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AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

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

Volume 29 - No. 33 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Palace supports ‘option’ to extend martial law in Mindanao after blast MANILA — Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday, August 29, said the government will look into the Sultan Kudarat bombing that killed two people and hurt at least 34 others on Tuesday, August 28.

“We will assess it,” Medialdea said, adding that the affected is covered by the state of lawlessness and martial law.

DATELINE

Medialdea explained that he does not necessarily recommend extension but it may be an option.

“Tingnan natin (Let’s see), it’s an option. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible kung ganito pa rin nangyayari, ano’ng gagawin? Upo lang tayo diyan? (If this continues to happen, what should we do?

Should we just sit around?),” Me-

USA

dialdea said in a recorded ambush interview.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte also said she is open to the possibility martial law extension in Mindanao if the Armed Forces of the Philippines finds it necessary.

On Tuesday evening, a powerful blast occured along through NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY. President Rodrigo Duterte is accorded with military honors upon his arrival at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in a street in Isulan town amid a Taguig City as he leads the commemorative rites during the National Heroes’ Day on Monday, August 27. Joining the president is Armed

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Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr.

New Chief Justice de Castro vows independence

by AJPRESS

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US blacklists three IS recruiters including Filipino All three had connections to Philippine terror group A 28-year-old Philippine national was among the three men from Southeast Asia to be added to the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions blacklist on Friday, August 24, for involvement with the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed the sanctions on Philippine national Mohammad Reza Lahaman Kiram, Indonesian national Mohammed Karim Yusop Faiz, and Malaysian national Mohamad Rafi Udin, freezing their assets and denying them access to the U.S. financial system. The three were said to be recruiters for the Islamic militant group and appeared in a beheading video for ISIS. “Treasury is targeting ISIS recruiters who have engaged in a beheading video and other brutal acts as part of a propaganda campaign to attract radicals to join militant terrorist groups in Southeast Asia,” U.S.

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PH mourns passing of ‘true friend’ THE Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), mourned the death of United States Sen. John McCain who it described as a “true friend of the Philippines.”

“We deeply United States Sen. John McCain mourn the Photo from Senate.gov death of Sen. John McCain, a true friend of the Philippines and one of our champions in the United States Congress,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in a statement.

Cayetano at the same time extended the Filipino people’s deepest condolences to the family of the 81-year-old Republican legislator.

“We will remember Senator McCain for

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Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

NEWLY appointed Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro promised to instill independence as she took her oath of office on Tuesday, August 27, at the Supreme Court.

De Castro said that she will not find any difficulty in proving her independence from the president as she is confident that her appointment was hard earned.

“I have no problem maintaining the independence of the judiciary,” the new chief justice said as reNewly appointed Chief Justice Teresita De Castro is welcomed by employees ported by The Philippine Star.

De Castro also dismissed all upon her arrival at the Supreme Court on Monday, August 27.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban allegations that Duterte’s appoint-

ment was a reward for her role in the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Up to this time, I have not met the president. I haven’t seen him or approached him, whether directly or through anybody. He appointed me without knowing me personally,” De Castro said.

Many who opposed De Castro’s acquisition of the post claimed that the current chief justice was rewarded for taking part in Sereno’s removal from office considering that Duterte publicly declared Sereno his enemy. De Castro urged them to look at her record instead.

“I think they should look at my record. I do not think that

one incident would have been enough to elevate me to the highest position in the judiciary,” she pointed out.

She also said that the president will not get in the way of the country’s judicial system nor will he do something that would impact negatively on the third branch of government.

“I don’t think the President will do anything to negatively affect the independence of the judiciary,” she explained.

De Castro praised Duterte in his selection based on seniority as it appeals to her favor. She then expressed her inclination to follow the manner of choosing a leader

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Boracay reopening to inspire sustainable development

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

A BETTER and more sustainable Boracay is set to welcome back visitors on October 26 and is expected to usher in newer and bigger markets awaiting the island’s full recovery.

Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr. reiterated that the Department of

Tourism (DOT) is well on track with its 7.4 million target as the island’s closure also became an opportunity to introduce and boost travellers’ awareness of other tourism destinations in the country, which was key to retaining the country’s positive monthon-month performance on Undersecretary for Tourism Development

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Benito Bengzon Jr.

Inquirer.net photo

Foreign Affairs Sec. Cayetano: Duterte has nothing to hide about his health AFP eyes more military

Members of the Philippine Navy arrive at Manila’s South Harbor yesterday after joining the Rim of the Pacific exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

by AJPRESS

DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

On Tuesday, August 27, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano disputed Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano’s social media statement about President Rodrigo Duterte’s physical condition. In fact, Cayetano stressed that the Philippine leader has nothing to hide about his health.

“The president has never kept things about his health. If he suffers Philstar.com photo from something or feels

something, he talks about it,” Cayetano said as reported by The Philippine Star.

This was after Alejano posted a tweet claiming that Duterte’s trip to Israel had something to do with his health. The tweet contained a link to a news release from the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“Ayon sa aking bubuwit, itong trip na ito ay hindi patungkol sa

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assets from Russia

by MICHAEL

PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Apart from a submarine for the Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is also looking at the possibility of acquiring other military assets for the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force (PAF) from Russia.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said his visit to Russia gave him the opportunity to not only look at the submarine but other military hardware as well, like helicopters.

“I also saw their other equipment in the Army exhibition in Moscow,” he told reporters in a chance interview yesterday during the arrival in Manila of the Navy contingent that participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lorenzana said the AFP can look at the hardware by probably sending the Army and the technical working group (TWG) of the PAF to Russia.

For the submarine, he added that the Philippine Navy, also through a TWG, will likewise visit

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From The FronT Page

Boracay reopening to inspire sustainable...

PAGE A1 tourism arrivals. “The fact that we have kept ourselves afloat is a very strong reflection of how resilient the industry is, how quick we are to make adjustments with our marketing and promotions and I think, also a very strong communication of how prepared the other destinations are in welcoming the influx of tourists who otherwise would have gone to Boracay.� Undersec-

retary Bengzon said.

The DOT executive earlier stated that despite the closure of one of the country’s flagship destinations, brand equity remains strong as this has been continuously built upon for decades and has ensured stability such that demands from the global market also remains significantly high even with sudden setbacks.

A worldwide advertising campaign is set to be launched by

the DOT in the following months, to be accompanied by strengthened promotions for various PH destinations, including the much-awaited re-opening of the famous island.

This campaign is projected to entice more travellers to visit more destinations in addition to Boracay, as trainings and workshops for better sustainability practices are now being disseminated to industry players all over the country, guaranteed to provide better services to future clients. “When you look at it overall, we really have to make sure that when we roll it out, when we relaunch Boracay, it would be a better destination, more environment-friendly, and it will be more secure and we have to make sure that, more important than anything else, we avoid the problems that led to its closure in the first place.�

The DOT’s thrust for sustainability is also accompanied with infrastructure developments aimed at the same goal.

Among these developments are the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and an evident buildup in the accommodation sector expected to expand the destinations’ capacity in welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Undersecretary Bengzon assures travellers of better visitor experiences with the DOT’s projects already laid out for the coming months. “For our part, we will make sure that the accommodation establishments comply with the DENR/DILG requirements before they qualify for DOT accreditation. Manpower training programs will be extended to the accredited establishments so that the frontline services are much improved prior to the closing.

And lastly, we will have to work on a very intensive marketing promotions. So in our travel fairs, in our sales missions, Boracay will be showcased as a better destination for our markets.�

In 2017, foreign tourist arrivals reached 6,620,908 in total and in the first half 2018, 3.706 million international arrivals was recorded, promising a positive run towards the 7.4 million goal by the end of the year.

With the reopening of Boaracay, the country is looking forward to bringing in new markets as well as sustaining the growth of its key markets – South Korea, China and the United States. n

GOLDEN GIRLS. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, golfers Yuka Saso, Loisa Kaye Go, and Bianca Pagdanganan proudly show the gold medals they won at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino Internationa Airport in Pasay City on Tuesday, August 28.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Palace supports ‘option’ to extend...

PAGE A1 traditional municipal crop harvest thanksgiving festival called Hamungya Festival.

Among the fatalities in the incident are Leny Dohina Ombrog, 51 and the seven-year-old Devy Shane Alayon who died from shrapnel wounds in different parts of their

bodies.

Medialdea condemned this bombing and incident saying lives should not be placed in danger especially in such festivities.

In September 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a “state of lawlessness� nationwide following a deadly blast in

Davao City that killed at least 14 people and wounded 67 others.

The whole of Mindanao was also placed under martial law following the Marawi siege in May 2017. The martial law has been extended by the Congress until December 31 this year. (Rosette Adel/Philstar. com)

New Chief Justice de Castro vows...

PAGE A1

with the most experience in their respective fields. “We would like to express our appreciation that the president has that strong political will, to see to it that the merit system, which is the hallmark of public appointment in public service, is followed, and in upholding the time-honored tradition of seniority in the (SC),� she pointed out.

Following the mandatory retirement age of 70, the said chief justice will only be in office for

less than two months. However, she explained that regardless of this fact, seniority must still be observed. “Seniority is important because who is senior will have vast experience as to the workings of the court. It is expected that the senior members will have the respect of the rest of the members of the court,� she explained.

The new chief justice also denied the allegations that the impeachment complaints against her and six other justices will

reflect poorly on her duties. “I have no time to think about it because you know as you mentioned, I have very few weeks to work here in the court and I don’t want to be distracted by anything else, my schedule is full. I have so many activities set in the coming weeks, I do not wish to be distracted by that (impeachment),� she replied.

De Castro is also scheduled to take her oath before the president in a ceremony at MalacaĂąang Palace on Friday, August 31. n

AFP eyes more military assets...

PAGE A1 Russia to look at the vessel. “We are still looking around, we’re scouting for assets that suit our capabilities, our budget and our need for such equipment in our events, in our defense,� he said.

Lorenzana noted that the AFP is not only focusing on Russia but is also considering military

equipment from France, Germany, Sweden, Indonesia, South Korea, Indonesia and even the United Kingdom.

He confirmed that Russia is also inviting the AFP to join training exercises since Russia conducts army, special forces, ranger, shooting and even culinary exercises annually.

Lorenzana said the military will look into sending an observer to such training next year to determine if the AFP would join the same, considering that there is a lot to learn from the Russians. “And then later on, if the Army, Navy, Air Force say, ‘sir, we need those, can we participate’, then we participate,� he said. 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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USAID, DOH launch P2.5-billion projects against tuberculosis

by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

THE Department of Health (DOH) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a two five-year projects worth P2.5 billion aimed at strengthening the country’s fight against tuberculosis.

U.S. embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Klecheski and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III both encouraged Filipino TB patients to avail themselves of the government’s free treatment.

“We consider this a very serious effort for a very serious problem,” Klecheski told reporters after the launch of the TB innovations and TB platforms

projects in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

“Everybody should be treating their TB if they have it. You might say there’s no excuse,” he said.

The latest funding brings to P6.5 billion the total assistance of the U.S. government to the DOH’s National Tuberculosis Control Program, he said.

The new projects will focus on three regions with highest incidence of TB. These are National Capital Region, Region 3 (Central Luzon) and Region 4A (Calabarzon).

Duque said under the TB innovations project, the DOH would strengthen the health system of local government units, including their database management system to ensure that all TB cases

are reported.

Under the TB platforms, the DOH aims to increase TB and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) case detection and treatment. “(These new projects) would help us find people with TB,” Duque said.

The DOH secretary stressed the importance of completing treatment to prevent the development of DR-TB. Duque said about one percent of the population of the Philippines or one million Filipinos have TB. “There are 260,000 missing TB cases. This is the challenge, where are we going to find them,” he said.

THERE were many Doubting Duque said around 60 Filipinos Thomases when two unlikely die of the disease daily. ■ partners decided to take it upon themselves to introduce two of the greatest Filipino Superflyweights— Donnie Nietes and and join under the command of Aston Palicte—to the Filipino the emir of the soldiers of the community via a “Meet and Greet” caliphate in the Philippines, Ab- event.

But young Jhay Otamias and his dallah al-Filipini.”

Indonesian national Faiz, mentor, Dr. Ed de la Vega, did not 49, also had ties to the militant disappoint despite only having less group in the Philippines. In than two weeks to put together an 2014, he joined the Islamic State event, which takes many experiin Syria and helped with the re- enced spin makers months and cruitment of people from South- months to prepare.

With the support of many local east Asia to join the Philippines’ Islamic State-linked group, Abu Filipino businesses, that provided Sayyaf. He was jailed in the support including food from two Philippines for nine years on well-known Filipino restaurants in charges of illegal possession of the greater Los Angeles area, they pulled it off. weapons and explosives.

Of course a great deal of the sucMalaysian national Udin, 52, also traveled to Syria in 2014. He cess was made possible with the also helped with recruitment in help of the production people from the Philippines under former Tom Loefllers’ 360 Promotions and Abu Sayyaf leader, Isnilon Hapi- the media outlet of Bernie Bahrmasel and Ricardo Jimenez. The 360 lon. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) people brought the huge backdrop to provide a semblance of reality to the event and on top of that they invited two gorgeous “Tecate shared his family’s history and Girls” who graciously graced the affinity with the Philippines and event giving that “Vegas feeling” revealed that his grandfather to the event. served in the Philippines durThe fans had a great time taking ing the American Occupation photos with the two young ladies and the Second World War. as well as with the boxers.

McCain’s father, who became The program was opened by a Navy admiral, also saw action Dr. Ed de la Vega, who eventually in the Philippines and was a re- passed the hosting job to Cynthia cipient of our Legion of Honor. Conte, a Filipina-American jour“Senator McCain also told nalist who is now with the 360 us about the time he spent in Promotions.

Subic as a young Navy aviator Needless to say, Conte made serving in Vietnam and his ar- the event super. Her style of hostrival at Clark Air Base after his ing was amazing and it kept the release as a prisoner of war,” program flowing smoothly from he added. (Jefferson Antiporda/ the minute she took hold of the ManilaTimes.net) microphone until the program

A3

Nietes-Palicte meet & greet a rousing success

US blacklists three IS recruiters...

PAGE A1 Treasury Undersecretary Sigal Mandelker said in a statement.

“We are sanctioning these terrorists along with our U.N. and international partners as part of a coordinated effort to counter ISIS’s global networks that enable the group to recruit foreign fighters to conduct international terrorist attacks,” added Mandelker.

The U.S. move comes a day after the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council put similar charges on Udin, Faiz, and Kiram on Thursday, August 23. The council required all U.N. member countries to prohibit the three men’s travel, freeze their assets, and deny them access to the international financial system.

According to the U.N., Kiram is a senior ISIS member and was a member of Ansar Khalifa Philippines, a Philippine-based militant group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Philippine police believe Kiram was responsible for the 2012 bus bombing in Zamboanga City which left at least seven passengers injured.

The U.N. said that Kiram was seen in 2014 training recruits for Ansar Khalifa Philippines, before traveling with his wife to the Syrian Arab Republic in 2015.

In 2016, Kiram appeared in an Islamic State recruitment video that was distributed on social media. The U.N. quotes Kiram calling on supporters to “unite

PH mourns passing of...

PAGE A1 translating America’s commitment into action and for playing a vital role in keeping our alliance strong and capable to address current strategic challenges,” the DFA secretary said.

Cayetano said the late senator showed his humanitarian spirit and his lifelong dedication to the cause of peace and justice in his support of the Mindanao peace process.

Cayetano was among the last senior Philippine government officials to be received by McCain, then chairman of the Sen-

ate armed services committee.

The meeting took place in McCain’s office in Capitol Hill where Cayetano was joined

by Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro “Teddy Boy” T. Locsin, Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Luis Montales.

Discussed in that meeting were challenges confronting Manila and Washington and how the partnership could be further strengthened to address non-traditional security concerns, such as drug trafficking and violent extremism.

Cayetano said McCain even

Photos by Brandon Magpantay

ended.

Tom Loefller, the president of 360 Promotions, was so appreciative and impressed of the efforts of De La Vega and Otamias that he expressed his desire to see the duo create another event when the winner of the Nietes-Palicte fight defends his title early next year.

To commemorate the event, De La Vega and Otamias donated

a framed photo of the boxers to add to the first one they donated when they did the Ancajas-Sultan presscon at the Filipino Cultural Center last May 2018.

Signed gloves and posters were raffled off to the crowd and the proceeds went to a charity that does humanitarian dental services in the Philippines, Dentistry For Every Village Foundation. (Philboxing.com)

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New study: taking aspirin daily does not reduce chance for heart problems

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

A LONG-standing theory that taking a low-dose aspirin every day will cut the chances of a heart attack, stroke or other heart problems has been debunked by a new major research study.

Over the weekend, the European Society of Cardiology 2018 presented two studies that challenged the century-long, widelyaccepted doctor recommendation for aspirin use in adults.

The studies included adult participants who took aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke and who had no history of these medical emergencies.

One found that aspirin did not help prevent a first stroke or

heart attack in folks with a moderate risk for one due to health and lifestyle variables like smoking, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Another study explored the use of aspirin on diabetics, who are statistically more likely to die from heart problems.

Researchers randomly assigned 15,480 adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes — who don’t have any other outstanding health issues and no history of heart issues — either one aspirin pill, 1 gram of fish oil, both these pills, or a placebo pill every day for the next few years.

After just under eight years, researchers found that while there were fewer heart prob-

lems among the aspirin users, there were more cases of serious bleeding.

“There’s been a lot of uncertainty among doctors around the world about prescribing aspirin” for a vast majority of patients who haven’t had serious heart problems in the past, said Dr. Jane Armitage of the University of Oxford in England, one of the study’s lead researchers.

“If you’re healthy, it’s probably not worth taking it.”

The research study tested 100 milligram aspirin tablets, which is more than the commonly-sold 81-milligram tablets in the U.S., but is still considered a low dosage. n

PWD ARTWORKS. Mall-goers take a closer look at the art selling exhibit and works display from artists of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Autism Society Philippines, Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines and Tahanang Walang Hagdan at the Atrium of SM City Marikina on Tuesday, August 28. The art exhibit will run from August 27-31.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Amnesty renews call to drop charges against De Lima Fil-Am receives Fulbright grant

by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

to teach English in Malaysia

Viray

HUMAN rights group Amnesty International stressed its call for the Philippine government to drop politically motivated charges against Sen. Leila de Lima.

Marking her second birthday in detention, the senator stressed her innocence despite what she called trumped-up charges against her.

De Lima was accused of being involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as justice secretary.

“Amnesty International considers the targeting of Senator de Lima by the authorities as a blatant attempt to silence one of the most prominent critics of the violent ‘war on drugs’ and bar her from participating in public life,” the group said in a statement released Monday, August 27.

The group appealed to Philippine authorities to release De Lima and allow her to perform her duties as a senator.

De Lima has been detained for 18 months at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame, Quezon City over alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Amnesty insisted that the charges against De Lima stemmed from her criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s socalled war on drugs, which has resulted in extrajudicial killings of thousands of drug suspects, as

23-year-old Dan Santos found inspiration from his immigrant parents’ journey

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Sen. Leila de Lima

well as other human rights violations.

“The political persecution of Senator de Lima contines in an increasingly dangerous context where human rights defenders and civil society organizations face intimidation and obstruction in their attempts to investigate and raise concerns about human rights in the country,” the statement read.

The rights group also lamented the police’s restrictions against the senator while in prison. The police has been randomly inspecting private correspondence to her and limiting visits.

The police denied requests of several groups of foreign dignitaries, such as European and ASEAN parliamentarians, to visit her in detention, the group noted.

“In light of the above, Amnesty International calls on the Philippine authorities to drop all charges against Senator de Lima

Inquirer.net photo

and ensure she is released immediately and unconditionally as she is a prisoner of conscience solely detained for peacefully exercising her human rights,” the group said.

De Lima, meanwhile, launched her second book titled “Fight for Freedom and Other Writings” as she celebrated her 59th birthday in detention.

In February, De Lima launched her first book to mark her first year in detention. Her second book will contain a collection of writings, speeches, letters and notes about her quest for freedom.

“To my oppressors, jailing me despite my innocence is your burden to keep. To the Filipino people: No matter the persecution, I will never stop fighting.

[This book] is dedicated to family, friends, and supporters who cry out for my freedom,” the senator said in the book’s dedication. n

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MOST Asian Americans grow up with the overwhelming expectation to academically and financially succeed pursuant to the wishes of their immigrant parents.

Usually that means following a very precise trajectory — school, school and even more school before landing a job and establishing a career in a financially stable enterprise — planned out very early in life.

For second-generation Filipino-American Dan Santos, his upbringing definitely motivated him to excel in school and to work toward a secure future, but his road to success and happiness isn’t necessarily relegated to a carefully planned guideline.

The high-achieving Fulbright grantee and 2017 graduate of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign is currently utilizing his grant to teach English in Malaysia, something he never thought he’d do.

“It’s been such a great learning experience for me, and now I’m at a point where I’m teaching abroad and I think it’s really important to keep your options open,” Santos, 23, told the Asian Journal in a recent phone call.

Santos has been serving as an English teaching assistant for high schoolers since January of this year until this fall when he’ll start working for financial services firm Ernst & Young (EY) in forensic and integrity services.

As of press time, Santos is on break in the Philippines, treating himself to a Chance the Rapper concert in Manila, which happens to be where both his parents are from before they migrated to the United States and settled in the Chicago area in the early 1990s.

Santos was born 40 miles north of downtown Chicago in Waukegan, Ill. and describes his upbringing as an equal balance of Filipino and American cultures.

“Growing up, my parents would speak to me in both [Tagalog and English], and of all my cousins who were born in the states, I’m really the only one who can speak Tagalog fluently,” Santos shared.

“I really credit my grandparents because throughout [my youth] they would look after me and they really made it a point for me to be

able to speak both languages so it’s really special.”

Throughout his life, his parents served as chief inspirations for the young Filipino-American, and it’s not lost on Santos that his parents’ migration to the United States was a “huge sacrifice,” and that proved to him the resilience and strength one person can have when trying to make something of themselves.

Before the big move, Santos’ mother, Belinda, was a nurse and continued working as a nurse in the states, and his father, Danilo (who passed away when Santos was 19), was a barangay politician and gave up his career in government to move to America.

The father’s difficult decision to leave his career in politics, and to go on to work odd jobs in the U.S., for the family put things into perspective for Santos.

“Working hard and really trying to make something of yourself were things that critically were important for me and trying to make my parents proud and having that same work ethic that they had when they made that leap to the U.S.,” he said. “I think this a sentiment echoed by a lot of children of immigrants. So seeing that sacrifice was really eye-opening for me.”

And Santos took that lesson seriously. A high achiever in school, he studied abroad in Sweden and took business honors class trips to Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

He was also one of 14 University of Illinois students and alumni to be offered a Fulbright grant, a highly competitive cultural exchange program that offers international education, teaching stints and research opportunities to the academically excellent.

He chose to travel back to Malaysia for his grant because “I knew I wanted to live in a diverse area in Southeast Asia.” He chose to teach English because that was an area that he struggled with

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Fil-Am Dan Santos used his Fulbright grant to teach English in Malaysia.

Dan Santos chose to live in Malaysia for his Fulbright grant because he wanted to live in Southeast Asia.

growing up — his Filipino accent as a young child was so strong that he had to take speech classes because his classmates and teachers couldn’t understand him.

“It all just kind of came full circle, and to have this opportunity to go abroad turned out to be something that I really wanted. When you study abroad, you learn how to present yourself in a foreign context,” Santos remarked. “Our education, as Americans, is sort of centered around the United States and you don’t learn about other cultures or how to conduct yourself, whereas when you’re studying in a foreign country, meeting new people from different backgrounds. You take away a lot of lessons that you’re able to apply to your own life, regardless of what career you pursue.”

The “soft skills” he’s learned from his experiences abroad not only opened his eyes to new cultures and people, but it helped him realize that staying present and seeing every experience as a learning opportunity is more beneficial than stressing out trying to find and follow a specific career trajectory.

“That’s one of the key things I’ve learned from this whole experience: to take it slow and really have faith and trust in the process of finding more about yourself and finding out what you want to do long-term, I think, regardless of what experience you pursue, regardless of how long,” Santos affirmed. “Throughout college, I was really stressed out about finding a career that I find meaningful, but now, coming back, I very much found value and trust in pursuing the current routine, and I realized my job at EY might not what I want to do my entire career, but it’s something that I’ll learn from and take lessons from.” n

Foreign Affairs Sec. Cayetano: Duterte has...

PAGE A1 OFW kung hindi patungkol sa kalusugan ng pangulo (According to my source, this trip is not about the OFWs, it is about the health of the president),” Alejano tweeted.

The foreign affairs secretary also noted that all eyes are always on the national leader. Hence, no presidential deed goes unmonitored let alone kept out of the public’s eye.

“So whether a doctor goes to him or he goes to a hospital, that can’t be kept secret,” Cayetano added.

Cayetano also criticized the representative of being desperate enough to become a senator that he is allegedly disseminating false information to the public to win people over.

“So I don’t know if he (Alejano) wants to be senator so bad that he is becoming a purveyor of fake

news,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also reported Duterte’s current and scheduled tasks in order to trample all allegations that the leader is ailing.

The country’s top-ranking leader will witness several agreements between Israel and the Philippines on matters involving labor, agriculture, trade and security.

Others were also quick to defend the president from people claiming that he is sick. Election law practitioner Romulo Macalintal countered Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) chairman Jose Maria Sison’s statement that the president’s lack of rosy cheeks indicates a sign of illness.

“His ‘dark face’ is caused by his going up and down the mountains and should be regarded as the gospel truth, until proven otherwise by competent medical authorities,” Macalintal said.

The poll lawyer also dismissed

the assumptions of people based only on Duterte’s “darkening face.” He regarded those observations as speculations.

“All other interpretations of his ‘darkening face’ are mere speculations, if not totally hearsay or mere wishful thinking. Only God knows the real truth behind the darkness of his face,” he added.

Macalintal also said that the president is not obligated to prove himself unafflicted. He addressed Duterte’s critics as the ones responsible to prove the basis of their demand.

The 1987 Constitution states that the public shall be informed of the condition of the president’s health only “in case of serious illness.”

Macalintal stated that Duterte’s public appearances, like his attendance at an event in Davao, are enough proof of his good health condition. n

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 30-SEptEmbER 5, 2018

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A

Dateline PGloriahiliPPines Arroyo: ‘I am retiring, no plans for prime minister’

ALL SMILES. President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia on the sidelines of the National Heroes’ Day commemoration at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday, August 27. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

Petitioners argue on ICC withdrawal

by AJPress Petitioners questioning the legality of the country’s withdrawal from the rome statute of the international Criminal Court (iCC) argued on tuesday, August 28, before the supreme Court (sC).

Philippine Coalition for the international Criminal Court (PCiCC) urged the sC to issue a mandamus against the Duterte administration. A mandamus is known as a judicial writ issued in the form of a command to order a government office or official to perform a statutory duty. the end goal is for the country to “withdraw the withdrawal.”

Gilbert Andres, one of the PCiCC legal counsels, said that executive decision of pulling out of the international court would rob people of opportunities to defend themselves should state or armed forces commit a crime against them. “the Philippines’ withdrawal from the rome statute will abolish the Filipino people’s parallel means of enforcing the right to effective remedies against international crimes committed by state forces and/or armed forces,” Andres said.

Andres also amplified the need for the international court by emphasizing the intensity of crimes

subjected to the institution as reported by The Philippine Star.

“Due to the gravity of the crimes that are subject of the rome statute, there is a need for the right to effective remedies against these international crimes and this right to effective remedies is provided in various human rights instruments,” Andres said.

Andres also noted that “the iCC is precisely that parallel means of enforcing that right against these gross human rights violations.”

Lawyer romel Bagares also questioned the absence of a senate concurrence in the said withdrawal.

“A treaty requires senate concurrence and the rome statute is a treaty, the unilateral withdrawal is interference, a violation of the separation of powers,” Bagares explained. sC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen responded to those arguments stating that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the rome statute of international Criminal Court (iCC) is a done deal and it is too late to nullify it. “it is already a completed act. only in the Philippines that you claim there is a defect.” Leonen said.

Leonen is certain that the Philippines has already completed its withdrawal of membership from

MAniLA – House speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is all set to leave politics after her term ends in 2019. “i am retiring. i don’t plan to run for anything in 2019,” Arroyo said in an interview with Cnn Philippines aired on Wednesday, August 29. the former president even doused speculations she is aiming to become prime minister under a federal system of government, which President rodrigo Duterte has prioritized as part of his agenda. “i have no plans to be prime minister because it’s not even in the draft of the committee (that drafted the federal charter),” she said.

Arroyo, who represents Pampanga, shot back to fame last month after she unseated Davao del norte rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to become the Lower House’s first female House speaker. she rose to presidency after former president now Manila Mayor Joseph estrada was ousted from power through a people’s revolt in 2001.

But suspicions on her real political plans is no longer new. in 2003, Arroyo said she would not join the presidential race, only to run and win another fresh six-year term in 2004.

While the draft federal constitution indeed does not prescribe for the election of a prime minister, the charter proposal will go through Congress for amendments, where provisions may be inserted or dropped. “i’ve said before, many times, i don’t expect the fruition of the charter change during my term as speaker. But to the fullest extent possible, (i will work on it) within

the iCC. He noted that only in the Philippines can one claim that there is a defect in the motion.

“As far as the international community, the Philippines has withdrawn its membership. to rejoin it is not to withdraw the withdrawal but to sign and to accede. so, it is too late,” Leonen said.

He also explained that in order for the complaint to have a legal standing “principally it must be shown that there is a personal, substantial and direct injury suffered by petitioners.” the associate justice then asked one of the legal counsels, ray Paolo santiago, what his injury is, to which he replied: “i have no direct injury as of yet.”

Opposition senators skip oral arguments on ICC withdrawal sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, sen. Franklin Drilon and sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino iV failed to show up during the supposed first hearing on the iCC withdrawal. they sent instead their legal representation Anne Marie Corominas to deliver their petition.

“Petitioner senators respectfully move that they be given until the next session of the oral arguments within which to decide an appropriate course of action with the issue of representation of these proceedings,” Corominas House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Philstar.com photo asked the Court. n

the limitations of my term, in the hopes that who will take it up afterwards, would continue,” she explained.

Discussions on the draft charter has not moved forward after some senators themselves expressed reservations because Arroyo’s name has been raised together with the prime minister position.

Atty. Kimberley Schaefer

“i think people who keep raising that are people who want to stir up controversy,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo’s nine-year term has been marked by corruption controversies that saw her indicted for plunder under the government of her successor, Benigno Aquino iii. Courts eventually cleared her of charges. (Philstar.com)

Atty. Moonee Lee

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AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

A new chief justice

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he just followed seniority in appointing Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro as the new chief justice.

The President picked De Castro even if she has less than two months left before her retirement. And even if, for just 41 days in her new post, taxpayers will now have to give her much more than the pension that she would have originally received plus all the other perks of a retired chief justice.

No one is questioning De Castro’s competence or qualifications.

One doesn’t get appointed to the Supreme Court without the requisite intellectual capability and expertise. She was also the most senior SC member in the running for the job – but only because the more senior magistrate, Antonio Carpio, had declined his nomination.

This is just one of the controversies bedeviling De Castro’s promotion. She has promised judicial reforms in 41 days, in a branch of government that has been in dire need of improvements for decades.

Some quarters argue that her appointment is illegal because she faces an impeachment complaint. But with just 41 days to serve, De Castro may rest assured of being spared from ouster.

Critics have pounced on her appointment because she is known as the archenemy of her predecessor, Maria Lourdes Sereno. Despite Sereno’s ouster and the expunging of her appointment as chief justice, she can no longer be stricken off Filipinos’ memory

as the first woman and the youngest ever at age 52 to serve as top magistrate — and she did this for nearly six years, not just 41 days.

De Castro will be remembered for being one of the eight SC justices who voted to kick out Sereno through a mere quo warranto petition filed by the government’s chief lawyer. Carpio declined his nomination because having voted against the quo warranto case and wanting the removal of a chief justice to be by impeachment, as stipulated in the Constitution, he said he had to be consistent and did not want to benefit from Sereno’s ouster.

Because of the circumstances, De Castro has been branded by critics as the “endo” or end-ofcontract chief justice and her appointment dubbed as the start of a revolving-door policy that makes SC justices beholden to the executive.

The Philippine judicial system is weak enough.

De Castro has 41 days to show that her appointment has not aggravated that institutional weakness and undermined the rule of law. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS AMERICA mourns the passing of Senator John McCain— war hero, six-term senator, a true statesman, patriot and public servant.

Amid all the tributes to McCain’s heroism and dedicated service to America among his colleagues, constituents, family, friends, world leaders, and Americans — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents — it was painful to watch the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, staring at reporters during a news conference with stern eyes, arms crossed and held tight against his chest, when asked several times if he could say something about the passing of McCain, if he thinks he was a hero, if he could honor McCain for his service to America.

Silence.

His silence revealed more than his words could ever say about what is really in his heart.

After all, he denigrated McCain when the latter was alive just because the good senator had the moral and testicular fortitude to stand up to the president who has an insatiable need to be adored and have everything his way even if it would not be for the good of the country.

Trump could not handle dissent, and as the most successful businessman and reality show superstar he claims to be, the word “account-

Commentary

JOJO ROBLES I THOUGHT that Maria Lourdes Sereno had only purchased, using funds of the Supreme Court, a bullet-proof Toyota SUV during her abbreviated term as pretender to the position of chief justice. I only learned recently that the SUV was bought together with three “big bikes,” the oversize motorcycles favored by the powerful to clear a path for them on Metro Manila’s clogged-up streets.

And the only reason I learned about the bikes is because new Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro said she would be using neither the SUV nor the motorcycles that the infamous Sereno was forced to return after she was expelled from the court. De Castro, the legitimate successor to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, would in all likelihood continue to use her nondescript Toyota van, which she rode in to her swearingin ceremony yesterday as befits

Philstar.com photo

McCain and Trump: A study in contrast between true and faux leaders

ability”, “rule of law” and owning up responsibility when he makes a mistake are alien to him. His mantra is to win, to make a profit, to benefit from whatever he gets into— and he would do anything and everything he could to make that happen, no matter what the cost.

Because McCain is not consumed and motivated by political expediency, he did not have to swallow his principles just to massage Trump’s ego, agree with him in policies, programs and legislative agenda of the president he did not think would be in the best interest of the American people And so this was the root of the animosity between Trump and McCain. The president even insulted McCain and other prisoners of war (POWs) when he said McCain was not really a hero because he was captured. These words from a man who dodged being drafted to do his duty to defend the country.

Trump hated McCain because he was afraid people may one day realize that he, Donald J. Trump, was not really a true and real leader when compared to McCain.

John Sydney McCain was an embodiment of the virtues of a truly decent, respectful public servant, that was why he earned the respect of his colleagues in office and of the American people, even during the times when we disagreed with his stand on some fundamental issues.

Because we know that his heart was in the right place. Because we know that his life had been dedicated to causes bigger than

himself— and that is to serve the country we all love. Because he exemplified what it is to be a true civil servant — “Public Service is a Public Trust” and he had always been accountable for his actions to deserve that trust.

Trump hated McCain because he could not reconcile with the TRUTH, especially when the TRUTH becomes a road block to his way to victory. I remember how much I respected McCain during a 2008 town hall meeting McCain had and a woman in red told him that she doesn’t trust Obama because he is an “Arab”.

McCain shook his head, grabbed the mike from her and then said, “No ma’am...He’s a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.”

Remember McCain’s concession speech?

“Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

“These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

“I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help

restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”

Trump hated McCain because he was afraid that people might soon realize that behind that facade of a “strong” leader that he hopes to project to the public, he is just a shallow petty celebrity figure whose aspirations, motives, and actions are all about Donald J. Trump — his image, his fame, his fortune. It was all about how the government and the people of America would serve and defend him, and not the other way around.

McCain left a farewell letter to the American people that really touched my heart. I hope we will all be reminded of what to expect from Trump and all of our public officials. I hope we will all be moved to discern what it is to truly be a good and responsible citizen of this great nation: “My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans, Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for

the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.

I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes - liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people - brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

‘Fellow Americans’ - that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil.

We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history.

We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our

ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

We are three-hundred-andtwenty-five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement.

If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before.

We always do.

Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening. I feel it powerfully still.

Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Farewell, fellow Americans.

God bless you, and God bless America.” ***

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective. com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.

Relos

De Castro’s just reward Witnessing the passion and excitement from the AAPI candidate forum in Vegas: Let our voices be heard in the general election

someone who doesn’t claim to be constantly conducting a two-way conversation with God. Yes, it appears that propriety, seniority and even sanity have been restored to the high court with de Castro’s assumption to Corona’s post. And the end of Sereno’s tenure as faux chief justice also marks the final vindication for Corona, who was forced to step down by a vengeful president who used government funds to buy a Congress that was only too willing to remove the head of a co-equal branch — for fat fees, of course.

At this late date, I still do not know if President Rodrigo Duterte actively worked to remove Sereno. All I know is, her own colleagues in the high court rebelled against Sereno’s misbegotten and misguided rule, deciding in the end to throw her out through an unprecedented but totally legal and unassailable quo warranto proceeding.

And now that De Castro, who will be chief justice only for less than two months, has ended Sereno’s bogus reign, Duterte is being accused of “rewarding” de Castro

for voting with eight other justices to remove Sereno. I suppose the opposition, which fought hard to retain Sereno and which is now engaged in the pathetic move to impeach the eight justices who removed their God-conversing idol, is correct — but for entirely different reasons.

De Castro was surely rewarded with the chief justiceship because she is the most senior magistrate among the three whose names were submitted to the President.

She was also certainly rewarded for being an accomplished jurist, having gone through the judicial mill starting as a law clerk in the Supreme Court in 1973 after passing the bar in 1972 with a grade of 80 percent.

De Castro was also rewarded for steadily climbing the ladder of accomplishment, working her way from being state counsel of the Department of Justice (1978), leaving the department only in 1995 as head of its legal staff. And Duterte must also have rewarded de Castro for getting appointed to the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court, eventually becoming pre-

u PAGE A7

Commentary

LISA MELANIE NOETH ON Tuesday, August 28, 2018, members of the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community in Las Vegas were given the opportunity to interact with our congressional, state, and local candidates at the AAPI Candidate Forum from both political parties.

Witnessing firsthand the passion and excitement of our local AAPI community members engaged in political participation gave me hope in the future of Nevada. As valued community members of Nevada, do not be afraid to ask our candidates questions about how they are going to affect change at a higher level in elected office.

Our elected officials, especially those in the local and state positions, directly affect our daily lives with policies being voted on. As the AAPI community, we do have a voice and it does matter to our candidates. I observed it last night at the Candidate Forum, we are a strong community united by our morals and values regardless of our ethnicity and differences.

Our candidates are working hard to represent the will of the people, including the AAPI community in Las Vegas. The AAPI population is continuing the grow at a fast rate in Nevada. According to the Asian Community Development Council, Nevada is home to 291,000 Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), making about 10 percent of the state population. It is our mission as community advocates in the AAPI community to educate and persuade our family and friends to vote in the general election in November.

Do not let political apathy, the attitude of “our vote doesn’t count” or “I am too busy to vote,” take over. Regardless of our rigorous work schedules and busy home lives, we have to unite together to vote for the November midterm elections. Despite the political polarization, educate yourselves by researching the candidates and their stances on important issues.

Make the choice of who you are going to vote for based on facts.

Political participation by voting is, in essence, the greatest gift endowed to us by our Founding Fathers. Voting is a part of our American duty. It only takes 15 minutes at the most to do early voting or vote on Election Day. The future of Nevada is at stake depending on who wins the general election.

If your moral convictions of believing in the importance of faith and family values, education, PAGE A7

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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Immigration upholds Fox’s deportation

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

RELIEF OPS FOR AETAS. Former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributes relief goods to some 475 families in Barangay Camias in Sitios Pascul, Kuyukut, Liplip and Patul; and 178 families in Sitio Sentro in Porac, Pampanga affected by the torrential rains and flooding.

PNA photo by Jerry Carual

Patag

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration has upheld its deportation order against Sister Patricia Fox, the Australian missionary who drew the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed this in a message to reporters. He said that Immigration Deputy Commissioner Tobias Javier informed him of the BI’s ruling on Fox’s case.

The resolution on the deportation order has yet to be made public as of this story’s posting.

Immigration ordered Fox’s deportation on July 19, after its board of commissioners found that she had violated the “limitations and conditions of Commonwealth Act 612, Section 9 (g) missionary visa and undesirable under Article 2711, Section 69.”

It cited Fox’s alleged participation in rallies, including a labor strike in Davao City earlier this year.

The BI said that to allow the

Sister Patricia Fox

Philstar.com photo

Australian nun to participate in rallies “would open the floodgates for other aliens unbridled right to criticize the government by joining rallies in detriment of public peace in order.”

The resolution from the Immigration also said that it is taking “judicial notice” of Duterte’s pronouncements against her, which Fox said is a sign that the BI has “prejudged” her case over the chief executive’s remarks against her.

Duterte has admitted to ordering an investigation into Fox. In his later speeches, the president would repeatedly lash out against the elderly nun for having a “shameful mouth.”

Fox has spent the last 27 years in the country, extending aid to indigenous peoples, land reform advocates and people behind bars.

She has recently sought to renew her missionary visa that is due to expire on September 5. n

cost the administration additional expenses amounting to as much as P131 billion in the first year of transition.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also said the country’s credit ratings might be downgraded as rating agencies had earlier expressed concern over federalism that would create

uncertainties in the country’s political landscape.

He said an unmanaged fiscal deficit could also derail the administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.

Economic managers also pointed out that some regions are not prepared to make such a transition. n

No China debt trap – Cayetano Economic managers to set unified stand on federalism

by Jefferson

antiPorda ManilaTimes

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano downplayed on Tuesday, August 28 concerns over the Philippines falling into a Chinese debt trap if the country continued to accept financing schemes offered by Beijing for the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

According Cayetano, no less than Secretary Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had said the country’s debt to gross national product was at a “very, very healthy” level.

Diokno had said the debt-togross domestic product (GDP) ratio of the country stood at 40 percent, which meant the Philippines could

still borrow money.

Cayetano said it was unlikely for the Philippines to fall into a debt trap because the total borrowings of the country from China accounted for only 1 percent of foreign debt.

“If you look at our total debt, only 1 percent is from China. How can you have a debt trap if your total debt to that country is only 1 percent?” Cayetano told reporters at the sidelines of the Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Cayetano maintained that the Philippines could continue to borrow from China without falling into a debt trap so long as there was transparency in loan deals.

Several senators have urged the administration of President Rodri-

go Duterte to follow Malaysia’s lead in withdrawing from China-backed projects to prevent the Philippines from facing bankruptcy.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has cancelled three Chinabacked projects amounting to $22 billion to prevent Malaysia from falling into a debt trap.

Opposition senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros also demanded transparency on the country’s foreign policy, particularly the diplomatic actions made against China over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Cayetano refused to answer but said his office was willing to divulge the details of the “diplomatic actions” in a closed-door session, saying he did not want to publicly disclose the strategy of the government. n

Kin of EJK victims file ICC complaint vs Duterte for crimes against humanity MANILA — The families of alleged victims of extrajudicial killings on Tuesday, August 28, filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court, accusing President Rodrigo Duterte of committing crimes against humanity in the course of the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs and campaign against criminality.

The complainants, who include the kin of alleged EJK victims and church-based and sectoral group Rise Up, asserted that Duterte is guilty of crimes against humanity, specifically murder and other inhumane acts.

The National Union of People’s Lawyer assisted in the filing of the complaint.

They called on the ICC Office of the Prosecutor to indict Duterte for crimes against humanity and award reparation for the victims and complainants.

In the 50-page complaint, the families claimed that the chief executive has ordered and incited the killings through his statements and official memoranda.

The complaint said the police use of the term “neutralize” translates to “kill,” which the complainants believe is an indication that Duterte directly ordered state agents to kill

suspected drug personalities.

“By his words and actions, President Duterte is the perpetrator and most responsible for the killings and other horrific acts. He has consistently stated that he is responsible for the ‘war on drugs’,” the complaint read.

Human rights advocates claim there have been more than 12,000 individuals killed since Duterte launched the brutal war on drugs.

But the government has downplayed the numbers, claiming a little over 4,000 deaths in recognized law enforcement operations.

NUPL chair Neri Colmenares said the number of alleged drug suspects killed in so-called police operations is large enough to constitute crimes against humanity.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s tens of thousands or 4,410, there are several dead already. This is up to the standard of crimes against humanity,” Colmenares said.

NUPL said it was the first ICC complaint filed directly by families affected by drug killings.

In April 2017, lawyer Jude Sabio filed the first communication against Duterte for crimes against humanity before the ICC. Opposition lawmakers Sen. An-

tonio Trillanes and Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) filed a supplemental one in June 2017.

Last February, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor announced it would conduct a preliminary examination, not an investigation, into Duterte’s war on drugs.

Malacañang is confident that the complaint of the families of EJK victims and group Rise Up will not fly.

“My fearless prediction is that it will not prosper dahil sa concept ng complementarity. Hindi po dapat gumalaw ang ICC unless local courts are proven to be unable and unwilling to exercise jurisdiction on these cases,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a former human rights lawyer, said.

Under the principle of complementarity, the ICC can exercise jurisdictions if states are unable or unwilling to investigate crimes.

Roque had repeatedly said the Philippine courts are functioning well.

Last March, the Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr. submitted the Philippines’ letter of withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the ICC. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ManilaTimes.net)

Witnessing the passion and excitement...

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embedded in our culture and we can empower one another to let our voices be heard in the midterm elections.. *** A tenacious leader and entrepreneur, Lisa Noeth started her content writing business,

De Castro’s just...

siding justice and chairman of that tribunal’s first division until she was appointed in 2007 to the Supreme Court by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Of course, Duterte must also have rewarded de Castro for her work in convicting former President Joseph Estrada of plunder when he was still very popular, so popular that Arroyo later pardoned Estrada. And Duterte must also have noted, in his reward-giving, that de Castro once served as president of the International Association of Women Judges (20122014) and as chairman of the bar examination committee in 2015.

In other words, Duterte rewarded de Castro for her seniority and achievements, not because she was a college classmate, as Sereno (the most junior and most unaccomplished magistrate at the time) was to the president who appointed her, Noynoy Aquino. And de Castro has also been known to refer to the Almighty in public for the rewards she has received, even if, unlike Sereno, there is no record that God ever talked back to de Castro.

As de Castro said upon her

appointment to the high court in2007: “Everything happens in God’s time. I believe that my 34 years of service in the judiciary and a good track record make me qualified for this position.”

And so, yes, de Castro was rewarded for her hard work and performance. Now she has until her mandatory retirement in October to enjoy her just reward.

Even if a top-of-the-line bulletproof SUV and three motorcycle outriders aren’t part of the reward package for the new chief justice. *** But as I’ve said, the assumption of de Castro to the chief justiceship is also a vindication for the injustice committed by Aquino and his Congress lapdogs against Corona.

And it is fitting that Sereno was not removed from office by Congress through impeachment, by many of the same lawmakers who condemned Corona only because Aquino larded them with Disbursement Acceleration Program funds.

It is also proper that Corona is officially being replaced by de Castro, who is only exactly one week older than Corona. Corona would have retired upon turning 70 on October 15; it’s as if some karmic

LM Noeth Solutions, in 2018. She graduated from New York University’s Masters of Science in Global Affairs in 2016 and is currently an aspiring political commentator/journalist. Lisa is on a mission to unite all millennial Republicans across Nevada as the chairwoman for the Young Republicans of Southern Nevada.

law was at work to make the justice closest in seniority to Corona take over his position, even if only for 41 days.

Of course, Corona is now dead, having succumbed to a heart attack right before the 2016 elections that put Duterte in Malacañang. He never saw the justice who usurped the position in 2012 removed six years later — but I’m sure he would have approved of it.

Corona would have certainly appreciated the fact that, because Sereno’s appointment has been deemed void from the beginning in the quo warranto case, de Castro succeeded him in a straight line.

The details will have to be worked out, but I am sure that at some future time, the Supreme Court will eventually continue to call Corona the country’s 23rd chief justice and de Castro the 24th, when it has figured out what to do with the six-year judicial black hole during which Sereno reigned.

As for everyone else in Malacañang, Congress, the media and elsewhere to have passed their unfavorable judgment on Corona simply because Noynoy said so, they, too, will have their day of reckoning. The removal of Sereno forms only the first part of granting justice to Renato Corona. (ManilaTimes.net)

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

MANILA — Economic managers are expected to come up with a unified position on the proposed shift to a federal form of government in their meeting this week, according to an official of the National Economic and Development Authority.

NEDA undersecretary for planning and policy Rosemarie Edillon said the administration’s economic cluster is convening on Wednesday to discuss, among other matters, fiscal and economic assumptions based on the draft federal charter prepared by the consultative committee (Concom) reviewing the 1987 Constitution.

This will be the first time that the economic cluster that includes NEDA, Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be meeting after the draft charter was released.

Economic managers have raised concerns over the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

Among the issues raised was that it would be too costly and thus disruptive to the growth momentum of the economy.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia warned that the shift to a federal system could

A

august 30-september 5, 2018 • Las Vegas asIaN JOurNaL

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Journal The authenticity of Kathryn Bernardo Heart sets the record straight on ‘Crazy Rich Asians 2’

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

by Marbbie

Tagabucba Philstar.com

It’s hard to write about Kathryn Bernardo without mentioning Daniel Padilla. But the long-running are-they-or-aren’t-they charade that is KathNiel has finally been confirmed, as they just revealed the real status of their relationship this week. In front of the press, during a conference for their upcoming film “the Hows of Us”, they admitted that they have officially been a couple for more than five years now — and yet somehow, it doesn’t feel like such a reveal. Kathryn Bernardo has always been forthcoming about her thoughts and feelings — even those feelings for Daniel. And it’s the same openness that comes with all her endeavors as a person and an actress.

At 12 characters long, “Authenticity” is a mouthful that almost didn’t make it as the name of a nude pink matte lipstick shade in Kathryn Bernardo’s makeup collection that launched last week.

It was only out of practicality that they prodded against Authenticity. “they found (the name) too long, that maybe it’s hard to remember,” Kathryn recalls. “But I said no. We have to push ‘authenticity’ because it’s very me.” she wants it to be a reminder to whoever wears it.

“Karamihan, natatakot na sila to be themselves. Feeling nila people judge them and hindi sila ma-accept ng society but at the end of the day, being authentic is the secret para mas mahalin ka ng mga tao,” she tells me backstage during the launch.

After all, staying authentic — as much as one can possibly be in show business — is what has kept Kathryn in the game for so long.

A young morena with bright, expressive eyes and round, high cheekbones, it was in 2003 that Kathryn first had a tV role in “It Might Be You”, a pre-woke time when halfie mestizas and chinitas were the mainstream beauty standard. I mean, Kathryn’s Cielo grew up to be the half-British Bea Alonzo. It had been generations

Kathryn Bernardo

since a young morena found fandom not unlike that of sharon Cuneta and Nora Aunor.

And then there was Kathryn.

I don’t think I’m completely mistaken when I say she paved the resurgence of the morena Filipina beauty among the youth. It’s not like Kathryn was making a big statement out of her color, or her looks. she was just staying true.

Being true to yourself doesn’t mean being brash and reckless, not for someone calm and disciplined like Kathryn. she has long come to terms with the circumstances of the dream she chose to chase — and that the journey is not hers alone. “Being an artista, we all know na hindi namin pwede gawin lahat ng gusto namin kasi lahat ng mata nasa sa amin.

Hindi ko masabi na may enough freedom ako like the usual but I think it’s part of the job talaga,” she admits. “My secret is I had to balance it. In a way, na feel ko pa rin that I’m still living my life. Less freedom doesn’t mean I can’t be myself anymore. Mas minahal ako ng fans ko ng alam nila na ang nakikita nila totoo.

Parati ko sinasabi sa kanila na I’m not perfect. I make mistakes but I learn from them. I’m open sa lahat ng sinasabi ng mga tao. Yun lang ginagawa ko. Gets nila.”

Visually, her ride-or-die makeup

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

artist Denise Go-Ochoa is a big part of how Kathryn shaped her image.

Denise’s go-to look for Kathryn these days is a diffused and glowy face for the actress who wants the focus to be less on looking pretty and more on being able to convey emotions. Brushed-up brows, colored contact lenses and fluffy lashes make her eyes the focal point without the use of dark eyeliners and any harsh lines.

“Ever since, kikay na ako as a kid. As time went by, nag-iba yung taste ko sa makeup. At the age of 22, nalaman ko na kung ano yung bagay sa akin but I’m still exploring. I have a lot of things to learn pa and Ate Denise is guiding me, introducing me to different techniques.”

Like when she wears Authenticity, putting on the lipstick gives her courage — even when it means digging deep in her emotions and personal relationship experiences with Daniel Padilla, portraying one half of a long-term couple confronted with the inevitable growing pains of adulting. Letting the world witness the catharsis takes guts, too. “I decided two years ago to be something else,” she shares, hinting at Barcelona Kathryn.

“Kasi pag parati kang safe, minsan boring. I just had to have spunk to be different, to evolve, and it’s happening.”

AFtEr Kevin Kwan dubbed Heart Evangelista as a real “Crazy rich Asian” in his special for Harpers’ Bazaar, the glamorous multi-slashie showed her compassionate side at the Philippine Animal Welfare society (PAWs) in Katipunan, Quezon City.

Dressed down in a simple red skirt, a PAWs shirt and designer denim jacket—but still with her trademark Cartier love bangles, diamonds and multi-million Patek Philippe rose gold watch—she looked so at home and so comfortable amid dozens of Aspins (short for “Asong Pinoy”) who crowded her, licked her and played with her. she told The Times, “It was at a very young age when my dad exposed us to animals. We had a lot of dogs with breed and also Asong Pinoys who we loved dearly and treated equally.”

Known to have several advocacies she is active and passionate about, it turns out that Heart has long been involved with PAWs, rendering her services for free in finding homes for Aspins and spreading that word that they should be loved just as much as any pet dog.

“Marami na akong nadala na boyfriend dito bago pa si Chiz [husband sen. Francis Escudero],” she laughed good-naturedly. “I love animals, and I even brought PanPan [her Aspin] with me today. Actually, PanPan is even more behaved than our other dogs and nakikinig talaga siya.”

Well-loved and cared for by Heart indeed, PanPan must be the poshest Asong Pinoy there is, decked out like all her other thick-furred dogs in Hermes and Louis Vuitton pooch accessories!

In fact, PanPan should be off to Paris soon for a pictorial what with Heart busily fixing her flying papers for Europe.

Besides allotting time for PAWs, Heart said she is currently focused on her painting and fashion projects right now, setting the

The glamorous multi-slashie—dubbed by Kevin Kwan as a real life ‘Crazy Rich Asian’—shows her compassionate side as a longtime volunteer of PAWS. ManilaTimes.net photos

record straight that she has not been offered a part in the “Crazy rich Asians” sequel.

“No, I wasn’t offered a part by Kevin Kwan. I even auditioned for the first one but I didn’t get in,” she honestly revealed. “I’m focusing on fashion first since I’m the latest muse of this French brand sequoia. I am also flying to New York, Milan and Paris again for

more fashion engagements.” tears welled up in her eyes when asked how she’s doing after her miscarriage in the summer.

Pausing to control her emotions, she managed a smile and replied, “I just want to be very positive and I don’t want to plan my life as much I used to plan before. It will happen when it happens.”

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Barbie Forteza finds her happy place John Cho stars in groundbreaking film ‘Searching’

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

AT an age when most young adults are still trying to achieve that balance between career and personal life, Barbie Forteza unabashedly declares she has attained hers.

Without sounding full of herself, the actress sweetly told The Manila Times, “Napaka-saya ko ngayon—kumbaga #goals [a popular social media slang which connotes a status people aspire for] na ako pagdating sa trabaho at sa personal na buhay.”

While people might raise an eyebrow at this statement—after all, she is only 21 years old and has only been in show business for eight years—Forteza gratefully points to the success of her ongoing prime time series “Inday Will Always Love You.” Real-life Happylou A romantic comedy series produced by GMA News and Public Affairs, “Inday Will Always Love You” sees Forteza playing Happylou, a bubbly and optimistic girl whose life takes a turn when she leaves Manila in search for her father in Cebu.

She

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

Barbie Forteza with real-life boyfriend Jak Roberto. Photos from Instagram/@barbaraforteza

finds work as an assistant at a lechon store, but still does her best to stay positive.

The actress admitted that among the characters she had the privilege of portraying, Happylou was one of those she had been most excited for. In fact, she looked forward to the shooting days even before the cameras started rolling.

“Portraying Happylou is very personal to me kasi napaka-positive niyang tao, napakamasayahin at saka wala siyang arte. Ako sa totoong buhay, gusto ko ring makuha yung ganung klase ng character,” she intimated.

And now, three months into the show, Happylou’s optimistic attitude has already infected Forteza.

“Along the way, lalo na pag nasa set kapag at hindi ko pa scene, minsan nagiging Happylou na rin ako, yung pagpapatawa ko ganun na rin katulad sa kanya. Pero nakakatuwa yun kasi ibig sabihin Happylou is already very close to my heart.”

Understandably, Barbie—and the Happylou in her—is ecstatic the show has been extended for another season.

Reason for celebration In the coming weeks, viewers can look forward to bigger revelations and new characters in the series, portrayed by Jean Garcia, Kyline Alcantara, and Kim Domingo.

The last season ended when Amanda (Gladys Reyes) successfully amassed everything that Philip (Ricky Davao) owns, forcing Happylou and her family to return to Manila and start over.

As they rebuild a new life this season, Philip is

reunited with Florence, an “old flame”(Garcia), who will help him put up a small business. Philip’s girlfriend Marta (Manilyn Reynes), however, feels threatened.

As a love triangle ensues between Florence and Marta, viewers will be treated to funny banter and explosive catfights between the two senior actresses.

“I think nakuha namin yung kiliti ng tao kaya kami na-extend, kasi we tackle current events and other issues—from demolition to bagyo and baha—kaya nakaka-relate lahat ng tao,” Forteza offered when The Manila Times asked for their recipe in winning the audience and even the social media.

“Tapos yung visuals, napakaganda and yung bawat character very relatable at kapag relevant sa viewers ang characters, madaling maka-capture ng show ang puso ng mga tao,” the actress added.

Happy heart Beyond the set, Forteza is also a picture of happiness what with her ongoing romance with former screen partner and now real-life boyfriend, Jak Roberto.

As of late, the two Kapuso stars have been more opene about their relationship, posting their sweet moments for their millions of followers to see.

And while she claims that work is still her focus, Forteza admitted it doesn’t hurt to have some time for the heart.

“Sa ngayon, masasabi kong nasa stage ako ng buhay na wala na akong mahihingi pa. Ang showbiz, alam naman nating magulo yan, na kahit walang mali sa iyo hahanapan ka nila ng mali but surprisingly walang nangingialam, walang namba-bash, walang humahadlang, walang problema, so sobrang saya ko lang!” she ended.

FRESH off the heels of the highly successful opening of “Crazy Rich Asians” is yet another groundbreaking film meant to raise the profile of the Asian American community.

It is called “Searching”, it stars John Cho and it is a psychological thriller. The film, directed

by Aneesh Chaganty with a script he co-wrote with Sev Ohanian, makes history with the casting of Cho in the lead role.

“That is part of the deep satisfaction I get from showing this to audiences, we’re seeing an entire Asian American family onscreen, not just the side character but an entire loving family and that gratifies me,” the 46-year-old Cho told the Asian Journal in an interview.

“I am very proud of who made it, who I made this film with, who it shows and who it’s for.”

The “Star Trek” actor also shared that when the script was sent to him, he said no at first. It is a genre flick, viewed entirely through a computer screen. “[It’s] because of the technology part. I said I don’t know if this is possible and I was not sure if I wanted to do it. I watched ‘Unfriended’ and even though I liked the movie, I was like I’m not sure if this is something I want to do,” he explained.

There will be comparisons with “Unfriended”, but Cho is unfazed.

“Our movie is a lot different. I was worried that it wasn’t going to be very cinematic,” he said.

“I met with Aneesh and he pitched me his version and he said we are going to move the camera in the sense that we were going to do pans and zooms and in the sense, we were going to do a traditional movie,” Cho added.

“I saw something in him and felt a connection with him. I was impressed by his skill and said why not.”

Upon seeing the film’s final cut for the very first time, Cho grabbed his phone and texted Chaganty.

“I told him that he has added to the vocabulary of cinema.

That is really hard to do and I was so impressed with him with the final product,” Cho said. “It represented so much work possibly more than any movie I have ever done.”

For Cho, the finished product

John Cho

went so far from what they did on set to where it landed and credits the creative crew for painting this world he and his family had to live in.

“I like putting a foot forward with a movie like this that is written and directed by two exceptional people of color and have a whole Asian American family and have it be in a genre that is sort of mainstream popcorn kind of movie,” added Cho. Film background Aneesh Chaganty and Sev Ohanian met in film school at the University of Southern California. They co wrote a piece together called Seeds, a two minute project that was shot on Google Glasses.

The small film opened the doors for them, and Aneesh went on to New York to write and direct commercials for Google, which he did for two years. Sev continued on wearing his independent producer’s hat and he met with the producers of “Unfriended” who wanted them to come up with a short film follow up, shot on a computer screen.

“That was way more exciting for me than a feature film because I didn’t think a feature film was possible on a computer screen,” Aneesh told the “Asian Journal”.

Photo from Facebook/SearchingMovie

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Bottomline, they pitched an eight minute short film to the producers only for the producers to tell them back that they had shifted gears and wanted a full feature.

“I said no and Sev was kicking me under the table. What they were asking was for us to stretch eight minutes to 90 without being gimmicky,” he added.

For the next two months, the two of them would bounce ideas off of each other because nothing so far was sticking. Then one day, Aneesh told Sev that he had an idea. Over the phone, they shared their idea of an opening scene and lo and behold, they had the same concept.

“That moment, there was a light bulb that went off and we realized the potential of this idea, this conceit. We realized that there was a way to make this movie and not have 90 minutes of gimmick but 90 minutes of cinematic, engaging and emotional film,” Aneesh explained.

The opening sequence they discussed over the phone is a montage of events that happened in 17 years, and it happened to be one of Cho’s favorite scenes.

“Creating all those memories of home life that you see on the first seven minutes, the montage.

That was a challenge to make it real and draw up on my own life and I liked that,” he said.

In the end, what they have now is a thriller that is 135 minutes long.

“I thought it was going to be longer. The fact that we got it into 130 is a victory for us. That, to me is the perfect length,” Sev added.

The film has built a following of sorts, starting when they screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. They have been to various film fests across the country, including the recently concluded Asian American International Film Festival in New York where Searching was the opening night film.

“It has been great to hear people tell us what they like about the movie. We’ve had feedbacks telling us how engaged they were, how they were on the edge of their seats and how the twists and turns surprised them,” Sev said. “You can’t get told that enough and not feel great about it every time.”

Christian Bautista nails Boyzone’s ‘No Matter What,’ gets praises from Ronan Keating by deni and

rose Bernardo Jan Milo seVero Philstar.com

SINGER-ACTOR Christian Bautista had the time of his life as he performed with Irish boyband Boyzone during the Manila leg of their Asian farewell tour in Mall of Asia Arena recently.

Christian was a front act at the concert together with another proudly Filipino talent, girl group 4th Impact, fifth place winners of “X Factor UK.” “I’m a big fan myself,” Christian said of Boyzone at the concert. “I met them backstage and they were so nice and friendly. We’re so lucky to have them in our country!”

The Manila audience was surprised when Boyzone called Christian again onstage to sing the parts of the group’s late member, Stephen Gately, in their hit song “No Matter What.”

“Christian can really, really sing,” Boyzone member Ronan Keating said before performing their “Manila-Irish version” of “No Matter What.”

“What a voice! What a talent!

One of your own!” Ronan said of Christian after their number.

On his Instagram account, Christian posted a video clip of their performance and captioned it “Singing ‘No matter what’ with @boyzoneofficial. What a very talented and kind and generous group they are.”

Photo from Instagram/@xtianbautista

In another post, Christian said he used to sing Boyzone songs in an acapella group in high school, so his duet with the group is unimaginable.

“I used to sing in an acapella group back in high school. We had a lot of boy band songs in our rep, including songs from @ boyzoneofficial. I never imagined i would be given an opportunity to

actually sing with them onstage.

This was a great night. Thank you,” he wrote.

The Irish group is composed of Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch. Apart from “No Matter What,” they are known for their hit songs “Everyday I Love You,” Love Me For a Reason,” and their own rendition of “Words.”

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

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JC Santos on being a hero for HIV/AIDS patients

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

Darren Espanto (second from right) with (from left) Alwyn Uytingco, Juan Miguel Severo, Kit Thompson, Kathryn Bernardo, direk Cathy GarciaMolina, Daniel Padilla and Ria Atayde during the presscon.

Philstar.com photo

Darren gets acting tips from KathNiel

by BOT

GLORIOSO Philstar.com

THOSE eager to get a fair share of the entertainment spotlight must be envious of Darren Espanto these days. You see, Darren has clinched his first acting project with none other than Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, popularly known as KathNiel, in the Star Cinema latest offering “The Hows of Us” under director Cathy Garcia-Molina. It was not too long ago when the young crooner expressed his desire to try his hand in acting and, voila, Lady Luck granted his wish pronto.

According to Darren, he was in Honolulu when his handler sent him a text message saying that he was chosen to portray Yohan, the young brother of Kathryn’s George.

That’s why, while he was vacationing in his hometown Canada, he was trying to control his excitement and nervousness until the day he received a request from the movie production team to fly straight from Canada to the set in Amsterdam. Direk Cathy wanted to meet up with him for some “acting tests” before the actual shooting.

“While in Canada, I was asking myself what am I gonna do? I didn’t undergo any (acting) workshops and it’s my first time to act,” shared Darren after the media call for the movie that is set to open on Aug. 29 in theaters nationwide.

Direk Cathy admitted she was eager to meet Darren. The last time she saw him was in the singing tilt “The Voice Kids”. She, too, revealed the role was truly meant for him “but, still, I want to talk to him first because from there, I will know if he is fit for the role.”

For his part, Darren said he certainly understood where the director was coming from. “Before the start of shooting, we had a

one-on-one talk. She said, ‘Huwag ka magtatampo sa akin kung masisigawan kita. Kailangang handa ang ego mo because acting is different from singing.’ With that, I perfectly understood her because it is she who can envision the outcome of the scenes and what’s best for the movie.”

From the first shooting day alone, Darren discovered the rigors of acting. He said that singing and acting are equally challenging.

“In singing, aside from memorizing the song, you have to make sure of the tone and word placement. But since it’s my passion, I just enjoy doing it every time I perform. In acting, wow, my respect for them — actors and staff — are immeasurable. They really worked hard and sometimes they lacked sleep because some were working like all-around. The craft is very fascinating. How they can portray a character, like KathNiel, you see them laughing so hard but once (the director) shouts “Action!” tears easily well up their eyes. I’d like to learn more of it also.”

It’s no secret that Kathryn is Darren’s showbiz crush. His eyes lit up when he started sharing about his first meeting with Kathryn in Amsterdam.

“Actually, screen test pa lang kinausap na n’ya ako. She asked me what happened during my screen test. I was speechless because I was very happy. My happiness doubled when I got the role so I got to know them more. I admire her since her ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ (days) then ‘Super Inggo’ and now it’s a dream come true to be able to work with her talaga.”

Asked if Kathryn and Daniel gave him some acting tips, Darren said the two were very approachable during shootings. He described the latter as “very chill” while Kathryn never failed to remind him about

his vocal tone.

“They always tell me to stay relaxed and don’t get too serious with the dialogues and it’s true because during my first shooting day, I really memorized all my lines only to find out before the actual shooting that there were revisions in the script. That’s why, they told me to just stay focused on the character. Ang dapat aralin ‘yung character and Ate Kathryn reminded me to deliver the lines in varying tones na pwedeng itry na mas mababa o bagalan ang pagsalita.

“There were times when I got so tensed and frustrated because I couldn’t deliver; I wasn’t able to give the right emotion but I’m thankful because they’re all so supportive and very patient with me.

They gave me time.” After three takes, Darren gave a convincing performance. “They said that the right emotion comes out when you are relaxed.”

Did direk Cathy ever shout at him?

“Hindi naman. Napagsabihan lang. She called me anak o bebe.

Malambing pa din s’ya.”

On shooting breaks, KathNiel often tagged Darren along in roaming around Amsterdam. They had fun as proven by the photos Darren recently posted on social media.

After working with direk Cathy, Darren is more than willing to pursue an acting career if and when he is given more opportunities to prove his talent. In fact, he hopes to act alongside Sarah Geronimo in future projects. He, too, prefers drama over comedy.

“I can say that I am more confident in drama since I had a lot of crying scenes here (movie) and direk also said that I am okay with drama than in comedy because I am so serious and shy. So, I guess I should lessen my shyness.”

KAPAMILYA actor JC Santos said doing the now defunct teleserye “Till I Met You” helped him to get involved in the advocacy for HIV-AIDS. At the recent press conference for the signing of the Paris Declaration to Fast-track Cities: Ending the AIDS Epidemic in SM Aura in Taguig City, JC said his gay role in the teleserye reached many audiences.

“Tinanong ako nila Nicolo Cosme ng Red Whistle, and I said yes agad with my manager direk Andoy. Because I did a video before for ‘Love Yourself’ on how to use an anti-retroviral drug,” JC said, referring to how he became an ambassador of Red Whistle, a group dedicated for HIV-AIDS awareness.

Since becoming an ambassador, the “The Day After Valentine’s” star visited various provinces in the country to promote HIV-AIDS awareness.

“Nagkaroon kami ng mga events sa mga probinsiya. Habang tumatagal dumadami ‘yung kaalaman ko and ang sarap ng feeling na nagtuturo ka sa mga bata kung papaano i-tackle ang sensitive topic na ito. Nandoon ako sa generation ko, gusto ko silang hikayatin na ganito dapat natin i-tackle ang HIV,” JC said.

“So far ang sarap kasi mga probinsya ‘yung mga pinupuntahan namin at we’re doing it in a fun way. Nagkakaroon kami ng mga games at ang daming volunteer. It’s amazing. It’s very enlightening, life-changing,” he added.

JC Santos

ABS-CBN photo

LJ Reyes, Paolo Contis expecting first child

by JAN

MILO SEVERO

Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress LJ Reyes is expecting her second child, her first with boyfriend Paolo Contis.

In a video posted by LJ on her YouTube channel, she was asking her son with Paulo Avelino, Aki, a series of questions, including, “Do you want a playmate?”

Later on, in the video, LJ finally told Aki that she is pregnant, showing a sonogram picture as proof.

For his part, Paolo, who also has two children with former EB Babe Lian Paz, turned to Instagram to show his excitement with his

new baby.

“YES WE ARE! God has blessed us with the perfect gift and we couldn’t be happier! We want to thank our families and friends who are as excited as we are. And to you @lj_reyes ... When we became a couple 3 years ago, I felt so lucky!

With all the problems I had, all the baggage I carry, you still accepted me and became my partner and strength,” he wrote.

“Yes, we do have our bad days (dahil matigas ang ulo ko) but we always manage to be okay and happy... And now that we are expecting... I promise to be beside you all the way. You will never ever

Paolo Contis and LJ Reyes with Aki, LJ’s son with actor Paulo Avelino.

be alone. Thank you for everything my love! Mahal na mahal kita! We feel so happy and blessed and we just can’t help but share this great news with everyone. Now, let’s celebrate!! #BabyContis2019,” he added.

LJ thanked everyone who greeted them on her Instagram account.

“Words can’t express how grateful we are for the love and warm greetings you all have been sending us! Please know that we want thank each one of you who took time to post/text/call for your greetings! We are very excited to be in this journey!” she said.

Photo from Instagram/@paolo_contis

B august 30-september 5, 2018 • Las Vegas asIaN JOurNaL

By Monet

Lu

EVERY time the “Ber” months are about to start, I get a sense of nostalgia and astonishment on how fast the year goes by. This year has been bittersweet for me as I remember the friends, families and families of friends who passed on. While I have so much to be thankful for this year, I can’t help but wonder about my bereaved friends — especially those who have lost their soulmates.

I was watching Lorna Tolentino on her latest soap opera and I remembered that it has been 10 years since her late husband Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez passed away from cancer. I remember because I was with her at that time and I got to know her a little bit when she was with Rudy undergoing treatment here in the U.S. It’s heartbreaking to see couples driven apart by an inevitable fate we all can’t escape.

But surprisingly, a loved one’s death also has a way of unveiling our true selves. And for my dear friend, Lorna, she is happy being single – a status I haven’t seen in years in the midst of #hugot and #mayforever.

What can I say, Tolentino — sometimes known as L.T. — has so much to live for. She can choose to be “single and ready-to-mingle” or she can just enjoy the projects she has and being a mom to sons Rap and Renz Fernandez. She had her one great love and that was it for her. Her love life is the last thing on her mind.

She currently stars in the daytime action-drama series “Asintado” on ABS-CBN. She portrays the role of Miranda Ojeda, the mother of Gael (Paulo Avelino) and the Chief Strategist of Salvador del Mundo. She is ruthless and will go as far as breaking her son’s heart to protect Salvador’s political career. Senator del Mundo depends on her to orchestrate his every movement to the public.

Throughout the years, Tolentino has already played a lot of roles in Kapamilya teleseryes, such as “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” “Dahil May Isang Ikaw,” “Momay,” and “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.”

EntErtainmEnt

Lorna Tolentino: What being ‘single and happy’ looks like

She first appeared in Prima Productions’ “My Little One,” using the screen name of Giselle.

Later she changed this to Lorna Tolentino, after Siony Tolentino, who helped her enter the movie world of FPJ Productions. She played the young Susan Roces in “Divina Gracia” in 1970. Her first starring role was in “Langit Ko ang Pag-Ibig Mo” with Eddie Garcia and Panchito. She was paired with Tirso Cruz III in “Dalagita” in 1976 and with Rudy Fernandez in “Leap year ngayon, lagot ka pipikutin kita.”

The 1980s proved to be a turning point in her career when she was recognized by award-giving bodies.

Her outstanding films of this period and the nominations she received were: “Moral,” where she got nominated for Gawad Urian Best Actress, Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), Star Award, Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP); “Init Sa Magdamag,” “Huwag Mo Kaming Isumpa,” “Maging Akin Ka Lamang,” “Natutulog Pa Ang Diyos,” “Kailan Mahuhugasan Ang Kasalanan?”; and “Kislap Sa Dilim.”

Tolentino has had 14 FAMAS nominations for Best Actress and won three times. The first of which was for Best Child Performer in 1971, alongside best child actor Arnold Gamboa, her co-star. Her incredible feat in 1992 for the film “Narito Ang Puso Ko” earned her the monicker “Grandslam actress.” From FAP, she has three Best Actress Awards from her films, “Mag-

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Paulo Avelino learns interesting facts about Gregorio del Pilar

by Alfred

BAyle Inquirer.net

PAULO Avelino learned a great deal of historical facts about Gregorio del Pilar when he prepared for his role in the upcoming historical epic “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”

The actor said many of the facts he learned came from books and the movie’s script. “Hindi ko alam na may gold tooth si Goyo (I didn’t know Goyo had a gold tooth),” said Avelino in a report by Push.

Avelino also noted how many of his personal discoveries about Del Pilar’s past were not included in the movie. However, he affirmed his awareness of Del Pilar’s theorized mistresses due to accounts from the historical figure’s relaing Akin Ka Lamang” (1987), tives.

“Narito Ang Puso Ko” (1992) and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” “Abakada... Ina” (2001). From was directed by Jerrold Tarog and Gawad Urian she has had 10 is a sequel to his previous historical nominations. film “Heneral Luna.” The movie, She also has had her share of television work, including four very successful soap operas: “Kay Tagal Nang Hinintay,” “Timeless”; “Hanggang Kailan”; “Dahil May Isang Ikaw”; “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin”; and the

by Cody CepedA hugely successful, “May Bukas Inquirer.net Pa (2009-2010),” detailing the LUIS Manzano recently took to chronicles of a young boy who social media to share the alarming could talk to God. I could go on and on about condition of our oceans due to her achievements and what has improper waste disposal. In his kept her busy all these years but Instagram post made on Aug. 27, one thing stands out to me is Manzano showed pictures and a that this lady has been a dreamer video clip of him scuba-diving. In and fighter in all aspects of life. the photos, Manzano can be seen She’s not about to give all that up underwater, surrounded by all because she is no longer part of sorts of trash.

“AFTER ONE DIVE,” wrote a “couple.” She is the epitome of Manzano in his post. “See the “single but not alone.”

To the one and only “pictorial amount of plastic and trash we queen” and box-office queen, I have in our waters, we are better am touched by your positivity than this everyone!!!”

Manzano didn’t say where he and strength. I am honored to went scuba-diving, but in his uphave known you and your family.

I wish you all the happiness in the world. May your life continue to be an inspiration to many. ***

Photo from Facebook/@GoyoAngBatangHeneral

which took over a year to make, tells the story of Gregorio del Pilar, who was the youngest general during the Philippine-American war. He died in the Battle of Tirad Pass. The film will be released in Philippine cinemas on Sept. 5.

Avelino said the film should build a stronger sense of national identity among Filipinos by getting to know the country’s history.

It would also serve as a reminder of past mistakes and a push to fix those mistakes.

Luis Manzano surrounded by trash while scuba-diving, tells people to be more ‘responsible’

Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning 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 all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

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management.

“All the clean up dives in the world won’t do anything unless we dispose of garbage the right way! WE HAVE A PROBLEM PEOPLE.” More and more celebrities in recent times have been speaking up about the trash that pervade communities, often taking to social media to express their grievances over this menace.

Last May, Solenn Heussaff took to her Twitter to lament the trash in the streets, wondering out loud why people could not dispose their waste properly despite it being such a simple thing.

Iza Calzado last June called on people to clean up trash after her pet dog Hugo died from eating plastic. Hugo apparently ingested a piece of plastic while out for one of his walks, his death a huge upset to the actress who mourned his untimely death.

Meanwhile, Jericho Rosales, who often surfs in Siargao, also bemoaned the trash in beaches.

Last November, Rosales told his fans that plastic “hurts our seas, animals and affect the food we eat” and called on them to respect nature and stop throwing things in the ocean.

Photo from Instagram/@luckymanzano

loaded video, he can be seen waving in front of the camera as tons of trash float around him. The camera then pans around, showing more trash floating underwater.

“What is happening to our oceans, see the amount we picked up after just ONE DIVE,” Manzano said, sounding upset. “Please be more responsible with your trash, please naman.”

But despite being distressed over the trash in the ocean, Manzano did not try to wash his hands or point the blame at anyone.

Manzano urged his fans to dispose of their trash properly, citing clean-up dives would be futile if people don’t learn proper waste

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Your Immigration Solution ATTY. LORELLA T. HESS THE American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”) recently won a court order requiring the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to follow their published guidelines regarding the release of asylum seekers from custody.

The case (Damus v. Nielsen) specifically applies to asylum seekers who have passed their credible fear interviews. It gives new hope to asylum seekers who have recently arrived in the U.S. at a port of entry and who can show they are not a danger to the community and that they are likely to appear for future court proceedings.

The U.S. District Court found that under the Trump administration, ICE has significantly changed its processing of parole requests for foreign national who arrive in the U.S. and are able to demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home country.

For example, the Los Angeles Field Office denied 92% of these requests in 2017. However, in prior years, more than 90% of such requests were approved.

This drastic swing convinced the court that ICE was no longer following its own established policy. Rather, it was arbitrarily denying parole to nearly every applicant. Therefore, in the classaction lawsuit, the court issued an emergency order requiring ICE to review all parole denials to members of the Damus class. In addition, pursuant to the Damus order, ICE must make a decision on most new applications for parole within two weeks of the credible fear determination.

This case is important because being held in ICE custody has many negative effects. The

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Twelfth of a series) (Conclusion of 2 parts) [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.]

WHETHER we like it or not, the past is a big part of who we have become. At some point, it may be worth our while to back track and come full circle just before the end game is in sight.

So the next time you get an invitation to a reunion, don’t hesitate, JUST GO. High school and college reunions are compelling reasons to go back and ride that blast from the past. Take the ride because it may never come again. Life is not only short. It is unpredictable as well.

Say NO to hubris.

You may have been too busy building a career, raising a family and have become so engaged with the nitty gritty to bother about such things as reunions. No you’re not indifferent nor have you become too big for your britches that you can’t be bothered. At any rate, there is nothing in this world

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS WHY do we age?

Just like machines and engines, our body ages because of the cumulative damages to our cells, tissues, and organs (resulting from daily “wear and tear” and the selfabuse humans are well known for) that exceeds our body’s ability to repair them. These damages lead to obvious signs of aging: sags, bulges and wrinkles, gray hair, loss of muscle, bone and nerve integrity, impairment of hearing and vision, incompetence of various sphincters (bladder and anal, etc.), lowered immunity and resistance, and increased susceptibility to diseases and infections. The arteries all over the body undergo severe arteriosclerosis (hardening) which leads to circulatory and oxygen deficits in various organs (brain, heart, glands, legs, etc) causing stroke, heart attack, reduced libido and other hormonal deficits.

Can we delay or reverse the aging process?

There have been so many claims made, especially by unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors of “food supplements,” that their products can delay or reverse aging, make people five, ten, or more, years younger. There is nothing farther from the truth. Unfortunately, although we are all looking for that “fountain of youth,” the

Federal court order gives new hope to asylum seekers detained person is separated from family and friends, work or school, and prevented from getting on with any kind of normal life. Visiting hours are limited, and most detention facilities are located in remote areas which make it inconvenient for family, friends, and attorneys to keep in regular contact with detainees.

Many medical studies have shown that, especially for asylum seekers who are often already traumatized by the circumstances they fled in their home countries, prolonged detention exacerbates psychological symptoms. Likewise, family and friends on the outside may be struggling with extra financial strains or childcare responsibilities caused by the absence of the detained person, as well as with their own anxieties about their loved one’s fate.

In addition, an immigrant is also at a significant disadvantage with regards to their court case when they are in ICE custody. The court’s detained docket moves very quickly, which makes it difficult to retain a good attorney and collect all the evidence needed to present a strong case. If expert testimony is required, it becomes more challenging for then expert to properly evaluate the case and effectively present their opinions to the court. Plus, the person who has most at stake in the case and who knows most about it - the one who is at risk for being deported from the United States - is often unable to offer much assistance while locked away in ICE detention. He or she cannot personally search for documents, obtain official records, or contact employers or other references.

Thus, the burden falls upon family members and friends on the outside, who are often less informed about the details of the case and may not know what to do. And

of course, many asylum seekers have no friends or relatives in the United States.

If an asylum applicant is detained, the attorney’s first priority will be to determine whether release is possible. The Damus order now gives thousands of detained asylum-seekers new hope for release. Under Damus, most asylum-seekers who have received a positive credible fear determination should be released from ICE detention so long as they can reasonably prove their identity, they are not a danger to the community, and that they do not present a flight risk. A knowledgeable immigration attorney will be able to assist families in meeting all these requirements while their loved ones are detained. They will thereafter be able to present the best possible case for asylum and long-term safety in the United States.

It is better for everyone when asylum seekers are allowed to fully assist in their own court cases.

This allows for the best possible opportunity to remain safely in the United States while also allowing for immigrants to remain with family and friends throughout the duration of their case. *** REEVES 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.

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The bucket list

Ride that blast from the past

“...Someone said that reunions are like masquerade balls.

No one comes as his genuine self.

Many try to hide the scars behind a mask...” to make anyone feel like a puffed up toad and think he or she is better than anyone else. Life has a way of cutting back to size any show of hubris and arrogance.

So what is your excuse for ducking reunions? In truth, you may just have too much on your plate for far too long. But this time around, you have to make time because there might never be a next time. And you may just miss out on one of the grandest rides of your lifetime.

Why GO? There’s an upside to finally letting the past catch up with us. We get perspective. We hear life stories. Some are compelling while others are cautionary, sad tales.

We begin to understand. And if reunions really serve their purpose, we come out of the experience happy. We have checked off one item from our bucket list.

We may come out humbled by the experience of living this long and having walked this journey with classmates who, in all likelihood, come from a similar back-

ground and are cut from the same cloth. You feel you have been blessed abundantly along with your contemporaries having made it this far.

Like a Masquerade Ball Someone said that reunions are like masquerade balls. No one comes as his genuine self. Many try to hide the scars behind a mask.

Like postings on social media, we all try to present to the world the best versions of our photoshopped images, kind of wearing a Sunday dress. If that is the case, so be it.

There is great fun and sidesplitting humor at reunions and celebrations of this sort. We see the same people and notice that they have changed very little from what you perceived them to be so many years ago. Then there are the few swan like characters that truly evolved from the gawky, awkward phases of youth — truly beautiful and oozing with class inside and out, confident without being cocky.

Then, there are the class PAGE B6

Delay aging potion or lotion (or, in whatsoever form), medical science still has nothing to offer us in this department. Fifty one top scientists in the world recently refute claims of this “miracle treatment,” including stem cell therapy, as advertised all over the globe and warn the public against this fraud. All the infomercials currently flooding the market and media are bunk, aimed at deceiving the unsuspecting public for a fast buck.

What is the danger of trying some “anti-aging” drugs?

Some of these drugs have adverse side effects that could lead to illnesses. Some may not have bad effects but are simply worthless, useless, ineffective in what they are purported to do. Taking them is like taking an empty capsule or a capsule filled with water from the faucet. And they are invariably very expensive. So, if you wish to give away your hard earned money, it is best to stay away from these fraudulent vendors of deception, and instead you can donate it to your favorite charitable organization to aid our underprivileged fellowmen. This will definitely give you genuine joy and sense of fulfillment and inner peace, which could make you feel great and younger, without being deceived and cheated.

How about herbal anti-aging medications?

The same is true with herbs and “natural products” being marketed out there as anti-aging agents.

They are worthless. The multi-bil-

lion dollar “anti-aging miracle” industry is so effective in their marketing schemes that gullible people all over the globe are duped into buying their products, only for the defenseless victims to realize a bit too late that have simply wasted their money. I would like to underscore the fact that to date, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that will slow down or reverse the aging process. Simply modifying your lifestyle to a healthier one, which will not entail added expenses (and in many instances even save you money), can make you look and feel younger, safely and wisely.

What about growth hormones?

Growth hormones (hGH) level, like other hormones naturally produced by our body, drop with age. Infomercials mislead the uninformed public into thinking that ingestion of the commercially available hGH will “normalize” the level of hGH, slow down or reverse aging, and restore vigor, sex drive, muscle tone, and a youthful appearance. This is not so. Taking hGH may make someone feel better but it is downright dangerous. Anyone who claims they can reverse the aging process is lying, according to S. Jay Olshansky, demographer of the University of Chicago.

Can these drugs cause cancer?

“Youth-enhancing” hormones, like DHEA, estrogen and testosterone, which are massively promoted PAGE B6

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

Philippine-American Society of Certified Public Accountants holds induction of new officers and members in Anaheim, CA Join the Philippine-American Society of Certified Public Accountants (PASCPA-LA) on Saturday, September 1 for an exciting night of networking, dinner, dancing and fun, as it welcomes the organization’s newest members and officers for the upcoming year. This event will include appearances from the accounting profession’s most honorable guest speakers and sponsors. Like previous PASCPA events, this will be a great networking opportunity for all accounting students, young professionals, and seasoned veterans. It will be held from 6 to 11:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Marriott (700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802). The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and the fee is $65 (no host bar). Attire is formal. To RSVP, please go to www.installationofofficers. eventbrite.com.

S E P T E M B E R 4 -27

SIPA hosts 8-session Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) in Los Angeles The Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) is an 8-session skills building training program designed for startup entrepreneurs covering the A to Z of starting and running a successful business. This is open to all! If you want to start your own business and don’t know where to start or how to start, this program was made FOR YOU! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn from the experts and from business owners themselves on how to build the business of your dreams!

Program details: One time fee of $100 covers food and beverage and training materials for all 8 sessions; 5 FREE slots are available for College/University students and low income families; FREE Parking on site. Parking lot is accessed on Robinson St.; Includes FREE one-on-one business counseling with SIPA’s counselor, Fidji Victoriano; and you will receive a Completion Certificate at the end of the program. The eight sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the whole month of September 2018: September 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Program will be held at the SIPA Multipurpose room at 3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (through Robinson St. entrance). For any questions or to register in person, please contact Fidji Victoriano at (424) 235-5011 or e-mail at fvictoriano@esipa.org. This program is brought by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in collaboration with the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Hollywood (FACCHO) and the support of Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (APISBP) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SEPTEMBER 8

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA hosts photoshop training “Adobe Photoshop Training” on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. is a crash course for beginners to intermediate hosted by the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACC-GLA). It will be held at BFG Boardroom (5121 Van Nuys Blvd), with instructor Peter Galace. Call to reserve your seat ($100) with Angelo Varsobia (818) 6469453 or Mary Trinidad at (661) 713-0014. Participants should bring their own computers, download a free version of Photoshop (https://bit.ly/2NYPbLW), and bring one USB thumb drive.

S E P T E M B E R 1 3 -1 9

Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration for MVGFC ’68 in Las Vegas CLECSN (now MVGFC) class of ’68 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines will have its golden jubilee anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada from Thursday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept.

19. For more information, please contact Eddie C. Talusan at (415) 583-1300 or Cindy Frando Reyes at (949) 705 - 9324.

SEPTEMBER 15

Penafrancia Fiesta event in San Leandro, California In honor of the feast of Our Lady of Penafrañcia, a day of celebration will be held on Saturday, September 15 in San Leandro, California. It will begin at 9 a.m. with a 9th day rosary and novena prayer, followed by the Holy Mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (2500 Bermuda Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577). At 11:30 a.m., the land & fluvial processions will happen from the church to Marina Park Lagoon. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a picnic, entertainment, games and vigil mass at Marina Park (14001 Monarch Bay Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577).

SEPTEMBER 16

Los Angeles Skyline Lions Club holds masquerade ball The Los Angeles Skyline Lions Club (District 4-L3) cordially invites guests to join the masquerade ball to celebrate its 15th anniversary of continued support to local and global communities, alongside the annual fall harvest festival and installation of new club officers. Please join the fun celebration on Sunday, September 16 at the Signature Banquet Hall, 11130 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA. Doors open at 4 p.m. For any inquiries, you may call PDG Sol “Sunshine” Santiago at (213) 500-1927. See you all there and be ready to unmask your night!

S E P T E M B E R 22

Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California to celebrate 36th anniversary The Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate its 36th anniversary & coronation Night on Saturday, September 22 at the Los Serranos Country Club (15656 Yorba Ave. Chino Hills, CA 91709). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band.

For attendance, please call Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391, Offie Villanueva at (626) 9608407), Mylee Moncada at (818) 322-9429, Rosalie Nasu at (909)631-9356 or Rosie Sancianco at (951)898-7628.

S E P T E M B E R 26

United Architects of the Philippines - Southern California chapter hosts UAP president in Monterey Park, CA The United Architects of the Philippines - Southern California Chapter, Inc. (UAPSOCAL) a chartered member by the UAP, the only accredited architectural professional organization recognized by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines, will host the national president of UAP who will be in Los Angeles in connection with the induction of the incoming chapter officers and new members on Wednesday, September 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Monterey Hill Steak Restaurant (3700 W. Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 9175). Interested UAP corporate members, Filipino-American architects, designers, and allied professionals are welcome to attend the event and join the prestigious organization. For more information please contact Jun Joaquin at (323) 675-5042 / (323) 907-3050 or email at uapsocalchapter@gmail.com.

OCTOBER O C TO B E R 7

Serenata Filipina Ver. 2 at LA’s Ford Amphitheatre “Serenata Filipina Ver. 2” is the only Filipino music concert at the famed Ford Theatres’ Summer Season. Features female OPM stalwarts: jazz diva Louie Reyes, vocal powerhouse Annie Nepomuceno, hitmaker Odette Quesada and many more, backed by a live band. Part of the proceeds benefits Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, and other community partners. Grounds open for picnicking at 4:30 p.m., show is at 6:30pm. Tickets are $100 VIP, $70, $55, $40 and $35 for students. Buy online at www.fordtheatres.org or by calling the box office at (323) 4613673.

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

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Direk Cathy on John Lloyd Cruz’s comeback Morissette: I’m just being true to myself

by Deni anD

Rose BeRnaRDo Jan Milo seveRo Philstar.com

BLOCkBUSTER film director Cathy Garcia-Molina hopes her last film will be with award-winning actor John Lloyd Cruz.

Speaking with the media during the recent “The Hows of Us” press conference, Direk Cathy admitted that she did not know if John Lloyd is ready to make a comeback onscreen, but she is hoping to do a movie with the actor before she takes a break from showbiz.

“After ‘Hows of Us,’ may three film pa to do. ‘Yung kay Sharon (Cuneta), Richard (Gomez) at kathryn (Bernardo), ‘yung isa pinangako ko for Piolo, ‘yung isa ang hindi ko pa alam. Of course I’m hoping na I’ll do it with John Lloyd, but I don’t know if he’s ready,” Direk Cathy said.

In an interview with Philstar. com, the blockbuster director said she is happy for her friend John Lloyd and she does not want to force him out of his hiatus.

Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina

ABS-CBN photo

“Right now, all I know, John Lloyd is living a happy life. Ba’t naman natin tatanggalin sa tao ‘yung pagiging happy? Ako rin naman pupunta sa happy life, ‘di ba? I also want that peaceful happy life, so who am I to take it away from him? Ako I always respect his decision kung san siya masaya, e ‘di dun,” she said.

She is confident that JLC will not leave showbiz for good.

“Siguro kailangan lang niya magpahinga, parang ako. Hindi ko naman totally iiwan ang industriya, magpapahinga lang muna. Si John Lloyd parang parte na natin ‘yan eh. Nandyan lang yan,” she assured.

For Direk Cathy, John Lloyd remains to be the best actor of this generation. She described him as “wala pang kapantay.”

“I miss him so much, I miss him as a friend, but I am very happy na happy siya.”

Direk Cathy directed almost all of John Lloyd’s movies, including “A Very Special Love,” “You Changed My Life,” “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” “Finally Found Someone,” and “One More Chance,” to name a few.

While JLC is on leave, for Direk Cathy, “Daniel (Padilla) is the John Lloyd of my life.” “’Di naman, iba pa rin si Aidan (John Lloyd),” Daniel said. “Mahal namin si Aidan. Pinupunan ko lang kasi wala pa s’ya.”

TNT Boys clinch unsurprising YFSFK win by leah

C. salteRio Philstar.com

TALENTED celebrity kids proved they undoubtedly got what it takes to rule primetime television as ABSCBN’s reality talent competition, “Your Face Sounds Familiar (YFSF) kids”, successfully concluded its second season last Aug. 19 at the University of the Philippines Theater.

“The Bigshot Trio” of Mackie Empuerto, Francis Concepcion and kiefer Sanchez, popularly known as TNT (Tawag ng Tanghalan) Boys, won the contest and bagged P1 million, a house and lot, plus a gadget showcase.

The TNT Boys won with their impersonation of Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj singing “Bang, Bang!” The boys bested everyone and got 100 percent of votes, determined through a combination of the judges’ scores that the kids accumulated from the previous weeks and the public votes during the finals.

“Deserving po kami manalo kasi marami po kaming napapasayang mga kapamilya,” Mackie confidently told “YFSF kids” host Billy Crawford before the boys ignited the stage with their high-energy performance.

Three times throughout the run of “YFSF kids 2,” the TNT Boys emerged as weekly champions,

Mackie Empuerto, Francis Concepcion and Kiefer Sanchez won after impersonating Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj of the “Bang, Bang!” fame.

Philstar.com photo

bagging P50,000 every time and another P50,000 worth of toys for their chosen charity, House of Refuge.

The TNT Boys charted their first weekly win when they impersonated Destiny’s Child (the erstwhile trio of Beyoncé knowles, kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams) and rendered “Survivor.” The boys won again when they copied Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey, singing One Sweet Day. Throughout the season of “YFSF kids,” the TNT Boys delighted viewers even more with the other performers they imitated as trio, including the Bee Gees, Apo Hiking Society, Salbakuta, Aegis, The Supremes, Hagibis, the Spice Girls, VST & Company and even The Three Tenors.

It was no longer a surprise when the TNT Boys became the champion. They were consistently on the

Top 4 every week. The only time they landed on Top 5 was on Week 12, when they did the Three Tenors.

A week before the finals, the TNT Boys were joined by “YFSF kids Season 1” contestant Sam Shoaf.

They thrilled the audience as ABBA with Mamma Mia. kiefer was the runner-up to Jhon Clyd Talili of Mindanao, the grand winner of Tawag ng Tanghalan kids early last year. Mackie was third runner-up and Francis was in fifth place. The TNT Trio bested five-time weekly winner of YFSF kids Sheena Belarmino, also a TNT kids runner-up.

To date, the TNT Trio has been to the U.S. and appeared on Ellen Degeneres’ show. They also went to the Uk and guested on “Little Big Shots,” hosted by Steve Harvey.

Next month, the boys will try their luck on “Asia’s Got Talent” and will go to Singapore.

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

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

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

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

by JeRRy

Donato Philstar.com

MORISSETTE Amon belongs to that circle of new Original Pilipino Music (OPM) divas. Her inclusion perhaps banks on the fact that her vocal chops captivate one’s attention and her storyteller perspective comes from a sincere place. It’s safe to assume that they are the same qualities that have endeared her to music enthusiasts here and abroad.

Before finally making a dent in the recording industry, Morissette has had her fair share of detours and stops. Her journey has never been a walk in the park.

“It is kinda funny. I had many moments when I thought it was over,” Morissette looked back on her musical journey with The Star in an interview, following the standard roundtable (with media) and group (first with broadcast, then with print). “Pero hindi pa pala (but it wasn’t the end yet). I won’t deny that I had moments… (when) I felt like I didn’t have a place in the music industry and I didn’t have a chance. Just when I gave up (on my singing career dream), may dumating (there came an opportunity).”

Let’s do a quick backtrack: Morissette joined TV5’s “Star Factor” and finished it with runner-up honors. This led her to becoming a kapatid actress. “But the network didn’t have a platform for singers at that time,” shared Morissette.

“So, I needed to earn for my family and it was the reason why I entered (showbiz). It was very brief. I was enjoying it but (acting) is not my passion. I wanted to fight for what I really wanted to be. So, when ‘The Voice’ came, nag-go kami (we took the chance). I was happy that TV5 gave its blessing.”

Given her belter nature, Morissette gave fellow “The Voice” artists a run for their money and the public a showcase. During the semis, Morissette got voted out.

“I didn’t win,” she recalled, “and I thought baka hanggang duon na lang. (Then) we decided to move forward.”

Part of that was to continue singing, put everything behind her and start anew. Soon, her moment of being in the right place at the

right time came. That explains her moniker, Asia’s Phoenix. Like the mythical bird, Morissette was able to rise and bounce back to chase her dream.

“I’m enjoying it,” she said of singing and why it didn’t give up on her, too. “Let’s say if I’m just doing it for the money or anything else of the like, mabilis maghanap ng reason na ‘wag nang ipagpatuloy. I’m doing it because I really enjoy it and I feel that I’m making more people happy and I’m able to help my family.”

With that, Morissette has become a reliable young singer, who can do the Mariah Carey whistle.

“Actually, I’ve had thoughts that sometimes I feel like that if I don’t do it or I don’t hit that whistle, I will be disappointing people,” shared Morissette. “There are times (when) I feel that way. But (by doing that) comes my being authentic or it is part of me as an artist.”

The whistle and the vocal break leading to it, Morissette said, have become her stamp and style. “I don’t wanna do it just for the sake of doing it but I do it because it is what the song requires and the way I want to do it. I feel something is missing in my performance if I don’t do it.” Although she does it with great ease and confidence, Morissette never forgets her core as a singer: That of being a storyteller. “In a way, I’m a storyteller because I also choose the songs I want (thinking) that people (can) relate (to me and my songs)...

Gusto ko (yung songs) na may message din,” she said.

Fans will experience that singerstoryteller in Morissette when she shares the concert stage with Lani Misalucha, Asia’s Nightingale, in “A Lani Morissette — Musical Journey” on Sept. 22 and 23 at The Theatre at Solaire. Although the two try to keep mum about what to expect, one can assume of a show featuring Lani and Morissette’s personal hits, favorites, collaborations and surprise song choices that narrate their tales as artists.

Aside from the Solaire Resort & Casino show, Morissette has something up her sleeve for fans.

“Amidst all the traveling (I make), I’m trying to make new music,”

Morissette Amon never forgets her core as a singer: That of being a storyteller.

Philstar.com photo

she said. “Hopefully, it will be out very, very soon. Ayaw ko kasing maiwan yung mga tracks, yun yung mag-stay talaga, aside from the performances and live shows, yung music (I want to focus on recording tracks because they, as well as the music, are ones that will stay).” All this boils down to the fact that the singer has made her niche and found her voice. Morissette is grateful for that. Her success does not rest on her shoulders alone. It’s a collaborative project with dedicated people in it.

“I think it’s a big factor that I’m with my family because they keep me grounded,” she said on how to handle fame. “Oh yes, sometimes, I feel guilty of that… (that’s when) I appreciate people who are true to me, they really tell me (the truth).

I have my family, my friends, my management (team)… I’m grateful to have people like (them).”

Asked how she maintains her vocal power and keeps her love for music strong, Morissette said: “I think (I’m) just being true to myself,” she said. “If I was just following a certain (path), I think I would eventually break away from it. As I have shared, it’s a big factor that I’m enjoying it (singing) as an artist. We, artists, have that thing that we really like to reinvent ourselves but at the same time, we don’t want to lose who we really are in our craft.“

The bucket list

PAGE B5 clowns— the life of the party.

They are still funny, still the center of attention with the same mannerisms and facial expressions as we reminisce with great fondness and hilarity the antics and practical jokes they pulled on their classmates. And then, there are the quiet, deep ones, still staying in the background and taking it all in. It’s a menagerie of characters, a few of whom, you may want to be friends with despite time and distance.

Whatever Happened?

The memories come gushing forth with shocking clarity as we dust off the cobwebs from our memory banks and dig up photos and put them on social media —a before and after, side to side comparison in reverse, from the once cute young thing BEFORE to the “Whatever happened???” AFTER. Hmmm, I am not sure the results would please many, including me.

Sigh……

Oh, if we can only read the thought bubbles that float around during reunions! If you were psychic or a passably good mind reader, you can read what they really mean when they effusively say, largely out of well-meaning kindness, of how great you look.

Okay just for the night we will be suckers for compliments, we will take them even if these are polite white lies.

Or these compliments can be true statements. If you have dieted, exercised and managed to

lose a few pounds to fit into a gorgeous dress and look shapely with or without spanx, you can flash a killer smile and take a bow.

We look at the adolescent crushes we had many moons ago and for which we kept quiet at the time for fear of ridicule and embarrassment and we see them now with fresh eyes, a far cry from our teenage ideas of “cute” and say to yourself, “Girl, what were you thinking?”

Well, turnabout is fair play.

The guys are probably thinking the same thing about you. For as nature would have it, the lean and scrawny spring chickens of the past have grown to mature Rhode Island Reds, meatier, heavier and may even waddle around like ducks. LOL!!!

Laugh it OFF. This is where the laugh sound track comes in. If we have become truly wise over the years, many of us know without a doubt that a great sense of humor and more importantly, our unflinching faith in the goodness of God and the people who love us, sustained us and got us this far. No one really gets far without help.

We all know, even without the details, that each one’s life is fraught with joy and beauty mixed with the untold tales of struggles, challenges and problems that tend to overwhelm. No one is spared the latter.

Life can be an equal opportunity tormentor. Very few have charmed lives. It is how we deal with what

life throws at us that and setbacks don’t break us, they only make us stronger, more pliable and in the end, victorious. Yes, you can say quietly to yourself that, yes, somehow you have arrived.

We are still students of life learning from one another as we laugh and compare notes, celebrating moments and grieving quietly at times — a little wiser, and a little wider perhaps.

Mark my words, there will be a lot of humble bragging. Don’t get annoyed. It is part of reunions. We let people take a bow, maybe even take a victory lap. We are each a built-in audience for one another.

We still need each other’s approbation. And if we have truly grown older gracefully, we ought to be big-hearted enough to be generous with sincere praise.

Reunions allow us to reconnect with those we chanced to walk with years ago. Life seemed lighter then. It was an innocent time when the sounds of youthful laughter filled the air after the last bell has rung to signal the end of a day in class. Someday, if we are so blessed, we can be reunited once again, perhaps, in another lighter, gravity-defying dimension, free of all cares and pretensions in that place we call heaven.

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

PAGE B5 as a miracle cure that will reverse aging and make people years younger, have been suspected of raising the risk of cancer of the breast and prostate.

When is growth hormone used?

Growth hormones are medically prescribed as a part of the treatment regimen for some growth disorders in children, but some use them to reduce body fat and improve muscle tone. These hormones can “stimulate” the growth of tumors in the body. Additional bad side effects include excess bone growth, kidney problems, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, lung and heart failure, and possible premature death.

Do antioxidants have anti-aging effect?

Unfortunately, they do not. Antioxidants, like Vitamin C, E, and A (beta carotene), are widely advertised to reverse aging and prolong life to age 120 years. Scientists are astounded and angry about this claim by marketers of these and other “food supplement” products, because the claim is unfounded and medically baseless. However, scientists the world over recognize

that anti-oxidant rich foods such as fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of illnesses like heart disease, cataracts and macular degeneration, and cancer. Megadoses of vitamin E and selenium can cause bleeding that could be fatal, and that of beta carotene may increase the risk of cancer.

Beware: some food supplements on the market may have serious, sometimes even life-threatening, side effects.

How then can we “stay and feel” young?

The process and effects of aging are faster in some individuals, slower in others. To some extent, the changes are within our control.

While there is nothing to reverse or slow down the aging process, there are things we can do to protect our body, minimize natural wear and tear, and make us feel and look “younger.” Self-abuse (like smoking, drinking more than two alcoholic beverage a day, not doing exercises, eating high-fat, low-fiber diet, not having adequate hydration, not getting enough sleep and relaxation, not having peace of mind, taking everything in life too seriously) speeds up the aging process in our body, literally

(anatomic and physiologic) and figuratively speaking. Putting an end to self-abuse and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, plus the prudent use of protective cosmetic products (to ensure proper hygiene and facial and skin moisture) tones not only our sagging dermal state but our mental and spiritual state as well. In addition, once-a-day multivitamins and minerals plus whatever prescription drugs we take will certainly help us live a healthier life. Taking delicate care of our body by living a healthier lifestyle, without unwisely throwing money down the drain, will most assuredly make us look and feel younger and better. After all, our body and our pocketbook both deserve that.

Delay aging

*** 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 30-SEptEmbER 5, 2018

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