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JULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2018

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 29 - No. 28 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Duterte: My visit to ‘friend’ Trump in US just a matter of scheduling

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, July 25, said his visit to the United States is just a matter of “scheduling.” This appears to be a softening of his previous hardline stance against visiting the Philippines’ traditional ally.

Duterte had said earlier that he would never go to the U.S. during his term as President after U.S. President Donald Trump sits beside Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the Washington became critical of ASEAN gala dinner on November 12, 2017.

Malacañang photo

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SONA 2018. President Rodrigo Duterte greets some guests after delivering his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday July 23. Duterte began his SONA by saying that his controversial war on drugs “is far from over,” stressing that he would be more “relentless and chilling” as the day it began. He also hit human rights advocates and church leaders for criticizing his war on drugs, noting that their protests would never dissuade him from continuing the campaign.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Arroyo meets Alvarez after House ‘coup’

USA

DATELINE Hundreds of migrant parents may have been deported without their children FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US government has until July 26 to meet reunification deadline U.S. Justice Department attorneys said in a court filing Monday, July 23, that over 460 migrant parents separated from their children under the government’s “zerotolerance” policy may have already been deported without their kids.

The report comes just days ahead of a deadline to reunite over 2,500 children ages five to 17 with their parents, provided the parents do not have safety concerns or criminal history that make them ineligible.

Justice Department lawyers in the status report to Southern California U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw said that 879 children have been reunited with their par-

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NASA to team up with Filipino scientists on special project SCIENTISTS from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are expected to return to Manila next year for a project with Filipino scientists.

The $20-million CAMP2Ex Project seeks to better understand the cloud formation in the western part of the Philippines, which is one of word’s most unpredictable regions for weather and climate models, the U.S. Embassy said.

The project will involve the use of aircraft and satellite technology to study cloud formation and rainfall in the country.

“As part of the project, NASA and Filipino scientists will undertake a comprehensive effort to map and model the meteorological system of the Philippines, generating high quality data that will inform disaster risk reduction and preparedness,” the U.S. Embassy said.

Project partners from the Philippines include state weather bureau PAGASA, the Manila Observatory of Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines. The project

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For the first time after Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unseated Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the two lawmakers personally met on Wednesday, July 25.

Photo courtesy of Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales

NEWLY-installed Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has met with her predecessor, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, on Wednesday, July 25, based on photos released at the House of Representatives.

The meeting happened, two days after Alvarez was ousted from his post on Monday after 184 House members voted for Arroyo to assume the Speakership, catching Alvarez off guard.

Aside from the two House leaders, Rep. Aurelio Gonzales of Pampanga, a staunch ally of Arroyo, was also in the room.

The squabble over the Speakership happened hours before President Rodrigo

Duterte was to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA), leading to a near walkout by the Chief Executive if the lawmakers did not return to the session hall.

The House drama unfolded when Rep. Rolando Andaya of Camarines Sur announced that at least 161 members from the majority coalition met to make an urgent decision even if the House was not in session. Andaya’s microphone, however, was abruptly turned off.

While his mic was off, Andaya kept on speaking. Rep. Karlo Nograles of Davao City, chairman of the House committee on

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MILF welcomes ratification of Bangsamoro law

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

AL-HAJ Murad Ebrahim, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman, celebrated the impending signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), after it was ratified by the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 24.

“We really thank the new leadership of the House. We want to extend our appreciation.

We are hoping that this is key to moving forward na wala nang sagabal dito (there are no more hindrances) after this,” he said.

The BOL replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with Bangsamoro Region, which will enjoy fiscal autonomy under a duly elected Bangsamoro Parliament.

The inclusion of the six Lanao del Norte municipalities and 39 barangay (villages) of North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Region will also be provided under the BOL. The region will also enjoy a bigger share of the taxes collected by the national government — 75 percent, as opposed to the 70 percent that the ARMM currently gets. The rest goes to the national government.

The bill was supposed to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), however, it fell through when the House majority decided to replace House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez with Pampanga Rep. Gloria MacapaFrom a list of 15 achievements, 69 percent of Filipinos said eradicating the problem of gal Arroyo.

“Despite all that has been said against illegal drugs is the most important accomplishment of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his

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administration.

Philstar.com photo

‘HUMAN LIVES, NOT HUMAN RIGHTS’

New Tourism Board head urges Duterte vows to pursue young travelers to explore PH ‘chilling’ fight vs drugs

by AJPRESS

TBP head Arnold Gonzales

)5(( &2168/7$7,216

NEWLY-APPOINTED Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) head Arnold Gonzales has reached out to young Filipinos urging them to travel around the Philippines.

He also added that the country still has a lot of attractions for them to discover.

“Discovering the Philip-

pines is a rewarding experience as it allow us to deeply understand our culture and reconnect with our heritage,” said Gonzales in a Sunstar report.

“Through our own discoveries, we will be able to see what makes this country unique and worth visiting,” he said.

He also added that more Filipinos will appreciate the country better if travel do-

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by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed to pursue a “relentless” and “chilling” war against illegal drugs, as he laid out his plans for the remaining half of his six-year term in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 23.

In a 48-minute, expletive-free speech, Duterte said his twoyear-old war against illegal drugs was “far from over.”

“Let me begin by putting it

bluntly: the war against illegal drugs is far from over. Where before, the war resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs worth millions of pesos, today, they run [into]billions in peso value. I can only shudder at the harm that those drugs could have caused had they reached the streets of every province, city, municipality, barangay and community throughout the country,” Duterte said.

“This is why the illegal drugs war will not be sidelined. In-

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A

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

july 26-august 1, 2018 • las VEgas asIaN jOuRNal

From The FronT Page

Duterte vows to pursue ‘chilling’...

PAGE A1 stead, it will be as relentless and chilling, if you will, as on the day it began,” he said.

The president then slammed human rights activists who have criticized the thousands of deaths caused by the anti-drug war, calling their efforts “misdirected.”

“If you think that I can be dissuaded from continuing this fight

because of [your]demonstrations, your protests, which I find, by the way, misdirected, then you got it all wrong. Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives,” he said.

The bloody campaign against drugs killed 4,354 people from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018, based on the government’s #RealNumbersPH. These fatalities reportedly re-

sisted arrest during the 102,630 legitimate police operations conducted during the period.

The anti-drug raids have also resulted in the arrest of 147,802 drug personalities, including 229 elected officials, 52 uniformed personnel and 245 government employees.

Known for his long, impromptu speeches, Duterte stuck to his prepared text except for a few adlibs. Duterte’s first SONA in 2016 lasted for one hour and 32 minutes while his second SONA lasted two hours.

Duterte drew 34 applauses from the audience in his third SONA. Red tape, Bangsamoro Law Duterte ordered government agencies to faithfully implement the law against red tape, saying some offices had a “lousy and corrupt bureaucracy.”

He told government offices “with a number of red tape-related reports from the public” to make their services “truly customer-friendly.”

Duterte signed Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 in May this year.

To achieve peace and development in Mindanao, Duterte said he would sign the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 48 hours.

“When the approved version is transmitted and received by my office… The law has been passed actually and I intend to… Give me 48 hours to sign it and ratify the law,” he said.

Duterte was supposed to sign the proposed measure onTuesday, July 24 but this did not happen as the House adjourned its session before it could be ratified.

The Senate was able to ratify the reconciled version of the bill.

Duterte, the first Philippine president from Mindanao, earlier certified the bill as urgent, prompting Congress to fast-track the passage of the draft measure.

The bicameral conference committee approved the final version of the bill on July 18.

The historic law abolishes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) established in 1989 to administer Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.

The ARMM will then be replaced by the Bangsamoro Autonomous PAGE A3

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SIGNING OFF. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales faces reporters for the last time on Tuesday, urging the media to stay committed to truth and freedom. She retired on Wednesday, July 25.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Duterte: My visit to ‘friend’...

PAGE A1 his drug war and anti-criminality campaign. But this was during the administration of former President Barack Obama.

It appears that his stand is now changing as he hailed on Wednesday his friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“He (Trump) is my friend and of course I have been invited to the United States several times, but you know, it’s not because of anybody or any place there, it has something to do with the schedule,” Duterte said in a speech during the Asia Pacific Health Islands Conference in Davao City.

The president said long-haul flights from Manila to Washington would “kill” him.

“The long haul 13 to 14 hours would kill me,” he said.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim had said earlier that Duterte’s visit to the U.S. is just a “question of scheduling.”

“President Trump has already invited President Duterte to visit Washington,” Kim said. “But obviously, there are lots of important developments here in the Philippines and I think it’s a question of scheduling as to when President Duterte will be able visit the United States,” Kim said.

Kim added that the US is working on the second meeting between the two leaders, citing “strong interest” from both sides.

“I think there’s strong interest in both sides and facilitating a visit to Washington so we’ll continue to work on it,” he said.

The two presidents have already met in Manila during the country’s

hosting of the 31 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November last year.

“I think President Trump and President Duterte have a very strong relationship,” Kim said.

“It was very evident during President Trump’s visit last November that the two gentlemen share much in common including on the importance of rule of law even as the Philippines continues to pursue the serious challenge of illegal drugs in the Philippines,” he added.

During a meeting with Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also relayed hopes for a second meeting between President Duterte and Trump in Washington.

(With a report from Anthony Esquerra/Inquirer.net)

MILF welcomes ratification of...

PAGE A1 the BOL by all sectoral groups, I make this solid commitment that this administration will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within their constitutional framework of our country,” Duterte said on Monday, July 23.

“When the approved version is transmitted and received by my office, give me 48 hours to sign

it and ratify the law. Babasahin ko muna bago ko pipirmahan, baka may isiningit kayo diyan (I will read it first before signing it because you may have inserted something in it),” he added.

Ebrahim, before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Tuesday, said he was surprised to witness the controversial coup at the House.

“We really need to comfort

them because there are very bad experience before. That we are in the finishing line and something will happen,” he said.

“We are trying to get hold of our people on the ground not to do any activity that would be negative to the situation we are facing now,” he added.

Ebrahim has high hopes that the BOL will be signed within the 48-hour timeframe Duterte promised during his SONA. n

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Duterte vows to pursue ‘chilling’...

PAGE A2

Region.

Cha-cha Duterte also expressed confidence that Filipinos would rally behind his administration’s push for charter change.

Shifting to federalism from a unitary system is among the key campaign pledges of Duterte, who promised during the 2016 campaign to spread resources and political power to the countryside.

He thanked members of his consultative committee on charter change particularly former chief justice Reynato Puno and former Senate president Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. for working on the draft federal charter.

The president also reiterated that he did not want to stay in power beyond the end of his term in 2022 under the 1987 Constitution or any other charter.

“I have no illusions of occupying this office one day longer than what the Constitution under which I was elected, or under whatever constitution there might be, [requires].”

Sea dispute, ‘endo’ In his speech, Duterte also boasted about his administration’s “improved” relationship with China, but assured the public that such renewed affinity between the two countries did not mean the Philippines wavering on territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“Our improved relationship with China, however, does not mean that we will waver in our commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea. This is why we engage China through bilateral and multilateral platforms such as the AseanChina and the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism,” he said.

Duterte also admitted his hands were tied on the issue of ending contractualization in the country.

“Read my lips, I understand that this does not satisfy all sectors. I share their sentiment; I truly do. Much as I would like to do the impossible, that power is not vested upon me by the Constitution. And neither will I make both ends meet even if I violate the laws to achieve that purpose.

Simply, it is not part of my territory,” he said.

But the president renewed his call for Congress to pass legislation of ending the practice of

contractualization “once and for all.”

Duterte signed on May 1 Executive Order 51 prohibiting the illegal contracting and sub-contracting of workers. He said the campaign against “endo” had resulted in the regularization of 300,000 workers.

Labor groups such as the Kilusang Mayo Uno want more, saying the president should have signed an EO that bans all forms of contractualization.

Land use, Boracay, mining The president called on the Senate to “urgently pass the National Land Use Act,” which he said would address competing land requirements for food, housing, business and environmental conservation.

“What has happened to Boracay is just an indication of the long-overdue need to rationalize, in a holistic and sustainable manner, the utilization, management, and development of our lands,” Duterte said, referring to the popular tourist destination that he shut down earlier this year for a cleanup.

He reiterated his warning to miners against destroying the environment, insisting that extractive industries “must be used for the benefit of the Filipino people, not just a select few.”

“To the mining industry, I say this once again and maybe for the last time, do not destroy the environment or compromise our resources; repair what you have mismanaged. Try to change [your]management radically because this time you will have restrictive policies. The prohibition of open pit mining is one.

It is destroying my country. It is destroying the environment. It will destroy the world of tomorrow for our children,” he said.

‘Pass Train 2’ Duterte said tax reform would push through, adding such initiative was “incorrectly” blamed for rising consumer prices.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or Train, which took effect on January 1 and raised duties on sugarsweetened drinks, fuel and cars, has generated much-needed revenue to fund government infrastructure projects, according to Duterte.

“This year, we are giving P149 billion worth of subsidies to the poor and vulnerable. Next year, the amount will be increased to P169 billion. But no amount of subsidy can help the poor if some

DATELINE USA

businesses take advantage of the situation to make more money. I ask businesses to cooperate with us in charging a fair price,” he said.

Duterte then warned rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, to “stop messing with the people.”

“Power sometimes is not a good thing. But I hope I will not have to use it against you. Consider yourselves warned; mend your ways now or the full force of the State shall be brought to bear upon you. I am directing all intelligence agencies to unmask the perpetrators of this economic sabotage and our law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice,” he said.

Third telco Duterte promised that the third telecommunications player, to be selected soon by the government to compete with the duopoly of Globe Telecom and PLDT, should be “reliable, inexpensive and secure.”

“My administration remains firm in its resolve to ensure that the country’s telecommunications services are reliable, inexpensive and secure. A draft Terms of Reference for the entry of a new, major industry player is at hand,” he said.

However, Duterte said the government’s efforts to usher in a new major player “shall be rendered futile if we do not improve its odds of success in an industry that has long been dominated by a well-entrenched duopoly.”

“We shall, therefore, lower interconnection rates between all industry players. Not only to lessen the cost to the consumers as it will also lower the costs [for the]incoming player to access existing networks, [thereby creating]a market environment that is more conducive to competition,” he said.

‘Defeatist speech’ Minority senators described the third SONA as a defeatist speech filled with promises already made during the 2016 election campaign.

“The promise to continue relentlessly on the war on drugs is, as has been admitted, chilling and also senseless.

Because daily killings have not solved and will not solve the drug problem,” said Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party.

Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros described it as a rerun.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2018

A3

AGREEMENT. Congresswoman Dina Titus recently met with high school and college students as part of the Korean American Grassroots Conference to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community. They discussed H.R. 2106, the Partner with Korea Act, of which Congresswoman Titus is a cosponsor, which would create a high-skilled temporary visas for up to 15,000 Koreans. Other free trade agreements with the U.S. have included an allotment of high-skilled visas, but the Korea-US FTA did not. They also discussed H.R. 5233, the Adoptee Citizenship Act, which would close the loophole of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 to grant citizenship to internationally adopted children who were over the age of 18 at that time. Around 20,000 Korean American adoptees lack records of U.S. citizenship finalization.

She is a supporter of this bill and has asked to cosponsor but at the request of the bill’s sponsor is waiting for an additional Republican to cosponsor.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Dina Titus

Hundreds of migrant parents may have...

PAGE A1 ents, up from the 450 reported Friday, July 20. It added that 538 have been cleared to be reunited pending transportation arrangements, which means that at least half of the 2,551 would be reunited by the Thursday, July 26, deadline.

Another 917 were found to be either “not yet known to be eligible,” or ineligible for reunification.

The cases of the 463 parents no longer in the U.S. are said to be currently “under review,” adding to concerns that more parents may have been deported without their children than previously thought.

Sabraw set the 30-day reunification deadline last month and wanted to know how many of the over 2,500 parents eligible for reunions were no longer in the U.S. Last Monday, he issued an order to temporarily suspend the federal government from deporting families

yet to be reunited.

The government has said that parents had willingly left the U.S. without their children, giving written consent after being informed in their native language. But immigration advocates and attorneys have argued that many parents were not fully aware of what was happening and may have been pressured into signing papers out of desperation.

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month of a father who was deported back to his home country without his daughter, claiming that he did not recall ever making an agreement to do so.

Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that the father had agreed to be sent home without her.

“We have concerns about misinformation given to these parents about their rights to fight deportation without their children,” said American Civil

Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Stephen Kang, as quoted by the Washington Post.

“If this number turns out to be as large as the report suggests, this is going to be a big issue for us,” he said. “We have a lot of questions.”

The government ran into troubles earlier this month in meeting its first deadline to reunite the over 100 separated children under the age of five.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month to stop separations after receiving criticism including from those in his own party.

The court order and deadlines set by Sabraw to reunite children with their parents came as a response to a lawsuit against the Trump administration by ACLU. Another hearing for the updates on the reunification process was slated for Tuesday evening, July 24. (Rae Ann Varona /AJPress)

A

july 26-august 1, 2018 • las VEgas asIaN jOuRNal

NASA to team up with Filipino scientists...

Dateline USa

PAGE A1 is set to begin in mid-2019.

Two Filipino-made satellites are currently in space — Diwata-1 and Maya-1 — which are being used for research purposes.

NASA scientists arre in the country to participate in the National Science Technology Week to interact with Filipino scientists, engineering students and high school teachers.

As part of the visit, CAMP2Ex project lead scientist Hal Maring mentored Filipino high school Dr. Hal Maring answers questions on space debris and NASA missions to Mars during the National teachers on techniques for teach- Science and Technology Week exhibit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy in Manila

ing science and meteorology.

“I was impressed by the STEM teachers’ intense interest in inspiring their students. We had a productive time discussing how to teach climate and environmental science to Filipino youth,” Maring said.

NASA scientists also participated in several events such as presentations and interactive exhibits on scientific research and technology.

The opening of the week-long event, organized by the Department of Science and Technology, included the NASA and the US Embassy’s handing over of specialized lenses for mosquito identification to the agency’s Philippine Science High Schools Program.

“The lenses were provided through the U.S. governmentfunded Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program, a US-led initiative to promote citizen science to fight mosquito-borne diseases in 22 countries, including the Philippines,” the U.S. Embassy said. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

Duterte vows to pursue ‘chilling’...

PAGE A3 “Empty rhetoric. Hollow pronouncements. No real achievements. No vision,” she said.

Another opposition senator, Antonio Trillanes 4th said Duterte’s address was an admission of non-achievement.

“Worse, it was an admission that Duterte doesn’t have a clue on how to solve the serious problems being faced by our country most of which he created in the first place,” he added.

Representatives Edcel Lagman of Albay and Tomasito Villarin of Akbayan party-list made the same observations, but were surprised that there were no attacks on the opposition.

“The people want economic reforms to arrest poverty. Yet the president insists on the full implementation of the TRAIN Law which has triggered the rise of inflation to 6.1 percent on food and non-alcoholic beverages, thus exacerbating food poverty, further reducing the people’s purchasing power, and decreas-

ing the value of real wages,” Lagman said.

Other lawmakers were positive.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon posted on Twitter that Duterte’s third SONA was clear on its objectives.

“A SONA that I wanted to hear…one w/ a legislative agenda, a statement on the president’s stand on issues & a delivery that was fitting not just for his domestic audience but the international community. Regardless of one’s political leanings, it was a SONA one could listen to,” he tweeted.

Rep. Sherwin Tugna of the party-list Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption said in a text message: “We applaud the president’s SONA. He stayed with his prepared speech. What our party list found the most for the benefit of the people is his mention of the National Land Use act.”

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali agreed.

“I am happy with his SONA message because it was clear and

he defined his programs, what he wants to continue. I think his message is clear that he will continue his advocacy on criminality, on drugs, and on corruption, and federalism,” he said.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said President Duterte was able to enumerate his priorities in his third SONA. “He mentioned the things that I wanted to hear like endo, rice tariffication, federalism, and the fight against inflation,” he said.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, however, expressed hope the president and his economic managers would reconsider their stance on the TRAIN law.

“I maintain my view that we need to consider the suspension of the excise taxes on fuels—not the entire law—in order to protect Filipino consumers from spiraling prices of goods,” he said.

(With reports from Jefferson Antiporda, Bernadette Tamayo, Llanesca Panti, Reina Tolentino, Roy Narra and Mary Gleefer Jalea/ManilalTimes.net)

Arroyo meets Alvarez after...

PAGE A1 appropriations, then proceeded to calling the roll while holding a booklet with a list of House members.

Rep. Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro was wrote down the votes.

While all of these were happening, lawmakers huddled around Arroyo who, accompaNewly installed House Speaker Gloria nied by Deputy Speaker Fredenil Macapagal Arroyo arrives at the Plenary Castro of Capiz, climbed the Hall of the House of Representatives on her rostrum and took her oath as the first day as speaker on Tuesday, July 24. new Speaker. before Rep. Dennis ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez Laogan of Ang Kabuhayan party-

New Tourism Board head urges...

PAGE A1 mestically, to discover more unknown places.

Gonzales, who replaced former TPB head Cesar Montano, was at the recent 5th International Travel Fair when he challenged young Filipino travelers to explore more destinations in the Philippines.

In 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed in its data that tourism accounted for 12.2 percent of the country’s economy. It also showed that it added to the Philippines’ GDP amounting to P1.93 trillion, up by 24.2 percent from 2016.

Tourism receipts of foreign

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad grew by 43.9 percent in 2017, amounting to P448.6 billion, from P311.7 billion in 2016.

Recognizing Cebu Ranked as the eight Best Island in the World and sixth Best Island in Asia in the 2018 Travel + Leisure survey, tourism players believe that Cebu should expect more tourist arrivals this year.

Apart from its global recognition, it also recently opened its new airport terminal.

“This honor, plus our new beautiful airport terminal, coming five-star hotels and resorts, and the new eco-tourism activi-

ties developed by the municipalities will help further increase the arrivals of tourists,” said Edwin Ortiz, tourism committee chair of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ortiz, however, emphasized that in spite of the recognition, Cebu will also face a bigger challenge to maintain — or better yet, exceed — the current ranking.

“I hope we will not rest on our laurels as the reality is other Asian countries who also have natural attractions are fast catching up when it comes to welcoming foreigners and learning the English language to make traveling in their countries easier,” Ortiz said.

For this, Ortiz hailed the joint

list, the youngest member of the House at 27 years old.

Arroyo tried to address her colleagues by shouting at the session hall, which she later revealed was a thank you message and call for unity.

The session was reconvened at 7 p.m. after the President’s SONA to pave the way for Arroyo’s official assumption as Speaker with 184 out of 292 House members voting for her, which was more than the required majority of 147.

(Llanesca Panti/ManilaTimes. net) efforts between Cebu’s local government and private sector to solve the worsening traffic, safety and security, as well as eco-tourism and initiatives to improve cleanliness and sanitation.

Gonzales on the other hand, believes that apart from foreign travelers, promoting domestic travel would identify gaps and challenges in the industry. Traveling in the country, he said, would allow Filipinos to communicate with their kababayans, learn from their ideals and dialect, and understand their way of living.

“This will allow us to know what brings us closer rather than recognize what sets us apart,” he said. (AJPress)

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Dateline PPhilippines hiliPPines ranked Asia’s most dangerous country for environment defenders

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

SECURITY LAYER. Anti-riot police take position along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City near the Batasang Pambansa Complex before President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 23. The pro- and anti-government rallies turned out peaceful and orderly.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Senators slam Arroyo’s election as Speaker

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election as Speaker of the House of representatives was slammed by her critics on Tuesday, July 24, as they claimed it might be part of a plan to put her back at the top as prime minister.

The coup that Arroyo and her allies pulled on Monday, July 23, to topple Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez from the top post in the House was described

by Senator Panfilo Lacson as “awkward, ugly, low and disgraceful.”

He also called Arroyo’s election as speaker an argument against moves for the parliamentary system shift.

“Regardless of whether it was Representative Arroyo or somebody else replacing the ousted speaker, what happened yesterday is a strong argument against a parliamentary form of government where patronage politics plays a major, if not the only, role in selecting our country’s top

leader,” he said.

According to Lacson, if there is a plan to make Arroyo prime minister, those behind it should rethink what they are plotting as the Senate would not allow it.

Arroyo, who was President from 2001 to 2010 and was detained for five years for alleged graft, was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House after receiving the support of 184 congressmen.

Senator Grace Poe also expressed her thoughts, warning that the leader of Congress would be nearly as powerful as the president in the proposed parliamentary government.

“So let us say the speaker now would be the speaker during that time. Is that the kind of change you want? We all know what we went through for nine, 10 years,” Poe said.

She also pointed out that Arroyo’s term was marked by corruption, high prices of basic goods and gasoline, and weakening of the peso against the dollar.

“People want change, but not the kind of change that would bring us to a more desperate situ-

ation,” Poe said.

Senator JV Ejercito said the situation in the House must have been so bad for Arroyo to be considered for speaker.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, made a jab towards Duterte’s leadership, pointing out that the “debacle” at the House reflected the “chaos and incompetence plaguing the Duterte government.”

According to her, Duterte’s allies squabbling over power in full view of the country and the international community just minutes before he was to address a joint session of Congress was a sign of weakness.

“They chose to disrespect their own president and attend to their own ambitions in full view of the nation. For almost an hour, it seemed that nobody was in control,” Hontiveros said.

“This is the true state of the nation. It is petty infighting, backstabbing and brinkmanship, all done at the people’s expense.

This is nothing short of an embarrassment. It is a clear failure in leadership,” she added. n

NDRRMC: Over 250,000 families affected by days of rain, flooding MANILA — More than 250,000 households in seven regions were affected by the flooding and continuous downpour caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical cyclones that hit the country in recent weeks.

According to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council, as reported by staterun Philippine News Agency, there were 250,000 families or 1,132,666 individuals affected by Tropical Storm Henry, Tropical Storm Inday and Tropical Depression Josie as of Tuesday, July 24.

These people reside in 1,011 barangays located in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region and the National Capital Region.

There were also 14,551 families (61,674 individuals) being aided in 302 evacuation centers.

Four people were confirmed dead in the aftermath of heavy rains and flooding.

NDRRMC added that the damage was placed at P817 million with P456 million for infrastructure and P362 million

for agriculture.

The province of Pangasinan has been placed under a state of calamity Monday following the heavy rains and flooding caused by “Inday” and “Josie.”

Tropical Depression Josie left the Philippine area of responsibility Monday but state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area off Central Luzon. The weather disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Philstar.com)

Paco Larrañaga thankful for public support, says co-accused are innocent too

by Rosette

adel

Philstar.com

MANILA — After the outpour of online support for imprisoned Spanish-Filipino Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga, he expressed gratitude to the public and made an appeal.

Larrañaga was one of the seven men dubbed as the “Chiong Seven” who were imprisoned for the alleged kidnapping and rape of the Chiong Sisters, Marijoy and Jacqueline in Cebu City in 1997.

Marijoy was allegedly murdered.

The six other accused are Jozman Aznar, Rowen Wesley Adlawan, Alberto Allan “Pahak” Cano, Ariel Balansag, James Andrew “MM” Uy and James Anthony Uy. Most of the accused, including Larrañaga were from prominent families. Larrañaga happens to be the great-grandson of Sergio Osmeña Sr. The Chiong Seven’s case resurfaced after Viva Films released a film titled “Jacqueline Comes Home” which is based on the trueto-life tragic story of the Chiong sisters.

This prompted calls to boycott the film as a documentary released in 2011 titled “Give Up Tomorrow” previously aired the side of Larrañaga where he was defended by his witnesses to not be in Cebu City during the time of the supposed kidnapping. The documentary got the public’s sympathy and most of those who watched claimed Larrañaga was innocent.

Due to this, an online petition was launched calling on President Rodrigo Duterte and the Supreme Court to review the case of the Chiong Seven who remained to be imprisoned now. The six accused are at the New Bilibid Prison while Larrañaga gets to work by

Imprisoned Spanish-Filipino Francisco Juan “Paco” Larrañaga claimed his co-accused are innocent too.

Photo from Facebook/Give Up Tomorrow

day and is still jailed in Spain by night time.

Through a lengthy social media post at “Give Up Tomorrow’s” Facebook page, Larrañaga extended his gratitude to his supporters.

“Hello Everybody! This is Paco.

I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have sent me messages of support, encouragement and prayers. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the human rights abuses and the facts of our case,” Larrañaga wrote.

“This is very important to me because maybe by knowing what happened to us it will prevent more innocent people from falling through the cracks of the justice system. Thank you for being my voice when I cannot speak out in our fight for justice. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude. Reading your messages puts a smile in my heart,” he added.

‘My co-accused are innocent too’ Larrañaga also appealed to the public to please hear his six coacussed’s stories too, claiming

that they too are innocent.

“I also wanted to tell you that I am not the only one who is innocent. My 6 co-accused are just as innocent as I am,” Larrañaga said.

The half Spanish citizen said he is fortunate that Spain’s prison system is “humane and rehabilitative” that they allowed him to complete his culinary school and work but he still thinks of his co-accused.

“But not a day goes by that I do not think about James Andrew, James Anthony, Alberto, Ariel, Josman and Rowen and feel a pain in my soul because they do not deserve to be in Bilibid any more than I do,” Larrañaga said.

“They are victims of injustice just like me. If you can, please hear their stories too,” he added.

Larrañaga shared that those who reached out to him made his burden lighter. He added hashtag #FreeCebu7 in his post.

According to reports, only a pardon from the president would give the Chiong Seven their freedom. n

INTERNATIONAL non-government organization The Global Witness said 48 environmental campaigners were murdered in the Philippines last year — making the country the most dangerous for environmental defenders in Asia.

It’s a 71 percent increase from the 28 killings in the country in 2016.

Based on Global Witness’ 2017 report, 207 land and environmental activists were killed across 22 countries, or about four deaths a week, making last year the worst year on record globally. Brazil recorded the highest with 57, followed by Philippines.

The report said, “There is a huge rise in killings linked to consumer products. Brutal attacks on those defending their land from destructive agriculture – such as land grabs for palm oil, used in household goods like soap and coffee – are on the rise.”

The Global Witness referred to the TAMASCO massacre in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato last December as among the major killings after seven members of the T’boli-Manubu tribe were killed in a New People’s Army encounter.

A fact-finding mission by civil society organizations also revealed that the community was resisting the encroachment of a coffee plantation without the consent of the indigenous peoples.

“Local activists are being murdered as governments and businesses value quick profit over human life. Many of the products emerging from this bloodshed are on the shelves of our supermarkets,” Ben Leather, Global Witness senior campaigner, said.

Some governments and businesses are complicit in the killings, the report also revealed.

“Governments, companies and investors have the duty and the power to support and protect defenders at risk, and to guarantee accountability wherever attacks occur. But more importantly, they can prevent these threats from emerging in the first place, by

listening to local communities, respecting their rights and ensuring that business is conducted responsibly,” Leather said.

The killings were also linked with mining, poaching and logging apart from agriculture.

Atty. Kimberley Schaefer

Local NGO Alyansa Tigil Mina pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte not talking about indigenous people issues will only exacerbate the situation of lumads who are displaced PAGE A7

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OPINION

Politics as usual

FEATURES

ORDINARY folks couldn’t care less who heads the two chambers of Congress. Power plays and backstabbing are so chronic in the two chambers that even the most accomplished wheeler-dealer can be ousted any time.

What causes concern is when the political intramurals affect national interest. On Monday, July 23, power play in the House of Representatives stalled the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which Malacañang had hoped President Duterte could sign in time for his third State of the Nation Address or SONA. The ratification was stalled at the House because the camp of Davao del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez got wind of plans to unseat him as speaker, with Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be installed as his replacement. The House session was abruptly adjourned at around noon. The former president, now much recovered since her days of wearing a neck brace and sitting in a wheelchair while under “hospital arrest” on charges of plunder, had previously denied being interested in the speaker’s post.

Efforts to unseat Alvarez continued, with Arroyo getting at least 161 congressmen to sign a petition installing her as speaker. Before Duterte’s SONA, the public address system at the Batasang Pambansa was switched off, forcing Arroyo to

shout at her supporters following her “oath-taking.” There were unconfirmed reports of the speaker’s mace being spirited away.

The public would probably find it entertaining if the feuding camps would hurl chairs at each other or engage in fisticuffs, as in the legislative chambers of certain countries. What is not amusing is when the feuding derails programs and projects.

Proponents and supporters of the Bangsamoro Organic Law had looked forward to its ratification yesterday and enactment by the President.

Now the BOL will have to wait a few more days as the President said he needed about 48 hours to comb through the final version, saying he wanted to make sure there were no last-minute insertions by lawmakers that he might not like. The statement sounded like a half-joke.

He did not mention the House infighting as he stuck to his prepared speech. Undoubtedly, however, the President would want his political allies to make sure that their feuds would not derail his legislative agenda as he starts his third year in power. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump has yet again outdone himself in the past week in sowing contradictions, conspiracy theories and chaos in the United States. It’s a gift that keeps on giving to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who according to the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies, aims to sow chaos and discord among the people of the United States and among the member countries of the free world.

In the aftermath of his disastrous summit with the Russian dictator in Helsinki — which has left every American guessing what he discussed with Putin in private — and after another provocative storm of tweets (in all caps) warning Iran that continued threats would result in “consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before,” Trump addressed the annual convention of the nonpartisan Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Kansas

Trump revises his ‘version of truth,’ tweets that Russia pushes to help Democrats win in the 2018 Midterm Elections City, Missouri, and converted it to be a political rally to lash out at his critics.

Many people at the VFW event were hoping the president would use the event as an opportunity “to listen — and we mean really listen — to some of the heroes who will be on hand to hear him,” as stated in an editorial published by the Kansas City ADD: Star.

The editorial was in response to Trump’s provocative tweet to Iran, reminiscent of his “fire and fury” threat of war with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un a year ago.

“They surely will have something to say about the realities of war and the horrors of combat,” the newspaper’s editorial board stated. “Those insights would be good for Trump to hear now as he continues to rattle his saber at foes around the globe.”

Instead, Trump told the veterans, “Don’t believe the crap you hear from these people — the fake news.” With his ever loyal fan base watching on television,

Trump added, “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.”

Such propaganda message is necessary in Trump’s universe to insulate his fans from the barrage of news reports that do not fit in his “version” of the truth, especially in light of the ongoing Mueller probe into the alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign to damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign and help Trump win.

After siding with Putin in the dictator’s denial of interfering in the U.S. election, and after saying he does not believe Russia continues to hack into the 2018 midterm elections, Trump now revises his narrative and expressed concern about Russian interference in the 2018 ADD: midterm elections.

On Tuesday, July 24, Trump tweeted, “I’m very concerned that Russia will be fighting very hard to have an impact on the upcoming Election. Based on the fact that no President has been

and son George.

In a stunning accusation directed at President Donald Trump, Clarke described the U.S. president as a “controlled asset.” In the intelligence community, a controlled asset is one who speaks and acts on the basis of how his handler or case officer wants him to behave.

The asset may be controlled for a number of reasons: One, he is on the payroll of the controlling party or, second, he could be facing threats of unsavory revelations about possible money dealings or sexual encounters.

Trump has been the object of salacious reports regarding his sexual adventures in Moscow as a private businessman. All these make him vulnerable to blackmail. Clarke’s accusation implies that someone, possibly an outsider, is handling the U.S. president.

For those of us interested in events taking place outside the country, we might recall that, a few days earlier, the U.S. president called out his Nato allies and urged them to meet agreed-upon defense expenditures amounting to 2 percent of the gross domestic product of their countries, and possibly an even higher figure of 4 percent of GDP. Fair enough.

But then he slammed Germany in particular for agreeing to a pipeline project that he believed gave Moscow too much

influence over its economy. He said that “Germany is totally controlled by Russia.” This was certainly not the best way to talk about friends.

Prior to a visit with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, Trump publicly called her Brexit handling “unfortunate” and said he advised her against it, adding that May’s blueprint would probably kill any bilateral trade deal between the two countries. To stick the knife even deeper, Trump praised Boris Johnson, the resigned former foreign secretary, as a great future prime minister of the country. With hundreds of thousands of Londoners on the streets protesting his visit, he was carefully taken in and out of locations, mostly by helicopter, so as not to feel the “warmth” of London’s welcome.

In a recent Fox News interview, Trump expressed concern about Montenegro, Nato’s 29th and newest member, asking whether the United States should go to war to defend Montenegro. That sounds like the beginning of the end of a U.S.-led Nato. Under Article 5 of Nato’s charter, an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Of the three meetings on his swing to Europe, Nato and the United Kingdom, and a Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump boast-

Reveille

RAMON FAROLAN AS Tropical Storms “Inday” and “Josie” continue to bring heavy rains and strong winds to most areas in Metro Manila, I am reminded of “Ondoy,” which caused so much damage in our community nine years ago.

When “Ondoy” struck in October 2009, it converted our main living room into a pool of murky water, much of it from a creek just beside the house. So many books, family albums and documents disappeared under water, rendered beyond recovery and restoration.

The lesson from Ondoy was that, through the years, we all tend to accumulate things that are of no real value to our lives, things that should have been thrown or given away long ago.

Its clear message: As we travel through life, we can do with fewer material possessions that will only weigh us down.With the weather changing abruptly, I am stuck watching TV, surfing from one station to another, and the most interesting and amazing program is that of Christiane Amanpour of CNN. Her guest is Richard Clarke, a former counterterrorism expert of both Bush presidents—George H.W. Bush

Philstar.com photo

tougher on Russia than me, they will be pushing very hard for the Democrats. They definitely don’t want Trump!”.

Many wonder why Trump would have the audacity to spread such “conspiracy theory” when he, just like in his many conspiracy theories in the past, has no evidence to back up such crazy outrageous claim.

The problem with this narrative is the fact that in the recently concluded “summit” where Putin admitted during the news conference while he was there standing side by side with the U.S. president that he wanted Trump to win.

Let me quote that part of the transcript of the news conference: Reporter: Did you want President Trump to win the election and did you direct any of your officials to help him do that?

Putin: Yes, I wanted him to win.

Because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal.

Who in their right mind would believe Trump when facts show that Putin hated Obama, Clinton, the Democratic Party and had interfered in the 2016 Elections to help Trump win by cyber warfare against the Democrats. This was based on the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies and the Senate Intelligence Committee, which has already warned about Russia’s continued attack in our 2018 election process, our power grid, and the state websites to steal voter data.

Who in their right mind and with open eyes would not see how Trump has been so friendly and meek as a lamb in front of Putin and has not personally called the Russian dictator out for Russia’s assault in our democracy, even inviting him for a second summit in the White House?

OF COURSE, there are people who will blindly believe all of Trump’s “version of truth” despite what actual real facts really say.

Could Trump be concerned

about the defeat of Republicans this November because of his own doing that he is already conditioning the minds of his fan base that such victory of the Democrats in the midterm election was because of Russia’s interference — an attempt to turn the table and absolve him of the allegations of collusion with Russia whatever the conclusion of the Mueller investigation may be?

AND IF THE GOP wins and retains the majority in both the Senate and the House, could such “version of the truth” foster the narrative that he, indeed, is America’s “favorite president”?

When could it be a result of Russia’s unbridled continued interference in our elections to help Trump keep his power? *** 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

How America treats its allies

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet on Monday, July 16 in Helsinki, Finland.

Official White House photo by Shealah Craighea

fully declared that the Helsinki trip would probably be the easiest to tackle. He was sadly mistaken.

During the press conference with Putin, in reply to questions regarding Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, Trump declared, “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.” By that statement, he appeared to side with the Russians against the findings of his own intelligence agencies.

There was not a word of criticism or rebuke against Putin.

U.S. Sen. John McCain described Trump’s behavior as “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president. The damage he in-

flicted is difficult to calculate.”

In exile after the end of the Vietnam War, Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu, who served as South Vietnam’s president, summarized the South Vietnamese experience with the United States: “It is easy to be an enemy of the United States, but so difficult to be a friend” (from “The Road Not Taken,” by Max Boot). (Inquirer.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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Kuwait social media star unapologetic over remark on Filipino domestic workers

SENATE COMMENDATION. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (right) hands Senate Resolution No. 788 to Senator Manny Pacquiao congratulating him for defeating World Boxing Association Welterweight Champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last July 15. Sotto said Pacquiao â&#x20AC;&#x153;delivered pride, joy and glory to the Filipino people who were cheering in the midst of the economic and political turmoil.â&#x20AC;? Also in photo is Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto (left).

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

KUWAIT CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Kuwaiti social media star remained unapologetic over comments she made against new laws aimed at improving conditions for Filipino domestic workers, despite a backlash on the internet.

Sondo al-Qattan faces criticism for a video posted on July 10 to Instagram, where she has 2.3 million followers, in which she attacked measures introduced in May that grant Filipinas working in the oil-rich Gulf state one day off per week and prevent employers from keeping their passports.

Qattan, known for her internet make-up tutorials, told Agence France-Presse by phone that the outcry was â&#x20AC;&#x153;unjustifiedâ&#x20AC;? and did not require an apology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I said was that the employer was entitled to keep the servantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passport, and that many Kuwaitis and Gulf nationals agree with me,â&#x20AC;? said Qattan.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have the right as a kafil (sponsor) to keep my employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passport, and I am responsible for paying a deposit of up to 1,500 dinars (around $4,900),â&#x20AC;? she said.

Qattan, who has been blacklisted by Philippine immigration officials, insisted the practices were not an â&#x20AC;&#x153;insult to the employee, and do not concern humanity or human rights because I did not deprive the employee of her salary or beat her.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The servant lives in the house just like the owners, he eats the same food, sleeps, rests and goes out shoppingâ&#x20AC;Ś this is a natural right. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like a waiter who works fixed hours, so we give him a weekly leave,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Qattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments in the now deleted clip sparked outrage on social media, with many Twitter and Instagram users calling on brands that work with the

makeup artist to sever ties.

Migrante International, an advocacy outfit for Filipinos working overseas, called on Qattan to apologize and likened her comments to those of â&#x20AC;&#x153;a slave owner.â&#x20AC;?

On May 11, Kuwait and Manila signed an agreement regulating domestic labor, following a diplomatic crisis that led to a ban on Filipino workers going to work in the Gulf country.

In February, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a partial ban on workers traveling to Kuwait after a Filipina maid was murdered and her body found in a freezer.

The crisis deepened after Kuwaiti authorities in April expelled Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambassador over video footage of Philippine embassy staff helping workers escape employers accused of mistreatment.

(ManilaTimes.net with reports from AFP)

SWS: Fewer hungry Filipinos in Q2 Philippines ranked Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most dangerous...

by Catherine

S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

THE number of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger decreased in the second quarter of 2018, according to the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The poll from June 27 to 30 found that 9.4 percent or about 2.2 million families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;down by 0.5 percentage points from the 9.9 percent or 2.3 million families in March 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is only the third time hunger has been in the single-digit range since March 2004,â&#x20AC;? the polling firm said.

The measure of hunger refers to involuntary suffering because the respondents answer a survey question that specifies hunger due to lack of food to eat.

SWS said the 9.4 percent was arrived at by adding the 8.1 percent of those surveyed who said they experienced â&#x20AC;&#x153;moderate hungerâ&#x20AC;? and the 1.3 percent who said they experienced â&#x20AC;&#x153;severe hunger.â&#x20AC;?

It said â&#x20AC;&#x153;moderate hungerâ&#x20AC;? referred to those who experienced hunger â&#x20AC;&#x153;only onceâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;a few timesâ&#x20AC;? in the last three months, while â&#x20AC;&#x153;severe hungerâ&#x20AC;? were those

who experienced it â&#x20AC;&#x153;oftenâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;alwaysâ&#x20AC;? in the last three months.

The few who did not state their frequency of hunger were classified under moderate hunger, the pollster added.

SWS noted that moderate hunger fell by 0.5 points, from 8.6 percent in March to 8.1 in December.

This was the lowest since the 7.9 percent in June 2017.

Severe hunger was unchanged at 1.3 percent in both March and June. This is the lowest since the 1.2 percent in September 2003.

The quarterly hunger rate in Metro Manila rose by 7 points, from 6 percent or an estimated 190,000 families in March 2018 to 13 percent or an estimated 412,000 families in June.

It fell by 3.7 points in balance Luzon, from 11 percent or an estimated 1.1 million families in March to 7.3 percent or around 758,000 million families in June.

Hunger also dropped by 3.7 points in the Visayas, from 13 percent or an estimated 583,000 families in March to 9.3 percent or about 419,000 families in June.

In Mindanao, hunger rose by 4 points, from 7.3 percent or an estimated 390,000 families to 11.3 percent or an estimated 604,000 families in June.

SWS said the drop in the quar-

terly hunger rate between March and June 2018 was due to the decrease in the incidence of hunger among the Self-Rated Poor, offset by an increase among the SelfRated Non-Poor.

From March to June, quarterly hunger fell by 4.1 percent among the Self-Rated Poor, from 16.7 percent in March to 12.6 pecent in June. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the lowest since September 2015,â&#x20AC;? according to SWS. Quarterly hunger, however, rose by 1.6 percent among the nonpoor over the same period, going from 4.9 percent to 6.5 percent.

Hunger also fell among the Self-Rated Food Poor, falling by 6 percent from 20.8 percent in March to 14.8 percent in June.

It, however, increased by 1.3 percent among the Not FoodPoor/Food-Borderline from 5.4 percent to 6.7 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At any one point in time, quarterly Hunger among the Self-Rated Food-Poor is always greater than Hunger among the Self-Rated Poor,â&#x20AC;? SWS said.

The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide, with a sampling error margins of Âą3 percent for national percentages and Âą6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. n

PAGE A5

by militarization and increasing investors on plantations, mining, energy and other large-infrastructure projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are continuing threats posed by mining projects against the Palawan tribe in Brookeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Point, the Mamanwas in Cantilan and Lake Mainit and the Blaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ans in Tampakan,â&#x20AC;? ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera said.

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;IPs of Mangyans in Oriental Mindoro and Tau-buhid Mangyan from Sibuyan Island, Romblon are also threatened by encroachment of agricultural activities because their ancestral domains have been claimed and titled under the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agrarian reform program.â&#x20AC;?

As a result, environmental groups are urging the government to order an investigation on the increasing violation and abuse of human rights of affected communities.

They are also asking to enforce government policies and regulations that promote the rights to a safe and sound environment and protect the rights of marginalized communities, particularly women and IPs. Moreover, ATM is raising its opposition to the plan of Charter change and transition to a

federal form of government as there is not enough time for the affected communities to have a meaningful engagement in the process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hastily embarking on these political changes will bring more challenges and issues that put pressure on our food, land and water resources, as well as the

risks of climate change,â&#x20AC;? Garganera said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cha-cha and federalism, at this point, will expose human rights defenders to more risks and threats, when the decisions on the extraction and utilization of natural resources are given to compromised political leaders,â&#x20AC;? he added. n

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Pilateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â&#x20AC;? 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 cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great 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, Giottoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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

A

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2018

VEGAS&STYLE

B1

JOURNAL Kris Aquino reconciles with Vice Ganda for Bimby Billy Kidd on being a female, Filipina, magician

by KATE

MATRIANO Inquirer.net

Filipina-Polish magician stars on CW hit show, ‘Masters of Illusion’

By RAE

ANN VARONA AJPRESS

FILIPINA-Polish magician Billy Kidd once again starred in the CW hit television show “Masters of Illusion” on Friday, July 13 — joining the lineup for the second year in a row.

Since starting her career in magic, Kidd has performed at numerous events and venues around the world including Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle.

Among her many features and performances, Kidd has also hosted television shows such as “Break Magic” (also known as “The Magic of Science”) on the Discovery Channel, and competed on the Syfy channels’ “Wizard Wars” show in the U.S. She was also featured on ITV’s show “The Next Great Magician,” on BBC’s “Now You See It,” and was cast as a full time Wizard on season two of legendary magic duo Penn & Teller’s show after receiving a standing ovation from the two.

But becoming a magician wasn’t something Kidd grew up wanting to do, and was in fact something that caught her attention way later in life.

Making of a magician “Magic wasn’t even on my radar whatsoever,” Kidd told the Asian Journal, adding that she was never one of those kids who had their own magic kit to play with.

“I wish I had that story, but I don’t,” she added.

Born in Canada, Kidd has gotten away with being an actress since she was just 11 years old, something she’s called magic in itself. The life of being able to miss periods of school, playing around, and getting paid for it made what she described as the “best life ever.”

But her introduction to magic came much later at a music festival where she saw a street magi-

Filipina Magician Billy Kidd featured on CW hit television show, Masters of Illusion.

Photos courtesy of Masters of Illusion

cian from Australia doing a classic cups and balls trick in which balls appear and disappear under the cups at random.

“That moment completely changed me,” said Kidd who is now based in London where she runs the Krowd Keepers Magic Theatre nearby, and conducts a nose-flute ensemble on the side.

Going up to the magician for advice, she was instead given a list of books to get.

“I literally went straight to the first second-hand shop that I could find, and there was the book he told me about,” said Kidd, saying that she saw it as a sign.

Years later, books are still her go to source for magic, especially when it comes to crafting new tricks.

“There are probably more books written about magic than probably any other subject in

the world, believe it or not,” said Kidd.

She pointed out that magicians have been around for a really long time, with many of their tricks hidden in some of the thousands of available books.

For example, a lot of the tricks magicians often do are re-adapted classic routines made more contemporary in presentation, she added. She likened it to the relationship of a playwright and an actor.

“You can learn all of these old tricks that someone else came up with,” said Kidd. “They’re so strong that they still work up to this day.”

She added, “It’s a constant creative process, but luckily as a magician, we have so much history that we can pull from.”

On being Filipina and female PAGE B3

KRIS Aquino chose her children’s happiness once more after publicly making up with her “asawa” (spouse) and “Sisterakas” co-star Vice Ganda for son Bimby’s sake.

Aquino shared the tearjerker moment between her and Vice Ganda with whom she had been rumored to be in conflict via Facebook Live on Saturday, July 21. “Hello everybody! I told you that somebody special was coming and I think he came because of this person [Bimby],” she said, rising after seeing the person who arrived.

The camera’s focus then shifted to Bimby welcoming Vice Ganda who immediately enveloped the 11-year-old in a tight hug. “I miss you, I love you,” the comedian said to Bimby. Aquino made her way to the duo and Vice Ganda immediately kissed her on the right cheek. Wrapped up in each other’s arms, Aquino repeatedly thanked the comedian.

“Ang pogi mo… ang pogi (You’re handsome… so handsome),” Vice Ganda praised Bimby. The Queen of All Media who was then in near tears can be heard telling her close friend she lovingly refers to as “asawa,” “Namiss ka namin (We missed you).”

Not long after, Aquino could not contain her tears anymore.

She remarked, “Pinaiiyak n’yo ko talaga (You really are making me cry).” Her 11-year-old son helped his mother wipe off her tears.

“Sorry kasi ano talaga, hinintay lang n’ya tong moment na to. ‘Yun lang ‘yun, ‘yun na ‘yun (Sorry because [Bimby] had been waiting for this moment [of reconciliation with Vice Ganda]. That’s all there is to it, that’s it),” said the Queen of All Media as Bimby and the comedian hugged each other once more.

“I love you, I love you, everybody. He’s happy, that’s what’s important,” noted Aquino. Her son was then heard asking her, “Were

Reunited and it feels so good. Vice Ganda and Kris Aquino with Bimby.

Photos from Instagram/@krisaquino

you happy?”

She replied, “Super happy because you are happy. ‘Yun na yun. Basta happy s’ya happy na lahat (That’s it. As long as [Bimby’s] happy, everybody’s happy).”

Aquino also shared the video on her Instagram account. “[M]aybe ngayon maiintindihan nyo na kung bakit nanahimik kaming nakatatanda kahit pilit gustong intrigahin.

Because #satruelang we both prioritized this very loving & lov-

able boy,” wrote the Queen of All Media.

(Maybe now you’ll understand why us adults chose to stay silent [on the rift speculations] despite being intrigued.

Because #tobehonest we both prioritized this very loving [and] lovable boy.)

Kris Aquino and Vice Ganda have been subjects of rift rumors since 2015. The comedian has yet to comment or issue an official statement on their reconciliation, as of this writing.

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Decades after starring role as ‘Annie,’ Lea Salonga returns to Hollywood Bowl staging of musical

By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

YEARS before Lea Salonga portrayed Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of “Miss Saigon,” she started as a child stage actor with Repertory Philippines.

The theater company’s 1980 production of “Annie,” wherein she played the spunky, optimistic orphan, is a part she’ll never forget to this day as it was a jumping board for her to pursue lead roles.

The Tony and Olivier Awardwinning actor and Disney Legend (among a plethora of accolades) returns to the musical when it mounts in Los Angeles for three performances this weekend, July 27 to 29, as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer season at the Hollywood Bowl.

“The exciting part is that I get to revisit a show that pretty much was a huge [aspect] of my

childhood because I got to play the role of Annie here in the Philippines when I was 9 and later on when I was 12,” Salonga told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview ahead of her arrival in LA to rehearse for “Annie.”

In the Bowl staging — directed by Michael Arden, whom she worked with on the Tony Award-winning revival of “Once on This Island” — Salonga plays Grace Farrell, the assistant to billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

It’s a “full-circle moment,” she said of being cast as an adult character over 30 years later since her first staging of the musical.

“When I accept a gig or role in a show, I try to make sure that it’s something that I can really look forward to, sink my teeth into and be excited about,” Salonga said of her ‘secret’ to staying energized and shifting from one project to another.

After wrapping up her role as Erzulie on “Once on This Island”

Tony Award-nominated director Michael Arden directs “Annie” at the Hollywood Bowl. It will be conducted by Todd Ellison, and choreographed by Eamon Foley. The book is by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

Kaylin Hedges (Annie) and Lea Salonga (Grace Farrell) rehearse a scene at the Hollywood United Methodist Church on Friday, July 20.

David Alan Grier as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, Kaylin Hedges as Annie, and Lea Salonga as Grace Farrell

last June, Salonga flew back to Manila and began preparing for the part of Grace by reading the script and looking at past characterizations of the secretary by other actors.

All of this, while simultaneously “trying to forget” how versions of Grace have been depicted because Arden instructed the cast to “get off book from day one.”

With a story that translated into one of the longest-running Broadway musicals — with revivals in 1997 and 2014 — as well as three film adaptations (in 1982, 1999, and 2014), the audiences this weekend can expect that Arden found “a new spin” to “Annie,” Salonga said. “[Similar] to the way that he did with ‘Spring Awakening’ and ‘Once On This Island,’” she added, “he will dig as deep as he can go and try to bring something new and different.”

Take look at talent billed for the production: Roger Bart as Daniel “Rooster” Hannigan, David Alan Grier as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, Ana Gasteyer as Miss Agatha Hannigan, Megan Hilty as Lily St. Regis, Kaylin Hedges as Annie, Ali Stroker as Star to Be, Amir Talai as Bert Healy, and Steven Weber as Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“These people are smart, incredibly talented, funny, but

also can get at the vulnerable heart of whatever character they happen to be playing,” Salonga mused. “They don’t just play for the laughs — they play for the story. It’s never hammy, it always feels so organic and real.”

It will be conducted by Todd Ellison, and choreographed

by Eamon Foley. The book is

by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin.

Despite the magnitude of the Bowl and familiarity of the optimistic orphan’s story, Arden anticipates “Annie” to still resonate in 2018 as it explores the everlasting themes of family and love.

“There are very intimate book scenes and moments that I want to make sure come across as honest and true, all while making sure the audience at the back of the Bowl feel like they are in the scene as well,” he said in an interview with Broadway World.

Since this limited engagement will run in LA, where a sizable Filipino-American community resides, Salonga joked that she hopes that “there’s a Filipino smell that wafts my way [as] I’m on stage singing all of these songs.”

The Broadway star and international performer’s illustrious career continues to be a glimmer of pride for the Philippines

Lea Salonga takes on the role of Grace Farrell in “Annie,” which will run this weekend July 27 to 29 at the Hollywood Bowl.

AJPress photos by Andy Tecson

and the Filipino diaspora, as evidenced by the backing of anything she does.

She still gets surprised when she hears that Filipino — or even other Asian American — actors on stage, film, or TV hold her up as an inspiration.

“It isn’t enough to just cast Asian Americans...If it is going to be a marketable thing, if it’s going to be something lucrative financially and people can see dollar signs with a particular performer, then there will be support. Since we’re a minority community, we kind of have to double the efforts, so to speak, to make people see that we’re not just background players,” she said.

When there’s collective community support for fellow Filipino performers, visibility and roles will increase, she theorized.

“When there’s visibility by a Filipino performer, that kind of rallies the troops so to speak. If I’m credited for that, then you know what? If there’s more of us that get visible then that’s fantastic,” she said. “But it also needs to be a cultural thing.

Filipinos, just as a culture, have

been exposed to the performing arts or maybe we have that inclination. George Takei actually had this to say with regard to the kind of support that Asian American performers get from their own communities, he said, ‘Whenever you’re performing, meaning me, the entire Filipino community comes out to support you. Everyone comes out in full force and fills up the theater...’

There’s that kind of support from the community, and then he went to say, ‘I don’t get that support from my [Japanese American] community.”

(From 2015-2016, Salonga and Takei previously worked together on “Allegiance,” the musical about a Japanese-American family interned during World War II loosely based on the latter’s personal experience.)

As for what Salonga has in store next, she plans to go on a U.S. tour in 2019, with a stop in Southern California, to perform selections from her stage and film repertoire.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to make me keep doing what I’m doing because I get support,” she said.

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Q and A with BuyBust cast after the screening

EntErtainmEnt

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 26-AUGUSt 1, 2018

B

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

‘BuyBust’ makes its sold out world premiere in New York at Asian Film Festival

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 PAGE B6

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC) of Greater Las Vegas is hosting a three-day back-to-school event. American First National Bank is a proud program event sponsor of the fourth annual Smarts & Smiles Dental Care Fair. Their sponsorship dollars go directly towards helping children, 3-21, get the critical dental treatment they need without worrying about how they will afford it. This week, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a mobile dental unit run in partnership with Nevada Health Centers, has been parked outside of the Ronald McDonald House providing dental care to those with appointments. Additionally, each child has gone home with a backpack full of school supplies and free vision screenings, thanks to Dr. Kopolow and Girisgen. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile spends two weeks of each month in rural Nevada and the other two weeks of the month in inner-city Las Vegas to bring access to care right to patients’ communities. To find out when the Care Mobile will be in your area and to schedule an appointment, call (702) 597-3898. In photo are Lucheng Mailloux (Executive Vice President, Regional Manager of Nevada), Alyson McCarthy (Chief Executive Officer of the RHMC Las Vegas) Angeline Chen (Vice President, Lending Officer) and Nisha Sahni (Las Vegas Branch Manager, Vice President).

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

Billy Kidd on being a female, Filipina...

PAGE B1 In the world of magic that has been and continues to be predominantly dominated by male magicians such as Dai Vernon, Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, David Blaine, and Criss Angel among others, Kidd said the lack of female magicians wasn’t something that automatically stood out to her when she started.

“I guess there’s pressure to kind of prove yourself in a way and be good, but I didn’t really mingle too much in that area because for me it was like, this is what I love to do and if I’m good enough, I’ll get work,” said Kidd.

But because the industry has been male dominated for so many years, there are some unavoidable differences she’s noticed along the way.

“I think the biggest challenge of being a female magician is the fact that because it’s mostly male dominated, many tricks were designed for men initially because of how society works and how things have been in the world,” said Kidd.

That, and the lack of pocket

space in female clothing, she added while laughing.

“It’s like non-existent,” said Kidd.

To Kidd, interest in magic has always been more connected to personality.

None the less, Kidd believes there’s an opportunity for everyone to get into magic, especially because of television and the internet.

Referring to the numerous magic shows that have been screened in the past years, she said magic may seem a little bit cooler than it was before.

“Just a little bit, but not too much,” she joked.

In regard to being a Filipina magician, she said there too was an opportunity for Filipinos to get into magic despite it not yet being a big part of the pop-culture scene in which Filipino fans often look to.

Kidd went to Manila back when she launched her Discovery Channel show, “That Magic of Science.”

While there, the half-Filipina magician said she got to visit a local magic club and got to know

a community of Filipino magicians.

Master of Illusion On the fifth season of “Master of Illusion,” Kidd said viewers can expect her to show a different side of her work — playing more with atmosphere and suspense instead of comedy.

The show, hosted by Dean Cain, features 42 of the world’s greatest magicians including sixteen new magicians bringing a good variety to the acts. It airs every Friday nationwide on the CW at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central.

“If you’ve never seen magic before, it’s a great show to watch because it’s for the whole family,” said Kidd.

Of why she loves being a magician, Kidd pointed to two reasons. The first being the feeling she gets when seeing people in awe and wonder from watching a trick, and the second being the freedom that comes with the job.

“I just love the freedom of it,” said Kidd. “I get to travel all around the world with a deck of cards in my hand and nothing is more liberating than that for me.”

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Adult Residential Care Providers of Nevada names awardees of Echo 2018 Annual Awards Night

As it continues to address the growing needs of the elderly community, the Adult Residential Care Providers of Nevada Echo 2018 Annual Awards Night on Friday, July 20 at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino.

“The building of an association to advocate for and assist the growing elder population of Nevada and those who care about them came to fruition in 2009. It is through a handful of committed and dedicated individuals, sharing and sacrificing their time and energy that is making this organization continue to flourish and thrive,” Dorothy Acob-Domingo, ECHO President said.

Through ECHO 2018 Annual Awards Night, the organization recognizes the unending support and assistance of the sponsors, Residential Care industry Providers, Members, Industry Business Partners and state Agency Partners.

Clark County Commissioner

steve sisolak served as the keynote speaker for the event. Kalahi performed traditional Filipino dances to the audience’s delight.

“We are determined to continue to enhance the lives of our aging population. At the same time, we want tot provide the best education to those who have dedicated their lives in helping them,” Domingo added.

Here is the 2018 ECHO awardees: Outstanding Home for Individual Care – caring for those adults that need more one-onone attention: Ace Care Home Dora Tompkins, Owner Outstanding Category 1 Care Home – caring for people with chronic illnesses or Elderly and cannot live alone: st. Michael’s Group Home Marina Vaughn (RFA), Owner

Outstanding Category 2 Care Home – caring for the elderly or those adults who cannot take care of themselves and their ADL’s, and/or are developmentally disabled: Monarch Care Home Maureen sobrio, Owner Outstanding Mental Health Outstanding Home for Individual Care – caring for those adults that Care Home – caring for those need more one-on-one attention: Ace Care Home, Dora Tompkins, adults who are mentally ill: Owner Touch of Love II Dolora Badiola (RFA), Owner Outstanding Alzheimer’s Care Home – caring for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and related Dementia: Avalon Health Care Estates Lilia sioson (RFA), Owner Outstanding Residential Facilities Administrator: sarah Ghanim (RFA) ECHO Board Special Awardee – Given each year to the person who has selfishly given of time and talents towards the pursuit Outstanding Alzheimer’s Care Home – caring for those who suffer of ECHO’s goals. We give our from Alzheimer’s disease and related Dementia: Avalon Health Care utmost gratitude: Estates, Lilia Sioson (RFA), Owner Michael Fitzpatrick 2018 ECHO Special Awardess Industry Partner Appreciation Award: Visiting Nurses of Nevada Outstanding Achievement Award: Evangeline C. Molino, Chairwoman, AHONN

Outstanding Residential Facilities Administrator: Sarah Ghanim (RFA)

Outstanding Category 1 Care Home – caring for people with chronic illnesses or Elderly and cannot live alone: St. Michael’s Group Home, Marina Vaughn (RFA), Owner

Outstanding Category 2 Care Home – caring for the elderly or those adults who cannot take care of themselves and their ADL’s, and/or are developmentally disabled: Monarch Care Home, Maureen Sobrio, Owner

Outstanding Mental Health Care Home – caring for those adults who are mentally ill: Touch of Love II, Dolora Badiola (RFA), Owner

2018 ECHO Community Ap- Industry and the Most Vulnerable of Nevada’s Population preciation Awardees: ECHO Community Appreciation sTEVE sIsOLAK Clark County Commissioner Awardees for their contribution to Mark Manendo ECHO, the Adult Residential Care

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Your Immigration Solution ATTY. BRITTANY MILLIASSEAU SHORTLY after issuing a policy memorandum that significantly expands its authority to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) referring individuals to immigration court for deportation proceedings, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new policy memorandum giving USCIS adjudicators greater discretion to deny applications for immigration benefits. The policy memorandum issued on July 13, 2018 provides USCIS adjudicating officers with

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA

“full discretion to deny applications, petitions, and requests” without first issuing requests for additional information or providing the applicant with notice of an intended denial.

USCIS is the federal agency that is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating immigration applications and petitions such as applications for green cards, citizenship, asylum, as well as employment-based petitions such as H-1B and EB-5 investor petitions.

Under its new policy, USCIS may issue denials of applications in certain situations without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). This new policy is in stark

contrast to USCIS’ prior policy, which was to issue an RFE or a NOID unless there was “no possibility” that a deficiency could be cured by submission of additional evidence.

While the burden of proof remains on the applicant, petitioner, or requestor to establish eligibility for an immigration benefit, USCIS’ previous policy was more forgiving. In essence, under prior policy, the USCIS would only deny an application or petition without issuing a RFE or NOID if the application warranted a statutory denial, such as a denial based on a nonexistent immigration benefit.

Now, however, USCIS can issue denials based on a lack of “suf-

The bucket list God has a list too ”Sister, do you speak Italian Can I talk to you? I am angry with God.” I turned my head and it was a beautiful lady, elegantly dressed.

I thought, “She has tortured eyes.”

I emailed her just recently hoping to see her in Rome again this summer, mentioning in passing that I am putting together a Bucket List series of sorts.

Her story stuns me. It never occurred to me that while we are busy making plans, the Big Man upstairs also has plans. And whether we like it or not, we are part of His plan. It is up to each one of us to find out our part in God’s grand plan and decide to get in with the program or not.

Yes, God loves us so much, He gave us free will.

So enjoy this story. The actions happened in airports just before boarding. Time was on her side. She checked in way early and didn’t miss her flight.

We might be able to widen our perspective just a tad and realize in time that we are each a piece of colorful mosaic in God’s Grand Mural for HIS story about us.] He has plans, too.

By Sister Anna Cinco, Hijas de Jesus In 2015 I had to make a 12-day trip to Spain and then a 9-day trip to Rome. Usually, for these short trips, I plan and make to-do lists way ahead, because I cannot afford to miss anything.

One day, as I was coming to the end of my stay in Salamanca, I was praying in the chapel before the Blessed Sacrament. I took out my to-do list for Spain, checked it carefully, and saw that I had pretty much achieved what I had come for. I was very satisfied with myself, when the thought came to me, “I have a list, too.” Startled, I looked at the tabernacle.

“I have a list, too.”

“You have a list, Lord?”, I asked.

“Yes, I have a list.”

I pondered that for a few moments. Of course, He has a list.

So I prayed, “Make me open to Your plans, Lord. Give me a docile heart, a docile spirit.”

The day after, I left for Madrid for a 2-day stay. I had a few

Health@Heart

The departure lounge

LAST year, my wife, Farida, and I were out to lunch with some friends, the youngest ones in their early 70s. During our conversation, a surgical colleague, UP Class ’57, who was in his mid-80s — sharp, brilliant, and witty as ever — said in a serious tone of total surrender as he clasped his cane, “Philip, we are now in the departure lounge, waiting for our number to be called.”

I told him much as I loved and respected him as a friend I truly admired, I begged to disagree with the implication and the “final destination” of his thoughts.

I said, “if we are in the departure lounge, we are there eagerly waiting for our next flight to tour more exciting places in this wonderful world and enjoy to the hilt whatever time we have left.” I continued “I will not sit around, waiting for my number, and waste God’s precious blessing of time, just waiting to die…I still have a lot of plans and want to take full advantage of, and really cherish, His generosity.”

I love to “bulakbol,” since we did not have much time for it in medical school, in our residency training, and during our medical practice. Gallivanting now that I am retired is fantastic. Indeed, life is wonderful! I wish it would go on forever.

There are so many things to do, now that we have time to ourselves. I, for one, enjoy writing, surfing the world wide web of the internet (sans social media),

B5

USCIS officers given greater authority to deny immigration applications

(Ninth of a series) [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame.

In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.]

I AM suspending my idea series for a Bucket To-Do List for the time being to share a story told to me by Sister Anna.

A little back story…

Anna Cinco was a classmate in high school who graduated way up the rungs and copped a college degree majoring in Mathematics.

She taught at the International School in Manila for a while and decided to join the religious life thereafter.

She lived in Rome for more than a decade working on the canonization of Mother Candida Maria de Jesus, foundress of her religious order, Hijas de Jesus.

Mother Candida is now a saint with documented miracles ascribed to her intercession. Sister Anna speaks Spanish and Italian fluently.

Her story is not cut and dried as all that. There are twists and turns in every life story and hers is no different. She told me the Cliff Notes version of her conversion from someone who repudiated and did not need God at one point. But that riveting story when she became, as she describes how her young, irrepressible students at the International School saw her at the time of her epiphany, “positively radiant,” is for yet another day.

I reconnected with her on a trip to Europe in 2011 with my husband spending a wonderful spring day in Rome: dusting off the cobwebs of the past, cracking jokes (yes, religious people have a squeaky clean sense of humor that will have you ROTFLOLing, that is, rolling on the floor laughing out loud), scarfing down pizza margherita at one of those small joints by the Vatican and walking aimlessly about, shopping for Italian-made sandals on the sidewalks while slurping on scoops of gelato, all three of us looking positively ghetto. HAH! A perfect day in my book …

PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2018

gardening, performing magic illusion, traveling, cruising with family and friends, going on medical missions and doing other humanitarian endeavors just like many of you. Indeed, the bonus time we are blessed with is an added gift from heaven, bestowed, for us to continue to attain joy, a sense of fulfillment, inner satisfaction, and peace. After all, as ancient philosophers had written, human beings are on this good earth to achieve and savor happiness.

These precious fleeting moments we still have in our life’s bank account of time ought not to be squandered by sitting around waiting to vanish into oblivion.

That will come soon enough. Let us just try our best to delay the inevitable as much as we can by a wiser, more efficient, and more productive management of our remaining time. Also, I suggest that, even at a ripe old age, not taking any calculated risk at all is the greatest risk in itself and that success comes only to those who have wisdom and the courage to fail.

I have always been fascinated by the idea of influencing people for the better, so my fellowmen could live a healthier lifestyle, habits, and behavior. In our new world of information technology, I have decided early on to expand on my health writings which I started at the Arellano (Public) High School and launched my personal campaign for public health education when I arrived in the United States in 1963. This has led me to write a weekly medical column in two newspapers in the Philippines, five publications in the United States, and three websites on the internet, to the

things more to do there. When the day of my departure for Rome came, since I was going to the airport alone, I decided to go early and leave a wide margin for the unforeseen. When I reached Barajas, I had almost the whole morning to wait. So I sat by my boarding gate and buried my head in a book about causes for canonization.

Suddenly I heard someone say, “Anna Cinco!” Surprised, I looked up - it was a young woman in jeans but wearing a silver cross like mine. She smiled and came over and introduced herself. She was a young sister of ours from the Dominican Republic who had been in one of our houses in Brazil, and said that she had met me in one of my trips there.

(We have a cause for canonization which had been initiated in Brazil.) So I asked why she was in the airport, and she said she had just come from Rome where she had participated in the preparatory course for final profession, and that she was on her way to her boarding gate for her flight to the Dominican Republic. Since she was young and was not familiar with Madrid airport, and I knew her boarding gate was half an hour’s walk away, I insisted on going with her. We laughed and chatted along the way, and I was sorry to leave her at her boarding gate. I still had plenty of time before my scheduled flight, so without any hurry, I began walking back to my own boarding gate.

Then I heard a voice say in Spanish, “Sister, Sister!” And as I stopped and looked back, I saw a dark young man running towards me. And he said, “Sister, do you speak Spanish? Can I talk to you, please?” I wondered what for, but stopped. And he began to walk with me, and tell me about his problems. It was hard to talk while walking, and I was afraid we were getting too far from his boarding gate, so I invited him to PAGE B6

present. This obsession has also resulted in the publication of the book, “Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children,” a primer on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle starting from the cellular (DNATelomere) level to protect the integrity of the DNA to pre-empt diseases.

I often say that leaving this world after this life is not a tragedy. Dying without significance, without making a difference, without leaving behind a good and lasting legacy, is.

All of us, humbly including myself, are certainly bestowing upon the world a legacy of love, charity, compassion, talent, and service we each have given during our lifetime. We have also transmitted our good culture, tradition, and values to our children and their children, who could now build on them and endeavor for a better world for mankind.

Whenever asked if I am retired, I always reply “Yes, I am RE-tired…now equipped with a new set of tires to zoom around the racetrack of life another few laps,” this time with greater wisdom, clearer vision, and better oriented concerns for the future of our children, grandchildren, and humankind as a whole. After all, we are part and parcel of the universe, no matter how miniscule we are in the nanoscale of the galaxy.

You may not realize it, but the world is really better off because you happened to be here. Just think of the good children you have raised, the people you have helped, the patients you have cured, the strangers you have ministered to with compassion, PAGE B6

ficient initial evidence” without giving applicants or petitioners the opportunity to correct their mistakes.

The policy memorandum gives USCIS officers the discretion to deny the benefit request if all required initial evidence is not submitted with the benefit request.

An example of an application that may be automatically denied is a request for a Waiver of Inadmissibility (I-601) that does not include supporting documentation of extreme hardship. Previously, applicants would always be given the opportunity to supplement their applications at a later time.

Another potential example of an automatic denial includes applicants for permanent resident status (green card) through adjustments of status (I-485) who do not include a sufficient Affidavit of Support (I-864) from their petitioner and/or co-sponsor. It is also possible that the USCIS may deny the application instead of issuing a RFE in situations as easily correctable as when the petitioner and/or co-sponsor fails to submit evidence that they earn a sufficient income.

This new USCIS policy goes into effect on September 11, 2018.

And while the new policy elimi-

nates the requirement to issue an RFE and give petitioners or applicants the opportunity to correct a mistake, it also expands USCIS’ authority to issue follow-up RFEs when submitted evidence “opens up new lines of inquiry.” It also provides USCIS officers with the discretion to validate assertions or corroborate evidence by consulting USCIS or other governmental files, systems, and databases or other publicly available information that is readily accessible.

It is essential that applications and petitions are as detailed and thorough as possible and contain all required evidence at the time of filing. Applicants should no longer automatically expect USCIS to inform them if required information or documentation is missing. If any required evidence is omitted, even inadvertently, the application may be denied without the applicant being afforded an opportunity to correct the deficiency or provide further information. In addition to the loss of filing fees, a denial could have serious consequences on an immigration case and could lead to barriers for future immigration benefits.

If you are considering filing an application for an immigration benefit, it is more important

Calendar of Events across

than ever to make sure you have a highly competent immigration attorney who will completely and accurately prepare the application or petition. This is true even if you believe you have an “easy” or “routine” immigration case. The stakes are higher than ever now in light of the recent guidance directing USCIS officers to refer individuals to immigration court following the denial of an application or petition. As such, all potential applicants should seek guidance and assistance from a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney before applying for an immigration benefit. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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Social entrepreneurship workshop in Los Angeles Come for “A STORY OF HOPE,” a FREE workshop on social entrepreneurship and social tourism on Friday, July 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring Mr. Thomas Graham, British author of “The Genius of the Poor.” Hosted by the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC), the event encourages Fil-Ams to reconnect with their heritage through a new way of travel-driven experience, with the possibility of seeking new business in the Philippines. Space is limited, register online at www.cofacc.org. Venue is the New York Life General Office Building (6300 Wilshire Blvd Ste 2200, Los Angeles, CA 90048).

Trade and investment forum in Long Beach, CA From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, July 27, join the international trade finance seminar “How to Export Your Product Overseas” at the Chart House at CalState Long Beach. There will be speakers from EXIM Bank, the SBA< CITD Long Beach, and Philippine officials. For more information, please contact Peter Ramirez at (213) 440-2707.

J U LY 28

Masskara Festival in Long Beach, CA The Long Beach Bacolod Association (LBBA) invites the public to the Masskara Festival on Saturday, July 28 at the Recreation Park (Bandshell between Park Ave. & Federation Ave. 4900 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is organized by LBBA, in partnership with Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. and the City of Long Beach, as part of the cultural and tourism exchanges to further strengthen the newly revived Long Beach-Bacolod Sister City relationship.

The Masskara Festival is a well-known regional event in Bacolod, Philippines, similar to the Mardi Gras event in New Orleans with colorful costumes and unusual masks. The festival will showcase Filipino culture and heritage through food, songs, dances and performances. The Consulate General strongly encourages members of the Filipino community to support and attend the first event of the Long Beach-Bacolod Sister city partnership after its rebirth in 2017. To get more information about the festival, please contact the following: Mr. Peter Ramirez, President of LBBA, email: peter. ramirez@unicomglobal.com; or Ms. Evelyn Andamo, email: evelyn.andamo@gmail.com.

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) 458-1380.

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).

AU G U ST 2-1 1

SIPA presents Filipino Summer Program (Session 2) in LA Join SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program that showcases LA youth the beauty of Filipino culture and history. Every single day students will learn and gain a better understanding of different aspects of the Filipino culture and community, such as Filipino food, Pilipinx cultural dances, Filipino Martial Arts, etc. The last day of the program will be a SIPA Summer Party where the families can come join SIPA as we celebrate the end of the program with food, music, and fun! Youth ages 615 are eligible for the program. Those over the age of 16 can volunteer. Participants do not need to be Filipino. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are served for all students! Session 2 is from August 211 (excluding Sundays). Registration ends on Thursday, July 26 at 11:59 p.m. Drop-Off of children begins at 8 a.m., and pick-up ends by 6 p.m. at SIPA Office (3200 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). The application and more information is at bit.ly/sipasummer18.

AU G U ST 3 - 4

University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum in New Jersey Join the 2nd annual University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum on August 3 and 4 at the Double Tree by Hilton (2117 Route 4 Eastbound / Fort Lee, NJ 07024).

Soiree and welcome reception will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (registration fee is $50). On Saturday, there will be a breakfast educational program from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration fee is $50 with CH Credits and $30 without CH Credits). The day will end with a dinner & dance from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. (registration fee is $100). Mail your registration and payment to UPINHF c/o Iren Bobis Roldan at 26931 Fort Apache Circle, Lake Forest, CA 92630. Make checks payable to UPINHF INC. For more information, please visit www.upinhf.org.

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

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Scarlet Snow Belo: A day in ‘BuyBust’ makes its sold out world... the life of a celebrity toddler

By Monet

Lu

CHILDReN are so much fun to be around. They make you feel young at heart. I love watching videos of funny babies and smart kids, and speaking of which, I can’t get enough of this little girl whose ‘skin is white as snow,’ hence, her parents named her Scarlet Snow – and she has become an online celebrity with over 2 million followers on Instagram.

Scarlet Snow Belo is Vicki Belo-Kho’s third child, and her first and only child with Hayden Kho. Scarlet was conceived via IVF, and was introduced to the public in 2016. I’ve known Vicki and Hayden for a long time and I’ve witnessed the storms they’ve surpassed as a couple and before they were married — which is also why I find their online videos really enchanting. I love seeing how supportive and hands-on Vicky and Hayden are with their celebrity toddler.

Scarlet sure knows a lot of stuff, from Chinese language to gymnastics! She actually has a full schedule which starts with play school in the morning. By 5 p.m., she is done with her lessons, about the same time that her parents come home from work. At some point in the evening, Scarlet will have story time with her dad, who is, according to Vicki, “the best storyteller in the world.”

In an interview with Rappler, Vicki talked about Scarlet’s daily routine.

“We have so many lessons for her, so she starts with Chinese, Mandarin, she has swimming, she has gymnastics, she has reading class, she has piano, she has voice. She enjoys it,” Vicki said.

Scarlet turned 3 years old last March. The adorable toddler celebrated with a rainbowand-dinosaur-themed bash. The birthday girl wore a Dolce and Gabbana dress that matched her mother’s.

Speaking of outfits, I read about how Scarlet would actually request her own #OoTD costumes (so adorable!)

“Actually, it’s partly her, it’s partly Hayden. She says, ‘Mommy, I wanna be a mermaid. Mommy, I wanna be a crayon.’ So, that’s why as much as possible, we find it (the costume),” Belo told Philstar. com.

PAGE B3 while I was watching it,” she shoot. May rain effect, we were said. “I’m very happy, I think it’s shooting after Showtime every about time. Kaya namin, no? It day, I’d be on set at 5:00 am just takes that one director, one and once madilim na, we’d start writer and one studio to invest shooting hanggang sa may araw on it.” na. Then, Showtime uli. That was NYAFF’s 17th the hardest part doing BuyBust “We try to find every year the because it was a graveyard shift best films we could find. From the shoot,” she shared.

Philippines, year after year we Thankfully, there were no find stronger films and the energy major accidents while shooting. from these films is incredible,” There were some minor mishaps said Stephen Jamier, executive though. director of New York Asian Film “I have mga peklat, ganyan,” Festival. she said, showing us some of the Six films from the Philippines battle scars she acquired during were shown at the NYAFF, inthe shoot and fondly calls them cluding “BuyBust,” “Neomanila” her memorabilia. directed by Mikhail Red, “On the And did we mention that while Job” also directed by Matti, “Resshooting the film she was also peto” directed by Treb Monteras amidst her preparations for her II, “Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story)” wedding? directed by Irene Villamor, and Anne tied the knot with erwan “We Will Not Die Tonight” by Heussaff, her boyfriend of six Richard Somes. years, last November 11, 2017 in “It is one thing that these Queenstown, New Zealand. six films have in common is the “I was praying na sana hindi craftsmanship, the story telling ako magasgasan sa face, na sana and all the elements you find in hindi ako ma injure. Buti na great cinema is there, particularly lang my dress had long sleeves in genre cinema,” Jamier added. so it was covering the ouchies “What we found is that action that I had here,” she shared films from the Philippines are laughing. truly incredible and you see some Scarlet Snow with parents Hayden Kho and Dr. Vicki Belo The couple got engaged in cinematic feats in them.”

In the same interview, Scarlet’s into show business — and this is 2016, after Anne did the New Typically when it comes to mom said that Scarlet daughter her mom’s response: “She’s got a York Marathon.

Asian film festivals, one would also gets her share of spanking lot of offers, but we don’t think it’s She recalled that it became a expect to close with a Korean or the right time for her. We’d rather when necessary. running joke that she’d already Japanese film.

“We discipline her and don’t have her stay in private.” be Mrs. Heussaff and they’d still “It is unusual to close with a “We’re inspired because many spoil her as much as we can,” be shooting BuyBust.

Southeast Asian film in general Belo said, adding “Now, we still people say she’s good vibes,” said Which is exactly what hap- but considering the quality of discipline her like a normal girl. Belo. “Many people say that when pened. the film “BuyBust,” it deserves a She got spanked. But now, not they’re having a bad day, which But when she saw a rough cut, prominent spot in the festival or anymore. She does not cry any- also happens to me, I just watch she cried. All the sacrifices she any festival for that matter so it more. She’s more behaved now. her videos and I laugh na lang, so made were worth it. seemed natural for us to do that,” I get what they mean.”

She’s a big girl now!”

“I felt like I couldn’t breath Jamier added.

I totally agree! This charming I also learned that their little darling gets paid as a Belo little girl has been winning so endorser. In an interview for the many hearts, including mine. The launch of Watsons’ Beauty Trans- good thing about it is that she is formation campaign, Hayden clearly having a good time entertold Philstar.com that as a Belo taining us (her followers) while endorser, Scarlet receives a mini- her parents bond with her in the mum fee, which they put into the process. That’s a win-win!

To Vicki and Hayden, you are child’s trust fund.

“Ay, oo naman! Of course, the doing a great job as parents. I am daddy will never agree (for her to proud of what you’ve become and I hope to see Scarlet soon! work for free),” he said.

“From the beginning, we really *** made the products for Scarlet talaMonet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning ga. We used to buy her all natural celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of baby products from abroad. When Monet Salon salons across Southern California we’re looking for an endorser, our and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is first choice turned us down kasi known as an all-around artiste who produces wala kaming budget masyado so sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as sabi ko, ‘Si Scarlet na lang! (We unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet don’t have a big budget so I said is also the founder of the revolutionary all‘Scarlet instead’),” Belo said. natural beauty products such as Enlighten, And since Scarlet is already your solution to discoloration . To contact an Internet star, I wonder if her Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or Anne Curtis with NYAFF executive director Samuel Jamier (right) and deputy director Stephen Cremin.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya parents are open to her getting email him at monetsalon@aol.com

PAGE B5

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

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!”

The departure lounge

and the countless lives your children and grandchildren will make better in the generations to come.

Like in the 1946 American Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and directed by Frank Capra, based on a poignant 1939 story, “The Greatest Gift,” by Philip Van Doren Stern, think for a moment what it would have meant to the hundreds, thousands, of lives you have touched if you had not been born. Move the hands of time back to that day, and undo all the things associated with you, erase all events and all your contributions to society like you never existed. Just think about it. Only then would you realize that, indeed, you are significant,

and that you have really made a difference and will continue to do so. That, in essence, is the legacy you are leaving behind with pride, a sacred legacy of a fulfilled life on this planet.

It is, indeed, a wonderful life.

And I truly believe that the greater and more exciting wonders are still to come. Let us continue to take good care of ourselves and be as healthy as we can be, ready for the next chapter in our sojourn on earth. Growing old is a great privilege denied by many. Let us relish every second we have left.

So, whenever we feel we are in the departure lounge of our being, let us give thanks to God for all our blessings, celebrate our life, and chart our next course and destination, even without our favorite GPS, to more marvelous journeys

and adventures ahead of us, with our loved ones and friends, and savor our time together, on faraway vacations as often as still possible, or even on staycations at our cozy home, creating countless more fabulous memories to cherish and keep us warm in the winter of our life. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

The bucket list

PAGE B5 sit down with me. He was a migrant worker from Mexico who had marital problems and did not know what to do. I listened to him in sympathy, and pretty soon he was in tears. I looked around with some embarrassment. People were beginning to look at us.

I prayed for wisdom. After some time, he stopped and asked me, “Sister, is there still hope for us? for me?”

I directed that question to the Lord, and found myself saying, “Of course, there is hope for you. Look, I shouldn’t even be here. My boarding gate is half an hour away, on the other side of the airport. But the Lord brought me here because He wanted to reach you! So yes, there is hope for you.” I myself was surprised at my answer... His face began to clear, and then light up, and by the time we parted, he was smiling. He still emails me once in a while.

So I continued with my trip to Rome, still pondering what had happened. Toward the end of my stay in Rome, I did the same thing – tick off items on my list. Then, on the day of my departure, the Superior, who was bringing me to the airport, asked if I would mind leaving early for the airport, since she had to get back to the house for an appointment. I said, why, no, I would not mind at all. I always bring material to read.

So we reached the airport early, and I found that my boarding gate had not even appeared on the screen. I took one of the

seats nearby. You know, those airport seats where people sit back to back. I had just opened my book, when I heard a voice behind me say in Italian, “Sister, do you speak Italian? Can I talk to you? I am very angry with God.” I turned my head and it was a beautiful lady, elegantly dressed.

I thought, “She has tortured eyes.”

Saying, “May I sit beside you, then?”, I went over to do so.

Then I saw that she was reading a Spanish book, so I asked, “Do you speak Spanish?” And she said she was from Argentina.

“Fine,” I said, “I speak Spanish better than Italian. Let’s talk in Spanish.” And she began talking. I listened to her (prayerfully) for about an hour - it was a list of problems, sick family members, one trial after another, anger with God, etc. And I thought, looking at her, “Without those problems, she would be very self-satisfied, with no thought of God whatever, angry or not.”

So when she had come to the end of her list and was looking at me expectantly, I said, “So now you wanted to tell God how angry you are with Him?” And she nodded her head vigorously and asked, “Is that wrong, Sister?” I answered slowly, “I guess, when things were going right, you never talked to Him. Now you are angry with Him, but at least you are talking with Him, right?”

Her eyes flew open in surprise, then she began to nod slowly, and as she saw me smile, she began to laugh. We laughed togeth-

er for a while. And I said, “Don’t you think God prefers this, than have you go back to ignoring Him?” Her face changed completely. And we continued talking happily, and she laughed heartily when I told her that story of St. Teresa of Avila, that in one of her travels, “... her saddle slipped, and she found herself head down under the belly of a donkey as she crossed a stream. Complaining to the Lord of her treatment, she heard him reply, “Teresa, whom the Lord loves, he chastises. This is how I treat all my friends.”

She replied tartly, “No wonder you have so few!” (http://www. paceminterris.org/experiencepacem/the-hermitages/st-teresaof-avila/) Time passed quickly, and I had to catch my flight. The lady had already told me her name (she was from Argentina but she was married to an Italian), and said she was so happy to have met me and talked with me. She invited me for coffee, but I had to go.

And as I walked to my boarding gate, I remembered that thought, “I have a list, too.” And I realized that had I fallen short of my to-do lists for Salamanca and Rome, the entire trip would still have been worthwhile if only for these two of His children...

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

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