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JU LY 19-2 5, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 39 • 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

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

PNP fi les criminal raps against Robredo, DATELINE USA ICE raids targeting 2,000 Trillanes, dozen others over ‘Bikoy’ videos FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

quietly go underway

by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

No signs of massive raids in Los Angeles, other major cities OVER the weekend, the Trump administration said that federal immigration officials have begun a nationwide operation targeting undocumented immigrants in 10 cities who have been given a court order to be deported.

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, targeted operations were planned in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco. ICE agents were expected to detain an estimated 2,000 undocumented immigrants in raids that the Trump administration said started Sunday, July 14 for an undetermined amount of time.

ICE officials emphasized that those targeted already had orders by immigration courts for deportation and undocumented immigrants who have violated immigration law.

“As always ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of unlawfully present aliens who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security,” an ICE official told CNN over the weekend.

But despite the White House’s announcement that the raids were underway, immigrant

PATAG

MANILA — The police on Thursday, July 18, filed criminal raps, anchored on allegations

by estafa convict Peter Joemel Advincula, against Vice President Leni Robredo and a dozen other personalities associated with the Liberal Party and with the Catholic Church over the “Ang Totoong

Narco List” anonymous video series.

The Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group filed sedition, inciting to sedition, cyberlibel, libel estafa,

harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice charges against Robredo and at least 35 others.

The video series that featured a hooded man known by the alias of

u PAGE 2

US committed to help PH in ‘evidence-based’ drug war

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

ASSISTANT Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell on Tuesday, July 16, said the United States is committed to working with the Philippines on “evidencebased” approaches to reducing drug demand, as both countries face the same challenge of illicit drug use.

“We remain committed to working together on evidence-based approaches to reducing drug demand by improving prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services,” he said during the two-day Eighth U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) in Manila.

“I want to continue sharing information and best practices to jointly combat this common challenge in a manner that will respect human rights and the rule of law,” he added.

Stilwell’s statements came after Foreign Af-

GRAND ARRIVAL. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on Tuesday, July 16 arrived at the MGM Grand Garden Arena ahead of his fight against Keith Thurman on Saturday, July 20.

Photo by Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

PH won’t withdraw from UNHRC – Locsin Pacquiao remains confident ahead u PAGE 4

by RITCHEL

u PAGE 2

MENDIOLA

AJPress

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Inquirer.net photo

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, July 16, said the Philippines will remain in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) despite the Council’s approval of a resolution calling for an international review of the country’s war on illegal drugs.

“UNHRC vote is a small and harmless matter,” Locsin said on Twitter.

“We’re staying in UNHRC as a pedagogical duty to teach

Europeans moral manners.

We’re NOT severing diplomatic relations with any country. If we did, where’s the conversation? How do you insult those who insulted us if you cut them off?” he added.

Locsin on Sunday, July 14, floated the idea of the country’s withdrawal from the Council following the vote.

“No embassy in Iceland. Nor does Iceland have an embassy here. Iceland took the place of the U.S. after it withdrew from the Human Rights Council. I think we need to follow Ameri-

u PAGE 4

of July 20 fight against Thurman

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

WITH less than a few days to go until Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s fight with Keith “One Time” Thurman, Pacquiao assured that he was feeling good and finishing training camp strong.

“They’re very excited. It’s the biggest challenge they’ve had in a long time,” said Pacquiao’s longtime publicist, Fred Stern-

u PAGE 4

Keith Thurman at the fighter grand arrivals at the MGM Grand on July 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox Sports/PictureGroup

july 19-25, 2019 • NEW yORK AND NEW jERSEy ASIAN jOuRNAl

US committed to help PH in...

PAGE 1 fairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. questioned Western commitment since their allies in Europe are “deadset” on insulting the Philippines in the United Nations.

On Thursday, July 11, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution initiated

by Iceland to investigate the

“drug war” killings in the Philippines. It was rejected by the Philippines, describing it as “tiny majority-approved and one-sided” resolution.

The BSD is the principal forum for discussing the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. This year, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for policy Enrique Manalo and Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano co-led the Philippine delegation, while Stilwell and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randy Schriver co-led the U.S. delegation.

‘We’re waiting’ On the second and last day of the BSD, Locsin requested Stilwell to “concretize” amity into action by selling M16 rifles to the Philippines.

“I told him that to concretize words of U.S.-PH amity into action is to sell us what Pompeo was told we need and Assistant Secretary of State for East want to buy 74,000 brand new Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell M16s – w/3 clips each. And during the U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) in Manila on Duterte will finish all security threats to our democracy. Not Tuesday, July 16.

Photo courtesy of a gift; we will pay. We’re waitthe U.S. Embassy in Manila ing,” Locsin said on Twitter.

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From the Front Page Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte had a change of heart about procuring weapons from its traditional ally and said he would reconsider purchasing weapons from the U.S., since he likes U.S. President Donald Trump.

Both countries acknowledged the importance of a strong Philippines-U.S. alliance in enhancing security cooperation and promoting regional stability and prosperity. They pledged to enhance their already robust defense cooperation as well as reaffirmed their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation, overflight and other lawful uses of the South China Sea. “Noting this, senior officials discussed a wide variety of issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the alliance and expanding areas of cooperation,” the Philippines-United States Eighth Bilateral Strategic Review Joint Statement said.

The Philippine and U.S. delegations also stressed the importance of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. n

AFTER THE STORM. Heaps of garbage is washed ashore in Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard, as tropical storm “Falcon” battered Metro Manila on Thursday, July 18. The trash consisted mostly of plastic and styrofor materials and wood, which were washed ashore by strong waves.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

PNP files criminal raps vs...

PAGE 1 “Bikoy” alleged that President Rodrigo Duterte and his family have drug trade links.

Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy,” is named as respondent and witness in the complaint. He was assisted by lawyer and defeated senatorial candidate Larry Gadon, who filed an impeachment complaint against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and is facing disbarment complaints.

Duterte critics named Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima were named as respondents in the complaint.

All of the Otso Diretso candidates—except Roxas—were also tagged.

Others named in the complaint were Caloocan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio David and Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas. It also tagged two other bishops and Fr. Robert Reyes.

The PNP anchored the charges on Advincula’s testimony, which he first bared in a press conference at the police headquarters on May 27.

“As averred by Mr. Advincula, he was engaged by the respondents to spread lies against the president, his family and close associate, making them to appear as illegal drug trade protectors and how they earned staggering amounts of money,” the transmittal letter of the complaint read.

The PNP accused them of planning “to spread false information against President Duterte’s family and administration officials in order to

The Philippine National Police presented Peter Joemel Advincula, claiming to be “Bikoy” of the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series, in a news conference last May 23.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Vargas

agitate the general population into making mass protest with the possibility of bringing down the president from the position and allow VicePresident Robredo to instantly succeed.”

From disbelief to basis of complaint In a span of one month, Advincula pointed his fingers at and accused two very different camps.

On May 7, at an impromptu press briefing, he stood by the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos which alleged links to the narcotics trade of the Duterte family.

Several government officials, including presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, earlier raised doubts on Advincula’s credibility.

When Advincula first surfaced and linked the Dutertes to the narcotics trade, Panelo said: “It appears that he has been incarcerated in 2012 for conviction of illegal recruitment and large scale estafa, as well as for theft... These crimes involve moral turpitude

that goes to the very integrity and credibility of Advincula or Bikoy.”

Weeks later, on May 27, however, he said former Sen. Antonio Trillanes and members of the Catholic Church hired him to besmirch the name of the Dutertes. Advincula alleged that in the plan, Robredo would “appoint a certain congressman or senator to be the vice president” and that person would be Trillanes.

Senate President Vicente Sotto earlier said Advincula—while detained at the New Bilibid Prison—was the same person who reached out to his office in 2016, accusing thenPresident Benigno Aquino III, then-Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and then-Justice Secretary De Lima of alleged links to a drug syndicate called “Quadrangle.”

The Department of Justice, for its part, said it would form a panel of state prosecutors to hear and conduct the preliminary investigation on the complaint. n

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july 19-25, 2019 • NEW yORK AND NEW jERSEy ASIAN jOuRNAl

Dateline USa

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ICE raids targeting 2,000 quietly...

Suspect arrested in broad daylight killing of 70-year-old Filipino man in LA PAGE 1

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

THE suspect in the deadly attack of a 70-year-old Filipino man was arrested on Thursday, July 11 after being detained in downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) authorities said that Gerson Carrillo Torres, 22, has been booked on suspicion of murder with his bail set at $2 million following his arrest around 3rd and Wall Streets.

The attack of Fil-Am Julius Rondez happened the afternoon of Tuesday, July 2 around the corner of East Temple and North Alameda Streets when the assailant “hooked his right arm around the victim’s neck, striking him,” according to officials.

Photos of the assailant — who was initially suspected to be homeless — were shared following the attack and revealed a man of about 150 pounds, 5 feet 8 inches, with dark hair.

Rondez, an employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for over 30 years, was on his way home before he was struck. He

was quickly taken to a hospital in critical condition where he passed away the following night.

An autopsy revealed that Rondez’s death was a result of blunt head trauma from hitting his head when he fell to the ground.

According to a bulletin sent to LADWP staff, Rondez was employed as a senior commercial field representative in meter services and field operations, and was a huge fan of the Dodgers and Lakers.

In the bulletin, LADWP General Manager David H. Wright described Rondez as being someone “known for his happiness, sense of humor and oneof-a-kind personality.”

“He was kind, peaceful and a family man who took great pride in his loved ones,” he continued.

He reportedly had plans of retiring in six months.

Rondez was also getting ready to go on vacation the day he was attacked, his daughter Janice Rondez told KTLA. “He was every to us,” added Janice. “My father didn’t deserve this. I don’t think anyone

PH won’t withdraw from...

PAGE 1 ca more,” he said.

Left to our own devices Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, cautioned the government against any plans to withdraw from the UNHRC. “At the rate we are withdrawing from the UN bodies, it could only be a matter of time when we will be left to our own devices,” Lacson said Monday.

“We would not know when, what and how, but being a developing country, we may need to ask for help from the community of nations sooner or later,” he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, on the other hand, expressed his support for the move.

He said the possible withdrawal of the Philippines from the UNHRC could benefit the body as it will be forced to review its rules, particularly on the voting on motions and resolutions.

“We will be saving the country P445 million a year if we detach ourselves from the UN,” the senate president added, referring to the Philippines’ $8.2 million mandatory contribution to the UN. Up to Duterte On Monday, July 15, Presidential spokesperson Salva-

dor Panelo said the decision on whether or not the country would withdraw from the Council would be made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Final, final decision on this matter [will be up to him, because] he is the architect of the country’s foreign policy,” he told reporters, adding that the decision would be made based on the “best interest” of the Philippines.

Panelo also said the country should “take a serious look at our relationship with Iceland.”

According to him, there would be minimum consequences should the Philippines cut ties with the country.

“How will it affect us? What are our relations with Iceland in the first place? We do not even have an embassy there and them, here,” he said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino shared Panelo’s sentiment, saying everything depends on the president.

“Everything depends on the president as the chief architect of our diplomatic relations under the Constitution.

Our standing and reputation as a sovereign state in the community of nations must be anchored on national interests and dignity,” Tolentino said.

The Philippines was elect-

does.”

Rondez’s son Charles told local CBS Los Angeles that their father was strong for his age and enjoyed running marathons and biking every day.

Torres has not been determined homeless, but Rondez’s family also urged Los Angeles city leaders to act on the homeless crisis for the sake of safety.

Janice Rondez told CBS that their father — who was a foster child in the Philippines — would have wanted the same.

“There’s so many people on the street that have no other options because their options are getting cut,” said Janice Rondez. “Instead of being upset and angry, he would want us to tell everybody that they should help because that’s what he would’ve done.

According to an obituary posted on memorial park Forest Lawn’s website, Rondez was born in Davao City, Philippines. His funeral will be held at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California.

Rondez is survived by his wife, and his three children and five grandchildren. n

ed to the UNHRC in October 2018. It will sit on the Council until 2021.

Not legally binding According to Malacañang, the UNHRC resolution was not legally binding.

“How can that be legally binding? It is not,” Panelo said Monday, adding that it was up to the Philippine government if it would allow probers inside the country.

He also said it is up to the government if it would respond to the UN panel that would investigate the war on drugs.

“If we feel that the question is legitimate, we will respond,” he said.

“But if the question is only designed to fish information that it will use — by the inquiring country — to embarrass this government, certainly we will not oblige,” he added.

According to Panelo, the government has been transparent with everything happening on the drug war.

“We are not hiding anything, even before. What more can we show them? Like what we have said, everything that is happening in the anti-drug war is recorded. So, all they have to do is to ask us, not to prejudge us,” he said. n

advocates from the cities listed reported no such activity over the weekend.

“The way we see it with all the rumors and hysteria, we’re telling the community that ICE is always conducting operations. This is nothing new. It’s a daily reality for us,” Jennaya Dunlap of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice in Ontario, California told CNN. The deportation operation was previously postponed after congressional Democrats urged the president to delay

to delay the raids last month.

Trump said he would delay them until two weeks or until Congress agrees on a solution for the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Since the administration’s threat to undergo these raids, leaders from sanctuary states and sanctuary cities — jurisdictions that prohibit law enforcement and officials from cooperating with and aiding immigration officials in operations — have pledged support for immigrant families.

“Our president has failed

to build a wall, so instead he’s going to go back to his old play book of trying to rip families apart. Here in Los Angeles we will not participate in that,” Garcetti said last month.

According to a piece in the LA Times on Monday, July 15, residents in immigrant communities have noticed less people on the streets due to fear of the publicized raids.

News of the raids left many undocumented immigrants in fear of leaving their homes, and many have skipped work.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Pacquiao remains confident ahead of...

PAGE 1 berg, on Thursday, July 11.

Having spent nearly four weeks training in the Philippines, Pacquiao recently came back down to Los Angeles to do some final training at Hollywood’s Wild Card Boxing Club with his coach Freddie Roach.

He held a media day training on Wednesday.

Sternberg added that Pacquiao’s current training camp may be “their best camp in many, many years.”

Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) and Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) are set to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 20, and the fight has been hyped up as being a fight between a boxing legend, and a possible legend in the making.

Aside from holding the title of boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Pacquiao has garnered an incredible boxing career by fighting and defeating some seven current or future Hall of Famers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, and Shane Mosley.

Pacquiao, 40, has also been named a three-time Fighter of the Year and remains the Boxing Writers Associations of America’s reigning Fighter of the Decade. On the side, he also serves as a senator in the Philippines.

Thurman, on the other hand, is currently the longest reigning welterweight world champion and has been described as one of the welterweight division’s most dangerous boxers.

The 30-year-old has also won all of his professional fights, with the exception of a non-recorded win from a No Contest with Mexico’s Francisco Garcia back in 2009.

With a 10-year age difference between the two, boxing fans have been curious as to what has changed in Pacquiao’s per-

formance over the years.

“That’s what I’m trying to prove this time because we know there are people doubting my capability at the age of 40,” said Pacquiao on Thursday.

He added, “But at the age of 40, I’m not thinking about my age. I’m thinking about making my fans happy.”

Pacquiao has before told the Asian Journal that training has, for the most part, remained the same with a few adjustments in recovery. On Thursday, he assured that he had no concerns over his performance.

“My body’s reaction is okay.

My mind and everything is fine, and I’m a big believer of God. This is a blessing,” said Pacquiao.

Asked what keeps him motivated and always ready, Pacquiao said it’s been easy given that he loves exercising.

“I really love exercise. I’m addicted to exercise and even if I do not have a scheduled time, I almost everyday exercise like playing basketball four to five hours almost every day,” said Pacquiao, adding that he usually doesn’t hit the boxing gym until he has a scheduled fight.

“So when the time comes in and I have a scheduled fight, I’m so motivated to work hard, play hard, and focus for the rest of the fight,” said Pacquiao.

In the weeks leading up to the fight, Thurman has vowed to be the fighter to send Pacquiao into retirement. He recently told ESPN that he predicts needing less than six rounds to knock out Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao — who has heard his opponents make similar predictions many times before — has remained unfazed by the comments.

“I’m not angry with him.

I’m just motivated,” said Pacquiao, adding that Thurman’s words have at times gotten to his mother Dionesia DapidranPacquiao. But for him, it’s just

feed for his motivation.

“It gives me more motivation to focus on the training and how hard I push in training,” said Pacquiao. “This will be a very interesting fight.”

Thurman’s most recent win came earlier this year by majority decision, even after coming from a 22-month hiatus resulting from a couple elbow and hand injuries. Now, he’s expected to come to the ring with even more power and preparation.

To Pacquiao, that just means an even better fight.

“I understand that it’s hard to start again, but this time around, he’ll work hard and will be prepared for this fight,” said Pacquiao. “I’m expecting him to work hard and prepare.”

As for his own preparation, Pacquiao is also using experience and strategy to finish strong.

“My style is still the same, but I’m more experienced. But [I’ve gotten] strong in timing,” said Pacquiao.

Roach chimed in and said that Pacquiao’s motivation to train has been very serious and that they’ve had to make sure he didn’t overtrain.

“He’s unbelievable. He wants to work out every day, but we have to hold back a little bit,” said Roach. “We’re on a tight schedule right now and we’ll give him a couple extra days off and try not to have him overtrain because he does have a tendency to do that, but we’re ready to go.”

“I already accomplished what I’ve wanted to accomplish in boxing, and I’m continuing my career because boxing is my passion,” said Pacquiao.

“God gave me blessings, and I’m thankful for the good health, speed, and power.”

The Pacquiao-Thurman fight will take place on Saturday, July 20 (Fox PPV, 9 p.m.

ET) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 19-25, 2019

OPINION

FEATURES

The benefits of ecotourism

ONCE again, Palawan has earned recognition from travelers. Readers of Travel+Leisure magazine ranked Palawan second among the world’s best 15 island destinations — an improvement from last year’s sixth place.

Earlier this year, Palawan’s El Nido together with Boracay were also named among the best beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor’s 2019 Traveler’s Choice Awards.

The accolades are well deserved. Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Subterranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Sulu Sea. El Nido and Coron have world-class snorkeling and diving sites.

Limestone formations that dot Palawan waters provide spectacular sceneries.

The challenge is to prevent the province from becoming a victim of its own success.

Following the rehabilitation of Boracay Island, a similar effort is underway notably in El Nido, to clean up the beach, modernize the sewerage system and enforce coastal easement rules. Access to the top destinations in the province is being regulated, but there are

5

lesser known destinations that also need to be protected from overdevelopment. Uncooperative local government officials must face sanctions.

Sustainability is always a challenge. This year’s second place ranking is down from Palawan’s top spot in the same magazine in 2013 and 2017. The slide may be due to the emergence of other attractive destinations, but the goal must always be to hold on to the top spot.

Apart from protecting the environment, ecotourism should include promoting the welfare of indigenous communities. They should be given opportunities to participate in tourism programs and to reap the benefits of a highly profitable industry. Preserving their culture should be part of any tourism development program in the province.

Palawan residents are also custodians of rich biodiversity. With ecotourism as the lifeblood of the province, residents can understand that their livelihoods depend on protecting their natural blessings, from the wildlife that need nurturing, such as pangoextensive coral networks to the lush forests lins, the bear cat and hornbill. Those who and mangrove areas. There are threatened are tempted to maximize commercial profits

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

should realize that the long-term viability of their business depends on the health of the environment. (Philstar.com)

Dear Filipino Americans: When are you going to call Why Fil-Ams should care about the 2020 Elections out President Trump for racism and discrimination? Commentary

reasons why many Filipinos support the Republican Party and Republican President Donald J. Trump.

But where and when do we draw the line between our support to the conservative principles we hold dear GEL SANTOS-RELOS to the core of our soul, and MGA KABABAYAN, many to the rhetoric, action and of you are Republicans, values of the president when holding onto conservative there are clear dissonance principles, especially those and incongruence between anchored on our Christian the two?

When will you call out faith which is very important to us. This is one of the racism and discrimination

The Fil-Am Perspective

that this president has emboldened among Americans who still have deep-seated disdain, hatred and resentment against immigrants because of the color of our skin through his own examples in shameless violation of the very principles of “all men are created” equal enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the U.S. Constitution in the 14th Amendment mandating equal protection PAGE 7

JASON TENGCO IN 2016, only 50 percent of eligible Filipino American voters participated in the presidential election. Let me repeat: only half of us voted in 2016.

As a community, we can — and must — do better this time around. From the economy to health care, climate change to the Supreme Court, there’s

simply too much at stake for us to sit on the sidelines.

As we gear up for the 2020 elections, I urge my fellow FilAms to pay close attention to what the candidates are saying around all issues, but especially immigration.

Let me start with the facts.

There are more than 300,000 Filipinos in the Philippines waiting to reunite with their loved ones here in the United States. These include wives and husbands, daughters and sons, and sisters and brothers that are separated from their families. The Philippines has

the second highest number of family-sponsored waiting list registrants in the world, second only to Mexico. Furthermore, Filipinos suffer some of the longest wait times of any group: more than 20 years.

In addition to family reunification, we cannot forget that there are an estimated 310,000 undocumented Filipinos living in America. These include more than 5,000 young Filipinos that have benefitted from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), giving them work authorization and proPAGE 7

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

Bring back Dengvaxia to stop Days before SONA, Immigration dengue spread – vaccine expert warns foreigners against joining rallies

by Jaime

PilaPil ManilaTimes.net

THE government should bring back its Dengvaxia immunization program because it is the only way to stop the mosquito-borne disease, a vaccine expert said on Thursday, July 18.

Lulu Bravo, founding president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and a University of the Philippines professor, said she arrived from the 4th Dengue Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia recently and the Dengvaxia case in the Philippines was discussed extensively.

“Since 2016 when Dengvaxia was introduced, some 20 countries, including the U.S., have adopted Dengvaxia to prevent dengue or the mosquito aedes aegypti from bringing havoc to the masses,” Bravo told a news forum in Quezon City.

Bravo said the Dengvaxia

vaccine program was doing well in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore, among others, which are tropical countries like the Philippines, the favorite home of the dengue virus carrying mosquito.

Bravo said until today there was no evidence that could directly say that Dengvaxia was the cause of death as alleged by some quarters.

“Maybe, it is because of vaccine failure which had happened in some vaccines like the one in the case of measles,” she said.

Bravo said that other than Dengvaxia there was no licensed anti-dengue vaccine in the world today.

“So, we better resume the Dengvaxia vaccine program if we want to stop dengue,” she said.

She reminded the public that the only cure to dengue was a balanced water intake,

which means eight glasses of water daily.

Dengvaxia vaccination was approved by former president Benigno Aquino 3rd in 2016.

The program was put on hold after Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur admitted on Nov. 29, 2017 that the vaccine may worsen the condition of a dirst-time dengue patient.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which handled criminal cases filed by relatives of dengue victims, said more than 400 persons, mostly children, died after receiving the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Some 456 Filipinos in the first six months of 2019 died of dengue, a 39 percent increase compared to the same period last year. A total of 106,630 people contracted dengue this year compared to 57,564 in 2018.

The increase is being attributed to the scare created

by Dengvaxia. n

Panelo: Duterte will be the first one to obey ‘Bawal Bastos’ law

by Ritchel

mendiola AJPress

MALACAñANg on Tuesday, July 16, said that President Rodrigo Duterte will be the first to follow the recently signed “Bawal Bastos” law, which penalizes catcalling and other gender-based harassment in public spaces and online.

According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte recognized the need to prevent gender-based sexual harassment when he signed Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act. “Since the president signed that law, it means that he recognizes the need [for] that law.

And since he is the chief enforcer of all laws of the Philippines, he will be the first one to obey the law,” he said during a Palace briefing.

Duterte is known for flirting with women and kissing them in public as well as joking about rape. Just this May, he had gotten flak for cracking a rape joke while pardoning cadets at the Philippine Military Academy during their graduation rites.

Panelo, for his part, de-

fended the president’s wont to crack lewd jokes.

“Unang-una kasi (First of all), you’ve assumed that the president is bastos (inappropriate), naging bastos (became inappropriate). He never was bastos (inappropriate). When he cracks jokes, it was intended to make people laugh, never to offend. If you will just listen to the jokes of the president talagang matatawa ka eh, matatawa ka (you will really laugh). Audience … ‘di ba, they give a hearty laughter. Hindi naman bastos (He wasn’t being inappropriate),” he said.

“Iba kasi iyong pambabastos (Being inappropriate is something else). You women should know that. Iba ang dating ng bastos at saka iyong nagpapatawa lang (Being inappropriate is different from just being funny),” he added.

Panelo also said that Duterte is respectful to women.

“You will be surprised ha, this president reacts violently, or negatively rather, to people who offend women. Mahal na mahal niya ang nanay niya; magalang sa mga girls. Magalang siya. Nag-po-po nga iyan sa lahat ng ladies (He

really loved his mother, he is respectful to girls. He says ‘po’ to all the ladies),” he said.

Valuing the dignity of every person Duterte signed the “Bawal bastos” law on April 17, but Malacañang only released the information to the media on Monday, July 15.

“It is the policy of the state to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights.

It is likewise the policy of the state to recognize the role of women in nation-building and ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men,” the new law stated.

“The state also recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security, and safety not only in private, but also on the streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational and training institutions,” it added.

Under the Safe Spaces Act, no unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person will go unpunished. Among these acts include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, PAGE 10

MANIL — Less than a week before President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address, the Bureau of Immigration reminded foreign nationals that they are prohibited from joining protests in the country.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated that foreigners who will join protests and mass actions may face deportation.

The president is set to deliver his fourth SONA on July 22. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on Tuesday, urged the public to join the protests during SONA “to voice our issues and concerns.”

But Morente stressed: “Joining political demonstrations is an utter display of disrespect to the country’s authorities, and is equivalent to meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation.”

In the past, the bureau deported, or denied visa of, the following foreign nationals:

• In 2013, Dutch Thomaas van Beersum for “joining a protest and taunting a crying policeman” • Kim Chatillon-Miller, for participating in an anti-SONA demonstration • In 2018, Australian nun Patricia Fox was denied of the renewal for “violating the conditions of her stay and participating in partisan political activities” • Zimbabwean Tawanda Chandiwana, American Adam Thomas Shaw and Malawian Miracle Osman were also told to leave “for involvement in leftist laws.”

“Follow our laws. It is very simple and clear. Foreign visitors are not allowed to partake in political demonstrations.

We allowed your stay in the Philippines; please respect our government and our laws,” Morente added.

BI Operations Order No. SBM-2015-025 provides that “foreign tourists are prohibited

from engaging in any political activity as defined by law and jurisprudence, such as but not limited to, joining, supporting, contributing or involving themselves in whatever manner in any rally, assembly, gathering, whether for or against the government.”

The bureau cited the said order when it did not allow Sister Patricia Fox, a 72-year-old nun, who has been helping groups in the country for decades, to renew her visa.

Morente stressed: “Foreigners have no business joining such activities as it is a clear violation of their conditions of stay.”

The commissioner also warned that foreigners “if found committing acts that constitute overthrowing the government, unlawful destruction of property, and violation of the conditions of their stay” may be blacklisted and barred from reentering the country. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

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Why Fil-Ams should care about the 2020 Elections Dear Filipino Americans: When are you...

PAGE 5 tection from deportation. A separate Obama Administration proposal called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) would have granted similar protections to certain undocumented parents, but was rescinded by the current administration.

As we head into another contentious presidential election cycle, there is plenty of talk on both sides of the aisle about the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Let’s begin by looking at the campaign websites of the four Democratic candidates currently polling the highest: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders.

• Biden focuses on pursuing “a humane immigration policy that upholds our values, strengthens our economy, and secures our border.”

• Harris commits to “fight to pass immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million people living in our communities and contributing to our economy.”

• Warren highlights that “we need expanded legal immigration that will grow our economy, reunite families, and meet our labor market demands.”

• Sanders emphasizes the need to “expand DACA and DAPA, including providing immediate legal status for young people eligible for the DACA program.”

In comparison, Trump’s website details how: • “President Trump called on Congress to fully fund a wall along the Southern border, to close legal loopholes that enable illegal immigration, to end chain migration, and to eliminate the visa lottery program.”

• “The Department of Homeland Security took action to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in an orderly fashion, following the assessment of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that DACA lacks legal authorization.”

• “The Trump Administration rescinded the unlawful Deferred Action for Parents of

Americans (DAPA) program.”

As the candidates begin campaigning and participating in debates, we should hold them accountable by demanding specifics about their immigration plans. It’s incumbent upon us to remain informed and to have honest conversations about how these proposals will impact us as a community.

But no matter where we stand politically, I think we can all agree that these presidential candidates should keep the interests of the FilAm community in mind both on the campaign trail and, if elected, once they occupy the highest office in the land. *** Jason Tengco is a Senior Advisor and former Executive Director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) at the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of the Asian Journal, NaFFAA, and UC Berkeley.

Panelo: Duterte will be the first one to...

PAGE 7 homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions; public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any unwanted advances.

Those who would commit cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, will be fined P1,000.

They will also be required to do 12 hours of community service and attend a gender sensitivity seminar as first-time violators.

For second-time violators, a six to 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P 3,000 will be imposed, while jail for up to 30 days and a P10,000 fine will be imposed on third-time violators.

Those who would commit offensive body gestures and exposing private parts, public masturbation, groping and similar lewd actions, will be fined P10,000. They will also be ordered to do 12 hours of community service and attend a gender sensitivity seminar as first-time offenders.

Second-time offenders will be fined P15,000 and jailed for 11 to 30 days. Third-time

In celebration of Women’s Month last March, advocates, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, call for measures penalizing acts of gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, eventually prompting both houses of Congress to ratifiy the proposed safe streets and public spaces law.

Photo from the Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros

offenders, meanwhile, will be fined P20,000 and jailed for one month and one day.

The Safe Spaces Act also penalizes stalking and brushing against any part of the victim’s body.

First-time violators will be fined P30,000, imprisoned for 11 to 30 days, and required to attend a gender sensitivity seminar. Second-time violators will be fined P 50,000 and imprisoned for one month and one day up to six months, while third-time violators will be fined P100,000.

Gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace will be punished, as well. The new law requires employers

to post a copy of the law in the workplace, as the new decree orders the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission to conduct yearly spontaneous inspections to ensure compliance of both employers and employees to the law.

It also authorizes the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to cancel the license of a person found guilty of committing sexual harassment in public utility vehicles as well as allows the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend or cancel the franchise of operators who commit similar actions. n

PAGE 5 of laws for ALL Americans — the very foundation of the Rule of Law that Republicans and Conservatives defend and protect?

George Conway, the Filipino American lawyer who is one of the leaders and defenders of conservatism in the Republican Party and also happens to be the husband of Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway, penned an op-ed in the Washington Post on July 15, which profoundly intimated his childhood experience as a person of color.

Many kababayans and other immigrants can relate to his experience, especially during the Trump presidency. These are our brothers and sisters who have experienced the hatred, disrespect, discrimination, now being normalized by the president who just told four people of color in Congress, “Go back to your country.”

George Conway wrote: “To this day, I can remember almost the precise spot where it happened: a supermarket parking lot in eastern Massachusetts. It was the mid-1970s; I was not yet a teenager, or barely one. I don’t remember exactly what precipitated the woman’s ire. But I will never forget what she said to my mother, who had come to this country from the Philippines decades before. In these words or something close, the woman said, ‘Go back to your country.’

“I remember the incident well, but it never bothered me all that much. Nor did racial slurs, which, thankfully, were rare. None of it was troublesome, to my mind, because most Americans weren’t like that. The woman in the parking lot was just a boor, an ignoramus, an aberration. America promised equality. Its constitution said so. My schoolbooks said so. The country wasn’t perfect, to be sure.

But its ideals were. And every day brought us closer to those ideals.

“To a young boy, it seemed like long ago that a descendant of slaves had prophesied, five days before I was born, that his “four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” We would be there soon enough, if we weren’t there already. I couldn’t understand why colleges required applicants to

check boxes for race or ethnicity. I’m also part Irish and Scottish. What box should I check? Should I check one at all? Will that help me or hurt me? Never mind, not to worry, those boxes would someday soon be gone.

“How naive a child could be. The woman in the parking lot — there were many more like her, it turned out.

They never went away. Today they attend rallies, and they post ugliness on Facebook or Twitter. As for the victims of historic racial oppression, no matter how much affirmative action (or reverse discrimination, or whatever you want to call it) the nation offered, they, too, had resentments that never went away — in part because of people like the parking-lot woman. Those resentments often led to more, not fewer, charges of racism as the years passed — charges of institutional racism and ‘white privilege.’”

Trump’s fans argue that this president is not racist, but his bullying of the brave women of color who would not kiss his a$$ and instead called him out for his rhetoric and behavior that goes against the Constitution is not an isolated case.

Trump’s long history even before he was catapulted to the presidency would prove this.

Let Conway’s piece refresh your memory: “And how naive an adult could be. The birther imaginings about Barack Obama? Just a silly conspiracy theory, latched onto by an attention seeker who has a peculiar penchant for them. The ‘Mexican’ Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel incident?

Asinine, inappropriate, a terrible attack on the judiciary by an egocentric man who imagined that the judge didn’t like him. The white supremacists’ march in Charlottesville? The president’s comments were absolutely idiotic, but he couldn’t possibly have been referring to those self-described Nazis as ‘good people’; in his sloppy, inarticulate way, he was referring to both sides of the debate over Civil War statues, and venting his anger about being criticized.

“No, I thought, President Trump was boorish, dim-witted, inarticulate, incoherent, narcissistic and insensitive.

He’s a pathetic bully but an equal-opportunity bully — in his uniquely crass and

crude manner, he’ll attack anyone he thinks is critical of him. No matter how much I found him ultimately unfit, I still gave him the benefit of the doubt about being a racist. No matter how much I came to dislike him, I didn’t want to think that the president of the United States is a racial bigot.

“But Sunday left no doubt. Naivete, resentment and outright racism, roiled in a toxic mix, have given us a racist president.

Trump could have used vile slurs, including the vilest of them all, and the intent and effect would have been no less clear. Telling four non-white members of Congress — American citizens all, three natural-born — to “go back” to the “countries” they “originally came from”? That’s racist to the core. It doesn’t matter what these representatives are for or against — and there’s plenty to criticize them for — it’s beyond the bounds of human decency. For anyone, not least a president.

“What’s just as bad, though, is the virtual silence from Republican leaders and officeholders. They’re silent not because they agree with Trump. Surely they know better. They’re silent because, knowing that he’s incorrigible, they have inured themselves to his wild statements; because, knowing that he’s a fool, they don’t really take his words seriously and pretend that others shouldn’t, either; because, knowing how damaging Trump’s words are, the Republicans don’t want to give succor to their political enemies; because, knowing how vindictive, stubborn and obtusely self-destructive Trump is, they fear his wrath.

“But none of that is good enough. Trump is not some random, embittered person in a parking lot — he’s the president of the United States. By virtue of his office, he speaks for the country. What’s at stake now is more important than judges or tax cuts or regulations or any policy issue of the day.

What’s at stake are the nation’s ideals, its very soul.” *** 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

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 19-25, 2019

COMMUNITY Journal

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

August 2019 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY: First Preference

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.

If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

August 22, 2008

February 22, 2008

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below June 01, 2019 21 years old) of green card holders

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons November 01, and daughters (21 years old or older) 2008 of green card holders

April 01, 2008

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens

April 01, 1998

October 01, 1997

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens

November 01, 1998

May 01, 1998

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

January 01, 2017

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Current

July 01, 2016

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Current

July 01, 2016

*** 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, “Success Stories”, 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) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

A new Darna is ready to soar

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

AFTER months of auditions nationwide, Star Cinema finally announced on Wednesday that newbie actress Jane de Leon was officially starring in the much-awaited remake of Mars Ravelo’s beloved superheroine “Darna.”

The movie outfit’s Managing Director Olivia Lamasan personally named de Leon on ABS-CBN News, adding that almost 300 celebrities auditioned for the part, which had originally been given to Liza

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Soberano.

It can be recalled that prime time star Liza Soberano withdrew from the project on April 4 citing a finger injury sustained on the set of teleserye “Bagani.”

Soberano revealed how six steel plates had to be inserted in her right index finger following the accident, which even required a follow up surgery this month.

Meanwhile, Darna has given de Leon her biggest break to date considering how she is practically new in the busiPAGE 15

Jane de Leon

ABS-CBN photo

TRADING AN OLD EMPLOYER FOR A NEW ONE STILL GOT THEM THE PRIORITY DATE FROM THE PREVIOUS EMPLOYER, THUS CUTTING WAIT TIME. Husband and wife, Jon (left) and Jen (center), were working for an employer who agreed to sponsor their employment petition. However, the work became increasingly difficult that their quality of life suffered, making the couple quit their jobs. Faced without a sponsor, no jobs, and two deaths in the family that they could not go home for, was a tremendous burden for the family. When they asked the advice of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, he told them to look for another employer who would be willing to sponsor them. Fortunately, Jon and Jen found a new employer that gave them new hope and a new lease on life. Atty. Gurfinkel was also successful in transferring the priority date on the first employer’s case to the new employer’s petition, saving years of additional waiting time. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

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JULY 19-25, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Love as the center of gravity Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA PAUL, aka Saul of Tarsus, lived more than two thousand years ago. He had something to say about what does matter in life. He spoke about a special kind of love that in Greek is called Agape (ah-gah-pay).

Agape is unconditional love, a kind of love that has no agenda or motivations, a kind of love that is exemplified in God sending His only Son, a kind of love that if emulated by humans, sets us apart from all of God’s creatures, makes us a little closer to the angels and truly created in God’s own image and likeness.

But Paul didn’t start out as a defender of the Christian faith. He was, in fact, an avid persecutor feared by early Christians. As a Jew and a Pharisee who was also an educated man and a class above because he was a Roman citizen, he used everything in his power and position to quash the growth of the church persecuting the members of the then budding Christian church.

Saul was his Jewish name.

Paul was his Roman name.

Paul stood by watching the cloaks of the stone throwers, tacitly approving the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Paul was a young, rising brilliant star of his time eager to make his mark in the Judaic tradition. At first, Paul was hot and bothered by the intensity of the love and fervency of the Apostles and early believers.

This start-up movement was a threat to his career track and his Judaic core belief system. Paul thought he was going to make it his life’s work to eliminate Christ’s early followers and eradicate what Christ himself has started. If murder and mayhem were the tools to get it done, he was going to use them.

But God had other plans for Paul. On his way to Damascus on a mission to arrest and persecute Christians, a blinding light shone on him. He fell off his horse while Jesus’ voice is heard asking him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This dramatic, miraculous conversion when he temporarily became blind was a critical juncture for the Christian church.

“All you need is LOVE.” -Lennon-McCartney Inspired by the Holy Spirit who suffused his entire being when the scales of his blindness fell off his eyes, Paul’s teachings and writings have an eternal shelf life - true today, as it was then, and will be for much of human history.

Amid troubled times, read the gospels. Also, you just might discover the exquisite beauty, range and depth of human emotions made known to God, contained in the Psalms, all 150 of them.

And then read Paul. You’ll be surprised at the clarity and current relevance of many of his writings to today’s unfolding history. He has a wealth of wisdom to share with anyone seeking meaning in a confusing world seemingly bent on self-immolation.

In a swirling fast-paced technological world full of self–love, vanity, illusions and artifice that only tend to distort and act as centrifugal forces pushing God away as the center of our lives, Paul’s directives make absolute sense. His words have the power to keep us all centered, as they were intended to be, not on ourselves, but on God. Ironically, it’s like being in the eye of the storm where there is peace while swirling forces rage about in the periphery.

This one below, if etched in many hearts and minds and lived out in our daily rounds through thoughts and more specifically in even the tiniest of actions, particularly in couples, already married or planning marriage in the foreseeable future, could remarkably bring down the alarming rate of break-ups and a whole universe of heartaches among couples. This has the power to preserve FAMILIES, the last best hope of humanity on steroids.

These days, the very structure and integrity of the family unit are heavily assaulted from many fronts with popular culture, Hollyweird, media and the internet leading the charge at a time when the church is weakened by internal abuses and scandals and when persecutions of Christians around the world are at a terrifying, alarming rate and intensity.

Fear not. Let not our hearts be troubled. As history will bear and as written in the song, “Canticle of the Turning,” which is based on the Blessed Mother Mary’s “Magnificat,” it is when the

church is at its most vulnerable when the forces of heaven align to defend itself and go on the offensive in subtle yet dramatic ways. The blood of early Christians spawned the rise of the early Church. History does repeat itself.

Marriage as a bedrock institution between man and a woman is in serious danger, as man-made laws masquerading as civil liberties, are enacted to challenge it, all in the name of political correctness. Strong family units built on LOVE are so essential in creating strong societies from the ground up. Each generation builds upon and learns from the ones that came before it.

The passage below is a favorite among couples and wedding planners and for good reason. These words are more than the pretty, superficial veneer of rituals in weddings.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13, are words to live by telling us what really matters as he did then to members of the early church who were probably just as lost, confused and disconcerted as most of us probably are.

“Set your hearts on the greater gifts. I will show you the way which surpasses all the others. If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind.

Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish.

Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

Love never fails. … And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com.

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Another Muhlach joins showbiz

By Boy ABundA Philstar.com

ANOTHER Muhlach has entered show business and she’s none other than Alyssa Muhlach, the daughter of Almira Muhlach and former PBA star Paul Alvarez.

After her stint in the Miss World Philippines last year, Alyssa is setting her sight on acting with the thriller movie Clarita as her first project.

She also has a good singing voice that could give today’s singers a run for their money.

Coming from a well-known showbiz clan, Alyssa is also deserving of a spot in showbiz. She sees carrying her surname has its share of advantages and disadvantages.

“There are disadvantages because there comes a certain expectation with (regards to) the last name,” she began telling while sitting for the first time on the hot seat of Tonight with Boy Abunda recently. “S’yempre palagi po akong pressured to really try to live up to the expectations of the people na kapag Muhlach ka kailangan ganito ka kagaling automatically.”

She added, “The advantage is since they’ve been in the industry business for years, they’ve shared with me much wisdom about how the industry works and, at the same time, how you should deal with people, to always be humble and to treat everyone with kindness and respect.”

But she’d like to think that with regards to the “disadvantage” it can also be seen as an advantage knowing that it challenges her to really do better and to always give an edge “as in ibigay mo kung ano ‘yung maibibigay mo at

Alyssa Muhlach

Photo from Instagram/@alyssamuhlach

kung kaya mo pang higitan, higitan mo.”

Her showbiz roots can be traced from her grandfather, former actor-producer Cheng Muhlach, the dad of her mom Almira. Of course, you should know by now that Alyssa’s mom, Almira, is one of the siblings of Aga and Arlene.

Alyssa said that her Tito Aga and Tita Charlene are close to her. They supported her when she joined the Miss World-Philippines last year.

Aga also gives her pointers on acting.

The 22-year-old stunner didn’t hesitate about telling how she felt when her parents separated. She was really angry at her dad during those times.

“Yes, I was angry (that time). I mean, how I wish na pinili n’ya kami. We’re three girls and since I’m the eldest, I sort of became the bridge between the two, like ‘Ma, sabi ni Papa…’ or ‘Pa, sabi ni Mama.’”

Due to her parents’ breakup, Alyssa felt it’s her duty to protect her siblings. “As the Ate, I’m very protective of my sisters. Actually, it was because of my parents’ separation that I feel like I’ve

become the stronger and more selfless woman that I am now.

“I can’t change the past.

What I can do is to really try to be the best version of myself now and I love my dad, my mom and my sisters unconditionally as in kahit anong mangyari I will always be there to support them kahit paulit-ulit man ‘yan.”

In fact, she learned martial arts like karate and taekwondo for self-defense. Boxing has even become her hobby.

No wonder, Alyssa is willing to do action in future projects.

Soon, Alyssa will be appearing in a teleserye with JM de Guzman and Kiko Estrada. Everybody knows that JM is now single. So, what if the actor courts her?

“Hindi po kasi ako ‘yung type of girl who just dates around. When I date or nagpaligaw ako, it’s really like a commitment to me; it’s a serious relationship. And I also wanna be with someone who respects my family — my mom and my dad na magpaalam so kung kaya n’yang gawin ‘yung process na ‘yun,” the NBSB (no boyfriend since birth) Alyssa answered with a laugh.

Baron officially proposes to girlfriend

By JAn Milo Severo Philstar.com

Baron Geisler officially proposed to Jamie Evangelista during a photoshoot in Cebu.

Photo from Instagram/@ theweddinglibraryph

ACTOR Baron Geisler has made his engagement to non-showbiz girlfriend Jamie Evangelista official as he proposed to his girlfriend during a wedding shoot.

In its Instagram account, The Wedding Library posted a photo of Baron kneeling to Jamie and asking her to marry him.

“Surprise! It’s official!

Baron Geisler officially proposed to Jamie Evangelista during our shoot in Cebu!”

The Wedding Library captioned the photo.

“To the surprise of the

whole Team & the bride, what she thought was a simple birthday surprise turned out to be a heartwarming official proposal from Baron,” it added.

Last May, Baron announced that he is marrying his psychologist girlfriend from Cebu.

“Pagod na ako sa laro, sa pag-party. Gusto ko na ring magkaroon ng sariling pamilya,” Baron told Push.

The couple started dating back in September 2018.

The “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” star said that Jamie has been by his side when he decided to start a new life PAGE 15

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 19-25, 2019

Teleserye stars to heat up Fiesta in America 2019 TWO of the hottest names in Philippine primetime TV will showcase their live-performance talents at Fiesta In America’s 21st Anniversary edition, August 10 and 11 at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Expo Center.

ABS-CBN teleserye heartthrobs JC De Vera and Yam Concepcion “are expected to thrill Fiesta In America’s concert audience with 21st century renderings of OPM (original Pilipino music) hits,” according to the show’s Producer and Director, Ogie Afable.

JC De Vera, star of ABSCBN’s top-rated The General’s Daughter, will demonstrate his singing chops through special selections from his discography, including Langit Na Rin, Nabihag, One Night One Kiss, and Heaven Knows. Meanwhile, sultry Lorraine May “Yam” Concepcion, who made waves in her acclaimed roles in Halik, FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, Langit Lupa and other leading teleseryes, as well as in recent films such as Amnesia Love and Pangil sa Tubig, will show why she is a fastrising vocalist, who first turned heads on Ryan Bang’s hit music video, Shopping.

“We always strive to entertain the widest possible audience with trending as well as

EMPLOYMENT

classic names in OPM, rock, adult contemporary and disco music,” said Nanding Mendez, President and CEO of Fiesta In America. “The young tandem of JC De Vera and Yam Concepcion are expected to sizzle on-stage during both days of the event.”

VIP tickets holders have the opportunity to meet their teleserye idols up-close at a special Meet and Greet session. But other members of the audience can also expect to take selfies with the stars when JC and Yam briefly come close to the general admission section during their numbers.”

Two evenings of OPM- and disco-inspired music aside (starring A Taste Of Honey and ABBA tribute band Dancing Dream), Fiesta In America offers a cornucopia of goods, food, services and information.

Philippine products, immigranttailored financial services, free small business workshops, nocost health screenings from partnering hospitals, and savory native cuisine are in store at the Trade Pavilion, Food Court, and two seminar rooms.

For potential investors in the Philippines, Transformational Sales Leadership CEO Jonathan Petalver will hold a free seminar

on local franchising opportunities on both days of the event.

Petalver is Program Director of Ateneo Business School’s Center for Continuing Education, an author on sales strategies, and founder of the Training Hub for Entrepreneurship Academy. His free seminars will also involve core principles of his Ateneo Business School’s MBA for ME (Management and Entrepreneurship) program.

Attendees with an interest in wealth management are also invited to attend the free financial workshops that will be led by New York Life Securities’ Caroline Tanjutco, Esq., a CPA and wealth adviser.

On Sunday, August 11, a festive Santacruzan featuring the 2019 Hermano and Hermana Mayor (Kits and Cora Reyes), this year’s Reyna Elena, her consorts and constantinos, follows a Holy Mass.

To attend, sponsor or exhibit at the long-running expo and the People’s Ball, its community tribute gala, call 212-682-6610 or email info@fiestainamerica. com. For more information, log on to www.fiestainamerica.com.

Video and photo galleries of past editions are also available on Facebook.

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JULY 19-25, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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NYAFF 2019’S FILIPINO REPRESENTATION: Ma director Kenneth Dagatan & Still Human’s Crisel Consunji

T

BY

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS

he 18th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) ran from June 28 to July 14, and film buffs in New York had an opportunity to watch some of the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.

This year’s batch included a couple of films from the Philippines, Signal Rock and Ma. Crisel Consunji, a Filipina actress plays the lead in Still Human, one of the films from Hong Kong. Both Dagatan and Consunji attended the screening of their respective films.

After last year’s Savage Seventeen, this year’s program is

dubbed the “Still Too Young to Die” edition with five international premieres, 23 North American premieres, four U.S. premieres, and eight New York premieres, and bringing close to 30 directors and nine actors from Asia, including Consunji and Ma’s director Kenneth Dagatan.

The “too young to die” reference comes from NYAFF

Anthony Wong and Crisel Consunji share a scene in Still Human, a film from Hong Kong about a disable man and his caregiver.

Photo from Still Human.

2016 audience award winner, Kudo Kankuro’s Too Young to Die!, where a busload of highschool students plummet to their deaths. They either end up in heaven or hell, both of which defy expectations.

Graduating into adulthood, NYAFF aims to defy expectations cinematically.

Like in previous years, NYAFF had a lineup that had both high-concept thrills and lowbrow gags as evidenced by the irreverent action-comedy stylings of the gonzo manga adaptation Fable and the singularly Singaporean zom-com Zombiepur.

As they proclaimed, “From the deadly serious to the gleefully absurd, from the disquieting to the freaky, NYAFF continues to celebrate the most vibrant and provocative cinema out of Asia today.”

PH Entries Ma, director Kenneth Lim

A scene from Signal Rock, a film directed by Chito Roño and the Philippine entry to the Oscars this year.

Dagatan’s chilling feature debut made its international premiere at the NYAFF. He was in attendance when the film was screened and talked about some of his inspirations behind the creation of his movie.

“It’s a love letter to my childhood stories and favorite Western and European films,” Dagatan explained. “I took some elements from my childhood, horror stories like this pregnant woman being killed by this mysterious guy and the high school that I attended was near a cave, and I bonded that with elements from my favorite films.”

Kenneth was a freshman in high school when he realized he wanted to be a filmmaker. They had a Director Kenneth Lim Dagatan of MA in a Q and A project and he made a short horafter the film screening. ror film that was about 40 minPhoto by Stephanie Lun/NYAFF utes long.

“I made it fun. We had a ghost story book and used the stories there for my short film,” he said.

Crisel Consunji The young director said he Photo courtesy of Still Human watched a lot of horror films, from Saw, The Ring, Hostel, and when he reached college, he began watching more classic films and saw different kinds of horror films and new styles of filmmaking.

The festival describes Ma as “a phantasmagorically macabre tale of loss, sacrifice, and evil” and in essence is a tragic story of motherhood.

“The world is scarier than horror films,” he said. “My inspiration was an incident from my childhood, that is scarier. “ A scene from Ma, a film from director Kenneth Dagatan.

Signal Rock, directed by Chito S. Roño, made its New years. When she suddenly Philippine cinema now, DaYork premiere. The film was leaves her abusive husband, gatan said it is healthy. the Philippine entry to the Os- Intoy pulls every favor he can “Because the independent cars this year. to help her win custody of her film industry in the PhilipThe film revolves around daughter. pines is growing, there is a lot Intoy (played well by ChrisWhat starts as a small slice of new voices coming up and tian Bables) who lives in Biri, of island life expands into a it is healthy. It is definitely a small island town where he moving depiction of perse- growing,” he shared. “Young is the community factotum. verance in a place where the filmmakers like me have an His family barely makes ends only hope for women is to opportunity for our first films meet thanks to the money work in a bar or marry a rich because a lot of festivals in the his sister sends from Finland foreigner.

Philippines awards grants to where she’s been working for Asked about the state of PAGE 15

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 19-25, 2019

Regine emotionally accepts Lifetime Achievement Award

By JAn Milo Severo Philstar.com

REGINE Velasquez turned emotional while singing her hit song “Dadalhin” during the MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019 held in Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.

During the production number on awards night, Kapamilya singers Bugoy Drilon, Darryl Ong, Michael Pangilinan, Jay-R, Jona Viray, Klarisse de Guzman and Katrina Velarde sang the Asia’s Songbird’s hits as tribute to her for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In an interview with the media, including Philstar. com, Regine said she turned emotional because she did not expect the young singers to render her songs. “’Di ko nga ineexpect kasi the kids are singing my songs e. I’m trying not to cry. Ang panget tuloy ng kanta ko. I got a little emotional. It’s not every day that you get to be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. I just want to thank them for this honor,” Regine said.

Almost one year since she became a Kapamilya, Regine said she is happy and grateful to the network for the projects.

Regine Velasquez at the MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019.

Philstar.com photos by Jan Milo Severo

“Oo nga, magwa-one year na ‘ko. I’m happy and grateful. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN for trusting me at sa mga trabahong binigay sa akin,” she said.

She also made an update for her show “Idol Philippines.”

“Malapit nang mag-end ang ‘Idol.’ Mamimiss ko si Moira, si Vice, si James, kasi bestfriends na kami ni James. Kakaiba siyang experience kasi first time kong mag-judge ng singing contest although galing ako dun at marami na kong hinost na singing contest, pero iba pa rin pala maging judge. I hope I was able to help some of the hopefuls kasi sa akin personally, I got what I wanted to do that’s why hindi ako magla-lie, I want them to

become better,” Regine said.

Regine added that she feels bad for the losing contestants, but assured them that the singing contest is just the beginning.

“We feel bad (that someone has to go). Kasi kahit alam naming contest ‘yon, we kind of get involved to them kasi kasama mo eh. ‘Yung sa tagal ng pagsasamahan namin, kahit papano nakikilala mo sila. They get scared, they get insecure, we try our best to tell them this is not the end because it isn’t. It’s a singing contest, it’s not the end, it is the beginning. ‘Di ba si Moira, ‘di naman siya nanalo before, but look at her now, she’s a superstar,” Regine enthused.

Though still grieving loss of mom, Rayver now in a better place and mind-set

By AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

THIS July 20, Rayver Cruz will, for the first time, celebrate his birthday without his mom, who died five months ago.

“But of course the pangs of sadness come every so often.

Perhaps I will be OK in time, but [the feeling of longing] will stay with me forever,” Rayver told reporters at a recent press conference for “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko,” his upcoming afternoon soap opera on GMA 7.

“Work keeps my mind off her. But I miss her every day, especially when I’m at home.

When I wake up in the morning, she’s the one I look for first,” the actor said of his mom, Melody “Beth” Cruz, who died on Feb. 2—just less than a month after she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancre-

Rayver Cruz

atic cancer.

One of the things he finds solace in is knowing that his mother is now free from pain and suffering.

“She was our No. 1 fan— wala siyang bukambibig kungdi kung gaano siya ka-proud sa amin… She was always there by our side when we needed her, or when we needed someone to talk to,” recalled Rayver, who has two elder brothers,

Photo from Instagram/@rayvercruz

Omar and Rodjun, who’s also an actor.

“But I know that she’s watching over us,” he added.

“She’s our guardian angel.”

It was their father, Rodolfo, who left first, 10 years ago because of kidney failure. And the siblings still find it hard to believe that they’re now orphans. “Sometimes, we talk about that fact. It has yet to fully sink in,” Rayver said.

A new Darna is ready to...

PAGE 11 ness. So far, her most notable portrayal has been as Jericho Rosales’ little sister Maggie Bartolome in the hit series “Halik.” Before then, she appeared in the 2017 fantasy series “La Luna Sangre” as one of the moonchasers, and Regal Entertainment’s teen flicks “The Debutantes” (2017) and coming-of-age movie “Walwal” (2018).

Darna director Jerrold Tarog (who also replaced original reboot director Erik Matti in October 2018) described de Leon as an “instinctive actress.”

In addition, Lamasan recalled how de Leon stood out from her batch of talents the first time she saw her.

“Pinresent na si Jane sa amin (Jane was presented to us) a couple of years ago, and among all the 13 noon na Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) presented from Star Magic, natatandaan ng isang talent handler

na napansin ko na siya noon (I noticed her even then). I even said itong batang ito pwedeng sumali ng (this child can join) beauty pageants.

“And then I saw her again in ‘Halik.’ Sabi ko, ‘itong batang to, meron.’ (I said to myself that this child has something.)

There’s something about her.”

De Leon underwent a series of call backs after her audition until Tarog finally presented her audition tapes to ABS-CBN management for deliberation.

“In the end, it was a unanimous decision among all of us [for Jane to be the new Darna among hundreds of auditionees,” continued Lamasan.

“Natuwa nga ako na isa siya sa mga nag-audition (I was glad that she was one of those who auditioned). Pati si Direk Lauren (Dyogi) said there’s something about her.

Bilang filmmakers, may nakikita kami. Malakas ang instinct ng bata (As filmmakers,

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we see something. The child’s instincts are strong.)”

Moreover, Lamasan said a newbie was perfect for the movie, because “yung story natin ngayon (our story now) is a genesis story—a coming of age. Ang requirement talaga is somebody na (The requirement is) young and with an air of innocence but at the same time a strength of character.”

Lamasan finally shared that when ABS-CBN management asked de Leon how committed she was to do Darna, the lucky and deserving actress replied, “I will do everything and anything for the role because I believe in her, I believe in what Darna stands for.”

The 20-year-old officially follows the footsteps of top actresses Angel Locsin, Marian Rivera, Vilma Santos and Lorna Tolentino in playing the iconic comic book character of legendary writer Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo.

Baron officially proposes to girlfriend...

PAGE 12 in Cebu.

“She’s very patient sa akin. Alam niya kung paano ako timplahin. Super happy

ako kasi maalaga siya,” Bar- she supported me. Kasi ang on said. buong pag-aakala ko wala na “When I had nothing, akong babalikan sa showbiz, wala pa ‘yung barber shop kaya nagtayo na lang ako ng ko, nung walang-wala ako, business,” he shared.

NYAFF 2019’s Filipino...

PAGE 14 make these films. Even with a small budget, you can already make your own films.”

He is thankful for the opportunity to showcase his debut feature at the NYAFF. “I was nervous showing it but I am happy at how they reacted. It’s a real privilege to be here,” he said. “This is my first time here, so I am very happy.”

Still Human Still Human tells the story of a gruff wheelchair-ridden divorcé (Anthony Wong, Infernal Affairs) who hires his umpteenth caretaker (Crisel Consunji), a Filipina who has put her dreams on hold to earn a living in Hong Kong.

Despite not speaking Cantonese, the former nurse turned caregiver gradually breaks through his rough exterior and the unlikely duo from vastly different cultural backgrounds begin to embrace their lives together through various ups and downs.

According to NYAFF, “This inspiring debut feature from director/ scriptwriter Oliver Siu Kuen Chan, (and pro-

duced by Fruit Chan), surprises and charms with its universal blend of humor and pathos. It also shines an important light on the often invisible, marginalized communities and citizens of Hong Kong, highlighting diversity and humanism.”

Consunji was named “Best New Performer” for her role as Evelyn, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) at the recent Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA), known as the Oscars of Hong Kong. Chan was named Best New Director and lead actor Anthony Wong won for Best Actor.

“It seems to tell the world that in Hong Kong when we celebrate our diversity, we move forward together,” Consunji said in her speech last night.

The 34-year-old Consunji came to Hong Kong when she was only 23 years old as a Disney stage performer and vocalist and later became an early childhood educator. She had no film experience at all when she was tapped to star opposite Wong, a Hong Kong cinematic legend.

At the post screening Q

and A, Consunji shared that she found out about the auditions for the role after some of her friends sent her a copy of the open casting call posted on Facebook. She decided to try out, not expecting that director Oliver Chan Siu-kuen would choose her for the leading role.

Born and raised in Manila, Consunji was recruited by Repertory Philippines when she was only 10 years old and for the next 13 years, she worked alongside professional actors onstage.

As she was finishing her dissertation for her grad school degree, an opportunity to work in Hong Kong Disneyland as a singer presented itself. The initial contract was for eight months. Consunji has been living there for the past 11 years.

“It is a story of a migrant Filipino worker. I wanted to bring out the story of hundreds of thousands of my fellow countrymen going abroad with dignity and integrity, to give them an empowering voice,” Consunji added. “That was my motivation in coming to film.”

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JULY 19-25, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426