teleserye titled Camp Railroads in Santa Cruz “Onanay” (originally called through redwood groves, all the “Extraordinary Love”). Her way to the top of Bear Mountain. co-stars, including its direcEstablished in 1981, Super tor Gina Alajar, had a surprise Vacation specializes in travel treat on her birthday right on packages throughout the U.S. the set. and Canada. To book, or get On non-taping days, Nora more information on their tours manages to hie off to her and rates, call them at (626) native Iriga City (in Bicol) to 571 - 2988, or visit them online personally attend to matters at www.americanasia.com. with regard to her properties.

(Advertising Supplement) In one of her recent visits, she

said she was touched to see a life-size statue of her built at the railway station where she used to vend water. It has been attracting local tourists.

Meanwhile, this is good tidings for the Noranians as Vignettes gathered that the Superstar is reviving her film

outfit (Nora had NV Productions which was later renamed NCV for Nora Cabaltera Villamayor).

With no title yet, Nora is eyeing Dan Alvaro—who was her leading man in the Mario O’Hara film “Condemned” in 1984—for the first project.

6

entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

The epic reunion of Kris Aquino and Cristy Fermin THE Times was witness to the momentous reconciliation of famous frenemies and former co-hosts Kris Aquino and Cristy Fermin last week. The erstwhile Queen of All Media went to Nanay Cristy’s radio show, “Cristy Ferminute,” on Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM to personally thank the latter’s support during her much talked about battle with Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson. Of course, Kris also took the opportunity to finally put an end to their bad blood, which dates back to their days anchoring showbiz talk show “The Buzz.”

It was Kris who reached out to Nanay Cristy, and Kris being Kris, her way of showing the veteran radio anchor she came prepared for the interview was via her outfit. She donned the latest Gucci look from head to toe, with precious diamond rings adoring her pretty hands.

The jewelry led to their first topPhiltar.com photo ic Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and the diamond ring to get them back on their feet Kris posted on social media. and give them confidence.”

So, did the ring come from Ian admitted that he is Herbert? a silent — and sometimes “Meron siyang singsing introvert — person. He usually na binili pero ako ang pumili! does not start talking about himself, but he can keep good Hahaha! Ang kapal ng mukha ko! We were together, and secrets of his friends and help you’re going to die of laughter them. He also tries to help his because na-decline his credit brothers Ryan (18) and Ray (14) in their school homework. card! Hahaha!

“I guess alam niyo na at He loves to take care of dogs. least malinis kasi walang laman, He has two male pets, Flash walang pondo. I’m so sorry! and Q. He’s going to hate me for this Asked if he liked acting, and say, ‘Hiniya mo ako,’ but he said, “I definitely feel that this is what you get!” acting would be awesome to According to Kris, she do, too. I think it’s difficult, but maybe I should give it a try, who knows?”

He likes action movies, and he adores Jean-Claude Van From Page 3 Damme, Vin Diesel and Jason ship and collaboration between Statham.

ABS-CBN’s news and lifestyle He admitted that he is not ecosystems. fluent in Filipino, which, he “While we specialize in said, is sad. But he can speak serious undertaking like general some words and sentences, news, government, business, like Kumusta Ka?, Mabuti, our wall-to-wall political covermabuti! and Mahal kita. age, we also know that our auHis advice to young dience also wants a break from people? all the serious stuff. They seek “If you have a certain goal, adventure, they have a sense of don’t let obstacles bring you fun, and they love food, fashion, down. If you want it, you can and the arts,” she explained. do it.”

‘Belgium’s Got Talent’ winner wants to visit Philippines

by Rogelio

Medina Philstar.com

TOGETHER with dancer Natascha Van Es, Filipino-Belgian martial arts athlete Ian Lodens, who is a three-time ju-jitsu world champion, recently won in the “Belgium’s Got Talent (BGT)”.

How he got involved into acro dance is very interesting.

“My girlfriend Natascha had to do a show in school in Brugge. She did not want to do it alone so she asked for my help to do duo with her,” said Ian, who turned 20 last June 5 after a successful ju-jitsu competition in Poland where they won gold and bronze medals.

Luckily, it turned out really good and many people liked what they did together. Then came the “BGT” opportunity.

“That was actually a kind of surprise. I got a message from her (Natascha) that she definitely wanted to compete in the talent show. First, I thought she was joking, so I said, ‘Oh yes, for sure!’ But then she had sent me a Snapchat with a photo in which she clicked on the registration link. Since then the adventure had started,” he recalled.

He added, “The competitors were really nice and friendly and we got along well with most of them. I really had so much fun meeting new people. To be with them in the TV show made it, of course, a little competitive, but we’re friends all the way and that was the most important thing for me — making friends and enjoying the show.”

He said that his ju-jitsu training helped him in competing in “BGT”. In ju-jitsu one has to be focused on his goals and one’s acro dance needs rhythm.

Since he is quite good in this type of Japanese martial art, he can easily learn acro dance, too.

The values of discipline and kindness he learned from his parents, Pascal (a Belgian sports buff who works for the city on the sports fields in

Filipino-Belgian martial arts athlete Ian Lodens

Knokke-Heist) and Rebecca (a Filipina who hails from Quezon City).

“My caring and kind-hearted mom came to Belgium as an au-pair years ago, until she met my dad who puts so much time in our sports and helps us pay our trips to competition because we get no support from federation or we hardly find any sponsor. He is strict but he always means it in a good way because deep down he loves us.”

Unfortunately, Ian has never visited the Philippines. The last time his mother visited her homeland was in 1997 when he was not yet born. He is excited to see his mom’s family and relatives so he plans to visit the Philippines early next year, after all the school exams and other commitments.

He is studying in Vives Brugge where he is taking up occupational therapy.

“I’ve always wanted to be an example for others, to help people with their lives and give opportunity to people who didn’t have the chance before.

I want to give hope to people who are suffering from bad injuries or physical disorders and

Kris Aquino and Cristy Fermin

ended up exchanging the diamond for two expensive watches she really liked, and just added a little money to make the amount.

The next hot topic was whether she would run in the 2019 Senatorial elections, to which her statement was, “Hindi po ako pwede mag-senado because sinabi ng mom ko sa akin, ‘Krissy, you don’t belong (there). Sabi ko, ‘Why?’ ‘Because you’re used to being the star. You cannot share the stage with 23 others’.”

Kris added her mom, former president Cory Aquino, also told her at that time when the latter was battling cancer, “If you will ever decide to go into politics, that will be when you are no longer interested in branded things.”

The candid celebrity said the idea is hard to grasp at this point in her life because she is still a huge fan of branded fashion.

She further explained she also has expensive contracts she will be unable to pay off, since it’s in the clause that she cannot run for government.

Screengrabbed from Youtube.com

All the same, Kris already has a political platform ready, saying, “If ever the time does come (I run for public office), you will know what you’re getting. Ito lang ang plataporma ko if ever ‘Nay because I’ve been honest in paying my taxes, so why will I ever steal from you? I’ve been creating jobs so I am sure to create more jobs. I’m a mother so I’ll make sure that health care, health care—not just PhilHealth, but universal healthcare—will be covered 100 percent, most especially for senior citizens.”

Meanwhile, the catch up between Kris and Nanay Cristy during radio breaks was like watching a talk show with never ending showbiz history.

Back on air, ‘Nay Cristy talked about a painting President Cory gave her before, adding that if Kris’ mom were still alive, she would have scratched her head and wondered why they were fighting in the first place.

But happily, everything’s well and good between these two outspoken women of showbiz who promised to keep in touch. (ManilaTimes.net)

Martin Nievera is back on late...

Meanwhile, Ces Oreña-Drilon, content acquisition head of the ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem, said viewers can expect top-tier lifestyle content with a Filipino perspective, especially for the male market.

“Many of the existing lifestyle content is very Western.

We have our foreign shows, but we also want to bring that Filipino flavor, especially with regards to the high-end arts, culture, and motoring scenes

that are flourishing in the country,” the former news anchor explained.

Besides Nievera and Calzado’s shows, the local line-up includes ANC originals “Executive Class,” “Asian Air Safari,” “Rev” and “Show Me the Market.” Foreign programs “The Wine Show” and “Booze Traveler” meanwhile offer wine and spirits lovers a look at the wines and spirits around the world.

5 Reasons PizzaRev is a good idea for this Father’s Day, and any day!

FATHER’S Day is just around the corner and as always, families all around — especially Filipino — will be celebrating it with a lot of good food. While many may be bringing out the grills for some Father’s Day celebration, why not let someone else do the cooking this year with an upgraded but classic pizza party?

Pizza has long been the center of many family gatherings all over the world. It’s a dish that many generations share — from your dad’s to even his dad’s. Almost everyone can recall great memories of breaking off a nice warm slice of pizza topped with delicious tomato sauce and gooey cheese.

A winner of numerous awards including last year’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Pizza by the LA Daily News, PizzaRev knows a thing or two about celebrating life with pizza.

Here are five reasons you and your family should celebrate Father’s Day (and any day) at PizzaRev: 1. Dad can craft his own pizza, and so can the rest of the family — a fun DIY activity!

At PizzaRev, dad and the rest of the family can choose exactly what they want on their own personal pizza which means less time spent on indecisiveness — something dad will definitely appreciate.

While anyone can choose from any of PizzaRev’s tried and

tested topping combinations, what really makes the experience fun is crafting one’s own personal pie!

Creating your own pie is simple. Start off by choosing between their crispy signature thin crust, or their thicker double dough crust. Those sensitive to gluten will be glad to find a gluten-free crust option on their menu as well.

Next, choose your sauce. At PizzaRev, sauce options go beyond just tomato. Choose between five difference sauces of organic tomato, spicy organic tomato, alfredo, sweet and bold BBQ, or plain olive oil to serve as the base to your toppings.

Now comes the part where you, dad, and the rest of the family can show their colors. Whether dad is one to keep it simple with minimal ingredients, or is one to throw almost every topping on, PizzaRev has him covered.

Protein toppings go beyond pepperoni and include spicy pepperoni, Italian sausage, sweet fennel sausage, beef meatballs, smoked ham, crispy bacon, grilled chicken, and anchovies. And of course, there’s vegan sausage for the meat-less eaters.

For veggies, find toppings of mushrooms, red onions, cherry tomatoes, spinach, pineapple, pepperoncinis, fennel seeds, green bell peppers, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, tomatoes, black olives, roasted garlic, cilantro, basil, arugula, and jalapeños!

2. They have dessert… And yes, it’s a pizza!

Sure, a nice warm ovenbaked cookie sounds good. But what about a nice warm oven-baked cookie pizza? At PizzaRev, you can finish off some pizza with even more pizza with their mouth-watering Oreo Pizza which consists of cinnamon, frosting, powdered sugar, caramel, and Oreo cookie crumbles.

3. Drink up!

All the pizza is bound to make you thirsty, so it works perfectly that PizzaRev has your typical soda options plus over 70 Coca-cola sodas. PizzaRev also has a great variety of tap and bottled beer. And if beer isn’t your thing, they also have choices of red and white wines.

Really something for everyone.

4. K-A-R-A-O-K-E Planning on having a big pizza party this Father’s Day weekend? Consider booking PizzaRev for your private get together! Aside from providing the ultimate party food and drinks, PizzaRev also allows guests to book for private events any night of the week except Tuesday. And in true party spirit, party guests can opt in for some fun karaoke!

5. Bring the pizza party home… or anywhere else Maybe you already have plans of celebrating Father’s Day at home, the park, or anywhere else. With PizzaRev, you and your family can have your personal pizzas delivered through their online order option, or through third party delivery services. Go ahead and set up your backyard or line up some movies, and have PizzaRev brought to you!

This Father’s Day, make it a fun one with PizzaRev — a fast-casual concept that

creatively gives a distinctive ‘Craft Your Own’ pizza experience with a wide variety of beverages, beer and wine in an industrial trend setting atmosphere. Make sure to make use of the PizzaRev coupons located at the front of this issue. For bookings, email paisanosinc@gmail.com.

2560 Tuscany Street Suite 101 Corona, CA 92881 951-278-9630 17490 Colima Rd Ste D Rowland Heights, CA 91748 626-854-0006 (Advertising Supplement)

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Derek on his love life, tattoos...

From Page 4 The best advice for me is, although it might make me sound cold — move on. There is so much more to life than a relationship. Isipin mo na lang kung mahal mo yung tao and pipilitin mo na mag-stay with you, and it makes the person depressed then you don’t really love the person. So, if you love the person, hayaan mo siya kung saan siya masaya. If she is happy without me, it is painful, but I got to move on.

How do you deal with a break-up?

When I go through a thing like that, I hit it face on and even if its hurts I got to move on. I am not going to waste time. Okay, so my attention was directed to this person for so many years, it didn’t work out.

It hurts, and now I will direct my attention to something else.

Whether it’s sports, traveling, something that is for me — and then someday things will fall into place for me.

But if you cry about it and put yourself down, drink, eat — when you are over the person you will have to work hard to

prayer that they say before they go to war to protect them in the battles. I have a lot of battles in my life and it is my protection.

I prefer not to talk about the last tattoo I have because I don’t remember getting it. I was drunk when I had it done in Miami.

How’s your love life?

Very good. It is nice that my partner is a workout freak just like me. She frequents Platinum Fitness, my newest business venture, more than me. Sometimes she will come here and work out twice a day since her brother is a personal trainer and they have this vlog on IG on healthy living where they do different types of meals and drinks that one can take for a healthy lifestyle.

What kind of diet do you follow?

I follow a “see food” diet.

Every day is a cheat day. Since I live an active lifestyle I don’t starve myself, which really affects my metabolism. I live an active lifestyle so I eat anything.

This is not an endorsement for people to just go out and eat everything they see. But I know my body and I know my body can burn it.

What is more important, diet or exercise?

Diet. I can maintain my body with the right diet. I said I eat donuts, but if I did not live an active lifestyle that would affect me. I like to compare my metabolism to a flame — if I stoke it little by little it will grow big and the opposite will happen if I dump a big thing on it. Our metabolism is like that, it needs to be given a little food many times a day.

When your metabolism is good you can eat whatever you want. The first 30 minutes after a workout are very important — that is when you should consume your protein so that the nutrition goes into your body. The worst is to work out and then starve because you will only get weak and starve your muscles.

Having said that, one can lose weight if they go on a proper nutrition diet, but the results are so much better if it is Derek’s back tattoo, which he got after winning a big tournament, says, “What can’t kill me makes me stronger.”

Philstar.com photo combined with exercise. get yourself back in shape. So, it is better to stay fit, cry about it, but don’t let it affect who you are and your day-to-day life because that will really drag you down. And, not only you, but it will drag others who care about you down, too.

How many tattoos do you have?

I have six.

Does each of them have a meaning?

Yes. One says “Isip, puso, kaluluwa” which makes me complete. I have a special rosary that I carry around and one time I lost the rosary, which I eventually got back. So that I would always have the rosary with me I had a tattoo of the cross on it put under my right ear. On my back, I have the phrase “What can’t kill me makes me stronger” which I had done after I won a big tournament for the Philippines that I trained hard for. I also have a Philippine sun and the English flag, which is a red cross — for my being halfPinoy/half-British.

On my lower back there is a prayer— it is supposed to protect me. It is a Native American

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018

Will Alden be pitted against Coco Martin? by ricky lo Philstar.com

DETERMINED to prove that he can outgrow his glamourboy image and metamorphose into an action star, Alden Richards is leaving no stone unturned in the rigorous training that may be described as “life threatening” for his new GMA show Victor Magtanggol.

In tackling the tough-action role, Alden refuses any double such as when he shot inside a wet market where he slid and rolled in a pile of tiles. Look, Ma, no scratches!

“I’m thankful to direk Dominic (Zapata) for his guidance,” said Alden. “My parkour training prepared me for this kind of action scenes.”

Aside from brand-new Kapuso John Estrada (as Alden’s father or Alden’s nemesis?), also in the cast is Andrea Torres whose kissing scene with Alden has been shot. Will Jasmine Curtis-Smith (another Kapuso transferee from the Kapatid Network) be Alden’s leading lady? Jasmine was a standout in “Imagine You & Me”, Alden

Alden Richards

and Maine Mendoza’s movie filmed in Italy and a Best Supporting Actress awardee for her “non-acting” (read: natural) performance as Jericho Rosales’ ex-girlfriend in “Siargao”.

Victor Magtanggol is a simple man tasked with the extra-ordinary mission that challenges his being a brother and a friend. The series is Alden’s first starrer without Maine with whom he was last seen in the GMA soap “Destined To Be Yours.”

Philstar.com photo

So far, GMA has not yet announced the playdate of Victor Magtanggol. Will it be pitted against Coco Martin’s long-running/top-rating Kapamilya action-adventure series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” (good until October this year…and beyond?)?

Incidentally, Alden also sings the theme song of the series with hip-hop group Ex Battalion who is having its movie debut with manager AiAi delas Alas, courtesy of Viva Films.

John Lloyd Cruz attends hearing for Ellen Adarna

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

ON-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz attended on Monday the preliminary investigation for the cases against his girlfriend Ellen Adarna filed by the parents of the alleged paparazzi she posted months ago on her Instagram account.

Ellen failed to attend once again, but her boyfriend showed up with her counsel at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office to face the child abuse and cybercrime cases filed by Myra and Roel Santos, the parents of the 17-year-old that Ellen called a “paparazzi.”

ABS-CBN showbiz reporter MJ Felipe posted on his Twitter account a video of John Lloyd with Ellen’s legal counsel attending the investigation.

“LOOK: John Lloyd Cruz attends the preliminary investigation hearing of Ellen Adarna’s child abuse & cyber crime case filed here at the Pasig City Office of the Prosecutor. Ellen not here but John Lloyd is accompanied by Ellen’s legal counsel.

The complaining party also here,” MJ captioned his video.

The showbiz reporter added that the hearing only last less than 30 minutes and has been rescheduled on June 25.

“The preliminary investigation hearing today last for less than thirty minutes and has been rescheduled again, two weeks from now June 25 as requested by respondent’s camp,” MJ tweeted.

Last week, Ellen failed to attend the first hearing, leaving the complainants to wait for

Ellen Adarna with John Lloyd Cruz Photo from Instagram/@maria.ellen.adarna

hours. Reports said her father passed away due to cardiac arrest.

Ellen is facing a violation of RA 7610 or Anti-Child Abuse Law and RA 10175 or Anti-Cybercrime Law.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 13, 2018