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AUGUST 9-15, 2018

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

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

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Duterte tells cops to ignore critics Obama endorses Fil-Am of drug war: Never mind the idiots TJ Cox for Congress DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Former president endorses first wave of candidates for midterms elections

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte renewed his order to the police to dismantle the drug trade in the PhilA TOTAL of 81 ippines as he assured them that they candidates for would not go to jail for doing their federal and state duty. offices got the thumbs-up by former President Barack Obama on Wednesday, August 1 in his first wave of endorsements focused on candidates across 14 different states.

Among the first wave of endorsees is Fil-Am congressional TJ Cox, candidate for California’s 21st candidate TJ Cox congressional district who is running for the California’s 21st congressional district, which includes Central Valley areas of Fres-

Duterte told the police to ignore criticisms from human rights groups who have been critical on his administration’s war on drugs.

“We protect and serve our nations.

We have to prepare the world of our descendants for tomorrow. If we cannot do something now sa drugs, your grandchildren will suffer and we would

have left a life and a nation to them that is still in shambles,” he said in his speech during the 117th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday, august 8.

The President, who said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that his war on drugs would be “relentless and chilling,” warned drug syndicates

Manny Pacquiao: ‘See you in December 2018’

10-year-old Fil-Am swimmer beats Michael Phelps’ record A YOUNG 10-year-old Fil-Am from Salinas, California may very well be on his way to becoming a future Olympic swimmer for the United States.

Clark Kent Apuada, rightly nicknamed “Superman,” swam the 100-meter butterfly event in 1:09:38 at the 2018 Speedo Long Course Far Western Championships in Moraga, California on Sunday, July 29.

His time was 1.1 seconds faster than Michael Phelps’ 1:10:48 time that was set 23 years ago in 1995 — a big accomplishment in a sport where milliseconds are closely watched.

On Twitter, Phelps — the most decorated Olympian ever — congratulated Apuada for “smashing that meet record” and encouraged Apuada to “#dreambig.”

The U.S. Olympic Team’s official Twitter handle also gave Apuada a shout out, asking if the young swimmer could be a possible “Future Phelps.” Posted with the tweet was a sideby-side photo of the two donning medals.

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Senate President Vicente Sotto III (right) hands Senate Resolution No. 788 to Senator Manny Pacquiao congratulating him for defeating World Boxing Association Welterweight Champion Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last July 15.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

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Clark Kent “Superman” Apuada sets new record at Far Western Championships

on the consequences of their illegal acts.

“If you run a billion [drug] industry in my country, I will not let it pass. It’s either you kill me or I will kill you all,” he said.

“I do not give a s*** about criticism for criticisms after all do not make a

by ABAC

CORDERO Philstar.com

DUTERTE SCOLDS ROGUE COPS. President Rodrigo Duterte vents out his anger as the scalawag police officers were presented to him in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, August 7. Duterte urged the police to keep on doing good deeds and protect the Filipino people from threat of illegal drugs and criminality despite scalawags in uniform who are hampering their efficiency. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

National ID system gets mixed reactions from citizens, sectors

MANILA — A rejuvenated Manny Pacquiao wants to return to action in December or just five months after his smashing win over Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur.

Pacquiao was out of the ring for a year since losing to Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July 2017. Then he fought Matthysse last July 15 amid serious doubts against his abilities.

But he displayed his old self to score his first knockout win in nearly a decade.

Now, the 39-year-old Pacquiao, a senator when outside the ring, wants to strike while the iron is hot, and

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by AJPRESS THE national ID system garnered mixed reactions from the general public after President Rodrigo Duterte signed its implementation into law on Monday, August 6, at Malacanang.

The law, otherwise known as the Republic Act of 11055 includes the establishment of the Philippine ID system (PhilSys), a centralized database that A Philippine Statistics Authority employee presents at the House a sample contains all the necessary and vital information of of the ID to be issued under the national ID system. the residents in the country. It will also signify a Inquirer.net photo by Jam Sta. Rosa

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Arroyo to hasten Cha-Cha

by AJPRESS

PUSHING CHARTER CHANGE. Speaker Gloria Arroyo discusses a point before stopping the Committee on Constitutional Amendments from deliberating on proposals to amend the constitution. To her right is former senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel, a member of the Consultative Committee that drafted the proposed federal constitution.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday, August 7, sought the urgent amendment of the 1987 Constitution as she called for the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene into a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss).

In a report from The Manila Times, Arroyo filed House Resolution No. 2056 that pushes for the two chambers to convene but permits the House and the Senate to vote separately.

“It appears from media reports that the Senate has taken the position that the manner of voting in a constituent assembly that would propose amendments to, or revi-

sion of, the 1987 Constitution under Section 1, Paragraph 1 of Article XVII, must be done separately... the House of Representatives is taking the same position of the Senate thereon,” Arroyo said in the resolution.

The Amendments and Revisions part in the Charter clearly states that any proposed changes must be done by either the Congress with three-fourths of its members or a constitutional convention.

The Constitution did not mention whether the House and the Senate should have a joint or separate voting in proposing its amendments.

Arroyo’s resolution trumped former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’ draft that proposes the two chambers to vote jointly.

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President Rodrigo Duterte fired on Tuesday, August 7 the entire management and board of directors of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF). The NPF officials were sacked for allegedly approving a long-term lease contract with Hong Kong-based Landing International Development Ltd. that the President found “grossly disadvantageous to the government.

Inquirer.net photo

Duterte vows no new casinos in PH as he slams Nayong Pilipino board

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday assailed the Nayong Pilipino Foundation board for entering into a long-term lease contract with a casino investor and stressed that he is against gambling.

“Yesterday, I fired the council of Nayong Pilipino.

All of them. All of them. You don’t give gambling license or franchises for 75 years,” Duterte said during the 117th Police Service anniversary in Camp Crame. “(If) the child is born today, 75 years later, he is that old, there will still be gambling in this city. I will

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august 9-15, 2018 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL

Obama endorses Fil-Am TJ Cox...

PAGE A1

no County, Kern County, Kings County, and Tulare County. “I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates — leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent,� said Obama. “I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity, re-

pairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law,� he added. “But first, they need our votes.�

Included in the list shared widely on Twitter are five gubernatorial candidates, 40 state legislative candidates, several candidates running for secretary of state and attorney general, plus a

From The FronT Page

few others.

While Obama gave endorsements for 22 House candidates, Rep. Jacky Rosen of Nevada’s race against GOP Sen. Dean Heller was the only Senate race endorsed in the list. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein got her endorsement by Obama back in May. Of the gubernatorial candidates are: Gavin Newsom in California, Jared Polls in Colorado, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, J.B. Pritzker in Illinois, and Richard Cordray in Ohio.

Abrams is one of the 48 women endorsees — a group that makes up over half of the total candidates on the list. She would also become the first female African American governor in U.S. history, if elected.

For congressional races, among the endorsees are Harley Rouda for CA-48, Josh Harder for CA-10, Katie Hill for CA-25, Katie Porter for CA-45, Mike Levin for CA-49, Ammar Campa-Najjar for CA-50, and Fil-Am TJ Cox for CA-21.

Born in Walnut Creek, California to immigrant parents — his mother Perla De Castro from the Philippines, and half-Chinese father from China — Cox is among several congressional Filipino candidates who advanced to California’s general elections.

Like the other endorsed candidates, Cox thanked Obama on Twitter, adding, “let’s take back #CA21 and #FlipTheHouse!�

While Obama did hint possible endorsements after his “first wave� list, many were quick to notice names that were not included.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who took a big win over House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley during New York’s Democratic primary, for instance, was absent from the list.

So was Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who has increasingly been picking up gain against Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

November midterm elections less than 100 days away Most of the midterm elections will take place on November 6, and Obama’s endorsements come as Democrats hope to win control of both the House and the Senate which could ultimately give the party more power to investigate matters of the current administration.

Currently, Republicans con-

RUSHING COMMUTERS. Commuters during rush hours usually walk on every space they find, like in Litex Commonwealth on Monday, August 6, where they usually occupy two lanes of the national highway, resulting in traffic congestion.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Duterte tells cops to ignore...

PAGE A1 country progress and develop,� he added, citing that some of the criticisms hurled against him were politically motivated. “[T]hey cannot accept defeat,� he said.

Duterte assured the police with his oft-repeated statement that he would not allow them to go to jail. “Never mind the idiots about the human rights, they cannot help you. But I will be here — I will — as a President, I will never allow you to go to jail,� he said. “Just do your duty, wala kay-

ong isipin. I will provide the lawyer for you,� he added.

Lame duck president Duterte claimed he was a “lame duck’ President who doesn’t care about the critics “screaming� against his war on drugs and unconventional anti-criminality campaign.

He cited how criminals and drug addicts have killed innocent individuals, including “pregnant prosecutors,� but said the human rights groups “never raise hell.� “But when you kill a criminal, a drug addict, a pusher, a drug lord, they come screaming. So I

asked them, “Sino ba ang niloloko ninyo?� You threaten me with an ICC [International Criminal Court] case,� he said. “Look, I have hit the firewall. I cannot run again. For all intents and purposes, actually, I am a lame duck president. If you are talking about politics, okay. I will not interfere anyway because after this, I cannot even run for a barangay captain. � he said.

A complaint has been filed before Duterte at the ICC for the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, stemming from his no-nonsense war on drugs. n

Manny Pacquiao: ‘See you in December...

PAGE A1 boost his stock as a boxer. “December,� he told The Star.

The new WBA welterweight champion is looking at Dec. 2 as the date of his next fight, against an opponent that he and his team has yet to choose. “Wala pa (There’s none yet).

Hahanap pa lang (We’re still looking),� he said on the phone.

Again, he will manage his own fight.

There are a handful of names to choose from, each one bigger fight than Matthysse, and one that should generate greater interest than his last fight.

PAGE A4 Heading the list are Bob Arum’s

Vasyl Lomachanko, the WBA lightweight champion, and Terence Crawford, the undefeated WBO welterweight king.

Then there’s Amir Khan, a former sparring partner of Pacquiao, or longshot Mike Garcia.

Someone had suggested Pacquiao fighting Khan, the British idol, at Wembley Stadium in London, before 100,000 fans. But there’s one thing standing in the way of that proposal. “The problem with London because I’ve been there is that their tax rate is worse than America,�

Pacquiao’s ring adviser, Mike Koncz, told The Star.

Koncz said tax rates in the

United Kingdom for a world title fight is pegged at a staggering 40 percent. “Today’s tax in the UK is 40 percent. In the U.S. Manny is in the 39 percent bracket,� he said. “In the UK it will be 40 and on top of that there’ll be some athletic tax or whatever they call. Do you want to risk your life and give almost 50 percent away?� said Koncz.

Pacquiao can fight anywhere he wants to fight, even in the United States despite his tax woes. He can fight in the Middle East or in Asia. “Wala pa din (None yet either),� he said of the venue. n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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‘I cannot go to America’ - Duterte

by AJPRESS DESPITE previous remarks stating a visit to the United States was dependent on scheduling, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he cannot go to the country because of the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines associated with his administration.

“I cannot go to America, I am not sure America would be ready for that. The past Congress (had to) ask for permission to go to war,” Duterte said in a speech this week.

In his speech at the joint 68th

National Security Council (NSC) and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) founding anniversary in the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Duterte noted that the firearms deal with an American firm was canceled.

According to a report from the Philippine Star, the U.S. State Department stopped the sale of around 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police (PNP), following Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin’s concerns over the human rights violations under Duterte.

During former President Barack Obama’s term, he was vo-

Duterte noted that a firearms deal with an American firm was canceled because of protests over the deaths tied to his war on illegal drugs.

Malacañang file photo

cal about Duterte’s war on drugs, prompting Duterte to lash out against the U.S. government.

With President Donald Trump, however, Duterte has seemingly warmed up to the U.S. “He (Trump) is my friend and of course I have been invited to the United States several times, but you know, it’s not because of anybody or any place there, it has something to do with the schedule,” Duterte said in a speech in during the Asia Pacific Health Islands Conference in Davao City on July 25.

In the same speech this week, Duterte also called out Canada for backing out of a $233-million helicopter deal because the country thought his administration would use it “against the civilians.”

He concluded by pushing officials to ensure a safer country for the next generation.

“We will see to it that the nation that we hand over to the next generation of Filipinos is one that is more stable, harmonious and progressive. Together, let us continue to make great strides as we collectively bring out our countries toward— our country towards a safer and brighter tomorrow,” Duterte said. ■

Napoles daughter back from Indonesia, to face US cases

by ELIZABETH

MARCELO Philstar.com

MANILA — Jeane Catherine Napoles, the youngest daughter of detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, returned to the Philippines on Friday, August 3, one of the family lawyers said.

“Jeane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at exactly 3:35 a.m. on Friday. I personally fetched her for the reason that the family is concerned of any eventuality in light of her recent indictment in the U.S.,” counsel Ian Encarnacion told The Star.

On Friday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told the media that Jeane Catherine left the Philippines on July 27 based on records of the Bureau of Immigration.

Guevarra, however, said he had no knowledge of where Jeane was heading.

Jeane’s departure from the Philippines came days before the US Department of Justice announced on Wednesday her indictment by

a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit money laundering, domestic money laundering and international money laundering concerning the wealth that her mother supposedly amassed from the pork barrel fund scam.

Also indicted by the jury were Napoles, her two other children Jo Christine and James Christopher and her brother Reynaldo Lim and his wife Ana Marie.

Guevarra said that aside from Jeane, all the other indicted members of the Napoles family are still in the Philippines.

Encarnacion confirmed Jeane left for Indonesia on July 27, but stressed that the trip had no connection with her recent indictment.

“It was a purely business trip.

She sourced raw materials for a clothing business of a friend. The flight was booked sometime in June when we had no knowledge yet of any indictment,” Encarnacion said.

Encarnacion said Jeane’s return on Friday was also scheduled and

Jeane Catherine Napoles Philstar.com photo

not out of fear that she might get arrested on foreign soil.

“She is ready to face the cases against her. We will exhaust all legal remedies available to prevent her possible extradition to the U.S. We maintain her innocence and we look forward to having these cases dismissed,” Encarnacion said.

Justice Secretary Guevarra confirmed Jeane Catherine returned to the country last Friday.

“She flew back from Denpasar, Indonesia via Zest Air,” Guevarra said.

Jeane Catherine has no pending

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SAMPLE WATER FROM MANILA BAY. Senator Richard Gordon (left) prepares to drink water from a mobile desalination equipment donated by internet firm Pass It Forward and the Embassy of Israel to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) during a turn-over ceremony on Wednesday, August 8. With Gordon, who is also PRC chairman, are Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau (middle) and Pass It Forward CEO Shmuel Weiss (right). Called the Gal Mobile, the water purification vehicle is capable of purifying up to 20,000 liters of sea water and 80,000 liters of brackish, contaminated river water a day, eventually converting it to potable water.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

National ID system gets mixed reactions...

PAGE A1 unified and streamlined identification system for every citizen.

Supporters of the said law praised the initiative stating that a national ID will expedite government processes and basic services and will also put an end to bureaucratic red tape. However, those in opposition expressed concern with the privacy issues it might entail.

In a report from Inquirer, among those who support the law were Catholic leaders, law enforcers, and public officials while those who do not agree with the law’s provisions were human rights groups.

Church leaders, law enforcers and public officials pro-PhilSys Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People Head Bishop Ruperto Santos said that the law would benefit Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and will protect them against bribery and red tape.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said that the law will inhibit criminal activities since falsification of identities would be more difficult.

“We believe it will promote a peaceful and secure environment where terrorists, criminals, and

other unscrupulous individuals will have difficulty coping to pursue their evil designs and nefarious activities,” Arevalo said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also lauded the implementation of the national ID system saying that its benefits offset its issues regarding privacy.

In a report from the Philippine Star, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia claimed that PhilSys is aligned with the government’s obligation to provide legal identification.

Members of the House also applauded the said law. Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III, and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu all positively noted that a national ID would ensure a more efficient transaction.

Karapatan and CPU question possible privacy breach Karapatan, a human rights group, voiced their objection with the said law noting that PhilSys would be a wholesale violation of laws under the current administration.

Another sector opposing PhilSys is the Computer Professionals Union (CPU), a non-government organization (NGO) composed of information technology (IT) experts. In a press statement

posted on their Facebook page, they amplified their concern with the ‘record history’ that specifies where the ID was used in both public and private transactions.

“This will act as a virtual tracker for holders of the ID card, and a treasure trove for data-hungry individuals and entities such as data brokers, employers, landlords, credit agencies, mortgage brokers, direct mailers, civil litigants, hackers, and even the government.” CPU wrote.

The organization also warned the public of the future danger it might result in, citing the previous issue involving Facebook-Cambridge Analytica.

“While the law repeatedly states that the National ID shall only be used as a proof of identity, it is not far-fetched that in the future such data will be used for purposes other than stated in the law - especially as data is becoming a very lucrative venture that earns billions for the private sector,” they added.

In line with the CPU’s concern, National Privacy Commission (NPC) commissioner Raymund Liboro ensured the public that the NPC will work with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in addressing the privacy risks that come with the fusion of data and compilation of transaction histories. ■

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Duterte vows no new casinos in PH as he...

PAGE A1

not allow it. I hate gambling. I do not want it,” he added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday said Duterte has voiced during Monday’s Cabinet meeting his “exasperation” that the NPF had entered into a lease deal with Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. that was “grossly disadvantageous” to the government.

Aside from the firing of the NPF’s entire board, Duterte also

ordered a review of the contract of lease with LRPDC. The NPF has said the term of the lease for the project is for 25 years and not 75 years.

LRPDC, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s Landing International Development Ltd., has a provisional license to operate a casino issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The casino is a component of Landing Philippines’ tourism project with the NPF. The project will be developed on land owned

by NPF and has an investment commitment of $1.5 billion, according to a PAGCOR press statement.

Duterte on Wednesday reiterated that no casinos would be constructed “outside of what was existing.” He said investors should just use their money on “more enticing” endeavors.

“I’m not granting anything as long as it’s about gambling.

I don’t want it,” the president added. (Alexis Romero/Philstar. com)

Arroyo to hasten...

PAGE A1 Such resolution would render the Senate votes insignificant because they only have 24 senators while the House has 297 representatives.

The current administration discusses the possibility of establishing a federal government wherein regions/federal states will have authority over their own resources including generating their taxes.

Under a federal government, 80 percent to 85 percent of the taxes will be remitted to the federal states while 20 percent to 15 percent will be issued to the national government through the Internal Revenue Allotment.

Arroyo is adamant to let the constitutional assembly discuss the federal charter together.

Senators’ sentiments on charter change Despite Arroyo’s push for a separate voting, some senators were not in favor of any attempts to revise the Constitution.

Senator Panfilo Lacson voiced out his disapproval stating that any measure that calls for a constitutional amendment will be cremated in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon told the House to give up on creating a constitutional assembly noting that the proposals for a charter change are tainted by mistrust. He mentioned that this is due to Alvarez’ draft for joint voting and a no election scenario.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III supported Arroyo’s resolution saying that it is in accordance with what the Senate pushes for.

He even ensured that the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes will review the resolution once they acquire a copy of it. n

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HOUSE MINORITY LEADER. Lawmakers Congratulate Rep. Danilo Suarez after he was confirmed as the House minority leader on Tuesday, August 7. The House of Representatives defied its own rules and kept as minority leader via a viva voce (voice) vote on Tuesday. Some lawmakers called Suarez’s election a “sham.” House majority leader Rolando Andaya Jr. moved to end the period on debates on which group should be considered the minority bloc, and ultimately recognized Suarez as the minority leader. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

PH-China gas search gets Duterte nudge

by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved in principle the creation of a high-level working group tasked to formulate a framework for a planned oil and gas exploration and development with China in the contested areas of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea or WPS), Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Tuesday.

According to Cayetano, the President gave his approval during their meeting on Monday night and, if everything goes well, there is a big possibility that the Philippines and China could come up with a framework agreement by September.

“China is also ready [with its]working group and as soon as both sides have working groups, we could start talking,” he told reporters in a news briefing in

Taguig City.

The Foreign Affairs secretary earlier said China has expressed its openness to a 60-40 split on the joint exploration in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Cayetano, however, declined to give more details about the planned agreement but he noted that the working group would be composed of officials from the Cabinet level, including the Departments of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Defense, Interior and Local Government and Justice, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and National Security Agency.

These agencies, he said, could provide expert inputs on environmental, energy, security and legal issues.

“The working group will also advise us and help us in negotiations,” Cayetano added.

He said he wants the joint explo-

ration to begin as soon as possible because of some factors that could have serious impact if the project is delayed.

If the agreement would be made on the fifth year (2021) of the Duterte administration, Cayetano said, there is a big chance that one side, or both sides, of the commercial venture would wait for the next administration rather than proceed with the project.

Another reason is that the Malampaya gas field is expected to run out by 2024 and, because it provides 45 percent of Luzon’s power requirements, the country would need to find new sources before that happens.

“For us, it is an urgent need and could benefit all Filipinos. I want to work double time on it and I am hoping that our side of the working group can do a lot this August and then try to hit September or October,” Cayetano said. n

Napoles daughter back from Indonesia...

PAGE A3 cases in the Philippines following the Court of Tax Appeals’ dismissal of her P17.46-million tax evasion cases in December last year.

Encarnacion also revealed that he and some other lawyers were on the way to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to meet with Napoles and the other members of the family.

“We will be having initial discussions on our legal strategy, on how we will go about these new cases and the possibility of extradition,” Encarnacion said but refused to elaborate.

Napoles is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on five counts of plunder and multiple counts of graft and malversation pending before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

Jo Christine and James Christopher are also facing graft and malversation cases at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork scam but they are currently out on bail.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang earlier said they have jurisdiction over the Napoles family members facing cases at the anti-graft court.

This means their extradition may only come after the cases are resolved.

When asked if the Sandigan-

bayan can temporarily relinquish its jurisdiction over the Napoleses in light of an existing Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the Philippines and the U.S., Tang said: “That is something that has to be studied. There is no SC (Supreme Court) decision yet on that issue that can guide us.”

On the possibility that Napoles would be extradited, Guevarra said the DOJ would provide security for whistle-blower Benhur Luy if he would have to give his testimony before the U.S. courts.

“If he’s requested to testify by U.S. prosecutors, we can make the proper security arrangements,” Guevarra said.

Another option is for the prosecutors from the U.S. government to come to the Philippines to personally get Luy’s sworn statement.

“U.S. prosecutors may simply take his deposition in the Philippines in the presence of defense counsel,” Guevarra added.

Luy had testified that he sent government funds to the alleged accounts of Napoles in the US. He said public funds from former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. reportedly went to the implementing agencies while some were wired to the U.S. In its statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. justice department said that based on investigation, Napoles had some $20

million she had amassed from the pork barrel fund scam transmitted to her US bank accounts. The amount was used for the purchase of assets including real estate and dozens of luxury vehicles.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said Napoles and her family members attempted to quietly liquidate their assets in the U.S. and secretly repatriate most of the resulting funds back to the Philippines and to other accounts in the U.S. and the United Kingdom when the issue came to light in the media.

It also said part of the amount was withdrawn and used to finance the lifestyle and open a fashion business for Jeane Catherine.

Napoles, the report added, had also used the money for her real estate binge, purchase of shares in numerous businesses and for financing the lifestyle of her other family members.

It was reported that in 2015, the U.S. government won a court order to freeze the $12.5 million worth of assets bought by Napoles and others using the alleged stolen funds.

The DOJ had earlier turned down Napoles’ application for witness protection in her bid to be a state witness in the pork scam.

(Evelyn Macairan/Philstar.com)

10-year-old Fil-Am swimmer...

PAGE A1 Responding to the question, replies overwhelmingly seemed to say yes, with people also saying “records are meant to be broken.”

Aside from his record breaking time, Apuada took first place in almost all of his 10-and-under events at the meet including the 50-meter fly, 50-meter free, 100meter free, 100-meter backstroke, and 50-meter backstroke.

To the Asian Journal, Apuada’s parents Cynthia and Chris said they were elated and overjoyed upon hearing the announcement of his record breaking swim.

“We prayed and thanked God the moment we saw he got his best time,” they told the Asian Journal on Messenger, adding that they have yet to have a full celebration.

Apuada’s parents said they began to notice his interest in swim-

ming when he was just six years old. Apuada himself made a list of swim clubs in the area to join. His mother told the Huffington Post that Apuada would memorize the records set by other swimmers.

“He’s the one who said, ‘Look, Mom, Michael Phelps has a record in the Far Western. I can beat that,’” his mother told the Huffington Post.

The young swimmer does have his eyes set on the Olympics, possibly Paris 2024, or Los Angeles 2028 — a goal his coach Travis Rianda is fully aware of. But the goal comes in addition to two other things.

“It’s the coolest thing in the world because that’s all he talked about,” Rianda told CBS. “It wasn’t like, ‘I want to be better than Michael Phelps’ or anything like that. His first goals were, ‘I want to be a scientist, an Olympic gold medal-

Clark Kent Apuada Photo from Facebook/Salinas Aquatic Center MCAT

ist for the United States and I want to be a black belt.’ He’s on track for all three of those,” Rianda added.

Phelps was only 15 when he joined the Olympics and has garnered a total of 28 medals in his Olympic career. n

Obama endorses Fil-Am TJ Cox...

PAGE A2 trol the House with 33 governor seats compared to 16 held

by Democrats. Democrats who would have to flip a net of 23 seats to win control.

Of the 35 Senate seats up for grabs this election, 24 are currently held by Democrats, two by Democrat-leaning Independents, and nine by Republicans. There, Democrats would have to hold on to all of its seats plus the Independent seats, and gain two or three Republican seats. Six of those seats are in states where Trump won by large numbers during the

2016 presidential election.

Obama, has kept a low profile since leaving the White House with the exception of private political events and fundraisers. His first major address since leaving the White House barely came in July of this year when he warned in his speech in South Africa of “strongman politics” which many understood to be partly directed at current President Donald Trump.

Reuters reported that Obama pledged to be active on the campaign road ahead, putting him squarely against Trump who also

has already been actively campaigning.

Among Trump’s most recent endorsees are Senate contender John James of Michigan , Troy Balderson for Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, and Congressman David Kustoff of Tennessee’s 8th District.

According to a Pew Research Center survey in July, 31 percent of respondents said Obama had has done the best job as a U.S. president during his lifetime, compared to Trump who received 10 percent of respondents saying so. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 9-15, 2018

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

A

Dateline PEconomic hiliPPines managers warn of federalism rush’s fiscal risks

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar revealed that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea got angry upon hearing that Uson would help spread information about federalism and Charter change.

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

Malacanang ‘cool’ on Mocha’s federalism video

by AJPress FOLLOWING the viral federalism video of Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO)’s Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with Drew Olivar, officials were quick to comment on the said video.

In a report from The Manila Times, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that President Rodrigo Duterte was ‘cool’ with the said video. Roque noted that the leader treated it as a form of ‘ freedom of expression’. “[The video] was shown to him.

He was not laughing, he was cool.

It was freedom of expression. He is a strong believer of freedom of expression, that’s why he likes cursing.” Roque stated.

The president, according to Roque, agreed on the seriousness of charter change. However, Uson’s video was not considered a “big thing” to Duterte.

“I guess what the president said was let it be, but there is, of course, formal dissemination

as far as the work output of the ConCom is concerned,” Roque added.

Roque also noted that jingles, comic books, and advertisements were other ways that Uson could have used to educate Filipinos about federalism.

“The work of Mocha Uson can’t be a substitute honest-to-goodness dissemination… He would want a more rational approach to the dissemination,” Roque said.

In a report from Inquirer, Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Harold Clavite urged Uson to take a leave of absence in order to “reflect on these matters.”

Clavite also noted in his Facebook post that “a public apology from the PCOO official is paramount.”

“This is not only a seeming insult to our profession in communication and public information but also degrading to the women and mothers in our communities,” Clavite said.

Clavite also called out Uson stating that since her appoint-

ment, she had exercised lack of judgment and have maligned their profession as government communicators.

“As a public servant and being part of the PCOO family, I take great offense in Ms. Uson’s actions, which continuously damage the rectitude of my communication and public information agenda. I can no longer let her obscure and vilify my honest work in helping the President, this government, and this country, as well as the efforts that we have painstakingly and patiently put into place under my leadership in PIA for the past two years.”

Clavite wrote.

He ended his post urging the public to “speak up and hold erring officials accountable for repeatedly tarnishing the reputation of the government.”

In his defense, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said that he was bypassed this time by Consultative Committee (Con-Com) spokesman Ding Generoso and that there was no “go-signal” from the PCOO office. n

Cayetano open to ‘debate’ on West Philippine Sea

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — While urging former President Benigno Aquino III to join public discussions on the West Philippine Sea dispute, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that he is also open to discussions on the issue.

Aquino and Cayetano have been engaged in a word war for the past week when the former challenged the latter to be transparent on his politics.

“I’m also ready anytime, any place, if you would like a one-onone debate. If you’d like to bring (former Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Albert) Del Rosario or Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes, it shouldn’t even be a debate, it should be a discussion,” Cayetano said in a press briefing in Taguig City on Tuesday, August 7.

Cayetano stressed that Aquino should also attend hearings and to testify on what really transpired during the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff.

The DFA chief, however, acknowledged that the Aquino administration also did “a lot of good things, even some great things.”

“Having said that, his administration was not infallible. They did mistakes and rather than just keep saying the policy is wrong, it’s easy to say that our policy is wrong but you have to understand first — what was the take off point of the Duterte administration’s policy,” Cayetano said.

He reiterated that the Philippines lost control over Scar-

borough Shoal under Aquino’s presidency and insisted that there were no complete records of what transpired during the standoff with China in 2012.

Cayetano, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo Partylist) for their statements on the possible joint exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea. Carpio earlier told the government to make sure that the country’s sovereignty would not be compromised in the proposed 60-40 sharing scheme with Beijing.

“As long as the joint development complies with the Philippine Constitution and there is no waiver of our sovereign rights under the arbitral ruling, I have no objection,” Carpio said.

Alejano, on the other hand, warned that a joint exploration with Beijing would solidify its claim on the contested waterway.

“Just because the Philippines will presumably take a larger share given the 60-40 scheme being proposed, does not guarantee that we are going to be on the winning end,” Alejano said.

Cayetano assured Carpio and Alejano that any agreement with Beijing would be in accordance with the Philippine Constitution.

“We cannot come up with any agreement that is unconstitutional. That just cannot be done,” Cayetano said.

He added that standard contracts in the oil and gas industry

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Philstar.com photo

are 50-50 sharing scheme but the Philippines’ starting point would be the Malampaya project. The Duterte administration is seeking for a better agreement than Malampaya.

Going back to Aquino, Cayetano clarified that he did not mean to disprespect the former president and urged him once again to answer his questions.

“It’s a disservice to the Filipino people to just say, ‘Google it,’” Cayetano said.

Cayetano blamed Aquino for starting their argument, claiming that it was the latter who first said in an interview that the DFA chief’s politics should be “transparent as his hairstyle.”

Aquino, however, was only responding to Cayetano’s earlier question on Del Rosario’s transparency during the previous administration’s negotiations with China following the Scarborough Shoal standoff. n

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QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: From Monday, August, 6, 2018 through, Questions shall be submitted in writing to Monday, August 27, 2018 at 12:00noon (PST) devmod@snvrha.org PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DEADLINE AND Tuesday, September 4, 2018* at 10:00am RETURN 367 DW WKH 615+$ 'HY 0RG 2I¿FH 340 N. 11th Street, Suite 150, LV, NV 89101 *(The “hard copy” proposal must be received in-hand and time-stamped by the SNRHA by no later than 10:00 a.m. on this date).

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MANILA — Two of the Philippines’ economic managers on Tuesday, August 7, warned against rushing into the planned shift to a federal form of government, which some say could have negative implications for the country’s public finances.

In hundreds of hours of speeches, President Rodrigo Duterte has boldly declared the Philippines must overhaul the 1987 Constitution and shift to a federal system of government to address the country’s widening wealth gap and empower regional governments.

Duterte last month approved the draft federal constitution crafted by a consultative committee or Con-Com. The charter reviewers, whom Duterte appointed, proposed that federated regions be given a share of not less than 50 percent of all national taxes.

But in a recent television interview, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia stressed that while federalism could unlock economic benefits, it could also spell disaster for some regions not prepared for such a transition and “wreak havoc” on the country’s balance sheet.

At a Senate hearing, Pernia made it clear that his remarks were his “personal opinion.”

“I spoke rather liberally as an academic... As I said, I do not object. I was just pointing out that the rush is not good. It’s not good to rush into this,” Pernia said.

For his part, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told senators that while the Duterte administration’s economic team has no official position yet regarding federalism, he agrees with Pernia on the potential fiscal risks of the proposed change in form of government.

“If we don’t manage this correctly, this can end up to be a fiscal nightmare. So I think the legislature, in its wisdom, can sort those issues out,” Dominguez said. “I’m happy that it is being discussed now because the original draft, for me, from a fiscal point of view leaves much to be desired.”

The finance chief then recalled his recent meeting with members of Con-Com where he highlighted his concerns on the draft federal charter from a fiscal point-ofview.

“Number one, during a meeting with some members of the commission, I asked them, ‘who is going to pay for the national debt? Who is going to pay for the military? Who is going to pay for the [Department of Foreign Affairs] and the central bank? I mean if it needs additional capital, who is going to put it up?’

Atty. Kimberley Schaefer

And their response was, ‘the sharing with the local governments or the states will be after those expenses,’” he said.

“But I said: ‘You know, when I read the draft, it doesn’t say so there. It just says 50 percent.’ So I said: ‘You know, that’s what you say but how come it’s not in the PAGE A8

Atty. Moonee Lee

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AUGUST 9-15, 2018 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

A national ID

FEATURES

BRUSHING aside privacy concerns, President Rodrigo Duterte has put in place the national identification system. In signing the new law, the president called for public support for a measure that he said would cut red tape and reduce corruption and fraudulent transactions. The new law is also seen to strengthen the campaign against criminality and terrorism.

With the signing of the Philippine National Identification System Act, every Filipino must register for a physical national ID or PhilID and obtain a unique, randomly generated permanent ID number or Common Reference Number.

Information contained in the PhilID will include biometrics. A history of transactions made by the ID holder, such as travels by air or water as well as claims made with government agencies, will also be recorded. This has raised concern among certain sectors over privacy intrusions and data breaches, but lawmakers have reassured the public that there are enough safeguards designed into the law.

For others, the bigger concern is the efficient rollout of the IDs. With the PhilID, Filipinos need only a passport and driver’s license as separate government identification documents. There was a

long wait, however, for the release of driver’s license cards. This was a nuisance for those who needed to use the driver’s license as the government document in obtaining certain goods or services such as in buying international plane tickets or getting a security clearance. Biometrics were also taken for voter’s ID cards several years ago, many of which were never delivered.

Authorities must also make sure that fears over data breaches and identity theft will prove unfounded. The new ID system, as the President stressed, is also a tool for fighting criminality and terrorism. But the system must be protected against breaches of its integrity. This is the first time that a national ID system is being implemented in this country. Those in charge of the rollout must see to it that any birth pains and glitches will be minimal. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS DID PRESIDENT Donald Trump just hand Special Counsel Robert Mueller an admission that indeed, his campaign sought to get Russia’s help to get dirt on Hillary Clinton in order to win the 2016 U.S. presidential election?

On Sunday, August 5, Trump tweeted: “Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!”

This is after layers of lies he and his administration have fabricated on several contacts made with Russians that have evolved and contradicted each other.

The particular private meeting President Trump tweeted about was arranged by Trump’s eldest son Donald Jr. with a Russian lawyer connected to the Kremlin on June 9, 2016 at Trump Tower in Manhattan — two weeks after the real estate mogul/reality star clinched the Republican nomination. Donald Jr. was excited and enticed to move forward after he

PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (Part 1 of 2)

WE had a three-week gruelling journey for an 81-year-old through Southeast Asia (Cambodia), South Asia (Nepal), and the Middle East (Iran and Qatar), with about two-hour stop-overs in airports in Bangkok, Doha, and Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon).

We were joined on the last leg by wife, Gina (former President of the Congressional Women’s Association), to serve as international observers to monitor the Cambodian parliamentary elections and a visit with the seriously injured (from a car accident) former Premier-Prince Norodom Ranariddh of Cambodia, older half-brother of the current younger King Norodom Sihamoni, both sons of the legendary King, our late friend Norodom Sihanouk.

The tentative Cambodian election results indicate a major win for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Election observers from Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and a small number from the U.S. said the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) perhaps made the miscalculation of boycotting the elections when they could have perhaps

Philstar.com photo

‘Collusion’ alert: Did Trump just admit his campaign sought Russia’s help to win the 2016 US presidential election? was promised “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

Also in attendance among members of the Trump’s campaign were Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Their version of the truth evolved from the meeting never happened to the meeting was all about the Russian adoption program after the New York Times contacted the campaign with information about it. The statement released by Donald Jr. and Kushner, however, did not mention anything about discussions with reference to the campaign.

In his statement as reported by the New York Times, Donald Trump Jr. said: “It was a short introductory meeting. I asked Jared and Paul to stop by. We primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children that was active and popular with American families years ago and was since ended by the Russian government, but it was not a campaign issue at the time and there was no follow-up.”

He added: “I was asked to attend the meeting by an acquaintance, but was not told the name of the person I would be meeting

with beforehand.”

However, the “version of the truth” about the true objective of the meeting again evolved a few days later when The Times published emails between Donald Trump Jr. and Rob Goldstone, a British-born former tabloid reporter and entertainment publicist who helped arrange it. Mr. Goldstone said he had “something very interesting” — sensitive information that “is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”

The White House was then still holding on to the “adoption” “version of the truth” when President Trump surprised everyone with a revealing tweet on July 17, 2017, saying: “Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That’s politics!”

Trump then intensified his attack against the media reporting on these exposes that made them change their narrative of what transpired during the meeting, and as the Mueller probe of the alleged collusion progressed to include indictments and guilty plea from Russian officials and some members of his campaign,

he started vilifying and undermining the Mueller investigation calling it a “witch hunt”.

The president of the United States even chose to believe Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denial that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections by cyber attacks and continue to assail our democratic institutions and processes to continue creating discord and chaos in the country and in our relations with our allies — a fact that has been revealed by the U.S. intelligence agencies.

He went on to change his narrative again to say there is no such crime as “collusion”, but claimed he did nothing wrong. However, he remained elusive in agreeing to sit down for an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

As the Mueller probe gathers more evidence testimonies, including a claim by Trump’s former attorney/fixer Michael Cohen alleging that Trump knew about the meeting in Trump Tower, Trump intensified his rant on Twitter, claiming that Don Jr.’s meeting with the Russian in Trump Tower” was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere.

I did not know about it!”

Trump must either be ignorant of the law or ill-advised to state this claim, because what his son did was against the law, according to Title 52 Section 30121 of the U.S. Code which says,”It shall be unlawful for a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make a contribution donation money or other thing of value in connection with a federal, state, or local election, or for a person to solicit, accept, or receive contribution or donation described above from a foreign national.”

Analysts say, soliciting information like “hacked email” or dirt on an opponent from a foreign government— and an adversary at that like Russia, is a clear violation of the U.S. Code. It need not produce any results to be a crime — the mere attempt to do it is already a violation. Don Jr., with his email exchanges agreeing to meet with Russian lawyer who promises dirt on Clinton must then be in legal trouble.

BUT he is not alone. What about President Trump? Mueller has reportedly been examining all his tweets and actions during the campaign and after he was elected president.

When did Trump find out about the meeting? Did he dictate the press statement lying about the true reason for the meeting? Did the “blocked call” Don Jr made as gathered by investigators a secret call made to Trump? Why did Trump announce he was giving a major speech that would reveal about the wrongdoings of Clinton just a few days before the meeting in Trump Tower?

Why did he fire FBI Director James Comey? Why did he lash out at Attorney General Jeff Sessions when he recused himself from the Russia probe? Why did he tweet about Sessions having to STOP the Russia probe? Why couldn’t he stand up to Putin to defend the United States against Russia’s assault in our democracy?

Why so many lies, misrepresentations, denials, falsehoods, and cover up? What is Trump hiding? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Victory in Cambodia polls and need for unity gov’t, 4 premiers unite in Nepal, middle class Filipinos in US achieved appreciable results as in the last elections in 2013.

It is uncontested that the longserving Hun Sen is regarded as a strong leader, responsible for insuring the country’s stability, considering Cambodia’s recent history of a most violent civil war, Vietnamese occupation, and the bloody Khmer Rouge rule which killed more than 2-million Cambodian civilians.

Among international observers who proposed economic diversification and more political inclusion in Cambodia were Nepal’s former Premier Madhav Nepal, former Minister Ek Nath Dhakal, former Iran Vice-President and Energy Minister Hassan Ghafoori Fard, former Minister, now in the Thai opposition and current Vice-Chairman of the Asia-Europe Political Forum, Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, Turkey civil society leader Ms. Gozde Dizdar, Indonesian former Parliament Speaker Agung Laksono, former Air Marshal Pieter Wattimena, Parliamentarian Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, and Indian ruling party official V.J. Jolly.

Nonetheless, we in the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), composed of more than 300 ruling, opposition, and independent

parties in Asia and officials of the Centrist Democrats International (CDI) based in Belgium, the latter, led by the eminent former Colombian President Andres Pastrana, could only hope that Premier Hun Sen, perhaps in the final term of his rule, could invite elements of the opposition, including those living abroad to come home and join a genuine Government of National Unity.

This will further sustain and enlarge the credible economic and social growth of Cambodia, estimated by the Asian Development Bank at 7.1 percent, among the highest in Asia including the muscular performance in the construction, tourism, agriculture, and garments sectors and the further surprise diversification to electronics and auto parts.

On our first three days in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Himalayas, at the foothills of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, we had the lucky fortune of conferring at the same time, with our old friends, Nepal’s current twotime Premier K.P. Oli, former Maoist-wing Premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, former Marxist-wing Premier Madhav Nepal and former Premier Jhala Nath Khanal, all of whom

at one time or another were serious rivals.

We were with American Thomas Walsh, Chairman of the New York-based Universal Peace Federation (UPF), and a director of the Washington Times; Seoulbased Chong Sik Yong, head of UPF Asia, and former Nepal Minister of Peace and Reconstruction Ek Nath Dhakal, who is married to a Filipina, Blessie Dhakal of Zamboanga City. We were also joined by UPF Philippines Chair Julius Malicdem from San Carlos City, Pangasinan, and we were preparing the ground for a global Summit in Nepal on Nov. 21-23, 2018, hopefully to include parliamentarians and civil society leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Australiasia.

When it was our turn to speak, we pointed out that Nepal, with its 30-million people, perched between two of the world’s population giants, China and India, each with more than 1.3-billion people, had stolen a march on the Philippines: the Nepalis had actually already brought peace to their land by merging their two quarrelling Marxist and Maoist Communist parties into a single party, while holding the opposi-

tion Congress Party at bay; the latter, a close geographic political cousin of the old Gandhi and Nehru-ruled Indian Congress Party of India, and the parties made history and successfully converted Nepal today into a Federal state.

These are also two strategic objectives of the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte but we assured the Nepalis that the Filipino people, the first to achieve independence in Asia after World War II, are not far behind and are enroute hopefully to achieving a final peace pact with the Communist New People’s Army, after the signing of two previous partial agreements, and if survey polls improve, in the coming months, a final achievement as well on a Federal system of government.

It is a question really of President Duterte, Vice-President Leni Robredo, the Senate and the House, the heads of the main political parties, the business leaders, civil society, religious leaders, the Muslim-separatist and Communist groups, being invited and meeting together in a grand one-week to two-weeks of meetings at the Summit to endorse and create a people-supported Government of National

Unity. Difficult but certainly not impossible. We believe that now, sooner than later is the time to hold and conclude a Summit of great expectations as the next definitely combative presidential elections are still almost four years away.

From Nepal, we moved on to Tehran via Muscat, capital of Oman, and joined our son Jose de Venecia III, and our assistant, former Congress technocrat Aldwin Requejo, for meetings with Iran’s former senior political and Muslim religious leaders: former Parliament Speaker and current senior Muslim religious leader Nategh Nouri; former Foreign Minister, former Ambassador to the United Nations, and current Chairman of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Khamal Karazi; former Deputy Speaker and current religious leader Abu Torabi Fard; Deputy Minister and President of the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran Mohammad Khazaei; and Deputy Petroleum Minister for International Affairs and Trade Amir Hossein Zamaninia, who visited Manila with Fard years ago when we then headed the House of Representatives.

(To be continued next week)

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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Bongbong pays P50-K fine for violating gag order

BRIEFING FOR 2019 NATIONAL BUDGET. Senator Loren Legarda (middle), chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, along with other senators listen to the presentations made by the members of the Development Budget Coordination Committee in relation to the proposed 2019 national budget during a hearing on Tuesday, August 7. The 2019 national budget, the first cash-based budget of the government, is pegged at P3.757 trillion. In photo with Legarda are (from right to left) Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Risa Hontiveros, Cynthia Villar and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

MANILA — Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has complied with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal’s order to pay P50,000 for violating the gag order pending his electoral protest against rival Vice President Leni Robredo.

The camp of Marcos secured the P50,000 fine at the Supreme Court’s Fiscal Management and Budget Office, Cash Collection and Disbursement Division last July 11 but the official receipts for the fine are released just Wednesday.

Last June 26, The Supreme Court Public Information Office said the high court penalized both Marcos and Robredo for violating the sub judice rule as they both made public comments on their ongoing electoral protest.

The sub judice rule prohibits parties from discussing a pending case.

In April, the SC also ordered

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos paid P50,000 for violating the Presidential Electoral Tribunal’s warnings on making public statements on the recount.

Philstar.com photo

the two camps to explain why they should not be cited in contempt for violating its warnings on making public statements on the recount.

Robredo’s camp said the vice president has not “given sensitive information” to the public on the vote recount.

On the other hand, Marcos said that he was merely making “observations and not prejudgments” on the case.

Despite this, the two vice presidential bets of 2016 were still penalized P50,000. (Rosette Adel with a report from Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

Milan Irense Susan Natividad.

According to Natividad, the doors and windows of the apartments of the three Filipino families were blown off.

“There were no injuries reported among the family members who were evacuated by authorities and accommodated at a local hotel,” the DFA said.

In its latest update, the DFA said that the Office of Civilian Protection in Bologna informed the Philippine Consulate Gener-

al in Milan that no Filipinos were injured in the blast.

Italian police said one person has died in the incident while 60 to 70 people were injured, with serious burns, when a tanker truck carrying explosive materials was in a traffic accident.

Italian news agency ANSA reported that the tanker was carrying liquefied petroleum gas. The explosion sent flames soaring into the air. (Patricia Viray/Philstar.com with Associated Press)

De Lima ‘disappointed’ with SC blocking her plea to argue vs ICC withdrawal 3 Filipino families affected in Italy road explosion

MANILA — Sen. Leila de Lima has expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court ruling blocking her from participating personally in the oral arguments on the government’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.

The detained lawmaker lamented that she had always fought for human rights and accountability.

“Truly, taking on such a task of arguing before the SC in this case would be a natural progression of my decade-long twin advocacy for upholding human rights of all persons, and the holding of public officials accountable to their abuses against the people they ought to serve,” de Lima said in a statement.

On Tuesday, August 7, the SC threw out her petition to be given furlough and argue on the minority senators’ petition challenging the executive department’s withdrawal of membership from the ICC. The high court said it “found no compelling reason to have Senator de Lima personally appear during the conduct of oral arguments.”

The debate is set next week, August 14, at 2 p.m.

De Lima’s co-petitioners, Sens.

Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV, backed the detained senator’s plea. They said their case would be best presented by De Lima, and that they would no longer be represented by a counsel during the

oral arguments.

But the SC said de Lima failed to cite arguments exclusive to her case which would make her appearance in the oral arguments indispensable.

De Lima said her plea is borne from her “desire to highlight the importance of the Philippines’ continued status as a State-Party to the Rome Statute, and why Duterte is deathly afraid of it. This is Duterte ensuring impunity for himself.”

“With this development, my copetitioners and I will now decide on a proper course of action to ensure that we will be duly heard by the Supreme Court,” de Lima added.

Aquino, in a separate media interview on Tuesday, said they would “have to find another lawyer” since SC junked their plea.

SC: Petition politically charged; refrain from posturing The high court in junking de Lima’s plea stressed that the petitions are already challenging “intensely, politically-charged matters.”

“It, thus, exhorted all parties to be tactful and sober and to refrain from any posturing that may detract from a dispassionate, level-headed resolution,” SC spokesman Theodore Te said.

“The Court expressed the hope that the denial of petitioner de Lima’s plea could allow the Court to proceed to a composed resolution of the ultimate issues,” he added.

The country’s withdrawal of membership from the ICC also

THE apartments of three Filipino families were affected when a fuel tanker exploded in a highway in Bologna, Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday, August 7.

A total of 10 Filipinos, including two minors and two infants, were affected by the blast but were not injured.

The apartment units of the Filipino families sustained major damage from the explosion, according to Consul General in

Sen. Leila de Lima

Philstar.com photo

faces a second petition, which was consolidated with the opposition senators’ case, filed by the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court led by former Commission on Human Rights chair Loretta Rosales.

The Philippines announced last March that it would be withdrawing from the ICC. The announcement came a month after the international tribunal’s prosecutor opened a preliminary examination—not an investigation—into the alleged crimes against humanity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

The purpose of the examination, which the Palace initially welcomed, is for the ICC’s prosecutor to determine whether the court has jurisdiction over a communication—not a complaint—filed by lawyer Jude Sabio. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

Economic managers warn of federalism...

PAGE A5 draft?’” he added.

Last month, international debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service cautioned that federalism could present downside risks to the country’s institutional and fiscal profile.

“The shift to federalism would also likely incur an expansion in the aggregate size of the government and, hence, public expenditure,” Moody’s said.

“At the same time, there may be a gap between the national and local levels of government with respect to their ability to manage fiscal resources, posing a risk to the improved fiscal discipline that has characterized national government finances over the past decade,” it added.

(Phistar.com)

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august 9-15, 2018 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL

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Journal Kris Aquino bares Not just another rom-com: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ experience filming her role pushes Asian representation in Hollywood as Princess Intan and being

By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

“CRAZY Rich Asians,” which hits theaters nationwide on August 15, has already made history as the first major Hollywood film in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast.

In this issue of MDWK Magazine, the Asian Journal explores what “Crazy Rich Asians” means for succeeding Asian representation in Hollywood and sits down with author Kevin Kwan, leading man Henry Golding and the Philippines’ “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino (who plays Princess Intan) who all share their experiences working on the film.

Based off the best-selling book of the same name by Kwan (who served as an executive producer of the film), the romantic comedy follows American-born Chinese economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu, “Fresh Off the Boat”) as she joins her boyfriend Nick Young (Golding) on a trip back to his hometown Singapore for his best friend’s wedding. Nick forgets to tell Rachel a minor detail, however, that his family is one of the wealthiest in the country.

(From L-R) Screenwriter Adele Lim, author and executive producer Kevin Kwan, and director Jon Chu join a press roundtable in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, August 5 to discuss the importance of Asian representation on screen, among other topics. Also at the event were producers Nina Jacobson, John Penotti and Brad Simpson and Peter Chiarelli, who wrote the screenplay with Lim. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

The trip opens Rachel’s up to a new world and she becomes the target of jealous socialites and Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Star Trek: Discovery”).

In addition to Wu, Golding and Yeoh, the Warner Bros. film — directed by Jon M. Chu— lines up an international cast, including Gemma Chan (“Humans”), Lisa Lu (“The Joy Luck Club”), Awkwafina (“Ocean’s 8”), Ken Jeong (“The Hangover”), Sonoya Mizuno (“La La Land”), Chris Pang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”), Jimmy O. Yang (“Silicon Valley”), Ronny Chieng (“The Daily Show”), Remy Hii (“Marco Polo”), and Filipino-American Nico Santos (“Superstore”).

Kwan and Chu — whose directorial credits include “Now You See Me 2,” “Step Up 2: The Streets” and “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never — in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter revealed that they turned down a big payday from Netflix, which included “artistic freedom, a greenlighted trilogy and huge, seven-figure-minimum paydays for each stakeholder, upfront.”

Instead, the duo opted for Warner Bros., as they believed that the story should be shown on a big screen first, instead of from the push of a button at home.

“We knew that putting it on the big screen still means something.

Cinema still means something to tell people it is worth your time and energy to gather your friends or family or by yourself, leave your house, find parking, go pay for food...and say, ‘tell me a story.’” Chu said during a filmmaker roundtable in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, August 5. “It says this romantic couple and cast of all-Asian characters are worth your energy to do that and when you put something in a museum in the glass box, it still trickles down to everything else and says a lot.”

a global Filipina ‘icon’

By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

(L-R) Henry Golding as Nick, Constance Wu as Rachel and Nico Santos as Oliver.

Photo by Sanja Bucko

THE Philippines’ “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino was in Los Angeles this week to attend the red carpet premiere of “Crazy Rich Asians,” in which she plays Princess Intan.

Before the premiere on Tuesday, August 7 at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood — which would be first time she saw the final film and her scene — Aquino sat down with the Asian Journal to talk about how she landed the royal

part and what we can expect from her in the future.

“I may never get the chance to portray a princess…God [gave me] this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she told the Asian Journal of how the film led her to cross off an item on her bucket list.

At the premiere, dozens of Filipinos were reported to greet Aquino at the sidelines of the red carpet and wave the Philippine flag. Aquino said she was “touched” that she had a fan PAGE B2

(L-R) Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor, Henry Golding as Nick and Constance Wu as Rachel in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and SK Global Entertainment’s and Starlight Culture’s contemporary romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Photo by Sanja Bucko

Kwan, who said that he hoped his book would be made into a film one day, said that the story has resonated across generations with family members passing down the book and bonding over the experience of reading it.

“I wanted this to be a community experience first of all, and also, this was the first chance we had in 25 years... I wanted this to be an experience that future generations could look at and say, ‘look, we achieved this.’ We’re watching a red carpet of amazing Asian actors walk up and down it, in the same way that any other Hollywood movie would get. We

want that treatment too because ultimately we want to inspire,” he said on Sunday.

In the same The Hollywood Reporter feature, the process of finding the right producers for the film was detailed, including a bit about how one producer had told Kwan to reimagine the lead female character as white.

Wu, who’s best known for her role in ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” was the filmmakers’ first and only choice for the lead role as Rachel.

For Chu and Wu, the film was about exploring visiting Asia for Kris Aquino graces the red carpet during the premiere of “Crazy Rich Asians” on Tuesday, the first time from the Asian Ameri- August 7, wearing a yellow Filipinana-inspired gown by Filipino designer Michael Leyva. Makeup Photo courtesy of KCAP PAGE B3 was done by RB Chanco and hair by Pin Antonio.

B august 9-15, 2018 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL

Features

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How first-time actor Henry Golding became Nick Young ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan on

his extravagant world coming to screen and highlighting Filipino high society in trilogy

by Christina M. Oriel AJPress

WITH “Crazy Rich Asians” predicted to become a hit with audiences and at box offices in the U.S. and abroad, male lead Henry Golding is on his way to becoming one of the biggest stars of 2018.

In the film, Golding plays Nick Young — Singapore’s most eligible bachelor and heir of one of the country’s wealthiest families — who brings his girlfriend Rachel Chu back home with him.

The 31-year-old British-Malaysian actor grew up in England and spent several years as a hairdresser, before moving back to Asia, where he developed an on-screen career as a travel host and TV presenter, with credits including BBC’s “The Travel Show.”

For the “Crazy Rich Asians” production, finding the right Nick — someone who could believably play a Singaporean educated in England — was a challenge, as thousands of actors around the world and online were auditioned.

Film director Jon Chu then received a suggestion to take a look at Golding after someone from the casting team saw the latter on TV. “He was a travel show host, doing cool adventure stores,” Chu said of Golding. “When you watched him talking with people on the street, he was truly a person of the world with such easy charisma.”

Golding recently revealed on “The View” that he was invited to audition for Nick, but initially turned the opportunity down because he believed it was meant for someone else.

After landing the role and getting into the script, he quickly realized how Nick “was much closer to my personal character than I thought,” he told the Asian Journal in a recent interview.

“He really wanted to distinguish himself away from his family’s pressures. He wanted to be independent, he didn’t want to defined by who he was in Singapore, and he didn’t want his girlfriend Rachel to judge him upon that so that’s his fault as well for not telling her and informing her who he exactly was,” he continued. “It was amazing to have such a grounded character and above all, he held himself in such a respectable manner. He had that regality as the ‘Prince William of Asia’ but he never used that to his advantage. He always used that as just a personal trait.”

by Christina M. Oriel AJPress

Henry Golding landed his first acting role as the male lead Nick Young in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Photo by Sanja Bucko

He said he “grew every single day” while filming under the guidance of Chu and working alongside actors like Constance Wu (who plays Young’s girlfriend Rachel) and Michelle Yeoh (who characterizes Young’s protective mother Eleanor).

“When we got into the thick of things, it was just phenomenal to be able to sit in and be comfortable and work with my fears,” he remarked.

Without dishing any spoilers, Golding shared some of his favorite scenes in the movie, including one with Yeoh, when they have a mother-son moment in Nick’s childhood bedroom.

“We just have this moment when you realize what Eleanor is all about. She’s being [that way] to Rachel because she wants to protect her son, she wants to protect the golden treasure. She’s the dragon mum, she’s gonna fight tooth and nail to ensure he’s not making any mistakes,” he said.

“You just see where that comes from in that scene and Michelle plays it so well.”

The themes of love, loyalty and family — while dominant in Asian cultures — are universal and that’s what can draw audiences of diverse backgrounds to “Crazy Rich Asians,” Golding said.

“Love is the true testament to everything. That’s what we tried to achieve. Because it’s an Asian story doesn’t mean people aren’t going to be able to relate. You’re rooting for this young couple to be able to love each other,” he said.

Though “Crazy Rich Asians”

Since the novel “Crazy Rich Asians” was released in 2013, a lot has come toward author Kevin Kwan’s direction in the past five years.

The best-selling satirical novel, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and has been translated in over 20 languages, spiraled into subsequent novels, “China Rich Girlfriend” (2015) and “Rich People Problems” (2017).

“I called the book ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ because I didn’t want it to be specific to just one country.

I really wanted in my trilogy to hop around to show the different cultures [and countries] of Asia... and also the very different ways they have class structures in each country,” Kwan said in a recent interview with the Asian Journal.

The author has traveled to the Philippines to promote his books and has on numerous occasions called Filipinos his “superfans.”

The last book in the trilogy includes Filipino socialite characters in Manila and a substory that takes place in Palawan.

“The Philippines is a prime example. I really felt like it’s kind of a place that is not very much portrayed in Western media. It’s such a rich culture and blend of East and West. I’ve always had an amazing time because I think the Filipinos are some of the warmest, if not the warmest, people in the world,” he said. “They really roll out the red carpet for visitors and it’s such a beautiful, diverse country that I wanted to showcase it. And also showcase the style.

Some of most fashionable women I know are Filipina so I just wanted

to celebrate that how I could and have cool Filipino characters and also really feature the country in the [third] book.”

This August, Kwan’s “crazy rich” world as introduced in the first book comes to life in a Warner Bros. Pictures film and is slated a hit.

Through the outsider, American-born character of Rachel Chu, the story introduces audiences to privileged, powerful and well-educated Asian characters from Singapore and takes them inside their homes, lavish parties, the country’s most-anticipated wedding of the year, and more extravagant visuals to illustrate how the wealthy live.

“It’s funny when I hear people say they don’t find the book to be believable because every single story is based on truth,” Kwan said. “It’s either based on a story I’ve heard, that has been verified, or something I’ve personally witnessed. It just shows the gulf between East and West and that people think this is totally made up. When it’s part of the reality of what’s happening in Asia right now.”

However, Kwan intends his work and the film to give insight into Asian culture and show that there are commonalities underneath it all.

“I hope that people who don’t know this world see this movie come away with a deeper understanding, first of all, and an appreciation for Asian culture and people. But ultimately to see that we’re all alike, whether you’re crazy rich or a crazy Asian or whatever you are, we all have same hopes and dreams. We all feel like outsiders at times. We all feel that we want the acceptance

is his first undertaking, acting appears to be part of Golding’s destiny.

“Say ‘yes.’ That was my biggest takeaway. I kept saying ‘no’ but when I said ‘yes,’ amazing things happened,” he said.

After “Crazy Rich Asians” wrapped up filming last summer, Golding landed the male lead in “A Simple Favor,” directed by Paul Feig and starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, which will be out in mid-September. Golding plays Sean Nelson, the husband of Lively’s character Emily who disappears.

“Again it’s pushing the boundaries of leading men...It’s not dependent on who I am as my ethnicity. I’m just a leading man, I play Blake’s husband,” he said.

“We’re pushing the boundaries [instead] of normalizing these leading men stereotypes. We don’t have to have blonde hair and blue eyes to get the woman.”

As for more leading Asians on screen, Golding said there’s going to be “more and more of that” to come.

The budding actor noted, “Jon always says it so well, ‘If you’re a director, direct. If you’re a writer, write. If you’re a storyteller, tell a story. If you’re an actor, get out there and act. Don’t sit questioning yourself. Don’t consider just because I’m Asian, I’m not going to have my voice heard.’ You don’t know what’s going to happen.

Now is the climate where anything is possible and there’s such people power when it comes to Author Kevin Kwan’s trilogy, “Crazy Rich Asians” (2013), “China Rich Girlfriend” (2015), and “Rich People Problems” (2017).

Photo courtesy of Kevin Kwan these big studios now.”

Kevin Kwan served as executive producer for Warner Bros. Pictures’ romantic comedy film version of his novel, “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Though he was not directly involved with the screenplay writing, he consulted on a multitude of aspects from shooting locations, wardrobe, jewelry, and more.

Photo by Sanja Bucko

and approval of our parents,” he said.

Before writing his own novel, Kwan worked for Martha Stewart Living, Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, and established his own creative studio.

Kwan, who was born and raised in Singapore and later migrated to the United States at age 11, said “Crazy Rich Asians” is his “valentine” to the island country and a tribute to his family heritage.

“For me when I wrote the book, it was important to show the Singapore that I knew. That’s the Singapore that’s off the tourist’s beaten path — this is the Singapore of the real families who live there and who participate in the culture of the island,” he explained. “So much of it is being in people’s houses, private clubs, very exclusive restaurants that could happen to actually be hawker stalls. It’s not about how much you spend at the meal, it’s about how special the meal is and sometimes the most special meal can be $3. I feel like Singapore really is a character in my books.”

In the weeks leading up to the August 15 release, Kwan has been PAGE B4

Kris Aquino bares experience filming...

PAGE B1 base in LA to support her and the film. She walked he red carpet, alongside her younger son James “Bimby” Yap Jr., in a Filipinanainspired yellow gown made by Filipino designer Michael Leyva to highlight Philippine fashion and artistry.

The media personality, who was in the news a few weeks ago for medical reasons, said she pushed through and flew out to LA as a chance to represent Filipinos globally, even though Warner Bros. offered to do a special red carpet and screening for Aquino in the Philippines.

“I want to try the Chinese Theatre and walking there so that naman represented tayo (we are represented),” she said.

Her son Bimby during the interview said it was “cool” how much attention is surrounding the film and his mom’s involvement, especially how she was included in a Teen Vogue article on the actors and the characters they play.

“We really want to highlight who we are as a people…My heart feels it that when bits and pieces came out about what my role was, for any Filipino, whether you like me or not, the fact that a Filipina got to play that role, will matter,” she said.

“Now that the opportunity is here, I really want to savor the moment.”

“Crazy Rich Asians” culminates in the wedding of the year with Colin Khoo (Chris Pang) and Araminta Lee (Sonoya Mizuno), which Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Nick Young (Henry Golding) come to Singapore to attend. Chu, who is made to feel like an outsider, is told by Nick’s mother Eleanor that there is no more seating room in their row so she finds an empty row next to Princess Intan.

Of the wedding scene — where the church is turned into a tropical paradise with a lot of plants and flowers — Aquino said the decorations and how the bride enters the scene made her think, “Wow, how is this happening? That’s really movie magic.”

“I was told to walk in such a manner... In my mind, I was wearing really high platform heels and then my gown had a long cape behind me so I kept thinking, ‘Dear God, don’t make me trip, please,’” Aquino shared.

Last year, Aquino recalls waking up on a Thursday to texts from several individuals, including Iza Calzado and the older sister of Jose Mari Chan, who asked if she was

Kris Aquino shared on her Instagram

interested in auditioning to be part of a Hollywood movie.

“I wasn’t aware they were casting anything at that time...I wasn’t sure until I saw that they were coursing it through Jhett Tolentino who has already won a Tony Award and a Grammy so I said, ‘ay parang (it seems), legit,’” she said.

After realizing it wasn’t a scam message and being told it was for “Crazy Rich Asians,” Aquino — who is a fan of Kevin Kwan’s book — and her team were interested and saw that an audition tape needed to be sent by Saturday.

There was no script but they said the character will be “very rich and very regal,” she said.

Her house was under renovation at the time so her team went on an ocular inspection that very afternoon to find a shooting location. As fate would have it, the presidential suite at the Peninsula Manila was available.

“I remember I had the shoot Friday and then I said, ‘We have to shoot something that doesn’t look like I’m just staring at the camera and reading lines,’” she added.

“From Ms. Kris’ vision, she wanted to really make sure that when she gave it her all, it has to be an all-out type of production and how she would read the lines and how she would portray the role.

So it was really a legit set-up and not just reading lines,”Aquino’s manager Nicko Falcis said.

Her audition tape of three scenes (afternoon tea, pretend cocktail dinner and sitting in a living room), which made the deadline by Saturday, was so professionally shot — she used a director who does

commercials — and edited that she said director Jon Chu told her, “Did you know the camera you used, it’s the same camera that we’re using [in the film]? You’re the only one who gave something like that.”

“I said, ‘okay, if we’re going to do this and this is just one chance, let’s do it,’” she said, describing that her team scoured her closet for clothes that would look the part. “Basing it off the book, I knew they didn’t want someone who is flamboyant so it had to be conservative.”

Three weeks later, Aquino and her team flew out to Singapore to shoot her scene in the film. There have been reports that she left an impression on other cast members because she arrived to a lot of fan fare in the city.

“You have to remember, we shot in Singapore. All of the frontliners at the hotels, all the restaurants... those in middle management, the nurses...they’re all Filipinos and I was the only Filipino passport carrying person there. They couldn’t understand why there are so many people here having their picture taken with her so it’s just an assumption that [the Filipino fans] checked Instagram,” she explained.

In the book, Princess Intan is described as a Muslim princess and since Aquino is not of that faith, she “made that specific request that we did not want to offend any of our brothers and sisters who are of the Islam faith because syempre diba (of course right) they would want someone who is really Islam to represent them.”

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ENTERTAINMENT

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 9-15, 2018

B3

Not just another rom-com: ‘Crazy Rich... Arci Muñoz says she does not see a future with Piolo Pascual PAGE B1 can perspective and that identity.

“But for me personally, my journey as an Asian American going to Asia for the first time was something that I really wanted to explore. The way through that would be Rachel so Rachel was really personal to me of watching her go into Singapore. It was also my first time in Singapore and to see all these different Asians from all around the world converge on this island,” Chu said at the roundtable.

In a Twitter post, Wu wrote how both “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Crazy Rich Asians” have changed her career and have made history in terms of Asians depicted on screen.

“My dear Asian American friends, we are building our own damn houses. We got the tools, the ability and we definitely got the style. Just because others don’t see it, doesn’t mean we don’t have it,” Wu wrote, adding “I hope Asian American kids watch CRA and realize that they can be heroes of their own stories. I know CRA won’t represent every Asian American.

So for those who don’t feel seen, I hope there is a story you find soon that does represent you.”

Even with the all-Asian cast, the story is universal and is a “cinematic experience,” producer Nina Jacobson said.

Screenwriter Adele Lim said, ”How do we show the conflict of [Rachel] being an ‘other’? It came back to that otherness and it came back to Eleanor’s fear of losing her son, so in a way, it’s a foreign culture but when you get right down to it, the fierce family dynamics below it, it’s something that someone everybody can relate to.”

Jacobson’s production company Color Force acquired the movie rights to the novel in 2013 and said that they did not intend for it to just cater to one demographic or region in the world because it was “The Asian markets are huge and of course, everybody wants their movie to perform globally and get a chance to have the exposure and upside of a global release that includes these very powerful Asian markets,” she said.

She added, “For us, we’re very much an inside-out approach to the movies and TV that we make — do we love it and if we love it and relate to it, do we think that experience will be contagious for audiences everywhere? And so, we just went for it and honestly make the best movie we could make that

was the most relatable movie in hopes that people would relate to it all around the world and not in any one particular market.”

Though it’s a romantic comedy and you want to root for Rachel and Nick’s relationship, the movie explores strong female characters, from Eleanor Young’s protective instincts to Astrid’s decision with her marriage to Rachel sticking up for herself.

“What we found at the end of the movie was that we didn’t want these women to depend on some man and the decision had to be their own decision. That is something that Adele [Lim, screenwriter] and Nina [Jacobson, producer] talked about a lot. This is not about getting the guy ultimately for both Rachel and Astrid,” Chu added.

“It’s about self-worth, knowing that you’re worth everything and you deserve anything you want.

Rachel goes through that and she actually instigates that in Astrid as well.” #GoldOpen The last film to have an all-Asian cast was “Joy Luck Club” in 1993.

One would hope that in 25 years, the representation and opportunities for Asians and Asian Americans to appear on screen should have opened up.

However, a USC Annenberg study of 900 films from 2007-2016 found only 5.7 percent had Asian characters with speaking roles and 3 percent (or 30) of the films were directed by an Asian or Asian American.

Recent legislation pushed by the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus seeks to address this problem in Hollywood by requiring film and television projects to report diversity statistics and anti-harassment and retaliation policies if they apply for state film tax credits. The program, which would provide $330 million in tax credits a year, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 27 and will take effect in 2020.

Sharing with The Hollywood Reporter why the caucus pushed for this provision, Filipino-American Assemblymember Rob Bonta said, “We want to see our stories being told by API writers, directors, producers and actors, and this [reporting provision] isn’t a crazy or overly aggressive ask. This is a fair ask, exceedingly achievable and doable.”

The USC Annenberg study offered solutions to fix the inequality problem — one of them being “consumers can support content”

that is driven by or features underrepresented groups.

At the roundtable on Sunday, the filmmakers discussed that for future projects, while putting diverse backgrounds on the team — whether they’re Asian or any other ethnic group — is a priority, groups should also find allies within Hollywood who can champion that.

Chu recommended that studios should place some budget emphasis on looking for more Asian actors beyond the same faces.

“That’s the problem with movies is people get lazy and you get the same 10 Asian actors that are presented to you and you say there are no Asian actors out there,” Chu said. “They’re all out there, they just don’t know the opportunities are there.”

Producer Brad Simpson of Color Force said that worlds “we don’t know” are attractive in scouting for stories because “…you’re looking for stories that have specificity and I think one of the things that make people feel exhausted is they’re seeing the same stories being told with the same characters.”

He added, “It wasn’t important just to have one Asian person involved. I think that’s the mistake people often make when they’re doing something. They’ll hire one person of color and that person will become the spokesperson.

You create actually a competition for that role amongst people of color, but also you don’t get the dialectic.”

One of the prime examples of the dialogue that happened within the “Crazy Rich Asians” cast and crew was the removal of a line about Rachel’s character not having dated Asian men in the past, which Wu had called for in a strong email. (It was thoroughly explained in the book, but given the short time frame of a movie, it could’ve been misinterpreted.)

“It was because there’s a conversation going on and I think that’s the important thing that I would say when you’re representing cultures that aren’t your own…” Simpson added. “You need to set up something that is a conversation where you’re not just relying on one voice throughout.”

Days before the Hollywood premiere of “Crazy Rich Asians” on August 7, the hashtag #GoldOpen — initiated by digital media entrepreneur Bing Chen — began circulating on social media to drum up support for the movie and call PAGE B4

by CLARIZEL

G. ABANILLA

Inquirer.net

THEIR characters as Nathan and Dani in their hit romcom series “Since I Found You” may have found their way to each other but Kapamilya actress Arci Muñoz said she does not imagine herself as ultimate hunk Piolo Pascual’s girlfriend.

“Di ko maimagine jowa ko si Papa P. Di naman sa pag-aano pero sinabi ko na kasi sa sarili ko ayoko mag-jowa ng showbiz eh,” Muñoz said at the thanksgiving press conference of “Since I Found You,” on Tuesday, August 7.

The she joked, “Sige exception siya.”

Interestingly, both were born in January 12. “Kaya siguro pareho kami ng sapak,” she said.

The 29-year old actress admits that she and Pascual are closer now more than ever. In fact, she does not regret having not to see the actor much after their series will end because they have travels planned soon.

They are now close enough that Papa P shares with her details of his much-raved about love life.

Asked if Pascual seeks her advice when it comes to love life, she said the actor does not. “Naku ang tanda tanda niya na para humingi ng advice,” she said.

One of the things people love

Arci Muñoz said she does not imagine herself as Piolo Pascual’s girlfriend. ABS-CBN photo

about “Since I Found You” is the natural chemistry of the cast especially with Muñoz and Pascual. The actress charges it to the actor’s natural effect on her that makes her act out natural feelings in most of their scenes.

“Dahil kay Papa P nagiging natural talaga yung reaksyon ko.

Sabi nila may sparkle daw talaga sa mata ko,” she said.

They have also talked about making a movie but she said Pascual told her he does not want to

do a romcom big screen project with her. Rather, he wants to do a hardcore deep movie.

“Ayoko ng romcom kung magmomovie tayo gusto ko malalim,” she said of Pascual’s take on their movie.

If such a project pushes through, there’s just going to be no-holds-barred for her. “Kaya ko bigay lahat,” she said.

Meanwhile, Muñoz is happy in a relationship with her businessman boyfriend, Anthony Ng.

Heart Evangelista is back to work

by LHAR

SANTIAGO ManilaTimes.net

HEART Evangelista was well prepared for her contract renewal at GMA Network on Tuesday, August 7. She looked so beautiful in a black and white polka dot dress and graciously received the endless compliments that met her at the gathering of studio bigwigs.

Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, President and COO Jimmy Duavit, and EVP and CFO Felipe Yalong along with SVP for Entertainment Lilibeth Rasonable were in full force for the important proceedings.

“Sobrang happy to be a Kapuso,” Heart exclaimed after signing her exclusive contract.

“Actually, even if I don’t have a contract, I think I’ll be Kapuso. I’m very content with my life. I’m very happy where I am and I’m very excited for what I have and what I’ll be doing with GMA.” Heart had just returned from Paris, which she described, “I think it was a much needed trip.

Heart Evangelista

ManilaTimes.net photo

It was very productive. It was also good because hindi naman ako pumunta doon para mag-depressdepressan. I also went there to work, so that’s something I like because it kept my mind off of the

unpleasant thing that happened to me.”

Of course, the actress and wife of Sen. Chiz Escudero was referring to the miscarriage of her twins, one after the other.

“I shot an endorsement for this French brand which is really nice because it was my first ever endorsement outside of the Philippines na hindi pang-Pilipinas.

Then I also shot something in the U.S.,” she continued.

As soon as she returned to Manila, she had a wonderful time bonding with her “My Korean Jagiya” leading man Xander Lee who is still in the country to promote his album. They had lunch together and will appear in a Facebook Live interview for their fans next week.

“Parang hindi kami nagkalayo ng isang taon. Parang kahapon lang kami huling nagkita. Nothing changed between us, the closeness, yung mga jokes namin. I’m happy we’ve had his time to be together again.”

Features

B august 9-15, 2018 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL

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

Alana de la Cruz spreads ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan on his... her ‘golden voice’

By Monet

Lu

ALANA Nicole de la Cruz grew up in a small southern Illinois town across the river from St. Louis, MO. At the tender age of 2, Alana showed her love of music by singing and performing with a microphone in her hand around the house.

The oldest of five children, she organized family performances by enlisting (sometimes against their will) her younger brothers and sister into musical productions for her parents. By the age of 6, Alana’s parents had indulged her love of music by enrolling her in both piano and dance classes.

After one year of dance lessons, she performed on a large stage with her dance classmates in a ballet recital, her first taste of performing before an audience. The exhilaration of the experience planted a seed in Alana’s heart that left her yearning for more.

Her passion for singing grew even stronger, proving that singing was her natural, God-given talent. But there was a catch to Alana’s singing passion: Although she loved to sing, she kept it hidden from the public. As a teenager, a crippling shyness prevented her from performing solo in front of an audience. Consequently, she never received significant roles in high school musicals nor solo performances in the choir.

She wanted to stay in the background, never having the courage to sing alone publicly.

Privately, Alana would SING!

EMPLOYMENT

While in high school, she hid in her bedroom playing her “Miss Saigon” CDs over and over while singing along to Lea Salonga’s role as Kim. Her friends, who would accidentally hear her, encouraged Alana to sing a song from “Miss Saigon” for the school, but her stage fright hindered her ability.

After receiving a college music scholarship, Alana gained more confidence in her ability. With the encouragement of university music faculty, her courage and determination to sing blossomed. Alana pursued music/vocal performance as a minor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. New singing opportunities came to her while studying there. One of her most exciting opportunities included being invited to be an official U of I National Anthem singer for all sporting events. By 2004, Alana finally crushed all her fears after performing the National Anthem for her largest audience of 6,000 people during the University’s “Pack the Hall Orange” event.

Following her college years, Alana had her share of personal trials and tribulations. Nevertheless, she was able to brush herself off by the grace of God and forge ahead towards what she always knew she was meant to do. For those who are curious as to what those exact trials were, she is currently working on writing a screenplay based on her life story.

Endeavoring to turn her past pain into her passionate purpose, Alana also speaks for women’s conferences using her testimony of triumph to help empower other women to discover their real value, have a healthy self-image, self-respect, self-worth and most importantly to recognize the unique brilliance that lies within all of us.

To pursue her career as a performer and studio recording artist and driven to chase after her dreams even more than ever, Alana took a leap of faith to move from Illinois to Branson, MO. She got her first lead role Sandra in the “Nifty Fifties Show.” During that time, she pursued, with a lot of help and support from her parents, additional vocal training and won a soprano role in “Suor Angelica” with the prestigious New York Lyric Opera Theatre in New York City.

More opportunities opened up in Branson, as Alana played the coveted role of Atina, Ariel’s sister, in the theatrical production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Musical.” That experience kindled a passion for working with children, leading her to start her own children’s entertainment company, “Alana’s Princess Parties.” She found a deep connection with the young children who are enchanted by her professional quality renditions of the songs they adore. Alana is now excited to bring her singing princess talent to the Los Angeles area.

Alana is a classically trained crossover/pop singer. Critics have described her as having a “golden voice” and being “a breath of fresh air.” She most recently performed for both the Miss Little Philippines 2018 and for Miss Philippines USA 2018, where she sang the beloved songs, “Time to Say Goodbye” & “The Prayer.”

Alana’s popularity is ever growing in the Southern California area, and she looks forward to performing or speaking at an event for you in the near future! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

FOR RENT

PSYCHIC

PAGE B2 traveling across the U.S. to get a feel of the early reactions to the film and has not encountered any negative remarks yet.

“It’s been phenomenal. Literally I feel like pinching myself because we have not heard, or at least I have not heard, a single negative thing nor even a lukewarm thing. There has been complete excitement, enthusiasm, and love for this movie,” he said.

He went on to share an anecdote after a screening in Philadelphia when two middle-aged men told him how “they both cried” and “never thought they would be affected by the movie.”

Kwan served as an executive producer of the film and was on hand to consult on aspects like character details, location scouting, access to designers and jewelry collectors.

“I was intimately involved every step of the way. In every major creative decision, they came to me for advice. I had a vote at the table, with casting, with choosing the writers, working with the screenwriters and working with [director] Jon Chu,” he said.

Of the importance of filming on location in Singapore, Kwan wanted that to portray the authenticity of the story.

“I had very specific ideas of where they should shoot, how they should shoot and Jon as much as possible tried to stay faithful to that,” he recounted.

“We went to hawker markets and hunted down these stalls and had these amazing food scenes. In the same way, [Jon] shot scenes at the Raffles Hotel, a beautiful, historic Colonial hotel that has a such a great literary tradition, like Ernest Hemingway stayed there... all these great writers passing through. So much of historic Singapore is featured and I wish we could have featured even more.”

Kwan’s abundance of details and character descriptions pro-

vided a lot of source material for the film, but it became a question of how to translate that into screen when you have a fleeting amount of time to show something. In terms of the script and gave complete freedom to writers Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim to develop it.

“The food scenes translated well. It made me hungry. But ultimately it was the performances of our tremendously talented cast.

Their stories and their emotions really ran through and it really touched people, it touched me.

Starting with Henry Golding, a man who’s never acted before, started action from the first day to Michelle Yeoh, who is just so amazing, to Constance Wu, who brings such an intelligence and ferocity to her performances. It’s a dream team cast and they all delivered,” he said.

Kwan disclosed that the film version of his novel has exceeded his expectations and was all praises, especially for the performances of the all-Asian international cast.

Though the window for storytelling on screen is limited to two hours, he said that he hopes there will be future opportunities to flesh out the other characters.

(There are 3,000 characters in the book, including the riveting backstories of Nick Young’s cousins and relatives.)

“I wish we had more time to tell the stories of the other characters...like Alistair’s story, Jacqueline Ling’s story and really see more of Astrid’s story. But hopefully there will be many more pictures to come where we can explore that,” he said.

For example (without giving any spoilers away), the movie hints at more to the character of Astrid Leong — Nick Young’s cousin who is an audience favorite from the book as she is the epitome of style and beauty.

Played by Gemma Chan, As-

trid has a defining moment in the movie that Kwan considers a favorite scene. When he saw the movie again a few days ago before this interview, he remembered the audience reacting to her performance.

“It’s so gratifying to see that other women were so inspired by what she had to say and that to me really encapsulates the character arc that she goes through,” he said.

The good news for Kwan doesn’t stop with the release of “Crazy Rich Asians” as a Hollywood film. At the beginning of August, it was announced that he and STXtv have received a script-to-series order from Amazon Studios to create and write a drama series about a powerful family in Hong Kong and its business empire.

For those who are waiting for more material from him, he said, “I’ve been working on this Amazon series now for a year so we hope to go into production early next year. I’m trying to tell stories in new ways. With TV, we can do 10-12 stories in one season. It’s a new challenge, new characters, and I’m really looking forward to presenting a whole other world that’s very different from the world of [‘Crazy Rich Asians.’]”

With the success surrounding his work, Kwan said it came from being “true to [himself]” in the process and not thinking about creating for anyone else.

“When I started writing my book, I never thought it would be published. I wasn’t writing it thinking how marketable it was or where it would fit into the marketplace. I was just writing from the heart and my truth and I think that’s what came through — that authenticity is why people have connected to,” he said. “I just want to say to everyone, tell your truth and be proud and see what happens. It has certainly been rewarding for me.”

Not just another rom-com: ‘Crazy Rich...

PAGE B3 on audiences to buy tickets.

“100+ creatives, founders, and leaders have bought out theaters nationwide to show the world: Representation means business,” read a poster, listing Asian American names and organizations who have contributed, posted on Chen’s Twitter.

“Go because you have a love for movies. Go because you want to be told a fantastic tale, a story of love.

Go because you want to support the community,” Golding told the Asian Journal. “This movie will go down as being a classic.”

Early tracking for the movie, which cost $30 million to produce, has it at a $20 million debut when it opens next week. Both Chu and Kwan have stated that the success of this will help open doors for future Asian projects to move forward.

“We are poised with this unique

SERVICES

opportunity now where we’re breaking through these floodgates.

Now that this movie has become part of a movement, the more that we can prove to the establishment that people want these stories, the more that people come out on opening weekend to support the film, the more chances we will have in the future to tell these stories. It begins with setting the bar high with “Crazy Rich Asians,” Kwan told the Asian Journal.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. MARIDEX E. ABRAHAM EARLIER this year the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark decision that may potentially help immigrants who have previously been convicted of certain crimes. In Sessions v.

Dimaya, the Court held that part of the definition of “crime of violence” is unconstitutionally vague under the Due Process clause of the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. This decision will potentially spare thousands of immigrants from deportation and allow many others to seek relief that they were previously told was not available.

The case of Sessions v. Dimaya considered whether certain convictions would subject a person to being deported from the United States as an “aggravated felon.”

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a non-U.S. citizen convicted of an “aggravated felony” is deportable from the United States. And unfortunately for them, they are also ineligible to apply for certain forms of relief in Immigration Court, such as Cancellation of Removal. Aggravated felonies can also render a non-U.S. citizen ineligible for waivers, discretionary relief, and even asylum. Furthermore, if a non-U.S. citizen is not maintaining valid immigration status in the U.S. and is convicted of an aggravated felony, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) can order deportation without ever giving them the opportunity to appear before a judge. In short, the consequences of a conviction for an aggravated felony are severe.

This case involved a Filipino named James Dimaya who had been ordered deported by an immigration judge. Mr. Dimaya was a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (green card holder) who had been convicted of first-degree

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Eleventh of a series) [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.]

CARE to dance?

Most people have rhythm embedded in their DNA. Music moves them emotionally and physically. Music is a powerful gravity-defying force that can speak to the soul.

Watch when people listen to an upbeat Michael Jackson tune or even a Strauss waltz piece and before long, they will transform any empty space into a dance floor, dancing by themselves, or even trip the light fantastic if they are lucky enough to be with someone who shares their love for music and dancing.

Test yourself if you have rhythm in you. See if a few strains of any kind of music move you emotionally and get you busting a few moves yourself.

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS WHAT is genital herpes?

Genital Herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). Type 1 HSV causes oral herpes, involving the lips and mouth.

Oral herpes could manifest as cold sores or fever blisters. Type 1 HSV can also cause genital herpes but most cases of genital herpes are caused by type 2 HSV. Oral herpes, which is very common, and which could spread to just about anyone, does not have the negative sexual implication like genital herpes. There are many children with oral herpes.

How does the infection spread?

Kissing and oral sex transmit the type 1 virus. The type 2 virus is usually transmitted by vaginal and anal sex, and can be spread from one person’s genitals to another individual’s mouth, causing oral herpes. HSV-1 can likewise cause genital herpes. Since the virus can’ survive on non-living surface, one cannot get the infection from a toilet seat or hot tub, etc. The infection is not lifethreatening but HSV infection makes it easier for HIV to enter the individual’s body and which could lead to AIDS. Who gets infected?

In the United States, roughly about 20 percent of all people 12 and older have HSV-2 infection

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 9-15, 2018

B5

Supreme Court decision Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is now may help immigrants Reeves Immigration Law Group with criminal convictions burglary in California. The question was whether Mr. Dimaya’s criminal conviction made him deportable to the Philippines as an aggravated felon.

The INA sets forth twenty-one different classes of crimes that constitute aggravated felonies.

One of those classes is a “crime of violence” for which the term of imprisonment is at least 1 year.

The term “crime of violence” is defined in the federal criminal code (in part) as “any offense that is a felony and that, by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.” The immigration judge in Mr. Dimaya’s case ruled that his conviction of first-degree burglary was a crime of violence, and that Mr. Dimaya was therefore an aggravated felon.

The case was appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court of the U.S. The Supreme Court accepted the case for review in order to resolve a conflict amongst the circuit courts regarding the constitutionality of the definition of “crime of violence.” The Court began by noting “the grave nature of deportation - a drastic measure often amounting to lifelong banishment or exile.” The Court then concluded that the definition of “crime of violence” is unconstitutionally vague. The Court reasoned that, when combining the definition requiring a fact-finder to imagine a hypothetical case and the definition not specifying what level of risk made a crime a “violent felony,” there is “grave uncertainty” and a lack of predictable application. As such, the definition is void-for-vagueness and unconstitutional.

The decision in Dimaya will con-

siderably limit the Government’s ability to deport certain non-U.S. citizens with criminal convictions.

Any non-U.S. citizen who has been found deportable for a “crime of violence” conviction or who has been deemed ineligible for relief on that basis may be able to challenge that conclusion and avoid deportation. The Dimaya decision is a reminder that the immigration laws have constitutional limits, and an immigration judge cannot deport a person simply because that judge believes that a particular crime seems “violent.” To trigger the draconian consequences that attend to an aggravated felony, the alien must be convicted of a crime that leaves no doubt as to the risk of violence involved in its commission. Gut instinct alone is not sufficient.

Any non-U.S. citizen with a criminal record should consult an experienced immigration attorney to determine the consequences of their conviction as well as their potential options for relief. The laws are constantly evolving, and doors once closed can be opened again. Remember, your past does not have to keep you from pursuing your goals in the U.S. *** RREEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

The bucket list Let the music move you

“... And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

—Ascribed to Friedrich Nietzsche

Want to see real honest to goodness dancing? Check out the video on youtube titled “Old movie stars dance to Uptown Funk” sang by Bruno Mars. It is this wonderfully edited and seamlessly spliced YouTube video of the Hollywood stars of a past golden era, exhibiting real talent in dancing. I just love watching the mixing of dance talent and current modern beat. The video editor, whoever he or she may be, deserves praise. Kudos!

Fred Astaire, in my opinion, is beyond compare. There will never be another Astaire on earth who can take to the dance floor and make it look so easy. Sigh …

The music he danced to seemed welded into his bones. But such perfection in movement didn’t come without a price. He must have practiced until his bones and muscles at the end of each rehearsal day cried out for mercy.

He must have burned out so much energy that accounted for his lean physique and lightness of feet.

But we don’t’ have to be that great of a dancer to enjoy the music and move to its beat. Dancing is exhilarating. If you want real justification to ‘bust a move’ as they say, dancing is real good exercise and is fun! Exercise, as you probably know, is one of only 2 ways (laughter being the other one) that the body naturally produces endorphin — that feelgood, healthy hormone that is still by far, the best medicine for both body and spirit. We all have it in us and is absolutely free.

So go ahead, even if you have two left feet, and tend to step on your partner’s feet when dancing. Shed your inhibitions and DANCE! Let the music move you.

With dedicated repetition and practice, you might even surprise PAGE B6

Genital herpes and tea and 90 percent of these cases do no even know they have it. The infection is more common among women, because of the anatomy of their genitals. Twenty five percent of women have the infection compared to 20 percent of men.

Multiple sex partners increase the risk of infection. As far as oral herpes is concerned, about 50 to 80 percent of adult Americans have oral herpes. About 30 to 50 percent of newly infected pregnant mothers transmit the HSV-2 to their newborns.

What are the signs of herpes?

The classical signs and symptoms are: cluster of small vesicles (fluid-filled) blisters that break, resulting in painful sores that heal and crust over a period of days.

These lesions may be found on the vagina, penis, vulva, scrotum, urethra, anus, thigh and buttocks.

Some of these sores may be mistaken for razor burns, or pimples, jock itch, ingrown hair, vaginal yeast infection, or bug bites. Many people with the infection do not have symptoms or sores. If they do, the symptoms disappear after the infection has set in but may recur from time to time. Some people may have only two “outbreaks” in their lifetime, unless re-infected with a new sexual contact.

How can one reduce the risk or prevent infection?

1. The use of condom or “dental dam” during sex is one way, so long as the “latex protective gear” covers the area which sheds the virus. Those with sores on the genitals should avoid sex, and those with oral sores should not

have oral sex. Even if there are no symptoms, HSV-2 infection is very contagious.

2. Since those with a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are more likely to have genital herpes, ask your partner, as delicately and as sensitively as possible, if he/she has ever had STD. It can be an awkward situation but it is most important for the partners to be honest with one another.

3. Sexual history is important because those with multiple partners are more likely to have the infection, albeit without obvious sores or symptoms. Limiting the number of sexual partners is essential.

4. Do not have sex with a person who has sores on the genitals.

5. Abstain from receiving oral sex from someone with sores on the mouth.

6. Illicit drugs and/or alcohol impair judgment, so do not have sex while intoxicated.

7. To reduce STD sex therapists recommend mutual masturbation (avoiding genital-genital or oralgenital contact) for those who want a safer form of sexual intimacy, until the individual finds a life partner and live a clean, monogamous life.

A comedian once said, “The difference between love and herpes is that herpes is forever.” While we do not totally agree with his characterization of love, HSV infection is indeed a life-long condition that does not have a cure. It comes and goes. It is best to avoid HSV. But not LUV. PAGE B6

WE are pleased to announce that Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza has changed its name to Reeves Immigration Law Group. A new name was required due to the departure of one of the firm’s former partners, who has been appointed as an Immigration Judge with the Los Angeles Immigration Court.

Despite the new name, nearly everything else will remain unchanged. Our goal will remain the same as it has been for nearly the past 40 years – providing superior legal services to the immigrant community as a result of our exclusive devotion to U.S. Immigration and Nationality law.

Reeves Immigration Law Group is led by the firm’s four partners: May Zhang, Flomy Diza, Devin Connolly, and Eric Welsh. All four of the partners are certified specialists in Immigration and Nationality Law

by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.

In addition to the partners, we also have several highly qualified associate attorneys and a professional team of paralegals who welcome the opportunity to help others.

Everyone at Reeves Immigration Law Group looks forward to the continued opportunity to

assist individuals and businesses in accomplishing their immigration goals. Whether your case involves a visa, permanent resident status, U.S. citizenship, relief from deportation, etc., we can provide excellent legal representation. Contact us today for a confidential consultation!

(Advertising Supplement)

Int’l planner RNEP brings the beauty of celebrations to three cities with bridal and celebrations roadshow PREMIER international event planning firm, Rita Neri Event Planners (RNEP), brings back its highly anticipated wedding and events roadshow, the “RNEP Destination Bridal and Celebrations Roadshow: A Meet and Greet,” happening from August 11 to 13, 2018 in three cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

A leading proponent of Philippine tourism and the wedding events industry, RNEP partnered up with the Consul General of Los Angeles Adelio Cruz and Honorary Consul General of San Diego Audie De Castro in putting together a roadshow that aims to (1) encourage our kababayans living abroad to come back to the country to celebrate their wedding, birthdays,

and other milestones there, (2) promote the beauty of the Philippines as a top destination for events and highlight the talented Filipino wedding and events suppliers, (3) encourage people from all nationalities to experience the magic of destination events, wherever it maybe in the world.

The curated Bridal and Celebrations Roadshow and Meet and Greet features top Philippine events supplier such as Teddy Manuel, the historic Manila Hotel, top Metrophoto photographer Erron Ocampo, and iconic hotels Peninsula Manila Hotel, Sofitel Manila, Shangri-La at the Fort, resort hotel Shangri-La at Boracay, and more.

Celebrating 25 years in the

Calendar of Events across

business this 2018, RNEP is setting its sights on continuing its advocacy of highlighting Filipino talent, the beauty of the Philippines, and the wonders of international events.

Headquartered in Makati City, Philippines, with an office in Irvine, California, Rita Neri Event Planners specializes in international weddings, social and corporate events. As the country’s premier event planning company, RNEP has been behind some of the most exclusive and high profile events in the Philippines, from company anniversaries, product launches, celebrity weddings, and charity events.

For more information, please visit www.ritanerieventplanners. com or call (949) 233-1932. ■

America

AU G U ST 2-1 1

SIPA presents Filipino Summer Program (Session 2) in LA Join SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program that showcases LA youth the beauty of Filipino culture and history. Every single day students will learn and gain a better understanding of different aspects of the Filipino culture and community, such as Filipino food, Pilipinx cultural dances, Filipino Martial Arts, etc. The last day of the program will be a SIPA Summer Party where the families can come join SIPA as we celebrate the end of the program with food, music, and fun! Youth ages 6-15 are eligible for the program. Those over the age of 16 can volunteer. Participants do not need to be Filipino. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are served for all students! Session 2 is from August 2-11 (excluding Sundays). Registration ends on Thursday, July 26 at 11:59 p.m. Drop-Off of children begins at 8 a.m., and pick-up ends by 6 p.m. at SIPA Office (3200 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). The application and more information is at bit.ly/sipasummer18.

AU G U ST 1 2

UBSCI to celebrate 30th Anniversary The United Batanguenos of Southern California will celebrate its 30th Anniversary & Coronation Night at the DoubleTree Hotel-Whittier (7320 Greenleaf Ave. Whittier, CA) on Sunday, August 12. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions please call Mylee Moncada (818) 322-9429; Cely Anuran (805) 630-3377; Rose Pascua (323) 382-1124 or Romy Elepano at (323) 498-9333.

AU G U ST 1 7

Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles’ “Hibang sa Awit” at Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles (PCS-LA) invites you to a concert celebrating Original Pilipino Music, better known as OPM, at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m. in “Hibang sa Awit” (Mad About Songs). “Hibang sa Awit” highlights the new modern classic Filipino music and the kundiman created by some of the most respected Filipino composers including Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, George Canseco, Ruben Federizon, and Robert Delgado to name a few. Very special friends including award winning jazz singer, Mon David; esteemed inspirational singer, Edward Granadosin; and a local/community gem, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir; will join PCS-LA as they infuse various musical styles into a treat for the whole family to hear. Tickets available at the box office or at www.musiccenter.org.

AU G U ST 1 8

LA County’s Center for Financial Empowerment hosts financial seminar The County of Los Angeles Center for Financial Empowerment (CFE), housed within the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, is proud to celebrate the launch of BankOn Los Angeles County, a program designed to connect residents to safe and affordable financial products, regardless of their immigration status. In honor of the launch, the CFE will host Summer Saturdays, a free event series that will connect Los Angeles County residents to checking accounts and financial empowerment resources. The public is invited to attend the free events at the following CFE community partner locations: Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Barrio Action Youth and Family Center (4927 Huntington Dr. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90032). The CFE and BankOn financial institution partners will help consumers understand the benefits of banking and start the process of opening a checking account. Attendees can also learn about credit, how to save for college and get first-time home buying tips at financial education workshops while enjoying free ice cream!

AU G U ST 1 9

4th annual Kultura Festival: Filipino-American Food & Arts Festival in Chicago Kultura Festival, the Midwest’s premier Filipino-American food and arts event, will be held this year on Sunday, August 19 at Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar (2363 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kultura Festival is in its fourth year, and is produced by food media and events group, Filipino Kitchen. Carefully curated to appeal to those who personally identify with Filipino culture and the merely curious or uninitiated, Kultura Festival aims to highlight the best in Filipino-American food and arts in Chicago and the Midwest.

Early bird tickets for general adult admission will go on sale at a discounted rate of $10 starting Monday, April 23. Only 100 discounted general admission adult tickets will be available for the Early Bird Special. Early bird tickets will be available for one week, or until supplies last. Early bird tickets to Kultura Festival for students, senior citizens, and children between six and 11 years of age will also be available for sale for $5. Children aged five or younger are admitted free at Kultura. To buy Early Bird Kultura Festival tickets, click https://ti.to/filipinokitchen/kultura2018. Stay tuned for more details on chefs, performers and all things Kultura Festival Chicago! For more information, please visit www.kulturachicago.com.

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

Features

B august 9-15, 2018 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL

SafeNest Partners with Las Vegas Harvest Festival to fill their pantry September 7 – 9 at World Market Center Craft enthusiasts enjoy $2 off tickets at the Las Vegas Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show with SafeNest donation LAS VEGAS – Fill SafeNest’s pantry by donating unexpired, non-perishable canned food, paper goods, and baby items and receive $2 off admission to the 46th Annual Las Vegas Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show, Sept. 7-9, at its new location at World Market Center, Pavilion 2 (209 S. Grand Central Pkwy). An arts and crafts tradition in Las Vegas, the Harvest Festival opens at 10 a.m. and is open until 5 p.m. on Friday and Sunday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Proceeds are also donated to SafeNest when you purchase a bag for your belongings and utilize the bag check area during the event. For all three days, SafeNest volunteers and staff will sell bags for $1 each and check bags for a donation of $1 per bag.

Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive charity devoted solely to domestic violence issues,

SafeNest provides services such as advocacy, counseling, prevention, and shelter to abuse victims and their families and empowers them toward self-sufficiency in a violence-free setting.

“The Harvest Festival is one of our most successful supply drives,” stated Liz Ortenburger, SafeNest CEO, stated. “The generosity of our community helps the shelter’s pantry stay full for almost a year.” SafeNest has collected 1.5 large bins full of paper products, diapers, wipes and toiletries and nearly 30 shopping carts of non-perishable food items for use in the confidential shelter.

With more than 250 exhibitors, the Las Vegas Harvest Festival boasts more than 24,000 American handmade arts and crafts including jewelry, woodturnings, art, photography, specialty foods, clothing, décor, and more. Harvest Festival also

offers entertainment for the entire family with live music, artist demonstrations, Kids Zone activities, food vendors, and prizes. Tickets are available at the door and are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 62+, $4 for young adults 13-17 years old, and kids under 12 are free. $7 for active and retired military or veterans with military ID. SafeNest provides a confidential shelter for victims and their children fleeing domestic violence. Residents at the SafeNest shelter stay an average of 60 days weeks. Last year the SafeNest shelter provided more than 16,000 nights of shelter to 448 domestic violence victims, provided hotline services for more than 27,000 crisis callers, offered more than 7,600 group and individual therapy sessions, and processed 1,775 emergency protection orders through the SafeNest hotline alone.

Nora Aunor: ‘Never take intrigues seriously’

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

WITHOUT a doubt, Nora Aunor is one of the pillars of the entertainment industry. Her colorful experience as an actress is enough for the young stars to take to heart every piece of advice that she would gladly give. She, too, is willing to share how to handle detractors without creating a negative image.

In this day and age, young stars are easy targets of social media bashing.

“I think it’s a lot harder to deal with controversies during my time pero lumilipas din,” began Nora after the formal launch of the cast of GMA’s latest drama series “Onanay.” “Pero ang mas marami ngayon yata ay ‘yung mga bashers.”

Nora added that it is important to be strong amid whatever challenge an actor has to face.

“A lot of things can happen in our life but, of course, you cannot really compare what you are going through to that of the others. Kaya kailangan lang kayanin natin.”

Nora, who is also popularly called as Ate Guy, also knows that a lot of the young stars are going through depression and she only had this to say: “They have to be strong and never take intrigues seriously. Sa akin yata naranasan ko na lahat na (ng klaseng intriga). Pwedeng may matinding ikasira pero di dapat pansinin. They should instead focus on their work.”

Another best thing to do, the veteran actress said, is to have faith in God. “And one more thing, don’t forget the fans who believe in you, and of course, the press,

Rosen tours Seafood City’s new location in Henderson, discusses legislative efforts to support Nevada’s small business community HENDERSON, NV — Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03), toured the Seafood City’s new supermarket in Henderson, to congratulate and meet with local Asian American business owners and discuss her efforts to support Southern Nevada’s minority-owned business community.

Rosen is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus. Nevada is home to more than 200,000 small businesses.

“Since coming to Congress, I’ve voted across party lines to help small businesses thrive in Nevada,” said Rosen. “I’ve been Ditas Arias, Melody Quinagoran, Congresswoman Jackie Rosen, & James Huang supporting bipartisan bills to help us invest in our workforce, close the skills gap, and support startups and entrepreneurs by giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed. I will continue to be an advocate for smart, pro-growth solutions that support Nevada’s small and minority-owned business community.”

BACKGROUND: Congresswoman Rosen is an original cosponsor of the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act of 2017, which passed the House last year. H.R. 2105 would direct the National Institute of Standards and Tech-

nology (NIST) to work with other federal agencies to create and make available clear and concise resources to help small businesses identify, manage, and reduce their cybersecurity risks. She is also a co-sponsor of the Small Business Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation that would

Nora Aunor (second from left) stars in the latest GMA 7 drama series Onanay with newcomer Jo Berry in the title role. It will premiere tonight on the Kapuso Telebabad block. With co-stars (from left) Gardo Versoza, Mikee Quintos, Jo Berry and Kate Valdez.

Photo by GMA

dahil kung wala sila, wala din sigurong isang Nora Aunor,” she added.

Asked if she noticed some changes in the industry today, Nora said that not much has changed except during media call. “Ngayon, inaasikaso talaga ng network ‘yung mga artista, pinapagawan ng damit at pinapauyusan. Noong araw hindi; kanya-kanya.”

What would she remind newcomers so they could stay long in the industry?

“Like what I always say, they should never forget to look back where they started and to always love their work. Ako nga walang pagmamahal sa trabaho pag naiin love, hahaha!”

Meanwhile, Nora is happy to be back on GMA 7 two years after her last drama series Little Nanay that saw her in poignant scenes as a mother to Kris Bernal. This time, the Superstar is once again portraying a mother role to newcomer Jo Berry in Onanay.

Kris Aquino bares experience filming...

PAGE B2 The writers ended up not naming what country the princess is from, but simply just said she was a Malay princess for some ambiguity.

In the wedding scene, Princess Intan dons a yellow — the color usually worn by a Malay princess — gown with a cape that was designed by Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

“We’ve been given a chance for a Filipina to portray [this role]...if it’s how we look at society in the Asian culture, a Filipina actress was chosen to be the one head and shoulders above everybody else...the one wearing a crown is a Filipina. So it was my duty to make sure that on that set, I looked worthy because I know I am representing everyone,” she said.

Referencing The Hollywood Reporter article in which novel author Kevin Kwan says he turned down a large payday from Netflix to have the film made by Warner Bros. Pictures instead.

“That’s why Kevin and I hit it off because we both go for broke,” she said. “Grabe yung (It’s extreme the) guts and the courage...The fact that, based on that article, he’s not getting any upfront money for the rights of the book. He needs it to do well for him to earn anything...

The winners take big risks.”

She and the author had met a few years ago when he went to the Philippines to promote the sequel book, “China Rich Girlfriend.”

The two have “kept in constant communication” and thanked him and Warner Bros. for giving her the opportunity.

“It was luck but Kevin also championed us. I have to give credit and we Filipinos have to say thank you to him,” she said of her “pivotal role” and how it was a way to appreciate the book’s Filipino “super fans.”

After “Crazy Rich Asians,” Filipinos are wondering what they can expect from the Queen of All

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

Media. It’s been two years since she announced she would be leaving ABS-CBN after 20 years to focus on her health, family, and her businesses.

“People had written me off and that was two years ago but look at where I [walked on Tuesday].

I want everyone who ever felt all doors are closing, it was useless to keep going, I went for it because I felt there was nothing to lose,” the media personality said. “Thank you all for allowing me to have this next chapter in my life...that’s why I want to share it with all of you.”

Falcis hinted that “there are a lot of options and opportunities that are happening now but at the end of the day, our priority is really her.”

Aquino added that she had quite a few projects lined up because she is the type to not say “no,” despite her physical limits, which has prompted her siblings to tell Falcis to remind her to rest and stop taking on too much.

She and her team announced that in two weeks, she will have her videos streaming on the subscription platform iflix, which is available in Asia and Africa.

Her manager chimed in, ”That’s why it takes a village.”

“If this will be the last movie listed in my screen credits in my filmography, don’t you think mom would be so proud that the last movie is a Hollywood movie for someone who has dreamt of this career since she was 2 years old?”

Aquino recounted a conversation she had with her siblings.

As she savors her participation of the film, she notes her main priority is to listen and take care of her own self.

Despite her family history and her decades-long career, at the end of the day, what does she want her legacy to be? It’s a question to which Bimby jokingly said, “being my mom.”

Aquino said, “There’s something that life has taught me. In

PAGE B5

create a loan guarantee program for small businesses to cover the costs of acquisition and installation of cybersecurity technology and services.

In May, Rosen submitted requests to House appropriators to support Nevada entrepreneurs and workers. Rosen requested appropriations for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Entrepreneurial Development Program, Small Business Development Centers that give free or low-cost assistance, 21st Century Community Learning Centers that provide academic enrichment, and industry partnerships to improve apprenticeship programs.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded Rosen its Spirit of Enterprise Award for her support for pro-growth policies in the first session of the 115th Congress. Rosen was one of only 13 Democrats in Congress to receive the award this year.

The bucket list

yourself one day with a dance routine.

Cut back the time spent online. We fritter away much of our time browsing and imbibing toxic things from the internet that wear away and erode the joy of our souls during our time here on earth. Get off your backside and listen to music that resonates with your body as you cook, clean your car, clean out the garage or do other mind numbing chores.

If all else fails, start humming as you work. My cousin, who has been a dentist for decades and is still active professionally in her early eighties, hums as she works on her patients’ mouths.

She enjoys what she does and it shows. The music pours out of her. When her husband was alive, they would hit the dance floor at parties whenever they could.

Music makes things easier as the arduous tasks get done. If you do mental work like writing or analysis that needs intense focus and you tend to get easily distracted, listen to soft, unobtrusive

instrumental music so the words don’t get in the way. On hot summer nights when sleep is elusive and the air conditioning is busted, listen and fall asleep to the sounds of gentle rain on your smartphone.

It’s hypnotic. This beats having to drink those dangerous sleep aids with horrid side effects.

Not all music soothes the soul though. Choose wisely. There is a smorgasbord of music to choose from and like anything else, our choices determine the outcome.

It is no wonder that the younger generations who grew up listening to that so-called music genre of troubling, raspy, jagged sounds that focus on the seedy side of life such as blood, sex, violence, gang culture and others have strayed so far away from what is good.

It was said that there were celestial strains of music by a host of angels floating above the stable in Bethlehem at the time Christ was born more than two thousand years ago. My wild guess is it may have been musical strains of Handel’s “Messiah.”

Was there music in the Garden

of Eden? Perhaps yes before sin came to be and Eden went dank and dark. And if you are living and trying to get to heaven, you may wonder if there is going to be music and dancing there as well?

If lightness of being and freedom from the stranglehold of gravity and earthly concerns characterize life beyond death, the answer is probably a big resounding YES. So while alive and your body and limbs are functional, dance with sheer abandon as you let good music move you. It is purely speculative but I have a gut feeling there is going to be a lot of dancing on an immense celestial dance floor as you bust your heavenly moves on a conga line.

Stand aside, Fred. You’ve got some serious competition up there.

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

Genital herpes and tea

“Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino visits the Asian Journal’s headquarters on Monday, August 6 to discuss her role as Princess Intan in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Aquino was in Los Angeles this week to attend the movie premiere.

AJPress photo by Andy Tecson

order for you to become a true person, you have to know where you stand and what you stand for.

In doing that, though, there’s no need to step on anybody else to reach your goals. I hope that with how ever long God plans me to be doing this, that people will realize that and that I never failed to say thank you because all of this is really a gift.”

PAGE B5 Slimming teas: A fraudulent claim What are slimming teas?

Slimming teas was a term designed by unscrupulous manufacturers who claim that drinking them would lead to loss of weight. These teas are marketed as a diet aid for weight control, victimizing the public, all in the name of profit.

How did this all start?

The same unsupported claims have been around for centuries, where herbal teas were described to have properties that cause loss of weight thru their effect on the metabolism, appetite, and by directly dissolving fats. Chinese, Mongolian and Italians have long believed herbal teas were effective for weight control. African herbal teas are advertised similarly, with the added claim that they reduce water retention and “cleanse the system of toxins.” Like some Chinese teas, these African teas have senna leaves in them, which have some purging effects. Those who also cut down on food (calories), while drinking tea, lose weight. It’s not the tea; it’s the calories.

Are these teas effective as a diet aid?

The claims that herbal teas or teas in general cause loss of weight, and therefore, effective as diet aids, are false. There is no scientific basis

to show that these teas contain any ingredient that would significantly curve or suppress the appetite, or cause so much increase in metabolism to lead to weight loss. If one drinks teas only as a way to lose weight (without reducing the amount of food they eat), the only thing the person will lose is money, not weight. The pocket would be lighter.

However, if one drinks tea often daily, without sugar or cream in it, and drinks it as an alternative (as a substitute, NOT in addition) to high calorie snack, or, if one drinks tea for breakfast and lunch, instead of eating those meals (which some people do to control weight), obviously this will lead to less calorie intake and therefore cause weight loss. This same good effect could also be achieved by eating apples, or other fruits for breakfast, and raw vegetables for lunch, and have a moderate dinner. This is the healthier way to diet. To this, of course, one has to also do daily regimented exercise routine to be healthier.

So does drinking tea alone not control weight?

Most definitely, not. If you are overweight and continue to eat the same amount of calories, drinking teas, herbal or not, even a gallon a day, will not lead to weight loss.

In order to control weight properly

and safely, the calories must be reduced and physical exercise (calorie loss) increased.

Does cutting down on rice lead to weight loss?

Yes, cutting down on carbohydrates, like rice, bread, cakes, ice cream, sweets can lead to weight loss fast, because these are sugars that have high glycemic index, and easily add pounds to the body.

Totally eliminating rice 3 meals a day, for instance, will dramatically cause weight reduction, provided the rest of the (total) foods ingested daily do not exceed 1000 calories.

Tough? Yes, but this is the safer and lesser expensive way to control weight and be healthier compared to spending your hard earned money for appetite suppressant drugs, or the so-called miracle diet pills or potions that are actually very dangerous. Eat proteins instead of carbs.

*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 9-15, 2018

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B8 AUGUST 9-15, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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