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Faeldon on Duterte’s order to resign: DATELINE USA Civil rights coalition offers I bow to my president’s command proposals to combat FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by ROSETTE

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, low-income 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

EMBATTLED Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon on Wednesday, September 4, said that he would follow the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to step down immediately from his post. “My commander-in-chief/appointing authority has spoken. I am a marine and a marine does as he is told. I most humbly bow to my commanderin-chief’s order without any hard feelings,� said Faeldon’s camp on Twitter.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier demanded the

According to Duterte, his former aide, now Sen. Christopher Go informed him that there’s a problem because they learned that high profile inmates were released.

The president said that he has no replacement for Faeldon yet.

Asked if he would transfer the sacked official to another agency, Duterte replied in jest: “Tanungin mo siya kung saan niya gusto.�

The president reiterated that had Faeldon only followed his “no release order,� there would be no problem. Duterte added that Faeldon tried to justify

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

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

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 one food chain, Jollibee,� said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. “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.

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Affected individuals will now have to acquire citizenship through other legal channels

resignation of BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon amid the release of heinous crimes convicts.

Duterte also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation on BuCor in relation to the implementation of the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. “Ito, I decided late last night and my orders are: one, that I am demanding the resignation of Faeldon immediately. Second, that I am calling for an investigation to be handled by the ombudsman,�

Duterte said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Duterte cited that Faeldon has to go because the BuCor chief “disobeyed� his order.

DOT, Jollibee launch tourism campaign

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Some children born overseas to American parents will no longer be considered US citizens

ADEL

Philstar.com

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 ďŹ nished 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 classiďŹ cation for 17th to 32nd places in the tournament.

MalacaĂąang photo by Simeon Celi

SOGIE Equality Bill a ‘class legislation’, says Sotto Panelo tells Inquirer.net, Rappler:

by IAN NICOLAS

Apologize or face libel raps

CIGARAL

Philstar.com

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said 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 never 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

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

While there are city ordinances 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.

Philstar.com ďŹ le photo by Walter Bollozos

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 ordinances that protect the rights of the gay community, activists have

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

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

AJ Press

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Sunday, September 1, deemed President Rodrigo Duterte’s official visit to China as “successfulâ€? and “highly productiveâ€? 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

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PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday, September 4, said news site Inquirer.net and Rappler should apologize or face libel charges for allegedly maliciously imputing that he recommended granting executive clemency to convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez.

Panelo toned down his statement a day after he said he would press charges against the two online news site without any condition.

He decried Tuesday, September 3, news reports that he had “endorsed� or “recommended� clemency for Sanchez as “defamatory

in nature.�

He explained that “a simple referral is totally different from a recommendation or an endorsement.�

He cited the Collins Dictionary, which states that “a referral is the

act of officially sending someone to a person or authority that is qualified to deal with them.�

Still citing Collins Dictionary, he added that “a recommendation is defined by the same authority as

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From the Front Page

Faeldon on Duterte’s order to resign:... Civil rights coalition offers proposals to combat...

PAGE A1 the release of convicts by showing him computations under the GCTA law.

Calls for Faeldon’s resignation surfaced after he allowed the release of heinous crimes convicts.

Documents also showed that the BuCor chief signed the re-

lease order of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez who was sentenced to seven lifeterms.

This is not the first time Faeldon was dragged into a controversy.

In 2017, Faeldon was tagged in the P6.4 billion shabu shipment

that slipped past the Bureau Customs which he then chaired.

He resigned as Customs chief but was reappointed as the deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.

Faeldon was also reappointed to the Bureau of Corrections in October 2018. n

DOT, Jollibee launch tourism...

PAGE A1 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 Filipino American celebrity chef Jordan Andino, as well as YouTube vlogger 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 RomuloPuyat 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 langhapsarap 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

9Ê /Ê 7

PAGE A1 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 forprofit institutions and predatory lenders — that often hinder students’ financial well-being while studying and after graduating.

For many of these students who exist in multiple marginalized demographic groups, especially low-income students of color, “the barriers to higher education begin long before they become a high school senior,” which greatly hinder these students’ abilities to pay their bills and raise a family, said Adrienne Elliot of the National Indian Education Association.

Millennial and Gen-Z students who belong to minority racial and ethnic groups are often the first in their families to attend a college or university, and in order to fund their admission, must take out loans which pose “serious implications” to their success and “social mobility,” Stephanie Roman of UnidosUS said.

For many families of color,

higher education is seen as the gateway to securing a well-paying job and ascent on the social ladder, and knocking down the financial, social and political barriers minority students face is “at the 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 re-

sources, especially in financial aid information. The LCEF posits that Limited English Proficient students 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) n

PAGE A1 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. 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 familybased 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) n

Some children born overseas to American...

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2019

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Palace: Duterte’s China visit...

PAGE A1 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 exercise 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 coun-

tries 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 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

same media interview Wednesday, Sotto said he prefers Angara’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

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 determine if a burned body found at the scene of a brush fire in Upland last Friday morning, August 23 was that of Aguila.

Family members of Aguila reported him missing after he was last seen leaving his girlfriend’s home on Thursday, August 22 in La Puente.

Working as a part-time firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management, Aguila failed to report to work and never came home — conduct his family said “very uncharacteristic 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, August 27. There, SWAT members served a search warrant and found enough evidence to arrest

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

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 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

2 US fugitives nabbed in Pampanga, face deportation for fraud

by William

Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) board of commissioners has ordered the deportation of two American fugitives who had been arrested in Pampanga because of large-scale fraud that federal authorities have filed against them in Texas.

Immigration Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac on Sunday, September 1, identified the fugitives as Robert Wayne Boling Jr., 38, and Allan Albert Velarde Kerr, 30, who were arrested in separate operations in the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, respectively, by operatives from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

The Americans will be deported

for being undesirable aliens and because they have become undocumented since their passports expired years ago.

“They will be sent home to face trial for the crimes they allegedly committed. Also, their continued presence here poses a risk to public safety and security,” Mabulac added.

Immigration Intelligence Officer and FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo disclosed that Boling and Kerr were subjects of arrest warrants issued by a U.S. district court in Western Texas on July 23 this year.

Both of them were reportedly charged before the said court with Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and Aggravated Identity Theft. n

Panelo tells Inquirer.net, Rappler:...

PAGE A1 ‘suggestions or advice on what is the best thing to do,’ while an endorsement is ‘a statement or action which shows that you support or approve of something or someone.’”

“The former does not connote undue interference or intervention while the latter does. It is for this reason that I will be filing libel cases against the reporters of Inquirer.net and Rappler, Inc. should they fail to comply with my enjoy the same rights as every- demand for a public apology and one – including the right to live rectification,” he said.

“It is clear that they have pubpeacefully, and to not be treated as a lesser person,” Hontiveros licly and maliciously imputed to me an act, if not a crime, a vice or said. n

SOGIE Equality Bill a ‘class legislation’,...

PAGE A1 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

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

defect, which caused the dishonor, discredit or contempt of my person,” he added.

The Palace official insisted that “the referral of the OCPLC of matters relative to the concerns of our citizens is also purely mechanical or routinary.”

The Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (OCPLC), he said, “has no resources to verify all the factual allegations in each letter request or complaint.”

The OCPLC “only refers matters to appropriate agencies which have the resources to verify the relevant facts contained in the letters and the mandate to act on them,” he added.

“The referral of the letter of Ms. Marie Antonelvie J. Sanchez, who happened to be the daughter of Mr. Sanchez, to the BPP is just one of the thousands of referrals the OCPLC has made to various government instrumentalities,” he said.

In a statement Tuesday, September 3, Inquirer.net said it was well within Panelo’s right to file a libel complaint if he feels “aggrieved” by the report.

“Inquirer.net respects Secretary Panelo’s right to sue for libel if he feels aggrieved by the report. We shall refer the matter to our lawyers when he files the suit,” the statement said. n

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HHS purchases smallpox vaccine to enhance biodefense preparedness

MEDICAL MISSION. A patient gets extraction inside a dental bus as part of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center’s (CGHMC) free medical services in San Juan City on Sunday, September 1. Also in the photo are CGHMC Vice Chairman of the Board Jameson Dy (right) and Director Manuel Co (center).

PNA photo by Ben Briones

US, ASEAN maritime drills ‘not directed to anyone’

AS part of ongoing preparedness efforts against biodefense threats, the U.S. department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will purchase smallpox vaccine, called ACAm2000, to build and replenish vaccine stored in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) over the next decade.

Under the agreement announced on Tuesday, September 3, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), which oversees the SNS, will award approximately $170 million to Emergent BioSolutions of Gaithersburg, maryland, for the purchase this year. ASPR can purchase additional vaccine over the next 10 years, with a target of $2 billion in procurement and surge options for up to a total of nearly $2.8 billion.

The U.S. Food and drug Administration licensed the smallpox vaccine in 2007 for people at high risk for smallpox infection.

To be cost-efficient, the SNS rotates stored smallpox vaccine to dod for military members deploying to high-risk areas, and HHS then replenishes the vaccine stockpile.

Smallpox is a serious and highly infectious disease caused by the variola virus; historically, 30 percent of people with the infection died. Following a global public health campaign, which relied on vaccination, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease eradicated in 1980. Samples of the virus remain in two top-security laboratories, one in the United States and the other in Russia, for use in developing vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests for smallpox infections.

“Smallpox is one of the most contagious and deadly infections known to humankind,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, md. “We do not know whether all samples of the virus, outside of two WHO-designated labs, actually have been found and destroyed; at the same time, synthetic biology for technology continues to advance and in the future could allow smallpox to be created as a bioweapon. For those reasons, the virus remains a potential threat to national and global health security. Having vaccines and treatments at-theready will be imperative to saving lives.”

The United States has a longstanding commitment to the international community to develop two vaccines and two treatments for smallpox infections.

To meet that obligation, the Biomedical Advanced Research and development Authority (BARdA), a component of ASPR, continues to work with federal and private partners to develop an additional vaccine that can be administered safely to people with weakened immune systems or who are at high risk of adverse reaction to traditional smallpox vaccines, as well as to develop antiviral drugs. The first of those drugs, TPOXX, or tecovirimat, received FdA approval in 2018.

About HHS and ASPR HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The mission of ASPR is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. To learn more about preparing for, responding to recovering from the health effects of disasters, visit phe.gov. n

Envoy’s Anchorage visit reaffirms strong ties between PH, Alaska

Senior representatives from the U.S. Navy and the maritime forces of ASEAN member states stand together on stage during the opening ceremony for the ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise at Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand.

U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

Amid Beijing’s latest actions in the disputed South China Sea, Washington maintained that the inaugural ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise “is not focused or dedicated against or towards anyone else.”

China has been deploying survey ships, coast guard vessels and warships on the waters of other South China Sea claimant states, including Vietnam and the Philippines.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. murray Joe Tynch iii, commander of the logistics group in the Western Pacific, stressed that the firstever ASEAN-U.S. maritime Exercise, or AUmX, is focused on strengthening skills that would be applicable throughout international waters for maritime security. “it’s to enhance the skills of

ASEAN and the U.S. working together,” Tynch said in a telephone press briefing Tuesday, September 3.

The U.S. Navy official added that the joint exercise of 11 countries seeks to build capacity, as well as relationships.

“So, the concept of the AUmX this year is to enhance situational awareness and interoperability for all of ASEAN and for the U.S. as well,” Tynch said.

The navies of the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries officially kicked off the AUmX in Thailand on monday, September 2.

Eight warships and four aircraft from seven countries, in addition to more than a thousand personnel from Brunei, Cambodia, indonesia, Laos, malaysia, myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The Philippine Navy had sent

offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz and its crew to participate in the naval drills.

The U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Navy will be leading the exercises, which will consist of pre-sial activities in Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.

The ASEAN and U.S. joint maritime forces will also go through international waters in Southeast Asia, such as the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. The drills will then end in Singapore.

Thai Navy vessel HTmS Krabi (OPV 551) will serve as the headquarters, where representatives from the participating countries will be aboard. during the exercises, the participants will undergo scenarios designed to reinforce interoperability in visit, board, search and seizure; maritime domain awareness; division tactics and maritime asset tracking. 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 have deployed. 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

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 have deployed.

POEA Facebook page photo

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

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

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

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 General 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

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2019

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Pilot test for national ID begins in Metro Manila SC upholds junking of reckless imprudence raps vs Aquino over Mamasapano clash

by anna Leah

e. GonzaLes ManilaTimes.net

THE government on Monday, September 2, started the pilot test for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or the national ID. In a statement, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the pilot test registration involving a small number of individuals from the National Capital Region had begun.

The registrants include select Department of Social Welfare and Development beneficiaries and employees of PSA and National Economic and Development Authority.

“The PSA sees the utmost importance for the PhilSys to first undergo a series of pilot testing before finally launching it to the public. We want to ensure that the processes are efficient, the systems are fully functional and all the [pieces of] information within the system are secure,” National Statistician and Civil Registrar Dennis Mapa said.

The pilot test registration will run from September 2019 until June 2020.

The first part will involve biometric and demographic capturing processes.

Once the system is stable, operations will expand to cover select groups from nearby regions, namely Regions 3 and 4A, based on different geographical typologies.

Set to begin in May 2020, the PSA will extend the pilot registration process to test the endto-end system, which essentially involves deduplication, generation of unique PhilSys Numbers (PSN), and card printing and issuance.

Registration will be scaled up and open to the public by July 2020.

Overseas Filipinos are targeted to be registered in 2021.

Mapa assured that the govern-

A sample of the National ID.

ment was on track to complete the registration by 2022.

“We are on track to have the system fully operational and to start the mass registration by mid-2020, and complete the enrollment of the population by mid-2022,” he said.

This year, the PSA finished procuring the registration kits — one of the five major procurement blocks of the program.

In the pipeline for PhilSys are the procurements of the Automated Biometric Identification System, System Integrator and registration centers.

For card production, the PSA is in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Mapa committed that personal data of Filipinos would be protected.

“We, at the PSA and our partners in PhilSys, take very seriously the responsibility to ensure the security and integrity of the personal data of Filipinos. Given that the PhilSys as a highly technical and complex program, we are pushing with multiple pilot testing to continuously improve the system and level up it security features before launching it to the public,” he said.

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the PhilSys Act have strict controls over what circumstances

PIA photo

the data in the PhilSys registry can be accessed and shared.

Furthermore, the Privacy-byDesign features ensure that PSN holders have full control over the access and use of their personal data.

A Privacy Impact Assessment will also be conducted this year to identify potential exposures of the privacy of personal information on which data privacy and security frameworks and standards will be anchored.

Part of this will be the Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing to test the integrity of the system.

The PhilSys Data Privacy Manual, as well as the Data Governance Framework, will further outline the privacy and data protection protocols and standards that will govern PhilSys operations.

The PSA has also designated Data Privacy Officers — one for the PSA and one solely for the PhilSys. The National Privacy Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, which have the mandate and capability to secure and protect the data of the Philippine Government, have oversight of the program as part of the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council. n

Group backs Pacquiao’s death penalty proposal by non

aLquitran Philstar.com

MANILA, — An anti-crime and corruption group supported September 3, Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s proposal to restore the death penalty.

“The death penalty should be implemented by firing squad as proposed by Pacquaio,” said lawyer Jose Malvar Villegas Jr., founder and chairman of the Katipunan Kontra Krimen at Korapsyon (KKK), during a forum in Pasig City.

Malvar said large-scale online investment scams and economic sabotage should be considered heinous crimes.

Thousands of Filipino investors are being victimized online because of the absence of a “tough law that will protect them,” KKK director general Melchor Chavez said.

The group has asked Senators Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa and Pacquiao as well as House Pro Tempore Luis Raymond Villafuerte to approve the death penalty bill and include other crimes

such as plunder, election fraud, vote-buying, land-grabbing and planting of evidence.

Meanwhile, the KKK will hold a crime prevention summit in Batangas next month to coincide with the celebration of the 154th birth anniversary of Gen. Miguel Malvar.

Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas will be the guest of honor and speaker. Bernardo Villegas, co-founder of the CRCUniversity of Asia and the Pacific, and Go were invited as resource speakers. n

Makati 4th safest Southeast Asian city — online survey

by Jan

arciLLa ManilaTimes.net

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. n

MANILA — The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against former President Benigno Aquino III over the 2015 Mamasapano clash.

In a media briefer released Tuesday, September 3, the SC Public Information Office announced that the SC en banc upheld the Ombudsman ruling that found no probable cause to charge Aquino, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas, Jr. The court, voting 15-0, junked the petition for certiorari filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.

“The court held that the Ombudsman did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in dismissing the complaints for 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide filed against private respondents,” the high court ruled.

The case stemmed from the January 25, 2015 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the deaths of over 60 people, including 44 members of the SAF. The operation, which was launched against Malaysian terror-

Former President Benigno Aquino III

ist Zulkifli bin Hir—alias Marwan, turned bloody when members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups engaged SAF troopers as they were leaving the area.

A PNP board of inquiry formed to look into the Mamasapon operation found that it had suffered from poor planning as well as lack of coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as the MILF, with whom the gov-

Philstar.com file photo

ernment has ceasefire protocols.

The PNP board of inquiry also said that the inclusion of Purisima—on preventive suspension over a graft case—in the planning of the operation broke the police chain of command.

Last month, the Sandiganbayan granted the motion of the Office of the Ombudsman to withdraw graft and usurpation of authority cases filed against Aquino in relation to the Mamasapano clash.

(Philstar.com) n

Supreme Court formally drops Kalikasan writ plea for West Philippine Sea

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — Following the request of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the Supreme Court en banc officially dismissed the petition seeking the issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan over parts of the West Philippine Sea. The IBP, representing 40 fisherfolk from Palawan and Zambales, initially sought for a Writ of Kalikasan and Writ of Continuing Mandamus over Ayungin Shoal, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Some fishermen, however, asked to withdraw the petition.

IBP lawyer Andre Palacios and

collaborating counsel Chel Diokno, later on withdrew as counsels in the plea.

In its resolution issued on Tuesday, September 3, the high court reminded both parties to provide substantive requirements when filing such kinds of petition.

“The counsels were cautioned that they should be ready with the necessary evidence before they seek the issuance of extraordinary writs,” the SC said in a statement.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen stressed that legal counsels should maintain communication with their clients all the time.

“Mere difficulty in contacting clients should not be used by

counsels as an excuse to renege on their duties and to disengage from their commitments,” the statement read.

Noting the “unusual procedural developments” of the case, the SC warned the IBP lawyers that similar infractions in the future “would be dealt with more severely.”

Prior to the IBP’s withdrawal of the petition, Solicitor General Jose Calida accused the lawyers of filing the plea without the consent and knowledge of the fishermen.

The IBP later on submitted a motion for manifestation to withdraw the petition “for the petitioners who cannot be contacted.” n

A6

SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

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

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

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 major 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 cor-

enforce the prohibition on groundwater extraction, but the agency has an acute lack of personnel to do this. In areas threatened by subsidence compounded by climate change, the NWRB can coordinate with local government units to enforce the moratorium on deep wells.

Water, however, is the most basic requirement for survival. Unless the government can provide access 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 Republican support: 89 percent 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

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO

Philstar.com photo

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 in-

crease 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 inperson 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.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Arbitral award vs China: We shot ourselves in the foot

rect 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 exclusive 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 entitlements, 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 Malay-

sia. They can argue in the future that these islands have a 200-nautical 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 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. Imag-

ine, 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. messaging 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)

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

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2019

Imelda Marcos’ 2017 letter asks Duterte to consider Sanchez’s application for executive clemency

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — Imelda Marcos was among the officials who helped the family of former Laguna town Mayor Antonio Sanchez reach out to President Rodrigo Duterte and ask for executive clemency, the wife of the convicted rapist and murderer told senators on Tuesday, September 3.

Speaking at a congressional probe into the implementation of the law on Good Conduct and Time Allowance, or GCTA, Elvira, Sanchez’s wife, said her family sought then-Ilocos Norte Rep. Marcos’ help in applying for executive clemency.

Board of Pardons and Parole Executive Director Reynaldo Bayang, for his part, said Marcos’ letter to the president was endorsed to him.

In 1993, Sanchez’s henchmen grabbed UP Los Baños students Allan Gomez and Eileen Sarmenta. Sanchez, who was sentenced to seven counts of reclusion perpetua, raped Sarmenta while his men beat up Gomez — a crime dubbed as a “plot seemingly hatched in hell.”

The Department of Justice earlier said Sanchez would benefit from a law rewarding prisoners for good conduct by deducting days from their sentences, triggering public outcry that forced authorities to stop his early release.

In the May 29, 2017 letter — a copy of which was reported by the media — Marcos told Duterte that Sanchez’s case “represent a valid attention as regards his behavior,

Antonio Sanchez is a former Laguna town mayor who was convicted for the murder of two college students, one of whom he also raped, more than two decades ago—a crime dubbed as a “plot seemingly hatched in hell.”

Philstar.com file photo

character antecedents, mental health condition which likewise justify a recommendation for executive clemency.”

“Your utmost consideration on the case of Former Mayor Antonio Sanchez is highly appreciated,” Marcos wrote.

Executive clemency can be in the form of a reprieve, an absolute pardon, a conditional pardon or commutation of sentence and can be granted by the president of the Philippines upon the BPP’s recommendation.

In same Senate hearing Tuesday, Bayang said Duterte’s chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, wrote to the BPP to refer a request

of the Sanchez family for executive clemency for their patriarch.

The BPP dismissed the request.

Panelo — Sanchez’s former lawyer — earlier denied involvement in the reported release of the convicted rapist-murderer. At a press conference also on Tuesday, Panelo denied that he tried to intervene in the case of his former client.

“It has been the standard operating procedure of the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to respond to all letters received by it and refer them to the appropriate department or agency which has the authority to act on the writer’s concern,” Panelo said. n

Probe DoH, PhilHealth scams, House urged by glee Jalea ManilaTimes.net

A LAWMAKER on Sunday, September 1, called on the House of Representatives to investigate the numerous controversies hounding the Department of Health (DoH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

Albay Second District Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Ways and Means panel, called the Health department and PhilHealth “deadweights on GDP (gross domestic product) growth.”

He urged the House to convene the oversight committee on the Universal Health Care to look into the scandals at the two agencies

that may affect the implementation of UHC next year.

“The House should convene the Oversight Committee on UHC and look after the state of health of these twins. Incredibly, DoH and PhilHealth should see a doctor,” Salceda said.

According to the Albay lawmaker, the “unresolved long-playing scandals” at the two agencies reflected institutional failures in public health such as high dengue deaths, low vaccination rates and the reemergence of the polio virus.

“These pain me and the entire House Committee on Ways and Means that has single-mindedly focused on raising taxes to fund the Universal Health Care. The

people are demanding answers — where did our taxes for health go?” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd bared during a budget briefing last week that the UHC, which seeks to provide health care coverage to all Filipinos, is not ready for a national roll-out next year for lack of funds.

The appropriations panel questioned the agency’s readiness in implementing the program, which is part of the agency’s P160-billion budget proposal for 2020.

The DoH earlier said it would need as much as P257 billion for the full implementation of Republic Act 11223, or the UHC Law, a landmark legislation passed in February. n

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SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

Friday, September 6, 2019

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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

‘Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes’ : A myriad of flavors from the Philippines and beyond Author Abigail Sotto-Raines shares recipes of favorite noodle and rice dishes from all over Southeast Asia

by MoMar

Suman con Chocolate

G. Visaya / AJPress

TWO staple ingredients not only in Filipino cuisine but in Asian dishes as well are rice and noodles. This comes as no surprise because the Philippines have been a melting pot of different cultures from Southeast Asia.

This is why Filipino American first-time author (who also manages the blogsite, Manila Spoon) Abigail Sotto-Raines is so excited to share to everyone her favorite dishes via her book “Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes.”

Born and raised in the Philippines, Abigail often spent her days with her grandmother cooking traditional Filipino meals in which rice and noodles provided the base for so many delicious and interesting flavor combinations. Later on, she traveled extensively in Southeast Asia where she discovered the wealth of rice and noodle -based dishes.

Currently residing in Hamden, Connecticut with her husband Mark and two kids (William and Sophie), Abby is a lawyer turned stay-at-home mom. However, her love for cooking did not begin naturally.

“Truth is, I had to learn to cook out of necessity,” she wrote in her blog, Manila Spoon. “As anyone familiar with the Philippines would know, when you grow up with a maid, oftentimes you never learn the wonderful art of cooking. Back then, I always knew that when dinner’s on, the food would be ready at the table, often prepared by

anyone in the house but me.

I did dabble a bit on cooking after college but never really pursued it passionately.”

It was when she got married and settled in the United States that she had to learn how to cook. Starting with basic recipes, Abigail eventually became comfortable in the kitchen through trial and error. She started Manila Spoon to document her adventures in cooking and to share her collection of recipes which her family have tried and enjoyed through the years.

After six years of blogging, she released just last June, “Rice. Noodles. Yum.” containing 75 (yes, 75!) authentic rice and noodle dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Apart from popular Asian dishes like pad thai from Thailand and serabi from Indonesia; she included fusions and recipes with a twist like an Asian-Italian spaghetti and meatballs made of rice noodles and curried beef gravy, and Suman Con Chocolate ((Steamed Glutinous Rice Cakes with Chocolate Sauce).

There are more easyto-follow recipes inside the cookbook that readers will surely enjoy cooking.

“Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes” is available on Amazon (www.amazon.com), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million and IndieBound (www. indiebound.org).

Visit Abigail’s blog at www.manilaspoon.com.

(Steamed Glutinous Rice Cakes with Chocolate Sauce) Suman is a tube-shaped rice cake made with glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, wrapped in either palm, banana or bamboo leaves, then steamed. It is always a great choice for breakfast as it can be paired with a variety of options: plain sugar, coconut jam, with fruits and, of course, a big favorite—homemade chocolate sauce. This breakfast treat is almost always paired with coffee or hot chocolate.

The author, Abigail Sotto-Raines with her husband William and children William and Sophie.

Photo from ManilaSpoon.com

Moo Sarong

Mee Kati Photo on cover from the author’s Facebook page. Food photos courtesy of Adrian Schwalbe of YC Media.

Sa Po Gai Fan

Jimuel gets lead role offer from Hollywood

by Jan Milo seVero Philstar.com

Jimuel with his dad Manny Pacquiao during a training.

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 Inquirer.net photo 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 interContinued on Page SF3

Yasmien, Gabbi break the glass ceiling

it also.”

She added, “Iba na ang Philstar.com mundo ngayon, lalo na sa kababaihan (The world has changed, YASMIEN Kurdi and Gabbi especially for women), kailangan Garcia, along with Bea Binene, din (naming) malaman kung are women in love in the GMA paano depensahan ang aming Telebabad drama-action series mga sarili, kung paano namin “Beautiful Justice.” This love for magagawa ang mga ginagawa their loved ones leads Yasmien’s ng mga lalaki (We need to know Alice, Gabbi’s Brie and Bea’s how to defend ourselves and Kitkat to break the glass ceiling. how to do male-oriented tasks).

The Kapuso actresses continue It’s a new world, it’s a modern to espouse the positive image world. I think this (show) is very of women through the soap positive, walang lalaki, walang directed by Mark Reyes V. babae dito.”

“Alam naming mga kabaAppreciating, too, the genbaihan ito, ang abilities namin (we der-equality theme of “Beautiful know our abilities as women),” Justice” was Gabbi, by saying said Yasmien in a group interthat “actually, nakakatuwa for view. “We want to show that what men can do, women can do they’ve (created) an ensemble

by Jerry Donato

Serves 8 (16 rice cakes) 2 cups (400 g) sticky or glutinous white rice 1 (13.5-oz [400-ml]) can coconut cream plus enough water to make it to 2½ cups (600 ml) ½ cup (100 g) white sugar 1¼ tsp (8 g) salt, divided 16 (9-inch [27-cm]) softened banana leaves for wrapping 2 cups (480 ml) heavy or double cream 6 tbsp (42 g) cocoa powder ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar Soak the rice in water overnight or for at least 3 hours.

Rinse the rice well. Drain. Place the rice and coconut cream diluted with water in a wok or deep pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Adjust the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid has nearly dried up. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook until the sugar is fully dissolved and the rice begins to pull away from the edges of the pan when stirred.

Remove from the heat and allow the rice to cool.

Defrost the banana leaves, if frozen. Clean the banana leaves by wiping off the white residue with a damp cloth or paper towel. Pass each leaf through a flame or place it on the stovetop to heat it up until it turns dark green. This will help prevent the banana leaf from tearing as you roll it up.

Scoop about ¼ cup (45 g) of the rice near the edge of the banana leaves. Flatten it to elongate to about 5 inches (15 cm) in length. Roll until you reach the other end. Twist the edges then tie each end with a twine or a thin strip of banana leaf.

Repeat until there’s no more rice left.

Place the rice parcels in a steamer tray or basket. Steam the rice parcels over rapidly boiling water for 30 minutes. Make sure that the water doesn’t touch the steamer basket.

To make the sauce, place the heavy cream, cocoa powder, brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon.

Set aside.

When the rice parcels are done, peel the banana leaf cover from each cake then serve the rice cakes warm or at room temperature drizzled with the chocolate sauce. Suman may also be threaded in skewers and dipped in the sauce.

— (composed of) Yasmien, Bea and I — to represent women who are willing to fight for their loved ones physically and emotionally… We’re all female and it’s about time people should give (it) a try, watching three girls fighting, and 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 Continued on Page SF6

Carioca

(Fried Sticky Rice Balls with Coconut Caramel Sauce) Sweet memories are made of these! During my elementary-school years, these were my favorite merienda or afterschool snack. They are so deliciously comforting—loaded with coconut flavor and smothered in a coconut caramel sauce. These crispy rice balls are so tasty that even my little boy, who doesn’t like coconut at all, totally loves these!

Serves 6 (24 balls) 2½ cups (315 g) sticky or glutinous rice flour 2½ cups (250 g) shredded sweetened coconut 1¼ cups (300 ml) coconut milk 2 cups (480 ml) cooking oil for deep-frying, or more as needed 1 (13.5-oz [400-ml]) can coconut cream ½ cup plus 3 tbsp (120 g) brown sugar ½ tsp salt In a bowl, mix the sticky rice flour, sweetened shredded coconut and coconut milk until a dough forms. Scoop out about a tablespoon (15 g) of dough and shape into a ball. Repeat until all the dough is used up. A cookie dough scooper is helpful for this.

Heat the cooking oil in a saucepan over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C). To test if the oil is hot, dip a skewer into it. When bubbles form around the skewer, the oil is ready. Fry the dough balls in batches for 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned all over. Scoop onto a strainer lined with paper towels to remove any excess oil. Repeat until all the balls are cooked. Set aside.

In a saucepan, stir together the coconut cream, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When it starts to boil, lower the heat slightly, stir and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.

Dip the balls into the sauce, or to avoid sticky fingers, thread about four balls onto a wooden skewer and pour the caramel sauce over. Serve individually or on skewers.

New ‘public charge’ regulations could result in more denials Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THE Trump Administration recently announced new regulations on public charge, to be effective October 15, 2019.

The plan is to deny green cards unless the person proves they are self-sufficient or relies on family for support, and not on public assistance. USCIS will be evaluating whether a person would be considered “inadmissible” to the U.S. “based on his or her likelihood of becoming a public charge at any time in the future…”

“Public charge” means a person had received certain public benefits for over 12 months in a three-year period. These benefits include: - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Cash benefits for income maintenance - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) - Medicaid and certain housing benefits. (Medicaid for aliens under 21, pregnant women, and emergency medical services would not be considered against the person.)

As part of the public charge evaluation, USCIS will consider the alien’s age, health, assets education, etc., to determine the likelihood that the person will become a public charge at any time in the future. Some of the “negative factors” include if a person is over 60 or under 18

Embassy) could deny the visa, based on the “likelihood” of becoming a public charge at any time in the future.

If you’re considering petitioning family members, you should do so as soon as possible, because any application or petition already pending with USCIS as of the effective date will still be evaluated under the old, more lenient standards on public charge.

You should also seek the advice of an attorney in connection with petitioning family members and/or preparing affidavits of support, as the attorney could help evaluate and identify any potential public charge issues, which could result in a denial. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case.

The information and opinions contained herein (includfunded by taxpayers. Trump ing testimonials, “Success Stories”, doesn’t want new immigrants living off of taxpayers. Instead, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not they either must support intended to apply to any particular themselves or seek support case, and do not constitute a predicfrom their family members, tion, warranty, guarantee or legal especially from the one who signed the affidavit of support. advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client reAlong with being strict lationship is, or shall be, established with aliens who received certain public benefits, the Trump with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com administration also wants to Follow us on Facebook.com/Gurfinkelstart enforcing the terms of Law and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw the affidavits of support if Call Toll free to schedule a consultathe alien received such public tion for anywhere in the US: benefits.

1-866-487-3465 But what will now happen (866) – GURFINKEL when people petition their Four offices to serve you: elderly parents as immediLOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW ate relatives? It’s likely the parents are retired or over 61, YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES such that the USCIS (or the (Advertising Supplement)

community

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

years of age. Aliens must also submit a Declaration of Selfsufficiency (Form I-944).

According to USCIS, “selfsufficiency has been a core tenant of the American dream.

Self-reliance, industriousness, and perseverance laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of hard-working immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States ever since.” In other words, the Trump administration wants to stop situations where a person is petitioned for a green card, and as soon as they get that green card, they apply for as many public benefits as possible, considering those benefits to be “free,” but in reality, are being

“Trump doesn’t want new immigrants living off of taxpayers. Instead, they either must support themselves or seek support from their family members, especially from the one who signed the affidavit of support.”

“ABANDONED” PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001.

However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to “abandonment.” USCIS had sent a notice to petitioner’s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyer’s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of “Citizen Pinoy,” suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Jimuel gets lead role offer from...

From Page SF2 view 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 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 pagaaral, sa pagte-train.”

Jimuel recently made headlines 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 relation-

ship, Heaven just said to ask Jimuel: “Siya na lang. Sabihin na lang natin na ako ‘yung naglet go.”

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

celebrity world

Megastar Sharon Cuneta thinking about ‘semi-retiring’ from showbiz

By Ferdie Villar MegaStar Sharon Cuneta is one of the few stars in Philippine show business that has kept her popularity and fame afloat, even after 40 years.

However, even the brightest stars feel tired and want to dim down their sparkling life.

Just recently, the actresssinger said that she is considering “semi-retirement” from showbiz. this was revealed following an emotional parting with her daughter, Frankie Pangilinan, who is pursuing her college degree in New York.

She also mentioned that her plan is to rest and enjoy her private life.

“On another note, and this is important, since last year I have seriously been thinking of semi-retiring. I am so very tired. It has been 41 years of work, work, work for me, and at some point, kailangan na rin sabihin sa sarili na ‘tama na.’

When will it ever be enough?

Sometimes you just have to put your foot down and say it’s okay, and it’ll all be okay,” Sharon shared on an Instagram post.

She also posted that if she does semi-retire, she can still do a concert every once in a while, or make a movie that is really worth it to be away for a few months from her family.

“Sinasabi ko na sa inyo ito, mga mahal kong Sharonians.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo... pero pagod na rin si Mama...

Di naman siguro ako biglang forever na mawawala...pero konting-konti na lang siguro ang kakayanin kong ibigay until magpahinga na ako at i-enjoy naman ang tinatawag na private life na alam ng karamihan pero tungkol saan kokonti lang ang alam ko...I know you will all

EMPLOYMENT

understand,” Sharon added. the Megastar, however, noted that her plans to semiretire had nothing to do with Frankie going off to college.

“Like I said, last year ko pa naiisip at nararamdaman ito, at kinausap ko na rin ang pamilya at manager at team ko non pa tungkol dito. I love you all so much, and I will try my very best to give the best of me before I say goodbye. god bless us all.”

Sharon is still very much active in showbiz, especially on tV. She was one of the jury members of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” and was a coach in “the Voice teens” and “the Voice Kids.” *** Moviegoers are waiting excitedly for Sarah geronimo’s

newest film, “Unforgettable,” which will be released this coming October. the first teaser was released last Saturday, august 31, and many have agreed that it will be a blockbuster hit.

In the short trailer-teaser, Sarah’s character is shown with her dog “Happy” trying to find their way to Baguio to visit her sick grandmother. along the way, Sarah’s character meets and helps out regine Velasquez’s character, a restaurant owner who is short of help in serving her customers.

While there is little clue on the whole plot of the film, other stars — such as anne Curtis, Cherie gil and tirso Cruz III — are said to have cameos in the film. the movie is scheduled for released on October 23.

Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo has a new film, “Unforgettable,” which tells a story of a girl and her dog, Happy,” finding their way to her sick grandmother.

“Unforgettable is scheduled for release this October.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez joins Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo in the new film “Unforgettable.”

Actress Anne Curtis is among the stars said to have cameo roles in Sarah Geronimo’s newest film, “Unforgettable.”

Filipina beauty from San Mateo, California Marilee Ysabel Salazar was chosen Miss Philippines USA 2019 last weekend.

Megastar Sharon Cuneta recently revealed that she is considering “semi-retiring” from showbiz.

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

Kapuso actress Thea Tolentino is one of the lead stars in GMA Pinoy TV’s newest teleserye, “Madrasta,” which will premiere this month.

Talented and beautiful actress Yasmien Kurdi is one of the lead stars of the newest teleserye, “Beautiful Justice.”

SERVICES

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from last week’s issue…)

There is news of suicide that hits you harder because you personally know the person who took his own life. By all accounts, he has led a good life but unknown to all, was going through overwhelming personal struggles, wallowing in darkness and despair and simply gave up.

In many cases, those in their immediate family orbit say, they never saw it coming and will be left wondering WHY. Suicide, contrary to the lyrics of a popular song, is never painless. Those left behind who will have to pick up the pieces deal with the heavy pall of gloom and guilt that descends on them for a long time.

So how does one deal with the dark night of the soul?

I don’t know about you but it seems to me that darkness can only be fought and won decisively by seeking the light.

Only light can dispel darkness.

Psychotherapy, anti-depressants and all other known scientifically proven ways of dealing with mental illness and the eventual sickness of the soul may be of some help.

But as in anything, the first step is to acknowledge and admit the condition as a serious cause for concern and to seek help right away. This is the crucial first step towards healing.

And the hardest.

The courage to recognize and admit one needs help may not be enough though.

Humility is a key ingredient.

The afflicted must reach out to someone he can trust, someone who cares about him and lead him to those that can help. This is when fervent heartfelt prayers, his own and those of others, can assault the heavens for mercy.

The bigger part of defeating the darkness of the soul lies within one’s self. Seek the light

Whatever happened to ‘happily ever after’?

(Conclusion of 3 parts)

“ … You have changed my mourning into dancing, O Lord, and have girded me with joy, alleluia…”

—Psalm 30 every which way possible, both physical and spiritual. Even the very act of being exposed to sunlight can fight off the sadness that afflicts many when the fall and winter seasons with their diminished amounts of sunlight come every year.

If you have strayed from the Christian faith, COME BACK, RENEW AND REKINDLE that relationship with God. He is the vine; we are the branches. Cut off from God, we wither and die.

In daily life, seek the company of genuinely happy people who have that buoyant tendency to lift others. They have the force of high tide that lifts all boats. Cheerfulness is the daylight of the soul. Bask in joy-filled people’s megawatt light until you can generate your own. It may just be a flicker of hope in the beginning that grows into a bigger flame that may become a bonfire blazing within one’s soul.

Quite possibly, with the Holy Spirit’s help, that once-ailing soul can become a light bright enough to give hope to others similarly situated.

Like anyone else, cheerful people do have problems and undergo dark times. But they have within their inmost core, a steady spark of God’s pilot light that enables them to tap a wellspring of joy, no matter what season of the soul they are going through.

You must stay away from negative, depressed people.

Darkness can and will go viral given the chance. They have twice the force of gravity to bring you down to the depths of despair. They are like blackholes that suctions everything

around them.

In my pedestrian view, since deep depression is essentially a disease that afflicts the mind and withers the soul, all physical remedies seem to me to fall far short of true healing. A spiritual illness can only be cured by spiritual means. Match the method to the madness.

A leap of faith is a must.

God is light and only God can dispel the darkness of one’s soul. Without God, one can do nothing.

The promise is clear for many who have remained steadfast in their faith. Faith is the solid and unwavering core belief that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead so we may live happily ever after far beyond death into eternity.

This is the ending really worth seeking for every life story.

Rock solid faith brings a bottomless well of hope. Faith gives us a deep, down to the marrow, heartfelt and genuine appreciation of God’s unfailing love to see us through and bring us home in His own good and perfect timing.

God gave us life as a gift.

Our gift to God in return, is to live as joyfully as possible the whole enchilada, the full measure of that life until we are called home.

What then is the ultimate weapon against dangerous depression that afflicts many today? It is JOY, the pure and simple expression of gratitude for GOD’S ENDURING LOVE. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

community SF Ejay’s life more cinematic than any of his roles The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

by Rito P. Asilo Inquirer.net

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

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.

Ejay Falcon Photo from Instagram/@ejaythefalcon “The show changed so many aspects of my life. Even if father; his mother reportedly left him and his siblings in I didn’t finish college, I’m glad Mindoro. At 15, he plucked up I was able to send my siblings enough courage to look for her to school. I became the breadwinner of the family. Who in Manila, only to find out that she already had another family! knows, maybe I can also get a degree in due time. That’s a As luck would have it, Ejay goal I’m more than willing to won “PBB” two years later— pursue.” and the rest is history.

PH’s first transgender best actress shares solution to public toilet issue

by AllAn PolicAPRio 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.

Continued on Page SF6 Iyah Mina

Photo from Instagram/@iyah_mina

SF

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

Yasmien, Gabbi break the...

From Page SF1 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” narrative will see Alice, Brie and Kitkat find leads and ways to understand the tragic death of their loved ones — all Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents. It’s a husband in the case of Alice, boyfriend of Brie and brother of Kitkat. They seek for truth and justice. What’s also implied is that Alice, Brie and Kitkat may form a secret group to fulfill their personal-turned-collective mission. This is possible since they will form a professional bond with a PDEA agent named Vin, played by Gil Cuerva. Also in the cast are Victor Neri, Bing Loyzaga, Derrick Monasterio and Valeen Montenegro.

As Brie, Gabbi is a vlogger, social media influencer and an

The CTV Files

Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ

“MY brother’s neighbor’s girlfriend’s uncle had the same exact case and it got approved and they did not use an attorney.”

I’ve heard this many times to have developed a well-curated response: Nothing. A person who has set out to hear only what s/he wants to hear Gabbi Garcia and Yasmien Kurdi as women in love, who seek justice for loved ones. Also in photo are their “Beautiful Justice” co-stars Bea Binene, Gil Cuerva and Derrick Monasterio.

GMA photo can hear nothing else but what s/he wants to hear. Reason and return to the primetime block.

It girl, “May pagka-hacker (siya) logic be damned. dito… She can’t accept the pass- “Nagkaroon na ako ng kalyo sa For the most part, technolkamay kakakasa ng baril. I’m very ogy has allowed us to gather ing of her (boyfriend). Maarte excited, I’m very happy but I’m (siya) na misunderstood, na as much information as we mabait naman at may katalinuhan very pressured, too. After five are able to handle at the tip (She is also kind and smart).” Bea years, lumabas po ako sa box of our fingertips. Yet, neither ko, I got out of my box (comfort as Kitkat, on the other hand, is Google nor Siri nor Wikipedia zone).” a street-smart beautician, who can stand in front of a Judge as Given the “action” in the always engages Brie in discusyour advocate. Most attorneys “drama” series, Yasmien’s sions. Coming in between them cannot speak about cases they is Yasmien’s Alice. “I think I’m the husband Rey Soldevilla Jr. and have not handled. Each case is Gabbi’s boyfriend Khalil Ramos ate (the older sister),” Yasmien unique – one tiny fact, one tiny just offer their full support. shared. “As their ate, I would detail could change the course “Of course, he is very happy stop (their arguments) and deof a case. And, in immigration and very excited for me, supcide on what are the next steps cases where the threat of deportive si pangga. You know he that we will take.” For someone portation is very real why would who has done family/relationship- supports (every) project I do,” you gamble with your life? Or said Yasmien. oriented TV series aired either in your family’s life?

“Hindi, wala yun sa kanya (He late morning or in the afternoon New policy for rejecting indoesn’t worry),” shared Gabbi. timeslot, Yasmien considered complete or inaccurate filings.

That also speaks of their Beautiful Justice a respite from Did you know that a single the familiar territory she has been loved ones’ trust, which is reason error could mean a rejected enough for Yasmien and Gabbi associated with. application? And, more importo give their all in “Beautiful “It excites (and thrills) me,” tantly, that a rejected applicashe said of her latest TV role and Justice.” tion could lead to the issuance

Just say no: Legal advice from the internet of a Notice to Appear (NTA)?

In September 2018, changes in policy were put in place allowing immigration officers to reject visa applications immediately due to missing or inaccurate information. Previously, USCIS will issue “Requests for Evidence” (RFE) if there are missing information, allowing applicants to address gaps in their paperwork. “Notices of Intent to Deny” were also issued, as per prior guidance, which gave applicants a 30-day warning that their application would likely be rejected.

Applications affected by these policies and its recent changes in policy apply to: (i) applications and renewals of temporary (non-immigrant) visas, and (ii) permanent resident status (immigrant) visas. Securing such visas are required in order for non-U.S. citizen foreign nationals to legally live and work in the United States.

Can USCIS refer a file to deportation for the issuance of a Notice to Appear after it the case has been denied?

Yes. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may also issue an NTA when it finds a noncitizen has not complied with regulations governing admission or maintaining lawful status after admission.

Consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before filing anything.

First things first, do not file anything with USCIS or any other government entity without first seeking advice. Filing for applications “frivolously” can and will come back and haunt you. While certain applications are available online making it easy to access, individuals must nevertheless proceed with caution when filing for any application with USCIS. Just because it is easier now to file for an application does not mean that you should. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS. *** Atty. Lilli Baculi Collins is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full-service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

The Beautiful Life Celebration returns this year Now accepting nominations for awardees

San FranciSco

By Monet

Lu

NOMINATIONS are now open! Join us in celebrating the contributions and achievements of Filipinos who help make the Filipino American community a place for beauty, passion and dedication.

The Beautiful Life Celebration is an awarding event in honor of our Kababayans who have displayed unparalleled outlook in life. It is held annually to commemorate honorable individuals and organizations that make up the beautiful Fil-Am community.

It also promotes cultural heritage and a love for “Pinay Beauty” by recognizing the beautiful Filipinas of all ages, hence the announcement of the 2019 10 Most Beautiful Fil-Ams (for Filipinas ages 16-26) and The Queen of Queens (ages 30 and above).

“Every Juan” (and Juanita) deserves to be celebrated.

You may nominate individuals, businesses, and couples whose achievements and contributions in the community are worth recognizing. It could be a friend, colleague, client, employee or employer who deserves to be celebrated! Consider nominating individuals or organizations whose accomplishments have yet to be publicly acknowledged. We have recognized hundreds of individuals who have excelled in their field, whether professionally, personally or both.

Recognitions include (but are not limited to) the following: “Most Distinguished Entrepreneurs,” “Most Distinguished Man/Woman in the field of (insert industry here),” “Most Distinguished Couples,” “Man of the Year,” “Woman of the Year,” and “Mother of the Year.”

We are not a pageant but we celebrate those individuals

like queens.

Pageants empower and represent the beauty of a Filipina.

The Beautiful Life Celebration Awards Gala celebrates beauty in ALL forms and ages. Every Filipina can be nominated for being one of the 10 Most Beautiful FilAms, which is open for women ages 16-26; and of course the grand coronation of Queen of Queens, wherein each woman (ages 30 and above) will be crowned as Queen-International, Queen-Asia, Queen-Globe, Queen- World and Queen-Universe. Nominate now!

Now in its 31st year, the event has awarded celebrities namely Melanie Marquez, Aga Mulach, Dawn Zulueta, Gretchen Baretto, Lorna Tolentino, Sheryll Cruz, Christopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel, Janine Tugonon, and Matt Ranillo III, among others.

Filipino-owned businesses such as Rustans have supported this event, as well as fashion designers, namely Louie Mamenggo, Randy Ortiz, Renee Salud and Fanny Serrano.

This year, the stage is ready for Mayor Isko Moreno and Mayor Richard Gomez to receive their awards as “Men of Distinction in the field of Public Service.” Also, the organization has invited “Star for all Seasons,” Vilma Santos-Recto to receive a “Lifetime of Achievement” award.

All awardees will be honored at a Red and Black Awards Gala on Saturday, November 23 at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California.

For more information and to nominate awardees, contact Monet Lu at (213) 216 -4923 or email thebeautifullifecelebration@gmail.com. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon. com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

PH’s first transgender...

From Page SF5 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 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 de-

cided 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 identity—despite the many roadblocks it’s facing.

“I’m sad because it has yet Continued on Page SF7

Colma residents highly satisfied with city services Want public works, safety and business development maintained

THE Town of Colma conducted a Community Priorities Survey in June 2019 with Godbe Research to gauge resident feedback on Town services and priorities. The results show nearly 90 percent of residents are satisfied with Town services— and want the public works, safety, and business development programs they value, maintained.

The survey found that 62 percent of respondents had favorable opinions of the Town’s fiscal management, a very strong finding in today’s environment.

Said Town Manager Brian Dossey, “Residents would like to see strong investment in our

street infrastructure, and we couldn’t agree more. Over the next five to ten years, the Town seeks to invest as much as $15,000,000 locally to upgrade Colma’s major roadways. We want to secure funding to do so as soon as possible before the cost of major reconstruction skyrockets.”

Other local priorities identified by respondents included: • Attracting and retaining local small businesses • Maintaining neighborhood police patrols • Crime investigation and reduction services • Funding additional po-

lice patrols and crime reduction programs near shopping centers • Ensuring sidewalks are accessible for people with disabilities “The Police Department spends 60 percent of its time responding to property crimes at the shopping centers,” said Police Chief Kirk Stratton. “It would be great if out-of-town shoppers to Colma could pay their fair share for the public safety and other Town services they use.”

For questions regarding survey methodology, contact Bryan Godbe with Godbe Research at wbgodbe@godberesearch.com.

Preparing for the unexpected ExTREME weather events such as earthquakes, wildfires and heat waves can strike without warning, so it is important to remain cautious and prepared at all times.

The City of Concord encourages residents to be proactive and create a family emergency preparedness plan. Each member of the household should know in advance what to do in case of an emergency.

Creating an emergency kit is a good first step in preparing for an emergency. Important items for your kit include fresh drinking water, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, flashlight, multipurpose tools, toiletries and medications.

Keep your items in waterproof containers and store them in an easily accessible place. Make sure to have enough supplies on hand to last about a week.

Iñigo Pascual with Maris Racal

Evaluating the safety of your home is another way to stay prepared. Know when and how to turn off your electricity and gas, should it be necessary. If you have a backup generator on hand, ensure that it is in good condition and working properly.

It is also a good idea to locate a fire extinguisher and know how to operate it.

Earlier this year, PG&E announced that it will implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs as part of its Community Wildfire Safety program. If extreme fire danger conditions threatens a portion of the electric system, the utility may turn off electricity.

They recommend that customers prepare for possible power shutoffs that can last several hours or days. Customers can sign up at www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts to receive PG&E alerts by text,

Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual

Iñigo sorry for causing Maris’ heartbreak

by Krissy AguilAr Inquirer.net

IT looks like all is well now between Iñigo Pascual and Maris Racal.

Both singer-actors got candid about their feelings when they appeared on Monday, September2, at morning show “Magandang Buhay” with Pascual apologizing to Racal.

“I’m just really grateful honestly for whatever we have and I want to say sorry,” Pascual said.

“I mean we went through a lot together and I could never say bad about Maris no matter what happened.”

“I always say handa siyang ibigay lahat and I just couldn’t do 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.

PH’s first transgender...

From Page SF6 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 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 on Monday, September 2 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 (Leanne 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.

phone or email, and they will be notified about outages and other events in their respective communities and receive status updates on when service will be restored.

For more tips on how to prepare for emergencies, visit www.redcross.org/get-help/howto-prepare-for-emergencies. html.

people & events

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019

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, US, 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

Former model-actress Deniece Cornejo

FBx Center for Health and Human Rights. Thanks for this awesome scarf!” she wrote.

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

Photo from Facebook/Deniece Cornejo

against Deniece as well as Cedric Lee and others in a 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.

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 6, 2019