080319 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

AUGUST 3-6, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 60 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Trump admin ends program that reunites Second round of Dem debates signal Filipino World War II veterans with family DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

emergence of progressive policy

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

The administration said it will stop the categorical process and decide per case if the parole has “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit” as outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Under the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program, certain family members of the veterans — who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents — were allowed to live in the U.S. and wait for their immigrant visas to be issued. Relatives could provide immediate support and care for the aging veterans, given that visa wait times for Filipino-American families can exceed 20 years.

Current parolees will still remain under the program until it expires in June 2021, “unless otherwise

THE Trump administration is terminating a program that expedited the process for family members of Filipino World War II veterans to come to the United States.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday, August 2 that it will cease the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program following President Donald Trump’s signing of a 2017 IF the first round of debates in June were an executive order on border security and immigration introduction to the candidates running for the enforcement that called for determining parole on a 2020 Democratic nomination, the second round “case-by-case basis.” of Democratic debates this week in Detroit was a cementing of those candidates’ stances and policies.

On Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 the 20 candidates who qualified were split in half and randomly assorted in the two-night affair in Detroit where there was a clear ideological split

by FRANCES MANGOSING among progressives, moderates and those who Inquirer.net toe the line between those two credos.

Over the course of the two-night affair, health MANILA — Top tourist destination El Nido, Palacare was the name on everyone’s lips as candidates got into the nitty-gritty of the Democratic wan will remain open to tourists amid a rehabilitation, conversation around the affordability and acces- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said on Thursday, Ausibility of public health care. u PAGE A4 Both Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth War- gust 1. ren argued for the progressive stance of imposing a Medicare For All plan, a universal public health care model that would eliminate rising u PAGE A2

Sanders, Warren defend Medicare for All and other highlights from the second Democratic debate

terminated,” the agency said.

The announcement on Friday also ends the Haitian Family Reunification Parole program.

“Under these categorical parole programs, individuals have been able to skip the line and bypass the proper channels established by Congress. With the termination of these programs, these individuals will no longer be permitted to wait in the United States for their family-based green card to become available, consistent with the rules that apply to the rest of the world,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli in a statement.

He added, “USCIS is committed to exercising this u PAGE A2

El Nido to remain open for tourism amid rehabilitation

US senators ask Trump gov’t to counter Beijing’s behavior in South China Sea UNITED STATES senators called on the Trump administration to do more in countering China’s aggressive activities in the disputed South China Sea. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Patrick Leahy (DVermont) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) asked U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo to prioritize discussions on the South China Sea in the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum in Thailand this week.

Menendez and Markey are minority members of the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee.

“While the Administration has rightly highlighted China’s militarization of the South China Sea – and we welcome the regular and u PAGE A3

The government campaign to rehabilitate El Nido, Palawan’s leading tourist destination, has paid off as pollution level in the town’s waters has gone down.

Inquirer.net photo by Mica Veloso

118 YEARS OF SERVICE. President Rodrigo Duterte attaches the streamer on the banner of one of the award-winning Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) units during the 28th BFP Founding Anniversary and 118 Years of Fire Service at the Philippine International Convention Center on Thursday, August 1.

Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

Cayetano files measure on absolute divorce PCSO execs back Duterte

campaign vs corruption

by JAVIER ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

A MEASURE instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines has been introduced in the Senate.

In filing Senate Bill (SB) 288 or an “Act instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines,” Sen. Juliana “Pia” Cayetano explained that while Executive Order 209, or the “Family Code of the Philippines,” provided for grounds for termination of marriage, this prou PAGE A2 Sen. Juliana “Pia” Cayetano

by RAINIER

ALLAN Philstar.com

RONDA

MANILA — The day after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to expose them, executives of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) expressed their support for the Chief Executive’s campaign to clean up the state lottery agenInquirer.net photo cy.

The officials led by PCSO chairman Anselmo Simeon Pinili and member of the board of directors Ike Señeres, issued statement saying the Presiabroad and fostering Filipino cultural identity through music.

In 2018, Cayabyab was conferred National Artist for Music.

He was cited for his music that “extols the exuberance of life and human happiness, thus capturing the very essence of our Filipino soul.”

He was also among the recipients of the Ten Outstanding Young Men Awards (TOYM) in 1978.

India’s Ravish Kumar was hailed for “his unfaltering commitment to a professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards; his moral courage in standing up for truth, integrity and independence; A PCSO lotto outlet, which had been operating since 1999, was closed on Saturday, July 27, after and his principled belief that it is President Rodrigo Duterte declared all PCSO gaming illegal. On Tuesday, July 30, the president lifted

Filipino composer among 2019 Ramon Magsaysay awardees

by JESS

DIAZ Philstar.com

MANILA — Multi-awarded Filipino composer and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab has been chosen as one of this year’s recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Cayabyab was recognized for “his compositions and performances that have defined and inspired Filipino popular music across generations; his indomitable, undeterred confidence to selflessly seek, mentor and promote young Filipino musical genius for the global stage; and his showing National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab us all that music can indeed instill Philstar.com photo pride and joy and unify people

across the many barriers that divide them.”

“Ryan is driven by a passion to mentor, educate and contribute to the flourishing of Filipino musical talent,” the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) said in a statement announcing this year’s awardees.

The 65-year-old Cayabyab served in the faculty of music of the University of the Philippines.

He runs a music studio with his wife and has conducted free workshops for thousands of students across the country.

He is a moving force in the Philpop Musicfest Foundation and the Elements Music Camp, major initiatives dedicated to music training, promoting Filipino music

dent had shown decisiveness in stamping out corruption and setting the stage for structural and operational reforms in the agency.

Pinili said the President manifested “strong political will” in overhauling the agency’s official hierarchy and suspending the PCSO’s operations.

“But he also acknowledged the indisputable fact that the PCSO has an inherent mandate to help the poor and the needy, particularly those who are sick but do not have the financial cau PAGE A5

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the suspension of Lotto operations.

Inquirer.net photo by Leo Udtohan

A August 3-6, 2019 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

Cayetano files measure on...

PAGE A1 t cess of annulment is extremely adversarial in nature, unnecessarily tedious and very expensive.

“This does not only escalate the conflict between the spouses, but also affects the well-being of their common children.

Consequently, most couples despite their irreconcilable dif-

ferences are forced to remain in their unhappy, difficult or even dysfunctional marriages,” Cayetano said.

SB 288, which was passed on third reading at the House of Representatives, but failed to hurdle the Senate during the 17th Congress, intends to ease access to legal processes to terminate a marriage while,

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From the Front Page at the same time, preserves the chance for a post-marriage scenario that allows a peaceful and productive co-existence between the former spouses.

Under SB 288, it is the option of concerned spouses to file for absolute divorce or seek legal separation, annulment of marriage or nullification of marriage under the pertinent provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines.

The grounds for divorce are: physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against the petitioner, a common child or a child of the petitioner; physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation; attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child or a child of the petitioner to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such corruption or inducement; final judgment sentencing respondent to imprisonment of more than six years, even if pardoned; drug addiction or habitual alcoholism or chronic gambling of the respondent; homosexuality of any of the spouses; contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage, whether in the Philippines or abroad; marital infidelity or perversion or having a child with another person other than one’s spouse during the marriage, except when upon the mutual agreement of the spouses a child is born to them by in vitro or a similar procedure or when the wife bears a child after being a victim of rape; attempt by the respondent against the life of the petitioner, a common child or a child of the petitioner; and abandonment of petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for more than one year.

The measure provides that there shall be a six-month cooling off period, during which the court shall exercise all efforts to reunite and reconcile the parties.

The proper court shall have the discretion to grant alimony, child support and child custody pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines, and impose contempt of court against the defaulting parties. n

Trump admin ends program that...

PAGE A1 t limited authority in a manner that preserves the integrity of our immigration system and does not encourage aliens to unlawfully enter the United States.”

In November 2014, then-President Barack Obama released executive actions on immigration, resulting in a White House report that recommended a few ways federal agencies can “modernize and streamline” the immigration system, which included introducing this parole program for families of Filipino World War II veterans.

The program also considered cases in which certain eligible relatives could seek parole on their own behalf when their Filipino World War II veteran and his or her spouse are both deceased.

In a tweet on Friday, Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono — who led another push for more eligible veterans to apply for the parole program in July — said that the president’s decision to end the program “serves his pathological need to treat immigrants as cruelly as possible.”

“These veterans deserve our appreciation and gratitude, not spite from their unhinged president,” she continued.

For Fil-Ams locally, Friday’s announcement hit close to home.

Melissa Ramoso, state chair of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, said that it was “disheartening” to hear the news, recalling her late grandfather, a World War II veteran whose legacy and service has motivated her past work to help reunite Filipino families.

“The use of parole as a ‘case by case’ basis slows the immigration process for those that it was promised to. Unless there is comprehensive immigration reform now, this administration will continue to discriminate against families of color,” Ramoso told the Asian Journal.

“Many of our grandparents were American patriots before setting foot on American soil. What a shame that the country they thought would embrace them as they fought alongside their

countrymen, actually doesn’t want them or their families. That is the truth of America now and the America I am sad to live in today. We should all remember this when it comes time to vote Trump out in 2020.”

Estimates show that there are currently less than 6,000 Filipino World War II veterans still living in the United States.

There have been multiple efforts to honor the remaining veterans in recent years, including the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Act in 2009 under Obama, which rewarded a one-time lump sum payment to these veterans and their families. Before leaving office, Obama also signed a measure that awarded them with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress.

In May, the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act was introduced in both the House and Senate to expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. n

Second round of Dem debates signal emergence...

PAGE A1 t premiums and deductibles in favor of funding the program through increased taxes on the 1%.

“Let’s be clear what this debate is about. Nobody can defend the dysfunctionality of the current system,” Sanders explained. “What we are taking on is the fact that over the last 20 years the drug companies and the insurance companies have spent $4.5 billion of your health insurance money on lobbying and campaign contributions.”

Moderate Democrats like former governor of Colorado John Hickenlooper and former Rep. John Delaney of Maryland agreed that the idea of Medicare For All is too “extreme.”

“It comes down to that question of Americans being used to being able to make choices, to have the right to make a decision,” Hickenlooper said, reinforcing the moderates’ argument that Americans should choose whether or not to opt for Medicare, and if “it expands, the quality improves [and] the cost comes down eventually you could get [to Medicare For All], but it would be an evolution, not a revolution.”

But Warren argued that that approach fosters a convoluted insurance system that forces “people to have to fight to try to get the health care coverage that their doctors and nurses say that they need.”

On the second night, Vice President Joe Biden made a case for the idea that the solution to the nation’s health care woes is to maintain and expand Obamacare.

“My response is Obamacare is working,” Biden said. “The way to build this, and get to it immediately is to build on Obamacare.

Take back all the things that Trump took away, provide a public option, meaning every single person would be able to buy into that option if they didn’t like their employer plan.”

On the topic of immigration, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Julián Castro detailed pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants “who haven’t committed a serious crime” as well as instituting a “21st century Marshall Plan with Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala so that we can get to the root of this challenge so people can find safety and opportunity at

home instead of having to come to the United States.”

Protestors in the audience of the second debate night interrupted Biden’s remarks on his immigration plans, yelling out “3 million deported,” referencing the number of undocumented immigrants deported under President Barack Obama. Biden defended himself, assuring that the deportation rate would “absolutely not” increase if he’s elected.

Candidates poured over the current situation at the border and the “broken immigration system” that has resulted in “inhumane” detention centers riddled with abuse and neglect. But entrepreneur Andrew Yang, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, made a case of uplifting the success stories of immigrants rather than using tragedy as a political approach.

“I’m the son of immigrants myself. My father immigrated here as a graduate student and generated over 65 U.S. patents for G.E. and IBM. I think that’s a pretty good deal for the United States. That’s the immigration story we need to be telling,” Yang said. “We can’t always be focusing on some of...

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A

LA County firefighters hold public awareness campaign to share challenges by rae

NBC4 meteorologist Shanna Mendiola and Andres Pruna receive their Emmy for a two-part report on “Plastic and Our Oceans” on Saturday, July 27 at the 71st Los Angeles Area Emmys.

Fil-Am meteorologist wins Emmy for ocean pollution coverage

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

A FilipinA American meteorologist took home an Emmy at the 71st los Angeles Area Emmys for her coverage on plastic in the ocean.

Shanna Mendiola — the meteorologist for nBC4 Southern California’s weekday morning newscast “Today in lA” — received the Environment news Story award for a two-part report on “plastic and Our Oceans.” She won alongside Andres Fernando pruna, who served as the cameraman, editor, and producer for the report.

NBC4 “Today in LA” meteorologist Shanna Mendiola holds her Emmy for Environment News Story on Saturday, July 27 at the 71st Los Angeles Area Emmys.

Contributed photos

The report investigates why 88% of the world’s oceans have plastic debris and why the problem is escalating. The special series came about as a “responsibility to raise awareness for environmental issues that affect our planet” outside of her day-to-day meteorology forecasts.

“Sadly, you don’t have to go very far to find trash on our washing up on Southern California beaches, or even see it in the water….Cities are making small changes like banning plastic straws and bags, but it’s not enough. i hope the story my producer and photographer Andres pruna and i put together educates the public about the issue and gets more people talking about how we can work together to make a change,” Mendiola told the Asian Journal in an email.

Mendiola has been the morning meteorologist since March 2017 and joined nBC in 2014, which has given her opportunities to fill in for Al Roker on the “Today” show and other national broadcasts. She also worked for TV stations in Denver, San Francisco, and Oregon.

She previously told the Asian Journal that she was inspired to become a meteorologist at the age of 12 during a ‘take your daughter to work day” event, where she heard a news anchor speak. “i’m overwhelmed with gratitude and honored beyond words to receive this award,” Mendiola said. “There are very few women

US senators ask Trump gov’t to...

PAGE A1 t routine conduct of Freedom of navigation assertions – we are concerned that much more is needed to counter China’s aggressive activities and impede its drive to operate with impunity in the South China Sea,” the senators said in a letter addressed to pompeo.

The U.S. senators noted that China has been encroaching in the exclusive economic zones of other claimant states, using militarized artificial islands as “platforms for coercion”, and pressuring the ASEAn to negotiate a “restrictive” Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Beijing also continues to ignore the July 2016 of a United nations-backed arbitral tribunal, which invalidated its historic nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. China’s actions in the contested waterway deserves greater attention from the U.S., along with cooperation with allies and partners, the senators said.

“China’s intimidation, coercion, rejection of peaceful diplomatic arbitration, and threats of the use of force over the past several years represent a serious challenge to those interests,” the letter read. in line with this, the U.S. lawmakers asked pompeo to use the upcoming ASEAn meeting in

Bangkok to come up with a regional consensus to protect the rights of U.S. allies and partners under the Un Convention on the law of the Sea. The Trump administration was also asked to form a strategy that would end Chinese infringement of rights of other coastal states and counter its efforts to “undermine” a freed and open indo-pacific. “it is not too late to hold China to account for its behavior, and to deter further Chinese aggression in the maritime domain,” the senators said. in a tweet early Wednesday, pompeo said he is looking forward to reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the ASEAn and strengthening bilateral relations in the region as he lands in Thailand for the ASEAn Regional Forum.

Earlier this year, pompeo assured the philippines that the U.S. will back its long-time ally in case of any armed attack on Filipino forces in the West philippine Sea or the South China Sea. “As the South China Sea is part of the pacific, any armed attack on philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea would trigger mutual defense obligations under Article 4 of our Mutual Defense Treaty,” pompeo said during his visit to Manila in March. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar)

and women of color as a whole in the broadcast meteorology field, and to be Filipino American and win this Emmy — it’s a win for the community and hopefully inspiration for many to follow!”

This marks Mendiola’s second Emmy, but first solo win. She was part of the nBC4 weather team that won an Emmy in 2016 for its El nino coverage.

The awards were held at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in north Hollywood, California on Saturday, July 27. n

ann VarOna AJPress

pARkED outside los Angeles County Fire Station no. 14 in Westmont is a fire truck decked out with three types of extinguishers and hoses, a 24-foot wooden ladder, forced entry tools among others, and a number of medical kits and drug boxes. painted on the front and back of the truck are the words, “it ain’t easy kid.”

With over 1,000 calls being made every single day in los Angeles County, being a firefighter is a challenging job. But challenges have been compounded as the lA County Fire department finds itself with outdated equipment, lack of funding, and staff shortages. in a public awareness campaign meant to provide information about the challenges, lA County Fire Department staff shared their personal experiences and of how the challenges affected day-today operations.

“Their task is to protect and serve this community and serve the entire county. There are tasks in many instances where they are serving the most vulnerable aspects of our community,” lA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters on the first stop of the department’s campaign at Fire Station 14. “it’s incumbent upon us — me as a fire chief, the Board of Supervisors, and our community — to ensure that our firefighters are well staffed, well trained, and

LA County Fire Captain and Public Information Officer, Tony J. Imbrenda AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

have the best equipment possible to allow them to execute their mission,” he added. in a profession where communication is key, lack of funding and changing technology has meant firefighters using old, outdated, and unreliable radios and communications equipment. Systems dating back nearly three decades has often resulted in incompatibility with more modern digital systems and wireless networks. not only has this affected firefighters who rely on communication amongst each other, but paramedics who require direct communication with emergency rooms and trauma centers.

Fire Captain Guadalupe Munoz

gave an example of how the company they contract with to provide radios will no longer be making replacement parts starting next year.

“So they’re basically obsolete now,” said Munoz.

The most recent event that tested lA County Fire was during the november 2018 fires that erupted both in northern and Southern California. in los Angeles, the Woolsey Fire — one of the largest and most destructive in the county’s history — torched 96,949 acres of land and destroyed over 1,400 structures across parts of the San Fernando Valley area and especially, Malibu. lA County Fire was able to save over 50,000 structures and evacuate the more than 250,000 people at risk, but more could’ve been done, said Osby. in addition to getting fighters out to the spreading fires, the department still needed to ensure there were enough resources in the 175 stations available to protect the rest of the county.

“We had dedicated men and women coming in to work and help, but we ran out of equipment,” said Osby.

Filipino-American firefighter specialist Jonathan Carnero, who is currently an engineer in lynwood after working as a paramedic, said that many of the trucks are at the verge of being inoperable.

“We’ve got a 12-year-old truck that runs 15 calls a day, which

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Second round of Dem debates signal emergence... LA County firefighters hold public awareness...

PAGE A2 t the distressed stories. And if you go to a factory here in Michigan, you will not find wall-to-wall immigrants; you will find wall-to-wall robots and machines. Immigrants are being scapegoated for issues they have nothing to do with in our economy.”

Candidates from both nights had their fair share of quips and one-liners that made the rounds on social media, like when Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio interrupted Sanders’ listing out the benefits of Medicare For All, telling the senator, “You don’t know that, Bernie” to which Sanders replied, “I do know it, I wrote the damn bill!”

On the second night, Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii — one of two AAPI candidates on the stage along with Yang — sparred on the issue of criminal justice reform and the issue of police brutality Throughout the campaign, Harris has emphasized her criminal justice background as California’s attorney general and as a district attorney of San Francisco, arguing that her efforts “became a national model for the work that needs to be done.”

“Senator Harris says she’s proud

of her record as a prosecutor and that she’ll be a prosecutor president. But I’m deeply concerned about this record. There are too many examples to cite but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was ever asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said, garnering applause from the audience.

As expected, both the Republican Party and President Trump himself downplayed the candidates’ policies and attacks on the Trump administration, warning of the dangers of the expansion of progressive ideals of the Democratic field.

“Proving that nothing is impossible, Democrats moved even further to the left tonight,” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. “As the Democrat field narrows, our country will continue to thrive under President Trump’s winning agenda of rising wages, new jobs, and a booming economy. Not a single Democrat candidate can compete with President Trump’s record, and the American people are ready to re-elect him in 2020 to keep up this great American comeback.”

“No original thoughts for Democrats. Plenty of socialist stupidity — eliminating private insurance, decriminalizing border crossings, higher taxes, getting rid of fossil fuels. Goodbye Pennsylvania.

Goodbye auto industry. Goodbye Midwest. Another win for President Trump,” Kayleigh McEnany, National Press Secretary for the Trump re-election campaign, wrote in a statement.

The next Democratic debate will be held in Houston, Texas on September 12. The Democratic National Committee has imposed a polling and donor threshold that candidates must meet in order to participate in the next debate: they must be polling at least 2% in four national DNC-approved polls and at least 130,000 unique donors stemming from at least 400 donors in 20 or more states.

The deadline to achieve these qualifications is August 28; and, so far, the only candidates to have met this threshold are Biden, Harris, Sanders, Warren, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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equates to about 5,500 runs a year,” Carnero told the Asian Journal at the campaign’s second stop at Fire Station 31.

“They’re not made to run that many calls and take abuse on the street,” he added. “We don’t have the best streets in our area so it gets beat up, and when it breaks down, we don’t have anything.”

More than just putting out fires LA County Fire covers more than just fight fires — and the challenges are being felt throughout the department that also deals with paramedic services in the county’s 58 cities and all unincorporated areas. The vast majority of 911 calls made are for medical emergencies including heart attacks, strokes, and car accidents, and the demand for such services has been growing.

Fire Captain Chad Sourbeer, who is responsible for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training and education, said that out of the roughly 400,000 calls made last year, 345,000 of those calls were for EMS. “Those were patient care records. Those were the ones that were actual patients,” said Sourbeer.

He said that in the last eight years, they’ve seen a patient load increase of 50%. The number of paramedic units added to the force in comparison has only been 5%. That’s one paramedic up in the north of the desert, and three squads.

“That’s not a lot. So you can see that’s completely unsustainable, and that’s where we’re going,” said Sourbeer. “That’s the future of our department at best.”

One personal story he shared was during his time as a medic,

when he and his partner were dispatched to a 15-year-old girl who was alone at home and was experiencing abdominal pains.

Upon arrival and finding the girl in the restroom, the girl stood up and suddenly gave birth.

“Baby falls on the floor and I tell my partner, ‘Okay, let’s get into action,’” recalled Sourbeer, adding that the baby was small enough to fit in his hands.

After wrapping the baby, performing CPR, and taking the mother and child straight to the NICU, the baby was saved. A week later, Sourbeer received a thank you card from the mother inviting him to visit the baby girl when she was out of the hospital.

“I want you to imagine what would have happened in that scene if we were delayed. Our response time was four minutes,” said Sourbeer.

“If we did not have the personnel that we need — and you can see the 50% growth versus the 5% — what would have happened in that scenario?” added Sourbeer. “This is happening over and over and over. Any type of delay, even if it’s two minutes or four minutes, that’s life or death.”

A little known fact is that LA

AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

County Fire was the first in the nation to install a paramedic program when former county Supervisor Kenneth Hahn convinced then California Governor Ronald Reagan that there was a need for paramedics and ambulatory medicine 50 years ago.

“It’s hard to imagine a time before we had paramedics — before we could expect the highly trained and capable paramedics to come to us when we were hurt or sick. We take these life-saving services for granted these days, but it was not that long ago that the idea of paramedics was considered unconventional and was even ridiculed,” said current county Supervisor Janice Hahn, Kenneth Hahn’s daughter.

“The fire department budget is stretched too thin, and the department is understaffed and equipment our fighters and paramedics depend on is outdated,” she added. “These are serious problems and we want to continue to offer the excellent Emergency Medical Services and Fire Protection that we provide today for our residents. We have to address this resource problem.”

A big focus in EMS training and service has been on cardiac

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El Nido to remain open for tourism...

PAGE A1 t His statement comes after reports that the Department of Interior and Local Government has recommended the closure of some villages in El Nido purportedly due to poor water quality and high fecal coliform levels.

“The decision is we will continue the rehabilitation. We will not close El Nido. We will continue the no swimming areas in Bacuit

Bay,” he said in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo.

These areas will be closed to swimming and boat activities: Corong Corong, Cabugao, Masagana, and El Nido Estero.

Cimatu said there is also a possibility that certain establishments that violate prescribed laws for tourism would be closed.

A task force will inspect the establishments and households

near tourist destinations in El Nido, he added.

“We gave them 20 days effective August 5 to 25. They have 20 days for them to submit the result of the investigation and inspection,” Cimatu said.

Just last month, Palawan made it to Lonely Planet’s top tourist destinations. It landed in the 8th spot in the 10 best places to visit in the Asia Pacific. n

PAGE A1 t in giving full and respectful voice to the voiceless, in speaking truth bravely yet soberly to power, that journalism fulfills its noblest aims to advance democracy.” Kumar, 47, is senior executive editor of NDTV India.

“In a media environment threatened by an interventionist state, toxic with jingoist partisans, trolls and purveyors of ‘fake news’ and where the competition for market ratings has put the premium on ‘media personalities,’ ‘tabloidization’ and audience-pandering sensationalism, Ravish has been most vocal on insisting that the professional values of sober, balanced, fact-based reporting be upheld in practice,” the RMAF said.

His “Prime Time” program on NDTV India takes up current social issues.

Ravish interacts easily with the poor, travels extensively and uses social media to stay in touch with his audience, generating from them the stories for his program.

Striving for a people-based journalism, he calls his newsroom “the people’s newsroom.”

Independent journalism Forty-one-year-old Ko Swe Win of Myanmar received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership.

He was recognized for “his undaunted commitment to practice independent, ethical and socially engaged journalism in Myanmar; his incorruptible sense of justice and unflinching pursuit of the truth in crucial but underreported issues; and his resolute insistence that it is in the quality and force of media’s truth-telling that we can convincingly protect human rights in the world.”

Myanmar has one of the most challenging environments for the practice of journalism in Asia, the RMAF noted.

In 1998, Ko, who was a university student then, was arrested with 67 others for participating in a student demonstration and distributing propaganda materials against the ruling military junta.

Sentenced to 21 years in jail, he was tortured and starved but would turn prison into a learning experience.

Released after seven years in prison, he studied journalism, doing an online undergraduate program and, with a scholarship, finished a master’s degree in journalism at Hong Kong University in 2009.

Ko works as editor-in-chief of online newspaper Myanmar Now. Established in 2015 with seed financing from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Myanmar Now is an independent online news service focused on long-form in-

mese and English.

In 2017, he criticized a powerful, ultranationalist Buddhist monk, Ashin Wirathu, for purveying “hate speech” and publicly commending the killer of a Muslim human rights activist.

Ko Swe Win was sued for defamation, physically assaulted by Wirathu’s supporters and briefly jailed on the trumped-up charge that he had tried to leave the country while on bail.

The judge finally dropped the case last July 2, due largely to the plaintiff’s protracted non-appearance at court hearings.

Human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaijit from Thailand was recognized for “her unwavering courage in seeking justice for her husband and many other victims of violence and conflict in southern Thailand; her systematic, unflagging work to reform a flawed and unfair legal system and the shining proof she is that the humblest ordinary person can achieve national impact in deterring human rights abuses.”

Neelapaijit, 63, founded Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF), a network of human rights and peace advocates involved in documenting the human rights situation in southern Thailand, providing legal assistance to victims and training women on human rights and the peace process.

In 2004, Neelapaijit’s husband Somchai, a noted human rights lawyer, was abducted in Bangkok the day after he publicly accused the military of torturing detainees in southern Thailand.

“Somchai’s enforced disappearance and subsequent death was a tragic blow to the cause of human rights in the country and a devastating personal nightmare for his family. But it would also be the beginning of a remarkable journey for Somchai’s widow, Angkhana Neelapaijit,” RMAF said.

Angkhana had valiantly worked to bring the police officers involved to trial, but due to a flawed justice system, they were acquitted.

Despite death threats, Angkhana continued to seek justice for her husband and other human rights victims. She applied herself to learning the laws, filing legal appeals and navigating the Thai legal system. She bonded with other victims and worked with civil society groups in and outside Thailand.

In 2015, Angkhana was named commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the only Commission member with grassroots human rights experience.

South Korean Kim Jong-ki was

age in transforming private grief into a mission to protect Korea’s youth from the scourge of bullying and violence, his unstinting dedication to the goal of instilling among the young the values of self-esteem, tolerance and mutual respect, and his effectively mobilizing all sectors of the country in a nationwide drive that has transformed both policy and behaviors towards building a gentler, nonviolent society.”

A highly successful businessman, Kim established the Foundation for Preventing Youth Violence (FPYV), following the death of his 16-year-old son Dae-hyun.

Kim, 72, learned that it was bullying in school that drove his son to end his life.

The FPYV is the first organized effort in South Korea to address school violence as a systemic social problem affecting students, families, schools and the community at large.

Under the leadership of Kim, FPYV carried out wide-ranging anti-bullying campaigns which included seminars, rallies, concerts and films; operated a hotline which now takes 30 to 50 calls daily, with the capacity to dispatch staff to respond to urgent cases, and lobbied for needed government policy and legislation.

After 10 years, a law on the Prevention and Handling of School Violence was finally enacted in 2004.

To date, FPYV offers counseling and mediation services in partnership with Korea’s Ministry of Education.

A 2018 survey showed that since FPYV started its campaign in 1995, incidence of school violence has dropped from 20 percent to three percent.

The five 2019 Magsaysay awardees join the community of 330 other Magsaysay laureates who have received Asia’s highest honor and premier prize.

This year’s Magsaysay Award winners will each receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President and a cash prize.

They will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award on Sept. 9 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

“The Magsaysay awardees of 2019 all reflect courage undaunted in their commitment to build solutions to vital and complex issues in their societies. Theirs is a moral courage that is unfazed d by repressive systems, or social divisions, or institutional resistance, or deep cultural prejudice, or even by the burdens of building the capacities of others,” RMAF president Carmencita

Filipino composer among 2019 Ramon...

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PCSO execs back Duterte campaign vs...

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FLOODED MANILA. Intermittent moderate to heavy rains since Thursday night triggered by the southwest monsoon have caused flooding along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Friday, August 2. The weather bureau has warned of heavy rainfall in some parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan and Rizal.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

LA County firefighters hold public awareness...

PAGE A4 t arrest. Paramedic firefighters are specially trained to read an electrocardiogram (ECG) and determine whether a patient is having an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a serious type of heart attack.

Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill, medical director of the LA County EMS Agency, said that over 8,000 cardiac arrests occur in Los Angeles every single year.

“That dispatcher who gives those pre-arrival instructions to help a family do chest compressions or CPR increases that patient’s chance of survival by three times,” said Gausche-Hill.

Another big focus has been on strokes of which roughly 6,000 occur in Los Angeles per year.

Efforts to address strokes include a regional system that looks to bring heart attack patients to any of the county’s 36 STEMI Receiving Centers and additional stroke centers.

Training has made it so paramedics can evaluate and determine if patients are experiencing a significant stroke, and taking them to a hospital able to remove the clot and significantly increase the chances of the patient going from being unable to talk and being completely debilitated, to walking out of the hospital neurologically intact.

One call Gausche-Hill recalled having was from family members of a 70-year-old who was experiencing a stroke, and was taken to one of LA County’s comprehensive stroke centers.

“Literally an hour later, she

went from not speaking and moving to being able to talk to her family and having dinner with them,” said Gausche-Hill.

Maximizing resources Dr. Clayton Kazan said that the department is striving to be a world-class provider of cardiac arrest care and has been successful with multiple pilot projects and winning grants. But with the increase in call volume, Kazan — the department’s only physician — said it’s hard to spread out resources at all levels.

The New York City Fire Department, in comparison, has nine medical directors and two fellows. Out in the field, Kazan said it isn’t uncommon for paramedic squads with just one apparatus to average more than 25 calls a day.

“They really stretch the limits of human performance because the busier they get, the less sleep they get. The more they worry about errors and things like that,” said Kazan. “They do an amazing job, but we need to get in there and fill that funding gap because if we don’t, there’s going to be a breaking point where our errors are going to start to occur.”

On the dispatcher side, staff shortages mean distressed people on hold.

“We don’t want the civilians in the public waiting for 911. If your parents or your children are sick and the phone is ringing and ringing — we don’t want that,” said Kristen Smith, an LA County Fire dispatcher.

But LA County Fire is doing what it can in the meantime

through efforts like promoting diversity and equality, making mental health support a priority, and encouraging those interested in a career at the department to see what opportunities they have.

“If you’re interested in a career that’s going to provide you with something different every day, that’s going to be challenging, that’s going to expose you to different parts of the state and different parts of different communities, then do ride-alongs and see if this is something that would interest you,” said Carnero.

Currently, LA County Fire is funded through a mix of county property tax revenue and contracts for service with individual cities, according to the department. While the awareness campaign was meant to inform the public of the challenges, LA County Fire District is considering a local funding measure as a means of generating additional resources.

“It’s been over 20 years since our department has gone to the public to really talk about these challenges as they relate to additional funding, but some of the challenges I just articulated, I think it’s time to really consider that,” said Osby.

He added, “Because then I believe that this is a local challenge that we’re not going to be able to rely on state or federal government assistance. It’s up to us to make the determination the level of staffing, the level of equipment, and the expertise that will allow [our firefighters] to provide for their communities.” n

pability to secure professional medical assistance, hence he lifted the suspension order after barely one week to put our revenue generation back on track,” Pinili said.

“With the road towards organizational and operational reforms cleared of all hindrances, we can now move full steam ahead in setting the PCSO’s state of affairs steadily in the right direction,” said Señeres.

This means that the general public can expect drastic changes in the PCSO, including digital services for the lotto and other gaming draws, the officials said.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the President is ready to name at least 10 officials of the PCSO involved in a multibillion-peso corruption scandal.

Duterte ordered the suspension of PCSO operations last Friday, citing “massive corruption” in the state lottery agency.

The four days of suspension was lifted only on lotto operations but the Small Town Lottery (STL) and other games like Keno and the Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB) were put on hold.

The PCSO said that it was “not uncommon” for its officials to find themselves at the receiving end of complaints arising from their attempts to implement reforms in the agency.

Private lotto operators and service providers are also wont to securing temporary restraining orders from friendly judges, thus tying the hands of the PCSO managers in the process, they said.

For her part, newly appointed PCSO general manager Royina Garma also thanked the President for “removing all stumbling blocks that thwarted attempts by previous administrators to weed out misfits and iniquities in the agency.”

At a press conference earlier this week, Garma said she was the one who sought the President’s help in her bid to address serious issues in the agency, particularly in its STL operations, which she claimed were riddled with anomalies.

Garma said the President was forced to intervene and ordered the suspension of PCSO operations while an investigation is underway.

Presidential Anti-Crime and

Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica said the agency will conduct lifestyle checks on all PCSO officials, including Pinili, the rest of its board of directors and former general manager Alexander Balutan.

The Senate and the House of Representatives also sought a congressional inquiry into the operations of the PCSO. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) under the Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting its own investiga-

tion into the issue.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he tasked the NBI to send “periodic reports” on their investigation.

Guevarra said the results of the NBI investigation is crucial to “also inform the President about any concrete action that may have to be taken.”

Guevarra said the NBI has informed him that they are targeting “to finish the whole investigation before the end of the year.” n

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Medialdea files libel complaint vs Ramon Tulfo over column EXECUTIVE Secretary Salvador Medialdea filed a libel complaint against Special Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo over his alleged “malicious” article published in The Manila Times.

In a text message, Medialdea said the libel complaint against Tulfo was filed in June but the Palace official confirmed the information on Friday, August 2.

“He was the one who announced it. All I can say is there will be more coming,” Medialdea said in a text message, referring to Tulfo.

“I just kept quiet about it. I filed it because I just wanted to correct what he was wrongfully and maliciously writing about me and to set out the truth. His motivations will come out in the future. I don’t want them to affect my case at the moment,” he added.

Medialdea raised the possibility that he would be filing a libel complaint against Tulfo in a let-

ter addressed to The Times.

“I chose to be quiet in all his backhanded accusations and malicious articles against me, and let my lawyer just file the appropriate libel case against him for a libelous article he previously wrote in this newspaper,” he said.

Medialdea also urged Tulfo to observe responsible journalism but said that it “might prove to be a futile exercise.”

He, however, warned others to be “circumspect” in dealing with Tulfo.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of discernment and to take things coming from Tulfo with a grain, if not a kilo, of salt,” Medialdea said.

In his column entitled “Selfpurgation should start with the Cabinet” published July 25, Tulfo shared the account of a Felicito Mejorado who claimed that his reward worth P272 million from the government for his tip on a smuggling operation

in Mariveles, Bataan had been pending with Medialdea’s office for a year already.

A certain Vianney D. Garol, who was supposedly a presidential consultant, asked for P72 million for the release of the reward and that this money was for Medialdea.

Medialdea, however, said he did not know any Garol, but later found out that Garol was a project development officer under the now-defunct Office of External Affairs-Davao.

He also said that Mejorado’s claim was denied by the Department of Justice and that the latter appealed the denial before Medialdea’s office.

The appeal, according to Medialdea, has been pending for three months and not one year.

Medialdea also said that the Former President Benigno Aquino III speaks as relatives and friends commemorate the 10th death anniversary of former President Corazon Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales Office of the President asked Aquino at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City on Thursday, August 1. the Department of Finance to forward all records related to Mejorado’s case. (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net) Hawaii on Feb. 25, 1986. this experience for his political

by Ralph Edwin VillanuEVa “No matter how dark the situ- awakening, noted the current Philstar.com ation becomes, sometimes in barrage of historical misrepreMANILA — If Filipinos have our lives, we can say we had a sentation, especially in digital forgotten the struggles led by the leader who wanted to bring back media. late President Corazon Aquino, what was right in life. Maybe, “The enemies of freedom OVER 17 YEARS then the Philippines has become no matter how dark things may have weaponized digital media a better place, her only son said seem, the impossible is pos- to spread the propaganda erason Thursday, August 1. sible,” Aquino said. ing this triumph of democracy.

“If what (Cory) did is not needThe people may now feel the We won our freedom at EDSA. ed anymore, then that means need to return the country to We must protect our freedom our country already is in a bet- the “right path” and it is up to and our history against revisionter place. We can then forget them to do so, according to the ism,” Pangilinan said. why we needed someone like former chief executive.

A regular teenager in 1983, her,” former President Benigno “I think the inspiration (that Pangilinan recalled that the asAquino III said in a chance in- my parents) gave could con- sassination of Ninoy was a turnterview with reporters during tinue the fight toward the right ing point for him. He said this the family’s commemoration of path for the country,” he said. was when he started to become the 10th death anniversary of ‘Resist historical revision- aware of the evils of martial the country’s democracy icon. ism’ law.

“We should never forget the Darrick V. Tan, Esq. “Then we can say that what she Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pansacrificed for has borne fruit.” gilinan on Thursday challenged many, many injustices we faced Licensed in California for He said that a decade after Filipinos to honor the memory during martial law,” Pangilinan over 17 years his mother died, Cory Aquino of the late former president by said.

Licensed in Nevada for continues to inspire Filipinos by resisting historical revisionism.

Pangilinan was the first sitting over 12 years* showing that anyone can over“We remember President senator to throw his support beUCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political Cory as the shining icon of de- hind the presidential candidacy Science with Cum Laude honors come impossible odds.

The late former president was mocracy. She has inspired not of Aquino III in 2009, when he Southwestern University Law the driving force behind the only Filipinos. The Philippines saw the public clamor for a leadSchool, Juris Doctor Admitted to U.S. District Court, ouster of former strongman Fer- started the trend of peaceful ership in stark contrast to that Central District of California dinand Marcos from power, who people power for the whole of the unpopular then president Member, American Immigration ruled the country for 21 years. world,” Pangilinan said.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Lawyers Association After her husband, the late “She symbolizes the people’s “In times of turmoil, the ones Member, Consumers Attorney former senator Benigno “Ninoy” triumph in the hard-fought who truly love the country are Association of Los Angeles Aquino Jr., was assassinated, the struggle against the dictator- those who stand by their convicFormer Member, Board of Philippines stood up and led the ship. It’s a lesson that should tion for what is right and true, Governors, Philippine American first bloodless uprising in the never be forgotten, especially and those who inspire their felBar Association *Inactive world, the four-day EDSA Peo- now,” he added. low humans to be brave for the ple Power Revolution. It resulted The senator, a student activist truth. That is President Cory,” in the Marcos family fleeing to during martial law who credits Pangilinan said. n

‘A decade after death, Cory can still inspire’

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Del Rosario: Take South China Sea ruling to UN General Assembly by pia lEE-BRago Ralph Edwin VillanuEVa Philstar.com

MANILA — Since China has not stopped its bullying in the West Philippine Sea, former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario said the Philippines needs to drum up international support to compel Beijing to comply with an arbitral court ruling on the South China Sea as well as “bring to fore” its threat of force to assert its maritime claim.

“We need to seek the support of the UN General Assembly in compelling Beijing to abide by the arbitral tribunal ruling,” Del Rosario said. “At the UN and at other multilateral fora, we also need to bring to the fore China’s threat of force.

“We are obviously no match for this Goliath who intends to have us for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said on Thursday, August 1.

For three years, he said the Philippines has kowtowed to China’s tack of resolving disputes through bilateral means, “resulting in our being bullied, harassed and intimidated.”

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana accused China of “bullying” in the South China Sea as it continues to occupy islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He criticized China for failing to match its verbal commitment to peace with actions.

“To seek help, we must show that we are willing to be helped,” Del Rosario said.

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague ruled in favor of a case filed by Manila contesting China’s massive claim in the South China.

In its ruling, the arbitral court invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim and reaffirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

Beijing vowed not to comply with the order. President Duterte himself said he would rather set aside the arbitral ruling to preserve the country’s friendship with China and keep the Asian giant from making hostile moves.

The filing of the case in 2013 by the previous Aquino administration was supposedly prompt-

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario

ed by Chinese refusal to leave Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal even after agreeing to a US-brokered “face saving” deal to leave the shoal simultaneously with the Philippine Navy following a standoff.

The standoff began when the crew of a Philippine Navy vessel tried to accost Chinese poachers leaving the shoal with their illegal harvest of giant clams, baby sharks and endangered corals.

Chinese maritime surveillance ships emerged and prevented the Philippine Navy from making the arrest. The poachers managed to slip out of the area with their illegal catch.

Aside from deploying warships and militia vessels in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, the Chinese had also constructed and fortified artificial islands in waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

More actions needed Meanwhile, former president Benigno Aquino III said that while filing diplomatic protests is good, the Duterte administration should take more steps to make sure the Philippines will be free to make moves meant to advance or protect national interest amid the maritime spat with China.

In an interview with reporters at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, Aquino said that China has a history of exerting economic pressure on countries it is not fond of.

Philstar.com photo

Aquino said those in government should make sure this will not happen to the Philippines.

“You have to think, our freedom to move towards the interest of the Philippines may be lessened if we are always threatened to be punished economically,” Aquino said in Filipino.

“Hopefully, those in position can have the freedom to do what is right,” he added.

He lauded the decision of the government to file a diplomatic protest against China over the latter’s hostile activities in Sibutu Strait and Pag-asa Island. “(Associate Justice Antonio) Carpio said that if we keep quiet, we are enduring a lot. Us filing a protest is a record that we are not in favor of what they are doing,” Aquino said.

“So, that is a good first step, but it is important to follow that up. Hopefully, there will be more steps,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared on Wednesday that the Philippines “fired off” a diplomatic protest against China in response to reports that 113 Chinese vessels had circled Pag-asa Island.

The protest was the second since June following the sinking by a Chinese vessel of a Filipino fishing boat near Recto Bank. The incident sparked outrage in the Philippines after the 22 Filipino crew of the F/B Gemver reported being left floundering in the water by the Chinese. n

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Philippine sports to follow Cuba template Immigration reviewing ‘visa upon arrival’ scheme amid influx of Chinese nationals

by Joey

Villar Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine Sports Commission will collaborate with the Siklab Foundation in producing a group of coaches, trainers and sports managers that will be tasked to spot gems in the rough among K12 students.

“We have a total of 27 million students from 43,000 schools in our country. If we concentrate on getting them qualified coaches and trainers and managers, it will give us a bigger chance to get good athletes from this massive pool,” said PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez.

For it to work, Ramirez said the PSC and other government agencies like the Department of Education will need to work hand in hand with the Siklab Foundation, a non-profit group under Presidential Adviser for Sports Dennis Uy, that seeks to win the very

first Olympic gold medal for the country.

This came after no less than President Duterte himself mentioned in his State of the Nation Address last week the need to come up with a national sports academy.

Ramirez said they are applying almost the same style of Cuba, which has a great track record in the Olympics.

“Cuba is not a rich country, but it has a sports institute where all their coaches graduated before training their athletes. It’s basically the same program all over Europe, the United States and Australia,’’ said Ramirez.

The project will also get the involvement of the United States Sports Academy (USSA) in Alabama.

Dr. Serge Opena, the PSC’s national grassroots sports development consultant, said the PSC will be bankrolling the first batch

of 100 coaches, trainers and managers that will get training and certificates at USSA. Opena said the 100 coaches, who will be handpicked by the DepEd from different regions, will then pass on to Filipino athletes the curriculum set by the USSA. The 100 participants will undergo a three-day lecture and another three-day coaching clinic from the USSA and PSC starting Aug. 19 at the PSI building at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

“We need all the help we can get. In two years, the target will be around 300 trainers and coaches,” said Opena.

Prof. Henry Daut, the deputy national training director of the Philippine Sports Institute, the grassroots development arm of the PSC, will also be on hand to provide support along with the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics. n

media organizations such as the National Press Club of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, A MEASURE that seeks to im- Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster prove the plight of media work- ng Pilipinas, Press Photograers has been filed at the House of phers of the Philippines, Manila Overseas Press Club, National Representatives.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Union of Journalists of the PhilTaduran, a former broadcaster, ippines, Publishers Association on Thursday pushed the passage of the Philippines Inc., Federaof House Bill 2476, or the “Me- tion of Provincial Press Clubs, dia Workers’ Welfare Act,” which Center for Media Freedom and she filed last week.

“Because of their dedication to their chosen field, we are always informed of every occurrence around us, near or far, local or foreign, night or day; be it in a peaceful area or in a war-torn location,” Taduran said.

“The least that we can do to show that we recognize the invaluable contribution of media workers to society is to give them their economic due and added protection under the law,” she added.

The measure seeks to grant additional insurance benefits to media workers, including death and disability benefits of up to P200,000, and reimbursement of actual medical expenses of up to P100,000, apart from awards, cash incentives, scholarship grants and exchange programs.

A Commission on Press Freedom and Media Security will be established in coordination with the Presidential Communications Operations Office and other ManilaTimes.net

Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration has started reviewing the visas upon arrival privilege of foreigners even before the declaration of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Earlier this week, the Philippines’ top diplomat said the government should stop issuing visas upon arrival due to the influx of Chinese tourists in the country.

“We need to put an end to visas upon arrival, all visas should be issued by consular offices after vetting. We must take extra care in outsourcing any part of the visa application process, picking only the most reputable worldwide,” Locsin tweeted on Wednesday, July 31.

In a press briefing on Friday, August 2, Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete said the Department of Justice is just waiting for the formal recommendation of the Responsibility, and the Asian Immigration bureau on the visas Institute of Journalism and Com- upon arrival scheme.

“As early as about a month munication.

A compensation table providing minimum monthly pay for media workers was also proposed, with P20,000 to P40,000 as the estimated minimum rates equivalent to years of experience in the industry and positions ranging from propsman to field reporter. n

Bill to protect media workers filed

by Glee Jalea

by Patricia lourdes

The Bureau of Immigration has been reviewing how to refine the visas upon arrival privilege for foreigners entering the Philippines to prevent abuses in the use of the mechanism, the Department of Justice said.

Philstar.com photo

ago, there were already informal recommendations from the Bureau of Immigration so continuous ‘yung kanilang (their) study pinpointing exactly what are the loopholes in the system so they can address it,” Perete said.

Once the proposal is submitted, it would need the approval of Justice Secretary Menardo

Guevarra.

Perete added that one of the factors the Immigration is looking into is the allowed period of stay for foreign nationals coming to the country.

“Supposedly those who would avail of the visa upon arrival are tourists and limited to period

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A8 AUGUST 3-6, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Again, lifestyle checks

FEATURES

EACH time there is a major corruption scandal, someone announces that lifestyle checks would be conducted. It has been no different in the latest case involving the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

PCSO gaming activities were suspended after President Duterte received reports about alleged massive corruption particularly in small town lottery operations. Officials said STL outlets were not only being used as fronts for the illegal numbers game jueteng but also were not remitting their earnings to the PCSO. Now the Presidential Anti-Crime and Corruption Commission has announced it would conduct a lifestyle check on all PCSO officials except newly appointed general manager Royina Garma. The commission said the lifestyle check would be expanded to cover officials of all revenue-generating agencies.

It would be interesting to see how far the lifestyle checks could go. Bank secrecy laws provide a perfect cover for dirty money in this country, and there are limits to the investigative powers of the Anti-Money Laundering Council. But the anti-corruption commission can check the declared assets of the officials in the revenue-raising agencies and compare the figures with taxes paid on regular

salaries and other legitimate earnings. The AMLC can come in when certain circumstances are met.

Like the Office of the Ombudsman, which is the principal agency tasked to handle graft cases, the anti-corruption commission surely lacks personnel to conduct lifestyle checks. Such probes, if they are to lead to administrative sanctions and criminal indictments, must be thorough. Solid evidence must be unearthed that can stand judicial scrutiny to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

This kind of probe needs deep legal expertise.

Officials accused of an offense that can put them in prison for over a decade and even for life aren’t going to the penitentiary without a fight.

Lacking in resources, graftbusters can focus on the most notorious officials, pouring resources into the probe so that guilt can be established and someone can be touted as an example of how public servants are not supposed to serve the public.

The announcement about lifestyle checks must go beyond lip service. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

To Cory Aquino, with love and gratitude

Learning Curve NENI STA. ROMANA CRUZ TEN years ago, Cory Aquino’s flag-draped coffin was carried on a 10-wheeler flatbed truck from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral for the continuation of her wake and final rites, before her burial at the Plaza of Dignity at the Manila Memorial Park on Aug. 5. People lined the streets in love and gratitude for a final farewell to a much-loved individual who, even after her presidency, joined street protests for love of country. Something she really did not have to do but was compelled to do when our democracy and human rights were threatened. She, after all, was

instrumental in the restoration of our democracy in February 1986. She did not claim sole credit for it, as it was a long, arduous struggle of many years against a dictatorship that we had seemed doomed to endure for a lifetime.

That street scene that stalled traffic for hours was akin to the daylong funeral procession in August 1983 when her assassinated husband Benigno S. Aquino Jr. was to be laid to rest, and was sent off by 2 million people. It was Ninoy’s assassination that changed our life as a nation, that galvanized forces to work more fervently toward ousting the dictator.

I was privileged to get to know Cory Aquino in a more personal way—and not only because my husband, Elfren, worked in her

Cabinet as head of the Presidential Management Staff and Metro Manila governor. It was as a journalist assigned by feisty publisher Eugenia Duran Apostol to write about her for Mr. & Ms. magazine. I was to interview her for the Mr. & Ms. Special Reconciliation edition (edited

by Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, another woman warrior) upon her arrival from Boston, and the story had to be written immediately because none of the establishment broadsheets was allowed to carry any news about Ninoy Aquino. This would be followed by many other articles and books, because the Aquinos were always good copy that the public faithfully read with interest.

I particularly enjoyed teaming up with Justice Adolf Azcuna to

write the chapter on Cory for the book “Seven in the Eye of History,” edited by Asuncion D. Maramba (Anvil, 2000). For Adolf, it was also a way to document his Malacañang years, as it was his assessment of her presidency. I got a kick from his telling me that Cory preferred my human-interest profile to his piece.

Her transformation from a daughter of privilege to a politician’s wife who had to endure his detention and exile to a freedom fighter and then president of the Philippines, is well-documented—and continues to inspire especially the youth who never knew her.

In her last State of the Nation Address in 1991, President Cory said: “I hope that history will judge me as favorably as our

people still regard me, because, as God is my witness, I honestly did the best I could. No more can be asked of any man.” She also said in one of her speeches: “I should be judged as much by the circumstances that defined my choices then, as by the consequences of those choices today.” It was her genuine farewell to the country; admirably, she exerted no effort to prolong her term.

Why do friends and followers and supporters continue to remember Cory Aquino especially on Aug. 1, Jan. 25 and Feb. 25? Why do Cory faithful continue to style the tomb with yellows and whites each time?

Why the morning and evening Masses? And why the memorabilia like this year’s yellow pouch from Gina de Venecia,

and Margie Juico’s prayer cards and stationery sets with Cory paintings from the Juico collection?

Because we gain strength from being in the company of kindred souls who know that courage and fortitude are muchneeded in today’s clime.

Who’s afraid of being yellow?

Call me names, but I remain proudly yellow. I wear yellow as a badge of courage, to honor our many fallen heroes in the democratic struggle, and to honor the principles of truth, justice and democracy we fought for—and continue to adhere to.

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (nenisrcruz@gmail.com) is chair of the National Book Development Board and a member of the Eggie Apostol Foundation.

(Inquirer.net)

Was it all for show?

Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO LESS than a week after the President ordered the closure of all gaming operations of PCSO, lotto and a few other games are back in business. Was it all for show?

Partly yes and partly no. Getting angry and ordering an office (or an island) to close down is part of President Duterte’s tool box. That’s how he shows he means business.

His crowd of supporters love it too. It shows to them he is working to reform a badly damaged system of government. He is delivering on a promise of political will to fix things, something PNoy didn’t seem to have. That explains his high ratings.

Don’t also think he was simply reacting angrily and didn’t think about it. I suspect he had been thinking about it for some time now. He knew exactly what he was unleashing, and to some extent it was also showbiz. Our politics, after all, is showbiz.

Did he make a mistake by closing everything down in PCSO’s playbook? I think no. He must have known from the start that his target is STL or the legal form of jueteng. The corruption he was denouncing, as reported by his new PCSO chief, was in STL. But including lotto makes a bigger and better splash. It also delivers the message to the stakeholders in lotto and everyone in PCSO that they better behave because he will not hesitate to close them down too.

Of course, the president knew he could not close down the entire PCSO for too long. PCSO de-

livers P64 billion a year, of which lotto contributes P32 billion, STL P26 billion, and the rest from Keno, Instant Sweepstakes and Sweepstakes.

The president’s appointees to PCSO thought he would be happy because they increased STL contribution to government from P4.8 billion in 2015 under PNoy, to P6.3 billion in 2016 and P26 billion last year. But someone who knows STL very well was supposed to have told the president that PCSO should be raising as much as P70 billion in STL alone.

What precipitated the president’s anger, according to reports, is a conversation he had with his newly appointed PCSO head, a former police officer whose last assignment was PNP Cebu City. The new head reported that PCSO has a lot of collectibles from STL operators and they cannot close them down because of TROs from local judges.

The report must have given the president a dilemma because many of the non-remitting operators are former generals, mistahs of his previous appointee (a general) he subsequently fired or who resigned depending on who is telling the story. That must have shattered the president’s almost idolatrous admiration of former generals.

So, the president became really frustrated and angry enough to bark out that closure order. Collateral damage are 314,596 jobs, 274,649 sales agents, 26,227 sales supervisors and 13,720 organic employees. There are also 8,769 lotto outlets nationwide.

All those numbers must have provided enough pressure for the president to allow lotto operations again. But the contract for the current provider of lotto

machines in VisMin expired last Wednesday and the one in Luzon is expiring next month. The bidding for new contracts has been contentious.

It really is a pity that we are so dependent on gambling for everything from health care delivery, sports development, support for state colleges and other budget augmentation needs of national and local government units.

Statisticians will tell you these games of chance won’t make us rich. The odds are against the bettors. But in the absence of things that could help poor folks make ends meet, they take their chances.

Twenty pesos may buy a few pieces of pandesal that could satisfy hunger for a while. But if P20 is used to bet on jueteng or STL, they can nurture hope of winning. They are used to hunger anyway. Hope is tranquilizing.

Legalizing jueteng into STL looked like a good idea. It allows government to share in the take that would otherwise all go to operators and corrupt local and police officials. But Duterte must know STL is being used as a cover for the illegal jueteng and government is being shortchanged in the proceeds.

Maybe, if there is any president who will be able to fix the system, it will be someone like Duterte who has seen it all and as a former mayor, knows it all.

He just hasn’t given it much of his attention until now.

I will sit back and wait to see what he will do. Maybe he can make STL deliver P70 billion to state coffers. Maybe we can have PCSO take more of the burden in financing our Universal Healthcare dream. Maybe… maybe…

Whether the presidential out-

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde leads the closure of at least 12 lotto outlets and STL operator’s offices in Baguio City following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to halt all gaming schemes operated, licensed and franchised by the PCSO. Philstar.com photo by Artemio Dumlao

burst that ordered PCSO closed down was just showbiz or not is no longer important. What we must now see is how the president will fix the system we all know is rotten to the core and has been for many administrations now.

Wish list Economist Toti Chikiamco sent me his own wish list in reaction to my column last week on the SONA’s lack of vision on what the second half of Duterte’s term should deliver:

1. Pass the PSA Act and, if possible, remove the foreign ownership restrictions in the Constitution.

2. Amend CARP to enable land ownership up to 25 hectares, enough to use machineries economically and for young farmers to see a future.

3. Modernize the Labor Code.

4. Pass the Open Access in Data Transmission Act. 5. Promote responsible mining by removing the mining ban and passing a reasonable mining

tax.

6. Start shifting BBB to PPPs where feasible.

7. Break up the collective CLOAs into individual titles.

8. Recapitalize the Crop Insurance Corp. and consider subsidies for premiums.

9. Pass the Apprenticeship Law. The bureaucracy is hopeless.

Craft policies under an assumption of a weak, incompetent and corrupt government. (Philstar. com)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

PACC seeks death for P25-M plunder

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

THE Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Thursday, August 1, said it would recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the lowering of the threshold amount for plunder from P50 million to P25 million.

“We are really in consonance with the proposal na ibalik ang (to revive the) death penalty sa mga (against) plunderers and we will be recommending babaan ‘yung (to lower the) threshold from P50 million to P25 million,” PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez said during an interview with DZBB radio.

Duterte earlier rejected a proposal of his former special aide Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to lower the threshold amount for plunder to P10 million from the current P50 million.

The president, in his recent State of the Nation Address, renewed his call on Congress to pass a measure reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes related to illegal drugs and corruption.

On July 2, Go filed a Senate bill seeking the reimposition of capital punishment for drug-related offenses and plunder.

Under his proposed measure, a person charged with dealing in illegal drugs or plunder will face the death penalty through lethal injection.

The president’s former aide is reportedly open to lowering the plunder threshold currently set at P50 million.

Also on Thursday, the PACC said it would issue subpoenas to officials of the state-run Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) amid its probe of allegations of corruption in the agency.

PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez

“We will subpoena all of them.

Pwede namin sila i-subpoena kasi may malaking issue ngayon sa PCSO (We can issue subpoenas to them because there is really a big issue now at the PCSO),” Jimenez said.

He said the PACC’s investigation would be conducted with the help of its partner agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Commission on Audit (CoA).

“We have a very good coordination with AMLC, meron kaming MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) diyan saka (we have signed a MoA with them, as well as the) CoA. So, kumpleto po kami ng armas (So, we are ready for it),” the PACC chief added.

“We area also coordinating with the investigating agencies to do all these things because in the PACC, kulang kami ng tao (we lack in manpower). So, ‘yan po ay gagawin namin, lahat ng makinarya ng gobyerno para mafulfill ang mandato namin (that’s what we are going to do, we will use all the machinery of the government to fulfill our mandate)… to protect the people’s money as

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

per the instruction of the president,” Jimenez said.

Created in 2017 through Executive Order 43, the PACC was tasked to look into allegations of excessive lifestyles and graft and corruption, and then recommend punishment for officials that could range from suspension to removal from office.

The PACC also has the power to summon government personnel and records and to administer oaths pursuant to its authority to take testimony or receive evidence.

It can also tap the support of any law enforcement agency of the government to call upon all state agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations.

Meanwhile, Jimenez said the PACC’s plan of conducing a lifestyle check on PCSO officials would include all members of the agency’s board of directors.

“The board of directors, mga nagma-manage ng PCSO, executive officials, lahat po sila at kung kailangang madagdagan pa ng iba eh pwede hong dagPAGE A10

Immigration reviewing ‘visa upon arrival...

PAGE A7 within which they should be allowed to stay in the country,” Perete said.

Guevarra added that the visas upon arrival mechanism was put in place during the term of former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to encourage tourism, particularly from Chinese nationals.

The Justice secretary noted that the effectivitiy of visas upon arrival for tourists are supposed to be three months, which can be

extended for up to another three months.

The visas issued to Chinese nationals have been prone to abuse, the secretary added.

“Ang nagiging problema is kinoconvert nila to (what becomes the problem is when they convert to) something else like work visa, special work permit,” Guevarra said, adding the the Immigration should intensify its monitoring to prevent such abuses.

Earlier this week, National Security Adviser Hermogenes

Esperon Jr. admitted that he considers the influx of Chinese nationals in the country as a threat.

“I’m on the cautious side because when foreigners, regardless of nationality, come in and their intent is not clear or when some of them are undocumented or have wrong documentation, forged documentation meaning some of them would come in as tourists and yet end up as workers,” Esperon said Wednesday. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 3-6, 2019 A

A10 August 3-6, 2019 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Gordon unfazed by Duterte tirades, maintains ‘great respect’ for military

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Richard Gordon on Friday, August 2, clarified that he has “great respect” for the military as he took no offense to President Rodrigo Duterte’s ranting against him for questioning his decision to appoint retired military men to Cabinet positions.

The senator said that the statements he made on Wednesday, July 31, were made in good faith and “out of concern for our country and the president, whom I consider a friend.”

Gordon had proposed a threeyear ban on the appointment of retired military and police officials to top government positions. “We have known each other since we were both mayors and believe that we have mutual respect.”

“I also have great respect for the military and the armed forces because they are the protector of the people and the State,” Gordon said in a statement.

“However, at the same time, we want to assure the public that we are not militarizing the government,” Gordon said.

The president, in an impromptu speech at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) founding anniversary, criticized Gordon for questioning his authority to appoint retired military officals to Cabinet posts.

The president said he “took offense” to Gordon’s apparent attempt to meddle in his job. He told Gordon to instead look after his “big stomach.”

Duterte also said Gordon was “a fart away from disaster.”

“I take no offense at the president’s comments. As I have

said, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and we cannot be onion-skinned about such things,” Gordon said.

“I am happy that [the] president is concerned about my waistline, but he need not worry about that. My wife has seen to it that I have reduced it significantly of late. But I appreciate that he is concerned about by health as I am about his,” he added.

Gordon said that in the Senate and in his entire career, his record spoke for itself. “I have always supported a strong military, with a credible Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.”

MEDICAL MISSION. Senator Cynthia Villar leads the distribution of vitamins, and medicines during the medical and dental mission to the residents of “I will continue to do so be- 649 Baseco, Tondo, Manila on Friday, August 2. The medical and dental mission is in cooperation with the Las Piñas General Hospital and Inner Wheel cause I believe that we need to Foundation.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan strengthen the military in order to protect our country, especially during these challenging times,” he said. n

Ex-MILF fighters training as peacekeepers by roel

Pareño

Philstar.com

ZAMBOANGA CITY — More than 200 former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters started their training on Thursday, August 1, at Camp Lucero in Pikit, North Cotabato as they prepare to become members of Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs).

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. said the training would allow former MILF fighters to join the Armed Forces of the Philip-

pines and the Philippine National Police in maintaining peace and security in the Bangsamoro region.

Galvez said 200 JPST units shall be established to secure residents in six governmentidentified MILF camps during the decommissioning process that will start on Sept. 6.

Aside from former MILF fighters, the JPSTs will be composed of police and military personnel that will serve until the end of the term of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao interim government

in 2022.

Galvez said President Duterte would attend the launch of the decommissioning of MILF combatants.

Galvez said 30 percent or 12,000 MILF combatants and their weapons would be decommissioned this year.

Another 35 percent will be decommissioned next year.

The remaining fighters will be decommissioned in 2022 in time for the signing of the exit agreement under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. n

Go seeks more drug rehabilitation centers

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has filed a bill that seeks to establish additional drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers nationwide.

Under Senate Bill 399, each province shall have one drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center supervised by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Nais natin na magkaroon ng mga drug rehabilitation centers ang bawat probinsya sa buong bansa. Ang mga centers na ito ang tutulong sa mga drug dependents upang magamot ang kanilang adiksyon at matulungan silang mamuhay ng normal muli (We want to have drug rehabilitation centers in every

province nationwide. These centers will help drug dependents cure their addiction in order for them to live normal lives again),” Go said in a statement.

The senator believes the rehabilitation and recovery of drug dependents should be given priority.

The centers proposed in the bill shall be tasked to provide care, treatment and accommodation to drug dependents.

These centers shall provide drug users the motivation to regain self-confidence, rediscover their abilities and develop a sense of responsibility.

Furthermore, these centers shall provide after-care, fol-

low-up and social reintegration services to enable drug dependents to readjust to family and community life after their release.

They will also facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction.

Go said the funds needed for the implementation of the measure shall be initially charged against the budget of the DoH. Thereafter, additional funding for the continued operation of the centers shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. (ManilaTimes.net)

Docs, scientists ask gov’t to lift Dengvaxia ban

by Julie

m. aurelio tina G. SantoS Inquirer.net

A GROUP of doctors, scientists and health professionals on Thursday urged the government to lift the ban on the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine and allow its limited private use.

The statement by the Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare (DTPW) came a day after presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Duterte administration was open to resuming the use of the vaccine amid an overwhelming number of dengue cases and more than 500 deaths due to the mosquitoborne virus.

“The Philippines has the highest incidence and death rate from dengue in this part of the world. Yet it is the only country in the world that has banned it,” said Dr. Minguita Padilla, DTPW coconvener.

The group is led by former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and includes physicians, scientists, educators, former secretaries of health, and past and present heads of various professional medical associations and nongovernmental organizations.

“The vaccine need not be included in the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) of the government so that [the] government need not spend for it. But at least make it available to physicians to offer for the millions of patients who can benefit from it,” Padilla said.

Aborted program The vaccine was banned in late 2017 after its manufacturer, the French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, disclosed that Dengvaxia could cause severe dengue in patients with no prior exposure to the virus.

By that time, more than 800,000 public school children had already been innoculated with Dengvaxia through the P3.5-billion antidengue vaccination program of the Department of Health (DOH).

The aborted mass vaccination triggered congressional inquiries and lawsuits, including graft charges against former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin

A group of doctors, scientists and health professionals said the government should lift the ban on Dengvaxia to allow private vaccination to help stop the rising number of dengue cases nationwide. The Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare on Thursday, August 1, said the vaccine need not be included in the government’s vaccination program but should be made available to the general public.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, among other people.

The Public Attorney’s Office led by its chief, Persida Acosta, also filed homicide complaints against health officials for the deaths of dozens of children allegedly caused by Dengvaxia.

The DOH said no death has been confirmed to have been directly caused by the vaccine.

‘Why don’t we try it?’

Panelo on Thursday indicated there might be grounds to allow the use of Dengvaxia for people who were already exposed to dengue but said scientists must agree on that.

“If we know that Dengvaxia could be used for sero-positive patients, then why don’t we try it? We will just consider it. We have to make a study. As I said earlier, it needs, requires a serious study before we can use it,” he told reporters.

“Why not use Dengvaxia for those who already had dengue before? Because it would surely work there,” he said. “Mine is only a suggestion. But didn’t they say that the dengue cases are worsening? We need a vaccine for that.”

The DTPW said it supported the decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to include Dengvaxia in the July 2019 Essential Medicines List and List of Essential Diagnostics.

Medicines on the WHO list are those that people should have access to at all times and in sufficient amounts, it said.

Aquino: No basis for fears Speaking to reporters after a Mass marking the 10th death anniversary of his mother, Corazon Aquino, on Thursday, former President Aquino said he still had not read or heard of any proof supporting the fears associated with Dengvaxia.

“So if there really is nothing wrong with this medicine, and that it even helps, why don’t we use it to ease the anxiety of the more than a hundred thousand of our people afflicted by dengue?” he said.

The DOH reported more than 130,000 dengue cases nationwide, with 561 deaths, as of July 13, or almost double than last year’s. Close to 30,000 cases were children aged 5 to 9.

It recorded 8,295 cases in just a week ending on July 13, a 53percent jump from the number for the same year-ago period.

Western Visayas had the worst situation with 18,943 cases and 95 deaths.

Aquino said he doubted whether the people who claimed that the vaccine purchased by his administration actually killed instead of saved people would admit their mistake amid the spike in the number of dengue cases.

“Let us just say that certain people have another motivation, which is to stir fear not only in regard to Dengvaxia but other vaccines as well. The means to protect public health have been denied to our people because of politics and ill motives,” he said. n

‘Nothing fishy’ over lawmaker’s bill to ban use of ‘Lapu-Lapu’ as name of fish A CEBU lawmaker sought the passage of a bill prohibiting the use of the name “Lapu-Lapu” to refer to a fish.

“Lapu-Lapu” in Philippine history was the name of the Filipino hero who defeated the Spaniards, led by its leader Ferdinand Magellan, in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.

Cebu Rep. Paz Radaza, a former mayor of Lapu-Lapu City, filed House Bill 2233 or an “Act rectifying the dishonorable use of a great Filipino name

Lapu-Lapu to the fish species ‘Plectropomus Leopardus.’”

“While we value Lapu-Lapu’s heroic act, it is ironic that his name is also being used to call a fish with the scientific name of Plectropomus leopardus,” said Radaza.

Radaza said he found it “alarming” that Filipinos preferred to call the fish “LapuLapu” or lapulapu – “a disrespect to a patriotic Filipino forebear.”

The National Historical Com-

mission of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are mandated to take the lead in the full implementation of the measure.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was tasked to conduct an information dissemination campaign to convince Filipinos to drop lapu-lapu and instead use “Pugapu” in identifying the fish, as it is known in Visayas and Mindanao. (Glee Jalea/ManilaTimes.net)

PACC seeks death for P25-M...

PAGE A9 dagan ‘yan (We will be conducting lifestyle checks on the board of directors, those managing the PCSO, its executive officials, all of them and if they need to add more people, we will),” he added.

Duterte last week declared all PCSO gaming schemes, including the lottery, as illegal and ordered authorities to shut down gaming kiosks nationwide.

Lotto operations, however, resumed Wednesday after the President lifted his suspension order.

Gaming schemes such as the Peryahan ng Bayan, small town lottery (STL) and Keno, however, remained suspended.

The PCSO is an agency under the Office of the President, tasked to raise funds for medical assistance and health programs.

STL Also on Thursday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said some retired military

and police officials were holders of STL franchises.

The senator said these retired officials could undermine the government’s drive against illegal gambling since they could still wield influence over their former personnel tasked to run after jueteng operators “masquerading” as STL operators.

But he declined to identify these retired police and military officials who obtained STL franchises and failed to remit earnings to the PCSO. “I’d rather not mention names.

May identified naman kung sinosino. May retired [Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police] generals (There were those who had been identified already. There were retired generals),” Lacson said in a media forum.

“Kung retired general ka at nagre-remit ka nang tama at legal and above board ‘di ka nakikipag-juetengan, walang

problema. Ang problema hindi nagre-remit (If you’re a retired general and you remit [STL earnings] properly, legally, and above board, and you do not engage in jueteng, there is no problem. The problem lies when you do not remit),” he added.

Lacson said it would be better to abolish the STL if the government is being cheated by unscrupulous STL operators. He added that big-time jueteng operators were in Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Laguna, Quezon and Batangas.

“At least kung walang STL kung makita ng pulis ang kubrador, pwede hulihin dahil illegal per se. Wala nang nagma-masquerade as a legal operator ng STL (At least if there is no STL, if a policeman sees the [STL] collector, he can arrest him because it is illegal. No one can masquerade as legal STL operator),” he said. n

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal Fil-Am group The Filharmonic performs Filipino food documentary ‘Ulam’ now on Hulu on ‘Late Late Show with James Corden’

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

by AJPress LOS ANGELES-based Filipino American a cappella group The Filharmonic on Tuesday night, July 30, showcased their talents as they performed famed ballads and bops on the “Late Late Show with James Corden.”

“Whenever I turn the radio on now all I’m getting on the radio are like slow boring ballads — do you know what I mean? I want to roll down the windows.

I want to jam out. No one wants to hear some guy on the guitar crying about his girlfriend in the middle of the summer. It just feels wrong,” Corden told his audience.

Grammy winner John Legend rebutted, saying, “for me...

Summer’s a time to slow things down.”

Corden and Legend settled their argument with a ‘ballads versus bops’ riff-off, with the help of The Filharmonic. Among the songs they performed were All4-One’s “I Swear,” Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker,” and Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy.” Legend settled the score with his hit, “All of Me,” which the FilAm group called “an unreal, full circle moment” in an Instagram post.

“All of Me was one of our first

NEED something to add to your Hulu queue?

The streaming platform has just added “Ulam: Main Dish,” the first feature Filipino food documentary on its roster.

With Filipino cuisine’s popularity in the U.S. over the past few years, this distribution announcement is another testament to that.

“Ulam” (Tagalog for main dish) by FilipinaAmerican filmmaker Alexandra Cuerdo looks at the rise of the Filipino food movement in Los Angeles and New York City.

“As one of the first Filipino films available on the global streaming platform, we are proud to represent Filipino American stories around the world,” Cuerdo told the Asian Journal following the release.

Through a series of interviews and shots of mouth-watering dishes, we meet Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa of Purple Yam and Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad of Maharlika and Jeepney in NY. In LA, there are chefs Andre Guerrero (The Oinkster, Maximiliano), Johneric Concordia and Christine Araquel-Concordia of The Park’s Finest, Alvin Cailan (Eggslut, Amboy, Unit 120 & the Usual The Filharmonic Jules Cruz, in charge of vocal bass; Joe Caigoy, tenor; Trace Gaynor, tenor; in NY), Ricebar’s Charles Olalia (now Ma’am Sir), Niko Del Rey, beat boxer; VJ Rosales, tenor.

Photo from Instagram/@thefilharmonic and brothers Chase and Chad Valencia of LASA. “At the end of the day, if we can get anyone who music videos we put out as a sensations after their appearance group back in June 2014. Sing- on the “Late Late Show” appear- watches this film to try one of these restaurants, that’s the goal,” Cuerdo told the Asian Journal in ing it last night with@johnleg- ance.

The group is composed of five a 2017 interview. “We’re really trying to promote end on @latelateshow was such members namely Jules Cruz, our culture through food.” an honor,” they added.

In addition to the culinary craft, the chefs talk The Filharmonic gained popu- in charge of vocal bass; Joe larity after being featured on Caigoy, tenor; Trace Gaynor, about the struggles of making it in the industry, as NBC’S hit musical competition, tenor; Niko Del Rey, beat box- well as the historical and cultural context of Fili“The Sing-Off.” From there, they er; VJ Rosales, tenor. They were pino cuisine in the United States.

The documentary first debuted in May 2017 at appeared in the Universal Pic- named the #1 college-booked tures hit movie, “Pitch Perfect entertainment group of the year the Million Dollar Theater as part of the LA Food Bowl, the LATimes’ month-long food festival. The 2,” and set off to become viral in 2016.

screening was followed by a panel of chefs, moderated by the late Jonathan Gold. In the last two years, viewers across the country have been able to watch the film through screening events. Cuerdo said a premiere for the documentary in the Philippines is slated soon.

While getting “Ulam” on Hulu is a stride in itself, Cuerdo previously hinted that it could lead to a series of profiles on more Fil-Am chefs across the country.

“By no means did we want it to be a manual, an A to Z. This is just a taste of what’s to come, so we would love to do part two. We would love to profile many of the other amazing Filipino chefs and we’re looking forward to the future,” Cuerdo told the Asian Journal.

Becoming his own Pascual: Iñigo carves a career in music HE may be pursuing a career in show business just like his father Piolo Pascual, but Iñigo Pascual is set on carving his own name and following his own path. Music—from recording to performing—is what fuels and drives Iñigo the most.

Raised for the most part of his childhood in the United States, Iñigo always loved to perform. With his looks and singing chops, it wasn’t long before an international recording company offered him a slot in a boy band.

“I really wanted to join the band. My dad told me what it meant if I did,” Iñigo said.

“The management was going have full control of his schedule, and the contract was going to restrict him from going home,” countered Piolo, based on his years of working in the entertainment industry.

The famous actor knew that this could only mean lesser time for them to be together.

“Plus the fact na, more than anything, gusto ko munang makatapos siya ng high school, at least. So, kahit alam kong gustong gusto n’ya, I had to stop him,” he added.

Iñigo understood that his father only wanted what’s best for him.

Returning to his roots As they say, there is a time for everything.

It wasn’t much of wait for Iñigo as he finally got his father’s nod when he turned 17. He decided to come home and pursue his dreams here.

This is only fitting because his family and Filipino culture have always shaped Iñigo’s love for music.

“My family, our Filipino culture, just loves music and everything around it, like dance.

Whenever we have family gatherings, we PAGE B2

Iñigo Pascual

Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual

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Realities in life: Walking the business tightrope Philippine folk arts group Kayamanan Ng Lahi Life Coaching in a Different Perspective

(Part III of III)

and cannot help but be exposed to a lot of negativity. I, too, have my own share of negative experiences and feelings. I also get angry, depressed or frustrated about so many things and rant about some issues that can sometimes feel helpless.

Stargazer But that doesn’t mean you are a THERE will always be a negative negative person. One has the right person around you all the time. One to feel and express feelings when can never get away nor hide from s/he is confronted with bad and frustrating situations. Being negathese walking emotional bombs.

I guide a lot of people every day tive sets in when something has

become repetitive and prolonged or if the person chooses to wallow in that emotion for a long time.

Let us look into real cases of people I guide. The names of people and other facts have been altered but for purposes of picking up lessons and learning from them, we shall discuss them.

Businessman Aris is engaged in a lot of endeavors in the manufacturing field. He has a lot of businesses from Metro Manila to the South of the Philippines. He also has business with China, Singapore and Taiwan.

Aris is a very hardworking fella who started doing business early in life. He never finished a college degree but his experience and drive brought him to where he is right now: a multi-millionaire.

On the surface, Aris seems to be a happy and outgoing type of person. He is ready to smile anytime to anyone and is an engaging conversationalist. His PR is superb and people are naturally drawn to him. He seems to be relaxed and in charge of his life. And so it seems.

On the contrary, Aris is very uptight and fidgety on his own turf.

His employees fear his presence and temper. He was an emotional time bomb walking the businessman’s tightrope.

Having an obsessive/compulsive behavior, he would start asking people about stocks and inventory even if he had people assigned to do the task. When he wants to find some items, he would badger them with questions as if some stocks are stolen when in fact, they were disbursed with papers. He looked into the most minute of details and had no trust in his workers. Aris was micromanaging and wasting time.

He expected too much from people, often comparing them to himself. He gave sarcastic remarks that belittled his people. His temper was uncontrollable and “fireworks” were always present during meetings. His normal day in the office would start with a meeting, calling everyone into his lair and bombard them with his daily mouthfuls.

Nothing was achieved much during these meetings but Aris believed he had the ultimate right to do so because he was paying them good wages. Again, Aris was wasting time that could have been positively devoted to output.

Soon, people began leaving him. One by one they went AWOL. People felt uncomfortable and the discontentment brewed. One even PAGE B4

receives grant from California Humanities

A LOS ANGELES-based Philippine folk arts group is one of the new awardees for the California Humanities’ Documentary Project grant.

Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts (Kayamanan) has been awarded $15,000 for its project entitled “Kayamanan’s Media PAMANA Project.”

The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grant program of California Humanities. CDP grants are awarded to support film, audio, and interactive media - projects that add a new layer to a complex and growing portrait of California.

Since 2003, California Humanities has awarded more than $5 million in research and development, production, and public engagement grant awards to media makers who go deep and reach broadly to capture California in all its complexity.

The youth in Kayamanan are called pamana, which in English means legacy. Kayamanan’s Media PAMANA Project will train its youth participants in media production skills to create short videos that explore their identity as students of cultural traditions and customs of Philippine folk arts. Through documenting the stories of their immigrant families, culture, and community, media becomes the vehicle for self-expression and self-identification.

Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts

Contributed photo

Giselle Tongi, project manager large number of excellent propossaid, “To be able to pass on the als submitted and are pleased to media skills to the next genera- be able to offer support to deservtion of Filipino American artists ing projects such as Kayamanan that are committed to present- Ng Lahi’s Media PAMANA Projing, promoting and preserving ect that offer relevant, powerful, the richness and diversity of meaningful ways to connect and Philippine culture through dance help us better understand the huand music is certainly a privilege. man condition.”

Empowering the youth to tell California Humanities, a nontheir own narrative is not only profit partner of the National needed in today’s divisive times, Endowment for the Humanities, it’s essential. We are grateful to promotes the humanities — foCalifornia Humanities to be giv- cused on ideas, conversation and en this opportunity.” learning — as relevant, meanJulie Fry, president and CEO ingful ways to understand the of California Humanities said human condition and connect the projects awarded grants this people with one another to help year “represent the richness and strengthen the state. range of our state and its peoKayamanan Ng Lahi’s project ple.” is made in partnership with ViShe added, “We had such a sual Communications.

Becoming his own Pascual: Iñigo carves a...

PAGE B1 would always have a karaoke competition and all that. It definitely helped me with being confident in singing and singing around people,” Iñigo said in an interview.

He began with appearances on TV shows and by starring in films through introductory roles. He also started performing in ABSCBN’s Sunday afternoon show, ASAP. He wanted to do more music.

In 2016, he was signed under Star Music, the recording label of ABS-CBN. He released his selftitled album with debut single “Dahil Sa’yo.” He immediately proved his charm by garnering countless Filipino fans. The YouTube lyric video of the song now has 94 million views.

“Dahil Sa’yo” also won Awit

Awards’ “Song of the Year” and Billboard Philippines “First ChartTopper Artist Award” both in 2017.

Coming full circle With his star shining bright, Iñigo’s musical career is taking greater heights this year with a new, more global market. He is coming full circle from the time he received an international offer to join a boy band.

In 2017, he was chosen to sing the Philippine version of “Remember Me,” the original soundtrack of “Coco” (Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios).

This year, Iñigo worked on collaborations with American singer, producer, and YouTuber Alex Aiono in March, and Chinese Australian singer and YouTuber Wengie in May. The latter’s original song titled “Mr. Nice Guy”

was produced by BTS hitmaker Melanie Fontana.

Last June 28, he finally dropped his newest single, “Options,” produced by LA-based instrumentalist Bernard “HARV” Harvey. Before the release, he performed the song live at Viacom at the New York Times Square.

More opportunities are still opening for Iñigo this year. “Options” would be part of a new LP to be launched in the last quarter of the year. The album will be produced by Tarsier Records, a new company that aims to elevate local talents to the international scene.

Aside from HARV, songwriter Felisha “Fury” King, who has worked for TV show “Empire” and international artists Justin Bieber and Eminem, is co-producing Iñigo’s LP. (Philstar.com)

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Nora working on new film ‘Isa Pang Bahaghari’

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

THERE’S always reason to celebrate every time news comes out that Superstar Nora Aunor is making a movie. Noranians who have been so loyal to Ate Guy are, of course, the first to rejoice.

So just as always, both press and public are thrilled by Heaven’s Best Entertainment’s announcement that Ate Guy is starring in “Isa Pang Bahaghari” with no less than Director Joel Lamangan at the helm.

“Isa Pang Bahaghari” tells the story of Lumen (Nora), a housewife of an OFW with three children portrayed by Zanjo Marudo, Joseph Marco and Sanya Lopez.

Phillip Salvador plays Lumen’s husband, who cuts all communication with his family while working in the Middle East.

Many years later, he comes home to his family sick, but they refuse to accept him. He tries to make amends with the help of a gay beautician and impersonator, portrayed by Michael De Mesa, who’s been his close friend since high school.

Heaven’s Best is planning to field the movie for a spot at the Metro Manila Film Festival in December, and the Superstar can’t be more excited. She knows she has a good project in her hands.

Nora Aunor

GMA photo

“I think kaka-iba itong gagawin namin. I like my character — isang mahirap na gumagawa ng tuyo at daing para mabuhay, pilay at nakasaklay. I also look forward na si Direk Joel ulit ang director ko. Our last movie together was ‘Hustisya’ at matagal na ‘yon. Du’n sa limang peliku-

lang ginawa ko sa kanya ay nanalo ako ng Best Actress.”

The movie will also serve as reunion between Ate Guy and Phillip. “Si Kuya Ipe, that’s how I call him, we’ve done several movies together. There was ‘Bona,’ ‘Nakaw Na Pag-ibig’ and two or three more. I was so happy and very excited nung nakita ko siya kanina. It’s been ages since the last time I saw him kaya kanina, halos hindi matapos ang pag-uusap namin. It was mostly about the movies that we did together.”

Some members of the press pointed out to Ate Guy that Phillip and Michael were not the original picks for their roles, and that they heard the product first offered them to Tirso Cruz III and Christopher De Leon.

Brushing off the controversy, she quickly said, “Matatanda na kami para gawin pang issue ang mga ganyan. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Basta ako, alam kong leading men ko si Phillip Salvador at si Michael De Mesa who are both very good actors.”

Also in the cast are Lloyd Samartino, Albie Casino, Migs Almendras, Jim Pebanco and Shido Roxas, who are all grateful for the opportunity to be working with such acting greats as Ate Guy, Phillip and Michael.

CAN WE REINSTATE OUR SON’S PETITION FROM 1999 SINCE HE IS NOW SINGLE AGAIN AFTER HIS MARRIAGE WAS ANNULLED IN 2018? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!” More Kapamilya who came to the “Citizen Pinoy” taping in Illinois will get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out what is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage. What can one do if her visa renewal was denied because she overstayed on her first trip? A woman was petitioned by her first husband, but she has since remarried. She discovers that her first husband passed away in 2010. What are her chances of being a U.S. citizen now that the petitioner has died? Can her second husband petition her? Get answers to these questions and more on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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Maine proud of Alden’s ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’

by Jan

MiLo Severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Maine Mendoza admitted that she has not seen the movie of AlDub love team partner Alden Richards with Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo, “Hello Love Goodbye,” but said that she is proud of Alden.

During her contract signing as brand ambassador for Betadine Fresh Bliss on Thursday, Maine invited the public to watch Alden and Kathryn’s movie.

“Congratulations sa kanila ni Kathryn. Panoorin niyo po kasi maganda ‘yung pelikula kahit hindi ko pa napapanood, naikwento na rin kasi sa akin. Napanood ko na rin sa trailer, so mukhang maganda talaga siya,” Maine said.

Maine will also cross over to the rival network to do a movie with Carlo Aquino titled, “Isa Pa With Feelings.”

“Sobrang excited na kong gawin ‘yung movie with Carlo KZ Tandingan lalo na nung nabalitaan ko with Photo from Instagram/@kztandingan Carlo pa siya. Actually bukas This was not the first time KZ magsta-start na siya. Wala pa raised the Philippine flag in the kaming release date, pero excitinternational stage. Last year, ed na ko kasi I would get to work KZ represented the country in with new people. ‘Di ba exciting the Chinese singing competition ‘yun na parang lumalawak yung “Singer 2018.” mundo mo sa showbiz?” Maine Next, she said she plans to re- pointed out. cord a song in Los Angeles.

In its Twitter account, Black

KZ opens up about why she almost gave up singing

By Jan MiLo Severo Philstar.com

SINGER KZ Tandingan has definitely raised the Philippine flag in London as she wowed the BBC Radio London’s “The Scene” hosts with a performance of her single “Nag-iisa Na Naman.”

Promoting the London Barrio Fiesta event that happened last July 20 and 21, KZ was asked by the hosts Salma El-Wardany and LionHeart to sing for them.

She granted the hosts’ request by singing a Filipino song in a foreign land.

“Thank you so much for sharing that with us. It was such a privilege to actually sit right next to you and watch you perform that, to see your expressions and to see the way you were into that song,” Salma said.

“That was fire,” LionHeart added.

During her guesting, KZ opened up about polyps found in her vocal cords and admitted that she almost gave up singing.

She added that this made her realize that belting was not the only way to sing and it led her to discover her present RnB style.

“Every failure is just a redirection to where you should be,” she said.

The show’s hosts even compared her to American soul singer Lauren Hill.

In her Instagram account, KZ posted a photo of her guesting with Inigo Pascual.

“Raising the Ph flag in London! Thank you @bbcradiolondon for being so game when I asked if I can sing in Filipino.

NAG IISA NA NAMAN written by @iamkikosalazar is the first song in Filipino to be performed live on BBC Radio London! @ lionheartfelt @salmaelwardany thank you for the warm welcome.

We had so much fun hanging out with you guys! Congratulations @inigopascual! OPTIONS is getting a loooooot of love from all over the world!” she captioned the post.

Paulo opens up on suicide attempt years ago, regrets not being able to save friend’s life By niña v. guno Inquirer.net

PAULO Avelino recently opened up about a suicide attempt years ago that he says only close friends were aware of.

Back in 2013, he and his manager denied such an attempt.

The actor only said that he went through some personal issues, as per an October 2013 report from Bandera. It was also then that he confirmed his breakup with actress LJ Reyes, with whom he welcomed a son, Aki, in 2010.

The “General’s Daughter” actor made the revelation on Twitter on Thursday, Aug. 1 while remembering a close friend who died by suicide in 2018.

“I’ll let this out to the universe since I promised not to keep heavy feelings to myself,” he began his outpouring.

Avelino shared that his own attempt landed him in the hospital and that his late friend was one of those who looked after him.

A few years back I tried (attempted) committing suicide.

I survived. No one really knew aside from my closest friends and he was one of them.

“A few years back I tried (attempted) committing suicide. I survived,” Avelino said. “No one really knew aside from my closest friends and he was one of them.”

“He would switch shifts with a friend to stay with me in the hospital and even when I got

Paulo Avelino

discharged, just to make sure I wasn’t stupid enough to do it again,” he stated.

He called himself “selfish” for getting his friends’ support. “I demanded time and a part of their emotional state to flow along with mine.”

Avelino shared that the friend was his “go-to person” for the times he would feel low. One of those reasons was “that I had to see my son grow up.” Aki currently lives with Reyes and her

Photo from Instagram/@pauavelino

partner Paolo Contis.

However, he regrets not being able to do the same for his friend even if he “saw it coming.”

“That one message you sent the night before [you] passed away, I brushed off in a joking manner,” Avelino said, addressing his departed friend.

Despite the guilt he feels, Avelino thanked his friend for saving his life: “I am living because of the hope and wisdom you engraved in me.”

Iza reenergized and refreshed by latest film By arLo CuStodio ManilaTimes.net

TO say that 2018 was stressful is an understatement for Iza Calzado. The noted actress worked on back-to-back projects all while planning and preparing for what turned out to be her beautiful sunset wedding with her long-time beau, Filipino-British businessman Ben Wintle, on December 19. She was definitely tired but extremely happy over her prize at the end of the year.

Taking time off as a new wife and resting from her grueling film schedule at the turn of the year, Calzado was also pleased to get some quiet time to read — specifically the script of “Pandanggo sa Hukay,” based on writer Andrian Legaspi’s 2018 Palanca Literary Award-winning piece for

3rd Place Best Screenplay.

According to Calzado, she knew she wanted to do the movie as soon as she finished it.

“Binigay sa akin ang script at nagustuhan ko so kailangan gawin ko,” the reenergized actress told The Manila Times at launch of Cinemalaya 2019 early this month, where Pandanggo is an official entry. She explained it was the simplicity of the story — how small-town midwife’s preparation for a job interview to work abroad is disrupted by an unfortunate turn of events — that hooked her.

Moreover, as a long-time advocate of human rights and woman empowerment, there was no question in Calzado’s mind she had to get the narrative out there.

On the part of Pandanggo’s

first-time film director and documentarist, Sheryl Rose Andes, she told The Manila Times she was ecstatic when Calzado accepted her offer because in her vision for the movie, only an actress with the same principles as the lead character Elena can do justice to the role.

Different from ‘Distance’ In last year’s Cinemalaya, it can be recalled that Calzado played an off-beat role as the lover of a dying lesbian, who leaves her family all in the name of her first love. The movie was titled “Distance” in reference to the detachment she caused with between her and her two daughters, even as her husband (portrayed by Nonie Buencamino) understood her and eventually accepted her unconventional affair.

PAGE B4

Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards in a scene from their movie.

Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

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

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

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

For the movie, Black Sheep will collaborate with APT Entertainment, producer of GMA-7’s noontime show “Eat Bulaga!,” where Maine and Alden are among the mainstay hosts.

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Journey to the Promised Land in 2020 Dennis eyes film directing with Jennylyn

by LHAR

A PILGRIMAGE is a trip like no other. It’s an important aspect of one’s religious life, for no act of devotion is as rich in history, traditions, and spirituality. One goes on a pilgrimage to build a stronger relationship with God, readily moving within the geography of faith and in places where Heaven met Earth.

And as profound as the reasons for pilgrimages are, so are the destinations along the way.

In 2020, join Air Plus Travel in its journey to the Promised Land. For 13 days, traverse through Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, and witness where God’s grace has been shown with particular splendor and holiness.

The pilgrimage begins in Cairo, where you can marvel upon the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx in Giza Plateau. A celebrated feat of human ingenuity and engineering, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It stands as a monumental tomb constructed some 4,500 years ago, and now remains as an echo of Egypt’s Old Kingdom era. The Sphinx, meanwhile, is a monument of a lion in repose featuring a pharaoh’s head.

The second destination takes you climbing Mount Sinai, also known as the Mountain of Moses. It is a holy site believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Several small chapels rest at the top of the mountain, from where you can experience a stunning view of the sunrise.

MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

SOCIETY reporting is nothing you can plan, polish or perfect—beyond the Fil-Am community stage or gossip about their world of charity, music, fashion, cuisine and other many things of splendor.

Polite and soft news of men and women, who speak eloquently about themselves with some luck, you can be in good company, or simply be a part of those who nod or smile at one another, if not standing alone in a swarm of gorgeous people, who all just happen to have amazing rhythm while you waltzed.

It’s been one pocket of merriment after another – revelers’ happiness that was theirs for

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS IN my book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children” (www.philipSchua.com), I have discussed the amazing value of vegetables (and exercise, fruits, nuts, fibers) in lowering the risk for cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, Alzheimer’s, and various forms of cancer.

Since man roamed the earth, vegetables have been hailed as a great health food. And even before modern science came out with the medical data proving their value, parents, especially mothers, around the world, from different cultures and traditions, had already been encouraging their children to eat vegetables, especially, broccoli, kale, spinach, garlic, the multi-colored leafy veggies, fruits, nuts, and to be active.

In this new era of health consciousness, vegetables have once again been thrust to the centerstage, under the spotlight, not only as a great food item, but one that has remarkable medical powers that bolster the immune system and prevent diseases, including cancer.

A Mayo Clinic study showed that eating lots of vegetables lowers the risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). This clinical investigation revealed the following eight findings: “Those who ate a higher number of vegetable servings per week had a 42 percent lower risk of NHL than those who ate the lowest number. Those who ate the most servings of green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables had a 40 percent lower risk compared to the lowest intakes. Those who had the highest intake of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin had a 46 percent lower risk of NHL. Those who had the highest intake of zinc had a 42 percent lower risk. Those who ate a higher number of vegetable servings per week had a 42 percent lower risk of NHL than those who ate the lowest number. Those who ate the most servings of green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables had a 40 percent lower risk compared to the lowest intakes. Those who had the highest intake of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin had a 46 percent lower risk of NHL. Those who had the highest intake of zinc had a 42 percent lower risk.”

Researchers postulated that vegetables contain antioxidants

Another highlight of the pilgrimage is a trip to the ancient lost city of Petra in Jordan. A city half-built, half-carved into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, Petra is considered as one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, boasting of ruins painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes color every hour. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Other sites you will have a chance to see in the pilgrimage are the House of St. Peter and the ruins of the ancient Synagogue where Jesus preached, the Church of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes, Nazareth, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus endured his Agony.

Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our pilgrimages and private tours. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit www.airplustravel.net.

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Happiness is knowing how to celebrate the taking. They chanted, they gasped, they whined, and then danced in all the balls, private soirees, as it gets beautiful, absolutely exquisite like eternal adolescence, you know cheap sentiment.

To understand people, you must try to hear what they are not saying…what perhaps they will never be able to say.

It’s comic time. Heard from a super narcissistic fellow at the FCC – “Why am I so ungodly cute?”

Age is a matter of taste.

“I need your whole brain on duty,” said the president to one of his directors.

Keep it simple, make it lavish, some big on words in a meeting meant to be austere.

A former editor back home, Alex Allan, tweeted, “They’re hemorrhaging money… in poli-

tics, we know who’s kissing whose ring.”

My friends and I spent three hours in a beauty parlor, expecting a miracle but I’m the one who still looks a tragedy.

Fashion proclivities at the SONA is still a lure to peoplewatchers all these years. Sen. Imee Marcos, resplendent in her canary yellow, was dripping with pearls and Swarovski crystals and was as bronze as a Mayan Princess, as everyone questioned loyalty…based on a color?

The society page reporter ranks the lowest in the totem pole of reportage.

This piece was written with the impudence of a fly that alights on a spiders web. ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.

Anti-cancer: Vegetables

damages in the DNA caused by oxidative stress, which is one of the risk factors for nonHodgkin lymphoma. And eating vegetables at least 3 times a day, if combined with a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, confers an even a greater degree of immuno-protection. The antioxidants in vegetables also help neutralize the free radicals produced during exercise.

The following are some of the nutrients in vegetables that help lower the risk of developing nonHodgkin lymphoma and cancers, in general: Lycopene, Lutein, Folic Acid, Zeaxanthin, Gluoinolates (which are converted into isothiocyanates). Apparently, the protective substances induce a phase II detoxification pathways which minimize and help repair the damages in our DNA caused by our unhealthy and self-destructive lifestyle.

Besides preventing cancers, some vegetables appear to show some promise in treating some forms of tumors in experimental mice. When this is confirmed by clinical studies in humans, this could be a big boost in the management of cancers in people around the globe.

Di-indolylmethane (DIM) is a natural compound found in vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, turnips and mustard greens), which has not only been associated with cancer prevention, but, more amazingly, with the potential ability to treat cancer.

Obviously more extensive laboratory studies and, later, clinical application in humans, are needed to validate this research observation.

While eating a lot of vegetables every day could protect us from diseases, including cancer, eating red meat and processed foods reduces the benefits conferred by the vegetables we eat. Besides being loaded with saturated fats and cholesterol, red meat and processed foods have also been implicated in the increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Fruits, especially berries, fiber, and nuts; also help in reducing our risk for cancer, and other major diseases. Physical exercise plays a major role in the prevention of cardiovascular/ metabolic diseases, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers.

Man has always been searching for the formula for optimal health and longevity. The market is full of non-prescription herbal or “food supplement” pills, potions, and lotions, each claiming to effective against a host of medical conditions, as preventive or as a “cure.” Not only are

ernment sentinel agencies like the U.S.-FDA and the BFAD, but are cost prohibitive, ineffective, and potentially dangerous.

The manufacturing companies concerned hide behind the legal technicality by marketing their products, NOT as drugs, but as herbals or “food supplements”to escape the stringent requirements, although their infomercials state that their “health” products “are effective for” a variety of medical illnesses. If they have pharmacologic (chemical) effects, then they should be considered as drugs, and be subject to the rigorous testing and clinical studies required for drugs, prior to their approval and acceptance as safe and effective for public consumption.

It is rather most unfortunate that the government appears to be simply powerless in dealing with the perpetrator companies and dealers and their unsubstantiated claims and deceptive practices, who are bilking the unsuspecting and ignorant victims of their hard-earned money.

Disease-inducing personal bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle include smoking, highcholesterol, high fat, high-carbohydrate diet, inactivity (lack of physical exercise), alcohol abuse, and poor stress management. These factors, which are really within our control, are responsible for about 75% of all diseases affl icting man.

Indeed, only 25% of these illnesses we have today are beyond our control. Most of our health problems are self-inflicted and self-induced, and therefore, preventable to a large extent.

Medical literature is replete with clinical outcomes that justify this caveat: Eating vegetables prevent diseases while regular consumption of red meat and processed foods is associated with increased risk of debilitating and deadly illnesses, including cancer. Need we say more?

Isn’t it time to start loving our body and be proactive in protecting it to maximize our health and longevity? *** 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@

SANTIAGO ManilaTimes.net

DENNIS Trillo, his co-stars and an entire production team successfully pulled off shooting “MinaAnud” under wraps in Samar, Leyte. The plan was intentional on the part of movie director Kerwin Go to do away with any fanfare around the filming. He thought it best to just talk about the whole premise of “Mina-Anud” once completed and ready for promotion.

Dennis couldn’t agree more given the explosive true-to-life plot of the movie — how illegal drugs worth millions of pesos had been found floating around the ocean, across different parts of the country.

“I’m just happy I was able to do this movie because it’s really very timely. Only very few will have the guts to do something like this where the public’s bound to learn a lot of things,” Dennis began in this interview with Showbuzz.

“It was in 2009 when the first big package containing illegal drugs was found by fishermen in the Philippines. Until now, marami pa ring nakukuhang droga na inaanod sa dagat ng Pilipinas,” he continued.

“It’s just sad; it’s frustrating that drugs are thrown into the sea para makuha ng mga kasama nila sa sindikato when there are innocent people na nakakakuha ng mga kargamento and don’t even know what those packages are. And this has become so rampant since then —10 years nang nangyayari pero walang nagbibigay ng solusyon. I hope it gets looked into.

In “Mina-Anud,” a group of surfers come across the package of illegal drugs in the ocean and find themselves in conflict what to do with it since they know it costs a huge amount of money. Dennis plays the role of Ding — an island-

Jennylyn Mercado with Dennis Trillo

Photo from Instagram-@dennistrillo

er from the surfing group and a family man who struggles to make both ends meet.

“That’s why when he sees the opportunity na kikita siya ng mas malaki and he’ll be able to give his family a more comfortable life, kahit ilegal ang papasukin niya, sumugal siya. And because of that, there will be consequences that he will have to face,” Dennis related.

While the theme of “MinaAnud” may be heavy, Direk Kerwin used a lighter approach to tell the story.

Known to be versatile and always on the lookout for a fresh new roles and concepts, Showbuzz told Dennis it seems like he’s done pretty much everything by now.

What’s next after Mina-Anud?

“I’m actually looking into film directing but I’ve only started with self-study. Nanonood ako ng iba’t ibang movies, different genres, different kinds of story-telling, and closely studying how the scenes are executed. I want to do something dark, ‘yung horror or thriller.

Mga ganu’ng klase ang iniisip ko,” he opened up.

Who would he like to cast in his first directorial project? “Of course, si Jennylyn [Mercado],” he said of his girlfriend. “I would love to have her in my movie. Magal-

ing siyang artista and she is such a joy to work with. Siya talaga gusto kong artista.”

In the meantime, Dennis and Jen are already collaborating together via vlogging. They have their own YouTube channel where they perform songs with a band.

They decided not to do covers of songs that are currently popular since everyone’s doing that already.

“We agreed to do covers from the 80s and 90s only and give the songs our own personal touch.

We’re actually surprised that whenever we upload our songs, we get a lot of views. Merong more than a million, merong hundreds of thousands kaya lalo kaming ginanahan,” Jen happily joined in the conversation.

Taking their collab a step further, Jen and Dennis revealed they’re already planning to do a concert next year.

“We decided to do it since we’re getting a lot of views on our YouTube channel. Naisip namin, bakit hindi namin gawin yung personal kaming makikitang mag-perform?

And so, we’re planning a postValentine concert on February 15, 2020, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Jennylyn excitedly shared.

PAGE B2 “There’s no LGBT reference in this [2019] entry though,” the actress stressed. Using the Filipino traditional dance Pandanggo sa Ilaw as a metaphor, she explained that Pandanggo sa Hukay presents “how women balance the light and shadows of life.”

Thankfully, Calzado had gotten over what she described as a “burn out” from the heavy films she did in 2018 and that her schedule opened up for her to shoot.

“Kasi kahit maganda ang script at gusto mong gawin kung hindi naman allowed ng schedule mo, hindi mo rin magagawa, so I’m happy everything fell into place because I really got refreshed doing Pandanggo,” she added.

Salute to moms To prepare for her role as a midwife, Calzado attended birthing workshops and watched so many other birthing videos that she admitted she was quite traumatized by the whole experience.

“At one point I was thinking to Iza Calzado myself I might not be able to give birth myself,” she giggled at her mothers. Mahirap manganak at confession. “But I really salute all mahirap magpalaki ng anak. Be-

ing a mother is really about dedication.”

Iza reenergized and refreshed by latest...

Photo from Instagram/@missizacalzado

Realities in life: Walking the business...

PAGE B2 said that Aris made them feel as if he was stealing some stocks.

Another said that the boss was too much preoccupied with trivial matters than the running of the business itself. Is this typical of a boss? It wasn’t because Aris would be too obsessive about a certain issue and would make decisions compulsively. He was firing people left and right.

He came to my office for a reading and immediately I saw the reds in his aura. Aris had so many hang-ups and childhood trauma.

He was distrustful of everything and anything. He also contradicted himself most of the time. Simply put, he had no focus and wanted to rush things all the time.

I told him, “Aris, simply breathe.

Sit still and listen to that inner voice.” We started with learning how to breathe and slow down.

During the early part of our consultations, I noticed his health aura was not good. His health was also failing on him even if he was just in his late 30s. I warned him about an impending health problem and true enough in less than a few days, he was hospitalized for an emergency heart procedure.

His body was showing signs of stress at a young age coupled with the fact that he smoked too much. The danger signs were so alarming that it manifested in the aura.

I had to look into his childhood and past experiences to determine why he was exhibiting a lot of impatience in the present. His attention span was so short and that he fidgeted too much. He had an attention deficit disorder and experienced a lot of anxiety attacks.

The negative behavior rooted from a lot of negativity in the past from family and relationship.

Working with Aris was a slow

ment and spiritual upliftment. It wasn’t easy to guide a person so full of himself and who does not acknowledge his temper. I nearly gave up because he wasn’t really listening at all but then I took another way in guiding him.

I brought him closer to God. I prayed to God that He be the one to touch Aris’ life. One day something happened and scared the life out of him. He nearly died in that car accident. In a snap, his outlook changed. And he had a realization.

Eventually, his business decisions now became more relaxed and guided. He became more forgiving and tolerant of certain situations. A lot of things improved and opportunities came in his life.

Instead of deteriorating, he grew and improved.

He is still a work in progress but Aris is getting there. And there are several lessons to learn from his story.

First, one doesn’t simply have the right to accost people just because they are being paid high.

People are not robots. They have feelings. Encourage not discourage. Lift them up when they fall.

Treat people with respect. Try to approach them with calmness, dignity and concern even if they have made mistakes.

Second, as a boss, don’t micromanage when you’ve already hired people for certain jobs. Encourage people to bring out the best in them.

Lay out your rules and give them space and liberty to undertake their jobs without spoonfeeding them.

What is important is the outcome and not the way you want them to do it. Different folks have different approaches. All you have to do is set the standards of the company and let them be. Micromanaging simply means that you don’t believe your employees can do it. So then why

Third, one always has the choice in life. Let people make their choices freely. If confronted with a negative situation, one has the right to simply walk away from it. In this case, people left the negative work environment and the boss. It is their choice to free themselves from situations that do not bring the best in them. Those employees who have left felt they were not growing.

Fourth, there will always be a negative person around anywhere, anytime. Learn to navigate around negative situations. Walk away from a heated argument or a nasty exchange of words. It is not worth the energy of trying to douse fire with fire. A closed mind will always think he is not at fault and would easily point fingers at everyone. A negative person will never accept defeat but instead will be hostile all along. He will never accept what you think nor care what you feel.

Fifth, money cannot buy everything. Money cannot buy people, loyalty or life.

Lastly, anything is possible with God by your side. He can touch people’s lives in unimaginable ways. That is why one should never wait for a drastic lesson from God. Change while there is still time.

You’ll never know what God will send your way. *** Stargazer is a life coach, aura reader, psychic/ clairvoyant, and lecturer on the paranormal. She uses the aura, energies & vibrations as focal points of her psychic readings. Using several techniques involving the psychological, spiritual, paranormal and her own experience of the intricacies of life, Stargazer makes one get in touch with his inner and understand life in a positive manner.

Faith in God and belief in self is what Stargazer emphasizes on. Currently, Stargazer is a radio anchor of DZMM Teleradyo, the radio arm of ABS-CBN. Her show “Pinoy Vibes” has been airing every Sunday morning since Sept. 2007.

She can be reached at stargazerphils@gmail. com. For more information, please visit http://

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 3-6, 2019

B

B august 3-6, 2019 • La WEEKEND asIaN JOuRNaL

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

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 3-6, 2019

COMMUNITY

C

Journal Second annual Travel, Trade and Consumer event lands in Carson on August 3-4 A WEEKEND filled with exhibitors, activities, entertainment and speakers promoting the booming travel and trade opportunities between the United States and the Philippines is here!

On Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California is home to the second annual Travel, Trade and Consumer (TTC) expo.

The TTC is a multi-zone event that is open to the public, who can freely explore exhibitor booths throughout the mall, attend informational business talks and seminars, and discover Filipino food items and other products.

Confirmed exhibitors: Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine; EC Ferrer Customs Broker; Nutridense, manufacturer of Pinoy snacks; Chilli Queen; Bandulf Industries; Philippine Food Trade, makers of Tropics brand of Pinoy groceries; International Package Shipping Cargo, balikbayan box services; AE & ASSOCIATES, LLC, Health Information Management and Medical Record Coding; Megaworld International; SM Development Corporation Realty; Mega 8 Productions; Auntie Dees’ Pan De Manila; Crossings TV Asian Television Network; Victory Auto Sales; Philippine Airlines; Carmelita Suarez’s Children’s Books; Philippine National Bank (PNB) Remittance Center; Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater Los Angeles; Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce; Department of Trade and Industry; and the Department of Tourism.

B2B speakers on August 3 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Presentation and (Pulong-Pulong) Town Hall meeting with Fil-Am role models actively involved in U.S. trade according to their respective expertise, active roles, and product lines. Their individual documented achievements will be the storyline subjects for this segment of the B2B session and how their roles interplay with Trade on Logistics, Compliance, Product Sourcing, Management, and Marketing in the U.S. Recog-

Ribbon cutting for the 2018 Travel, Trade and Consumer Roadshow, which will return again this August 3 and 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California.

AJPress photo

Sample of booths highlighting Philippine-made products at the Travel, Trade & Consumer Roadshow.

nition and admiration of the continuing struggles and determinations of Pangasinan Provincial local manufacturers will be high-

lighted as their saga continues to be watched by World Trade Entities.

u PAGE C4

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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

C AUGUST 3-6, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon LIKE most people, you’ve probably heard that filing for bankruptcy when you are in debt will ruin your credit forever and that you will never be able to buy a car or a home again. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Is it actually possible to improve your credit rating by filing for bankruptcy? Or does filing always make your credit worse?

First of all, most people (not all) who are considering bankruptcy already have a tarnished credit rating. Unpaid bills, lawsuits, judgments, tax liens, etc.

If you have any of these items on your credit report, the credit bureaus can retain this type of information for 7 years under federal law.

When you are in debt and can’t pay, your creditors continue to report your accounts to the credit bureaus so long as you remain delinquent. Filing for bankruptcy automatically stops this reporting of negative information. While the bankruptcy itself will be reported for 10 years, in the long run, you will be bet-

The Prophetic Voice ReVeRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAS IN the 4th Century, an erudite and holy bishop named Basil (canonized as St. Basil the Great) played a significant role in the formulation of orthodox theology while he interacted with the rich and influential men and women of his times.

In a sermon on charity, he said these direct and challenging words that still apply today: “You are going to leave your money behind you here whether you wish to or not. On the other hand, you will take with you to the Lord the honor that you have won through good works. In the presence of the universal judge, all the people will surround you, acclaim you as a public benefactor, and tell of your generosity and kindness.

Do you not see how people

Community Journal

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

& Want to buy a house someday Tax but too much credit card debt? Stock Tips ter off because now you have the opportunity to be debt-free and rebuild your credit.

Let me give you two possible scenarios: Let’s say you owe $30,000 in credit card debts and are paying a total of $600 per month in minimum payments.

You and I know that with the outrageously high interest that the credit card companies are charging you, you will never get out of debt by just making the minimum monthly payments. But since the minimum payments are all you can afford to pay with the income you have, this is all you are paying.

Paying $600 a month is costing you $7200 per year and most of this is going to interest alone.

In the next 5 years, you would be paying a total of $36,000! And how much do you think you are going to owe in 5 years? I guarantee you that it will be about the same amount that you owe now, perhaps a little bit less. Do you see where I am going with this?

Now let’s say you decided to file bankruptcy now because you realized that it’s your only way to start fresh. Your landlord (or the mortgage company) is harassing you because your payments are

always late. Your relatives have stopped answering their phone because they know it’s you borrowing money again. You’re afraid to come out to your car in the morning because it may not be there anymore. Your life is miserable because your income is insufficient to pay for food, rent, clothing, car payments, let alone pay your credit card and other bills. Well, you decided to do something about it.

You said “Enough is enough.

I will file for bankruptcy because I see no other way out. I will start fresh and rebuild my credit.

Someday I want to buy a home and start saving for retirement.”

So you decided to file after finding out that bankruptcy can only make your situation better, not worse.

You started saving the $600 that you used to throw in the “bottomless pit” when you were in debt. In one year, you could potentially save $4200. In 5 years, you could have $36,000, enough for a down payment on a house! Five years from now, your bankruptcy will be 5 years old. And if you make an effort to rebuild your credit right af-

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On the treasures we store

throw away their wealth on theatrical performances, boxing contests, mimes and fights between men and wild beasts, which are sickening to see, and all for the sake of fleeting honor and popular applause? If you are miserly with your money, how can you expect any similar honor? Your reward for the right use of the things in the world will be everlasting glory, a crown of righteousness, and the kingdom of heaven; God will welcome you, the angels praise you, all men who have existed since the world began will call you blessed.

Do you care nothing of these things, and spurn the hopes that lie in the future for the sake of your present enjoyment? Come, distribute your wealth freely, give generously to those who are in need. Earn yourself the psalmist’s praise: He gave freely to the poor; his righteousness will endure forever.”

The author of Ecclesiastes in the First Reading (Ecc 1:2; 2123) this Sunday shares similar wisdom: “Vanity of vanities! All

things are vanity. For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart.”

In other words, all worldly things and powers will end, no matter how much we work for them and hold on them tightly.

What matters most at the end of our lives are our good deeds of charity, love, and mercy. They are the ones that will go with us and defend us before God. The parable in this Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 12:13-21) in which a rich man stored all his riches instead of sharing them with his neighbors gives this unnerving message: “You fool, this night will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong? Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Let us take these messages to heart. Let us be rich in what matters to God! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA

1. Learn the Basics Familiarize yourself with the following basics before making your first purchase.

• Definitions – Price earnings ratio (P/E ratio), earnings per share (EPS), return on equity (ROE).

• Stock Selection Methods – fundamental analysis and technical analysis (moving averages).

• Order Types - market orders, limit order, trailing stop loss orders.

2. Set Long-Term Goals Identify your motive in trading stocks – increase your retirement nest egg, save for college, purchase a home, payoff mortgage, or leave estate for your beneficiaries.

3. Recognize Your Risk Tolerance Do you get stressed out at the first sign of trouble? Can you take stress when the market tumbles?

Risk tolerance is rather psychological. Yes, genetics play a part but environment, education and

Stock checklist for beginners age join in. Young investors can take more risk while seniors should be more conservative.

We are all different. There is no right balance. For example, I’m a grandpa but risk is not a primary factor when I choose stocks. It’s value (undervalued stocks) and upside (for the next 12 months) that I care about.

4. Control Your Emotions If you panic and sell when stocks dive, you don’t belong in the stock market. You end up buying high and selling low – the exact opposite of buying low and selling high to make money in the stock market.

5. Understand Bears And Bulls: A person who feels negative about the market is called a “bear,” while another who feels positive is a “bull.” There’s constant clash between the bulls and the bears that’s manifested in the rise and fall of prices. These short-term movements are partly driven by, you guessed it – emotions from rumors, speculations, and hopes, rather than logic and a systematic analysis of the company’s assets, management, and future growth. Understand these movements and take advantage.

6. Diversify Your Investments There’s that typical adage about the dangers of keeping all your eggs in one basket. This is true with stock investing. Placing your money into one stock can be dangerous when that particular stock dives. Diversifying into several stocks in several sectors in several countries mitigates the risk of losing it all. Of course one stock can go down at some point but other stocks also go up to make up for that stock. This is why diversification is important especially in your first years of investing. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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Removal of conditions on green card NOONG isang linggo ay aking tinalakay ang Removal of Conditions on Green Card at sinaad ko na kapag ang green card ay nakuha sa pamamagitan ng kasal sa isang US citizen (USC) at ang kasal ng mag-asawa ay wala pang 2 taon noong naaprubahan ng USCIS ang green card, ang green card na makukuha ng dayuhan ay conditional green card na may bisa na 2 taon. Ang dayuhan ay tinawag na conditional permanent resident (CPR).

Upang magtanggal ng mga condition sa green card, ang CPR ay kailangang mag-file ng I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence sa loob ng 90 araw bago ang ikalawang anibersaryo niya bilang conditional resident (90-day limit). Kapag ang CPR ay nag-file ng I-751 Petition, kailangan niyang magbigay ng mga ebidensya at mga dokumento na magpapatunay na ang kanyang kasal sa USC ay totoong kasal at ang kasal ay hindi naganap upang lumabag sa US immigration laws. Ang I-751 Petition ay kailangang pirmahan ng CPR at asawang USC, kaya ito ay tinatawag na joint petition. Marami

Tapat Sa Batas Atty. RheA SAmSon ang nagtanong sa aming opisina tungkol sa isyung ito at isa sa pinakamalimit na tanong ay kung anong mangyayari kung ang mag-asawa ay nakakuha na ng divorce bago pa mag-2nd anniversary ng green card. Ito ang aking tatalakayin ngayon.

Kung ang dating mag-asawa ay nakakuha na ng divorce decree, ang joint petition para sa removal ng mga condition ng green card ay hindi na possible.

Ngunit ang CPR ay kailangan pa ring mag-file ng I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence at kailangang siyang humingi ng waiver ng joint filing requirement. Ang 90-day limit ay hindi kailangang sundin para sa pagfile ng waiver request. Sa ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), ang waiver ng joint

filing ay maaaring maaprubahan sa tatlong paraan: (1) Extreme hardship o matinding paghihirap sa dayuhan ang magiging resulta kung siya ay made-deport (hardship waiver); (2) Ang kasal ay isang good faith marriage o totoong kasal at ang dayuhan ay hindi nagpakasal para lamang makakuha ng green card, ngunit mayroon nang divorce decree at ang divorce ay hindi dahil sa kasalanan ng dayuhan (good faith marriage waiver); o (3) Ang kasal ay good faith marriage, ngunit sa loob ng kasal na ito, ang dayuhan o ang anak ng dayuhan ay inabuso at sinaktan o kaya pinailalim sa matinding kalupitan ng asawang USC (waiver based on extreme mental cruelty or battery).

Kung may divorce decree na bago pa ang 2-year anniversary ng conditional green card, ang basihan ng waiver ay good faith marriage waiver.

Kailangang mapatunayan ng CPR sa USCIS na may mga mabisang dahilan para sa exception sa joint filing requirement dahil ang kasal ay totoong kasal at hindi business

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

Community Journal

Employer must pay actual hours worked by employee JOSE Alvarado worked as a laborer for Timber Works Construction, Inc. in Santa Clara County. Alvarado claimed that the employer required them to sign two different documents.

One document contained false hours worked (fewer hours than actually worked) and another document contained the correct hours worked by the employees.

The employees claimed that the employer used the records with longer hours for billing a government agency, a contractor, or others, for the actual hours worked by the laborers.

However, the workers were paid only those hours that were contained on the other document that had the false, reduced number of hours worked. The employer told the employees that the lower amount of wages was all they were entitled to.

Alvarado sued the employer in a class action on behalf of himself and his coworkers to recover unpaid wages. Alvarado claimed that even though he and his co-workers worked over eight hours per day and over 40 hours per week, they were not paid overtime or double-time compensation. The employees also alleged that the company did not have a meal and rest period policy and the employees did not have uninterrupted meal periods.

California law mandates that employees must be paid for all

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. “hours worked.” Hours worked means all time they are “suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so.” When an employee spends time on activities that are controlled by and for the benefit of the employer, including all the time that the employee is required to be present at the workplace, this is “work hours.”

Employers are required to keep accurate records of hours worked. Time-shaving is a practice where employers alter the time records of employees in order to reduce their total hours worked, thus reducing employees’ wages. Time-shaving is illegal. Management is required to take reasonable steps to ensure that employees are paid for all hours worked.

In determining their work hours and the payment due to them, employees should not be deterred by words like “voluntary,” “unauthorized” or “unapproved.” Work performed voluntarily, or without authorization or approval, may still be compensable if the employer knows or should know work is being done

and permits the employee to do it. Employers who accept the benefits of the work performed by its non-exempt employees must pay the wages due to the employees.

Employees who work beyond 8 hours per day are entitled to the overtime rate of 1½ times their regular rate. Those who work beyond 12 hours per day are entitled to twice their regular rate. If employees were not provided a meal or rest period, they should be paid an extra hour for any missed meal break, and another extra hour for any missed rest break.

Rather than continue to litigate the case, Alvarado and Timber Works reached a settlement. Timber Works agreed to pay $2,555,000 to settle the employees’ claims. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 3-6, 2019

C

Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative DEAR Attorney Tan, My US Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I130 petition after I came to the US in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines. Since my arrival, I have lived in the US and have been out of status.

Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition? -Apparently In Limbo Dear Apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1.

However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L).

Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died.

Section 204(L) relief

is also available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employmentbased petitions where the principal beneficiary has died.

Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died.

In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the US.

A check of the USCIS visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L).

As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved.

Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130.

Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly.

It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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$36,000 as a down payment on the home they are buying? I think you already know the answer.

The point is this: In a lot of cases, believe it or not, filing for bankruptcy can actually improve your credit. But to realize this, you need look at the bigger picture and not let your current situation limit your vision. Don’t look at how things are now, but how they could be in the future! What you do about “now” determines what “future” is going to be. Now is nothing more than the future in the making.

Bankruptcy laws were designed to help you start over financially if filing is your only chance to get out of debt. Of course, it’s not for ev-

eryone. Take a good hard look at your finances and see where your current situation is leading you.

If you need to know more about bankruptcy as an option to solve your debt problems, call. For a free attorney consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn

Chapter 7 or 13? A look at a case with $50K debt and $10K collection lawsuit Want to buy a house someday but too much...

THE first client is 48 and has just been sued for $10,000 by American Express. He recently received the summons and complaint.

He is single with one teenager dependent. He used to have a business but that has failed.

He now works as a manager and earns $4,000 a month. He doesn’t own a house now, but did own a house as a joint tenant, which was sold about three years ago. The net proceeds from the sale of the house were $100,000. Being a joint tenant, half or $50,000 of the net proceeds went to him.

At first glance, this should be a Chapter 7 where he gets a fresh start and the court wipes out the $10,000 lawsuit and the rest of the $40,000 credit cards. There is really no problem qualifying for the means test for Chapter 7 because his income for a family of two is below the median for California. This looks like a slamdunk case for Chapter 7.

However, there was a circumstance during the sale of the house that put a crinkle in this otherwise clear cut Chapter 7 case. For some reason that I don’t really understand, the client transferred his 50% share of the net proceeds from the sale of the house to the other joint tenant. Upon the close of escrow, the entire 100% of net proceeds went to the other joint tenant.

At this point in the analysis, this circumstance becomes a “transfer of asset” that occurred in the last four years. However, as the client explains it, he did make the transfer to the joint tenant, but the joint tenant gave him back the $50,000, which he has since used up completely for living expenses.

There could be some issue that a Chapter 7 trustee may raise because of the $50,000 transfer that occurred three years ago.

The trustee might say that the $50,000 was a preferential transfer, which is within his powers to avoid or cancel. In other words, the trustee may try to get back

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

the $50,000 from the transferee joint tenant even if the $50,000 was actually returned to the client who then used it all up for living expenses in the last three years.

Well, let’s just put it this way.

There is a 10% chance that a Chapter 7 trustee may raise this issue but there is a 90% chance that no such issue will be raised in Chapter 7. The defense of the transferee would be that the transfer was nominal and the transferee merely held the $50K in trust for the client, the true owner of the $50K, and the transferee actually returned the $50K to the client immediately. This is a pretty good defense since it’s the truth that the actual owner of the $50,000 was still the client.

It was property held in trust by the transferee for the client and under bankruptcy law, property held in trust by third parties for the debtor is still considered the property of the debtor.

The problem is that it’s an issue that can be litigated by the Chapter 7 trustee. Once the adversary proceeding is filed, the transferee needs to defend himself. In this situation, the legal expenses go up because it costs money to defend against an adversary complaint.

To avoid this problem completely, a low plan payment Chapter 13 is more suitable for the client. Since the client’s income is below the median, he will qualify for a low plan payment under Chapter 13. In Chapter 13, the $50,000 transfer is not a big issue because typically Chapter 13 trustees do not litigate this kind of issue. They may try to increase the plan payment to compensate for the transfer, but in this case, the fact is the $50,000 actually belonged to the

client and the money has been used up. That’s the truth. The transfer was nominal only. The transferee held the $50K in trust for the client and immediately gave it back to him and he has used it all up for living expenses for the last three years.

How low can the plan payment be? I estimate that the client may pay $200 a month for 36 months.

After paying $7,000, the balance of $43,000 will be discharged.

Without the Chapter 13 protection, the $10,000 lawsuit from American Express will eventually become a wage garnishment. In this instance, American Express will garnish 25% of the client’s gross income every month. That’s $1,000 a month.

The amount is too big. The client will not be able to pay his rent.

Of course, the client can apply for exemption from garnishment based on the grounds that he has no disposable income every month but the exemption is only good for 90 days. He has to show up in court every 90 days to show the judge that he has no money to pay. So this is very inconvenient.

For peace of mind, the best alternative for the client is Chapter 13 with a low plan payment.

I had one client who pays only $150 a month for $60,000 of credit cards in the same situation. She sold her house to her brother-in-law for below market and in exchange, he allowed her to stay in the house rent-free until she dies. In Chapter 7, the trustee would try to get the property back because it was sold below market price by $100,000 within the last four years. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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Consequences of failing to disclose material asset, income, facts and information in a divorce case

THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/ her know of this account?”

Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other. This duty arose based on California’s policy (1) to marshal, preserve, and protect community and quasi-community assets and liabilities that exist at the date of separation so as to avoid dissipation of the community estate before distribution, (2) to ensure fair and sufficient child and spousal support awards, and (3) to achieve a division of community and quasi-community assets and liabilities on the dissolution or nullity of marriage or legal separation of the parties as

Barrister’s Corner Atty. kenneth UrSUA reyeS provided under California law.

To promote the above public policy, the family code requires a full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the parties have or may have an interest be made in a divorce or a legal separation, regardless of the alleged characterization of the property as either community or separate. Parties are also required to disclose all income and expenses of the parties.

The parties also have a continuing duty to update and augment that disclosure to the extent that there has been a material change to their financial position. The purpose of the duty to augment

and update the disclosures is so that at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or trial, each party will do so with full and complete knowledge of all relevant underlying facts of the case.

The disclosures are made by the parties by serving each other with a preliminary declaration of disclosure and a final declaration of disclosure. The preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within 60 days of serving the divorce, separation, or nullity petition. The commission of perjury on the preliminary declaration of disclosure may be grounds for setting aside the judgment in addition to other remedies available under the law. The preliminary declaration of disclosure is not filed with the court but only exchanged by each party. The preliminary declaration of disclosure shall set forth 1) the identity of all assets and li-

PAGE C2 t

ter bankruptcy, there is a good chance that you would qualify for a home loan in just a few years if other credit factors are appropriate (you know, a stable job, money for a down payment, maybe a cosigner). See, filing for bankruptcy should be a beginning for most people, not the end of the world.

Now if you were the bank 5 years from now, who would you loan money to? The person who owes too much money, has no money for a down payment, and has delinquencies on their credit report? Or the other person who has a 5-year old bankruptcy, has zero debts and can afford to put

C4 AUGUST 3-6, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Removal of conditions on green card Second annual Travel, Trade and Consumer...

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transaction para lumabag sa US Immigration Laws.

Ang mga ebidensya ng bona fide marriage ay mga dokumentong magpapakita ng commitment ng mag-asawa sa isa’t-isa tulad ng pagsasama ng kanilang mga pera at kayamanan, haba ng kanilang pagsasama bilang mag-asawa, at birth certificate ng kanilang mga anak. Ang I751 Waiver ay discretionary kaya’t ang CPR ay kailangan ding magbigay sa USCIS ng paliwanag kung bakit sila ay nag-divorce na at ito ay hindi kasalanan ng CPR, ngunit kasalanan ng asawang USC, tulad ng pag-iwan at pag-abandona sa kanya ng USC, pagkakulong ng USC, o pangangalunya ng USC. *** Last week I discussed Removal on Conditions on Green Card and stated that when a green card is obtained through marriage to a US citizen (USC) spouse and the couple is married less than 2 years during the adjudication of the green card, the green card that the alien/conditional permanent resident (CPR) will receive will be a conditional green card, valid for 2 years. To remove the conditions on the green card, the CPR must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before his 2nd anniversary as a conditional resident (“90-day limit”) and submit evidence on the bona fides of the marriage and that the marriage was not entered into for the purpose of evading US immigration laws. This Petition must be signed by the CPR and USC spouse and hence the petition is a joint petition. There were many questions

addressed to our office and one of the most frequently asked questions is what happens if the couple is already divorced before the 2nd anniversary of the green card.

This is what I will discuss today.

If the couple obtains a divorce prior to the 2nd anniversary of the green card, the joint petition for removal of conditions on green card will not be possible. The CPR will still need to submit an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, but the CPR will have to request for a waiver of the joint filing requirement. The 90-day limit is not imposed for the filing of a waiver request. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), waiver of joint filing may be obtained under the following three circumstances: (1) Extreme hardship will result if the alien is deported (hardship waiver); (2) The qualifying marriage was entered into in good faith by the alien spouse, but the qualifying marriage has been terminated (other than through death of the spouse) and the alien was not at fault (good faith marriage waiver); or (3) The qualifying marriage was entered into in good faith by the alien spouse and during the marriage, the alien spouse or child was battered by or subject to extreme cruelty perpetrated by the USC spouse (waiver based on extreme mental cruelty or battery).

If a divorce decree has already been obtained before the 2-year anniversary of the conditional green card, the basis for the waiver is good faith marriage waiver.

The CPR has to convince USCIS that valid reasons exist to allow an exception to the joint filing

Calendar of Events across

requirement by showing that the marriage was bona fide and was not a “business transaction” for the purpose of evading US immigration laws. The evidence of bona fide marriage should include evidence relating to the amount of commitment by both parties to the marital relationship such as documentation of joint financial activities, length of residence together, and birth certificates of the children born of the marriage.

I-751 Waivers are discretionary so the CPR must prepare a written explanation as to why the marriage ended and if possible, submit documents on the circumstances surrounding the end of the marriage not due to the fault of the CPR such as abandonment, imprisonment or adultery of the USC spouse. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty.

Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams.

As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.

Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com.

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS AU G U ST 3 -1 0

Tagalog classes in Los Angeles This Filipino Language & Culture Pilot class is hosted by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and is organized by the Filipino Language Movement led by Ms. Ivy Daulo. This is the only community-based Filipino language & culture ADULT program in the City of Los Angeles in collaboration with the Filipino Language Movement. This is a 5-session program that starts July 26 to August 10, 2019. (*Schedule is subject to change based on the number of enrollees). Come and bring your entire family and learn Tagalog together! Student benefits include certificate of completion, handouts / workbook provided, learn with other peers (adults and youth are not mixed); family learning opportunity; taught by university Filipino language instructor and lifetime member of Council for Teaching Filipino; practical language learning tips & application each week Limited slots! Hurry and register now! Prices are for all 5 sessions: Individual Adult: $150 each for 5 sessions; bring a [artner: $250 for 5 sessions ($125 each adult); parent + child: $200 for 5 sessions ($150/parent + $50/child). We urge everyone to do the whole program so you can learn more but if it’s not possible to attend all 5 Saturdays, you can choose the dates you want to join us. $30 / session for adults or $10 / session for children.

Payment methods: Cash, Check (payable to: SIPA), Venmo (SIPALA) and Credit/Debit Cards are accepted. Send check payments to: SIPA at 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

Please register by emailing Fidji Victoriano (fidji@sipacares.org) if paying outside of Eventbrite.

SIPA is located 3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Limited free parking on surface lots along Robinson St. and Dillon St. Street parking is also available around the area.

Please see posted signs for details.

AU G U ST 3 - 4

Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.com/.

AU G U ST 3 - 9

University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.”

On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.

AU G U ST 5 - 9

SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program in LA Happening from August 5-9, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ (SIPA) Filipino Summer Program is a fun, week-long experience that enriches, educates, and engages youth about the Filipino Culture! Youth will get to learn more about Filipino food, language, dance, arts, and music! Children ages 6-13 are able to participate, while older youth can volunteer. The program will be held at SIPA (3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Drop-offs and pick-ups are at the SIPA parking lot at Dillion St. and Temple St. Each day is $30 for the first child. Every additional child will be $3 less a day (e.g., the second child will be $27/day, the third child would cost $24/day, and so on). If your family cannot fully afford the cost of SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program, the FEE CAN BE LOWERED depending on the financial situation. Families can pay by cash, credit/debit card (2.75% fee), Venmo (1% fee), or check!If interested, contact Maria Carmel Valendez by phone at 213-382-1819 ext. 107 or email at mvalendez@esipa.org.

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NaFFAA’s National Empowerment Conference in Carson, CA Registration is now open for NaFFAA’s 2019 National Empowerment Conference in Carson, CA on August 15 to 18. The NEC is the premier gathering of community leaders uniting to engage in dialogue about issues affecting over four million Filipinos across the United States, while building a clear and unified vision of community empowerment for 2020 and beyond.

Register before April 30 to qualify for discounted Early Bird registration prices for the full conference pass (3-day pass + gala ticket) which are $80 for students; $180 for NaFFAA members; and $200 for regular. For more information on the 2019 National Empowerment Conference,

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

PAGE C1 t The five featured speakers are Dennis Alvarez, CEO of I.C. Green Corporation based in Hawaiian Gardens; Racky Doctor, CEO of Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation whose plant is based in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan; Demy Manibog, President of Philippine Foodtrade Corporation based in the City of Commerce; Lydia Banez, Controller of Laube Technology Inc. located in Camarillo; and Rosie Molina, Import Coordinator (Office & Warehouse manager) of L.A. Triumph doing business as Medgear with headquarters in Cerritos.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Protocol – Full coverage on “ Door to Door Logistics and Compliance. “ Staff specialists of E. C. Ferrer CHB, Inc. (U.S.) and associate partner SKYLINK, International Inc. (Manila, Philippines); New MSC (Minimum Security Criteria) C-TPAT; ISF (Import Security Filing); Cargo Consolidation; Rail and Truck Inland Deliveries ; Warehousing & Distribution; Letters of Credit; AES (Automated Export System).

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: World Impact – Section 232 (Steel & Aluminum Products) & Section 301, Section 321 – entry type 86 – low valued merchandise; E-Commerce; Customs Surety Bonds; Entry Processing Protocols; CBP Linkage with Partnered Government Agencies ( Food and Drug, United States Department of Agriculture, Environment Protection Agency, Fish & Wildlife Agency , and others); Foreign Trade Zones ; Customs Form 28 & 29; HTS-Classification & Binding rulings; Anti-Dumping & Countervailing duties; Foreign Trade Agreements; Marine Insurance; Power of Attorneys; Food and Drug’s new evaluation audit criteria on entry filers.

August 4 Ferdinand Soriano has been a TTC Business Consultant since its inception. This year, Soriano will speak on marketing products and services to meet global standards. Soriano is focused on consistently improving valued skills as an Event Marketer and Organizer. He is a Product Presenter/ Speaker, Social Media Marketer, Relationship Builder, and Business Development Analyst. He also works in Logistics Management, Product Procurement and Fulfillment.

Ellen Samson, the current President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles, is one of the dynamic founding board of directors of the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce. She is a successful businesswoman herself, as an owner of American Geriatric, which provides health coordination, professional caregiving and family dynamic support services to families of seniors faced with progressing health and memory problems. In pursuing her business, Samson realized the power of working with a Chamber network. She will discuss how to get the most out of a Chamber of Commerce.

Katherine Bercasio is an accomplished and indefatigable graphic designer and visual strategist whose works have left an indelible imprint across the globe. She began her career in the Philippines, designing the local editions of Cosmopolitan and Maxim magazines, and as Art and Creative Director for Summit Media and ABS-CBN. Bercasio will speak on strategies for visual impact that she has effectively uses to help businesses develop their image and branding.

Redy Babasa-Thompson is a Business Loan Officer at the Pacific Asian Consortium in Em-

Union Band

Photos by Teddy Sahilan

Kim Pidazo

Alvin Reyes

Ellen Samson

Ferdinand Soriano

Katherine Bercasio

Redy Babasa

ployment (PACE). He specializes in Commercial and Consumer Lending, and SBA 7a & 504 Loan Programs. He will help demystify applying for business loans, and proved information on what programs are available for business owners, and how to qualify for them.

Entertainment Saturday, August 3 will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. graced by local and international Filipino guests and a performance by the MassKara festival dancers straight from Bacolod. The day also features Cherilyn Diane (11:30 a.m.), Alvin Reyes (1:30 p.m.), J. Rap (2:30 p.m.), Malou Toler (4 p.m.), Kim Pidazo (5 p.m.) and the Union Band (6 p.m.). On Sunday, August 4, Jason Hipolito (2 p.m.) and Felson Palad (3:30 p.m.) will grace the mainstage.

During the two days, attendees can expect a schedule of activities, including the raffle of a Philippine Airlines roundtrip ticket from LA to Manila.

For more information about the TTC on Aug. 3 and 4, visit www.traveltradeconsumer.com.

Filipino American Chambers of Commerce. She is a successful businesswoman herself, as an owner of American Geriatric, which provides health coordination, professional caregiving and family dynamic support services to families of seniors faced with progressing health and memory problems. In pursuing her business, Samson realized the power of working with a Chamber network. She will discuss how to get the most out of a Chamber of Commerce.

Katherine Bercasio is an accomplished and indefatigable

graphic designer and visual strategist whose works have left an indelible imprint across the globe. She began her career in the Philippines, designing the local editions of Cosmopolitan and Maxim magazines, and as Art and Creative Director for Summit Media and ABS-CBN. Bercasio will speak on strategies for visual impact that she has effectively uses to help businesses develop their image and branding.

Redy Babasa-Thompson is a Business Loan Officer at the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE). He specializes in Commercial and Consumer Lending, and SBA 7a & 504 Loan Programs. He will help demystify applying for business loans, and proved information on what programs are available for business owners, and how to qualify for them.

Entertainment Saturday, August 3 will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. graced by local and international Filipino guests and a performance by the MassKara festival dancers straight from Bacolod. The day also features Cherilyn Diane (11:30 a.m.), Alvin Reyes (1:30 p.m.), J. Rap (2:30 p.m.), Malou Toler (4 p.m.), Kim Pidazo (5 p.m.) and the Union Band (6 p.m.). On Sunday, August 4, Jason Hipolito (2 p.m.) and Felson Palad (3:30 p.m.) will grace the mainstage.

During the two days, attendees can expect a schedule of activities, including the raffle of a Philippine Airlines roundtrip ticket from LA to Manila.

For more information about the TTC on Aug. 3 and 4, visit www. traveltradeconsumer.com. ■

Consequences of failing to disclose material...

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abilities which the declarant may have an interest regardless of the characterization of community, quasi-community, or separate property; 2)The declarant’s percentage in the asset or liability; 3) the declarant’s characterization of the asset or liability. In addition, the declarant shall also provide the other party with a completed income and expense declaration. The declarations may be amended without permission from the court.

The parties shall serve each other with a final declaration of disclosure at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or if the case goes to trial, at least 45 days prior to the first assigned trial date. The final declaration of disclosure shall include (1) All material facts and information regarding the characterization of all assets and liabilities(2) All material facts and information regarding the valuation of all assets that are contended to be community property or in which it is contended the community has an interest.

(3) All material facts and information regarding the amounts of

all obligations that are contended to be community obligations or for which it is contended the community has liability.(4) All material facts and information regarding the earnings, accumulations, and expenses of each party that have been set forth in the income and expense declaration. The parties may agree to mutually waive the final declaration of disclosure requirement but not the preliminary declaration of disclosure.

A party who fails to comply with the disclosure requirements under the family code may be held in breach of the party’s fiduciary obligation to the other spouse under family code section 721, 1100, and Marriage of Feldman. The party that failed to disclose material assets, income, facts, and information may be sanctioned by the court by awarding attorney’s fees and sanctions to the other spouse under family code section 271.

When hiring an attorney to represent you in a high asset divorce case with complex property issues, it is important to hire an attorney that understands the disclosure obligation under the family code.

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail “mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com” kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

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Trump administration ‘open for Five years of social business’ on drug imports from Canada media required on visa application forms

Immigration Corner

middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers.

“The administration has reaA YEAR after calling propos- son to believe that manufacturals allowing Americans to import ers might use this pathway as an cheaper drugs from Canada a opportunity to offer Americans “gimmick,” Health and Human lower cost versions of their own Services Secretary Alex Azar drugs,” according to the plan ansaid the federal government is nounced Wednesday. “In recent “open for business” on such a years, multiple manufacturers have stated (either publicly or strategy.

Azar announced a preliminary in statements to the administraplan Wednesday to allow Ameri- tion) that they wanted to offer cans to import certain lower- lower cost versions but could not cost drugs from Canada. Insulin, readily do so because they were biological drugs, controlled sub- locked into contracts with other stances and intravenous drugs parties in the supply chain.”

The announcement marked would not be included.

The plan relies on states to the latest shift by the Trump adcome up with proposals for safe ministration on the decades-old importation and submit them for debate about formally allowing Americans to buy drugs from federal approval.

Under a second option, manu- Canada, where prices are signififacturers could import versions cantly lower.

Drugmakers were quick to of any FDA-approved drugs from foreign countries — including in- criticize the plan. Stephen J. sulin — and sell them at a lower Ubl, president and CEO of the cost than the same U.S. versions. brand-name drug trade group, This appears to be a way drug- the Pharmaceutical Research makers could avoid some of the and Manufacturers of America, contracts they have with drug called the plan “far too dangerby PHIL

GALEWITZ Kaiser Health News

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ RECENTLY, the State Department revised immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to add a question asking a person to list each social media platform they have used within the last five years. This includes the person’s username or handle they used on that media platform. If more than one platform or username or handle has been used, the person must disclose all that information.

(They do not need to provide their password.)

Among the media platforms requiring disclosure are Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

Disclosing a person’s social media is part of the Trump administration’s Muslim travel ban initiative and “extreme vetting,” to determine whether a person may be “inadmissible” based on terrorism related issues. According to the State Department, “Social media can be a major forum for terrorist sentiment and activity. This will be a vital tool to screen out terrorists, public safety threats, and other dangerous individuals from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on U.S. soil.”

This means the U.S. government can now go back and check any visa applicant’s Facebook and other social media postings for the past five years. And it does no good to now close the ac-

count and delete it, because the question asks you to provide information about all social media platforms for the PAST five years.

That would include accounts that were closed or deleted in the past five years.

In addition, a person may be found inadmissible based on FRAUD if they failed to disclose any of their social media platforms within the past five years.

And a review of social media may be a factor in connection not only with uncovering terrorism, but could also be a factor in connection with a person’s eligibility for various immigration benefits.

For example, if a person is being petitioned by a U.S. citizen spouse, but they’re posting recent vacation photos on Facebook with their former boyfriend or girlfriend or ex-spouse, USCIS or the Embassy may be concerned about whether the marriage to the American is fixed. Similarly, if a person posted that they just got a visitor visa and they are now moving to the U.S. “permanently,” that might also be an indication of fraud which would come back to haunt them.

While people are free to use social media and post whatever they like, they should now be aware that the U.S. government is interested in what they are posting, whether it may relate to terrorism, fraud, or eligibility for any immigration benefit.

If you encounter issues with the U.S. government over your social media postings, which may have been innocent, but are being interpreted as potentially fraudulent or harmful to the U.S., you may want to seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation and hopefully resolve it with the U.S. government. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINE (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “Business is a game. The minute you think of it any differently it ceases to be fun and immediately begins to control your life and ultimately drives you crazy with wild obsessions and eventually ruins your family life. Keep things in perspective. First family, second friends, and third your business. Practice this and you’ll be much happier for it. And your business will be much happier as well.”

— Josh Hinds, speaker and author

ous for American patients.”

“There is no way to guarantee the safety of drugs that come into the country from outside the United States’ gold-standard supply chain,” he said in a statement. “Drugs coming through Canada could have originated from anywhere in the world and may not have undergone stringent review by the FDA.” But Sen. Lamar Alexander (RTenn.), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he welcomed the administration’s move to reduce costs. “The key for me is whether this plan preserves the Food and Drug Administration’s gold standard for safety and effectiveness,” he said in a statement.

The same medicines are often cheaper in other countries than in the U.S. since most developed countries negotiate with drugmakers to set prices. But opponents of importation say sending drugs over the border will increase the chances Americans PAGE D2

Former BPO exec named PAL president

by RICHMOND

MERCURIO Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is infusing new blood into the company with the appointment of Gilbert Santa Maria as its new president and chief operating officer, ending a month-long search following the retirement of Jaime Bautista.

Santa Maria, whose appointment was approved by the PAL board of directors yesterday, is leaving his Los Angeles-based advisory firm to join the airline.

“The flag carrier matters.

That’s one of the reasons I took the job,” said Santa Maria in an interview following the company’s board meeting.

Santa Maria, who has three decades of executive manage-

ment and leadership experience across multiple industries in companies around the world, said his priorities would include maintaining the airline’s current quality of service as well as profitability.

“I’ve been across multiple industries so I’m not intimidated by industry change. This is day one for me. We have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Santa Maria said his appointment came as a shock for him since he has been living “on the other side of the Pacific.” “So for me this is coming home. I guess leaders from Mindanao are ‘in’ these days. I’m from Mindanao.

I was born in Butuan, grew up in Cagayan de Oro,” he said.

For the last 15 years, Santa Maria was a key leader and contributor in the Philippines’ highly

successful BPO industry, serving as COO of Washington DC-based BPO company IBEX Global. Before IBEX, he was COO and CFO of IQ BackOffice, a Californiabased finance and accounting outsourcer that was an investee company of LiveIt Investments, Ayala Corp.’s BPO holding company.

Prior to joining the BPO industry, Santa Maria helped lead a Singapore-based internet startup called Similan.com. He was also one of the youngest general managers of Pepsi Cola Products Philippines’ Manila operations.

“For a president, you don’t have to be an airline guy. You just have to know how to manage people, and then make everybody work together. So he has a good background in managePAGE D2

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PH currency hits P50:$1 level US flights not on Cebu Pacific’s radar yet by mayvelin

u. caRaballo ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine peso recorded its strongest level so far against the U.S. dollar this year as the expected U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut helped the local currency to return to P50:$1 on Tuesday, July 30.

The peso, which opened at P51.02 against the greenback, gained 20 centavos to close at P50.89, its strongest in more than 18 months, or since its P50.84:$1 finish on January 26, 2018.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Carlo Asuncion credited the strength to expectations that the American central bank would cut its rate on Wednesday.

“An accommodative U.S. monetary policy usually strengthen emerging markets’ currencies…” Asuncion told The Manila Times.

Manilatimes.net file photo

The Federal Open Market the greenback, according to the Committee is scheduled to hold interagency Development Budget its two-day meeting on July 30 Coordination Committee.

Last year, the peso ended at and 31 (Washington time).

The government is expecting P52.58 versus the dollar, sharpthe peso to end the year at be- ly down from its 2017 close of tween P51 and 53 level against P49.93:$1. n

Former BPO exec named PAL...

PAGE D1 t ment. He has managed a lot of companies, foreign and local,” PAL vice chairman Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. said.

Bong said Sant Maria was recommended by his father, the airline’s chairman tycoon Lucio Tan, and some other people.

“The chairman ordered that the new president works with the vice chairman, yours truly, and then the whole corporate governance committee, which is consisted of eight members and we added two more independent directors to beef up the whole committee. From now on, it’s going to be those three bodies that will drive PAL to move forward,” Bong said.

He said among the marching orders given to Santa Maria is to address all of PAL’s problems.

PAL executive vice president and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan said Santa Maria’s expertise and learnings in the US is something he could bring to the country’s flag carrier.

“Actually I am very excited to have a president like that. He is from the US and he has a lot of ideas that he can do for the country. One thing that we talked about before we got him in. I asked him about coming back to the Philippines,” Vivienne said.

“It is important for my father’s vision to be translated into

Photo courtesy of Cebu Pacific

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is not looking to fly to the U.S. anytime soon after it stops its Guam operations in December, saying that it would instead add more frequencies to existing services.

“It’s not going to be new routes (that will replace Guam), but additional frequencies to existing services. So it’s additional frequencies, I think we’re looking at Macau,” Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

Iyog said Cebu Pacific would stop its operations in Guam to

further optimize its slots.

“The slots are a very viable resource so, while Guam was relatively profitable, it’s about now making sure that we utilize a limited resource for a route that there is higher demand for and add more frequencies for routes where there are more passenPAGE D5

Trump administration ‘open for business’...

PAGE D1 t get counterfeit medications, a claim often boosted by the drug industry.

As drug prices have soared here, Americans are more open to buying drugs from Canada.

Some have for decades been driving over the border; others use online pharmacies or place orders at storefronts that connect buyers to pharmacies in Canada and other countries.

Although these strategies are technically illegal, the government does not prosecute individual offenders. Nor has it moved to stop the dozens of cities, counties and school districts across the PAL chairman Lucio Tan (left) shakes hands with the airline’s new president Gilbert Santa Maria United States that have programs after the latter’s appointment by the PAL board.

Philstar.com file photo for employees to buy drugs from Canada and elsewhere.

Santa Maria has a Master’s in PAL providing consistent qualThe administration is offerity service to our customers and Public and Private Management ing “a real plan for America to also, the flag carrier serving as from the Yale University School benefit from prescription drug a means to contribute to nation- of Management and a BS in importation, but the proof is in building. With this new leader- Electrical Engineering from the the follow-through,” said Gabriel ship, we will accomplish this fur- University of the Philippines in Levitt, the co-founder of PharmaDiliman. n ther,” she said. cyChecker.com, a private com-

pany that verifies international online pharmacies and compares prescription drug prices for consumers. He said, given Azar’s support, he thinks the plan “has a good chance.”

While Families USA Executive Director Frederick Isasi praised the announcement, he cautioned it’s not a major fix for high U.S. drug prices.

“This is a tactic not a policy solution,” he said. “We should not fool ourselves into thinking that relying on Canada’s ability to regulate drug prices is a comprehensive or long-term solution for the United States. Most importantly, it also does not solve the egregious problem of pharmaceutical price abuses in America.”

In May 2018, Azar said the prospect of importing drugs from Canada was just a “gimmick” because that country is not large enough to meet all the drug needs of the United States.

But lowering drug prices has

been a key promise of President Donald Trump, and a few months later, Azar said he was forming a work group that would explore allowing certain drugs that had seen major price hikes to be imported.

The idea got a boost this spring when Trump offered his support, marking the first time drug importation has won a presidential endorsement.

The 2003 Medicare Modernization Act allows states to import cheaper drugs from Canada, but only if the HHS secretary verifies their safety. Previous attempts by states to allow importation failed because the secretary opposed them.

Azar, a former top executive at the drugmaker Eli Lilly, said Wednesday that the federal government has changed its “mindset” on the issue. In the past few years, “the landscape and opportunities for safe linkages of the drug supply chain have changed, PAGE D3

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Marketplace & ShowrooM

Philippines Infradev, Makati formalize deal for $3.5-B subway project

Makati Mayor Abby Binay explains the route of the Makati subway project through the scale model along with (from left) Antonio L. Tiu, Claro Certeza, Ren Youmin, Ren Jin Hua, Rep. Luis Campos and Richard Amurao during the signing yesterday of the joint venture agreement between Makati City Government and Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. for the Makati subway project.

Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

by IrIs

GOnzales

fradev president and CEO AntoPhilstar.com nio Tiu as he noted the start of a process to develop what could MANILA, Philippines — Phil- be the country’s first subway. ippine Infradev Holdings Inc. and With the signing, Tiu said it is the city government of Makati on now all systems go for the subWednesday, July 31 signed the way development, targeted to be joint venture agreement for the in place in five years. $3.5 billion Makati City subway Makati City Mayor Abby Biproject. nay said the project is a game “After today, we are now in changer. a new era,” said Philippine In“This is really happening. This

is happening in our city and it will be the first subway in the country,” Binay said.

The proponents signed the joint venture agreement during a ceremony held yesterday at the Makati City Hall.

Philippine Infradev chairman Ren Jinhua and Tiu represented the company, while Binay signed on behalf of the local governPAGE D5

foresee.

“That is for them to work out, and there are hurdles, but we think those hurdles are surmountable and this can be done,” Azar said. “We are open-minded. We are open for business.”

Three states — Colorado, Florida and Vermont — have approved legislation to import drugs and are working on proposals.

Vermont, which passed legislation to start planning the program a year ago, is still trying to find a way to ensure the safety of imported drugs and so far has identified only 17 medicines that would save enough money to be worth bringing over the border.

Those drugs include treatments for conditions including diabetes, hepatitis C, cancer and HIV/ AIDS. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted his thanks to the presi-

PH manufacturing growth improved for 3rd straight month in July

Photo shows Filipino workers at Toyota Autoparts Philippines in Santa Rosa. Manufacturing in July 2019 showed continued improvement since May. Inquirer.net file photo

A PMI score above 50 meant there was an overall increase in manufacturing activity.

“Filipino manufacturers saw lMANILA, Philippines–Manufacturing growth improved for a stronger improvement in busithe third straight month in July ness conditions in July, as sales amid higher domestic sales that growth reached a six-month high offset weak exports, the latest and enabled a solid increase in IHS Markit Philippines Manu- production. Employment and infacturing Purchasing Managers’ put purchases were also up from Index (PMI) released Thursday, June. At the same time, selling prices rose only modestly as cost August 1 showed.

The seasonally adjusted PMI pressures remained relatively further rose to 52.1 last month soft,” IHS Markit, which comfrom 51.3 in June, which global piles the monthly PMI survey dent “for supporting my efforts research firm IHS Markit said data, said in a report. to lower prescription drug costs was the strongest monthly readHowever, IHS Markit said for Floridians. You are helping ing so far this year. manufacturing growth in July Florida lead the way to make safe and affordable prescription drugs a reality.”

Trish Riley, executive director particularly in a predominantly of the National Academy for State by lIsBet K. esmael prepaid market like the PhilipHealth Policy, which is working ManilaTimes.net pines.” with states on their importation Such adoption, Fitch Ratings DESPITE the publicized efplans, said the plan to have states set up programs could take years forts of telecommunications said, may lie in the affordability to set up because of the slow fed- companies (telcos) to roll out and availability of devices, which services powered by superfast should be 5G-ready. eral rule-making process.

“Prices of 5G customerAzar did not offer any time- Fifth Generation (5G) technology frame on when a system to im- in the Philippines, Fitch Ratings premises equipment would need port drugs from Canada could be presented a bleak outlook for its to fall considerably for massmarket adoption to take place in initial adoption. in place in any states.

In a report on Tuesday night, emerging markets,” it added.

Kaiser Health News is a non“The Philippine government profit news service covering July 30 the global debt watcher health issues. It is an editorially said 5G reach in the country re- has also not formally identified independent program of the Kai- mained “uncertain,” and expect- the 5G spectrum band for telser Family Foundation, which is ed its rollout “to be limited this cos,” Fitch Ratings noted.

The report comes after one not affiliated with Kaiser Perma- year, considering the early stage of adoption and deployment, of the country’s leading telcos, nente. n

Trump administration ‘open for business’...

PAGE D2 t and that is why we are open to importation,” he added.

He acknowledged that HHS and the Food and Drug Administration have consistently said there was no way importing drugs from Canada could be done without putting patients at risk for counterfeit drugs.

“Today we are saying we are open and there is a pathway and we are laying out criteria for states, wholesale drug distributors and pharmacies to convince us they have a plan that protects the integrity of the drug supply chain.”

Canadian health officials have expressed concerns about U.S. importation, Azar said, but he added that it is up to states that want to start a program to work to overcome the obstacles, such as a lack of supply, Canadians

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 3-6, 2019 D

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

remained weaker than the average since January 2016.

As global trade tensions mainly due to the tariff “war” between the US and China continue to slow export sales, strong local demand bolstered manufacturing activity in the Philippines.

“The increase in demand was largely domestic, as latest data indicated a second successive monthly fall in new export orders. A number of firms reported a lack of orders from foreign clients, although the overall rate of decline was slightly softer than in June,” IHS Markit said. n

5G rollout in PH ‘limited’ — Fitch Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. recently introduced 5G-powered services, mainly to its home subscribers.

It made these services commercially available on Saturday in Buting village in Pasig City, offering speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and data capacity of up to 2 terabytes.

Globe aims to also offer these services in two dozen more areas, including Greenpark in Cainta town, Rizal province; Woodland Hills in Carmona town, Cavite province; and Carissa Homes 2A and 2B, Palmera Homes in San PAGE D5

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SMC bags Bulacan airport project

Artist’s perspective of the proposed Bulacan airpport.

by Richamond

meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Holdings Corp. emerged victorious as its unsolicited proposal to build a new international airport in Bulacan went unchallenged during the Swiss challenge period and supposed opening of rival bids on Wednesday, July 31.

With no offer from other parties, the New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan is all set to be granted to San Miguel.

“No one bought our bid documents. No one joined the bidding and no one submitted a comparative proposal to challenge original proponent which is San Miguel, which means we have to award the project to San Miguel,” bids and awards committee chairman and Transportation Assistant Secretary for procurement and project implementation Giovanni Lopez said.

Lopez said the DOTr is expected to issue the notice of award to San Miguel within the next five days, after which a 20-day period will start for the proponent to comply with certain conditions which include posting of a performance security and proof of commitment, among others.

The performance security may be in the form of cash (minimum of two percent of the project cost), irrevocable letter of credit (minimum of five percent of project cost), or surety bond (minimum of 10 percent of project cost).

“There are some conditions

in the notice of award which San Miguel has to comply with.

They have 20 days to do so after that we have five days to check whether they complied or not, then a formal signing of contract, then we will issue a notice to commence construction of the project,” Lopez said.

The DOTr expects the notice to proceed to be issued by the first week of September at the latest.

From the start of construction, the New Manila International Airport is seen operational within four to six years.

“In the ordinary course of things, if you follow the time period I think within the month of August or first week of September we’re done with documentation processes. Secretary Tugade wants to start the groundbreaking of the construction by the last quarter of this year,” Lopez said.

Lopez believes there is no question when it comes to the financial capabilities of San Miguel, saying that “they can really deliver as far as financial capacity is concerned.”

In a statement, San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang thanked President Duterte for bringing the historic project closer to reality.

“We share in government’s vision to make this country better, and the lives of the Filipino people better. We still have a long way to go, but with the continued support of government and everyone, we hope to get started working right away,” Ang said.

The P754 billion New Manila

5G rollout in PH ‘limited’...

PAGE D3 t Jose del Monte City, Bulacan province.

Another telco, PLDT Inc., is poised to introduce its own 5G services by early 2020, delaying its supposed fourth-quarter launch, as it is yet to identify its technology vendor.

Telco players Dito Telecommunity Corp. (formerly Mislatel Consortium) — selected by the government in November to challenge the dominance of the so-called PLDT-Globe duopoly — and NOW Telecom are also looking to launch their 5G services soon. of 100 million passengers annually, and airside facilities with a configuration of four parallel runways.

It will include the construction of an 8.4-kilometer tollway that will connect the airport to the North Luzon Expressway in Philstar.com file photo Marilao, Bulacan. n International Airport project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of an international airport located in Bulakan, Bulacan.

The airport will have a design capacity of 100 million passengers annually, and airside facilities with a configuration of four parallel runways.

It will include the construction of an 8.4-kilometer tollway that will connect the airport to the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.

Ang said the project would generate a lot of jobs and boost not just the local economies of Bulacan, but also of neighboring provinces.

He said it would also make the lives of many air passengers so much better and easier, given the existing congested state of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“From the time we first proposed to build a new international gateway, our goal was simple: Help address the perennial problem of airport congestion, which has weighed down many aspects of our lives,” Ang said.

“What we hope to build is a long-term solution--a sustainable and world-class Philippine gateway with enough runways and facilities to meet current and future needs. It is our single biggest investment in our country.

It is a landmark Filipino project that will be built at no cost to government and with no subsidies or guarantees of any kind,” he said. n

Manilatimes.net file photo

Philippines Infradev, Makati...

PAGE D3 t ment.

“It’s a joint venture agreement wherein the private proponent gets the lead and the Makati City government will take a minority role, but very significant in terms of helping up clear the spaces.

There will be a few pieces of property and the city government will help us with the right of way,” Tiu said.

Philippine Infradev, formerly IRC Properties Inc., earlier received the green light from Makati City’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Selection Committee to proceed with the subway project after the firm hurdled a 30-day competitive Swiss challenge.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, the company said it has also submitted a $350-million performance bond for the project, pav-

ing the way for the signing of the joint venture agreement.

The $3.5-billion Makati City subway, to be known as MkTr, is touted as the biggest PPP project for a local government unit. The performance bond is a pre-condition for the signing of the joint venture agreement.

The proposed subway would connect key points in Makati such as the central business district along Ayala Avenue, Makati City Hall, Poblacion Heritage Site, University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and the other new business districts within the city.

It will have up to 10 air-conditioned, underground island stations.

The system can accommodate up to six car trains, with room for over 200 persons per car, and over 700,000 passengers per day to be accommodated and served

PAGE D2 t gers. So it’s really more driven by that,” she said.

Guam is the first and only U.S. territory where Cebu Pacific flies to. It started its Manila-Guam route in March 2016.

Iyog said the Gokongweiowned carrier is not looking at flying into other U.S. destinations at the moment.

“Right now the focus is on all our existing dots in the network and where it makes sense to connect.dots that have not been connected before and add frequencies to existing services,” she said.

Early this month, Cebu Pacific launched direct flights from Manila to Shenzhen, its fifth destination in mainland China and the

by the proposed mass transport system.

The proposed intracity subway is seen complementing the mass transport projects of the national government as it would be connected to the MRT stations, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and the Pasig River ferry.

Tiu said the project would earn not so much from the transport fares – which would just be pegged at par with MRT rates – but from the retail business in the subway stations.

“We will generate more nonfare revenue from fare revenue,” Tiu said.

He said there would be a total of 32 hectares of commercial space from the whole stretch of the subway line, just for the first phase of the project alone. (With reports from Robertzon Ramirez) n

US flights not on Cebu Pacific’s radar... airline’s 27th international destination.

Iyog said the carrier would also start three new routes from Clark next month, which include direct flights to Narita in Japan.

The official said Cebu Pacific is on track of hitting its 200-millionth passenger mark by 2020 and looks at reaching the 300 million milestone by 2022. n

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