072018 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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JULY 20-26, 2018 Volume 11 - No. 39 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US most trusted country

by Filipinos — poll FILIPINOS trust the United States more than its strategic rivals, China and Russia, results of a new Pulse Asia poll showed.

“The U.S., Japan and Australia, as well as the ASEAN and the United Nations are trusted by a plurality to a significant majority of Filipinos,” Pulse Asia said in a June 15-21 poll commissioned by think tank Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made a stunning shift in his nation’s foreign policy since assuming office in June 2016, as he cozies up to China and Russia while berating traditional treaty ally and former colonial master, the U.S. In the same Pulse Asia survey, China got an overall trust rating of 17 while Russia scored 10.

Meanwhile, the European Union, which has been critical of President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war, got a total trust score of 7. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar.com)

Duterte wants 2019 polls to push through

by AUDREY

MORALLO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will not be involved in efforts to postpone the elections slated for next year, according to the Palace, as it thumbed down speculations that the chief executive might run with former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos for the leadership of a transition government.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stressed that Duterte’s position had been to push through with the midterm polls next year and hold the referendum on the proposed federal charter together with the electoral execise.

“I will not have any hand in that,” Roque answered when asked about this amid efforts by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to postpone next year’s elections to supposedly give Congress enough time to deliberate on the proposed constitu-

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

Putin meet on Monday, July 16 in Helsinki, Finland.

Official White House photo by Shealah Craighea

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NEW PLANE. President Rodrigo Duterte receives an A350 Scale Model as token during the roll-out of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) new Airbus A350 and A321 Neo aircraft at the Lufthansa Technik Philippines located in the Macro Asia Special Economic Zone of Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 17. Handing the token to the President are Mrs. Carmen Tan, PAL Chairman and CEO Dr. Lucio Tan Sr. and PAL President and COO Dr. Jaime Bautista.

Malacañang photo by Robsinon Niñal

Filipino-French footballer Majority of Filipinos oppose celebrates World Cup win Charter change, says survey

Trump ‘sides’ with Putin on the US investigation over Russian collusion in the 2016 election

OF the many controversies and political disputes of the Trump era, no issue has cast a shadow over this administration more than the issue of Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election.

Russia — and its long-time president Vladimir Putin — remains a looming presence over the Trump presidency in a myriad of ways.

moves to shift to federalism.

He said that Congress would be busy with the budget later this year, and with elections in May lawmakers would be on campaign mode by the start of 2018.

The speaker also suggested that instead of appointing new officials the term of office of incumbent officers should just be extended.

Roque also denied that Duterte would run, in tandem with losing vice presidential u PAGE A2

PH flag carrier PAL included in world’s Top 50 Airlines

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been named one of the Top 50 Airlines in the World by independent flight review firm Skytrax, which released a new ranking based on a recent airline passenger survey.

“I am overwhelmed with pride and joy. This latest win shows how far we have come in working to transform our airline, and this victory is especially sweet because it reflects the votes of our beloved customers,” PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said in a statement on Thursday, July 19.

Aside from being ranked 49th out of 335 airlines, PAL was also recognized as the second-most improved air transport service provider in the world after leaping by 38 notches from its 83rd rank in 2016, and by 18 levels from its 67th rank in 2017.

“We also placed Top 30 in the World’s Best Cabin Cleanliness category. This recognition inspires us to focus even more on delighting our customers, PAL Chief Customer Experience Officer Jessica Abaya said.

“It also gives us greater confidence to reach our long term vision of becoming the 5-Star, full-service national carrier of the Philippines,” she added.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir The recognition for PAL comes after it received a

Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki prompts universal outrage for appearing to undermine U.S. Intelligence

tion.

“He believes in democracy, he believes in elections, and he wants to hold the referendum together with the elections. That is the position of the president,” he added.

It was however unclear if the chief executive would order the speaker to stop the floating the idea of no elections.

Alvarez recently said that without a postponement of the 2019 polls Congress would not have time to discuss

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

by OLMIN

LEYBA Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipinos joined the celebration of France’s triumph in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, taking pride in having a Filipino footballer, reserve goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, reap success with Les Bleus.

The 25-year-old Areola, born to Filipino parents who immigrated to France, is being hailed as the “first player with Filipino blood to win the World Cup.” Areola had long been eyed by the Philippine Azkals since his days with the French youth squad, with manager Dan Palami inviting him to join the Philippine 11 Image from Alphonse Areola’s Instagram back in 2011. account shows the 25-year-old Filipino-French But Areola’s stint with France flourished, and after goalkeeper with the World Cup trophy after starring in the Junior Les Bleus’ championship run in France defeated Croatia in the final.

Photo from Instagram/@areolaofficiel

TWO in three Filipinos are not in favor of the current administration’s moves to change the 1987 Constitution, a Pulse Asia survey released Monday, July 16, revealed.

Pulse Asia’s June 2018 National Survey on Charter Change, taken from June 15 to June 21, showed that 67 percent of Filipinos were against Charter change. Out of that percentage, 37 percent disapproved changing the Constitution now and in the future while 30

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The wage gap between rich and poor increases among Asian Americans Asian Americans now have the highest income inequality among all racial and ethnic groups, new Pew report shows

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

INCOME inequality has been steadily rising for the last 50 years for all Americans and, as a result, has become a key political issue, igniting the call minimum wage increase and holding those responsible for the 2008 recession accountable via government regulations.

Those who are slighted by the wage gap — namely women, blacks and Hispanics — have always been on the forefront for calling for legislative change for income equity.

But there’s one group who is largely ignored in the wage disparity conversation: the Asian American community.

Since the 1970s, income inequality among the Asian American community has steadily increased, making the wage gap

between rich and poor within the community the largest disparity among other racial and ethnic groups.

A recently released report from Pew Research Center measured the wage gap of the community from 1970 to 2016 and found that Asians in the top 10 percent of income distribution make nearly 10.7 times as much as Asians in the bottom 10 percent.

This puts the Asian American community’s disparity at the top before blacks (9.8), whites (7.8) and Hispanics (7.8).

The study’s researchers theorized that immigration patterns are a factor in the Asian American community’s growing wage disparity. Like Latin Americans, immigrants accounted for the spike in the Asian population in the U.S., roughly comprising 81 percent of the growth which experienced a dramatic uptick in the 1990s after the Im-

migration Act of 1990.

That act allowed migrants from many countries to come to the U.S. by seeking asylum or through family reunification programs, brought over a wide variety of Asian immigrants who varied in education levels, professional skills and incomes.

In terms of average income, the top 10 percent earn a median yearly income of $133,529 while the bottom 10 percent make $12,478 a year on average, according to Pew which used U.S. Census Bureau data to conduct the study.

The report found that, overall, Asians are the highest earning racial and ethnic group in the U.S., with a median annual income at $51,288. But high wages are certainly not the reality for many Asians.

As any Asian American knows, the com-

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PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (right), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, presides over the public hearing on the “Proposal to Change/Amend the 1987 Constitution” at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 17. Also in photo (2nd from right) are former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, chairperson of the Consultative Committee (ConCom), which was created to review the 1987 Constitution; former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., ConCom member; former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., reactor; Professor Edmund S. Tayao, ConCom member; and Professor Julio C. Teehankee, ConCom member.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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From the Front Page

Duterte wants 2019 polls...

PAGE A1 candidate Marcos, to be the transition government leader.

The president’s spokesman explained that if Duterte wanted to stay in office, all he had to do was to remain in power until 2022. “If the president wants to stay in power, he would not have asked the consultative committee to put a transitory provision that the transition leader should be elected. It would have been easy to stay in office by simply hanging on to the office because the original transitory provision provided that he will be the transition

leader,� Roque said in response to the statement from former Chief Justice Hilario Davide on Wednesday.

Davide, speaking on ANC, said that Duterte would run as the transition government’s leader as the draft federal charter did not bar him from doing so.

He said that the provision for the election of transition leader was inserted belatedly to contain the outcry over the consultative’s committee original proposal to make the chief executive the transition government’s president.

Davide also said that since the

president and the vice president should be elected in tandem, this could pave the way for the election of Marcos as vice president.

He said he was sure that Duterte would run and win the elections.

When asked about this, Roque said, “That cannot happen because if the president wanted to stay in power he would not have asked for that transitory provision.

The truth is it’s enough for the president to have federalism as his legacy. He had already done what he wanted to do if we will have a charter change paving the way for federalism.� n

PAGE A1 the U20 World Cup in 2013, his chances of being elevated to the French senior team skyrocketed.

By 2015, he was already called up for Les Bleus and eventually made it to their final roster in the Russia World Cup. “It wasn’t the Azkals he represented in the World Cup but being part of the champion France team in the biggest tournament of all is something to make us Filipinos proud,� said football fan Jona Tamayo in Filipino.

The 6-foot-5 Areola was the third choice keeper behind skipper Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda and didn’t earn his cap in the Russia WC but he’s expected to get his chance in future forays

of Les Bleus.

Areola, currently a goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain FC, is one of 18 players in the French team with immigrant background, along with the likes of Paul Pogba from Guinea, Kylian Mbappe from Algeria and Cameroon and Samuel Umtiti from Cameroon.

French Ambassador Nicolas Galey on Monday, July 16, emphasized that France’s victory in the FIFA World Cup, a day after Bastille Day, is a reminder of the power of sports in bringing peoples and cultures together. “A day after the celebration of the French National Day last July 14, we applaud the victory of the French National Football Team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup af-

ter an excellent match against Croatia, whose team played impressively as well,� Galey said in a statement. “This triumph, which comes 20 years after winning the championship for the first time in 1998, symbolizes the spirit, unity and also diversity of the French nation, exemplified by athletes such as Alphonse Areola, a young French-Filipino football player,� he added. “We thank our Filipino friends who fervently cheered alongside our compatriots throughout the competition, and look forward to more occasions to share our passion for sports in the Philippines,�

Galey said. (With reports from Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

Filipino-French footballer celebrates...

PH flag carrier PAL included in world’s...

PAGE A1 4-Star Global Airline rating and the delivery of a new Airbus A350-900, considered by many as the most advanced aircraft today. “The 4-Star award, Top 49 ranking and the 2nd Most Improved Airline vote challenge us to keep up the progress, and our hi-tech new A350s and A321neos mark our determination to hit full 5-Star status by the end of 2020,�

Bautista said.

Skytrax said that the results were obtained from reviews of 20 million passengers from 100 different nationalities. “We are honored to be recognized by millions of passengers, and we renew our commitment to keep on serving them better from

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been named one of the Top 50 Airlines in the World by independent flight review firm Skytrax, which released a new ranking based on a recent airline passenger survey.

Inquirer.net photo

the caring Heart of the Filipino,�

Bautista said.

According to Bautista, PAL will also improve facets of its service, such as the expansion of routes, innovation and fleet modernization. “The future is bright for Philippine Airlines. As the Philippines’ first and only 4-Star Airline, we

will continue to provide more innovations and product refinements,� he said. “Indeed, we will take in 27 new aircraft starting with our recently arrived new A350s and A321 NEOs, so that we can fly more customers more comfortably and conveniently to their dream destinations,� he added. n

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and EstrellaPantaleon Bridge in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, July 17. Assisting the President are Secretary Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.

MalacaĂąang photo by Alfred Frias

Majority of Filipinos oppose Charter...

PAGE A1 percent were not up for it at present but may be open for Charter change in the future.

Meanwhile, only 18 percent were in favor, and the remaining 14 percent were undecided on the matter.

The survey also showed that 62 percent or six in 10 Filipinos are against the proposed shift to a federal system of government.

Out of that percentage, 34 percent were opposing it now and in the future and 28 percent were being against it at present but may be open to it in the future.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the lack of information regarding federalism could explain why it is unpopular among Filipinos. “For this reason, we cannot expect our people to support an initiative, which they know only little about. There is clearly much work to be done in terms of spreading awareness and knowledge on the aforementioned issue,� he said in a statement on Monday, July 16. “We will therefore exert even more effort to inform and educate our citizens about federalism since the approval of the proposed changes in our cur-

rent Charter ultimately lies in the hands of the Filipino people,� he added.

The survey was done two weeks before the Consultative Committee (Concom) submitted its final draft proposal for a federal constitution to President Rodrigo Duterte. “During the period March to June 2018, the overall level of support for charter change now declines (-5 percentage points) while public opposition against it now and in the future becomes more notable (+5 percentage points),� Pulse Asia said.

The survey showed big pluralities in Metro Manila (40 percent), the rest of Luzon (40 percent), the Visayas (43 percent), and Class D (38 percent) are not in favor with charter change now and in the future. “About the same percentages of those in Class E either reject it now and in the future (32 percent) or oppose it now but may be supportive of its in the future (30 percent). In Mindanao and Class ABC, nearly the same percentages oppose charter change now but may be open to it in the future (34 percent and 30 percent, respectively), support it now (28 percent and 25 percent,

respectively), or reject it now and in the future (26 percent and 38 percent, respectively),� Pulse Asia said.

The survey also showed how the support for Charter change now declined among Metro Manilans (-17 percentage points) while opposition became more pronounced in the Visayas (+15 percentage points) and Class E (+12 percentage points). “Almost seven out of 10 Filipinos (69 percent) have at best a low level of knowledge about the federal system of government that is being proposed by charter change advocates,� Pulse Asia said. “From March to June 2018, the only significant change is the increase in the percentage of Metro Manilans with little/almost no/no knowledge at all about the proposed federal system (+15 percentage points) and the consequent decline in the percentage of Metro Manilans with at least enough knowledge about it (-15 percentage points).�

It also noted that a small majority of Filipinos (55 percent) report awareness of proposals to change the country’s charter.

This overall level of awareness is higher than the March 2018 figure (49 percent). n

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience.

Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilate’s unjust condemnation.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL

Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi.

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: “Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â€? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist.

Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage

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US donates gadgets to identify Zika-carrying mosquitoes

by RainieR

allan Philstar.com

The US government will contribute $26.5 million over the next two years to boost counterterrorism support for Philippine law enforcement agencies.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

US pledges $26.5-M to PH for counterterrorism

THE United States government has vowed to provide $26.5 million to assist the Philippines’ counterterrorism efforts.

The U.S. Embassy said that the assistance will be given to Philippine law enforcement agencies over the next two years.

“The assistance will include training, equipment, and other support to build comprehensive law enforcement capacity within a rule of law framework to deny terrorist operations, funding, and movement,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

The Philippines has been fighting Islamic State-inspired terrorist groups like the Maute group, which laid siege to Marawi City from May to October in 2017. It has also been conducting opera-

tions against the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front in parts of Maguindanao and against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The government has also declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army as terrorist groups.

The aid from the U.S. will also cover investigations and prosecutions on terrorism cases, as well as counter radicalization to violence and violent extremism.

“This support for non-military rule-of-law approaches to addressing terrorist threats will complement our sustained commitment to building the counterterrorism capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the embassy statement read.

The wage gap between rich...

PAGE A1 munity is generally seen as a high-earning group, as posited by the broad “model minority myth” which sees all Asians as extremely studious and financially successful.

While that may be a goal for some Asian Americans, that narrative erases the reality of many Asian Americans and their families, many of whom live below the myth’s expectations, according to the researchers of this study.

“Asians are often pictured as the highest achieving group in America, but Asians are actually the most economically divided or diverse group,” Pew researcher Rakesh Kochhar told the Huffington Post.

In terms of economic disparities within the Asian American community, the model minority myth erases the specific concerns of disadvantaged Asians in America and renders them invisible in the broader issue of income inequality, according to Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director for Asian American Federation.

In New York City, for example, Asian Americans have the highest poverty rate at about 26.6 percent but public resources specifically tailored for struggling Asians are scarce, according to NYC Center for Economic Opportunity.

“The model minority myth chooses to highlight the successful immigrant examples and brush aside the high rates of poverty,” Yoo told HuffPost in

2017. “The myth assumes that we somehow have the capacity to work ourselves out of poverty without any help.”

Now organizations are working to dispel the model minority myth by showcasing the diversity of the Asian American community. The Los Angeles-based legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice this year has delivered comprehensive and intersectional dives into the Asian communities in Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley by aggregating data on income, English proficiency, education and a wide variety of issues.

As reported in the Asian Journal, Advancing Justice hopes that efforts like this to dispel the myth that the Asian American community is prosperous across the board and will generate public programs and legislation to help uplift this underrepresented sect of the Asian American community.

“Asian Americans are the most immigrant of any major racial group, be it in the San Gabriel Valley, be it the state of California, be it nationally,” Dan Ichinose, director of the Demographic Research Project at Advancing Justice-LA, said at a media event in February.

“These data consistently show that immigration policy isn’t just something that affects Latinos; it is something that affects Asian American communities in a really significant way.” n

Infographic courtesy of Pew Research Center

This would not be the first time that the U.S. provided support to the Duterte administration’s law enforcement efforts.

In 2016, Washington provided $32 million in training and services to Philippine law enforcement.

In the same year, the American government shifted its assistance away from law enforcement following reports of extrajudicial killings in the conduct of the Duterte administration’s crackdown against illegal drugs.

The U.S. Department of State admitted that law enforcement assistance has been refocused to maritime security efforts and to provide human rights training to the Philippine National Police. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar.com)

Ronda

THE Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Science High School System (DOSTPSHSS) will be provided by the U.S. with gadgets that allow the identification of mosquitoes bearing the Zika virus.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the DOST welcomed the provision of hundreds of specialized lenses for mosquito identification by the U.S. government under their Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

It was learned that the U.S. embassy will hand over the lenses to the DOST during the National S&T Week celebration this week at the World Trade Center in Pasay City starting tomorrow.

The DOST-PSHSS now has 16

campuses all over the country, or one in every region except the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The lenses being delivered are part of the Country Mosquito Training, in which country coordinators are provided with small lenses needed for the identification of mosquitoes as well as bags for carrying the lenses and other items.

The GLOBE programs include combating vector-borne diseases, showcasing science and technology innovations, improving understanding of the environment, promoting English language learning, empowering women and girls and engaging in promoting positive interactions in conflict-prone regions.

Aside from NASA, the program is also supported by the U.S. Department of State, National Science Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization.

Through the GLOBE program

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the DOST welcomed the provision of hundreds of specialized lenses for mosquito identification by the US government under their Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Philstar.com photo

on combating vector-borne diseases, students and citizen scientists collaborate with NASA on earth science satellite missions and in regional and global field measurement campaigns.

Teachers use GLOBE to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills and environmental awareness and to foster regional and international linkages.

The GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper app enables citizens and students to identify mosquitoes that carry disease like Zika, eliminate their breeding sites and upload data to improve tracking and control of the disease.

The program assists hard-toreach populations in targeted Zika-affected countries, including the Philippines.

It is supported by the U.S. embassy’s public affairs section and is designed to build sustainable networks of schools, organizations and public health officials in Zika-affected regions and use their crowd-sourced data to improve tracking and control of the disease.

The GLOBE program coordinator in the Philippines is Rod Allan de Lara, the DOST-PSHSS deputy executive director.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika is spread mostly by an infected Aedes species mosquito that bites during the day and night.

It can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus and infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects, said CDC, adding that there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. n

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DFA welcomes UN’s approval of framework protecting overseas workers worldwide

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Saturday, July 14, said an international agreement that seeks to promote safe migration and curb human trafficking has been approved by the The United Nations (UN).

According to the DFA, the final text of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), which carries a “strong migrant protection mechanism,” particularly for domestic workers — a campaign Manila strongly pushed for, was approved at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday.

“For the Philippines, a Global Compact on Migration is long overdue,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said.

“Through our four decades of managing migration, we had fought for this — for migration to come to the UN and be recog-

nized as a global issue worthy of mankind’s attention,” she added.

According to Arriola, who was the lead Philippine negotiator in New York, the main focuses of the agreement are the protection of human rights and promotion of welfare of migrants, especially domestic workers, regardless of their migration status.

The International Organization for Migration, an international group that provides services and advice on migration to different governments and workers, will organize a network of a UN network that will push for “a coherent approach to migration” under the Global Compact.

“In the course of our negotiations, we must not forget that we are setting a moral standard for the world—not just in the purposes we achieve but in the sincerity and civility with which we attain them. We realize our humanity when we uphold the rights and dignity of every mi-

grant,” she said.

Arriola also mentioned how the Philippines and other laborsending states like Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Costa Rica had to hurdle opposition from several Western member states before the GCM’s final text was approved.

“Our work on the Global Compact does not cease with its finalization today. We will continue to engage in its implementation and follow-up and review, to ensure that it continues to reflect changing needs, challenges and interests,” she said.

The Global Contact will be formally adopted by UN member countries on December 10 to 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Once adopted, it will serve as a non-legally binding cooperative framework that builds on the commitments agreed upon by member states in the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. n

Trump ‘sides’ with Putin on the US investigation...

PAGE A1 President Donald Trump’s perceived “obsession” with the former Soviet Union and its leader has generated scores of think pieces, memes and conspiracy theories as to how and why the president has been keeping a close tie with Putin and Russia, arguably the United States’s rival world power.

On Monday, July 16, Trump met with Putin face-to-face in a twohour meeting Helsinki, Finland where Trump contradicted his own country’s intelligence agencies and said there is no definitive reason that would explain Russia’s meddling in the election.

“President Putin says it’s not Russia. I don’t see any reason why our efforts to ensure the quality bottle, patients should contact it would be,” Trump said when of drugs and the safe manner in the pharmacy that dispensed the asked by reporters at the following which they’re manufactured,” said medicine. news conference.

If a patient is taking one of the FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, U.S. intelligence had confirmed M.D. “When we identify lapses recalled medicines listed below, that it found evidence that Rusin the quality of drugs and prob- they should follow the recall in- sia had tampered with the 2016 lems with their manufacturing structions provided by the specific election with against Democratic that have the potential to create company. This information will be candidate Hillary Clinton using risks to patients, we’re commit- posted to the FDA’s website. state-sanctioned cyber warfare Patients should also contact and planting fake news stories on ted to taking swift action to alert the public and help facilitate the their health care professional social media. removal of the products from the (the pharmacist who dispensed Trump’s suggestion that he market. As we seek the removal of the medication or doctor who sides with Putin on this matter certain drug products today, our prescribed the medication) if their sparked massive backlash at home drug shortages team is also work- medicine is included in this recall from lawmakers and experts of ing hard to ensure patients’ thera- to discuss their treatment, which all political leanings. U.S. House peutic needs are met in the United may include another valsartan Speaker Paul Ryan — who has States with an adequate supply of product not affected by this re- been criticized for not being tough call or an alternative treatment on Trump — said that the presiunaffected medications.”

Information for patients and option. dent “must appreciate that Russia The companies listed below is not our ally.” health care professionals Because valsartan is used in are recalling all lots of non-ex“There is no moral equivalence medicines to treat serious medi- pired products that contain the between the United States and cal conditions, patients taking ingredient valsartan supplied by Russia, which remains hostile to the recalled valsartan-containing a third-party. Not all valsartan- our most basic values and ideals,” medicines should continue taking containing medicines distributed Ryan said in a statement. their medicine until they have a in the United States have valsartan Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) active pharmaceutical ingredi- also chimed in, saying in a statereplacement product.

To determine whether a spe- ent (API) supplied by this spe- ment, “No prior president has ever cific product has been recalled, cific company. The supplier has abased himself more abjectly bepatients should look at the drug stopped distributing its valsartan fore a tyrant.” name and company name on the API and the FDA is working with Senate Minority Leader Chuck label of their prescription bottle. the affected companies to reduce Schumer (D-NY) unabashedly If the information is not on the PAGE A5 called Trump out in a tweet storm

FDA recalls heart meds used to treat high blood pressure due to cancer concerns THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting health care professionals and patients of a voluntary recall of several drug products containing the active ingredient valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This recall is due to an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which was found in the recalled products.

However, not all products containing valsartan are being recalled.

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.

The FDA’s review is ongoing and has included investigating the levels of NDMA in the recalled products, assessing the possible effect on patients who have been taking them and what measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate the impurity from future batches produced by the company.

“The FDA is committed to maintaining our gold standard for safety and efficacy. That includes

BOAT ON THE ROAD. Residents brave the floods in Roxas District in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 17. Nonstop rains overnight, because of the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical storm ‘Henry’, flooded many parts of Metro Manila.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

on Monday, saying, “For the president of the United States to side with President Putin against American law enforcement, American defense officials and American intelligence agencies is thoughtless, dangerous and weak. The president is putting himself over our country.”

Schumer also theorized that “millions of Americans will continue to wonder if the only possible explanation for this dangerous behavior is the possibility that President Putin holds damaging information over President Trump.”

Trump responded to the pushback by tweeting that he has “great confidence in my intelligence people” and that he recognizes “that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past - as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along.”

However, Trump’s sidling toward Putin also adds another ripple on the Justice Department investigation — headed by special counsel Robert Mueller, former FBI director — over whether the Trump presidential campaign had anything to do with Russia’s reported tampering with the election.

In October 2016, a few weeks before the election, the U.S. government publicly confirmed that it was “confident” that Russia “directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations.”

A snowball effect ensued after it was revealed that several members of the Trump campaign had met or with Russian officials during the campaign, including a meeting at Trump Tower in New York City between Donald Trump, Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort and Russian officials. (Manafort has been indicted by Mueller, and Trump, Jr. said that the meeting

was meant to discuss the adoptions of Russian children by Americans.)

As Mueller’s team adds more names to the list of indictments, Trump has not been shy in his denouncement of the investigation, frequently insisting that there is “no collusion” between the Trump campaign and the Russian government; he also has not agreed to be questioned by the investigation.

Just last week, the Justice Department indicted 12 Russians for hacking American emails, data from the Democratic National Committee and voter databases reportedly in order to help the Trump campaign.

Trump reportedly has also suggested shutting the investigation down, prompting Washington lawmakers to try to pass legislation that would prevent him doing so. U.S. Reps Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) were among the first to introduce such a bill, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which is supported by all Democrats and two Republicans in the House.

“If recent days’ shameful spectacles – the ridiculous [Peter] Strzok hearing, and the president’s refusal to confront Putin as the scheming antagonist he is – don’t convince more Republicans to put country over party and sign onto this bill, I truly don’t know what will,” Swalwell said in an op-ed in The Hill. “Meanwhile, as indictments pile up and hearings continue, we’ve seen many targets of the president’s vitriol stand before Congress, raise their right hands, swear their oaths, and tell what they know. President Trump must do the same with Mueller without further delay or obstruction. That’s how to help bring this sordid chapter in our nation’s history to a swift and just close.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-26, 2018

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

‘No strings attached’ in Chinese grants to PH

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

19TH T’NALAK FESTIVAL. Senator Nancy Binay performs the ceremonial break during a local billiards tournament in Koronadal. Binay was in South Cotabato as the keynote speaker during the 52nd South Cotabato Foundation Anniversary and 19th T’nalak Festival.

Senate photo

Sister Fox received deportation order, her lawyer says

by KRistine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — The Bureau of the Immigration has ordered the deportation of Australian missionary Patricia Fox, who caught the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the 10-page resolution issued by the Immigration, Fox shall remain under the bureau’s watchlist and would only be removed upon actual deportation.

Fox’s lawyer Ma. Sol Taule said the Australian nun has already received the order.

Duterte on April 19 said he is taking full responsibility for the investigation into Fox. In his later speeches, the firebrand leader lashed out at the 71-year-old nun and said she has a “shameful mouth.”

On April 25, the Immigration forfeited Fox’s missionary visa, citing her “involvement

in partisan political activities.”

The board cited the photo of Fox holding a placard calling for the release of all political prisoners in the country in its decision to affirm the forfeiture of her visa.

But the Department of Justice, on June 18, granted Fox’s appeal to reverse the Immigration’s revocation of her missionary visa and leave order.

Guevarra, in a statement, said existing immigration laws do not allow “what the BI did in this case.”

While the justice chief agreed with the Immigration’s contention that a visa is a privilege, he asserted that the bureau could not simply create new grounds to withdraw a visa already granted to a foreigner.

Guevarra ordered the Immigration to determine whether the charge and the evidence against Fox qualify for a visa cancellation case.

The Bureau of the Immigration has ordered the deportation of Australian missionary Patricia Fox. Philstar.com photo

Duterte has ‘plenary power to deport’ The Immigration, in its fresh resolution, said: “To allow respondent Fox to participate in political rallies or activities would open floodgates for other aliens unbridled right to criticize government by joining rallies to the detriment of public peace and order.”

“Verily, there are other ways for foreigners to criticize government as part of their freedom of expression other than joining unruly rallies and protests,” the resolution further read.

The Immigration also said that it has “taken judicial notice” that Duterte has branded Fox as an “undesirable alien by joining political rallies.”

This, the bureau said, is the president exercising his “plenary power to expel or deport an alien for being undesirable.”

The Immigration said that this is a power granted to the president as provided by the Administrative Code of 1987.

“As the administrative alterego of the President in deportation cases, the actions of the Commissioner of Immigration relative to the arrest and detention of undesirable aliens are, unless reprobated or disapproved by the President, presumptively the acts of the President,” the resolution read.

Fox’s lawyer said in a message to reporters that they would appeal the ruling and that they are currently studying the resolution. n

Resurgent Pacquiao wants second crack at Mayweather

by BeRnadette

taMayo ManilaTimes.net

KUALA LUMPUR — Manny Pacquiao has called on Floyd Mayweather to come out of retirement for a rematch, saying “let’s do a second one” after powering to his first KO win in nine years.

The fighting senator known as “Pac-Man” took on the dangerous Argentine WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, July 15 knowing a defeat could have lowered the curtain on one of the greatest careers in boxing history.

Instead he opened a glorious new act in a 23-year story that has seen him become the only man to move up through eight weight divisions and win world titles in all of them.

Despite racing towards his 40th birthday, Pacquiao looks like he is back to being the devastatingly quick and ruthless power-puncher who earned the sobriquet of world’s “best pound-for-pound fighter” between 2000 and 2010.

In 2015, Pacquiao, with a winloss-draw record of 60-7-2, lost a unanimous points decision to the unbeaten Mayweather (50-0) in one of the richest fights in boxing history, but then needed surgery on a damaged shoulder that he claimed had restricted his movement and punching power.

After rolling back the years to pummel Matthysse into seventhround submission, the Filipino legend is already considering the options for his next fight, which could take place as early as November or December.

“Mayweather? If he decides to go back to boxing then that is the time we are going to call the shots,” an effervescent Pacquiao told reporters at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur after his stunning win.

“I have the belt, so it’s up to him. If he wants to come back in

boxing let’s do a second one,” he grinned.

‘Addicted to boxing’ Pacquiao also highlighted British former light welterweight world champion Amir Khan as a potential opponent.

“My next fight, I want to defend my belt,” Pacquiao said.

He also said he would carry on fighting past his 40th birthday in December, despite the demands of juggling life in the ring with a political career outside it.

“If boxing is not my passion, I would not fight again,” Pacquiao said.

“It’s like I’m addicted to boxing and I really love to fight and bring honor to my country.”

Three-weight world champion Terence Crawford is another possible money-spinning bout, as is a rematch with Jeff Horn, who wrested the WBO belt from Pacquiao in an ugly contest in Brisbane a year ago.

Veteran promoter Bob Arum has also talked up a superfight with his Top Rank stable’s threebelt lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, but that would necessitate Pacquaio dropping back down from 147 to 140 or 135 pounds, weight divisions he has not fought at for 10 years.

But for now, the man who one day may run for president in the Philippines – where he is worshipped – will return to his day job in the senate’s legislative department where his inbox has been filling up while he was away in training camp.

“There’s going to be a lot of work in the office,” he said with a grin.

Fellow senators urge Pacquiao to retire Pacquiao’s fellow lawmakers said it would be better for the boxing icon to resign while he was still on top.

Senators Ralph Recto, Panfilo Lacson, and Joseph “JV” Ejercito on Monday echoed the call of

President Rodrigo Duterte for Pacquiao to retire from boxing.

The president made the appeal on Sunday shortly after Pacquiao’s victory over Matthysse during their match in Kuala Lumpur.

“It’s better for him to retire on top. Am sure his wife and family would want him to retire to preserve his health,” Recto said in a text message.

“He has proven time and again that he is a great Filipino champion,” the Senate president pro tempore added.

Asked whether he agreed with Mr. Duterte’s call for Pacquiao to leave boxing, Lacson said, “It is not about having enough money already.”

“I’d say, my advice to my colleague, seat mate and friend is that it is best to leave the stage while the audience is applauding; not when they have left because nothing is worth watching. That would be both sad and tragic,” Lacson said.

Ejercito said: “As a friend, I share the same sentiments. Manny Pacquiao is already a legend.

No doubt (he is) one of the best boxers in the world ever.”

Pacquiao, he added, had nothing more to prove. “No other Filipino in the recent decades has given so much glory and honor to our country like Manny Pacquiao.”

Senate President Vicente Sotto III as well Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Nancy Binay, and Francis Pangilinan want Pacquiao to decide for himself.

“I leave it up to him. I’d rather not voice out my thoughts about it,” Sotto said.

“Only he, Manny, can answer that. Though I believe the President doesn’t want to see Manny fall prey to what many great fighters do—fighting one time too many,” Angara said. (With reports from AFP)

FDA recalls heart meds used to treat...

PAGE A5 or eliminate the valsartan API impurity from future products.

Recalled products include Valsartan (manufactured by major pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd.) and Valsartan/ Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (by Solco and Teva).

“We have carefully assessed the valsartan-containing medications sold in the United States, and we’ve found that the valsartan sold by these specific companies does not meet our safety standards.

This is why we’ve asked these companies to take immediate action to protect patients,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of

the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The FDA will continue to investigate this issue and provide additional information when it becomes available. The agency encourages patients and health care professionals to report any adverse reaction to the FDA’s MedWatch program. n

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 17, led the groundbreaking ceremony of two Chinafunded bridges with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and other officials in Intramuros, Manila.

The projects cost over P5 billion, but the country is not expected to spend on having the bridges built as the grants are coming from China.

The first bridge will connect Binondo and Intramuros in Manila, while the other one will connect Makati and Mandaluyong cities — both of which are expected to decongest existing bridges that are already traversing the same route and help spur economic activity.

Seeing as these are just two of the many projects that the Philippines has with China, some are raising their concerns about the Philippines falling into a debt trap with China.

Duterte, in his speech, said China has never asked for any piece of real estate in the Philippines in exchange for financial assistance.

“I’d just like to tell everybody that in all of these discussions, China did not ask [for] any, even one square of real estate in this country,” he said.

Jianhua also assuaged fears, saying “China’s grants does not have any strings attached to them. And China’s loan to finance infrastructure projects will not make the Philippines fall into a debt trap.”

Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, meanwhile, said, “We are aware that excessive debt especially for projects that are not economically viable are very bad. All our projects, especially our projects with China, are all economically viable.”

Duterte then talked about how China cares about its position in geopolitics. He also mentioned the historic international arbitral ruling which invalidated Beijing’s claim to the West Philippine Sea. “Its geopolitics position is something that is critical to China and the stand which we disagreed [on] as we filed the arbitration case....

We have promised to deal with the problem from the President

himself of the People’s Republic of China that we will discuss this at some other time as China has to deal individually [with] bilateral relations and issues,” he said.

Duterte also spoke of a “blueprint” of plans with China, though he did not divulge any specificities.

However, the blueprint apparently allows Beijing to determine how

benefits would be distributed to the Philippines.

“We will allow them (China) the sufficient period to sort out things and I am sure [in] the end China will be fair and the equity will be distributed... We would realize that China, after all, is really a good neighbor,” Duterte said. n

A6

JULY 20-26, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Full steam ahead

INSTEAD of talking about no elections in 2019, authorities must begin preparing in earnest for the midterm polls in May. With less than 10 months to go, preparations should be going full steam to ensure that the elections will be as peaceful, orderly and credible as possible.

Local races are particularly violent in this country. With law enforcers’ poor record of solving crimes, murder has become a favored method of permanently eliminating political rivals. The campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes could raise the level of violence in the upcoming elections.

Already, two mayors and two vice mayors have been assassinated in different parts of the country in less than a month. While police saw no link among the attacks, the cases do not bode well for peaceful elections in 2019. Security agencies must draw up measures to prevent violence from escalating in an election year.

The Commission on Elections, meanwhile, now has a complete bench following the appointment of former justice undersecretary Antonio Kho Jr. to fill the seat vacated by Sheriff Abas who has been promoted to Comelec chairman.

Kho, a fraternity brother of President Duterte in San Beda Law’s Lex Talionis, will serve in the

Comelec until Feb. 2, 2022.

There are so many matters to attend to in ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

The Comelec can now proceed at full speed in working for this objective, without being sidetracked by the noise over Charter change and the proposed shift to a federal system of government.

It won’t be long before the Comelec becomes busy accepting the certificates of candidates for local government posts, the seats in the House of Representatives and the 12 slots up for grabs in the Senate. Voters’ lists must be cleaned up together with the automated voting process.

Campaign financing must be monitored, even within the Comelec’s limited capabilities, especially because of the administration’s concern about the rise of narco politics. There’s a lot of work ahead and those tasked to make the preparations must leave no room for distractions.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump goes on damage control after choosing to side with Putin over the US intelligence community on Russia’s interference in 2016 election READING from a script, President Donald Trump attempted The Fil-Am to clean up the mess Perspective he created during the joint press conference with Russia President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland on Mon- GEL SANTOS-RELOS day, July 16. This follows intense criticism from Republicans, Democrats, and our allies in the international community when Trump said he believed Putin’s denial over the findings of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to damage Hillary Clinton and help Trump win.

Trump’s critics say he failed in his duty as president to protect the United States from Putin’s Russia, despite evidence proving this foreign adversary meddled in our elections through cyber warfare, hacked our power grid, hacked

the state election websites stealing personal information of more than 500,000 voters, etc.

The transcript of the press conference stated: “I have great confidence in my intelligence people. But, I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.”

Trump said in a news conference that he “misspoke” and had to clarify what he said, claiming “In a key sentence in my remarks, I said ‘would’ instead of ‘wouldn’t.’ The sentence should have been, ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia.’ You can put that in.”

He added, “I think that probably clari-

fies it.”

The president affirmed that he believes, supports and has faith in the U.S. intelligence agencies, but continued on to say the meddling could also have been done by “others” — an attempt to water down Russia’s culpability, and is an assertion that is not part of the 65-page detailed report about Russia’s meddling that resulted in the indictment of 12 top ranking Russian officials, in addition to others previously indicted in the probe that is still ongoing.

While Trump’s ever-loyal fan base may believe this alibi, all his other statements prior to the summit when he already got the intelligence report days before it was made public, and during the summit with Putin, would negate such defense.

Trump continued to call the Mueller investigation a “witch hunt,” blamed the Russia probe as the reason for the strained U.S.-Russia relationship, and

accused past administrations, the Democratic National Committee, and the U.S. intelligence agency for and of the hacking. He pointed the finger at everyone else except Vladimir Putin and Russia.

During the news conference, Trump had all the opportunity to bring out that issue of Russia’s assault in our democracy and make Putin accountable, but he did NOT. He had the opportunity to ask Putin about his government’s culpability in Crimea and Ukraine, but he did NOT. Instead, he stood there with Putin, side by side, and hailed the Russian dictator — the adversary of the United States and the free world — for his strength and power.

How could Trump even be successful in working toward peace and healing as he professed were his goals in meeting with Putin without addressing these issues with transparency? And why did he have to attack our allies calling them our

“foes,” and our intelligence agencies while being meek as a lamb with Putin?

No wonder Russia was celebrating after the summit, because he just gave Putin all that he wanted without being made accountable for Russia’s transgressions against the United States and other parts of the world.

The bigger concern is this: what really transpired between the private meeting between Trump and Putin with only their interpreters with them? Why the secrecy? Many worry that Trump could have made concessions to Putin, otherwise why did the president of the United States choose NOT to be transparent?

THINK ABOUT THAT. *** 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

In Pacquiao, the phoenix rises

Commentary

MA. LOURDES TIQUIA “I’M still here,” Pacquiao said.

“Sometimes you just need to rest and get it back, and that’s what I did.”

And just like the legendary bird, Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, rose from the ashes and soared and converted what some said would be a collective ridicule to a strong finish. Pacquiao took another crown and showed to the world that the legendary fighter will see greater days ahead. In convincing fashion, Pacquiao redefined himself sans a corner wanting in his last fight against Jeff Horn in the Battle of Brisbane. Without Freddie Roach in his corner, Pacquiao willed and trained by his lonesome with his all Filipino crew.

“Roach trained Pacquiao (39-4, 36 KOs) for 15 years, helping the Filipino become one of boxing’s most accomplished fighters and one of its biggest drawEdit Edit date and times.”

That Pacquiao was also producer and fighter of his recent fight against Lucas Matthysee didn’t sit well with the old guards of the boxing world. He was joined by a new promotions team along with trainers Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez and Raides “Nonoy” Neri. “Pacquiao, once viewed as one of the most ferocious punchers in the sport, had not knocked out an opponent since his tour de force against Miguel Cotto, whom he knocked out in the 12th round to win a welterweight world title for the first time in November 2009,

a fight many view as the peak of his career. It had been 13 consecutive fights since he had won by knockout, a stretch in which he went 9-4.”

Pacquiao united all Filipinos in victory and defeat. Pacquiao has also shown the world that a poor boy from GenSan in Mindanao can capture their hearts and minds, and excel in a sport of pure brute force. Pacquiao redefined boxing. He evolved, and the world watched by seeing the only senator in the ring to come back and staged a stunning win with a TKO after nine years. Pacquiao had lost four of his last 13 fights after the Cotto conquest.

His power was present, speed reduced but Pacquiao was more guarded and methodical.

That the game was done in Malaysia augurs well for Pacquiao and Asean. The man has brought boxing to Australia and now, Malaysia. Here’s hoping his next fight will be in the continent thereby bringing boxing and the Pacquiao brand to Asia more than the wheelers and dealers of Nevada.

The story of Pacquiao is the story of the Philippines. His is the story of those in the 22 percent poverty line. In a country controlled by only 40 families, Pacquiao was a disruptor. He became part of Manila’s socalled elite, who welcomed him grudgingly. Masking a sneer, Pacquiao, after a worldly bout, found solace with his god and has since chosen the path of service. Still the milking cow of many, Pacquiao maintained his own stubbornness on how to do things. His was a lone voice ridiculed by critics as not knowing a thing or two in being rich and classy or being a senator. He is just a boxer who was lucky, as

President Rodrigo Duterte strikes his signature pose with Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Jinkee Pacquiao, Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao and Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad prior to the Senator’s World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight title fight at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, July 15. Pacquiao went on to win the WBA Welterweight title after knocking out Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

some would put it. But the poor Manny towers over them all today. He has the money, the public adulation and support, and he is an elected public official.

In all these steps, he did it by himself, his way. And Pacquiao in the Senate is like talking to power, a big punch for Juan dela Cruz against all that has put him down.

And this is where a lot of people can’t believe what Pacquiao has accomplished. Pacquiao’s story is a nation’s story. From the ashes, the Philippines is finding its path to rebirth. Not easy, quite divisive, but willed by collective hands that, despite the noise, will see better days

ahead.

Just like Duterte who continues to be ridiculed and laughed at two years in office, he plods on. Imagine a church hitting a duly elected president with a frame that he was just elected by 16 million and 34 million did not, and that he was not elected by their god. What kind of church promotes such divisiveness? And they want the separation to be crystal clear? Imagine various sectors consistently plotting for two years to remove a duly elected leader. Imagine a so-called opposition hitting the Duterte administration on purely personal matters, not offering any program or recommending

solutions to national problems?

And they blame the Train Law for inflation when clearly the law put money on taxpayers’ hands, increasing dispositive income?

Is the country so condemned to greedy individuals who, in the guise of protecting and defending democracy, erode its very core? We will be hitting the three years of the Duterte administration and more and more the greedy ones will try to unseat him with their one-two punch — mainstream media and destructive politics. It does not make things any better what with a rowdy Duterte crowd not being able to take the high ground. It seems gutter politics

is the vogue these days. But if Duterte hits its stride with the Build, Build, Build program and at a historical high of 80 percent approval and trust ratings, able to pursue its legislative and legacy agenda, it would be very hard to oust the man from Mindanao.

Critics saw a ghost when Pacquiao entered the ring but after the stunning rounds, the ghost became the phoenix rising. “In order to rise from its ashes, a phoenix first must burn.” And as we burn as a nation, “hope rises like a phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams.” We will prevail, and it will be a better Philippines. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-26, 2018

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PH Supreme Court reprimands Sereno Senate, House OK Bangsamoro Law for public statements against justices

by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

by Ritchel

mendiola AJPress

FORMER Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday, July 17, was reprimanded by the Supreme Court (SC) for the public statements she issued earlier on the quo warranto case.

Justices of the high court voted unanimously to cite Sereno in contempt and penalize her with a “reprimand” that also carries a warning of harsher punishment if she repeats the violations. They ruled that Sereno violated the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Judicial Conduct.

According to the Court, Sereno’s statements on the quo warranto case filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida violated the sub judice rule, which prohibits parties from discussing merits of their pending case before the public.

“The Court acting on the show cause order contained in its May 11, 2018 decision reprimanded the respondent with a stern warning that the repetition of the same acts will merit a heavier penalty,” SC Spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press briefing.

Sereno’s public remarks against six justices who voted to oust her despite the plea for their inhibition because of their alleged biases were also part of the basis for the administrative sanction.

“She may be held liable for disbarment for violating the Canons of Professional Responsibility for

Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

violating the sub judice rule by repeatedly discussing the merits of the quo warranto petition in different fora and for casting aspersions and ill motives to the Members of the Court even before a decision is made, designed to affect the results of the Court’s collegial vote,” the Supreme Court decision read.

The SC issued a show cause order against Sereno when it ordered her removal from office through a decision on May 11, which became final on June 19.

Sereno, for her part, asked the Court not to penalize her as she did not violate any rules in her compliance filed last month. She claimed that the public statements she made were in response to attacks against her.

She also argued that she could not be blamed for explaining her side to the public when the House justice committee repeatedly rejected her demands to be given

Inquirer.net photo

the right to due process during the impeachment hearings.

Sereno also mentioned how her right to be heard by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court was denied, as well as her right o be heard by an objective and impartial tribunal when the six justices she accused of bias still participated in the proceedings against her. These were Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Samuel Martires and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

According to Sereno, she “cannot reasonably be expected to keep her silence despite vigorous assaults on her integrity” and that her public statements were made as “party-litigant” and not as counsel or judge.

Her camp has deferred commenting on the latest SC ruling, choosing to first wait for an official copy of the decision. n

Dela Rosa: Senate run is still open

by Ritchel

mendiola AJPress

FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa is keeping his options open as he looks forward to the 2019 elections.

Dela Rosa clarified to reporters on Tuesday night, July 17, that “Senator Bato” is still a possibility, following reports saying he would run for governor of Davao del Sur after transferring his voter registration to the province.

“In preparation lang ‘yan just in case ang final decision ni PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) ay gov[ernor], DavSur (Davao del Sur) but as of now, no final decision yet from PRRD. (“That’s just a preparation in case PRRD’s decision is gov, Davsur but as of now, no final decision yet from PRRD,)” he said

Former PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa Philstar.com photo

in a text message.

“Option for Senate run is still open,” he added.

Dela Rosa has repeatedly an-

nounced that he will only run for public office if Duterte wishes him to do so since they have been long-time companions. The condition for which position is the same — Duterte will decide for Dela Rosa.

The top cop-turned-corrections-chief has a chance at landing a seat in the Senate in 2019 based on a June 2018 Pulse Asia survey.

The survey revealed that he is part of the so-called “Magic 12”, besting potential candidates like veteran politicians Aquilino Pimentel III and Joseph Victor Ejercito.

Not only that but he was also included in the top 12 in a Laylo survey in November 2017, and in the top 20 in a November Social Weather Stations poll, based on documents obtained by Rappler. n

MANILA — After more than a week of debates, the Senate and the House of Representatives finally came up last night with a consolidated version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that lawmakers say will stand the test of constitutionality.

The approval came a year after the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which drafted the BBL, submitted the measure to President Duterte, the Senate and the House.

The measure is now called the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” – the name of the political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

President Duterte is expected to sign the consolidated bill into law in the afternoon of July 23 when he delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“It’s a very emotional day for everyone. I’m just overwhelmed,” said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, co-chair of the bicameral conference committee on the BBL. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, who is co-chair of the panel, noted that the past two administrations failed to craft a basic law for the Bangsamoro.

He thanked the members of the BTC, chaired by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar, for their support and patience.

“Your smiles wiped away our exhaustion,” Fariñas told Jaafar and other BTC members present. The BTC is composed of leaders of the MILF, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and other representatives of various sectors in Mindanao.

The bicameral committee held its final meeting at the Senate to go over the landmark document one last time after writing several amendments on contentious provisions on security, territory, wealth-sharing and governance, among others.

‘100% satisfied’ The BTC leadership is “100 percent satisfied” at how the bicameral conference committee resolved the issues on the BBL. “We thank the bicam for respecting our concerns,” Jaafar said in a statement.

Among the concerns is the assurance that all laws that will be passed in the Bangsamoro parliament will be compliant with na-

tional laws.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said it was agreed during the caucus on Tuesday that there would be “one general provision within the context of the Constitution so that it wouldn’t have to be repeated that it is subject to national laws.”

Jaafar promised that when the Bangsamoro parliament creates laws, the measures would be in accordance with the Philippine Constitution.

The BTC also agrees that the organic law on the Bangsamoro should fully comply with the charter.

Fariñas reiterated that the plan is for both chambers of Congress to ratify their respective versions on the third regular session on July 23, the same day that President Duterte will deliver his SONA. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the approval of the BBL showed there is no need to revise the Constitution to shift to a federal form of government to achieve autonomy or self-governance for local government units (LGUs).

Drilon said the proposed BBL showed that empowering local governments can be done without having to amend the Constitution.

“The principle of self-government can be achieved without overhauling the Constitution or shifting to a federal form of government as evidenced in the BBL that we are set to pass within the week,” he added.

The senator said in crafting the BBL, it has been proven that it is entirely doable to give LGUs more powers, which are crucial in the exercise of their autonomy.

In the draft BBL, there are about 56 specific powers and responsibilities that are transferred and devolved to the Bangsamoro region, which will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Among these powers are fiscal autonomy, devolution of health, urban and land reform, administration of justice system, control over free ports and economic zones, the power for administrative reorganization, and creation of government-owned and controlled corporations.

“In the BBL, we have maximized the principle of decentralization enshrined in the Constitution and the local government code in order to guarantee its autonomy. The same can be done to all other regions in the country,” Drilon said.

Drilon noted that five percent of the taxes collected, estimated to be around P60 billion to P70 bil-

lion, will be automatically appropriated to the Bangsamoro region as block grant. That is on top of its share in the taxes collected within the region, which will also get its share from the Internal Revenue Allotment.

Federalism is giving more powers to the LGUs and less intervention from the national government. “We can achieve that goal by way of a legislation or by strengthening the Local Government Code of 1991, which is a better, faster and less controversial way than amending the Constitution,” Drilon said.

“Unless they have ulterior motives like a term extension or ‘noel’ (no-election), I don’t see any reason why they would not attempt to explore that route rather than forcing Cha-cha (Charter change) upon the Filipino people,” he added.

AFP commits to support Bangsamoro Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and achievement of lasting peace and development in Bangsamoro.

He made the assurance as the AFP’s top brass met with the BTC on July 12 at Camp Aguinaldo.

“The cooperation and solidarity among us is necessary now more than ever, as we are only a few steps closer to achieving the objectives of the transition process,” Galvez said in a statement.

“I trust that we shall see better days ahead for our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” he added.

Also present in last week’s meeting were AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison Jr., deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr., Western Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 1st Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, 6th Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Cirilio Sobejana, and the chiefs of the AFP’s Joint and Personal Staff.

Jaafar was joined by BTC commissioners Abdularaof Macacua, Ibrahim Ali, Haron Abas, Said Shiek, Hussein Muñoz, Melanio Ulama, Gafur Kainan, Ammal Solaiman, Dr. Susana Anayatin and Romeo Saliga.

Jaafar thanked the AFP and all the agencies involved for their collective effort in pushing for peace and development in Mindanao. “We pray to Allah and to your God that they will finally give peace to us,” Jaafar said. n

A

july 20-26, 2018 • NEW yORK AND NEW jERSEy ASIAN jOuRNAl

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

JULY 20-26, 2018

people events arts culture entertainment

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 2 0, 2 0 1 8

NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT FILM

‘BuyBust’ makes its sold out world premiere in New York

by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

“BUYBUST,” director Erik Matti’s latest film had its successful sold out world premiere in New York on Sunday, July 15 as the closing film of the 17th New York Asian Film Festival.

The film was sold out as of Saturday morning and by 6:00 pm on Sunday, a line has formed outside the SVA Theater in Chelsea for standby tickets. The crowd grew to almost a hundred moments before the 8:30 pm screening started.

In separate interviews with director Matti and the film’s lead star Anne Curtis, both shared how they felt screening the film before a New York audience, two full weeks before the film opens in the Philippines.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time to hear what people have to say. This is my first ever world premiere,” Curtis said.

Matti expressed his trepidation as well. He and Curtis have a reason to be nervous.

It has been quite awhile since the Philippines saw an all out action flick. Gone are the days when action kings such as Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla, Lito Lapid, Phillip Salvador, Robin Padilla, among others, made films that lorded it over the box office.

Which is why coming up with an action movie — with a female lead star, no less — during this time is a big and calculated risk for producers.

It is a big gamble, indeed, and it was tough to sell the idea.

“We eventually found a partner, Viva, which became our co producer, and in 2016, the new government happened,” Matti said. “It started out as another popcorn film, a buybust operation gone wrong. It is still a popcorn entertainment movie but we didn’t want to do a film that doesn’t put into consideration what’s happening in the country. ” The idea for the film started when he was still doing his film “On The Job.” They were shooting then in a slum area in Caloocan when a drunk guy started to make a mess in the set.

“I thought then, if all hell breaks loose here, how do we get out? That’s where the germ came from,” Matti shared.

The idea became the major plot point of “BuyBust” and the story revolved around how a team of police operatives got caught in a war inside an enclosed slum neighborhood called Gracia ni Maria, where there is only one way in and one way out.

Empowered woman “BuyBust” shows Anne Curtis like you’ve never seen her before.

She did not do any films with her mother studio Viva Films for the past two years because she did not like the scripts that were falling into her lap. She felt that she has done numerous drama films where she played either the wife or the other woman, or romantic comedies or even fantaseryes on television.

Then one day, the prospect of an action movie was broached.

Direk Erik pitched the project to her, over the phone, and right there and then she said yes.

“I really wanted to do an action film. It is something that I have never done before. I felt that it would really challenge me,” she shared. “Direk Erik explained what the film is about and the story and I was sold.”

Anne then went on to train for four hours a day for four to six months.

She did everything from proper gun handling to parkour and trained with Scout Rangers and Special Forces. For martial arts, she did PTK or Pekiti Tirsia Kali, a style specific to Filipino martial arts that focused on combat and it is the preferred combative training program by elite military and law enforcement units around the world.

There is a three‐minute scene in the film that took three days to make, five if we include the rehearsals. It took them 57 takes to come up with the scene that made the final cut.

On the actual shooting day itself, Anne was covered in blood, it was raining and they were on a

slippery roof.

“I ended up vomiting out of tiredness. I was so tired, it was crazy,” she revealed. “It was hard to get that one shot. On the first day, I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be.”

When Anne said yes to the film, she knew what she was getting in to. More than the rigid training, she knew she had to give everything, including sleep.

“The whole film was hard to shoot. May rain effect, we were shooting after Showtime every day, I’d be on set at 5:00 am and once madilim na, we’d start shooting hanggang sa may araw na. Then, Showtime uli. That was the hardest part doing ‘BuyBust’ because it was a graveyard shift shoot,” she shared.

Thankfully, there were no major accidents while shooting.

There were some minor mishaps though.

“I have mga peklat, ganyan,” she said, showing us some of the battle scars she acquired during the shoot and fondly calls them her memorabilia.

And did we mention that while shooting the film she was also amidst her preparations for her wedding?

Anne tied the knot with Erwan Heussaff, her boyfriend of six years, last November 11, 2017 in Queenstown, New Zealand.

“I was praying na sana hindi ako magasgasan sa face, na sana hindi ako ma injure. Buti na lang my dress had long sleeves so it was covering the ouchies that I had here,” she shared laughing.

The couple got engaged in 2016, after Anne did the New York Marathon.

She recalled that it became a running joke that she’d already be Mrs. Heussaff and they’d still be shooting “BuyBust.”

Which is exactly what happened.

But when she saw a rough cut, she cried. All the sacrifices she made were worth it.

“I felt like I couldn’t breathe while I was watching it,” she said.

“I’m very happy, I think it’s about time. Kaya namin, no? It just takes that one director, one writer and one studio to invest on it.”

NYAFF’s 17th “We try to find every year the best films we could find.

Anne Curtis with NYAFF executive director Samuel Jamier (right) and deputy director Stephen Cremin. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

From the Philippines, year after year we find stronger films and the energy from these films is incredible,” said Stephen Jamier, executive director of New York Asian Film Festival.

Six films from the Philippines were shown at the NYAFF, including “BuyBust,” “Neomanila” directed by Mikhail Red, “On the Job” also directed by Matti, “Respeto” directed by Treb Monteras II, “Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story)” directed by Irene Villamor, and “We Will Not Die Tonight” by Richard Somes.

“It is one thing that these six films have in common is the craftsmanship, the story telling and all the elements you find in great cinema is there, particularly in genre cinema,” Jamier added.

“What we found is that action films from the Philippines are truly incredible and you see some cinematic feats in them.”

Typically when it comes to Asian film festivals, one would expect to close with a Korean or Japanese film.

“It is unusual to close with a Southeast Asian film in general but considering the quality of the film “BuyBust,” it deserves a prominent spot in the festival or any festival for that matter so it

seemed natural for us to do that,” Jamier added.

Anne Curtis Day Last Sunday was Anne Curtis Day at the NYAFF since aside from “BuyBust,” her other film “Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story)” was screened as well.

Giddy and excited about that news, Curtis told us, “I did not expect this to be happening so hindi ako nakakadama ng pagod. I am enjoying it and I am thrilled to be here. I am so happy for both my directors and everyone who is part of both films.”

Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) is the highest grossing local film in the Philippines for 2018 so far.

The film earned P132 million in its first two weeks of screening.

Up next for her is Aurora, an entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival this December.

“It’s such an honor and I am very happy for the Filipino movie industry that we have more entries in festivals around the world. Nakaka proud,” she said.

Asked about what roles she wants to tackle next, the actress paused.

“I’d love to something like a psycho thriller, very ‘Girl, Interrupted’. I think that would be fun. I already did my ‘Reality

Bites’ movie which is Sid & Aya and now, action sa ‘BuyBust,’” she said.

She is praying that Filipino fans watch “BuyBust” in droves when it opens in the Philippines on August 1 and across North America on August 10.

“I am hoping that the Filipino audiences realize that girls can also be badasses when it comes to action films,” she said. “I hope they enjoy the film and the ride with us. It is not a light ride, it will definitely leave you with a heavy feeling but I am just proud of the two years we spent in making this film and I think it showed.”

Would she say that this has been the hardest thing that she has done in her entire career so far?

Anne responded with an unequivocal yes.

Which we gently followed up with ‘More than singing?’ in reference to her other career as an aspiring singer and concert performer.

“Yes! Effortless yun eh,” she said, breaking into a loud guffaw.

In the end, the “BuyBust” experience gave Anne Curtis a big lesson, one that she hopes she can use again in the future: “Go all out or go home!”

Here are the Filipino films to watch at the 41st Asian American International Film Festival on Saturday, August 4 at 7:00 pm at Asia Society with Director Alexandra Cuerdo and Producer Coming on the heels Ray Cuerdo in attendance. of the new York Asian Film There are also short films and Festival, where six films from the narratives that tackle a variety of Philippines were spotlighted, topics is the 41st Asian American 1-2-3 (GASPING FOR AIR) international Film Festival Directed by Carlo Obispo (AAiFF41), presented by Asian – Philippines CineVision and slated to happen Luis is just an average from July 25 to August 5 in new teenage boy living in the idyllic York City. The first and longest fishing island of Silag. He is running Asian interest film festival coming of age alongside his in the country, AAiFF41 is proud younger sister Lulu, who busies to present the following program, herself with amateur singing which includes 13 narrative contests in hopes of becoming features, 10 documentary a star. When a talent manager features, and 57 short films, offers Lulu an opportunity to representing over 14 countries. undergo vocal coaching in Set as the closing night film manila, Lulu eagerly takes the is “Ulam: main Dish,” directed by opportunity. After Lulu’s family Alexandra Cuerdo. suddenly loses contact with her, “Ulam” is a tasty documentary Luis sets out for manila to find and Cuerdo tracks the rise of his sister, but what he finds there Filipino food from being “the changes his life forever. underdog of Asian cuisines” to “1-2-3 (gASPing FoR AiR)” its new abode in the center of will screen on Thursday, July 26 the American table. it will screen at 8:00pm at Village East Cinema.

by MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

Brandon Vera, director Erik Matti and Anne Curtis on the red carpet at the world premiere of BuyBust in New York. The movie was the closing night film of the 2018 New York Asian Film Festival

Q and A with BuyBust cast after the screening

BITTER MELON Directed by H.P. Mendoza – USA, Philippines in this toothy “home for the holidays” remix, a Filipino American family reunites over a long Christmas weekend only to discover that something unusual is festering in their household.

What starts out as a fun holiday reunion quickly warps into a darkly humorous crime scene as the family plots to kill one of their own.

“BiTTER mELon” will screen on Saturday, August 4 at 6:00pm at Asia Society.

DILIMAN – Directed by TJ Collanto – UK, Philippines A Filipino family is caught in a long-winded catering delivery for their niece’s wedding in London, which seems to pull them further and further away from the reception itself.

“Diliman” is part of the Family Affairs program and will screen on Wednesday, August 1 at 6:00pm at Village East Cinema.

ANITO – Directed by Melanie Lim – Philippines, USA After her parents’ divorce, a young girl believes there is a spirit named Joe living inside her family’s ancestral wooden cabinet and she becomes close friends with him. Disturbed, her father decides that his daughter needs to wake up from her delusions and empties the whole cabinet in front of her. Still believing that Joe is there, the girl, with the help of her mother, finds a new home for him.

Anito is part of the “From Three Feet Tall” program and will screen on Thursday, August 2 at 6:00pm at Village East Cinema.

The festival’s opening night film is Searching, which stars John Cho and Debra messing.

The film will will screen on Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00pm at Village East Cinema with Director Aneesh Chaganty and Actor John Cho in attendance.

For the full schedule, please visit aaiff.org/2018.

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 2 0, 2 0 1 8

Immigration Corner

August 2018 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ 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 BEAUTY QUEEN’S CASE DENIED BECAUSE OF FRAUD, ON A ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Karen married U.S. citizen Paul in 2007. a visa, meaning immigrant It was a match made in heaven, until their beautiful life was put under extreme hardship when Karen’s adjustment of status was denied, visas (or green cards) would after she was found guilty of immigration fraud. They submitted a fraud waiver, and even that was denied. The couple was devastated be available for persons whose and all plans for their family and businesses were shattered. Everything seemed hopeless until leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael priority date is earlier than the J. Gurfinkel took over Karen’s case and fought to convince USCIS Karen never committed any fraud. Watch how the “Beauty Queen” and her family regained their charmed life and Karen’s name was cleared, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. cut-off date listed below. If (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement) your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and Immigrant became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued Living: 101 (or before you adjusted status and Beyond in the U.S.), you would have to (8th of a series) wait until it becomes current Monette just want to give yourself time again. the art of “staycation?” This AdevA MAGlAyA Beginning last October to JUST BE. You rip and shred is when we decide that our 2015, the format of the Visa home is the best place to stay your to-do list and find joy in Bulletin changed, in that a new the moment, forgetting the [Select a handful of those put and spend our time away column was added, called the things on your bucket list that from work, away from stresses demands of your life, for the “Application Filing Date.” If a time being. and just away from it all: ringhave the highest chance of person’s priority date is earlier So go ahead. Wear your ing phones; deadlines and coming to fruition given your than the Application Filing pajamas all day. Turn off or production quotas, intrigues, time frame. In tech speak, Date, they can already file for to-do lists and every aggrava- mute the phones. Turn off this means before your life’s adjustment of status and work the TV and mute the music. tion known to man. energy goes into ‘low batt authorization (provided they Vegetate. Order pizza. Let the Sure, the mountain of mode’ and life has run out of world turn without your input. are otherwise eligible and laundry is there, the kitchen, sockets to plug into.]

If you have a stressful job, you USCIS indicates on its website bedrooms and bathrooms It’s summertime and the will appreciate a true “stayca- it will use the Application Filneed cleaning, the garden living should indeed be easy. ing Date for that month). This tion” done right.

And yet the default setting for needs weeding. But for a could allow people to obtain Swing in a hammock and “staycation” to recharge your modern life is to plan a vacawork authorization much soonlook at the sky and dwell on spirit, you may need to turn tion elsewhere, the farther er than before, where they the wonderful parts of your a blind eye to the screaming away, the better. had to wait for the priority life as you remember lessons demands of your immediate Vacations are fine. They date to be current (in the Visa learned over the years mixed environment. Just say NO. are meant to recharge our Issuance Date column) in order with countless moments of energy levels so we can come This time is for you alone. overwhelming joy. Edit out the to both file for adjustment and So okay, you are obsesback swinging and getting ugly and blot out its existence, into the groove of normal life. sive about a clean home. for the time being. Or betJust reserve a day or two of The problem with an elaboto do absolutely nothing and ter yet, think of nothing and your vacation time to sprucrate, all too often expensive JUST BE. take a nap just because you’re ing up just the essentials. vacation, is we come home There is an upside to a sleepy as a gentle summer Don’t go to Home Depot and tired, jetlagged, light in the quiet “staycation.” When breeze rocks you. decide painting the house as wallet, a few pounds heavier you clear your mechanism There will be time enough your “staycation” project. It and needing a vacation from and tune out the noise that for all the demands of your life invades your being, you may doesn’t work that way. the vacation. Are we idiots or in the next few days. But for The art of doing a proper what? come to a rare state of grace the moment, all you want is “staycation” is deciding you So how about learning — that state when you are

The bucket list

The art of “staycation”

First Preference

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

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

February 15, 2008

August 1, 2006

December 1, 2017

July 22, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

December 15, 2007

February 15, 2007

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

August 1, 1995

May 1, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

December 1, 1995

April 22, 1995

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

June 1, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

June 1, 2017

be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a

prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook. com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

thoroughly convinced that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world.

Unplug and be receptive.

It is in the stillness that we find who we truly are. It is when we are quiet that we can listen to our thoughts and perhaps, listen to that still

small voice that speaks to us.

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

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 2 0, 2 0 1 8

Romulo A. Aromin, Jr., MD: The doctor is “IN”-vogue certain professions when strongly influenced by family members, the parents in particular. Suitably guided and justly predisposed, People, Romulo A. Aromin, Jr.’s vocation Events, was unswervingly inspired by his Places mother who was a doctor.

BoBBy T. yalong At the tender age of ten, young Romulo was already familiar ChooSing a career could be a with every single doctor’s clinical vital pronouncement… ostensibly tool and apparatus. he used indistinguishable to taking a mate to assist his mom in preparing stuff needed in attending to her for a lifetime partnership. other professions are almost impossible patients. The persuasive effect on him was strappingly intense and to actually gauge whether they the power was overwhelmingly were perfect choices until one significant that effortlessly led him is done and already engaged in to the field where his mom was. the field. The perils and risks are A quintessential exponent unanticipated and unforeseen and of a Taurean (born May 11), Doc regrets will be too late to reckon Rom is undeniably swayed to the with mumbling frustrations and convincing pressure of one born remorseful acrimony to boot. in the Year of the horse (1966) But others seemed to be motivated and molded to embrace that is known for being reliable Dr. Aromin in blue ensemble

On the PEP Front

At home with the doctor

Dr. Aromin with Miss RP-International 2018 Excelsa De Jesus

Dr. Romulo A. Aromin, Jr. stresses a point during a consultation

Dr. Aromin in one of his passionately fashionable stances

Literally on the stairway to even greater heights

with keen penchant for beauty, efficient in financial management, low-key with a munificent heart, uncomplaining and easy to deal with ‘though oftentimes faultily judged as condescending and snooty but down-to-earth in

reality. he conscientiously crossed borders and boundaries weathering storms and tempest with unflinching dedication to succeed in his well-driven aspiration to achieve what he

desired… and soon enough, the youngest son of Romulo, Sr. and Visitacion (originally of La Union and San Pablo City, Laguna, respectively) proudly stepped out of the University of Santo Tomas Continued on Page 6

No mean jokes for Bayani

by Boy ABundA Philstar.com

CoMEDY is not just about getting laughs, but it also changes what we think or, maybe, even what we do. This is true when you talk to Bayani Agbayani or when you just simply watch him on screen. he has a delightful humor and an optimistic approach to life. his witty remarks are not plain punchlines but also reflect intelligence. During one of the episodes of “i Can See Your Voice,” for example, Luis Manzano

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admired how Bayani could quickly turn a serious situation into “a put your trouble away” mode and adding wisdom to whatever topic they discuss without veering away from fun.

That’s why, Bayani must have been born to make people laugh. he became a household name in the late ‘90s to early 2000s for his natural comedic flair. And after a brief hiatus from showbiz, Bayani is back funnier than ever. he is now regularly seen on Cinemo’s “Funny Ka Pare Ko” and in the ABS-CBn weekend show “i Can See Your Voice.”

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“My becoming part of ‘i Can See Your Voice’ was just an accident,” he said with a straight face. “Kean (Cipriano) was absent and so i temporarily took his place until they decided for me to stay.” if you haven’t heard yet about his “Aswang ang nanay Ko” joke which gone viral with two million views, try watching it on YouTube to experience the kind of humor only Bayani can deliver. no wonder, he again won this year’s KBP golden Dove Best Actor for Comedy award.

Continued on Page 6

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J U LY 2 0, 2 0 1 8

Piolo Pascual: There are so many things I want to do

6

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J U LY 2 0, 2 0 1 8

We want to be as famous as Spice Girls

by SEPH ASONG Philstar.com

LAST year, famed film and TV producer/ artist manager Simon Fuller created a group he calls the “dream team” as it will present various multi-talented performing artists from different countries; showcasing the best talents from around the world.

Simon Fuller, the man behind global superstar and pop icon girl group Spice Girls, had many hit projects in the past including reality TV shows “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”But one could only think one reason why he formed Now United—perhaps to promote unity among many

each member seems to have gone through many serious challenges to get to where they are now: several auditions with panel judges and even going through a boot camp where every single aspiring artist had the opportunity for a fair fight, and even until the day the 14 members were chosen, the training never stopped.

The group is now working with some serious powerhouse names in the industry, including “Just Dance” producer RedOne. They will also be dancing their way to the top alongside Kyle Hanagami and WildaBeast, a Hollywood A-list choreographer.

With all these, it is no surprise if the group will soon take over the world of pop music.

In an interview with Philstar. com, the group explained how their musical aesthetic differ from other artists or groups: “Our core is pop music, but we try to include other types of genres and perhaps in the future, it would be wonderful to infuse our music with each of our country’s music style such as Kpop’s upbeat sound, Choro from Brazil, and Psychedelic rock from the UK, and more.”

The members also expressed that they aspire to be as famous as Spice Girls, now that Fuller has their back. “We definitely want

nations through music? Fuller has not shared any thoughts since the group’s debut, but during a press conference held last July 17 at Marco Polo Ortigas for Now United’s three-day concert in Manila, the group had something to say: “Now United is all about love.”

Consisting of 14 singing and dancing artists hailing from 14 different countries—whose members already had a career in their respective nations, including Philippines’ very own Bailey May—Now United has already released its first single, “Summer in the City,” with a music video.

Based on the group’s official Instagram page and website,

Filipino Bailey May is part of Now United, reportedly the world’s first ever global pop group composed of 14 different singers and dancers from 14 different countries.

Photo from Instagram/@nowunited

Calendar of Events across

by JERRY DONATO Philstar.com

“I really wanted to do something original, na makakanta ko (which I can sing) and I can (call) my own.”

Piolo Pascual was speaking of his possible recording venture in a media call. “With my last albums — Decades I, II, III — it seems that I have sung almost all the covers from different eras,” he added.

“I’m really looking for songs that are more apt (suitable) for my age.” If and when the opportune time comes, Piolo will make sure that his next album will not “fall prey” in what one may call “just for the sake of recording.” The actor-TV host would love to make it “more significant, more singable” and wishes that more people appreciate it.

Asked if he sees it as a concept album, Piolo replied, “Not necessarily... It’s more on Filipino love songs, which is my genre, ballad naman... (It will be an) alloriginal (album).”

In spite of his small-screen visibility these days, Piolo is very much in touch with the singer in him. The coming months will see him grace shows for Filipino communities abroad (Winnipeg and Edmonton, Canada with Wacky Kiray, and the two shows in

the U.S. with Pokwang).

Before that happens, Piolo will be busy wrapping up the production of “Since I Found You,” opposite Arci Muñoz. “I’m just really happy. It’s fun, of course, nakakatuwa kasi kahit papaano nakapag-soap pa rin tayo kahit napakahirap gawin... Tap out na ako sa soap. There are so many things I want to do... let’s give it (the soap) to the young stars. Bata pa naman (ako) kaya gusto ko pang gumawa ng ibang bagay.”

The “Since I Found You” team is “hand-to-mouth” and everything is for airing, shared Piolo. After that, he has the free rein to jump into the movie on the Marawi siege (with Robin Padilla as co-star and Joyce Bernal, director), and other creative projects with directors Lav Diaz (Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis and Ang Panahon ng Halimaw) and Raya Martin and with Star Cinema.

At the rate his career is going, one can say that Piolo is on a roll.

Will Piolo find a window for love? He said he might, especially that his soap is down to its last few weeks of taping. Let’s just have a quick look at Piolo’s presence on TV. He is seen in “Since I Found You” on weeknights and “Home Sweetie Home” and “ASAP,” weekends. The only date or metime he can give himself is when he does his other passions like

biking or attending a bike race for Iron Man in Cebu. Piolo also looks forward to some quality time with family.

Meanwhile, son Iñigo has a thriving career and a blossoming personal life.

“He is a grown-up. Kung ano ang gusto niya, panindigan niya,” said Piolo on Iñigo and Maris Racal’s special friendship. “Hindi naman ako (ang) makikisama, siya… Basta happy sila.”

Piolo finds Maris kind and “she’s very respectful and very sincere.

Hindi mo mapag-iisipan na baka hindi totoo ang pinapakita niya.

She is very candid.”

Does he have plans of getting into politics? “No, thank you.

I’m busy,” answered Piolo, who also considers show business a platform to help others and raise their concerns. Through his celebrity status, he — in his own small ways — can make significant contributions.

Continued on Page 7

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merica

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS J U LY 2 1

UPAAGLA Boodle Feast Fiesta in North Hills, CA University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) welcomes alumni of the University of the Philippines and their friends and family to meet, mix, mingle at this fun afternoon at 4 p.m. at 15255 Knapp St, North Hills, CA. Register on eventbrite.com or call President-Elect Ethel Rubio (818) 640-2946 or (800) 611-5705. Connect with UPAAGLA on Facebook or visit www.upaagla.org.

J U LY 22

Valentine in July concert in Los Angeles This two-and-a-half hour concert on Sunday, July 22 will feature two of the music industry’s best Singer-Songwriters then and today, David Pomeranz and Rey Valera. Their timeless and classic love songs became the movie/tele-serye themesongs in the Philippines. The event will be held at the Aratani Theater (244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available via www.thesgprod.com or by calling (424)232-6781.

J U LY 28

LA Builder Lions Club to hold installation of new officers The Los Angeles Builder Lions Club will hold their 28th Installation on new officers on Saturday, July 28 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Oxford Palace Hotel (745 S. Oxford Ave, Los Angeles, CA). Music will be provided by Lion Willie Manacsa. Please RSVP to any of the following officers: Lion President Ken Marchand (818)749-1076; Lion Tita James (818)203-2325 or PZC Lion Yoli Ramo at (213)305-1332.

J U LY 3 1

Wealth strategies workshop in Sherman Oaks, CA Join this free “Proven Wealth Strategies Workshop” on Tuesday, July 31 at 6 to 8 p.m., where Wealth Financial Life Inc. will help you you learn the basics about money, uncover myths on how money really works, and tips to diversify considering taxes. Hosted by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd, BFG Room, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. To register, email info@wflife.com or call (858) 4581380.

AU G U ST 1

Screening of “Ignatius of Loyola” film in New York Produced by Jesuit Communications Philippines (JesCom), “Ignatius of Loyola” is a modern and very human take on the story of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, often called ‘The Saint of Second Chances.’ As a brash, hot-headed soldier in a time of political upheaval in Spain, the young Iñigo went from living a life of brutal violence and debauchery, to becoming one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church. This film chronicles Iñigo’s torturous struggle to turn from darkness to light—a struggle that nearly destroyed him, but also gave him the key to a spiritual weapon that continues to save lives to this very day.

Hosted by the Magis Theatre Company, Loida Nicolas Lewis, and Dr. Angie Cruz, come and watch Ignatius of Loyola on Wednesday, August 1 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wallace Hall, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Avenue, New York City. For inquiries, call 212-756-8958. (Note: This movie is not suitable for young children).

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

Fiesta In America: unique booster of US and RP brands NUMBERS don’t lie. Data, in fact, tell startling truths about a population niche in the United States whose profile may be low, but whose income leads most populations: Filipinos.

A median household income of $81,929 puts Filipinos near the top among all American consumers (only South Asians, Jewish Americans, and Taiwanese Americans are ahead, the US Census Bureau reports), while the current median household income for the US is $53,657. A median family income of $65,910 still makes America one of the world’s leaders in this category. But this number pales in comparison to the median family income of Filipinos in New York: a jaw-dropping $92,486. In the city with the most billionaires in the world, this figure ranks New Yorkbased Filipinos as first or second among all population groups in the US. Filipinos’ purchasing power is not lost on marketers at major American brands. Their stake in the Filipino consumer segment can clearly be seen at Fiesta In America Expo and Consumer Show. The event will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on August 11 and 12 as the biggest expo and cultural show of its kind on the east coast. Its home for the past 18 years, New Jersey’s Meadowlands Exposition Center in the city of Secaucus, is one of the most prestigious convention sites in the American northeast region. Fiesta In America’s blend of consumer show and concert attracts a two-day audience of more than 5,000 Filipinos and multicultural consumers from New York, New Jersey and five peripheral states. This large and affluent culture-driven audience, in turn, appeals to a wide range of business and not-for-profit interests.

According to Daphne Kwok, Vice President-Multicultural Leadership at the 37 millionmember American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), “Our partnership with Fiesta in America has been very exciting and we look forward to creating more innovative ways on how we can share AARP’s resources with [this] population.” For Meriterese Racanelli, MS, Food Scientist, Nutritionist and Chef at Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic food company, “It was a joy to work with Fiesta In America. The talent and entertainment are outstanding!”

Nemesio Kinsora, an executive at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s foremost health management organization (HMO), cited the

Nanding Mendez, CEO& President, Fiesta in America Expo and Consumer Show with Laura Garcia

event’s niche-marketing value.

“Fiesta In America gave us the chance to connect with the Filipino community on a large scale.”

In the Philippines, a diverse spectrum of Filipino industries is drawn to the buying power of east coast Filipinos who attend Fiesta In America, and whose median household income far exceeds that of their kababayan in California. These business participants include some of the most respected names in Philippine real estate; small to medium-size manufacturers of handicraft, packaged food, shoes and apparel, holiday and home décor, and a myriad other products; Philippine Airlines; as well as the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board. Fourteen exporters from Region IV-A, in fact, intend to take part as 2018 exhibitors to represent the CALABARZON region.

“Our two-day event is uniquely located at the junction of Filipino culture and U.S. diversity marketing,” said Nanding Mendez, founder and CEO of not-for-profit Fiesta In America. He made it clear that concerts by Philippine stars and young talents from the New York metro area “actually comprise only half of what Fiesta In America is all about.”

The consumer expo segment commands equal attention, Mendez asserted. “Nostalgic immigrants and non-Filipinos intrigued by what the Philippines can offer pack the Trade Pavilion

to load up on products not available in U.S. stores. Many are on the lookout for hot spots in less-touristy Philippine towns and provinces. Motivated by the dollar’s strength, they scope out real estate to invest in or for retirement, as well as medical, dental and eyecare services whose rates are a fraction of comparable US healthcare services. Beyond the product showcase, attendees avail themselves of free health screenings and free workshops on various subjects from small business start-ups to healthy food preparation. They dine on Philippine regional specialties in the food court, and enjoy artistic as well as fun activities for all age groups throughout the venue.”

Although aimed at the diverse needs of attendees, the event’s core features all lead to the much anticipated finale on both days: the cultural show.

“For our historic 20th year, the concert headliners will be no less than all-time Filipino fan favorites, Gary Lewis and the Playboys,” said Ogie Afable, the cultural show’s producer. “Gary Lewis charted at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 with This Diamond Ring, and had six other Top 10 singles. But the Philippine artists will be no less spectacular, featuring multi-platinum-selling singer and comic Ogie Alcasid, plus the heartthrob love team of Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona.”

For more information, log on to www.fiestainamerica.com (Advertising Supplement)

Romulo A. Aromin, Jr., MD: The...

From Page 4 grounds aptly armed not only with an MD degree but as cum laude of Batch 1990 as well.

For dreams are free and youthful ambitions are limitless, Dr. Romulo Aromin, Jr. aimed soaring high with lofty dreams and confidently envisioned inexhaustible possibilities to succeed and experience a highflying lifestyle from what he toiled for. In just two years after his medical studies, the USA became the far-flung cradle of his wellmotivated ambition.

Innately born an achiever, Dr. Aromin easily worked his way through the tracks to climb up the ladder in the field of his specialization.

Instinctively endowed with imposing mental capability and academically competent, Dr. Aromin proved his plausible ability in journalism by collaboratively authoring and editing a number of medical publications on substance abuse during his Psychiatry residency in Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan (1994 to 1996). Interestingly he worked on a funded research by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) about Comorbid Addictive and Psychiatric Disorders which provided evidence for concurrent psychiatric and substance abuse services.

His mounting academic activities were nothing but astounding as a resource lecturer on: Comorbidity of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse in Teenagers, Depressive Disorders and Anti-depressant Basic Psychopharmacology.

Dr. Aromin’s remarkable stint at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center all the more built for him a strapping foundation as somebody knowledgeable about substance abuse via his noteworthy clinical therapeutic researches on Depression and Substance Abuse Treatments.

His professionally skilled involvement and dynamic membership in different associated groups undeniably enhances his professional status and promoted his career practice. Having mentioned that, Dr. Aromin has effectually established his correlation with well-recognized prestigious medical associations by being an indefatigable member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP), American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and a Fellow of American Psychiatric Association (APA).

His impressive roster of

professional experiences and enviable positions suitably created for Dr. Aromin strikingly electrifying status as a Medical Director of a number of medical facilities and Departments such as the Wordworth-at-Shawnee (19962000), Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s Chemically Addicted Program (2004-2015) and Child and Adolescent Partial Hospital Programs (2009-2015), and the Newark Renaissance House (2014- present) aside from his wellregarded positions as Associate and Assistant Director, Consulting Psychiatrist, and Chairman of other related medical practices.

Needless to elaborate that his methodical academic foundation and expert clinical training rewardingly fortified his Licensures and Certifications that readily propelled him to his current position as Associate Director at IFH’s Psychiatry Department since 2014.

Life outside the hospital perimeters No matter how occupied and work-loaded he is, Dr. Aromin still maintains an exciting private life totally free from the medical world. With an open life and grueling time free from the confines of his job, the lowkey doctor readily embraced his moment of liberation. His much-deserved free-wheeling opportunity openly releases all the strains and stresses crowding his mind and off his chest.

Dr. Aromin is passionately fashionable with impeccable taste and faultless preference. A music aficionado (with penchant to classical pieces) and a movie enthusiast (admittedly a Vilma Santos avid fan), the eloquent doctor still manages to enjoy life’s down-to-earth reality despite fame and fortune.

“Just like music and the movies, fashion itself is also an efficient tool for communication… a silent language recognized universally,” Dr. Aromin declared with conviction. “It is an art form that coveys one’s personal expression while simultaneously building self-confidence. Though it may put a dent in one’s wallet to be abreast with the current trend (especially branded items), I believe it still pays to be in vogue.”

“There’s a Latin aphorism that goes: ‘ars longa, vita brevis’ (art is long, life is short), so why not enjoy the bliss and pleasure the latest trend brings while living an enjoyable life?” he said.

Dr. Aromin’s hip-on-the-scene image is straightforwardly attested by the way he unmindfully splurges on wardrobes he fancies and the wisely invested furniture and art pieces that adorn his well-appointed condominium

No mean jokes for Bayani

From Page 4 Bayani said that he prays to God before coming to the show. “Sa lahat ng guestings, sobrang nagdadasal ako sa Diyos ng, ‘Bigyan Mo ako ng magandang joke.’ Kaya lahat ng binibitiwan ko na joke ay galing sa Kanya, biyaya ng Diyos.” He also prays not to allow his every joke to turn out offensive to other people.

The comedian also makes sure not to make anyone a subject of mockery whenever he drops a joke. Bayani has a lot of funny stories about his childhood years with his dear mother whom he adores. He is the youngest and the only thorn among six children.

“Me and my mom are always together having fun because we always laugh at each other’s joke.

Nagbibiruan kami kaya masaya kami lagi pag magkasama.”

Now that he is a dad to wonderful daughters — Thalia, Rosalinda, Mary Mar and Sabrina, Bayani feels blessed for being able to raise them well. He always reminds his daughters to be respectful to everyone.

Aside from “I Can See Your Voice” and “Funny Ka Pare Ko,” Bayani is also part of the midmorning series “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso” topbilled by Jodi

Santamaria, Robin Padilla and Richard Yap. By his own words, Bayani revealed that Richard is among the few who seldom laughs. “For three days, I never saw him laugh and I asked him if something’s bothering him and he told me nobody’s perfect.”

Asked how would he rate himself as a husband to Lenlen, Bayani confidently gave a perfect score of 10. One could easily sense how loving he is to his wife after telling that their love for each other gets stronger as days go by.

“We laugh and do things together. But it is not true that I am scared of her but the truth is, I love her so much.”

Bayani Agbayani has a delightful humor and an optimistic approach to life.

Philstar.com photo

We want to be as...

From Page 6 to be as famous and iconic as Spice Girls, but we also want the world to know us as Now United.

We want to follow their footsteps but at the same time, we want to showcase our originality,” said Joalin from Finland.

At the press con, former Kapamilya star Bailey was not spared from being asked about former love team partner Ylona Garcia, who also competed at the

boot camp for Now United.

When asked if Bailey and Ylona are still communicating, this is what he had to say: “We’re still friends and we will always be friends. She will always have a special place in my heart but we are at a phase in our life and professional career where we have to choose a path. Mine happens to be with Now United; this is where I’m focused at the moment.”

residence in Manhattan.

“The feeling of unexplained contentment and gratification, when I’m donned in wardrobe that meet my taste and standard, is something money can’t buy… something that invigoratingly boosts my ego and affirms my self-esteem. And doesn’t it feel good when you come home to a welcoming ambiance? What a sight of relief,” he explained.

Achieving such a relieving break and experiencing a stimulating atmosphere proffer an immense respite with unrestricted choices of leisure and pleasure.

Incidentally, as if his already crowded calendar wasn’t enough to pin him down, Dr. Aromin holds the New York franchise of Manila-based Miss Republic of the Philippines-International beauty pageant.

The doctor’s round-the-clock timetable Dr. Aromin’s arduous day-byday cycle is somewhat a regular grind. He normally wakes up at 5:00 in the morning, review cases while sipping coffee or having

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a quick breakfast of cereal or sandwich.

“Choosing my outfit for the day takes a longer time than being under the shower unless I’ve picked the perfect pair the night before,” the fashionconscious doctor volunteered to divulge. “By 8:30 a.m. I have to be at work until 6 or 6:30 depending on the volume of case studies. But I have the flexibility of my time… at least I have to clock-in 40 hours in a week,” he shared.

To keep his body toned and in good physical shape: “I go to the gym at least 2 to 3 times a week and on weekends me and my partner (civilly united in 1995 and officially married in 2009) drive off to Atlantic City for a muchdeserved respite in our modest abode along the boardwalk.

Personality attributes Because he is basically patient and uncomplaining, Doc Rom, in his innate capacity to control his

emotion, opts to wear his heart in his sleeves. Transparent with reasonable blatancy, he openly admits that he cannot hide an elephant into a mousetrap (that pertinent issues cannot be concealed but have to be dealt with) or better yet, let sleeping dogs lie and just remain cool as a cucumber if and when the situation couldn’t be controlled.

The unassuming doctor speaks with much eloquence with sanitized language but could be unpredictably boisterous and factitiously “out-of-theshell” when the situation calls for such… particularly during occasions when associates outside of his workplace indulge in a hair-down jollity.

“It takes extra effort to be passively aggressive in dealing with any conflict that may inevitably bring about criticisms from among people in the workplace and within one’s

core group. It isn’t a dastard act to evade scandalous situations or regrettable circumstances because at the end of the day, most of my 28 years of working experience had strongly developed my sense of empathy and I learned to value human relationships,” he said.

His advocacy: “In the most recent years, I earnestly support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for I intently believe in every person’s right and privilege to fully enjoy living in a society with fair treatment… and I assiduously promote the eradication of addiction and depression by training more people to combat drug addiction.

I love my profession so much that through its course I try to validate human suffering for those being depressed and addicts drug free.”

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