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SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2019 Volume 30 - No. 36 • 16 Pages

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

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Civil rights coalition offers proposals to combat injustice in education LEADERS of a coalition of civil rights organizations have revealed plans to update the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA), a law that advises on higher education issues.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund (LCEF) is seeking an update to the law by “forging a united front to promote policies that address disparities that students of color, lowincome students and students with disabilities and other marginalized groups” face in the pursuit of higher education in the United States.

The reasoning behind the changes is largely due to “significant changes to the student body in the country” and as such, “every student regardless of what they look like, where they came from or their disability status deserves to pursue their dreams,” said Liz King of the LCEF in a teleconference hosted by Ethnic Media Services on Friday, August 30.

The affordability factors to achieving higher education is a main component of the coalition’s mission. The LCEF said that one of the biggest modern challenges of education pursuit is the rising student debt — propagated by for-profit

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Some children born overseas to American parents will no longer be considered US citizens Affected individuals will now have to acquire citizenship through other legal channels

CERTAIN children born outside of the United States will no longer be automatically U.S. citizens due to a new policy issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, August 28.

The original rollout of the new rule confused many, prompting USCIS to issue a clarification regarding to whom this rule applies.

The rule would affect three categories of individuals: children of non-U.S. citizens adopted by the non-citizen U.S. government employees or service members, children of non-U.S. citizen government employees or service members, and children of U.S. citizens who don’t meet residency requirements.

The main takeaway from the new policy change involves a differentiation between what it means to hold residency in the U.S.

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Duterte to Faeldon: You’re fired

by DARRYL JOHN

ESGUERRA

Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 4, fired Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon amid the controversy on the release of heinous crimes convicts on the basis of the good conduct time allowance law.

“I decided last night… I am demanding the resignation of Faeldon immediately,” the president said.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo

“Faeldon has to go because Faeldon disobeyed my order,” he added.

Asked if he was firing Faeldon, the president said: “Yes.” He said he had ordered Faeldon and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra not to release inmates “until further orders by higher authority.”

The president also said he would order the Office of the Ombudsman to look into possible corruption in the release of the heinous crime convicts.

Faeldon was grilled in a Senate hear-

ing on Monday, September 2, about his supposed role in the early release of heinous crimes convicts and the possible early release of rape-murder convict Antonio Sanchez.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that he had allowed the processing of Sanchez’s release but stopped it due to massive public outcry and the President’s order not to release Sanchez.

Before his stint at the BuCor, Faeldon was chief of the Bureau of Customs.

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Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon Inquire.net photo

Philstar.com photo

‘Panelo’s threat to sue news sites shows how libel is used for revenge’ MANILA — Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s threat to file libel raps against two news websites shows how libel in the Philippines can be used by those in power as a tool for revenge rather than a legal remedy, a journalists’ group said on Wednesday, September 4.

Panelo on Tuesday, September 3, said he would sue Inquirer.net and Rappler for libel and cyberlibel for what

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NUMBER ONE SUPPORTER. President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go share a light moment with the members of The Gilas Pilipinas basketball team as they visit the locker room before watching the Philippines men’s national basketball team go up against Italy during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 game at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center in Guangdong, China on Saturday, August 31. The Philippines finished the group round with a 0-3 win-loss slate, after losing to Angola on Wednesday, September 4. The team will travel to Beijing and will play Iran and Tunisia in Group N for the classification for 17th to 32nd places in the tournament.

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

Palace: Duterte’s China visit ‘successful, highly productive’

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Sunday, September 1, deemed President Rodrigo Duterte’s official visit to China as “successful” and “highly productive” despite Chinese President Xi Jinping rejecting the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea. “With the conclusion of President Duterte’s official visit to China, we wish to inform the public that the same has been successful and highly productive,” said presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo in a statement.

Duterte arrived in Manila Sunday morning

from his five-day visit, during which he carried out his promise to discuss with Xi several concerns like the South China Sea dispute, among others.

According to Panelo, both the Philippines and China have agreed to exercise self-restraint in handling the dispute to avoid untoward incidents.

“The close relationship that President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been able to foster through the years has enabled the two leaders to have frank exchanges on the respective positions of our two countries with regard to our territorial dispute, with both of them agreeing to exer-

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DOT, Jollibee launch tourism campaign SOGIE Equality Bill a ‘class

by AJPRESS

THE Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with Filipino fast food chain Jollibee, launched the “Eats More Fun in the Philippines” campaign over the weekend in a bid to take the promotion of the country’s food tourism to the next level.

The campaign is aimed at inviting food enthusiasts and tourists alike to visit the Philippines and try its unique Filipino cuisine.

“We feel that this is an opportune time to put the spotlight on Filipino food and flavors — and we’re more than glad to share the same sentiment with the country’s number Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (3rd from left) together with Jollibee Food Corporation officials lead by its CEO one food chain, Jollibee,” said Tourism SecErnesto Tanmantiong (2nd from left) indulge in the Filipino boodle feast during the DOT and Jollibee launch of “Eats. More Fun retary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. in the Philippines” at the Islas Pinas Food & Heritage Village, Double Dragon Plaza in Pasay City on Saturday, August 31. The campaign highlights the top dishes the country has to offer.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee of Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, presides over the public hearing on the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE Bill), also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill on Wednesday, September 4. Against the bill includes Kata Inocencio (inset) of 700 Club Asia, and representatives from government agencies, local government units, religious groups, women’s groups, health professionals, and advocacy groups.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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legislation’, says Sotto

by IAN

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday, September 4, he was “very doubtful” that the SOGIE Equality Bill would clear the Senate hurdle, adding that the proposed measure is a “class legislation” that would violate women’s rights.

LGBT Filipinos still face discrimination despite seemingly

high tolerance in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, prompting some lawmakers to file a bill that would penalize discrimination based on a person’s SOGIE, or Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression.

Speaking to reporters, Sotto, a religious conservative, said the SOGIE bill supposedly tramples on women’s rights, academic freedom and religious freedom.

“If you are a man, you will nev-

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Palace: Duterte’s China visit...

PAGE 1 cise self-restraint and observe the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), particularly with respect to maritime navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” he said.

Duterte on Thursday, August 29, raised the arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines during the bilateral talks at the Diaoyutai Guest House. Xi, however, refused to acknowledge the Hague ruling.

The two leaders, in the end, agreed to disagree.

“The two leaders recognize that despite any dispute that our countries may have, the same can always be resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiations, especially given the centuries old familial ties between our nations,” Panelo said.

The spokesman added that China has recognized the immediate need to create a “definitive” code

From The FronT Page of conduct in the vital waterway “all with the intent of avoiding provocative acts that may impair friendly ties and threaten the peace and stability of the region.”

“Acknowledging the importance of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to regional peace and stability, the two Presidents expressed determination to fast track negotiations for the conclusion of an effective and substantive COC at the soonest possible time,” he said.

Panelo also noted that Duterte and Xi’s agreement to pursue other areas of cooperation for mutual benefit despite the maritime conflict.

“More importantly, the two leaders acknowledge that our bilateral relations have a much wider horizon, and there are vast frontiers where our nations can cooperate and assist each other for their mutual benefit, such as in the fields of education, health, agriculture, science and technology, security, trade, investments, energy, and people to people and cultural exchanges,” he said.

No corruption While in Beijing, Duterte met with Chinese and Filipino businessmen at a forum and urged them to invest in the Philippines.

He also assured businessmen that no corruption would be allowed under his administration.

“Well, I would like to assure you that during my term, I will not allow corruption. And if you go to the Philippines with your partners or he must have something there as an agent, let him come to me for any of your problems,” Duterte said.

He also advised the Chinese businessmen to call “8888,” the Philippine government’s hotline, for complaints.

But Duterte had something to say to those who would “destroy” the Philippines.

“So for those who are into drugs, crimes, I am just asking them: Please avoid the Philippines because if you destroy my country with drugs, cocaine and everything, I will kill you. Period,” he said.

“If you are a law-abiding citizen, if you are a businessman and you are thriving, rich, do not worry we will protect you. We will protect your money. And when the time comes you want to go out, you can bring all your money outside of the Philippines. That is my guarantee and you have my protection and word of honor,” he added. n

INQUIRY ON GOOD CONDUCT LAW. Senator Richard Gordon comforts Iluminada Gomez and Maria Clara Sarmenta, mothers of Allan Gomez and rape-slay victim Eileen Sarmenta, respectively, during a Senate inquiry on Monday, September 2, on the Good Conduct Time Allowance law and the proposed release of convicted former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez. The two mothers said they oppose a reduced prison term for Sanchez.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Duterte to Faeldon...

PAGE 1

He resigned after a P6.4-billion shipment of crystal meth managed to slip into the country in 2017.

Despite the controversies Faeldon was involved in, the president reappointed him to the Office of Civil Defense before picking him as BuCor chief.

Faeldon: ‘I most humbly bow to my commander-in-chief’s order’ Faeldon on Wednesday night said he would “most humbly bow” to the order of Duterte for him to resign.

“My commander-in-chief/appointing authority has spoken. I am a marine and a marine does as he is told,” Faeldon said in a statement.

“I most humbly bow to my commander-in-chief’s order without any hard feelings,” he

added.

Senators praise Faeldon’s dismissal Several senators on Wednesday night backed President Duterte’s dismissal of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that he had expected Faeldon’s dismissal, saying that the issue was “untenable.”

But Sotto said that he wished other officials within the BuCor would be asked to resign as well.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Faeldon “was caught lying” despite the opportunity given to him by the Senate to clarify the issue.

“He was caught lying and still had the temerity to try holding on to the office,” Zubiri said.

“The Senate gave him all the op-

portunity to cooperate and tell the truth. He didn’t take his fair chance. I think we gave him fair treatment. He deserves to be removed from the BuCor.” Likewise, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said: “I support the President’s decision.”

Drilon was the justice secretary when then-Mayor Antonio Sanchez of Calauan, Laguna, was convicted over the rapeslay of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her companion Allan Gomez.

It was news of Sanchez’s possible early release under the GCTA law that caused a public uproar, prompting investigations by the Senate and the House of Representatives. (With reports from Neil Irwin Mercado/Inquirer.net)

‘Panelo’s threat to sue news sites shows how...

PAGE 1 he said was a maliciously imputation that he recommended granting executive clemency to convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez, his former client.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Wednesday that Panelo’s threat shows that both libel and cyberlibel should be decriminalized.

“Panelo is showing the Filipino people that this country’s criminal libel and cyberlibel laws are, more often than not, used as weapons wielded by the powerful to exact revenge and to punish than a legal remedy for justice,” NUJP said.

Journalistss groups and rights advocates have repeatedly called for the decriminalization of libel, saying the outdated law can be used to silence critics and to restrict freedom of speech and of the press.

Panelo’s letter to parole board Panelo, who is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel, on Tuesday said he would press charges in the coming days over the reports and social media posts of Inquirer.net and Rappler, which he described as “reeking with not only irresponsibility but also malice and it is libelous in nature because it imputes an act to discredit me in public and to tarnish my honor.”

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Board of Pardons and Parole executive director Reynaldo Bayang disclosed that Panelo sent him

a letter referring the request of the Sanchez family for executive clemency for the convicted rapistmurderer.

Panelo confirmed that he wrote a letter but stressed that he “never recommended anything.”

Sen. Richard Gordon said Panelo exercised “bad judgment” in writing Bayan, considering his history with Sanchez and his current post in the Duterte administration.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon meanwhile said that while “on the surface it appeared that the letter is a plain endorsement,” of the letter to the BPP, the fact that it was from the presidential spokesperson and on official stationery, “that letter, certainly, has some weight.”

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Panelo should not have touched the letter at all.

“Whether or not his intervention was official or not, or in his official capacity, he knows that he is the former defense counsel and should have begged off on referring the letter from Antonio Sanchez’s daughter,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He said that if Panelo is simply the president’s legal counsel, then the referral would not be an issue.

“But from the context of being the former defense counsel of Antonio Sanchez, that could mean other things. It depends.”

The BPP dismissed Sanchez’s petition for executive clemency. It

upheld the dismissal on February 27.

Panelo on Tuesday also confirmed meeting with the family of Sanchez in his office at Malacañang but he insisted that he never had “personal communication” with them.

Asked why Panelo did not disclose that he talked to the Sanchezes, Panelo explained that he was only asked whether he had been in contact with former Mayor Sanchez himself.

Panelo’s ‘honor’ NUJP called Panelo “balatsibuyas” or onion-skinned for thinking the reports were meant to discredit him and tarnish his honor.

“Officials of Panelo’s kind must at least admit that the reports are not all about them. Officials of Panelo’s kind must at least admit that, in this case, those reports helped avert the travesty of the convicted rapist and murderer’s early release,” the group said.

“These reports informed the public that flawed laws are being abused by powerful people and that such laws beg revisiting.

Those reports also serve to warn officials like Panelo to be careful in dispensing both duties and favors, even to old friends.”

In a statement, Rappler called Panelo’s libel suit threat a “pure diversionary tactic.”

Inquirer.net, for its part, said the company will refer the matter to its lawyer when Panelo files the complaint. (Philstar.com)

SOGIE Equality Bill a ‘class legislation’...

PAGE 1 er be a woman, no matter what you do, because you cannot reproduce. You cannot give birth, you do not have ovaries,” Sotto said in a media interview, a transcript of which was posted on the Senate’s website.

“You will never be a woman.

So this, to me, the SOGIE bill is a bill against women’s rights and it’s giving transgender rights (unclear), so it’s class legislation,” he added.

While there are city ordi-

nances that protect the rights of the gay community, activists have expressed concern that the absence of an anti-discrimination legislation for LGBTs and stiff opposition from religious groups and conservative senators could offset any progress made at the local level.

Sen. Sonny Angara had filed a “comprehensive” anti-discrimination bill, which has been pending on the committee level. In the same media interview Wednesday, Sotto said he prefers Ang-

ara’s proposal, arguing that the SOGIE bill “is so concentrated on the G of the LGBT.” Sen. Risa Hontiveros had said the SOGIE Equality Bill she filed at the Senate does not infringe on religious doctrines, teachings and rights.

“It starts with accepting the fact that LGBTQ+ persons should enjoy the same rights as everyone — including the right to live peacefully, and to not be treated as a lesser person,” Hontiveros said. n

DOT, Jollibee launch tourism...

PAGE 1 “And through this campaign we’ll highlight the uniquely Pinoy dishes that will make our country a prime food destination for travelers all over the globe,” she added.

During the launch, DOT and Jollibee introduced “The Pinoy’s Table,” an omnibus audio-visual presentation (AVP) that showcases the country’s rich cuisine and dining culture. It headlines notable chefs, JP Anglo and FilipinoAmerican celebrity chef Jordan Andino, as well as YouTube creator and comedian Mikey Bustos.

According to Puyat, this is only the beginning of their three-year

campaign, which is fully funded

by Jollibee.

“We are very proud and happy to support the team of DOT led by Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat on this noteworthy campaign.

We believe that Filipino food truly has what it takes to be a globally-known cuisine—this is what we have been championing as a brand as well. Even as Jollibee has been bringing langhap-sarap food to countries all over the world, we want to do our part as a proudly Filipino company to make people more aware of the many unique and sumptuous Pinoy dishes we have, and in doing so invite travelers to taste the

Joy of eating first-hand,” Jollibee Global Brand Chief Marketing Officer and PH Marketing Head Francis Flores said.

Puyat also said that one of the campaign’s aims is to highlight Filipino cuisines from lesser known destinations.

“I’ve always wanted to highlight the lesser known destinations and I think one way is to show the cuisine. People really travel for food,” Puyat said.

The tourism chief also said that the partnership with Jollibee is just one of the many partnerships it has with the private sector, which shows a form of nationalism. n

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Two men charged with murder of missing Fil-Am West Covina firefighter

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

Two men were charged on Thursday, August 29 for the murder of a Filipino American firefighter in west Covina, California who was reported missing last week.

Prosecutors said that Elijah Thomas Rouse, 18, of La Verne and Shaun Cardarelli, 37 of San Gabriel were both charged with the killing of 28-year-old John Brian Mananghaya Aguila, and alleged that they killed Aguila with a knife while robbing him.

Investigators are still working to START OF CHRISTMAS SEASON. Christmas decor fill a shop in Dapitan Arcade in Manila, ready to be displayed on the first day of September, determine if a burned body found the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina at the scene of a brush fire in Upland last Friday (August 23) morning was that of Aguila.

Family members of Aguila reported him missing after he was ASEAN and the U.S. working offshore patrol vessel BRP Ra- last seen leaving his girlfriend’s

by PatRicia LouRdes ViRay together,” Tynch said in a tele- mon Alcaraz and its crew to par- home on Thursday, August 22 in Philstar.com La Puente. phone press briefing Tuesday, ticipate in the naval drills. working as a part-time firefightThe U.S. Navy and the Royal AMID Beijing’s latest actions September 3.

The U.S. Navy official added Thai Navy will be leading the ex- er with the Bureau of Land Manin the disputed South China Sea, washington maintained that the that the joint exercise of 11 coun- ercises, which will consist of pre- agement, Aguila failed to report inaugural ASEAN-U.S. maritime tries seeks to build capacity, as sial activities in Thailand, Singa- to work and never came home — conduct his family said “very unpore and Brunei. exercise “is not focused or dedi- well as relationships.

The ASEAN and U.S. joint mar“So, the concept of the AUMX cated against or towards anyone this year is to enhance situational itime forces will also go through else.”

China has been deploying sur- awareness and interoperability international waters in Southeast vey ships, coast guard vessels for all of ASEAN and for the U.S. Asia, such as the Gulf of Thailand PAGE 1 and the South China Sea. The and warships on the waters of as well,” Tynch said.

The navies of the U.S. and drills will then end in Singapore. institutions and predatory lenders other South China Sea claimant Thai Navy vessel HTMS Krabi — that often hinder students’ fistates, including Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries officially kicked off the AUMX in (oPV 551) will serve as the head- nancial well-being while studying the Philippines.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Murray Thailand on Monday, September quarters, where representatives and after graduating.

For many of these students from the participating countries Joe Tynch III, commander of the 2. who exist in multiple marginalEight warships and four air- will be aboard. logistics group in the western During the exercises, the par- ized demographic groups, esPacific, stressed that the first- craft from seven countries, in ever ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Ex- addition to more than a thousand ticipants will undergo scenarios pecially low-income students ercise, or AUMX, is focused on personnel from Brunei, Cambo- designed to reinforce interop- of color, “the barriers to higher strengthening skills that would dia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, erability in visit, board, search education begin long before they be applicable throughout inter- Myanmar, the Philippines, Singa- and seizure; maritime domain become a high school senior,” national waters for maritime se- pore, Thailand, the United States awareness; division tactics and which greatly hinder these stumaritime asset tracking. (Patricia dents’ abilities to pay their bills and Vietnam. curity. and raise a family, said Adrienne The Philippine Navy had sent Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com) “It’s to enhance the skills of Elliot of the National Indian Education Association.

Millennial and Gen-Z students who belong to minority racial and Jr., 38, and Allan Albert Velarde continued presence here poses ethnic groups are often the first in

by WiLLiam dePasuPiL Kerr, 30, who were arrested in a risk to public safety and secu- their families to attend a college ManilaTimes.net separate operations in the cit- rity,” Mabulac added. or university, and in order to fund THE Bureau of Immigration ies of Angeles and Mabalacat, Immigration Intelligence of- their admission, must take out (BI) board of commissioners has respectively, by operatives from ficer and FSU Chief Bobby loans which pose “serious impliordered the deportation of two the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Raquepo disclosed that Boling cations” to their success and “soAmerican fugitives who had been Unit (FSU). and Kerr were subjects of arrest cial mobility,” Stephanie Roman arrested in Pampanga because of The Americans will be deport- warrants issued by a U.S. district of UnidosUS said. large-scale fraud that federal au- ed for being undesirable aliens court in western Texas on July For many families of color, thorities have filed against them and because they have become 23 this year. higher education is seen as the in Texas.

Both of them were reportedly gateway to securing a well-paying undocumented since their passImmigration Deputy Spokes- ports expired years ago. charged before the said court job and ascent on the social ladperson Melvin Mabulac on Sun“They will be sent home to with wire Fraud, Conspiracy to der, and knocking down the finanday, September 1, identified the face trial for the crimes they al- Commit Money Laundering and cial, social and political barriers fugitives as Robert wayne Boling legedly committed. Also, their Aggravated Identity Theft. n minority students face is “at the

US, ASEAN maritime drills ‘not directed to anyone’

characteristic of him,” according to Rudy Lopez, Public Information officer of the west Covina Police Department.

A day after Aguila was last seen, investigators were able to locate Aguila’s white 2017 Honda Civic at an impound in the city of San Dimas. Video surveillance revealed a male walking away from the car, but investigators determined that it was not Aguila.

Upon searching the car’s trunk, investigators found gloves and clothing with enough blood to suggest that someone was hurt.

Fingerprints found inside the car eventually led investigators to Rouse’s apartment in La Verne early Tuesday morning. There, SwAT members served a search warrant and found enough evidence to arrest both Rouse and Cardarelli.

An autopsy has not yet been conducted on the burned body found in Upland, but investigators said that there was enough evidence found at the apartment to connect the fire to Aguila’s disappearance.

“The checking of the location

The slain 28-year-old John Aguila, a firefighter from West Covina, California Photo courtesy of West Covina Police Department

revealed some information that led us to believe that the incident that we’re investigating is connected to the body that was found burned in the city of Upland,” said Lopez.

Bail for Rouse and Cardarelli is currently set at $1 million each.

If convicted as charged, both face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the LA County District Attorney’s office. whether capital punishment should be sought will be decided at a later date. n

Civil rights coalition offers proposals to combat...

2 US fugitives nabbed in Pampanga, face deportation for fraud

center of what the HEA was created to do,” said Roman.

Another update that the coalition has proposed to the existing law involves disaggregation of data, i.e. providing a more granular examination of students’ demographic information . The categorization is often marked by race, and that poses a problem in intersectionality, especially within the vast and diverse Asian student population.

Quyen Dinh, executive director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), noted that although data suggests that students who identify as “Asian” are relatively better off, there are “extreme challenges” faced by Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese students, the largest refugee community in the U.S., according to the Migration Policy Institute.

“The first step to addressing inequities for these students is to be seen,” Dinh said.

As such, one of the recommendations offered by the LCEF involves ensuring language inclusion and culturally competent resources, especially in financial aid information. The LCEF posits that Limited English Proficient stu-

dents and parents should be able to access financial aid information in the language “with which they are most comfortable.”

These recommendations, if applied, would be the first changes to the HEA since 2008. King noted that the current administration has created “opportunities for exploitation of students” and those who stand in opposition of the LCEF, including Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) who heads the House Education and Labor Committee, continue to undermine “all the issues that we speak to in our principles and in our policy recommendations. “we have seen opposition to the rights of immigrants and the rights of language minorities,” King said. “we have seen opposition to LGBTQ people [in reference to the gendered bathrooms controversy in North Carolina schools] and people with disabilities. we have seen opposition to black people, other people of color and to native peoples’ success in the country.

But we are confident that if we all come together, we will be able to advance higher education policy that ensures equity and equal opportunity.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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INC expands outreach programs in the US

by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.net

THe Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ) has expanded its campaign to combat poverty by conducting charity efforts in the United States, executive minister eduardo manalo said on Sunday, September 1.

“The [INC] is continuing and expanding its campaign against poverty worldwide, and we’ve focused our efforts in the US the whole month of August,” manalo said, referring to a month-long series of lingap sa mamamayan (Aid to Humanity) activities in the US. The activities started on August 11 and 12 in New York and Washington, D.C., and culminated on August 25 in Rockford, Illinois.

Other venues of the program included Seattle, Washington (August 14), memphis, Tennessee (August 16), Oakland, California (August 17), San Carlos, Arizona (August 19), San Diego, California (August 23) and los

Angeles, California (August 24).

The lingap sa mamamayan programs are conducted under the auspices of the Felix Y. manalo Foundation.

The opening activities in New York and the US capital distributed 4,000 “goodwill bags,” which included school supplies, canned goods, toiletries and home provisions to thousands of attendees, as well as cash gifts to 15 organizations and shelterpartners, with each group receiving $10,000.

INC General Auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said this year’s aid caravan was “much bigger than our initial Aid to Humanity efforts last year in North America, with more target areas and vastly increased number of recipients.”

An estimated 16,000 beneficiaries attended the various events from coast to coast.

“Our recipients are also diverse, from Girl Scout and theater groups, police and firefighters, to the homeless and the elderly. In the Aid to Humanity

event at San Carlos, Arizona, for instance, members of Native American Apache groups were in attendance.

“We were also requested by the los Angeles-based Philippine Consular Office to conduct special lingap activities for FilAm World War 2 veterans, which we did,” Santos Jr. added.

The activities are geared toward adults and children alike, with many having giveaways of food, first aid kits, education supplies, as well as entertainment activities, medical checkups for people of all ages and face-painting and balloon-making segments for kids. last may, the INC provided assistance to needy and marginalized groups in montreal, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, edmonton and Vancouver, all in Canada.

In late 2018 and early 2019, huge lingap sa mamamayan programs were held in Taiwan, Thailand, malaysia, macau and The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said OWMS is a web-page system that will be used by local recruitment and Photo from Facebook/POEA Hong Kong. The events were manning agencies as a tool to report the condition of OFWs they have deployed. attended by close to 8,000 overseas Filipino workers. n

Envoy’s Anchorage visit reaffirms strong ties between PH, Alaska WASHINGTON, D.C. — Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose manuel G. Romualdez conducted an official visit to Anchorage, Alaska on August 25-28 to engage with the sizable Filipino American community there and explore the possibility of increasing economic exchanges between the Philippines and the state of Alaska.

The official visit was upon the invitation of Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan and facilitated by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, which exercises consular jurisdiction over Alaska, and the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of Alaska (AAPICA), led by its president Jesse Vizcocho. Joining the Ambassador were Philippine Consul General Henry B. Bensurto, Jr., and officials from the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. and Consulate General in San Francisco.

Alaska is home to around 30,000 Filipino Americans who represent the biggest immigrant group in the state. majority of them are in Anchorage, which is also where 40 percent of Alaskans reside. Filipino Americans work throughout the state in the fisheries industry, the service sector, tourism, the local government, the medical industry, among other fields.

“I can tell you that I am very proud to be here in the United States as the Ambassador because everywhere I go and every person that I meet in Washington, D.C. knows a Filipino community that is very reliable and hardworking people,” Ambassador Romualdez told Filipino American leaders at a town hall event.

“Alaska is blessed with a strong Filipino community – one of the largest, per capita, in the country,” Senator Sullivan later on tweeted.

“The strength of the U.S.Filipino relationship for decades has been one of the core pillars of security and economic prosperity for the entire Asia-Pacific region. I think that is something that we, as Americans, as Filipino Americans, should all take a lot of pride in,” Senator Sullivan said in his remarks at the town hall event.

Ambassador Romualdez and Consul General Bensurto had the opportunity to engage with members of the Filipino American community during a visit at the Anchorage plant of Copper River Seafoods, a premier producer of Alaska seafood and one of the largest employers of Filipino Americans in the state.

They also met with Deputy Commissioner Nelson San Juan of the Alaska Department of labor and Workforce Development, and Joy maglaqi, who works at the Anchorage mayor’s office.

The Ambassador’s delegation likewise dined at the Filipino restaurant Bahay Kubo owned

by Filipino American maricel medina and engaged with several faculty members and students of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

In separate meetings, Alaska Governor mike Dunleavy and Anchorage mayor ethan Berkowitz likewise noted the vital contributions of the Filipino American community to the history and continued progress of the last Frontier. For the part of the Philippine Government, Ambassador Romualdez and Consul Gen-

eral Bensurto pledged to further improve the delivery of services to kababayans in Alaska.

Ambassador Romualdez also addressed the business community in Anchorage as the featured guest at a “make It monday” forum co-organized by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska World Affairs Council. The forum included a wide-ranging conversation with Senator Sullivan followed by a Q&A moderated by lise Falskow, president and CeO of the Alaska World Affairs Council.

The Ambassador further pursued economic discussions with Commissioner Julie Anderson of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and economic Development; Jim Szczesniak, manager of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; Bill Popp, president and CeO of the Anchorage economic Development Corporation; and michael Kohan, Seafood Technical Director at the Alaska Seafood marketing Institute.

While in Anchorage, Ambassador Romualdez also met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of energy for International Affairs Theodore Garrish to discuss future energy partnerships between the Philippines and U.S. “Alaska’s strategic location and resources, not to mention the strong presence of the Filipino American community, make it a very attractive and logical partner for us, particularly on key sectors like logistics, seafood processing, tourism, and energy. Our meetings in Anchorage started important conversations about how to realize these potential synergies,” Ambassador Romualdez said. n

Online OFW monitoring system launched

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

FAmIlIeS of overseas Filipino workers can now check the condition of their loved ones online as the government starts implementing an online OFW welfare monitoring system (OWmS).

The Philippine Overseas employment Administration (POeA) said OWmS is a web-page system that will be used by local recruitment and manning agencies as a tool to report the condition of OFWs they In a memorandum circular, the POeA ordered all recruitment and manning agencies to submit

an initial status of the workers three months after deployment abroad.

A regular monitoring report shall be submitted every quarter, but in cases of significant incidents, the agency shall submit a report within five days from its occurrence.

The POeA gave agencies three months to submit similar reports for OFWs deployed prior to the implementation of the system.

Agencies with an existing POeA e-services account shall simply log on to www.poea.gov. ph to access the help desk facility.

An individual monitoring report file will be created for each worker deployed. Reports on significant and critical incidents shall be treated “active” until such time the POeA declares it closed.

The Workers education and Welfare monitoring Division of the POeA shall manage each report submitted by the recruitment and manning agencies.

The WeWmD shall evaluate and submit regular analysis reports to the administrator.

Agencies that fail to comply with the requirement shall face administrative sanctions. n

American passenger held at NAIA for trying to transport baby in luggage AN American passenger has been held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the Immigration bureau for attempting to transport a six-day-old child in her luggage.

The Immigration bureau said the passenger, a woman, was intercepted at NAIA’s Terminal 3 at around 6:20 a.m., Wednesday, September 4.

The bureau identified the passenger as Jennifer Talbot, 43 years old.

The infant, BI said, was “hid-

den in an oversized belt bag.”

Talbot also did not declare nor present the infant to the Immigration inspector during departure formalities.

Filipino children traveling abroad alone, or with a companion other than their parents need to present certification that it is with the consent of their parents.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which issues travel clearances for children, among the

requirements for the clearance is “a notarized affidavit of consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian.”

The affidavit should include the name of the authorized travelling companion, their relationship to the child, as well as details of the trip.

DSWD personnel have already been dispatched to the airport.

The case will be referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the National Bureau of Investigation. (Philstar.com)

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Fli gi`ek \[`k`fej ile `e kXe[\d n`k_ 8AËj Gi`ek <[`k`fe Fec`e\% Fec`e\1 _kkg1&&`jjll%Zfd&Xj`XeaflieXc[`^`kXc\[`k`fe Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez (4th from right) and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (2nd from left) cite the strong relationship between the Philippines and the United States, and the vital contributions of the Filipino-American community in Alaska in the state’s history and progress. Joining Governor Dunleavy are Commissioner Julie Anderson (1st from left), Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and Deputy Commissioner Nelson San Juan (3rd from left), Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Photo from the Governor’s Office/Austin McDaniel

Some children born overseas to American parents...

PAGE 1 versus physically living on U.S. soil.

Previously under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), all children born to U.S. service members and other government employees were officially recognized as “residing in the United States” and, in turn, were automatically granted U.S. citizenship.

“If you’re not born on U.S. soil — and military bases aren’t considered U.S. soil — if you’re not born on U.S. soil, you can get citizenship through your parents,” a USCIS official told Task & Purpose. “But the parent has to be a U.S. citizen when you’re born. Otherwise they can’t transmit anything to you.”

“If you are a permanent resident and you have a child, there’s no U.S. citizenship transmission that you can do to the child on the day of their birth,” the official added.” You can’t transmit what

you don’t have.”

This new rule would affect wide swaths of children born overseas to service members and government employees, many of whom are of Asian descent and were born in military bases around Asia.

Though this rule does narrow the ways in which these affected children gain U.S. citizenship, it doesn’t outright make them ineligible. Now those children who are affected must acquire U.S. citizenship through other legal channels.

But Wednesday’s announcement joins a long string of controversial immigration policies announced under the Trump administration, which has proposed slashing legal immigration programs like family-based petitioning.

Senator Tammy Duckworth — who is half-Thai through her mother and half-white through

her late Army veteran father — issued a letter to the USCIS condemning the “confusing, cynical, unnecessary and unfair” policy.

“The bottom line is that this offensive policy update will harm members of the U.S. Armed Forces, military families and civil servants who serve our Nation abroad. Americans who choose to serve our country deserve respect and the possibility that their child may be denied citizenship under Section 322 of the INA is insulting,” Duckworth wrote.

“What purpose does this new policy serve other than sending the deeply offensive message that certain children bom to Americans serving their Nation abroad are somehow “lesser” individuals and unworthy of automatic citizenship?”

The rule goes into effect on Oct. 29, 2019. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

6

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SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Digging for water

FEATURES

SINCE 2003, according to satellite monitoring, Pampanga and Bulacan have been sinking by four to six centimeters or about 1.5 to 2.4 inches every year. The consequences are not confined to the two provinces. The impact is being felt around Manila Bay, where scientists say the sinking is raising the water level so that brackish water is surging inland, inundating entire communities.

Even without this problem, the city of Manila has been steadily sinking gradually. Climate change is accelerating the process, and it can only be aggravated by the problem in neighboring Bulacan and Pampanga, where the principal cause has been traced to groundwater extraction.

A report last week showed that in some parts of Bulacan, the sinking has become so serious that certain villages are now permanently submerged, displacing thousands. The few people who have remained now rely on boats to move around their communities.

In Metro Manila, the government has imposed a moratorium on groundwater extraction through deep wells since 2004. Geologists have warned that foundations are being weakened by the deep wells, causing subsidence or caving in of the ground and threatening communities.

The deep wells were common, especially in cities and towns that now constitute southern Metro

Manila, before the two private water concessionaires began upgrading the water distribution network in the National Capital Region. With serious water supply disruptions this year especially in the eastern NCR service area, however, people are again reviving deep wells to augment water supply.

Outside the NCR, deep wells are also used for farms, factories and household water needs. In some communities, communal deep wells are the principal sources of fresh water. Most of the wells are unregulated. With an ever-growing population and increased economic activities, and with no corresponding expansion of fresh water services, extracting water from the ground could continue unabated.

The National Water Resources Board is tasked to enforce the prohibition on groundwater extraction, with local government units to enforce the moratobut the agency has an acute lack of personnel to do rium on deep wells. this. In areas threatened by subsidence compoundWater, however, is the most basic requirement ed by climate change, the NWRB can coordinate for survival. Unless the government can provide ac-

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS ENOUGH of gun violence and mass shootings in America!

This is the overwhelming sentiment of Americans as revealed in a new Quinnipiac Poll conducted on August 21-26, 2019.

After the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio — added to the already troubling strings of massacre using guns in the United States —Americans have spoken out loud and clear.

The Quinnipiac Poll asked these questions: Q: Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States?

A: Support: 60 percent Republican support: 30 percent Democrats support: 89 percent Independents support: 61 percent Q: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?

A: Support: 93 percent Republican support: 89 per-

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO MORE precisely, not really “us” but former President Benigno Aquino III and his incompetent foreign secretary Albert del Rosario who shot our Republic in the foot by filing in 2013 the arbitration case against China, invoking the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

They didn’t even consult Congress or any other body for this very important foreign-policy move.

If not for President Duterte’s bold move to put the brakes on it, it would have resulted, and I am not exaggerating, in an economic disaster for us — to the advantage of our neighbors like Vietnam, which also have territorial disputes with China, but weren’t as stupid as filing such a case against Beijing and adopting an anti-China foreign-policy stance.

It is another testament to the tremendous power of US media in molding our people’s minds that the arbitration has been projected as a “victory,” exploiting the embers of anti-China xenophobia here. It is part of a huge propaganda machine to portray China as the evil empire in our region (which I will discuss fully in this series), which is a ma-

Philstar.com photo

cess to a network of safe water supply, people will seek their own sources, even from the ground. They will likely believe that this can cause the ground to collapse only if it actually happens. (Philstar.com)

Americans overwhelmingly support stricter gun control laws to avoid more mass shootings — and the youth are doing what Republicans won’t do cent Democrats support: 97 percent Independents support: 94 percent Q: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons?

A: 60 percent support THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS have been the response of Republican lawmakers in Congress through decades, who had been blocking attempts by Democrats to enact sensible legislation to end the senseless deaths due to gun violence in the country.

Thoughts and prayers until the heat and opposition against gun violence cool down, a dirty tactic they have used to manipulate the American people.

In fact, a bipartisan comprehensive gun bill has been passed by the Democrat-led House, but Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell would not even debate nor vote on it on the floor. McConnell refused to do so because he said he would not subject a bill to a vote that President Donald

Trump would not support and sign into law.

Ayaw kumilos ng matatanda para matigil na ang mass shooting at gun violence, hayaan nating mamuno ang mga kabataan. Ito ang proposal nila sa kanilang “Peace Plan”: This plan is spearheaded by students and survivors of the mass shooting in February 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. They hope this “Peace Plan” will be considered by President Trump as well as his Democratic presidential rivals.

These young people also aim at making this plan serve as a catalyst for a surge of youth voters in the 2020 presidential elections.

“I think similarly to a lot of the country, I’m in a lot of pain right now,” lamented David Hogg, 19, a co-founder of March for Our Lives and a survivor of the shooting on February 2018.

“You see these shootings on TV every day and very little happening around it. It’s painful to watch. And I think it’s

been really hard for me and many of the other students and people that we work with to find hope in this time.”

The youth group March for Our Lives has channeled their grief, frustration and anger to working hard toward a solution to gun violence, focusing on voter registration and outreach across the United States over the past year and a half, building a national infrastructure with more than 100 chapters centered on grass-roots organizing. They hope to turn that into droves of voters at the polls next year.

As the Washington Post reported: “The Peace Plan would create a national licensing and gun registry, long a nonstarter with gun rights advocates; ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; implement a mandatory gun buyback program; and install a “national director of gun violence prevention” who would report directly to the president and coordinate the federal response to what advocates call a national public health emergency.”

“It would dramatically increase restrictions around owning guns in ways sure to spark fierce blowback, including raising the age to 21 from 18 for those who want to buy guns. It calls for a ‘multi-step’ gun licensing system, overseen by a federal agency, that would include in-person interviews and a 10-day wait before gun purchases are approved. The license would be renewed annually.”

“In the vein of the Green New Deal, the Peace Plan takes a holistic approach to gun violence by also calling for automatic voter registration when those eligible turn 18, along with the creation of a ‘Safety Corps,’ which the authors compare to a Peace Corps for gun violence prevention. The plan also proposes communitybased solutions like mental health services, as well as programs to address and prevent suicide, domestic violence and urban violence.”

VOTE OUT people running for office who would not support it. They do not work for the

interest of the American people but are paid puppets of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful lobby group who have invested millions of dollars in the campaigns of these Republicans now seating the White House and Congress.

These supposed public servants are the NRA’s co-conspirators in spreading misinformation about proposed gun laws that are already working in other industrialized countries in preventing gun violence. They manipulate the American people by instilling fear that their Second Amendment rights will be violated and that their guns will be taken away from them!

USE THE POWER OF YOUR VOTE! The United States is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Arbitral award vs China: We shot ourselves in the foot

jor component of the American “Pivot to Asia” policy that President Obama started in 2011.

It obviously also takes advantage of the “my-country-right-orwrong” thinking of small, or lazy minds. Indeed, there is much truth in that adage, “Patriotism is the refuge of the scoundrel.”

But we cannot undertake a correct and realistic foreign policy based on massive misinformation on such a crucial issue as our territorial dispute with China.

I promise to publish unedited in this space the arguments that I hope del Rosario, or any of his ghost writers and highly paid academic mercenaries, will present to disprove the points in this piece.

One of the three “core” claims made by the Philippines in its arbitration case was that our Bajo de Masinloc Island (Scarborough Shoal) and the seven reefs in the Spratly Island Group occupied by China are not “islands” and therefore under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea do not have the 200nautical mile exclusive economic zone entitlement.

The intention of such a claim was that this would invalidate China’s occupation and ownership of these areas, first since Scarborough Shoal, just 130 nautical miles from our mainland, is clearly within our exclu-

sive economic zone (EEZ). Two of the Spratly reefs held by China (Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal) are within our EEZ and within our Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which Marcos declared as part of our sovereign territory under his Presidential Decree 1591 of 1978. Five reefs aren’t within our EEZ, but are within the KIG: Fiery Cross, Subi, McKeenan, Johnson and Cuarteron.

The tribunal did uphold the claim that the Chinese-occupied reefs are “low-tide elevations,” and within the Unclos definition do not generate entitlements to a territorial zones and EEZs. The only valid EEZ covering two of these reefs — Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal — are those of the Philippines.

This of course, made the Yellows, and their propagandist Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio ecstatic and jumping all around the country, demanding that the Duterte administration enforce the award or, as del Rosario had the gall to say the other day, he would be betraying the public trust.

For one thing, a crucial point which all of the Yellow writers and even former chief justice Artemio Panganiban have been missing is that the tribunal was totally silent — as it should be — on China’s territorial claims (as opposed to maritime entitle-

ments, such as EEZs), over the Spratlys which it calls the Nansha Island, made not because of just some medieval era maps, but on the basis of declarations made before World War 2, as well as in its 1950 and 1992 laws.

(Our claim on the other hand was made in 1978 by a Marcos decree.)

More importantly for this discussion, the Yellows have been absolutely quiet over the arbitral tribunal’s ruling made in connection with the Philippines’ “submission” regarding reefs occupied by China (“Dispotif,” paragraph 1203, section B (7): “a. That none of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands, in their natural condition, are capable of sustaining human habitation or economic life of their own within the meaning of Article 121(3) of the Convention; b. that none of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands generate entitlements to an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.”

This means that the tribunal ruled that none of our eight islands in our Kalayaan Island Group — the largest of which, Pag-Asa, have bunkers, semipermanent residents, and an airstrip — are islands, but are mere “rocks” and do not generate a territorial sea nor an EEZ. If we are to comply with the tribunal’s ruling to the letter, we

have to rename what we have called islands since 1978, as “rocks.” How can a “group of rocks” constitute a municipality of Palawan?

Islands under Unclos are entitled to a 200-nautical mile EEZ. Rocks do not have such a zone and have only a 12-nautical mile territorial sea.

If there had been no such arbitration ruling, we could have argued that Pag-asa — the second biggest feature in the Spratlys — is an island and therefore entitled to an EEZ. This would have extended our existing EEZ, which as of now is measured from baselines in Palawan, and ends near to half of the area covered by the KIG. It gets worse.

The tribunal’s ruling also means Vietnam’s six islands are not islands; Taiwan’s Taiping Island (the biggest in the Spratlys, with an airport that can accommodate even C-130s, and a tourist hotel) is not an island, and Malaysia’s Layang-layang island (a world-class dive resort) is not an island.

But guess what? The tribunal’s ruling applies only to us, as it wasn’t a court but merely an arbitration panel, the ruling of which applies only to the parties involved in the arbitration. (But the other party, China, had refused to join the arbitration.)

The ruling therefore doesn’t

apply to Vietnam’s six islands, and those of Taiwan and Malaysia. They can argue in the future that these islands have a 200nautical mile EEZ, and that the panel of experts the tribunal contracted to decide what is a rock and what isn’t was wrong.

The ruling applies only to us.

The Filipino idiom to such colossal stupidity is more vivid: Kumuha sila ng bato at pinukol sa sariling ulo.

It is as if one landowner brought a case to an arbitration court, to claim that another party has no legitimate claim to an adjacent land he occupies.

The arbitration panel upholds his claim, but also rules that the title to his land is just title to a community-held lot he is legally merely overseeing.

The ruling though adds to the legal shield needed by one superpower that wants to maintain its hegemony over the South China Sea and Asia: the U.S. It can claim that the tribunal ruled that none of the occupants of the Spratlys — especially China, of course — can claim a 200-EEZ nor even a 12-nautical mile territory. If they were allowed to do so, their EEZs would occupy most of the South China Sea, requiring that U.S. warships would need to ask permission to enter.

That would practically leave very little international waters in the PAGE A7

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D ateline PhiliPPines Dengue cases near DOH’s year-end projection of 240K dinated, there is still a potential for mosquitoes to breed. If one municipality will act but the other won’t, the mosquitoes would just MANILA — Despite the govtransfer,” Avelino said. ernment’s declaration in August Frogs, rice of a national dengue epidemic He noted that other initiatives, to better address the spread such as releasing frogs in sewof the disease, the number of ers or giving rice in exchange infected individuals continued for a number of mosquitoes to rise, inching closer to the killed, would not make much of Department of Health’s (DOH) a difference in addressing the projected year-end total of epidemic.

240,000 cases.

“You’re only targeting the adult Based on the DOH monitormosquitoes. What about the ing, the number of dengue cases larvae? Our focus should be on across the country as of Aug. 17, source reduction. Our intervenhad risen to 229,736, with 958 tions should be synchronized, deaths. systematic and regular, not just This figure not only represents one-time,” Avelino said. an increase of 107 percent from Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned that dengue cases may reach 240,000 this year.

It appears, however, that total cases may surpass that estimate, as the peak season for the disease has only begun and is expected to last till November.

The last time the country saw a surge in dengue cases was in 2016, with 220,518 cases and 1,092 deaths recorded for the year.

Based on DOH data, this is the first time since 2012 that the country is expected to breach the 240,000 mark. In the last seven A ward at Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City is full of dengue patients and years, full-year cases range from their families. In July, the provincial board of Eastern Samar declared the province under a a little over 113,000 to more than state of calamity due to the rising number of dengue cases.

Inquirer.net photo 220,000. n

by Jovic

Yee Inquirer.net

the same period last year but is also the highest since 2012.

Last month, the DOH declared a national dengue epidemic to help identify areas where local response was needed and to enable local governments to use their quick response funds to address the situation.

But while there are efforts to curb the rising number of dengue cases, Dr. Ferchito Avelino, chief of the Epidemiology Bureau, said on Tuesday that it was imperative for local governments to conduct activities like searching and destroying mosquito breeding grounds in a “coordinated” manner.

“The problem is if it’s not coor-

Arbitral award vs China: We shot...

PAGE 6 South China Sea, restricting U.S. warships’ movement.

But that isn’t really the main impact of the arbitration ruling. It is mainly a U.S.-planned, sophisticated and massive propaganda operation to portray that China is an aggressive superpower in Asia (which therefore needs the US to counter it), which absolutely has no valid claims in the South China Sea. The propaganda operation has indeed been so successful. Imagine, one of our highest ranking diplomats — our ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez — wrote, in a breach of diplomatic protocol, in his Philippine Star column what is nearly word for word the U.S. messag-

ing in the arbitration plot: “The Philippines obtained a favorable ruling over a maritime dispute from the UN tribunal which invalidated the sweeping claims of China (premised on its nine-dash line… covering some 90 percent of the disputed waters), saying the giant nation had no legal basis to claim historic rights over the South China Sea.” Duterte should remove Romualdez as a diplomat — by definition his alter ego in the U.S. — for undermining his foreign policy towards China, acting not as an ambassador to the U.S., but as the U.S. government’s spokesman, and an ignorant one to boot.

First, it wasn’t a UN tribunal that made a ruling. The arbitral panel had no connection whatever to

the United Nations. See my long piece on this: “Fake news? No such ‘PCA decision’ on suit vs China.”

Second, the tribunal indeed ruled that China’s “nine-dash line” has no validity within Unclos provisions. But Romualdez did not explain — or perhaps it was beyond his comprehension — that China’s claims in the South China are not entirely based on the nine-dash line which the Kuomintang Party first drew on China’s maps. China can just junk that nine-dash line nonsense and still have arguable claims for its sovereignty over the Spratlys.

This issue will be discussed in detail in subsequent instalments of this series. (ManilaTimes.net)

MORE leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) will be arrested, said Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde, a day after a “powerful” one was

PEACE CONSCIOUSNESS MONTH. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito G. Galvez Jr. leads the reading of pledge to work for peace while holding a lighted candle during the kick-off ceremony of the 2019 National Peace Consciousness Month at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Monday, September 2. Pursuant to Proclamation No. 675 issued on July 20, 2004, National Peace Consciousness Month is annually commemorated in the country every September with this year’s theme: ‘Tapang at Malasakit Para sa Kapayapaan’.

PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

No ‘foot-dragging’ in Marcos poll protest vs Robredo, says PH chief justice

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

MANILA — Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, September 4, assured that the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) is not dragging its feet in the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo.

“What was on the minds of all the members of the PET [is] to do away with this case, to resolve this case in the earliest possible time,” Bersamin told reporters at a press conference.

Marcos’ poll protest was filed before the PET, whose members are justices of the Supreme Court, on June 29, 2016. However, there was no indication that the PET will wrap up the proceedings anytime soon.

“We are aware that the public may be uneasy about our footdragging, but it is not really foot-dragging if you would know the effort that we have expended in the revision process. This is a combination of a protest as well as a variation of protest,” said Bersamin.

“I know the impatience of the

public about this case of the Vice President being protested but we should also be careful of what we do here because the credibility of our processes as well as the political system here is at stake so we are doing it slowly but we are doing it with sufficient speed,” he added.

Bersamin said to the public, the proceeding may be slow “but actually we are already fast. Even if there is a perception is that there is delay, we are doing our share from within, reminding each other and not just the ponente of the need for results. We do not say that these results should come tomorrow or in the next month.

It all depends on how we process the protest.”

Under the PET rules, they need to count the votes in the three pilot provinces Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental.

They have also brought in revisors and three commissioners to go through the clustered ballot boxes from the 2016 elections.

Bersamin said they are expecting a “voluminous report” from Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa on the result of the preliminary revision of ballots on the three pilot provinces covering

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin Inquirer.net photo

Marcos’ protest.

After the PET finishes its recount in the pilot provinces, it will decide whether or not to proceed in the vote revision on 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities identified in Marcos election protest.

“His submission is a prelude to the action of the Court on whether to proceed to the other aspects of the case,” the Chief Justice said. n

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SC junks petition to allow same-sex marriage in PH, raises matter to Congress

by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

THE Supreme Court en banc on Tuesday, September 3, junked a petition to allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines and said its “official recognition” was a matter that “should be addressed to Congress.”

The petition for certiorari was filed by Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis 3rd who asked the high court to nullify Executive Order (EO) 209, also known as The Family Code of the Philippines.

The petition violated the “principle of hierarchy of courts and failed to raise an actual, justiciable controversy,” according to the ruling, which Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen penned.

The Office of the Solicitor General had asked the court to dismiss the petition.

The Supreme Court, in its ruling, said that while it “recognized the protracted history of discrimination and marginalization faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, intersex, and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBT) community, along with their still ongoing struggle for equality; and acknowledged that same-sex couples may morally claim that they have a right against discrimination for their choice of relationships, official recognition of their partnerships may, for now, be a matter that should be addressed to Congress.”

The Court said that “judicial adjudication entails ruling, either

in the affirmative or in the negative, on issues propelled by actual controversies.”

It said that it was only through “the existence of actual facts and real adversarial presentations that this Court can fully weigh the implications and consequences of its pronouncements.”

The high court said that “adjudication assures arguments between parties with respect to the existence and interpretation of fundamental freedoms.”

It said that legislation “ideally allows public democratic deliberation on the various ways to assure these fundamental rights.”

“The process of legislation exposes the experiences of those who have been oppressed, ensuring that this be understood by those who are with the majority.

Often public reason needs to be first shaped through the crucible of campaigns and advocacies within our political forum be sharpened for judicial fiat,” it said.

The 15-man court also warned petitioners-lawyers against any grandstanding in filing the case as they would be cited for indirect contempt.

“Falcis and his co-counsels, lawyers Darwin P. Angeles, Keisha Trina M. Guangko, Christopher Ryan R. Maranan (are) liable for indirect contempt.”

The Court said that “to forget the bare rudiments of court procedure and decorum, purport to know them, but really, only to exploit them by way of propaganda and then, to jump headlong into

the taxing endeavor of profession, is a contemptuous betrayal of the high standards of the legal.”

“What we do in the name of the public interest should be the result of collective decision coming from well-thought-out strategies of the movement in whose name we bring a case before this Court.”

The high court warned that “premature petitions filed by those who seek to see their names in our jurisprudential records may only do more harm than good.”

“Good intentions are no substitute for deliberate, conscious and responsible action. Litigation for the public interest for those who have been marginalized and oppressed deserve much more than the way that it has been handled in this case,” it said.

Falcis, in his petition, assailed Articles 1 and 2 of the Family Code, which “define and limit marriage as between man and woman.”

He said that such provisions were considered discriminatory and would tend to violate homosexuals’ right “to found a family” as protected under Section 3 (1) of the 1987 Constitution.

Falcis, a Metro Manila resident and a self-confessed gay who filed the case as a taxpayer’s suit, argued that these provisions “deprive [him] and other homosexuals the right to liberty without substantive due process of law” and “deny them the equal protection of the laws” and would declare the gays and lesbians as “second class citizens.” n

WORLD PEACE BELL. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexie B. Nograles (second from right) and Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (third from right) lead the ringing of the world peace bell to kick off the 2019 National Peace Consciousness Month during a ceremony held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Monday, September 2. During the event, both Nograles and Galvez highlighted the Duterte administration’s peace achievements, including the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

Duterte wants 1,914 heinous crimes convicts to surrender

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the 1,914 heinous crimes convicts freed over the years of implementation of the law cutting down their prison time due to their good conduct to surrender to authorities.

Duterte told the freed convicts to “surrender and have yourself registered in [the Bureau of Corrections] in 15 days.”

The president said they are given 15 days of liberty provided that they make themselves avail- Seven men dubbed as the “Chiong Seven” were imprisoned for the alleged rape and kidnap Screenshot from documentary “Give Up Tomorrow” able for recomputation of their of sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline.

GCTA and for investigation for the law cited by Duterte but he corruption, or else they would be has yet to reply as of this story’s treated as fugitive. posting.

“Or you will be treated as crimiFormer Supreme Court spokesnal for evading the law. Well, you person Theodore Te earlier said know, things can go wrong,” that sending the heinous crime Duterte warned. convicts back to prison would According to data of the Bu- mean “a retroactive application reau of Corrections, there have of the law in a prejudicial manbeen more than 22,000 persons ner, which is prohibited by the deprived of liberty whose GCTA Constitution as an ex post facto were granted and whose sentences application of the law.” were shortened.

An ex post facto law is that Of these, 1,914 inmates were would penalize a crime that was sent to imprisonment for commit- committed when the act was not ting heinous crime. deemed illegal yet. The Bill of “Maybe three days I will decide Rights states: “No ex post facto if I put up... I will place P1 million law or bill of attainder shall be per head, dead or alive,” he also enacted.” said.

“The GCTA that may serve to The president claimed that he shorten a sentence and entitle the does not need a warrant for his inmate to be released extinguishes order. liability and, even if applied erroneDuterte said that Justice Secre- ously but in good faith to unqualitary Menardo Guevarra relayed to fied inmates (e.g., those serving him a law that when one is released time for heinous crimes who under based on “wrongful interpretation the law are not entitled to GCTA), or a faulty construction of the law, cannot justify sending back to jail you can be re-arrested.” those set free,” Te, who is a profesGuevarra was asked to explain sor on criminal law, explained. n

Pacquiao wants stiffer penalty for game-fixing

SENATOR Emmanuel Pacquiao has filed a measure that seeks to impose heavier penalty for those found guilty of game-fixing.

Senate Bill (SB) 971, or “An Act redefining the crime of game-fixing,” aims to amend Presidential Decree (PD) 483.

PD 483, which took effect in 1974, penalizes betting, game-fixing or point-shaving, and machinations in sports contests. As early as that time, the state already recognized the ill effects of gambling in its various forms.

Pacquiao said the decree is seen as a protective measure, particularly for the youth against unscrupulous people who employ fraudulent schemes that subvert real sportsmanship.

The senator lamented that game-fixing and illegal gambling are still prevalent and had rocked the foundation of amateur and professional leagues.

Under SB 971, game-fixing refers to any act or series of acts, arrangement, agreement or scheme wherein the skill or ability of any player or participant in a game, sport, race or sports competition shall be limited deliberately in order to influence the process or to produce a predetermined result.

The payment or receipt of money or valuable consideration shall constitute a prima facie evidence of game-fixing.

Those found guilty of gamefixing face a penalty of imprisonment from three to six years or a fine of not less than P1 million. If the offender is an athlete, umpire, judge, coach or sports official, the penalty shall be six to 12 years imprisonment or a fine of not less than P1 million.

If the offender is a public officer, he or she shall be perpetually barred from holding any public office. (ManilaTimes.net)

Makati 4th safest Southeast Asian city — online survey MAKATI City ranked 4th in the top 10 safest cities in Southeast Asia, an international online research group said.

Three other Philippine cities — Davao, Iloilo and Cebu — were also on the list, according to a survey conducted by Numbeo’s Safety Index 2019.

Last year, Makati ranked 5th with a Safety Index rate of 59.48 points, the Numbeo survey said.

Also in the top 10 safest cities in Southeast Asia were Chiang Mai (Thailand) with a rating of 77.88; Davao (Philippines), 72.50; Singapore, 72.30; Hanoi (Vietnam), 59.48; Penang (Malaysia), 58.66; Bangkok (Thailand), 58.31; Iloilo (Philippines), 55.86; Bali (Indonesia), 51.40; and Cebu (Philippines), 50.34.

Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay said the city consistently implements programs to improve the quality of life of its residents through increased police visibility and other investments in disaster response and security.

She cited the importance of the support of the local and national

governments to the security sector in maintaining peace and order for socioeconomic progress.

“We regard national government agencies such as the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection as our indispensable partners in keeping Makati safe for residents, the business community and all other stakeholders. As the financial center of the Philippines, we put a premium on safety and security to remain as the premier investment destination, where businesses can rapidly and continuously flourish,” the mayor said.

Numbeo’s numbers also showed a low crime rate in Makati with 40.52. This is significantly lower than the crime rates in Manila and Quezon City with 64.82 and 61.19, respectively.

Its data is based on a survey involving netizens who have visited its website.

Apart from crime rates, Numbeo gives data on each city’s or country’s cost of living, property prices, health care, pollution, traffic, quality of life and tourism.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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VEGAS&STYLE

Journal Jimuel gets lead role offer from Hollywood Yasmien, Gabbi break the glass ceiling

by Jan

by Jerry

Donato Philstar.com

Milo Severo

Philstar.com

SENATOR Manny Pacquiao’s eldest son, Jimuel Pacquiao, has recently received an offer to do a Hollywood action film.

Manny’s business manager, Arnold Vegafria, has confirmed the news to Philstar.com.

According to Vegafria, the younger Pacquiao got an offer to portray the lead character in a “Karate Kid”-kind of film.

Jimuel, who follows the footsteps of his father in boxing, impressed the Hollywood film’s producer with his skills, according to Arnold.

“Kasi, because of the videos yata niya, iyong mga boxing niya. About boxing yata iyong film. So, nakikita iyong boxing skills niya, saka iyong action skills niya. So, nagkainteres. E, guwapo naman si Jimuel! Sana, matuloy. Pag natuloy, better for us,” Arnold said in an interview with Pep. The movie will be shot in Manila, Japan and the United States, Vegafria added.

Nonetheless, Arnold said that he does not know if Manny will allow his son to do the project

Jimuel with his dad Manny Pacquiao during a training.

because Jimuel is in college. “‘Di ko pa alam kung papayag si MP Manny Pacquiao. Kung papayagan niya iyong anak niya.

Kasi, nasa college na si Jimuel.

Nasa La Salle na eh.” the talent manager said.

“Kung ma-confirm, malalaman natin by this year. Wala pa iyong final script, e. Then, siyempre, ano iyong package. Kasi siyempre, stop sa pag-aaral, sa pagte-train.”

Jimuel recently made head-

Inquirer.net photo

lines after splitting with former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Heaven Peralejo.

In an interview with PangMasa, Heaven confirmed the split but denied rumors that they broke up because she used Jimuel’s credit card to buy groceries for her family.

When asked what went wrong in their relationship, Heaven just said to ask Jimuel: “Siya na lang.

Sabihin na lang natin na ako ‘yung nag-let go.”

Iñigo sorry for causing Maris’ heartbreak apologizing to Racal.

“I’m just really grateful honestly for whatever we have and I IT looks like all is well now want to say sorry,” Pascual said. between Iñigo Pascual and Maris “I mean we went through a lot Racal. together and I could never say Both singer-actors got candid bad about Maris no matter what about their feelings when they ap- happened.” peared Monday at morning show “I always say handa siyang “Magandang Buhay” with Pascual ibigay lahat and I just couldn’t do

by KriSSy

aGuilar Inquirer.net

Iñigo Pascual with Maris Racal

Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual

the same and that made me sad as well. It also made me heartbroken to be honest,” he added.

Last June, Racal admitted during a television guesting her heart was broken by Pascual, but assured fans she was fine and it’s all in the past.

Recalling the said interview with host Boy Abunda, Racal said: “‘Yung question ni Tito Boy na ‘did Inigo break your heart?’

I wanted to answer ‘no’ kasi siyempre we moved on na and then ayaw ko namang maging bad ‘yung name ni Inigo.”

“Gusto kong i-answer na ‘yes pero okay na’ ganun po, kasi ayaw kong magsinungaling po,” she added.

Racal likewise expressed joy to hear Pascual’s apology, knowing he had a hard time giving what a relationship requires.

“Nakakatuwa po dahil nagsorry na siya talaga. Nakita ko rin na hirap din siyang magbigay kung ano ‘yung kailangan sa relationship. Kasi may times na napapapili ka talaga, love ba or career?” Racal said.

“Mas okay ‘yung choice niya, ‘yung career na pinili niya. Kasi hindi ba dream mo ‘yon na maging international singer, makilala as a singer sa buong mundo and I’m very happy na pinili mo ‘yon actually. Walang bitterness,” she continued.

1st PH transgender best actress shares solution to public toilet issue by allan

PolicarPio Inquirer.net

“MAYBE I’ll just wear diapers… or bring my own arinola!”

That was Iyah Mina—the first transgender woman to win a best actress award in local biz—retorting in jest, when asked about her thoughts on the recent outcries and debates over the discrimination transgender people deal with when using public restrooms.

But kidding aside, she underscored the importance of educating people about what being a transgender or part of the LGBTQ+ community means, so that they could better empathize with them and understand their plight.

“I was in Leyte a few days ago and there was this guy who thought of me as bakla. He was like, ‘Bakla ka lang.’ I asked him what his understanding was of being a transgender. And he said they’re those who have already undergone [sex reassignment] surgery,’” she told the Inquirer at a press conference for the GMA 7 daytime drama anthology, “Wagas.”

“I explained that it’s not all about what’s between your legs, but your mind-set and what you identify as,” said Iyah, who won best actress for her performance in the film “Mamu: And a Mother, Too”— an entry in the 2018 Cinema One Originals film festival.

Personally, Iyah has never felt discriminated against when using ladies’ rooms. But she acknowledged that not everyone’s experiences—and the kind of people they encounter—are the same.

“Ang hirap lumugar … It boils

Iyah Mina

down to respect and acceptance,” said Iyah, who lamented the fact that the Philippines is lagging behind other countries when it comes to laws protecting members of the LGBTQ+.

“In Japan, for instance, I decided to use the men’s room. But then, an elderly Japanese woman pulled me toward the ladies’ room,” she recalled.

She likewise expressed support for the Sogie (sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) bill—which seeks to “prohibit and penalize” discrimination “on the basis of sexual orientation and gender

Photo from Instagram/@iyah_mina

identity—despite the many roadblocks it’s facing.

“I’m sad because it has yet to be passed … I hope it doesn’t get politicized, though,” she said.

Aside from her Cinema One triumph, she also received best actress nominations from the Urian and Famas.

“I’m happy that a transwoman like me was recognized … It opened a lot of doors,” said Iyah, who was cast for an upcoming film and a digital feature.

“Now, if I have projects, I do tapings during the day, then do shows as a standup comedian PAGE 11

it’s refreshing (to see) women (who work as a team).

“Usually in a teleserye with women, (they get involved) in kabitan (illicit affairs or extramarital relationships) (and) sabunutan (hair-pulling situations). This time, they will team up… hindi na kami nagluluto, nagtsitsismisan, pwede na rin kaming bumaril (we are no longer cooking and gossiping, we can also fire a gun).”

So Alice, Brie and Kitkat do not only show women’s love but also their courage.

Asked about their experience in doing action sequences, Yasmien answered, “We haven’t done any. We are about to enter the action-sequence (phase). We’ve done our (Krav Maga) training and we still have to do another training.” The female leads are taught the basics of handling guns like the small ones and “malalaki at iba’t-ibang pang klase ng baril,” shared Yasmien.

As for Gabbi, she had fun completing the intense gun training sessions but got intimidated by the tasks at first, “Di ko alam kung kaya ko (I doubted myself if I could do it), but I enjoyed the training.”

Although her work as Alena in “Encantadia” could have somehow lessened the jitters and given her the heads-up, playing Brie posts unique challenges for Gabbi. “Siguro mas nanibago ako this time, mas-tutok yung training and mas-hand-to-hand combat talaga kumpara sa ‘Engka’ (I needed some time to get used to it because the training was more focused and involved hand-

to-hand combat as compared to ‘Encantadia’).”

The “Beautiful Justice” narraYASMIEN Kurdi and Gabbi Garcia, along with Bea Binene, tive will see Alice, Brie and Kitkat are women in love in the GMA find leads and ways to understand Telebabad drama-action series the tragic death of their loved ones “Beautiful Justice.” This love for — all Philippine Drug Enforcetheir loved ones leads Yasmien’s ment Agency (PDEA) agents. It’s Alice, Gabbi’s Brie and Bea’s a husband in the case of Alice, Kitkat to break the glass ceiling. boyfriend of Brie and brother of The Kapuso actresses continue Kitkat. They seek for truth and to espouse the positive image of justice. What’s also implied is women through the soap directed that Alice, Brie and Kitkat may

by Mark Reyes V. form a secret group to fulfill their “Alam naming mga kababaihan personal-turned-collective misito, ang abilities namin (we know sion. This is possible since they our abilities as women),” said will form a professional bond with Yasmien in a group interview. “We a PDEA agent named Vin, played want to show that what men can

by Gil Cuerva. Also in the cast do, women can do it also.” are Victor Neri, Bing Loyzaga, She added, “Iba na ang mundo Derrick Monasterio and Valeen ngayon, lalo na sa kababaihan Montenegro.

(The world has changed, espeAs Brie, Gabbi is a vlogger, socially for women), kailangan din cial media influencer and an It girl, (naming) malaman kung paano “May pagka-hacker (siya) dito… depensahan ang aming mga sarili, She can’t accept the passing of kung paano namin magagawa her (boyfriend). Maarte (siya) na ang mga ginagawa ng mga lalaki misunderstood, na mabait naman (We need to know how to defend at may katalinuhan (She is also ourselves and how to do malekind and smart).” Bea as Kitkat, on oriented tasks). It’s a new world, the other hand, is a street-smart it’s a modern world. I think this beautician, who always engages (show) is very positive, walang Brie in discussions. Coming in lalaki, walang babae dito.” between them is Yasmien’s Alice.

Appreciating, too, the gen“I think I’m the ate (the older der-equality theme of “Beautiful sister),” Yasmien shared. “As Justice” was Gabbi, by saying their ate, I would stop (their arguthat “actually, nakakatuwa for ments) and decide on what are they’ve (created) an ensemble the next steps that we will take.”

— (composed of) Yasmien, Bea For someone who has done famand I — to represent women who ily/relationship-oriented TV series are willing to fight for their loved aired either in late morning or in ones physically and emotionally… the afternoon timeslot, Yasmien We’re all female and it’s about considered Beautiful Justice a time people should give (it) a try, respite from the familiar territory watching three girls fighting, and she has been associated with.

“It excites (and thrills) me,” she said of her latest TV role and return to the primetime block.

“Nagkaroon na ako ng kalyo sa kamay kakakasa ng baril. I’m very excited, I’m very happy but I’m very pressured, too. After five years, lumabas po ako sa box ko, I got out of my box (comfort zone).”

Given the “action” in the “drama” series, Yasmien’s husband Rey Soldevilla Jr. and Gabbi’s boyfriend Khalil Ramos just offer their full support.

“Of course, he is very happy and very excited for me, supportive si pangga. You know he supports (every) project I do,” said Yasmien.

“Hindi, wala yun sa kanya (He doesn’t worry),” shared Gabbi.

That also speaks of their loved ones’ trust, which is reason enough for Yasmien and Gabbi Gabbi Garcia and Yasmien Kurdi as women in love, who seek justice for loved ones. to give their all in “Beautiful GMA photos Justice.”

Tony on reading books & older women

by Gil

villa Philstar.com

SOMETHING in the power of reading to transport one elsewhere makes Tony Labrusca engrossed with the experience in quite the same way his apparent appeal to older women does.

The “Glorious” star was the special entertainer during the Scholastic Readers Cup 2019 held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last Aug. 20. The event was Scholastic’s tribute to its 233 partner schools that champion reading, especially those that met or exceeded the reading goals set forth by the leading publishing and education company.

“I’m like a dog with a bone when I find something that interests me, like a good content to sit down with, you know,” he told The Star backstage after serenading the delighted crowd of educators and bookworms with his voice and good looks.

First noticed in TV commercials, the rising film and TV series figure shared his thoughts about his girl-magnet reputation that makes him a heavy fan favorite.

He recalled that at 19, a woman considerably older than him expressed special liking for him.

He related, “That was a foreshadowing of anything that would happen and it’s not a bad thing. It has been working out for me and it’s a huge part of my career and it is what makes me successful right now.”

Tony would rather not go into details of his appeal for women of certain age. But he truly embraces the fact. “It used to be a running joke but now it is my reality. It’s my destiny that there’s something about me that gravitates older women,” he pointed with a rather wholesome smile.

As for his reading habit, Tony noted that his favorite books involve Harry Potter and Percy Jackson because they “entrance

Tony Labrusca

and transport me to another dimension.” He also buys inspirational books, declaring, “I love the feeling of being inspired.”

The actor, who is set to do an international movie, expressed appreciation over Scholastic’s mission “to encourage more schoolchildren to become lifelong readers.” The Readers Cup, which annually recognizes diligently achieving schools, aims to motivate students to read at least 40 books in a school year or one book a week.

Representatives from Scholastic’s partner schools were awarded by Scholastic Asia chief marketing officer Foo Lung Choe, along with Scholastic Philippines GM Fritzie Cruz and national sales manager Maureen Belen. Out of the 220 schools that competed this year, 72 schools won over the

Photo from Instagram/@tony.labrusca

challenge, and the Top 3 schools for each of the four categories (based on school population) were eventually awarded the Readers Cup. Scholastic CEO Richard Robinson said something about the connection between successful people like Tony and the value of reading: “Finding the right book at the right time can light an emotional spark within children that motivates them to read more, understand more and read joyfully. When that happens, the world opens. Everything becomes possible.”

Tony added, “Humans are superficial beings. We want to have something in our hands that we can feel. There’s satisfaction in that. That’s why some people post on social media their book collections.”

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Part 1 of 2) ELAINE placed sunflowers on her husband’s gravesite and quietly said a prayer. She stood alone on a gentle slope on the windswept hill. It was getting chilly and Elaine instinctively wrapped her shawl tightly about her.

It was early evening in late spring and the sun was beginning to sink in the horizon. She knew she would have to leave soon.

The memorial park will soon be closing its gates to visitors. She caught sight of the roving guards in their vehicle at the corner of her eye. She took one last look at her husband’s gravesite and got into her car and drove down the meandering road downhill to go home before dusk finally sets in.

She needed to prep her mind and body for her work tomorrow as quality control chief of semiconductor parts, just as she had done so, for the last two decades in the company that valued and kept her as a great worker.

Elaine was a woman of great substance. She was loyal to the bone in both her home and work life. She did the best she could in every situation emptying herself in the process. She honestly thought everybody did so and was just like her. Elaine never considered herself a rarity — which she was. Elaine just was that kind of person.

It has been 12 years since her husband Neil passed away after a long bout with lung cancer.

When the end came, she went through the motions of climbing the wall of grief that comes with permanent separation.

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS ARTICLES from Mayo, Harvard, Stanford, and other reputable medical centers, have been recently revisited and highlighted the effect of diabetes on libido and sexual performance among men and women.

Does diabetes impact sexual performance?

Yes. In men, diabetes mellitus can cause a varying degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to attain or sustain erection satisfactory for intercourse, as the diabetes progresses. Most of the time, however, the exaggerated and unfair condemnation, of diabetes as causing severe erectile dysfunction leads to a psychological deterrent and a self-fulfilling prophecy in most men. Many well-adjusted and well-treated diabetics enjoy sex without problems. In women, loss of vaginal lubrication is a major sexual effect of diabetes. It is also theorized that there could be some erectile dysfunction of the clitoris (female anatomical counterpart of penis) among women with diabetes. Viagra (Sildenafil), which has been found to be effective for male erectile dysfunction, has now been shown in some preliminary studies to be of help also among females, lending further support to the medical contention that perhaps diabetes also impairs female (clitoral) erectile function.

Is ED the same as impotence?

No, this was a scientific “error,” a harsh diagnosis overkill in the past. Erectile dysfunction has since then been considered a distinct and remediable medical entity and has replaced the term impotence, in this particular context. Impotence is now relegated to its proper “domain” where the male (himself) is unable to cause pregnancy. This clearer definition is more medically accurate and has given more hope and psychological relief to the millions afflicted by erectile dysfunction, which today has great treatment success rate.

How prevalent is erectile dysfunction?

It is very common. While impotence (accurately diagnosed) affects very few men, erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 10 to 20 million men aged 19 and older in the United States. The prevalence is 52 percent in men aged 40 to 70 and increases with age. However, today, men — and women — can enjoy sexual activity throughout life, with proper care and strategy. Erectile dysfunction

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Once upon a time series...

Meet Elaine, the rock “ Opposites do attract but likes stay together...”

Elaine didn’t know at the time if she could handle the sole responsibility of bringing up their two young children as the surviving parent and the sole breadwinner. To Neil’s credit, he had the foresight to buy life insurance that proved to be of great help in the interim. For that one act alone, Elaine remains deeply grateful to Neil’s memory. His foresight and love for their family ran deep.

Neil wasn’t perfect — not by a long shot — but then she realized, neither was she. It was a struggle during the early years and the recurring friction would sometimes be unbearable.

They were a study in contrasts. “Opposites do attract but likes stay together,” her mother used to tell her as a teen-ager.

But she was too young, too naïve and very much in love with Neil to understand. She was stubborn and headstrong. When the going got tough as it often did early in their marriage, she wished bitterly she had the humility and the emotional smarts to remember her mother’s words of wisdom.

She remembered how their marriage was rough going for a while and they came very close to calling it quits quite a few times. Their marriage counselor and even her confessor priest advised her that it may be in their best interest to go their separate ways.

The advice fell on deaf ears.

There were these two children whose well-being depended on them. She had this stubborn streak that kept her going. She persisted. She prayed on her knees. And in God’s perfect timing, her prayers were answered.

She has no regrets over the choices she made, even if sometimes, she had the nagging feeling, she chose poorly. Others would say, stupidly.

There were happy times too when the laughter rang out and she chose to dwell on them.

Elaine imagined herself to be like a film editor retaining and splicing together the reels of fun and gaiety they had.

She still smiles broadly recalling their wedding, two normal childbirths, flying kites in the open fields and on the beaches when the children were growing and just countless fun times they shared and recorded in fading photographs and video clips.

And like the editor of her life, she chose to gloss over and edit out the ugly parts and leave them on the cutting room floor, swept in a bin and zapped away from memory. Poof. Gone. Forgiven and Forgotten.

This is just how I cope and how I choose to remember my life and times, Elaine thought.

(Continued next week…) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Diabetes and libido

is not inevitable with aging, even into the 70s and 80s. With proper medical counseling and aids like Viagra, etc., most males and females can enjoy sex at any age.

What other damages does diabetes cause?

Diabetes has a lot of potential complications. Among them are the effects on the small arteries and big arteries in the body, causing blockages in the circulation, leading to damages (poor supply of blood, oxygen and nutrition) to the various organs of the body: the eyes (retinopathy that results in blindness), kidneys (nephropathy resulting in kidney failure), legs (resulting in leg an feet ulcers, gangrene and amputation), nerves (neuropathy that causes numbness and pains in the feet), and cellular immunity (weakens the immune system leading to infections).

This is the reason why all diabetic patients must be under the care of a physician and why the blood sugar must be well-controlled at all times.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is rare in diabetic men until their mid-30s.

Erectile dysfunction is very common in the general male population, especially in these modern times. Contributing to cause this condition are psychologic factors (severe anxiety, fear of intimacy, fear of unwanted pregnancy, sexual guilt, depression), drugs (most medications for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, psychotropic drugs, CNS depressants-tranquilizers, etc. do affect erection), arteriosclerosis/ vascular (blocking arteries that supply blood to the male organ), and, rarely, biogenic (associated with low testosterone levels and reflecting disorders of the hyphothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis). Alcohol negatively affects erection. As Shakespeare wrote “Alcohol increases the desire but diminishes the performance.”

What is the treatment for ED? Making the correct diagnosis is very important, since the treatment depends on the cause.

Once the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is clinically confirmed, medications called PDE (phosphodiesterase inhibitors) like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc., are prescribed.

This class of medications increase the blood flow to the penis to effect and erection. Persons on nitroglycerine (medications for coronary heart disease) are strictly warned against taking ED pills, the combination of which could cause intractable shock and death. It is essential that the diabetes is wellcontrolled at all times for this to work. Quitting smoking, exercising at least 3 times a day, and a

conducive environment, will help tremendously in improving sexual performance.

How about in diabetic women?

Among diabetic women, the major sexual side effect is loss of the natural vaginal lubrication, which makes sexual encounters most uncomfortable and even painful. Master and Johnson, pioneering sex researchers in the 1960s, stressed the importance of vaginal lubrication during the initial sexual arousal in women and throughout the sex act. With proper vaginal lubrication, proper “ambiance,” and well-controlled blood sugar (and other medical conditions, if any), diabetic women can enjoy pleasurable sex at any age.

What are the other causes of vaginal dryness?

Other causes of loss in vaginal lubrication are: stress or psychological factors, undesired partner, drugs (Tricyclic Antidepressants, like Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil, Sinequan, birthcontrol pills, antihistamines, cold formulas, etc), alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana.

Other conditions include jet lag from travel across time zones, excessively prolonged foreplay or lovemaking, pregnancy and childbirth.

What is the treatment for loss of vaginal lubrication?

There is practically no excuse why women should not enjoy sex as men do. Loss of vaginal lubrication happens to majority of women past 40 years old, some even as young as in their 20s and 30s.

The cause among menopausal women is hormonal, but stress, as stated above, could play a great role also, especially in the younger women. Diabetic women do not have to be ashamed of this, since this affects non-diabetics also, and at any age. There are now a lot of commercially available (no prescription needed) vaginal lubricants. This simple and inexpensive strategy has tremendously (to the surprise of many partners) improved the pleasure of sex, the sexual relations of husbands and wives, and lovers in general, and has enhanced many a marriage and personal relationship to a significant extent.

*** 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

1st PH transgender best actress...

PAGE 10 at night,” related Iyah, who had worked with the likes of Vice Ganda, Super Tekla and Donita Nose at various comedy bars.

“It’s my bread and butter, and I don’t plan to leave it.”

Iyah is set to appear in “Wagas’” new, monthlong episode

titled, “Throwback Pag-ibig,” which started airing before “Eat Bulaga!”

In the drama series, Iyah plays Mama Ru, who runs a dress shop with July (Sunshine Dizon), whose relationship with her husband, Ryan (Mike Tan), falls apart after losing their child, Smile (Le-

anne Bautista) in a tragedy.

“I was a big fan of the fantasy series ‘Encantadia,’ so I was excited when I found out that I was working with Sunshine. She’s a great actress, a professional—I want to be like her,” said Iyah, who dreams of having a “tarayan” scene with Cherie Gil.

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2019

Calendar of Events across

America

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 7

UPAAGLA Grand Gala in Los Angeles The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at the LA Grand Hotel (333 S. Figuera St, Los Angeles, CA). With the theme “Taking U.P. To The Future” the event will have Distinguished U.P. Alumni Guests including Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Philippine Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and current University of the Philippines President Danilo L. Concepcion. All U.P. Alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. To RSVP and for Gala details, visit https://upaagla2019gala.eventbrite.com.

Early Bird pricing is $85 until July 15, Regular pricing is $100. Sponsor packages are still available to get better pricing plus perks, please inquire by contacting upaagla.sponsor@gmail.com.

Special Booking rate at the LA Grand Hotel for Sept 7 is available for $189/night at https://bit. ly/310GWWY. To inquire about UPAAGLA, please send email to upaagla.prez@gmail.com

AAPI Democratic Presidential Forum in Orange County, CA AAPI Progressive Action, in partnership with Asian Americans Rising Action Fund, will host the AAPI Community Action Summit at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Orange County, CA on Saturday, September 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At the AAPI Community Action Summit, leaders and advocates from across the country will gather to showcase our emerging movement, which is based on the belief that we are stronger when we work together with common purpose to serve our communities. Each session will feature new ideas, new capacities and new leaders who are building a movement that celebrates our diversity and binds us all together as Americans. It will be held at The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa (686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626). In the evening, there will be the AAPI Summer Soiree at the Center Club in Costa Mesa.

Come meet and mingle with top influencers and enjoy a night filled with good food, great company and fantastic entertainment. Registered attendees of the AAPI Community Action Summit may purchase a limited number of discounted tickets at $100 per person as a participating “Community Partner.”

SEPTEMBER 8

Philippines Cultural Day in Pasadena, CA The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA is hosting a Philippines Cultural Day on Sunday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy performances, artmaking activities, a chef conversation, and storytime for kids. Free admission all day! This event will present a collaboration of performing artists from Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and Rocksteady Rondalla. Other partners include Bone Kettle Restaurant, Barnsdall Arts, and the Philippine Expressions Bookshop. The USC Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, California 91101

S E P T E M B E R 22

Virgen de los Remedios procession and mass in Los Angeles Filipinos, Latinos, Marian groups, civic organizations and devotees will join in an afternoon procession during the annual pilgrimage to Mary on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s celebration includes special prayers for the Catholic Church in the Philippines that the clergy and faithful be always courageous instruments of God’s truth, love and peace. Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has asked Filipinos to pray in solidarity for four Catholic bishops, three priests and a religious brother among others who have been filed with charges of inciting sedition, libel and obstruction of justice by Philippine authorities. Newly appointed Filipino auxiliary bishop Alejandro Aclan of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will preside in the solemn concelebrated Mass. Catholic columnist, Rev. Rodel Balagtas will deliver the homily, as he leads his kabalens from Minalin who are hosting this event. The highlight of the festivities is the reenactment of canonical coronation of Virgen de los Remedios bestowed by Pope Pius XII in 1956. The procession and mass begins at 2:30 p.m.

‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization (PeDRO), in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation International, presents ‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 22 at 3 p.m. at the Aratani Theater (244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012).

Artists included Becca Godinez, Morris Albert, Odette Quesada, Ner De Leon and Kevin Click.

Additional artists to be announced. Tickets are $65 for lower orchestra, $45 for upper orchestra and $35 for Balcony.

S E P T E M B E R 28

75th Anniversary of Leyte fundraiser gala in Carson, CA The Erasto R. Batongmalaque Foundation will be holding a fundraising gala on Saturday, September 28 at the Carson Community Center leading up to the 75th anniversary of the Leyte landing on Oct. 20. The foundation is dedicated to servicing the ongoing needs of surviving veterans of World War II as well as other veterans of recent conflicts. This will lead into two other events on Oct. 12 and Oct. 20. The ticket is at $75 payable to the E.R.B. Foundation. Call Julie at (310) 8358365 or (424) 257-2504 for more information.

Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Chatsworth, CA The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry invites you to the San Fernando Region celebration of the feast day of the first Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. This festive occasion will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at St. John Eudes Church, 9901 Mason St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Procession will start at 10:30 a.m. Eucharistic celebration will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joel Henson, director of Ongoing Formation of Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles as the main celebrant. Reception, fellowship and program to follow immediately after the mass. For further inquiries, please contact Patty Santiago (818)-472-4288, Dominic Mendoza (818) 687-4890 or Mia Macalino (818) 517-4300.

O C TO B E R 5

Asian American Drug Abuse Program to host annual benefit in Los Angeles Back by popular demand, the legendary Kalapana and special guest Michael Paulo will be performing once again at the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)’s annual benefit on Saturday, October 5. Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their 1975 debut album was hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance. Tracks like “Naturally,” “Nightbird,” “The Hurt,” “You Make It Hard,” and “When the Morning Comes” became household tunes and still enjoy frequent play on contemporary Hawaiian radio. Musical trends have come and gone, but Kalapana’s many hits have remained Island classics. This promises to be an unforgettable experience, as it pays tribute to the late Malani Bilyeu, founding member and Hoku Award-winning artist. Performing as Kalapana will be: DJ Pratt (lead guitar, vocals), Gaylord Holomalia (keyboards, vocals), Kenji Sano (bass, vocals); accompanied by: Todd Yukumoto (saxophone & flute), Garin Poliahu (drums) and John Valentine (vocals, guitar); and special guest Michael Paulo (saxophone). Aratani Theatre is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception and meet-andgreet at 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www.showtime-AADAP.org.

O C TO B E R 2 0

75th anniversary of Leyte landing in Carson, CA The 75th anniversary of the Leyte Landing will be observed on Sunday, October 20 at the International Sculpture Garden at the Carson Civic Center from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. the main program will start at 10 a.m. where the veterans present will be honored by the guest speakers and the community. There will be music and entertainment, food trucks, vendors and booths. This program is part of the annual Filipino-American History Month in October. For more information, please contact Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque, executive director of the Erasto R. Batongmalaque Foundation, at drjennyb.md@gmail.com or visit www.erbfoundation.com.

Filipino Priests Association of Los Angeles fundraising “Pista Sa Nayon” is a fundraising event sponsored by the Filipino Priests Association of Los Angeles on Sunday, October 20 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA 91208) at 5 p.m. The highlight of the event will include but are not limited to: Honor the 2nd Filipino Bishop in USA, Most Reverend Alex Aclan, as well as recognize Filipino priests who have dedicated many years of service to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The priests will serve food and entertain guests with songs and dances. Tickets are at $50.00 per person. Sponsorships are available. Proceeds will benefit priests attending the 4th Assembly of National Association of Priests -USA in New Jersey on October 26-30, 2020, for continuing faith formation so that they may become effective ministers of evangelization. For more information, please contact Ging Mangaliman at (213) 453-2595, Patty Santiago at (818) 472-4288, or Rhomie Ramirez at (818) 618-6515.

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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WGU launches new value-based healthcare degree After series of flops, Ai-Ai delas Alas WGU’s new Bachelor of Science in Health Services Coordination will prepare graduates for careers in patient-centered care coordination

RENO — To address an urgent shortage of healthcare professionals needed to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system, Western Governors University (WGU) is now offering a firstof-its-kind Bachelor of Science Health Services Coordination (BSHSC) degree program. The program, which began accepting applications September 1, will prepare graduates to coordinate among healthcare providers, patients, caregivers, and services to improve the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of an evolving healthcare system.

In addition to medical coordination skills, students will develop competencies in leadership skills, cultural awareness, patient-centered care coordination, and the ability to identify and intervene with high-risk patients through WGU’s proprietary Professional

Leadership and Communication course.

“This new degree program will help individuals advance their careers in a fast-growing health profession,” said Dr. Stephanie LaPuma, Academic Program Director/Associate Dean in WGU’s College of Health Professions.

“Aligning curriculum with current workforce needs is at the core of what we do. This degree program is specifically designed to offer individuals a pathway to a valuebased healthcare career that is in high demand.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in health services coordination will increase 20% by 2026. This degree program will benefit students new to health professions, while also creating a bachelor’s degree pathway for experienced pre- and paraprofessionals, medical assis-

tants, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides, EMTs, paramedics, and military medics seeking job security or promotion. BSHSC graduates will be prepared to navigate emerging value-based care systems, promote patient-centered holistic care, and provide integrated care management.

The BSHSC, like all WGU degree programs, is competencybased, allowing students to study and learn on their own schedules and advance as soon as they demonstrate mastery of course materials. WGU’s affordable tuition of approximately $7,000 per year and flexible learning model make it possible for busy students to earn an accredited degree on a tight schedule.

Details of the program are available at www.wgu.edu/BShealthservices.

Deniece aces Harvard University exam

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

FORMER model and actress Deniece Cornejo has passed in an online examination of Harvard University on Children’s rights in theory and practice-international human rights law.

In her Facebook account, Deniece said she got the perfect score in the finals.

“I finally did it! And received a cute gift. Yes I passed!!!! Got the perfect in the finals! What they say is true, hard work never betrays. It all pays off in the end. Almost 8 months of sleepless nights and a lot of reading, it finally led to this,” Deniece said.

“The work continues for the children rights protection program where countries such as Nigeria, Nepal, Africa, Japan, U.S., India and Russia took active participation in the discussion. I am honored to lobby for international human rights specifically in children rights theory and practice,” she added.

She thanked her mentor for passing the exam.

“I would like to thank my mentor, Jaquelene Bhabba, Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights as well as the Director of research at Harvard FBX Center for Health and Human Rights. Thanks for this awesome scarf!” she wrote.

EMPLOYMENT

should rethink her priorities

by ronnie

CarraSCo iii

ManilaTimes.net

AI-AI delas Alas is perhaps the sole major showbiz personality who has done three movies within the second and third quarters of this year.

Dabbling in artist management for the first time, the ace comedienne led the cast of “Sons of Nanay Sabel” featuring her ward collectively known in the local music world as the Ex-Battalions.

While acronym-ed S.O.N.S., it was supposed to be a Mother’s Day offering.

However, the showbiz mothersons relationship wasn’t long enough Ai-Ai had to end it, blaming the group for its lack of professionalism. As though fate had willed it, the rap musical movie was a ruefully box office catastrophe.

Back to her old self, Ai-Ai teamed up next with first-time leading man Bayani Agbayani — her long-time friend — via “Feelinnial” under the direction of her college buddy, now freelance director Rechie del Carmen.

“Grossly unremarkable; slop-

further risk in the future.

Biding her time before pursuing her relentless plan to get pregnant by husband Gerald Sibayan, Ai-Ai made her last bargain via her latest movie “And Ai Thank You” opposite Dennis Padilla where she plays almost herself caught in the crossroads of her career.

Again, the film’s outcome at the tills wasn’t something Ai-Ai should thank for.

If indeed it comes in threes, it may not be too late for the Comedy Concert Queen to rethink her priorities. Shortly after she and Gerald got hitched in December 2017, Ai-Ai swore that having a baby — through whatever means — was on top of their agenda.

“Kung hindi kakayanin sa natural na paraan, sa ibang way,” she often said referring to in vitro fertilization as the couple’s last recourse.

She can even call out to some Ai AI delas Alas GMA photo fertility goddess or subscribe to superstitious mumbo-jumbos but py,” were but a few modifiers fit for as long as she doesn’t know for a movie that could only pass when to use her incipient skill to for a sitcom. With nothing much tell a potential money-making film to offer, Ai-Ai’s July-slated movie from a likely flop, Ai Ai might just had no reason for its one-time film prolong her agony of waiting for producer Pops Fernandez to take the stork visit.

Ejay’s life more cinematic than any of his roles by rito

P. aSilo Inquirer.net

Former model-actress Deniece Cornejo

Deniece became a household name years ago after the controversy with Kapamilya actor and “It’s Showtime” host Vhong Navarro. She accused Vhong of raping her, but the court dismissed the charges due to lack of evidence. A Taguig court charged grave coercion against Deniece as well as Cedric Lee and others in a

Photo from Facebook/Deniece Cornejo

mauling incident on Vhong.

After the controversy, Deniece joined different organizations with a cause. She was even appointed as ambassador of goodwill for the youth by the Chivalric Order of the Royal House of Baloi. She was also a member of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

EMPLOYMENT

A LOT has changed for hunky actor Ejay Falcon since he was declared winner of the second teen edition of “Pinoy Big Brother” 11 years ago.

From a strong lineup of housemates, he bested TV host Robi Domingo, “Just a Stranger’s” Josef Elizalde and “Kadenang Ginto’s” Beauty Gonzalez, to name a few.

The Filipino-French actor won the reality show when he was only 17 years old, but the difficulties he had to hurdle as a young boy were even more “cinematic” than his eventual ascent to stardom.

It’s a life that’s more colorful than any of the roles he has essayed so far.

Ejay didn’t have an easy life or a comfortable childhood because he wasn’t just estranged from his French biological father; his mother reportedly left him and his siblings in Mindoro. At 15, he plucked up enough courage to look for her in Manila, only

to find out that she already had another family!

As luck would have it, Ejay won “PBB” two years later—and the rest is history.

Ejay, now 29, looks back at that episode of his life with a lot of fondness and gratitude.

He says he owes his career to the reality program, which he says has changed him for the better.

How different was Ejay before he joined the show and more than a decade later?

“Very different,” he quipped.

“Sobrang laking pagbabago, especially in terms of self-confidence. In those days, you would hardly hear me talk because I was painfully shy … kasi promdi. Pero ngayon, iba na ako.”

“The show changed so many aspects of my life. Even if I didn’t finish college, I’m glad I was able to send my siblings to school. I became the breadwinner of the family. Who knows, maybe I can also get a degree in due time.

That’s a goal I’m more than will- Ejay Falcon ing to pursue.”

Photo from Instagram/@ejaythefalcon

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13

In conversation: Philippine Trade Filipina American actress lands recurring role Commissioner Eric Elnar on why Fil- on soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless’ Ams should invest in the Philippines

By AJPress

By AJPress

IN recent years, studies have shown that the Philippines continues to be an emerging market for economic growth. It is also considered as one of the most dynamic economies in the Asia Pacific region, with increasing urbanization, a growing middle income class and a large and young population. These factors, among others, make the Philippines attractive for investment, and even position Philippinebased brands and companies wanting to crossover to the United States.

Eric Elnar, the new trade commissioner for the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Los Angeles, is one of the proponents of investing in the Philippines and bringing more visibility to Filipino brands in the U.S market.

Before arriving in Los Angeles in July, Elnar was assigned in the United Arab Emirates for three years, and has held posts in Malaysia and Thailand before that. With over a decade of experience, the trade commissioner comes will be promoting the opportunities to Filipino Americans and the general market in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Hawaii.

Elnar spoke to the Asian Journal about possible investment opportunities for Filipino Americans in the Philippines and why the country could take advantage of the U.S.-China trade war.

Asian Journal (AJ): How did you enter public service?

Eric Elnar (EE): I was influenced a lot by my father who worked for the government for more than 45 years. His last post was a regional director for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

He started off as a working student and was a janitor and went up the ranks. I saw a career in government service as fulfilling because it’s not just enriching somebody or contributing to a company. It’s all goes down to service to the people. My first job was also with TESDA in the National Capital Region in Taguig, where I stayed for a couple of years. But I wanted to get private sector experience so I moved to a market research company for a year before realizing that the private sector is not for me because it wasn’t as fulfilling. I went back to the government, first at the Philippine Retirement Authority, which encourages foreigners and former Filipino citizens to retire in the country and invest their money there.

With a small investment, a foreigner could have a retirement visa; depending on the age, it’s around $20,000 or $50,000. But there are now other programs where they can come into the program with proof of maybe a pension or proof of income or

Eric Elnar is LA’s new trade commissioner, whose goals are to push investments in the Philippines and increase trade and business opportunities for Philippine brands in the U.S.

savings from abroad. We want to make sure the foreigner would not be a public charge. During my time, a lot of former Filipino citizens were joining, especially from California, because the Dual Citizenship Law was not yet passed.

AJ: How did this experience transition into the Department of Trade and Industry?

EE: I joined the Foreign Trade Service Corps as a commercial attache, which sent me to Malaysia and then I covered Singapore for a time. Second was Thailand, also covering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, all of the Indochina countries. Prior to Los Angeles, I was transferred to Dubai, which also came with a bigger territory of the Middle East and the entire Africa continent. The DTI then assigned me here to LA. As an attaché, we’re tasked to promote Philippine exports so products and services coming from the country to the U.S. We are mandated to encourage investments into the Philippines from the U.S., such as big-ticket investments from Fortune 500 companies and also from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This past month of being here and in meeting with the Filipino American community, I’ve seen a lot of interest from SMEs and even individual FilAm investors to give back to the country and invest in the Philippines, particularly in real estate or small businesses like a PAGE 14

Elnar with Gina Frias, KL-based Filipina businesswoman and Carissa Cruz Evangelista, exhibitor and owner of Beatriz.

Los Angeles Philippine Consulate General-Los Angeles Political Economic Officer Consul Rea Oreta and Consul General Adelio Cruz pose with Trade Commissioner Eric Elnar, who was recently assigned to LA in July to head the Philippine Trade and Investment Center. Elnar is accompanied by his wife and two children.

A FILIPINA American actress is now a recurring guest star on CBS’ “The Young and Restless,” one of the longestrunning soap operas.

R&B singer Jules Aurora comes to the series as Indio, a social media influencer.

“My character…isn’t too far off from my actual life,” Aurora told the Asian Journal. “It was amazing to work on set with so many seasoned actors. I fell in love with it and there will definitely be more to come in all avenues of my career.”

The Filipina American talent starred in East West Players’ “Mamma Mia!” which “awakened a love for acting.”

“The Young and the Restless,” which first aired in 1973, is set in a fictionalized version of Genoa City, Wisconsin. It continues to be the the highest-rated daytime drama on American television.

“This role has opened up a new door within the realm of TV and film and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be making progress and learning new things,” Aurora added.

Aurora recently performed the national anthem in front of a crowd of 37,000 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California during the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team match against Ireland.

A Southern California na-

R&B singer and actress Jules Aurora poses in front of CBS Studios in Los Angeles after taping an episode of “The Young and the Restless,” in which she will be a recurring guest star named Indio.

tive, Aurora is best known for her appearances on FOX’s “American Idol: Season 10,” as a Hollywood week finalist, and

“The X Factor: Season 3,” as a finalist in the Top 50 girls. She has released an R&B EP project entitled “Worth It.”

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EntErtainmEnt

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Beauty-Seth thriller isn’t just about creatures that go bump in the night

by Rito P. Asilo Inquirer.net

Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing

Photo from Instagram/@proj8corsanjoaquin

Sue, RK in a story about making love without love “THIS is the most fearless role that I’ve taken on,” says Sue Ramirez in the upcoming movie “Cuddle Weather,” in which she plays a prostitute. The said film is an official entry to the upcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino or PPP. The movie released a very intriguing poster and teaser that it became a trending topic.

The poster shows Ramirez and RK Bagatsing in a very daring shot, which immediately gives an idea what the movie is about.

This is not surprising because the movie tackles a sensitive topic but which also exists in the community.

In the movie, Ramirez and Bagatsing portray characters who are in the prostitution industry.

“I am a sex worker here. Kasama ko dito si RK Bagatsing,” explains Ramirez.

But despite the seriousness of the film’s subject, it falls under the romantic-comedy genre. This is a first for Ramirez, who is known for maintaining a wholesome image, and will take on a daring role for the first time.

“It’s a different side of me. It’s something that I’m afraid of, but kinagat ko and kapag nandon ka na, you’re gonna have that urge to do well at it. Kasi kapag may mga tinanggap akong bagay sa buhay ko, gusto ko fight ako talaga, as in…”

Since she and Bagatsing are portraying prostitutes, it is in-

evitable that they need to do love scenes. The actress admits that she felt nervous doing these.

Fortunately, Bagatsing acted like a true gentleman and made her feel comfortable.

“Si RK is super gentleman.

Hindi ako nakaramdam ng ilang.

I feel safe around RK, so that’s a great partnership pag nagtatrabaho kayo. You have to be really comfortable. You have to feel safe with each other. Meron nga si Ram, his character, na shower scenes tapos pinapanood sya ng character ko.”

Asked how much she is willing to bare, Ramirez replies, “As far as they need me and as far as Star Magic will allow me. But the character of the movie, maganda ang journey ni Adela Johnson.

Mararamdaman ng mga makakapanood nito ang kilig at ang pagiging strong and ang weakness ni Adela, because sila din ay may marupok na puso.”

In playing escorts, the movie tackles the lives of the people in this industry.

“Kinikuwento sa pelikula nito paano ba sila mabuhay sa panahong ito. Nai-in love ba sila?”

Ramirez elaborates.

Given the boldness of the subject, she takes pride in the movie because of its brilliant story — a serious and socially relevant issue told in a comedy.

“It’s funny, it’s very witty, it’s not your typical hugot film, hindi lang huhugot, babaon pa sa in-

yong mga puso,” she beams.

Bagatsing, who is part of the top rating teleserye in ABS-CBN now, on the other hand is grateful he was chosen to play the role opposite Ramirez.

“Ito, masasabi ko na kakaiba sa ginagawa ko on television.

Making a movie like ‘Cuddle Weather,’ portaying a role as a sex worker, bagong experience, hindi palaging may ganito,” he says.

On the process before shooting the film, Bagatsing relates,”Nagaral kami ng buhay nila, paano sila magmahal sa kabila ng paghuhusga ng mga tao sa paligid nila. Nakausap namin ‘yung mga totoong tao at respeto ang maibibigay namin sa kanila. Ito din ‘yung gusto namin ipahatid sa mga tao.”

“My first reason in making this film is to examine sex, its beauty and tragedy, through a love story of two sex workers who don’t make love until the latter part of the film” director and writer of ‘hugot’ books, Rod Marmol futher shares.

“Lastly, I believe that with the advent of dating apps and websites, the current generation is the most sexually-active. However, we remain to be the loneliest and least responsible. It is high time to scrutinize the inverse correlation of intimacy and happiness and there are no better characters to face that question than those who are experts at sex,” he adds.

(ManilaTimes.net)

THE horror genre doesn’t just cater to viewers’ need for entertainment and solution to boredom and ennui. It often leads to relief and catharsis after it brings out their worst fears in life.

Kip Oebanda’s “Abandoned,” which began streaming on iWant last Wednesday, doubles up as a horror flick and a psychological drama that goes beyond cheap tricks and perfunctory jump scares.

It tells the story of a security guard, Simone Aragon (Beauty Gonzalez), whose life is turned upside down after she survives a robbery that takes the lives of a lot of people, including her coworker Nestor (Matt Daclan).

Life gets trickier for the cashstrapped single mom and her only son RJ (Seth Fedelin) after the former is reassigned and even “handpicked” to take over the graveyard shift of a colleague who has inexplicably gone missing.

But Simone’s latest post isn’t in just another rundown structure.

Her new assignment requires her to keep an eye on an abandoned building known to be frequented by either criminal elements or “spirit seekers.”

Even scarier, it’s a former hospital that is said to be inhabited by the vengeful spirits of kids and nurses who were sacrificed by its owners in exchange for robust business! Simone is tasked to inspect its creepy premises twice—at 12 midnight and 3 a.m., when creatures known to go bump in the night are at their “feistiest”

Seth Fedelin and Beauty Gonzalez

and, well, “bumpiest.”

It doesn’t take long before Simone comes face-to-face with the ghost of her missing predecessor Ciel (Barbara Ruaro) as she begins to unearth secrets that compel her to revisit her dark past—from her abusive father (Roli Inocencio) to her less-than-ideal former American hubby (Aaron Lapkin).

Are the creepy shadows and unfriendly voices just a figment of Simone’s overactive imagination?

That being said, she must come to grips with her fears before she loses RJ, who has been showing increasingly strange behavior in school and at home. Sometimes, he even comes home concealing a black eye!

It doesn’t hurt that Simone and RJ are portrayed by the consistently enthusiastic Beauty and the promising Seth, who are made more “relatable” by the bleeding hearts they wear on their sleeves.

Despite their “compromised,”

Inquirer.net photo

rough-around-the-edges delivery—no thanks to some distracting diction gaffes—it isn’t hard to root for the mother-son tandem they eagerly bring to life.

“Abandoned” isn’t all that original, however. But at least it cleverly utilizes Oebanda’s ability to dig up more than the eyes can see.

Like the compelling “Bar Boys” and the sublime “Liway,” the film is as much about exorcising demons from a person’s past as it is about denigrating power when it isn’t used properly.

Moreover, part of the draw of watching horror films like this is the free rein they offer viewers to “interpret” them as they please.

“Abandoned’s” three-pronged focus even manages to shine the spotlight on mental illness and how we all should work hand in hand to help erase the stigma that comes with it.

After all, it’s a condition that requires more understanding and compassion than ridicule.

In conversation: Philippine Trade Commissioner...

PAGE 13 franchise. Basically, we promote and protect Philippine business interests in the U.S. or wherever we are posted.

AJ: What were some of the top exports from the Philippines in the Asian countries you were assigned to?

EE: In Malaysia and Thailand, a lot of the products are similar to the Philippines. In ASEAN, we are part of a supply chain where some of the parts and raw materials come from the Philippines and are shipped to other countries for the products to be finished and made into consumer goods like cellular phones or tablets. But we were also able to promote some other products like food, especially packaged food and snacks. You’ll be surprised like the Jack and Jill brand under Universal Robina or Oishi under Liwayway were already in Malaysia and Thailand and set up factories for snack foods.

We also trade raw materials like seafood for them to be packaged or for value adding. There is a lot of trade going on under ASEAN because of the zero tariffs so that’s the advantage.

AJ: Since moving here to LA, what are some of the emerging trends in terms of what Fil-Ams are interested in back in the Philippines?

EE: I see a lot of growth in franchising, particular in Filipino brands. There is a lot of interest in Fil-Ams and even Americans in general for Filipino food. You see influencers talking about the cuisine being ‘the next big thing’ so I think it also translates to our restaurant concepts, not only those based here in the U.S., but also to other brands that we can bring into the U.S. market. It’ll also draw attention to our food products, maybe snack foods or ingredients, particularly in the mainstream market using easy mixes, like Mama Sita’s for example, to cook their food. Our vision really is to promote it in bigger places like Costco or Target so a bigger chunk of the U.S. population can enjoy them.

AJ: How can the Philippines benefit from its longstanding relationship with the U.S.?

EE: With the U.S.-China trade war going on, the Philippines can be at an advantage.

The Philippines is, of course,

Elnar with officers of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada during the recent FashionPhilippines exhibition at Project Womens in Las Vegas in August.

a friend of the U.S. and we enjoy a ‘most favored nation’ status wherein we get some of the best tariff rates among exporting countries to the U.S. We are competitive with other countries because we have zero or lower tariffs compared to other countries.

AJ: Real estate investing has been promoted for many years, but are there any other opportunities in the Philippines to look into?

EE: In Dubai, for example, we saw a lot of emerging Filipino fashion designers and even designers who are catering to Hollywood clients. The Philippines is known for its design and the materials we use — normally a lot of natural materials not available in other countries, like shells and real wood. When you apply these to products, it’s unique in the sense that other countries cannot come up with these designs. This is our advantage when it comes to design-related products.

If we have Filipino American businesspeople and professionals who want to start a business in the Philippines, we can help them set up it. We want to be their one-stop-shop to provide the information and resources they would need. For example,

The FashionPhilippines pavilion at Project Womens 2019 in Las Vegas.

if they want to manufacture in the Philippines, we can link them with manufacturers. We see a lot of services being used, not only call centers, but back-office operations like business process outsourcing. Before I left for LA, I visited a company in the Philippines doing California taxes for SMEs here so what they do is transcribe tax forms that are required to be in digital form.

These are things we can do in the Philippines. Before, outsourcing was only open to bigger companies but now, smaller ones can avail too by renting out one or two office spaces.

AJ: Are there any brands that are planning to break out in the US market?

EE: We are working on a number of them, one being a casual-dining family restaurant. But one of my mandates here is to help the small businesses do businesses in the Philippines. Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK) - it’s a financial literacy program for the DTI. We will conduct seminars to encourage Filipino Americans to invest or start their own businesses. Franchising is one of the opportunities we can offer them.

We work with organizations like the Philippine Franchise Association to help us vet franchises that could be offered.

AJ: What are some of your big goals EE: My term is up to six years and I hope to stay here for that time so we can really make a dent on the market. My main goal really is to mainstream Filipino products. Right now, we see these products available at Filipino or Asian markets but we hope to have them crossover to mainstream retail like Costco and Target. Our vision is that the products fit in naturally; for example, if it’s snack food, it should be in the same aisle as Lays or Ruffles.

We’ve heard of Jollibee buying Coffee Bean and that’s something we’re proud of. We also hope to bring more Philippine brands here, not just for Filipinos to enjoy but everyone as well.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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