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J UNE 28-JULY 4, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 36 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

USA

DATELINE Filipina arrested in the US for recruiting OFWs illegally FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

FILIPINA Maria Luisa Estrella Jaidi is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison after she was arrested in the United States for visa fraud and illegally recruiting workers.

Jaidi, who is married to a Moroccan ambassador, is originally from the Philippines but with residence in New York. She was arrested upon the filing of charges over fixing illegal work visas for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and later subjecting these workers to illegal labor.

Ramon Singson Estrella, her brother, is charged with the same offenses, as well, however, he remains at large.

The District Attorney of New York, in a statement released last March, said: “Jaidi, 60, of Bronxville, New York, and Estrella, 55, of Manila, Philippines, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and make materially false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years, and one count of conspiracy to induce aliens to illegally come to, enter, and reside in the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.”

The brother and sister tandem fixed U.S. visas and claimed that the Filipinos they recruited would work as clerks or technicians at the Moroccan consulate in New

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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

‘Duterte can be impeached for not defending Philippine EEZ’

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday, June 27, said that President Rodrigo

Duterte can be impeached for violating the Constitution that mandates him to defend the Philippines’ territory.

In an interview with ABS-CBN

News Channel, he said: “The Constitution states that the president and the military must secure the national territory, and the national territory includes the exclusive

economic zone.”

“To violate that is really a basis for impeachment, he can be impeached,” he added.

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Trump delays ICE raids two weeks unless Congress finds solution by

KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

OVER the weekend, President Donald Trump cancelled the massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids of undocumented immigrants that were scheduled for Sunday, June 23.

Trump’s reversal came hours before the planned raids, which were scheduled in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York City and San Francisco.

The raids were meant to target roughly 2,000 undocumented immigrants who have already been ordered to be deported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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TOKEN FOR THE PRESIDENT. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a token from Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander Brigadier General Jose Niembra during the 122nd PSG anniversary at the PSG Compound on Wednesday, June 26. During the event, he challenged three Western countries to help the Philippines make a stand against China and claim its territories in the disputed South China Sea. Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Manila rises 29 places Vice Pres. Robredo on in ‘Cost of Living’ survey 2022 presidential bid:

PH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION. Consul General Claro S. Cristobal (front, 8th from the left), NYC Commissioner Anne del Castillo (9th from the left) Prof. Ambeth Ocampo (10th from the left), with the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, leaders and members of the Fil-Am community and guests during the Independence Day Reception in New York on Friday, June 21. See story on page 4.

Photo by Boyet Loverita

MANILA — Manila is now the 109th costliest city in the world, making one of the highest ascents worldwide amid the Philippine economy’s robust growth, Mercer’s 2019 “Cost of Living” survey released on Wednesday, June 26, found.

The Philippine capital jumped 29 places in Mercer’s annual report, the fourth sharpest

climb worldwide.

“Manila’s rise in ranking was largely due to a marked increase in foreign investment and a buoyant expatriate market, as well as the movement of other cities,” Mercer said.

With its sky-high rents, Hong Kong remains the world’s costliest city, Mercer reported, adding that

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Anything is possible

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo hinted at the possibility of seeking the presidency in the 2022 national elections, saying that anything is possible.

The vice president, however, clarified that she is not yet preparing for the next presidential race.

“Lahat naman posible. Lahat posible dahil iyon nga, iyong history pinakita na — ako, hindi

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From the Front Page

Vice Pres. Robredo on 2022 presidential...

PAGE 1 ko naman plinano kahit ano, eh.

Tingin ko kasi iyong presidency, ano iyon, destiny (Anything is possible. Anything is possible because history had shown that — I, myself, did not plan anything. I think the presidency is a matter of destiny),” Robredo told reporters in Naga City.

Robredo recalled that her first candidacy for Congress was last minute. She was representative of third district of Camarines Sur from 2013 to 2016.

In October 2012, Robredo said she only had two hours to make a decision on running for the congressional seat after the Liberal Party’s chosen bet then Naga Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado backed out of the race.

Her vice presidential bid in the 2016 elections also had similar circumstances, the vice president said.

“Iyong sa akin, dapat hindi ito paghahanda for 2022. Pero paghahanda sa lahat na dumadating ngayon kasi iyong laban ngayon depende kung papaano mo hinarap iyong mga issues, iyon iyong magshe-shape ng 2022 (For me, this should not be a preparation for 2022. But

Asked if she would run as president in 2022, Vice President Leni Robredo said anything is possible.

Photo from the Office of the Vice President

a preparation for all coming issues as the fight today depends on how you face the issues, that will shape 2022),” Robredo said.

Robredo added that many possible contenders for the presidency would still emerge in the next three years.

“Marahil iyong mga frontrunners ngayon, later on hindi naman sila iyong mga kandidato (Maybe the frontrunners now, later on they will not run),” she said.

The vice president stressed that it is not proper for her to prepare for the 2022 presidential race as she has much work to do in her office,

particularly the anti-poverty program.

Thinking of the presidential race would only be a distraction on her anti-poverty program.

“So dapat iyong iniisip iyong ngayon, papaano makakatulong, papaano pagbubutihin.

Kung after three years na bumuti iyong sitwasyon, bakit hindi? Pero ngayon, useless talaga na paghandaan iyon (So what we should be focusing on now is how to help, how to improve. If after three years the situation gets better, why not? But for now, it is useless to prepare for that),” Robredo said, referring to the presidential race. n

DUTERTE’S CHALLENGE. President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath to the newly-elected senators from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, June 25. With the president is Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Duterte on Tuesday asked newly-elected national and local officials for a unified effort to serve the interest of the Filipino people and improve their living condition following the May 13 midterm elections.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

Duterte can be impeached for...

PAGE 1 According to Article 12, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

The former DFA chief statements came after Duterte said China can fish along the country’s EEZ in the West Philippine Sea. “I don’t think China would do that (to stop fishing in Philippine territory). Why? Because we’re friends,” said the president on Monday, June 24.

A constitutional expert, likewise, shared Del Rosario’s sentiments. Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, said he sees two grounds

for Duterte’s impeachment.

“Either culpable violation (of the Constitution) or betrayal of public trust,” he said during an interview with CNN Philippines’ “Newsroom Ngayon” on Thursday.

Monsod stressed that the Constitution is clear that only Filipinos can enjoy the country’s EEZ, and “is not within (Duterte’s) power to compromise it.”

“That’s violative of the Constitution,” he said.

“He cannot compromise the provision of the Constitution.

He cannot. That’s his duty – to preserve and defend it, and the Constitution says ‘yung ating (our) EEZ is exclusive to Filipinos so how can he compromise on that?” he added.

On Wednesday, Duterte said in a speech that he and Chinese

President Xi Jinping earlier agreed that Beijing will no longer block Filipino fishermen from Scarborough Shoal, if Manila would allow Chinese fishermen to fish in Recto Bank.

“Will you allow the Chinese to fish? Of course. That’s what we talked about before, that’s why we talked. And that was why we were allowed to fish again. It was a mutual agreement. Let’s give and take. You can fish here, and I can fish there,” Duterte said.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, meanwhile, said an impeachment case against Duterte would be a “very good test case” if he indeed violated the Constitution.

“I suggest that they file an impeachment and let’s see if they are right,” he said on Thursday. n

Trump delays ICE raids two weeks...

PAGE 1 “At the request of Democrats, I have delayed the illegal immigration removal process (Deportation) for two weeks to see if Democrats and Republicans can get together and work out a solution to the Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border. If not, Deportations start!” the president tweeted on Saturday, June 22.

Democrats have been urging the White House to cancel or delay the raids since the Trump administration began considering deporting migrant families last month. Mayors, governors and other public officials have been calling on the Trump Administration to halt the raids, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) who made a last-ditch effort on Saturday to get the president to reverse the order.

“Tomorrow is Sunday, and

as many people of faith attend religious services, the President has ordered heartless raids,” Pelosi wrote on Saturday. “It is my hope that before Sunday, leaders of the faithbased community and other organizations that respect the dignity and worth of people will call upon the President to stop this brutal action that will tear families apart and inject terror into our communities.”

Pelosi also denounced the president’s original order for mass deportations for lacking “distinction between a status violation and committing a serious crime.”

Trump said that he’ll delay the raids for two weeks or until Congress compromises on a solution for the U.S. asylum claims program at the border.

On the chances that Congress could arrive at a consensus, Trump said, “[It] probably

won’t happen but worth a try.

Two weeks and big Deportation begins!”

Many of the cities listed that are so-called “sanctuary cities” like Los Angeles have denounced the raids and offered support to at-risk families.

“No Angeleno should ever have to fear being snatched from their home or separated from their loved ones — we are doing everything we can to provide immigrant families with info and support,” LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

In a separate statement, the LA Police Department said it would not participate or help enforce ICE’s deportation efforts or inquiries.

Those who have deportation orders or are at-risk of being detained by federal immigration officials are encouraged to seek legal advice on how to move forward. n

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Consulate General, Fil-Am community celebrate Lawsuit alleges Utah hotel exploited Filipino interns AJP 121 years of proclamation of PH independence by

THE Philippine Consulate General in New York, together with the Filipino-American Community in the U.S. Northeastern seaboard, celebrated the 121 years of Proclamation of Philippine Independence during the Independence Day Reception held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 20 June 2019 with the theme “Kalayaan 2019: Courage of the Nation, Compassion for the People.”

In his remarks, Consul General Claro S. Cristobal stated that we should commemorate the auspicious date of our Philippine Independence as a reminder that “our freedom was bought with blood, andremind ourselves that wemust ever be vigilant and willing to sacrifice,so we and those coming after us shall remain free and be holding in our own hands our destiny.”

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate read the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, followed by Consul Arman R. Talbo, who in turn read the message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. Musical entertainment during the celebration was provided by Filipino couple Ruth and CydTumpalan. Ruth, a violinist, is the former assistant concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, who recently won 1st place in the American Protege International Competition. On the other hand, Cyd, a percussionist, who was the lead

A LAWSUIT was filed on Tuesday, June 25, accusing the luxury Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah of using interns from the Philippines to do menial jobs for long hours with minimal pay.

R e p re s e n t e d b y A s i a n Americans Advancing Justice and other organizations, the four plaintiffs — namely, Jann Descanzo, Veronica Bondoc, Glen Segundino and Marianne Ponio — filed the lawsuit that says the Grand The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate led by Consul General Cristobal America Hotel misused a type of visa similar to an internship (front center) before the start of the reception. program intended for training and cultural immersion and instead treated them like normal workers to avoid travel costs and other fees.

The four interns were brought in on a J-1 Visa, a program intended to provide opportunities for foreign visitors to experience U.S. society and culture.

The lawsuit also said that each participant at the Grand America paid more than $3,000 each to become Guests listen to the rendition of Bahay Kubo by Ruth and Cyd Tumpalan Photos by Boyet Loverita

percussionist for the Hong Kong Disneyland Marching Band. Both Cyd and Ruth were selected to represent the Philippines in the Asian Youth Orchestra where they did a concert tour of Asia.

Philippine culinary delights from Filipino restaurants were served during the receptionattended by Fil-Am leaders,

community members, and guests. These include chicken sisig from Apollo Restaurant; ukoy from Tropical Hut; lechon from Philippine Bread House; chicken inasal skewers from Ugly Kitchen; crab pinangat from Asin, turon from Victory Chicken restaurant; and mouthwatering Filipino desserts from Mountain Province Cafe. n

Manila rises 29 places in ‘Cost of...

PAGE 1 eight of the world’s top 10 most expensive cities are in Asia.

Other cities that took the top spots are Tokyo (2), Singapore (3), Seoul (4), Zurich (5), Shanghai (6), Ashgabat (7), Beijing (8), New York City (9) and Shenzhen (10).

Ashgabat in Turkmenistan saw the biggest rise in rankings, jumping 36 places from 43rd in 2018 “as a result of the

country’s shortage of currency and imported goods driving up prices.”

“Despite the relatively high cost of living, many organizations still see a strong business rationale for moving talent into and within the region,” said Mario Ferraro, Mercer’s global mobility practice leader for Asia, Middle East and Africa.

“At the same time, cost

considerations are still an issue, and we are seeing an increased focus on having a clear business case for the assignment, as well as measuring the return on investment,” Ferraro added.

Mercer said its data for cost of living and rental accommodation cost comparisons are derived from a survey conducted in March 2019. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar.com)

Filipina arrested in the US for recruiting...

PAGE 1 York.

The OFWs, however, ended up as drivers, helpers, farmhands and assistants in their house and property in New York.

“The fraudulent employment contracts also overstated the Domestic

ress

Workers’ salaries, understated their hours, and falsely guaranteed benefits, including, among others, sick leave, dental insurance, and medical insurance,” the District Attorney of New York noted.

The OFWs were denied workers benefits and were

subjected to certain abuses like working seven days a week by Jaidi and her former husband – who was not named in the press statement. The workers were also required to surrender their passports, according to the District Attorney of New York. (AJPress)

interns as well as their own travel costs.

“Defendants did not provide [the participant] the internship experience he was promised. Rather, Defendants employed [them] at the Grand America Hotel as nothing more than a lowwage worker Defendants needed to operate the hotel,” the lawsuit stated.

The J-1 Visa has a set guideline that says state participants “must not be used as substitutes for ordinary employment or work purposes; nor may they be used under any circumstances to displace American workers.”

The lawsuit, however, claimed that the Filipino interns were forced to work up to 60 hours a week and do less desirable jobs than other employees.

It also alleged that the supervisors called them “slow” and “lazy,” as well as threatened with deportation when they complained about the hotel not following the internship plan.

“The hotel threatened

plaintiffs with deportation if they did not do the work they were ordered to perform,” the lawsuit stated.

The Filipino interns were reportedly promised the opportunity to visit go to a Dickens Christmas festival, a winter solstice festival, the zoo, and a dance festival as cultural experiences, but none of those things happened.

Attorneys are seeking to make it a class-action lawsuit, believing that around 100 workers endured the same treatment.

They also referred to a 2011 Homeland Security investigation into the Grand America Hotel that found the hotel employing 133 workers without proper documentation to work in the United States.

“Stymied in their attempts to use undocumented labor, defendants turned to nonimmigrant visa programs, including the J-1 visa internship program, to import cheap foreign labor to operate the hotel,” the lawsuit said. n

foreign NGOs in the Philippines would now have to be cleared with the agency.

Failure to do so could cost the organizations their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he said.

Locsin’s announcement came amid the Duterte administration’s claims that assistance from some NGOs is being diverted to communist rebels.

Last March, the European Union said it would investigate the claims that the regional bloc’s aid funds were being funneled to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, through their alleged front groups.

The Philippine government formally requested the probe in March but had also raised the issue in January.

Viva Salud and Solidagro— the Belgian NGOs accused by the Philippine government of “indirectly and unwittingly” partnering with the supposed communist front groups—stressed they have mechanisms to monitor fund use.

Maltese have highest confidence in charities, NGOs

Malta topped the list with 79% reporting they express trust in these organizations.

R w a n d a ra n k e d s e c o n d (76%), while Iceland (75%) and Mauritius (75%) tied at third place.

The Philippines and Uzbekistan were followed by New Zealand (70%), United Arab Emirates (70%), Kosovo (70%) and Sierra Leone (69%).

Bulgaria (24%), meanwhile, topped the list of countries with the least people reporting confidence.

It was followed by Greece (25%), Colombia (28%), Peru (29%), Russia (29%) and Laos (29%).

The other countries included on the list of least confident countries were South Korea (31%), Germany (31%), Ecuador (32%) and Dominican Republic (32%).

“People living in lowincome countries express slightly more confidence (57%) in such organizations than both the global average and those living in high-income countries,” the study noted.

More than 144,000 people across 140 countries were surveyed for the study. n

PH among countries with most confidence in charities, NGOs — Gallup report

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

FILIPINOS have high confidence in charities and nongovernmental organizations, according to a Gallup survey that found a slim majority of the world’s adults expressing trust in these institutions.

The findings of Gallup and Wellcome showed that 52% of adults worldwide expressed confidence in charitable organizations and NGOs operating within their country’s borders, while 32% said they do not have confidence in such organizations.

The Philippines placed fourth on the list of countries with the highest confidence in charities and NGOs, sharing the spot with Uzbekistan.

Seventy-four percent of Filipino respondents said they have confidence in charitable organizations and NGOs, while 25% answered they do not have confidence in such institutions.

D o n a t i o n s t o f o re i g n NGOs should be cleared with DFA Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said donations to

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2019

OPINION

FEATURES

No Progress THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been calling for restraint and peaceful resolution of maritime regional conflicts for ages. ASEAN should do more to actually see restraint in aggressive activities to stake maritime claims in disputed waters.

ASEAN has had a regional agreement in place with China since 2002 on maintaining the status quo in the South China Sea. Probably because that deal is legally non-binding, however, it did not stop Beijing from constructing and fortifying artificial islands on seven reefs in disputed waters.

The areas, now with missile defense systems, include Panganiban or Mischief Reef off Palawan in the West Philippine Sea, over which the Philippines has been awarded sovereign rights by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

In the latest ASEAN leaders’ summit in the Thai capital Bangkok, the regional bloc has again called for self-restraint and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. The statement was issued amid the latest incident in regional waters: the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat after it was hit by a Chinese vessel on June 9 near Recto or

Editorial

Reed Bank, one of three areas over which the Philippines was awarded sovereign rights by the arbitral court. Beijing had refused to participate in the

arbitration.

At the same time, ASEAN again renewed its commitment to work with Beijing on a non-aggression Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to prevent serious armed encounters in disputed waters. These talks have been going for an eternity, with no agreement so far even on its area of coverage.

For the past decades, thanks in large part to ASEAN, Southeast Asia has been one of the most peaceful regions in the world, despite the diverse political systems and cultures of the grouping’s member states. Progress has been slow in certain areas such as economic integration, but the initiative is moving along.

Where the grouping has made no progress is in supporting its members in maritime disputes.

In this issue, which is critical for sustaining the peaceful environment needed for regional prosperity, ASEAN needs to speak with a clearer, louder voice. (Philstar.com)

Philstar.com photo

Possibilities for peace-making in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula

Demand and Supply

PeaceMaker

BOO CHANCO

In the case of the inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korean conflicts, the South Koreans led by President Moon Jae-in and North Koreans led by Kim Jong-un, grandson of North FORMER SPEAKER Korea’s founder Kim Il-sung, JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. left to themselves, could move more expeditiously to a difficult THERE are two most difficult, but not impossible geopolitical complex, but not impossible settlement, which could peropportunities for peace-making haps include the following: in the Korean Peninsula and in • North Korean and South the Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict Korean troops withdrawal from on both sides of the Persian the areas of tension in the 38thGulf — or Arab Gulf to the Ar- Parallel and leave the Panmunabs — in the Middle East. jom area as a genuine neutral

5

zone bereft of armed troops from both sides and could even be a credible, mutually designated site to host peace and unification parleys, with permanent conference and support facilities.

• The American troops below the 38th Parallel and around Seoul could consider eventually disengaging from the South upon the establishment of a confirmed durable peace with the North, the foreseeable establishment of two divided but peaceful trading Korean states, PAGE 8

Sad reactions

THE initial reactions of Foreign Secretary Teddyboy Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana were correct. The facts were not all in yet, but both Cabinet members were ready to give our fishermen the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi joined the fray and started

casting doubts on the story of our fishermen. It seems Piñol and Cusi were trying very hard to appease China.

President Duterte himself was quiet for a while, but eventually tipped the discussions to give the Chinese the benefit of the doubt. He talked about not having the means to go to war against China, but no one is talking about going to war anyway. Just come out in defense of our defenseless fishermen.

I do not understand why the administration is always so worried about displeasing China. I have covered the dip-

lomatic beat and in the course of my career, participated in preparations for diplomatic meetings. There are always things like public postures and backroom agreements.

Mr. Duterte and his minions could have come out strongly in support of our fishermen.

At the same time, our ambassador in Beijing should have been in touch with the Foreign Ministry to explain why the President must make a strong stand, but assuring the Chinese government that official ties are not involved.

The Chinese government PAGE 10

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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marian pilgrimage FRANCE, SPAIN & PORTUGAL

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2019

Dateline PhiliPPines

Filipino millennials have low trust in Agriculture chief resigns, says president ‘doesn’t trust him anymore’ political leaders, journalists, says study

by Ralph

VillanueVa ManilaTimes.net

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol tendered his courtesy resignation because President Rodrigo Duterte “doesn’t trust him anymore,” a former top aide of the Chief Executive said on Thursday, June 27.

Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go told reporters at the sidelines of his oath-taking ceremony in Malacanang of Piñol’s decision as contained in an email to President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday evening.

“With the best interest of the Department of Agriculture and its stakeholders, may I request that I be relieved from my present position as Secretary of Agriculture and reassigned to whichever agency you believe I will be effective, including the Mindanao Development Authority or MinDA,” Pinol said in his letter.

Go said Pinol was “willing to give up his position.”

“Maybe, he heard a lot. And maybe [it is] part of a continuing assessment and evaluation of different departments,” said Go. Go said Duterte has yet to act on Pinol’s resignation.

Contrary to Pinol’s belief, however, Go said Duterte “may still trust him” because “if Pinol will be placed in MinDA,

that means he [the President] still trusts in him.”

He said Pinol suggested three undersecretaries to be his replacement and were tasked to run the office for the next 30 days. They are Undersecretaries Waldo Carpio, Ariel Cayanan and Francisco Villano.

Early this week, a Palace source who was not authorized to talk to media said that Duterte was considering a “minor Cabinet revamp” and that Piñol would be one of its casualties.

The source said that Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd recommended to Duterte to transfer Piñol, who drew flak over his alleged mishandling of the rice shortage last year.

Piñol, who belongs to a family of farmers, was appointed Agriculture secretary in 2016.

Over the last three years, Piñol focused on “marketoriented agriculture and jobs generation.”

Under Piñol’s 10-point agenda, the National Color-Coded Agricultural Guide Map (NCCAG) was developed to assist farmers in identifying crops suitable to a specific piece of agricultural land.

Piñol also worked as a print and broadcast journalist, starting as a local radio station reporter and regional information officer of the National

by annelle

Tayao-JueGo Inquirer.net

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol ManilaTimes.net photo

Grains Authority (now National Food Authority), before transferring to Metro Manila to serve as desk editor of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and “Tempo.”

Piñol was also close-in-writer to then presidential candidate Fidel V. Ramos.

Piñol was elected mayor in his hometown M’lang, North Cotabato as a substitute to his father Bernardo Sr. in 1995. He became the Governor of North Cotabato in 1998.

Piñol finished his doctorate degree in early June on Rural Development at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato, with a dissertation on “Easy Access Credit and Its Impact on Agricultural Productivity and Rural Poverty.” n

Pacquiao: Thurman reminds me of Cotto fight

by MaRk

GionGco Inquirer.net

MANNY Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division champion for a reason.

The Filipino legend has fought the finest that boxing has to offer no matter what division he’s in and, more often than not, he’s gotten the best of them.

Pacquiao is slated to meet WBA (Super) welterweight champion Keith Thurman in a title unification bout next month in Las Vegas.

Thurman, who is undefeated in 29 fights with 22 knockouts, presents a new challenge for Pacquiao but the hard-hitting American also reminds him of a familiar foe he faced earlier in his career.

“Keith Thurman reminds me of the Cotto fight,” Pacquiao, who holds the WBA (regular)

Manny Pacquiao training with Freddie Roach Photo by Wendell Alinea/Manny Pacquiao Promotions

title, told boxingscene.com, referring to Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao brutally stopped Cotto in the 12th round 10 years ago.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao really has nothing left to prove but the trash-talking

Thurman, who vowed to sent Pacquiao into retirement, has lit the fire under his belly.

“I feel motivated because of what he said. We’ll see how the fight ends. I think it’s going to be exciting but we’ll see what happens in the ring,” Pacquiao said. n

MANILA — Filipino millennials have little trust in political leaders and the media as sources of information and positive social impact, according to a recent study.

Among traditional institutions, political leaders were the most distrusted, with only 16 percent of the young people surveyed regarding them as accurate sources of information. Only 36 percent believed they had a positive impact on society.

A total of 301 millennials in the country were polled by Deloitte Philippines, a professional services company, for its 2019 survey that focuses on a segment of the population born between January 1983 and December 1994. No margin-of-error figures were mentioned in the results.

‘Caught in the crossfire’ The Philippine findings

were part of the company’s 2019 Global Millennial Survey that interviewed 13,416 respondents from 42 countries from Dec. 4, 2018 to Jan. 18, 2019.

The global report noted that the millennials’ distrust of traditional institutions could be influenced by how this generation had been “perpetually caught in the crossfire of social, political and economic commotion.”

“It’s a cause for concern when we see young people reporting that they have little trust for the organizations and institutions they’re supposed to look up to as leaders,” said Eric Landicho, Deloitte Philippines managing partner and CEO. Love-hate relationship Even the media — both traditional and social — didn’t inspire much trust.

Only 22 and 21 percent of the Filipino respondents trusted traditional and so-

cial media, respectively, as sources of reliable information.

But in terms of positive impact on people, social media fared slightly better than the traditional one, 48 percent against 38 percent.

Ironically, an apparent love-hate relationship between the millennials and social media surfaced in the survey, even though their generation grew up with it.

Eighty-one percent said they would be physically healthier, while 73 percent said they believe they would be happier if they would spend less time on social media.

Conflicted attitude These figures are higher than the global average of 64 percent, who said they would be physically healthier, and 60 percent, who said they would be happier.

Fifty-two percent, however, PAGE 10

June 28-July 4, 2019 • neW yORK AnD neW JeRSey ASIAn JOuRnAl

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Possibilities for peace-making in...

Lombard By The Bay is a joint venture development project between Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development Corp. and Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc.

PAGE 5 until at some point both Koreas agree to unite like the two Vietnams or the two Germanys.

• Both sides could in the meantime exchange inter-Korean visits, especially among South Koreans with relatives in the North and North Koreans with relatives in the South, initiate the beginnings of limited North-South talks, and eventually even allow third-country tourists to visit Pyongyang in the North, which could lead to much larger numbers among Southerners and Northerners; • Pending a North-South political settlement, both sides could agree not only on visits by tourists of various nations but by businessmen and traders of both sides and their joint-venture partners from third countries that would lead to an immediate mushrooming of commercial trade in the region. Then both sides could eventually agree on a common railways system from Pusan in the south across the 38th Parallel, all the way to Pyongyang and the North Korean-Chinese border and agree on largescale exchanges of inter-Korean trade. The railway could later cross to Russia and on to Europe.

• Most important, with the increasing volume of inter-Korean trade and rapid exchange of visits, the U.S. and North Korean governments could work on modalities for finally ending the Korean War, and conversion of their troops to police duties.

• Eventual phasing out of the North Korean nuclear weapons and withdrawal of U.S. troops, weaponry, and facilities. This will be the subject of intricate, difficult negotiations and will most likely be long drawn-out and could take several years, but if there is mutual goodwill, this could lead to a final settlement and conclusion.

Obviously, these issues and arguments are easier said than done but if there is sincere, mutual goodwill and give-andtake, a final settlement is definitely possible. *** In the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump is correct in not allowing his militant and pro-war advisers to dictate policy. Instead, he could encourage opportunities for difficult but not impossible geopolitical discussions leading to settlement in the area.

We would perhaps humbly suggest that the worrying fearsome conflict in the Persian Gulf (to the Persians) or Arab Gulf (to the Arabs) could lead to destruction of industrial facilities in cities and towns and

modern infrastructure on both sides of the Gulf built patiently over the years, and indeed at incredible cost from their petroleum riches.

To simplify the basics of the conflict, let us simply state that the Muslim world had been divided since the earliest days of Islam between the Sunnis, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Shiites, led by Iran, in a sense like the Catholics and Protestants of old Europe who had bitter, violent, and bloody wars for centuries.

Perhaps the time has now ome for well-meaning leaders from the UN and respected leaders from other nations and religious groups to encourage and initiate the beginnings of a peaceful inter-religious dialogue among the deeply divided Muslim Shiites and Sunnis, which would lead Iran and Saudi political and military leaders to take note and realize that these suicidal conflicts could devastate their countries with casualties in large numbers and could even involve weapons of mass destruction.

We might suggest that the UN secretary general could perhaps make a quiet visit to the capitals of Tehran and Riyadh, visit the Sunni mosques in Riyadh and the Shiite mosques in Tehran, and strongly propose the advisability and scenario of a SunniShiite conference in Geneva or Paris or New York, initially attended by most capable Sunni-Shiite religious leaders and eventually by their highest political-religious leaders.

This will quickly bring a new dimension and perhaps a sobering effect on the tensionfilled crisis in the Persian-Arab Gulf which in the last few days involved dangerous attacks on ships or oil tankers in the Gulf, assaults on oil pipelines in Saudi Arabia, and violent clashes in Yemen, long a site of largescale clashes, and recently tensions and sporadic flare-ups in Syria and Israel.

We do not see immediate solutions but could appreciate the beginnings of perhaps of a serious, sensible, and peaceful dialogue among the Sunnis and Shiites. *** We wish to thank Deputy Chairman Petr Tolstoy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for their invitation for us to speak at the international forum on “Development of Parliamentarism” to be held in Moscow on July 1-2, 2019. We are reminded of Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest writers of all time not only in Russia but in the world.

The State Duma is Russia’s Lower House or House of Representatives, while its Upper House or Senate is called the Federation Council.

The Moscow parliamentary conference seeks to provide legislative response to global issues, particularly in the areas of peace, security, human development, and climate change and environmental protection.

It will be participated in by lawmakers, scholars, experts, and leaders of civil society around the world.

Regretfully, we told our friend, the able Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev that we would have wanted to participate in such an important and distinguished gathering, having been privileged to spend 23 years of our life as a parliamentarian and for 14 years as speaker five times of the House of Representatives, but could not do so as we had earlier accepted an invitation from Asian and Filipino communities in the U.S. during the same period.

We were also privileged to have led several parliamentary organizations in Asia and the global community.

We co-founded the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), now composed of more than 40 parliaments in Asia, with Sen. Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistan, to create what we envisioned to be the beginnings of a still distant Asian Parliament. We had transferred the APA headquarters from Manila to Tehran to bring APA into an Asia-wide organization, instead of limited to East Asia, and to help bring Iran into the mainstream.

We also served as president of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), forerunner of APA, and twice president of the ASEAN InterParliamentary Organization (AIPO). We also helped transform AIPO into the now AIPA or ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and established an AIPA Secretariat based in Jakarta.

Currently, we serve as cochairman, with former 30-year U.S. Congressman Dan Burton, of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), representing parliamentarians from the various continents around the world.

We are honored to mention these because we believe with persistent and constructive exchanges, parliamentarians play a crucial role in building stable, secure, peaceful, and progressive fraternities in the global community. n

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10

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Health Secretary Duque to DOJ: Investigate me DILG still upbeat on federalism

by John

VeRa CRuz ManilaTimes.net

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday, June 25, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) would have his full cooperation in any investigation that it plans to conduct over his alleged role in a scam involving the state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth).

The scam involved fake dialysis treatments of kidney patients who had already died.

“I have asked the DOJ to include myself in the conduct of a full-blown, unbiased investigation,” Duque said in a statement.

He said he condemns all forms of fraud that threaten the sustainability and integrity

of the Philippine social insurance system.

The Health secretary said he was willing to cooperate with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in any inquiry in order to “right what is wrong.”

“The DOJ has my full support in this top-to-bottom investigation, so that once and for all the concerned individuals are made accountable for their actions,” he said.

Duque added that he was optimistic about the appointment of Ricardo Morales as the new PhilHealth president and chief executive officer, and that the new PhilHealth Board would move to ensure more transparent health insurance services to Filipinos.

“Issues have been made

against me in the media. Let us not get distracted, the issues are not about me… [they are] about corruption and fraud,” he said.

In the statement, Duque warned healthcare providers and PhilHealth officials to not cheat the system or even attempt to, as the landmark legislation Universal Health Care Act is about to be implemented.

The Republic Act 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act,” signed on February 20 this year, automatically provides all Filipinos with healthcare services without causing financial hardship and makes a priority the needs of the public who cannot afford such services. n

Filipino millennials have low trust in political...

PAGE 5 said they would be anxious if they could not check their social media accounts or had to give it up for a day or two.

This is higher than the global average of 44 percent.

Also, 61 percent believed that social media did more harm than good, compared to 55 percent globally.

“You could say that this conflicted attitude toward social media is a reflection of the conflicting impact the platform has on the lives of its users,” Landicho said.

“It allows people to connect more easily with others across geographical and societal divides, but it also exposes users to so many serious risks, such as fraud and cyberbullying.”

Most favorable According to the survey, 90 percent worried about being a victim of online fraud, while 78 percent admitted feeling they had no control over who had access to their personal

data and how it was used.

Thirty-five percent said they would like to completely stop using social media.

Fifty-eight percent saw leaders of nongovernmental organizations as having a positive impact on society.

Only 28 percent, however, agreed that they were reliable sources of information.

Also, 76 percent of Filipino millennials considered businesses as having positive impact, down from 93 percent last year. Worldwide, this view is shared by only 55 percent of those surveyed.

The dip in trust, according to the report, directly affects the spending habits of this “socially and environmentally conscious” demographic.

Forty-four percent of the Filipino respondents said that as consumers, they had ended their relationship with or reduced their patronage of a business entity because its products or services had negative impact on society or

the environment.

Globally, 38 percent said they had the same response to such companies.

“For our part as business leaders, we have the responsibility to understand what is fueling this distrust or wariness, and then to take appropriate steps to mitigate or address it,” Landicho said.

Bleak future As to what they thought of the country’s economic prospects and its social or political landscape, the respondents were not optimistic.

Only 48 percent (down from last year’s 78 percent) said they expected the economy to improve next year, while only 41 percent (down from 68 percent) said they saw a sociopolitical landscape getting rosier in 2020.

Globally, less than 33 percent expected their respective economies and sociopolitical situations to improve in the next few months. n

by Dempsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

DESPITE the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he is no longer inclined to push for federalism, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, June 26, said it was still upbeat about the idea.

According to Jonathan Malaya, DILG undersecretary and spokesman, the remark of the President was “merely acknowledging the dearth of knowledge and understanding” of Filipinos on the proposed shift to a federal government.

“The President was just being realistic. He understands that federalism is a profound change,” Malaya said in a statement.

PAGE 5 would have understood. The last thing they want is for the incident to escalate in a way that puts their loyal ally, Rodrigo Duterte, in a very difficult situation with his own people.

Sure… just words… but in diplomacy those words count…prevent situations from deteriorating into a crisis.

But our own government went on an overdrive to force our fishermen to change their story, despite the corroboration made by the captain of the Vietnamese fishing vessel.

The editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer recounts what happened next: “The most basic response the Philippines could have offered the Vietnamese for their compassionate gesture was a simple ‘Thank you.’ How hard is it for the Duterte administration to do that—to reach out to the Vietnamese government and, through it, to formally thank the Vietnamese seafarers who saved our fishermen from their ordeal?

“Instead, in a bizarre, contemptible turn of events, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol made a big to-do about the Vietnamese being in the area illegally, poaching inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and so whatever thanks they deserved had to be given begrudgingly: ‘Salamat sa mga Vietnamese sa pagtulong pero you are not supposed to be there, but thank God you were there. That was an illeYouth activists protest President Duterte’s decision allowing the burial of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos at Libingan ng mga gal act that was actually proviBayani in this November 2016 file photo. A 2019 survey showed that the majority of Filipino millennials are skeptical of public dential.’ officials having a positive impact on society.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes “What appalling ungra-

“He merely underscored the need for more information dissemination so it will gain greater public support.

But it does not mean that he’s abandoning the advocacy,” he added.

Malaya pointed out that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has committed to assist Duterte “realize his dream of a federal Philippines and will work double time to inform the people of the merits of federalism once the new Congress opens its session next month.”

In a speech on Tuesday, the President, who promised during the 2016 national elections that he would push for federalism, publicly declared for the first time that he was no longer keen to have federalism but still expressed that he was still interested in amending

Sad reactions ciousness, and a most shameful stain on a country that, until lately, prided itself on its friendliness and sense of goodwill toward other nations.” I might add, it makes every right-thinking Filipino feel embarrassed such ingratitude came from a high official.

So the incident elicited reactions that divided the Filipinos along political partisan lines: pro Duterte and anti Duterte. We needed a reaction that was pro Filipino.

It also revealed the sentiments of some people. It was disappointing to find out that the president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Henry Lim Bon Liong considered himself as having two fathers, Philippines and China.

The Chinoy entrepreneur was quoted by journalist Tina Arceo Dumlao as saying he hopes the “unfortunate mishap” will not adversely affect diplomatic relations between China, and the Philippines, which he refers to as his “two fathers”, being Filipino-Chinese.

Mr. Lim is probably Philippine-born and should no longer have divided loyalty between the country of his forefathers and presumably, his own. I have many Chinoy friends and they are militantly pro Filipino on issues involving China.

Perhaps Mr. Lim and the federation he heads can clarify how they stand because when push comes to shove, we expect them to be pushing and shoving for the Philippines.

No one wants a war with

the 1987 Constitution.

Malaya said their studies have shown that more people understand the idea of federalism, adding that the DILG will re-launch its information campaign next month.

With Duterte maintaining his interest in Charter change, Malaya said, the pronouncement of the President can be considered as an “affirmation” that he wants a change in the government system from the “over-centralized system of present.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force formed for the dissemination of information about federalism is completing a review of the 1987 Constitution, as well as the preparation for an “intensified information campaign” for the proposed type of government throughout the country. n

China. But that doesn’t mean we should not forcefully express our feelings in defense of our national interests. Let us take inspiration from the millions of Hong Kong marchers in fighting for their seemingly impossible objective.

The Reed Bank incident revealed we are not a nation, we have no national feelings, no national pride. This can explain why nations like Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea easily overtook us in the economic front.

There is truth in the observations of James Fallows back in 1987 when the EDSA euphoria was still fresh and much could have been done, but we failed.

“Filipinos pride themselves on their lifelong loyalty to family, schoolmates, compadres, members of the same tribe, residents of the same barangay…

“Because the boundaries of decent treatment are limited to the family or tribe, they exclude at least 90 percent of the people in the country.

And because of this fragmentation—this lack of nationalism—people treat each other worse in the Philippines than in any other Asian country I have seen.”

No wonder our officials had no hesitation in throwing our fishermen overboard because their story doesn’t jive with what the administration wants to believe. Neither Cusi nor Piñol felt any obligation towards folks not in their social and political circles.

Duterte, on the other hand, probably just feels obligated to China. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2019

COMMUNITY Journal

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Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight-month delay in filing petition causes extra 12-year wait for daughter Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ I RECENTLY had a consultation where a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confusion and lack of understanding of immigration law resulted in her delaying filing a petition for her minor child for approximately eight months. The child â&#x20AC;&#x153;aged outâ&#x20AC;? and could not qualify for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). The child was then reclassified as an adult, and now it is estimated that her priority date will become current in 2028. Had the mother acted promptly, the child would have been in the U.S. as of 2016.

In her case, the mother got her green card in July 2014 through her U.S. citizen daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s petition. However, she waited an additional eight months, until March 2015, to petition her younger daughter, who would be turning 21 in mid-2016. The reason was she thought she had to have a job and be financially established before she could file a petition. This confusion and misunderstanding caused the problem. She could have filed

the petition for her younger child as soon as she got her green card. As the petitioner, she would later have to submit an affidavit of support, which usually includes demonstrating financial ability to support the beneficiary.

However, if a petitioner is not earning enough, they could always get a co-sponsor on the affidavit of support.

Here, the mother had a U.S. citizen daughter who could have acted as a co-sponsor.

They could have filed the petition right away instead of waiting several months.

Another option would be an employer-sponsored green card through PERM or labor certification, which would take about 2-3 years.

The employer does not need to be a major corporation. It can even be a sole proprietorship if the employer has the ability to pay. In addition, jobs such as caregivers are still available and the waiting time for a caregiverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s green card is about the same as for a college graduate or skilled worker.

The moral of the story is rather than â&#x20AC;&#x153;guessingâ&#x20AC;? about what the best course of action is, or listening to friends or relatives as what they think may be best, people should consult with an attorney about their immigration issues. As

can be seen from the above example, a mother misunderstood legal requirements and delayed filing a petition. Because of that misunderstanding, her younger daughter has to wait at least 12 more years for a visa. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Success Storiesâ&#x20AC;?, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES â&#x2C6;&#x2122; SAN FRANCISCO â&#x2C6;&#x2122; NEW YORK â&#x2C6;&#x2122; PHILIPPINES

THE THIRD BATCH OF KAPAMILYA WHO CAME TO THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;CITIZEN PINOYâ&#x20AC;? TAPING IN ILLINOIS GET THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY! Can a mother still use the same petition she filed for her son back in 1992, even if the son did not pursue the case back then because he got married? What is the fastest way for a mother to bring her two aged-out children to the U.S.? What happens if an applicant diligently completed his Employment-Based Visa Application (EB3), only to find out that his lawyer never filed the case? Get answers to these and more on a brand-new episode of â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Citizen Pinoy,â&#x20AC;? this Sunday at 6:15 p.m.

PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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20th UPAAA Grand Reunion & Convention in San Francisco set on Aug. 30 - Sept. 1

By Joe L. Garbanzos MPH/EMBA

THE University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc (UPAAA) and cohost University of the Philippines Alumni Association San Francisco chapter is set and ready to welcome its fellow alumni, members and attendees at the 20th Grand Reunion and Convention on August 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 1, 2019. The grand reunion will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel San

Francisco Airport, Burlingame, CA. The year-round preparation has been completed. The theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lead, Elevate, Advance and Participateâ&#x20AC;? is a reminder that the spirit of the alma mater is alive and well.

To register, visit www.upaaagrandreunion.com and www. upaainamerica.org. For more information, visit the UPAAA FB page. Register right away to get special rate ending June 30.

Organizers are looking forward to welcoming UP alum-

ni all over the world in San Francisco. San Francisco was chosen from other world-class cities after a deliberate vetting process. It was reported, many who participated in choosing the City, made their choice for sentimental and romantic reasonsâ&#x20AC;Ś they left their heart in San Francisco. They are not alone.

The 2019 reunion was organized in a collaborative effort by UPAAA and UPAA San Francisco Chapter. UP Alumni PAGE 12

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JUNe 28 - JULY 4, 2019 • NeW YORK AND NeW JeRSeY ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (LET me introduce to my readers a bit of a background on the ‘Once Upon A Time’ Series that I am launching in this edition and will be running from time to time.

Stories have a power and influence to touch the heart that a cut and dried essay or a report cannot give. Somehow the lessons and insights we learn from stories have a longer shelf life. They stick.

Along the way, I have met many whose stories seem like the stuff of fiction. A lot of what I write are stories told to me. I view them from my personal lens and filter. I listen quietly, file them away and sort things out. I fictionalize story elements to protect their privacy and like the deft fingers of a tapestry maker, I weave the colorful threads together, conjure a composite character from different, engaging people I have met just to tell a story. Hopefully these series warm and lift the heart just a tad. For as long as we live, we all need a boost daily.

The first of these series is Abigail’s. Abigail is the name of my granddaughter. I used her name for the story of a real live person among us (who shall not be named) whose story is so much more enchanting than fiction only because it’s true. ENJOY!) Abigail thought of her husband who passed away five years ago and her tears fell as though it was just yesterday.

People say that time heals all wounds but hers seems to be a stubborn, festering, open wound.

She remembers the one audacious move she made in her entire life. Abigail still squirms at the thought and smiles at the unbelievable chutzpah it took her to say three words that would change her life in a mysterious way.

Twenty years ago, she came to America as a single person on a tourist visa and overstayed. It was a tough time to be. She was alone in a strange land trying to nurse a broken heart from a guy who just walked away for no apparent reason other than love wasn’t there to hold them together. She was going to deal with the heartache and tune out matters of the heart with tons of work instead.

Although she tried as best

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Once Upon a Time Series 20th UPAAA Grand Reunion & Convention...

Abigail’s Story

“Will you marry me?” she asked him. as she could to find a company sponsor her and work her way to a green card, it just didn’t happen. She heard about paying a citizen to get hitched on a fake marriage until she got her papers – a pure hushedup business transaction. But Abigail wouldn’t live a lie.

Staying true to herself, she would have none of it. If marriage was her route in being allowed to stay in the country, SO BE IT. But it had to be the real thing or none at all.

She would pack her suitcase and leave if it came to that.

She didn’t know how to drive a car and she believed she needed to learn this skill if she were to have a modicum of career success. She picked off numbers of driving instructors from a phone book. She called several until she spoke to one who was the owner and instructor himself. He must have given her a good vibe over the phone.

The instructor picked her up from her apartment for the first lesson. The guy was easy on the eyes and her first driving lesson was pleasant and smooth. She began looking forward to the next lessons.

Mike, her instructor, was tall and quiet. He was from a few generations of a modest, hard-working, immigrant family from Poland. He was always on time, clean-shaven and smelled fresh from the shower each time for her driving lesson. He was polite and kind and — dear heavens – a devout Catholic just like her. Abigail learned he had long been a widower from a short-lived marriage and had no immediate plans to remarry.

Before she was to take her driving schedule for her license, Abigail prayed hard and while choking on her words in pure embarrassment, asked Mike, “Will you marry me?” He was stunned and so was she.

She didn’t know what got into her. She remembered her face felt hot and flushed and wanting to take back her bold words as soon as they were out. As tiny as she felt at the time, she felt like diving into her purse to hide. She gulped several times and told him of her predicament — the whole enchilada. She came clean.

She wasn’t going to deceive Mike of the reason she propositioned him. All her cards were out on the table.

To both their surprise, after the shock had worn off, he accepted and they became a genuine item with the traditional rite of passage — romance, marriage and the delicious daily discovery of one another as a gift. They were childless but the gift of each other was more than enough of a heaven-sent blessing.

Abigail never expected their marriage to turn out the way it did. It wasn’t perfect but they were both quick to overlook things — Mike more than her. That is how good he was. Mike turned out to be the gentle, kind, thoughtful person he was from day one — the type of guy countless women the world over would pray for on their knees.

For her part, she responded in kind. Abigail knew early on that she had won some kind of cosmic lottery because she dared to boldly say three little words. They had a good, wonderful run until one day, Mike didn’t feel right. He had a diagnostic procedure that revealed pancreatic cancer. He was in pain and Abigail ached with him as well through the short, grueling months until the end came.

Abigail didn’t know what hit her. She walked in a daze after the funeral going through the motions like a robot. It has been five years.

Healing would indeed come.

With each memory, Abigail realized that Mike was the one marvelous gift to her from the God of love and mercy. In time, Abigail realized and became thankful at the core of her being that Mike was and will continue to be the gift that keeps her going doing good in every way she could for the rest of her mortal life.

She likes to imagine that one day in God’s perfect timing, Mike will pick her up and drive through the clouds through the pearly gates to heaven where they might be together. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com.

PAGE 11 from the US and other parts have been looking forward to gathering in the City by the Bay. Alumni, families and guests are excited and expected to make the memorable trip to San Francisco. UP System President Danilo Concepcion will lead the delegation from UP Diliman. He will deliver the keynote address at the convention.

UPAAA President Nelsie Parrado is confident of big turn-out and a successful reunion. Sonia Delen, president of UPAA SF is likewise gungho in insuring the event will be a resounding success. The Planning Team led by Kellie Sabas was successful in finding a hotel-property that offered value-rate and great location. The program content and activities are all planned to delight attendees and leave them with pleasurable memories. There will be a combination of fun, celebration, bonding, getting reacquainted, some learning and planning for the future. In short, it will be a stereotype UP event – animated and cerebral at the same time.

Business sponsors invited For business and services, the UPAAA Grand Reunion in San Francisco is an opportunity to reach a demographic of customers who mostly are in the 75th percentile of the income bracket. UP Alums in the US, and other parts of the world, come from diverse and high-achieving professions – lawyers, doctors, nurses, senior executives, academicians, engineers, financial advisers and entrepreneurs to name some. Savvy businesses looking for growth cannot afford to miss the opportunity to be in front of this customer group.

In a competitive world of acquiring new customers, UP Alums are prized customers.

The market profile of this customer group is a dream for marketers. UP alums, friends and families, love brands, loyal to services and products that appeal to their perception of excellence. They have the buying power to support their fine taste. For ventures hunting for investors, this group is a high-value investor class.

It is not a surprise to see big firms and familiar brands lining up to join as event sponsors. To become an event sponsor, vendors and interested parties may reach out to Nelsie Parrado; nparrado@ ft.newyorklife.com.

Alumni and families: Why attend?

The 20th Grand Reunion is well timed. It is Labor Day

weekend in the US. San Francisco is expected to have mild weather at this time of the year. The city offers a lot for visitors. Alumni celebrating their anniversary will be honored and celebrated. There will be quality time to reconnect with long-time-no-see classmates and fellow alums.

Many may have gone separate paths and places but remained connected all these years only by social media. San Francisco will be a perfect place to get reconnected.

UP Alums reflect a demographic trend. Many of UP Alums who left the Philippines and pursued opportunities elsewhere are on top of their chosen field and greying. This is the generation of alums who may have seen the University’s humble beginning, blooming into its golden years and have lively stories to share.

The 2019 grand reunion in San Francisco will be a celebration of lives well-lived and a fun walk-back on memory lane. For the younger alumni generation, this is a good opportunity to network and discover mentors, perhaps. Success is sometimes enhanced by the people you meet along the way. For millennials, the San Francisco reunion may open opportunities to pitch an idea, help career development or just connect with like-minded souls.

UPAAA History The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc. (UPAAA) was organized and founded in New Jersey by the late Dr. Arsenio Talingdan, as its first president, in May 1981. His vision for the alumni association was to unite as one organization the UP alumni chapters in America, with a commonality of goals, foremost of which is to help preserve the University as the national center of academic freedom and excellence.

UPAAA also aims to maintain open lines of communication between the University and the alumni in America, to include advancing the intellectual, cultural and economic pursuits of UP alumni.

Over the 38 years of its founding, UPAAA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the U.S., has a long list of accomplishments, including a Scholarship Fund, Professorial Chairs, recognition and granting of awards to alumni in the US who excel in their profession and field of expertise.

Past UPAAA presidents and their administrations have laid the seed and foundation for what UPAAA, Inc. is today.

A long-held tradition since

1981 is the holding of a reunion. In the early nineties, the reunion became a biennial event, during which distinguished alumni are honored and alumni celebrating their jubilee years are recognized.

The 19th Grand Reunion and Convention was held in Iselin, New Jersey in October 2017, with the 21st UP President, Danilo Concepcion, as the keynote speaker. His speech, “The State of the University of the Philippines”, was an eye–opener to the US-based alumni, describing the myriad problems confronting the university.

Leadership & Achievements The current UPAAA Board of Directors has launched projects beginning in 2017, to fulfill its mission and goals as an alumni association, supporting the University of the Philippines maintain its tradition of excellence. In 2018, UPAAA established its Stipend Scholarship Program open to seven (7) constituent universities.

Working with the College of Human Kinetics, UPAAA has started a program to alleviate Food Insecurity among athletes in UP Diliman. A monetary donation was given to Ilang-ilang Residence Hall to improve the inner courtyard of the dorm, under the Adopt-aDorm project.

In 2018, Ms. Rosalia V. Ordonez, a UP Nursing alumna, donated $5,000 to UPAAA for the College of Sciences and Mathematics in UP Mindanao for a much-needed renovation of its Food Processing Laboratory. UPAAA has also given monetary support to student-led community outreach projects in UP Mindanao and UP Visayas, to foster studentalumni relations and make students appreciate the importance of giving back to the University.

Honor and Excellence The future is not easy to predict. UPAAA has evolved all these years. With steady leadership, Nelsie Parrado has steered the organization, making it collaborative, goaloriented and a relevant organization to its members and stakeholders. The reunion theme “Lead, Elevate, Advance and Participate” reminds alumni and those who have passed through the pillars of the University of Philippines of tradition and responsibility…

Honor and Excellence. For these special people, whatever you do, wherever you are, you can’t help but admit that the UP experience has helped shaped you. See you all in San Francisco.

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Baron recalls painful battle with Bb. Pilipinas queens reunite for ‘Pride Month’ depression, drug use, alcoholism By armin p. adina

By Cody Cepeda

Inquirer.net

Inquirer.net

THEY have not been seen together since their coronation as Binibining Pilipinas queens weeks ago, but the 2019 set of winners reunited, all six queens and two runners-up, for the pageant’s celebration of LGBTQ+ pride.

The last time the 2019 Bb. Pilipinas winners and runners-up were seen complete as a group was at the pageant’s stage during the contest’s conclusion. But the eight queens all showed up at an intimate media gathering at the Black Scoop Café at the Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center in Quezon City on Wednesday, June 26.

In their previous public appearances, one or two queens were missing because of prior engagements.

Wednesday’s event also saw the first official public appearance of second runnerup Samantha Mae Bernardo after the coronation night.

BARON Geisler did not hold back when it came to answering questions about his battle with depression, drug use and alcoholism in the past.

Geisler was the first actor in the cast of ABS-CBN drama series “Tabing Ilog” to be given a television series of his own — an opportunity that many people would not throw away. At the time, however, Geisler treated work as just a hobby and would bring his drinking habits to the set as if it were a party.

“Ano lang po, parang party, kasi syempre nanggaling naman kami sa okay na pamilya, well-to-do naman, so nung nagtatrabaho ako, pakiramdam ko na hindi siya trabaho, para siyang hobby lang (I guess it was just a party to me because, of course, I came from an okay, well-to-do family, so when I was working, it did not feel like work to me, like

EMPLOYMENT

The ‘PRIDEstrian’ lane at the Araneta Center serves as a runway for (from left) second runner-up Samantha Bernardo, first runner-up Aya Abesamis, Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Patricia Magtanong, Bb. Supranational Resham Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo. Photo by Armin P. Adina

The pageant called a press conference for the ladies to discuss with members of the media their thoughts on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights and welfare, in line with the celebration of “Pride Month” this June.

Joining Bernardo were Miss Universe Philippines

Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Patricia Magtanong, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista, and first PAGE 15

FOR RENT

Baron Geisler

Philstar.com photo

it was just a hobby),” Geisler shared on “Magandang Buhay” on Tuesday, June 25.

“So hindi ko siya sineryoso at eventually hindi rin ako sineryoso hanggang sa nawala lahat and yun yung pinakamalungkot dun (I did not take it seriously, eventually they did not take me seriously until I lost everything and that’s the saddest part about that),” he added.

SERVICES

Host Karla Estrada noted that Geisler became depressed in 2002 when he was 20 years old. “Ano ‘tong mga nagpadepress sa’yo?” asked Estrada.

As per Geisler, his father, Donald, passed away that year and he could not handle the situation because he had no God. “Ang panginoon ko noong mga time na yun yung magulang ko, para sa akin yun yung mind-set ko, so wala akong ibang tinitingnan,” he said. “And then noong nawala si Dad, gusto ko siyang samahan sa libingan noong mga time na yun. I almost took my life (My god during that time was my parents, for me that was my mind-set, so I was not looking at anything else. And then when my dad died, I wanted to go with him to the grave, I almost took my life).”

Geisler never lost his love for acting during those turbulent times, adding he was still finding his identity.

“I had no one to turn to,” PAGE 15

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people events arts culture entertainment

Fil-Am model Geena Rocero rewrites Playboy’s history as its first transgender API Playmate

F

BY

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS

IVE years ago, Filipina American model Geena Rocero made a very public confession and came out of her closet in a TED Talk in Vancouver.

“The world makes you something that you’re not — but you know inside what you are,” she proclaimed.

She pointed at a picture of a boy dressed in a traditional Filipino folk dance garb and said that the boy was actually her. In less than 10 minutes, Rocero shared her journey from a pageant contestant in Manila during her teens, moving to the United States in 2005 and getting surgery in Thailand at the age of 19.

T h i s week, Rocero officially became the first transgender Asian Americ a n a n d Pa-

cific Islander (AAPI) Playboy Playmate, appearing as the centerfold of the magazine’s Gender & Sexuality issue.

“I am incredibly honored and excited, it is history making. I remember growing up in the Philippines seeing Caroline (Tula) Cossey on Playboy in the 1990s and thinking that I wanted to be like her when I grew up,” she said during the ‘Behind the Lens’ press brunch at the Playboy Playhouse on Thursday, June 20 in New York. “Here I am now, I am a part of the Playboy family. I’m on cloud nine right now.”

Cossey posed for Playboy in 1991 for a solo pictorial and became the magazine’s first transgender women model.

“It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. To be a part of the family, to be as-

Photo from Instagram/@geenarocero

sociated with such an iconic and progressive brand is such a big honor for me,” Rocero said.

She added, “As the first trans Asian Pacific Islander Playmate, I feel that I’m making it possible for someone to reach for their biggest dreams just like the people who came before me. I also hope that for anyone who’s been deemed ‘other’ to know that what makes you different, is your power, especially the unapologetic expression of your sexuality, gender and the value of your unique perspective.”

Incredibly confident with her own skin, Rocero upped her Pilates training and practice and worked out whenever her schedule permitted because she knew she’d be working with highly qualified photographers and an incredible group of people from Playboy.

T h e shoot

Geena Rocero moderates a panel of Playboy photographers and their experiences working with the magazine.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

happened in Costa Rica last April where the Playboy team and Rocero spent four days “playing around on the beach barely wearing anything.”

Last week, the magazine’s official Instagram account (@Playboy), with 7.4 million followers, introduced Geena as an August 2019 Playmate and the post has generated almost 59,000 likes and about 250 comments.

“It was just about feeling myself, feeling confident, sensual and loved and I could not have asked for a better place to shoot,” she said. “The beautiful beach reminded me of the Philippines, this one is by the forest which spills onto the beach, which was very lush.”

The Playboy team welcomed, confirmed and celebrated her, something that Rocero said she will cherish for the rest of her life.

In the Gender & Sexuality issue, Rocero wrote about her “strict Catholic upbringing in the Philippines” and being inspired by seeing transgender beauty pageants on national television.

“We spoke English in the Philippines, but when I moved to the United States at 17 and started hanging out with other teenagers, it was a totally different culture,” she explained.

She also shared her hidden talent of making “swimsuits out of natural materials, whether it’s leaves or fruits” and her love of cooking Filipino and Italian food. “Of course, I can make a mean chicken adobo with my eyes closed,” she said.

Rocero is shining a light on trans women and she is just thankful that the offer to do this fell on her lap like manna from heaven.

“If feminism doesn’t include the journey and spec-

Fil-Am model and transgender advocate Geena Rocero poses at the “Behind the Lens” event at the Playboy Playhouse on Thursday, June 20 in New York City.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

trum of trans womanhood, I don’t want to be part of it. I’m an advocate for transfeminism!” she wrote.

She plans to use this new platform to be more visible and continue fighting for trans rights. Since her viral TED talk in 2014, she cofounded Gender Proud, a media production company that tells stories about the global transgender community.

“Trans people are human beings who deserve respect, they need to be affirmed and celebrated. It is so important to talk about these issues, especially since we are celebrating 50 years of Stonewall Pride,” she told the audience at the talk on Thursday. “It is a great reminder about where we have been and the absolute certainty why we still have so much to do, especially for my trans sisters, particularly the African American, my black trans sisters who are being killed in epic proportions.”

This month alone, five trans

women of color have been reported killed, bringing the number to 10 this year.

“Let’s look at those figures and remind ourselves why we need to be more vocal about this and there should be more media reports about it and it affects everybody, their families and their communities,” she added.

Looking at the print copy of Playboy with her photos for the first time was quite a surreal experience for Rocero. Even with the magazine in her hand, there was a moment where she could not believe her eyes.

“I have to speak about Caroline Tula Cossey because that was so critical for me. What a full circle moment, I was this young trans girl living in Manila and dreaming of one day becoming a model like Caroline and to now, be the one hopefully giving that inspiration to young trans girls, not just in the Philippines but PAGE 15

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2019

15

Cherry Pie on her mother’s Maine, Carlo to star in new movie killer: ‘I forgive him’

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

CHERRY Pie Picache expressed that she has forgiven Michael Flores, the man who stabbed her mother Zenaida Sison to death in September 2014.

Picache opened up about the process of forgiving Flores in an episode of “Tonight with Boy Abunda” which aired last Wednesday, June 26.

Flores was found guilty of robbery with homicide, and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 40 years by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in December 2015.

“God really took over, it’s really by his grace that I was able to do it,” the actress said about being able to forgive.

“While I was walking, when I was about to see him, hindi pa ako desidido…

I mean… desidido ako pero ang pinagdadasal ko, ‘Sana magawa ko,’” she explained.

“I was really praying, ‘Please take over. (I was not fully decided [at first] if I can forgive him. I was willing to forgive him but I was praying [to God], “I hope I can do it).’”

“Hindi ako makapaniwala na… kasi dinalhan ko pa siya ng pasalubong pa.

Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ko na mabibigyan ko pa ng tinapay ‘yung taong pumatay sa mommy ko (I could not believe it, because I even brought him something. I said, ‘I could

Cherry Pie Picache

not believe that I can actually give bread to the person who killed my mother).’”

“Buong puso ko siyang pinapatawad. Now I should continue visiting him para yung reformation, para marestore both yung healing namin magtuloy-tuloy, kasi hindi lang naman doon tumitigil (I forgive him wholeheartedly. Now I should continue visiting him [in prison, for] his reformation, for both our healing to continue, because it does not end there).”

The actress also spoke about the lessons she learned from her mother’s death.

“Actually, mas mahirap sa kanila kasi ngayon na nasa katinuan na sila ng pag-iisip,

Photo from Instagram/@yescppicache

ngayon that they are restored to their basic goodness and sanity, and kahit sila mismo, gusto nilang kalimutan na may nagawa silang ganoon (It is actually more difficult for [the convicted], since he has been restored to his sanity, now that they are restored to their basic goodness and sanity, they themselves want to forget that they did such a thing),” explained Picache.

According to Picache, Flores has apologized to her. “Radical Love”, a documentary which touches on the death of her mother and her journey to forgiveness, will be aired by ABS-CBN on Sunday, July 7. (Hannah Mallorca/Inquirer.net)

Baron recalls painful battle...

PAGE 13 he said. “I wasn’t praying, I wasn’t meditating and I was just a lost boy.”

He also revealed he had been in and out of many rehabilitation institutions, a fact not many people know.

This was during the time he used drugs heavily and deceived many people.

“Hindi alam ng tao ‘to, ilang beses na’ko napasok sa kung saan-saang institusyon.

Nag drugs ako nang todo, hindi alam ng karamihan to, at nagsinungaling ako…,” he said. “Andami kong dineceive kasi in-denial nga ako sa problema ko, sa disease ko. I was really struggling and I wasn’t asking for help because I thought it was manageable, I thought I could handle it… (People do not know this, but I’ve en-

tered all sorts of institutions many times in the past. I used drugs heavily, most people do not know this, and I lied.

I deceived so many people because I was in denial of my problem, of my disease).”

The turning point, it seems, was during his last meeting with his mother, Gracia, before she died in 2017. At the time, Geisler was about to go to a five-day rehabilitation program in Tagaytay and was saying goodbye to his mother.

“Sabi ko, ‘ma, alis ako (ma, I’m leaving), I’m a good boy, ma. I’ll see you in five days, I love you,’” he recalled telling his mother.

What happened next, he said, was a moment one would think they would only see in the movies.

“Totoo pala yung sa peli-

kula, yung may gusto siyang sabihin sa akin, and then sabi ko, ‘Yes ma, yes ma?’ Hindi ko alam hanggang ngayon kung anong gusto niyang sabihin,” he said. “So binigyan ko na lang ng meaning (It was just like in the movies.

She wanted to say something to me and I said, “Yes ma, yes ma?” Until now I still do not know what she wanted to say. So I just gave it my own meaning).”

“Before I die, siguro…,” said Geisler. “I don’t want to put words sa mouth niya, pero siguro parang, ‘Please take care of yourself, because I’m not here anymore (Before I die, I guess… I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but I guess [she meant to say], “Please take care of yourself, because I’m not here anymore).’”

ACTRESS Maine Mendoza is the latest GMA-7 artist to crossover to rival ABS-CBN to do a movie with Kamilya actor Carlo Aquino.

In its Twitter account, Black Sheep, a film subsidiary of the Kapamilya network, announced that Maine will be paired with Carlo in the upcoming movie “Isa Pa With Feelings.”

“Welcome to the Black Sheep fam, @mainedcm! #IsaPaWithFeelings, comin’ at ya soon #CarloMaineBlac kSheep,” Black Sheep wrote on Twitter.

The story conference was held on Thursday, June 27, as the movie will be directed

by Prime Cruz.

According to the director, “Isa Pa With Feelings” is about two broken people who will meet each other.

For the movie, Black Sheep will collaborate with APT Entertainment, producer of GMA-7’s noontime show “Eat Bulaga!,” where Maine is a host.

Maine Mendoza and Carlo Aquino

Photo from Instagram/@black_sheepph

Other GMA artists who also did a movie with ABSCBN included Dingdong Dantes with “She’s The One,” “One More Try,” “Unmarried Wife,” and “Seven Sundays”; Jennylyn Mercado with “Just The 3 Of Us” and Maine’s AlDub partner Alden Richards with “Hello, Love, Goodbye.”

Alden recently made headlines for visiting ABS-CBN to meet the rival network’s executives.

“Medyo surreal na nandito ako ngayon. Nandito kami ni Kath to shoot mga video plugs and ‘yung mga digital shoot,” Alden was quoted as saying in an ABS-CBN report.

Bb. Pilipinas queens...

PAGE 13 runner-up Aya Abesamis.

Magtanong, a lawyer, voiced out her support for the refiling of the SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) Bill when the 18th Congress starts its session next month.

“Taga-UP (University of the Philippines) ako, willing akong mag-rally (I’m from UP, I’m willing to join a rally),” she declared.

The legislative measure, which seeks equal rights for members of the LGBT community, have failed to secure the lawmakers’ approval in both congressional cham-

bers for over two decades now.

“Sometimes you have to take risky steps. Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone. Am I doing enough? Am I speaking about it enough?” asked Saeed, who advocates for gender equality, and even showcased the “pride colors” in her national costume during the competition.

“It’s so important for me, as a Muslim woman. Even in the Muslim community, there are those who don’t feel like they can talk about it,” she added.

This is also the first time for the Bb. Pilipinas queens

to officially participate as a batch in the annual “Pride March” at the Marikina Sports Complex on June 29, at 2 p.m.

“When we attend the pride march, we will be raising awareness to LGBTQ+ rights,” Bautista said.

The Bb. Pilipinas pageant aligns its Pride Month celebration with the Araneta Center’s various initiatives in fostering greater inclusivity in the commercial district, such as the rainbow-colored pedestrian lanes dubbed “PRIDEstrian,” and the “Rainbow Skywalk” connecting the Gateway Mall and the new Frontier Theater.

Fil-Am model Geena Rocero...

PAGE 14 all over the world,” she said, wearing a big smile on her face. “Their identities matter, they should pursue who they are. There’s nothing wrong with them, just keep being themselves.”

Playboy Magazine featured its first transgender Playmate, French model Ines Rau, back in 2017.

“I never thought this day would come,” Rocero said.

“When I did TEDTalks, it was a significant moment in my

life to free myself and express myself truly in the most authentic way and so many opportunities have been given to me after that.”

More than just baring her body, Rocero also bared her soul.

“There’s nothing more powerful than being comfortable in your own skin. There are criticisms saying that it is sexualizing the body. No, it is about ownership of your sexuality. What is more powerful than us human beings in

our most natural state of being. We were all born naked,” she said.

For her critics and bashers, Rocero shrugged and said she’d rather focus on her advocacies than think about what others think of her.

“They will always have their opinion. For me, this is a moment of celebration and I know I am surrounded by people who love and celebrate me. When one wins in our community, everybody wins,” she said.

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