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SEPT EM BER 7-13, 2018 Volume 11 - No. 46 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE

Inflation hits 9-year high

USA

by MAYVELIN

CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

million sacks of rice and the distribution of permits to import more fish.

August inflation exceeded the 5.9 CONSUMER prices zoomed to a fresh nine-year high at 6.4 percent in percent forecasts of the Bangko SenAugust, going “beyond the acceptable tral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Departrange” because of food price shocks ment of Finance and the 5.8 percent that the central bank said could not average forecast of economists polled be addressed through interest rates by The Manila Times.

Some analysts expect the BSP’s alone.

The August figure forced eco- policymaking Monetary Board to hike nomic managers to review their infla- interest rates for a fourth time this tion forecast and take extraordinary year to contain inflation.

BSP Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. howmeasures such as the release of the government’s entire inventory of 4.6 ever said the government must take

Kavanaugh declines to answer views about abortion in second day of hearing The second round of questioning centered around Roe v. Wade and presidential self-pardons AFTER a raucous first day of Senate confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, senators interviewed the nominee in the second day of hearings on Wednesday, Sept. 5, about his views on a broad range of issues.

The first day brought an onslaught of outrage and motions to delay the proceedings after a representative from the Bush White House Library released 42,000 official documents from Kavanaugh’s time at the White House under George W. Bush as a staff secretary and an associate of the White House Counsel.

Democrats of the Senate Judiciary Committee for weeks have been requesting the release of these documents before the hearings for review and after Monday’s release of the documents, tried to adjourn and postpone the hearing to no avail.

After a preliminary hearing that prompted protests and Democrats to try to disrupt the hearing for these unreleased documents,

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DOJ criticizes Harvard University over alleged discrimination of Asian Americans Groups including Asian Americans pledge support to the Ivy League university’s affirmative action policy

THE U.S. Department of Justice this week came out against Harvard University’s admission practices by announcing its support of an anti-affirmative action group that sued the Ivy League university for allegedly discriminating against Asian American applicants in its admission policies.

In a Statement of Interest filed in federal court Thursday, August 30, the Justice Department backed the Students for Fair Admissions group in claiming that Harvard University “has failed to show that it does not unlawfully discriminate against Asian Americans.”

The lawsuit dates back to 2014 when Students for Fair Admissions sued the university

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stronger action to tame consumer price hikes, saying August inflation was driven by “an unfortunate confluence of cost-push factors.”

“Much of it has to do with food supply shocks. Rice in particular. These warrant more decisive non-monetary measures to fully address,” he told reporters.

Producers, traders taking advantage – BSP While rising fuel prices and the weak peso were also to blame, “it is

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Duterte orders Trillanes’ arrest Makati RTC sets hearing, DOJ files hold departure order

by AJPRESS THE Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Wednesday, September 5, scheduled the hearing on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s arrest for September 13.

This follows the motion filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting for the issuance of an alias warrant of arrest and hold departure order against the senator.

Presiding Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano set the hearing despite the statements of state prosecutors deeming it unnecessary.

“Recall that there were previous commitment orders issued by this Honorable Court in September 2003 and on November 29, 2007. Thus, this application for an alias warrant of arrest no longer needs a hearing,” the motion read.

The court gave Trillanes five days to answer the motion, as reported by The Philippine Star.

Several uniformed officers flocked the Senate on Tuesday, September 4, after President Rodrigo Duterte

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DUTERTE IN ISRAEL. President Rodrigo Duterte, assisted by daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday.

Malacañang Photo

$82.9-M in business deals inked DILG exec: Boracay can only between Philippines and Israel accommodate 55,000 per day

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines has secured $82.9 million in investments from President Rodrigo Duterte’s historic trip to Israel, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Wednesday.

Filipino and Israeli businessmen signed three memoranda of agreement (MoA), 11 memoranda of understanding (MoU), and seven letters of intent during a forum with Duterte in Jerusalem President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the ceremonial exchange on Tuesday. of business agreements between the Philippines and Israel at the King David President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Hotel in Jerusalem on September 4, 2018, assures the Israeli companies that the Philippines will provide them a corruption-free business environment. in his speech during the ceremoManiaTimes.net photo

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by AJPRESS DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Operations Epimaco Densing III confirmed on Monday, September 3, that Boracay Island can only accommodate 55,000 people daily.

Prior to its rehabilitation in April, the internationally-known resort island takes in an average of 70,000 people daily. This means that the 1,032-hectare island in Aklan welcomed 15,000 more individuals than it can possibly handle.

“There was an average of

70,000 people on the island per day, meaning there was a 15,000 overcapacity,” Densing said.

The said figures were from DILG Secretary Eduardo Año who noted that the three-village island in Malay town has a carrying capacity of only 19,000 for tourists and 36,000 for residents and workers.

The data was based on the study of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau and the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Densing clarified that the figures were only a draft and are still

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Manny Villar’s fortune triples, climbs to 2nd spot in Forbes’ rich list

by IAN

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Real estate tycoon Manuel “Manny” Villar is now the Philippines’ second richest man after his wealth tripled over the past year, according to Forbes magazine’s 2018 ranking of the country’s 50 wealthiest people, amid a construction boom in the Philippines that has boosted the fortunes of the country’s business magnates.

Meanwhile, retail magnate Henry Sy of the SM Investments Corp., one of the Philippines’

largest conglomerates, has remained the country’s richest man for eleven years in a row.

The net worth of Villar, 68, is now $5 billion from $1.7 billion in August last year, Forbes said, dislodging 92-year-old JG Summit founder John Gokongwei Jr., whose net worth dropped to $4.4 billion as of September 2018 from $5.5 billion in end-August last year.

Villar is the chairman of Starmalls, one of Philippines’ largest mall operators, and Vista Land & Lifescapes, one of the country’s leading integrated property developers.

In the first half of 2018, Vista Land registered a 17 percent growth in net income to P5.2 billion. On the other hand, shares in the Villar group-led memorial park developer Golden Bria Holdings Inc. leapt a staggering 1,300 percent in the first quarter, Forbes reported.

On the top spot of this year’s richest list was Sy, 93, who managed to grow his net worth to $18.3 billion as of September 2018 from $18 billion last year through his diversified businesses.

But Sy’s fortune as of this month was lower than the $20

billion he earned in March this year.

Sy’s SMIC, the holding company of the SM Group, has interests in retail, property and banking.

In the first half of 2018, SMIC reported a net income of P18.1 billion, up 9 percent from P16.6 billion in the same period last year despite high inflation that has tempered consumer spending in recent months. As of endJune 2017, total assets of SM grew 8 percent to P985.9 billion.

“The 50 ranking had an unusually volatile year, with 19 seeing net worths shift 20 percent or

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Retail magnate Henry Sy of the SM Investments Corp., one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates, has remained the Philippines’ richest man for eleven years in a row.

Graphics by RP Ocampo/Philstar.com

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September 7-13, 2018 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JOUrNAL

Inflation hits 9-year...

PAGE A1

equally apparent that strong domestic demand is making it too convenient for producers and traders to pass on higher costs and possibly more to consumers,” Espenilla said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported the biggest increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.5 percent and alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 21.6 percent.

Slower price hikes were recorded in furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (3.5 percent); health and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, (4 percent); and recreation and culture (2.4 percent) in August.

For the year to date, inflation remained above the Bangko Sentral’s 2.0-4.0 percent target for 2018, at 4.8 percent.

“Under the circumstances, we will weigh the need for further monetary policy action,” Espenilla said, stressing that it was “most critical at this point to restore inflation back to the target range soonest and securely anchor inflationary expectations.”

‘We did little or nothing’ – Salceda Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente Salceda, a former socioeconomic planning chief, lashed out at the government for failing to contain inflation, but said he expected the September figure to be lower at 6.1 percent.

“Unfortunately... the [surge]

was really due to the fact that we did little or nothing. Unless we do nothing and do more silly things, 6.4 percent should already be the peak in this inflation cycle,” Salceda said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee would convene soon to revise its inflation forecast this year.

“We will adjust further [the 4.0-4.5 percent forecast range],” he told reporters in a chance interview on Wednesday.

The Cabinet’s Economic Development Cluster vowed to implement agricultural reforms to address supply-side prices pressures to inflation.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said that in a meeting on Wednesday, the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic Development and Authority, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Justice, BSP, Bureau of the Treasury, and some members of the National Food Authority Council listed down immediate measures to address food inflation.

He said the Agriculture department committed to replicating the issuance of certificates of necessity to allow fish imports to be distributed in wet markets.

The Finance chief also announced that 4.6 million sacks of

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

rice available in NFA warehouses would be immediately released to the market across the country.

“We also expect approximately 2.0 million sacks of rice previously contracted to be delivered before the end of September. In addition, the NFA Council authorized the importation of 5.0 million sacks that will be arriving over the next one and half months and another 5.0 million sacks will be imported early next year,” he said.

Dominguez said 2.7 million sacks would be allocated in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi to address shortages there.

Hopes up for harvest season Dominguez noted that rice harvest had started in many parts of the country. The projected harvest for 2018 stood at 12.6 million metric tons, the equivalent of 252 million sacks of rice.

Economic managers will recommend the streamlining of NFA licensing procedures for rice imports, he said. He urged the Senate to pass the bill subjecting all rice imports to regular tariffs.

The DTI, NFA, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and farmer groups will form a monitoring team to watch the movement of rice from ports to NFA warehouses and retail outlets.

The DA and DTI will convene poultry producers and set up public markets where producers can sell directly to consumers to

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FOR DOLPHINS. Bikers and animal activists hold a rally in Manila to call on Japan to stop hunting dolphins. The group hopes that the number of Taiji dolphins slaughtered yearly will be reduced through constant pressure from animal advocates.

Photo by DJ Diosina/Manilatimes.net

$82.9-M in business deals inked...

PAGE A1 nial exchange of business agreements between the Philippines and Israel at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on September 4, 2018, assures the Israeli companies that the Philippines will provide them a corruption-free business environment.

The deals and intent letters, which are expected to generate 790 new job opportunities for Filipinos, cover investments in technology, military hardware,

transportation and tourism.

In his speech during the signing of the agreements, Duterte reiterated his administration’s commitment to bring about reforms to make the country more suitable for business.

“I know that you are for the return of your investments and if you do not dream of profits, then do not go into business. And that I said they are making profits,” he said.

“So my guarantee really is my word. And if you go there, if you want a comfortable, maybe beginning, just tell me. I will husband it, your project, whatever it is. There will be no corruption.

There will be no harassments, no nothing. It’s an ordinary dayto-day government business that you have to follow. And if you can do that and if you go there, tell me,” the President added.

The memoranda of agreement were signed by Century Properties Inc. and Globe Invest Ltd, which seek to enter into a joint venture on energy optimization, advanced agriculture and urban farming, prefabricated housing, water desalination and other real estate projects; Stone of David Corp. and Gaia Automotive Industries Ltd., which aim to cooperate on the marketing and promotion of tactical vehicles; and Stone of David Corp. and MCTECH RF Technologies Ltd., which intend to collaborate on military and intelligence prod-

ucts and hardware.

The memoranda of understanding were signed by Century Pacific Food Inc. and Kvuzat Yavne for the distribution of canned tuna products for the Century brands within Israel and the Palestinian territories; and Integrated Computer Systems Inc. and Verint Systems Ltd., which seek to explore opportunities for collaboration on security, intelligence data mining and information technology.

The Philippine Center For Entrepreneurship Foundation-Go Negosyo and the Israel-Philippines Chamber of Commerce/Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines also struck an MoU for the establishment of a partnership to jointly develop and undertake programs, projects and advocacy initiatives related to the Mentor Me Program.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, meanwhile, signed an MoU for an exchange of information about commerce, industry market updates and identification of business and trade opportunities.

The PCCI also signed an MoU with National Capital Region and Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce for the promotion and strengthening of trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation. n

Duterte orders Trillanes’...

PAGE A1 ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to arrest Trillanes, thus revoking his amnesty in 2011.

Duterte claimed in Proclamation No. 572 that the amnesty granted by former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino was void from the beginning since there was no application let alone an admission of guilt.

“The grant of amnesty to former LTSG Antonio Trillanes IV under Proclamation No. 75 is declared void ab initio because he did not comply with the minimum requirements to qualify under the Amnesty Program,” the proclamation stated.

Trillanes was behind the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Peninsula Manila siege in Makati City. He was granted the amnesty according to Proclamation No. 50 signed in October 2010, which was then followed by Proclamation No. 75 signed in November 2010.

Both proclamations granted amnesty to all those involved in the Oakwood mutiny, the marines stand-off and the Peninsula Manila incident. In January 2011, the former naval officer applied for the amnesty grant and was included among the list of officers who received such in the same month. The amnesty grant also underwent a concurrence with Congress.

DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that a concurrence with Congress will not be necessary for this recent revocation to take effect. He emphasized that the amnesty itself is void ab initio (from the beginning), according to a report by Rappler.

Trillanes vows to face arrest,

says he has nothing to fear The opposition senator responded the same day the proclamation was issued. Trillanes promised to face arrest should the order provide a legal basis to the revocation of his amnesty grant.

“Hindi ko iiwasan yan. Mr. Duterte, hindi ako takot sa iyo (I won’t evade that. Mr. Duterte, I’m not afraid of you),” Trillanes said.

He also denied all claims that he would escape the charges and run away from all the accusations.

“Hindi ako magtatago definitely. My lawyers are exhausting legal remedies (I will not go into hiding, definitely),” Trillanes promised.

He vowed to abide by whatever the decision would result into. He added that despite the challenges he faces as Duterte’s critic, he would still continue on his role as a member of the opposition.

“Kung dadating sa punto na kailangang pumunta, mag-walk in pa ako mismo. I will not resist arrest, I will not escape. Haharapin ko ito, lalo akong gaganahan [tumira]. ‘Di ako matatakot, ‘di ako aalis (If it would reach that point, I myself would walk in. I will not resist arrest, I will not escape. I will face this, this encourages me [to be more critical]. I won’t fear it, I won’t go away),” Trillanes stated.

Trillanes also emphasized how the said incident manifested Duterte’s dictatorship. He used his impending arrest as an avenue to magnify the flaws in the current administration.

“Itong pangyayari na ito, it should be clear to everyone na si Mr. Duterte ay isang diktador. Hindi siya rumerespeto sa institusyon kaya ganito tayo.

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Amid his impending arrest, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has been placed under the custody of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Inquirer.net photo

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 7-13, 2018

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Bill to help human trafficking victims heads to Governor SACRAMENTO - The Senate unanimously approved bipartisan measure co-authored by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would help human trafficking victims get back on their feet. Specifically, Assembly Bill 900 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher (DSan Diego) would: 1. Make it easier for victims to receive compensation for any income they lost, similar to how other victims of crime are currently compensated.

2. Authorize the California Victim Compensation Board to provide victims with compensation for any income they lost as a result of being trafficked.

3. Address inequities by making victims eligible for compensation from the California Victim Compensation Program for

economic losses incurred as a direct result of their being trafficked, and expanding the types of documentation allowed in these cases.

“Human trafficking is a scourge that must be addressed and I’m proud to co-author legislation to assist victims in rebuilding their lives. These victims were exploited into a lifestyle that is equivalent to modern-day slavery. After they escaped this lifestyle, they faced the harsh realities of finding a place to live and paying for basic necessities. Many don’t have the proper documentation to file for victim compensation. That’s why AB 900 is needed to make it easier for them to apply for restitution.

“I’m hopeful Governor Brown will sign this bipartisan measure into law and am thankful for the

work by the author on this important piece of legislation,” said Senator Bates.

More than a quarter of federal human trafficking cases are based in California, in which victims are economically exploited through prostitution, domestic service, agriculture, and sweatshop work.

Supporters of AB 900 include the California District Attorneys Association, the California College and University Police Chiefs Association, and the California Narcotic Officers’ Association.

Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) represents the 36th Senate District in the California Legislature, which covers South Orange The tough-talking Duterte changed his tune during a meeting with the Filipino community in Israel, adding that he had also “forgiven” Obama County, North San Diego County for criticizing the war on drugs.

Presidential photo and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. n

DILG exec: Boracay can only accommodate...

PAGE A1 being finalized. The initial findings were discussed among the agencies in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation and have yet to be officially presented to the public.

Densing also enumerated the events responsible for the increase in tourist arrivals in the island.

“LaBoracay,” the Labor Day and long weekend beach parties held in Boracay, once caused the influx of 67,000 tourists in a day.

This number does not include the 32,500 residents recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The aforementioned events could have garnered nearly 100,000 people a day, thus accommodating around double of its carrying capacity, according to various estimates.

Boracay Foundation Incorporated Business Group President Nenette Aguirre-Graf stated that in order to continuously rehabilitate the island, the planning of the new carrying capacity should involve residents and local business operators.

“This needs a thorough planning involving native residents and business operators of the island because we will also be involved in the implementation,” Graf said.

ment to provide residential provisions for Boracay workers on Malay mainland to decongest the tourist spot. They should regulate the entry of cruise vessels as they can transport between 2,000 and 4,000 tourists to the island, she continued.

Due to the environmental degradation of the said resort island, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the Boracay waters a “cesspool” in February. He then directed the closure of the entire Boracay on April 26 to give way

“Measures to achieve truth and justice for enforced disappearances should be parallel and go hand in hand. There is no truth without justice and no justice without truth,” they added.

Suela Janina, chair of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, stressed: “The search for those who have disappeared is a right of the victims and an obligation of states, and should be carried out in good faith and in a diligent and effective manner.”

“Under these obligations, states that are parties to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance should immediately search for any individual who has disappeared,” Janina said. (Pia Lee-Brago/ Philstar.com)

Manny Villar’s fortune triples...

PAGE A1 more, compared with just 12 last year,” Forbes said.

Seven newcomers made the 50 richest list, including self-made fashion designer Josie Natori and Necisto Sytengco of chemicaltrading outfit SBS Philippines.

Below is the list of the country’s 10 richest people:

According to Forbes, the 2018 list was compiled using information from the individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, private databases, government agencies and other sources.

Meanwhile, net worths were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on Aug. 24, 2018.

The new Forbes list was re-

by Ralph

VillanueVa ManilaTimes.net

so if it is in your heart to forgive, you forgive. I have forgiven you,” the president said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte “I am forgiving you, just like has finally apologized to former what I did to all my ex-girlfriends U.S. President Barack Obama for when I was younger. I am forgivcalling him a “son of a whore” ing you. I have forgiven them two years ago. all,” he added.

Speaking before Filipinos in Shortly after assuming power Israel, Duterte said his 2016 in 2016, Duterte hurled the Filistatement was mere “talkatese,” pino expletive “p*******a” as he implying that it was empty talk. lashed out at Obama and the “It would be appropriate to say U.S. State Department for critiat this time, Mr. Obama, you are cizing his war on illegal drugs. now a civilian. I am sorry for ut- The expletive translates to “son tering those words. Know it was of a whore” or “son of a bitch.”

BORACAY TOURISTS. Dozens of tourists walk along the shores of Boracay.

“I am a president of a sovPNA photo by Joey Razon just plain talkatese. We have learned our lessons very well,” ereign state and we have long She suggested a stop to the for a massive cleanup and rehaDuterte said ceased to be a colony. I do not hosting of “LaBoracay” festivities bilitation. Boracay is expected to Duterte also said he had for- have any master except the Filias they lead to a daily overcapacity reopen to tourists in October this given Obama. pino people, nobody but nobody. on the island. year. n “We understand each other, You must be respectful. Do not She advised the local govern-

States are obligated to search for the disappeared — United Nations HUMAN rights experts have reminded states that the search for victims of enforced disappearances is an international law obligation and not an option.

Countries around the world must act urgently to search for victims and ensure that “the heinous crime” is properly investigated, United Nations authorities on enforced disappearances told member-states marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on Aug. 30.

“Relatives have a right, as victims themselves, to know the truth about the circumstances of any enforced disappearance, the whereabouts of their loved ones, the progress and results of the investigation and ultimately the fate of the disappeared person,” UN experts said.

Duterte apologizes to Obama

leased a day after the country’s statistics agency reported a 6.4 percent inflation in August.

Inflation has been hitting the poor amid rising prices of rice, a Filipino main staple. The central bank has responded by raising its policy rates by a cumulative 100 basis points from May to August, making investment activities costlier for businesses. n

just throw questions. You son of a whore, I will swear at you,” he said in September 2016, referring to Obama.

A month after, he said Obama should “go to hell.”

Just two weeks ago, during the 12th founding anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command, Duterte spoke out against Obama for “insulting” the Philippines rather than going through United Nations channels.

In contrast, Duterte has a cordial relationship with Obama’s successor, Donald Trump.

Duterte and Trump even had a phone call last year, in which the Republican property mogul congratulated the former Davao City mayor for his anti-drug campaign. n

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Dateline USa

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UN exec lauds PH PPP efforts vs disasters

THe United Nations has lauded the Philippines for being at the forefront of disaster risk reduction, which was shown by its handling of the recent floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

In a meeting with members of UN body on disaster resilience at SM Mall of Asia, Mami Mizu-

ample” of public-private partnership (PPP) in disaster resilience was led by UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (Arise)-Philippines and the National Resilience Council, both headed by Hans Sy, chair of the executive committee of SM Prime Holdings. (Inquirer.net)

tori, new special representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), cited initiatives by the Philippine government and private sector in making the country one of the world’s most disaster resilient.

‘Shining example’ Mizutori said a “shining ex-

DOJ criticizes Harvard University over alleged...

PAGE A1

File photo shows Brett Kavanaugh, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, after he was nominated by President Donald Trump for the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 9. The Senate Judiciary Committee began its first day of the hearings for Kavanaugh’s nomination on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen

Kavanaugh declines to answer views...

PAGE A1 committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) pushed back on the demands, saying in a CBS interview that Kavanaugh’s tenure at the Bush White House is “irrelevant to his being a judge.”

The second day didn’t yield many explicit answers from the nominee, who tried to poise himself as a nonpartisan, openminded judge who solely bases his decisions on the law and understands the human impact of his decisions.

“I don’t live in a bubble,” Kavanaugh, 53, told Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. “I base my decisions on the law, but I do so with an awareness of the facts and an awareness of the real-world consequences.”

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, ranking committee member Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) pressed Kavanaugh --- a social conservative with connections to anti-choice organizations --- on the first day about his views on abortion and Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion.

Since Kavanaugh’s nomination in June, Democrats expressed concern over Kavanaugh’s views on abortion and whether or not he would overturn Roe; and, Republican Sens Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said that issue could affect their votes on Kavanaugh.

Feinstein had mentioned the impact of Roe on women who were granted freedom to make their own choices for their reproductive health without government intrusion. On Wednesday,

Kavanaugh acknowledged the landmark ruling as “an importance precedent” referencing Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 case reaffirming Roe. Feinstein mentioned the hundreds of thousands of women who died from illegal abortions in the time before Roe. However, after Feinstein asked him if he thinks the case was correctly decided, he didn’t answer yes.

“How you make a judgment on these issues is really important to our vote as to whether to support you or not because I don’t want to back on those death tolls,” Feinstein pressed. “I truly believe that women should be able to control their own reproductive systems.”

Kavanaugh responded to Feinstein, “I understand your point of view on that,” but did not expand further.

Last year, Kavanaugh dissented in an appeals court case Garza v. Hargan in which he opposed the ruling that allowed an undocumented immigrant teenager receive and abortion under federal care despite a Texas judge granting her permission to undergo the procedure.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked Kavanaugh about his reasoning behind his dissent, and Kavanaugh said that the teenager’s age was key in his ruling saying that “had she been an adult, she would have had a right to an abortion immediately.”

Like the previous day, Kavanaugh emphasized his mission to honor the law of the land if confirmed as a justice, which prompted senators to inquire

about his views on whether or not Trump could be indicted.

As FBI special counsel Robert Mueller and his team close in on the Trump campaign team in the investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election tampering, Washington lawmakers have been fighting to maintain that investigation amid the administration’s efforts to shut down the investigation.

For the last few months, lawmakers and experts have been weighing the decision over whether or not a sitting president should be protected from criminal charges if found guilty of a felony.

On Wednesday, Feinstein asked the nominee if a sitting president can be required to respond to a subpoena, Kavanaugh praised the Supreme Court decision that forced President Richard Nixon to release the Watergate tapes, but he did not answer Feinstein’s question.

“I can’t give you an answer on that hypothetical question,” he said.

Kavanaugh also did not explicitly answer Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy’s question about whether or not Trump has the “absolute right to pardon himself” if convicted by the Mueller investigation for colluding with Russia to tamper the 2016 presidential election.

“I’m not going to answer,” Kavanaugh answered, again, calling the question “hypothetical,” to which Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) responded, “I hope for the sake of the country that remains a hypothetical question.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance.

“No American should be denied admission to school because of their race. As a recipient of taxpayer dollars, Harvard has a responsibility to conduct its admissions policy without racial discrimination by using meaningful admissions criteria that meet lawful requirements,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

He added that the case “is significant because the admissions policies at our colleges and universities are important and must be conducted lawfully.”

Harvard, which moved to dismiss the suit, responded to the Justice Department’s statement and said that it was “deeply disappointed” in the government’s siding with the plaintiff, “recycling the same misleading and hollow arguments that prove nothing more than the emptiness of the case against Harvard.”

“Harvard does not discriminate against applicants from any group, and will continue to vigorously defend the legal right of every college and university to consider race as one factor among many in college admissions, which the Supreme Court has consistently upheld for more than 40 years,” the university said. “Colleges and universities must have the freedom and flexibility to create the diverse communities that are vital to the learning experience of every student, and Harvard is proud to stand with the many organizations and individuals who are filing briefs in support of this position today.”

Among the arguments used against the university is its “personal rating” factor that anti-affirmative action groups say may be biased against Asian Americans.

In its filing, the Justice Department called the scoring system “vague and elusory.” In its press release, it said that the university “scores Asian-American applicants lower on the personal rating than white applicants.”

According to the university, the personal rating is meant to reflect on a “wide range of applicant information or applicant

information, such as personal essays, which Harvard uses to understand the applicant’s full life story.”

This, it added, includes where the student grew up, what opportunities or challenges they faced in their families or communities, and what “impact they might have both at Harvard and after they graduate, as citizens and leaders out in the world.”

But as those against affirmative action got their nod of support from the U.S. government, a number of social scientists and scholars went on to pledge their support for Harvard.

Groups pledge support for affirmative action Also on Thursday, over 500 social scientists and scholars filed their own briefs in support of Harvard’s admission policies.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) in a press release said that the issues brought up by Students for Fair Admissions served to “further drive a wedge between Asian Americans and other communities of color.”

“The reality is that racism and segregation continue to unfairly limit educational opportunities in K-12 for students of color,” said Nicole Ochi, supervising attorney at Advancing Justice Los Angeles. “Race also shapes our life experience and is part of who we are and what we bring to the table. The consideration of race as one of many factors in holistic admissions recognizes those realities. That recognition should not be conflated with unlawful discrimination against Asian Americans.”

She added: “The evidence is clear that Harvard’s constitutional consideration of race in a holistic admissions process benefits underrepresented minority students, including Asian Americans. As a civil rights organization that fights every day to end racism against Asian Americans and other people of color, we know that ending the inclusionary consideration of race will exacerbate, rather than ameliorate any problems with racial bias that Asian Americans experience.”

Central to the case is the definition of “merit,” said Advancing Justice - LA, adding that flat numerical indicators like SAT scores and grade point averages

are not colorblind measures of merit.

“Research also confirms that the most promising students are not always the ones with the highest SAT scores or the best high school grades and that non-academic factors that predict success like grit, resourcefulness, creativity, and critical thinking are independent of (or even correlate negatively with) these traditional academic measures,” the group added.

Adding to the support of Harvard were some of the university’s current students who are allowed to submit evidence and participate in oral argument.

“America’s version of meritocracy is not race-blind,” said Jang Lee, a senior at the university. “Though the opposition says we should not be using race to decide our children’s destinies, race had already bound our destinies since birth.”

Alex Zhang, a junior at Harvard, said he benefited from the university’s “holistic, race-conscious admissions policy.”

“At Harvard, I have found a community of Asian Americans and other students of color that immeasurably contributed to my personal development. I think that Harvard still has a long way to go when it comes to race. Improving the racial climate for Asian Americans and supporting affirmative action programs are not mutually exclusive, they are complementary efforts to reduce racial bias,” he said.

Another student Daniel Lu, also a junior, said “Asian Americans will never have a fair shot at life in America until racism is eradicated from this country.

“We need affirmative action to help address this racism, but it is far from enough,” he added.

Harvard University is among the world’s most selective universities. Of this year’s entering class of 1,962 applicants, roughly 23 percent were Asian American.

The suit is currently pending in a federal court in Boston, and the trial between Students for Fair Admissions and Harvard University is slated to begin mid-October. The outcome is one experts say may affect the future of affirmative action in higher education. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Duterte orders Trillanes’...

PAGE A2 Kung ‘yung mga ordinaryong tao pinapatay, ‘yung mga kritiko niya ikukulong, so ganyan ang kalakaran sa Pilipinas ngayon (With this incident, it should be clear to everyone that Mr. Duterte is a dictator. He doesn’t respect the institution, that’s why we’re at this point. If ordinary people are being killed, and his critics are being jailed, it shows how things are in the Philippines now),” the opposition senator added.

Trillanes noted the ludicrosity of the revocation. He questioned the legality of the said proclamation.

“Di puwedeng bawiin ang amnesty. Ano ba ‘yun? Tapos may

double jeopardy. I was already subjected to that, nung nag-try ako and na-dismiss. Ano ngayon uulitin ‘yun? Ano ba ‘yan? Paturo nga sila sa law students? (The amnesty cannot be revoked. How can that be? Then there’s double jeopardy. I was already subjected to that when I was tried and [the case was] dismissed. What, now, we’re going to do it all over again?

What’s that? They should let law students teach them),” Trillanes asked.

“Itong amnesty is an act of Congress. Hindi siya masusupersede ng isang executive order (An amnesty is an act of Congress. It cannot be superseded by an executive order),” he added.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III decided not to let the officers arrest Trillanes to which the other senators agreed.

“Technically, we are not preventing his arrest, we are merely following the Senate tradition of not allowing the arrest of a senator in our premises,” he explained.

He said that they are merely following the tradition that no arrest be made on the premises. Other senators also noted that a warrant should also be issued before the arrest, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“No arrests in the Senate premises unless the senator turns himself in. Outside is no longer our concern,” Sotto said. n

Inflation hits 9-year...

PAGE A2 reduce the gap between the farm gate and retail prices of chicken, Dominguez said.

Moreover, the Sugar Regulatory Administration will open the importation of sugar to direct users.

“The spike in the prices of vegetables was attributed to seasonal weather conditions. We will see relief in this area after the typhoon season,” Dominguez said.

British Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chris Nelson told reporters in a separate news conference that with the government’s efforts, inflation should be lower in the third quarter of the year.

Speaker Gloria Arroyo said August inflation would “hopefully be the peak,” adding that she had “a more alarming situation” when she was president in March 2009, when inflation hit 6.6 percent.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called on the government to immediately convene a counter-inflation task force and focus on crafting strategy to address inflation.

‘Rate hike to affect GDP growth’ Analysts expect the BSP to raise its key interest rate, now at 4 percent, for the fourth time during the Monetary Board’s September 27 policy meeting.

HIGH PRICE. Consumers look at rice prices at the Quinta Market in Manila on Wednesday.

Inflation climbed to a nine-year high, hitting 6.4 percent in August. ManilaTimes.net photo

IHS Markit APAC chief economist Rajiv Biswas, however, warned: “The impact of BSP monetary policy tightening during 2018 will be a drag on GDP (gross domestic product) growth in 2019, as monetary policy acts with long lags of up to 12 months.”

ANZ Research economist Shashank Mendiratta said more policy responses were needed to bring inflation below the target.

“We now expect the BSP to hike the policy rate by another 50 bps (basis points) to 4.50 percent at the upcoming 27 September meeting. Further moves beyond

that cannot be ruled out,” he added.

Metrobank Research analyst Pauline Revillas agreed, saying: “The chances of another policy rate hike next MB meeting are now higher as inflation already breached the 6 percent level.”

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said: “The chances of another aggressive monetary policy action has zoomed as inflation surged. Another 50 bps policy rate hike at the September 27 meeting is a real possibility,” he added. (With Mary Gleefer Jalea, Anna Leah Gonzales and Jefferson Antiporda)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 7-13, 2018

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

De Castro tells Palace, Congress: Leave SC alone

by DonA

Z. PAZZibugAn Inquirer.net

President Rodrigo Duterte is accorded foyer honors upon his arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan on Sept. 5, 2018.

Philstar.com photo

Jordan to provide PH with Cobra attack choppers

by Alex

RomeRo Philstar.com

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday agreed to provide two Cobra attack helicopters to the Philippines in a development seen to strengthen Manila’s defense capabilities.

Presidential aide Christopher Go said the matter was discussed during the bilateral meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Jordan King Abdullah II here.

The two helicopters are expected to be delivered in July next year after the training of Filipino pilots, he added.

“Other items will also be included like mortars, rifles (and RPG or rocket-propelled grenades),” Go said in a text message.

Duterte previously said he was asked to refrain from lambasting a cousin of the king who has been critical of the Philippines’ war on drugs.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had said Duterte needs to see a psychiatrist after the Philippine leader scored critics of his war on narcotics.

Duterte retaliated by calling Zeid “empty-headed.”

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. had asked Duterte to stop attacking Zeid because the Jordanian King was willing to give helicopters to the Philippines.

Esperon said the second-hand helicopters, which would in-

clude spare parts, are expected to strengthen the military’s drive against terrorism. He said the training of Filipino pilots who will use the helicopters would start on November.

Esperon noted that King Abdullah is known for his strong stance against terrorism. He said the giving of the helicopters was also the king’s way to repay the good deeds of Filipino workers here.

“In their household, there are some Filipinos and they have been maintaining them like members of the family so his giving (of helicopters) is really a goodwill measure,” Esperon said in a chance interview.

Deals signed The Philippines and Jordan also signed five bilateral agreements, including cooperation deals on defense and labor, on the sidelines of Duterte’s historic official visit here.

The signing of the agreements was held before Duterte’s bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II. The memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation between the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and the Philippines’ Defense department was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Jordan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat.

Esperon said the two countries agreed to enhance defense cooperation through joint training and

exchange of information.

The cooperation framework for employment of domestic Workers and the MOU on labor cooperation was signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Jordanian labor minister Mr. Samir Murad. Officials said the agreement would improve the working conditions of about 40,000 Filipino migrants here.

The MOU between the Jordan Investment Commission and the Philippines’ Board of Investments was inked by Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Jordanian Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh. The agreement is expected to boost the two-way trade between Manila and Amman.

The MoU on political consultations between the Philippine Foreign Affairs department and Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates was inked

by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano and Jordan Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Ayman Safadi.

An agreement on seafarers between the Maritime Industry Authority of the Philippines and the Jordan Maritime Commission was signed by Philippine ambassador Akmad Atlah Sakkam and Jordan Maritime Commission directorgeneral Salah Ali Abu Afifeh. The deal involves the recognition of certificates under the terms of the 1978 Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention. n

CHIEF Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro on Monday, September 3, called on Malacañang and Congress to “respect” the Supreme Court, warning them against interfering in the tribunal’s affairs.

Speaking at her first flag ceremony at the Supreme Court since assuming office last week, De Castro also told critics who were unhappy with her appointment after the controversial ouster of her predecessor, Maria Lourdes Sereno, to leave the court alone.

Sereno was ousted in June after the high court upheld the quo warranto case filed against her

by Solicitor General Jose Calida on the grounds that she lacked integrity for not filing statements of assets, liabilities and net worth before her appointment as Chief Justice in 2012.

41-day term “The other members of the coequal and independent branches of the government should understand that based on our constitutional order, the decisions reached by the justices of the Supreme Court whether unanimously or by majority vote must be respected,” De Castro told her fellow justices and the court staff.

She will serve as Chief Justice for only 41 days as she will reach the mandatory retirement age of

FLAG CEREMONY. Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro was joined by fellow justices and employees of the Supreme Court during flag ceremony last Monday, September 3. Photo by Marianne Bermudez/Inquirer.net

70 on Oct. 8.

“We should be left alone to decide the fate of this institution without interference,” she went on, adding that justices of the Supreme Court weigh the law and evidence carefully.

“So we demand respect from the other members of the coequal and independent branches

of the government,” she said.

De Castro said the high court had learned lessons from its “turbulent months,” alluding to Sereno’s impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives and her ouster.

De Castro was the first of the five Supreme Court justices who PAGE A7

A6

SEPTEMBER 7-13, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

PH needs strategic plan for int’l sports competitions

NEWS that came in recently from Indonesia on the Philippine performance in the 18th Asian Games shows Team Philippines has fallen horribly short of its potential in the quadrennial games.

After two weeks of competition, the national team – with a new president at the helm of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Ricky Vargas –has only a handful of medals to show for our athletes’ efforts.

Perhaps most distressing is the fact that our delegation could not perform fairly in the three sports where Filipinos have traditionally been most competitive – boxing, basketball and billiards, which happen also to be the most popular sports in the country.

Our boxing delegation, in a sport that is headed by no less than Mr. Vargas, was totally shut out from the gold medal race, managing only to salvage a silver medal.

Boxing has been perennially a sport where Filipino boxers have excelled, with the spectacular exploits modeled by Manny Pacquiao as an eightdivision world boxing champion.

In basketball, the most popular sport in the country, the Philippine team was quickly eliminated when it encountered China and South Korea – our traditional basketball rivals every Asiad.

This happened despite all the big to-do about getting a Filipino-American player in the NBA, Jordan Clarkson, to wear the Philippine colors.

In billiards, which is traditionally a source of gold medals for the Philippines, the sport was inexplicably scratched from the games in Indonesia.

This is absurd. For decades now, billiards has

been a standard sport for competition in the Asiad, and our players have harvested gold and other medals accordingly.

The cancellation of billiards is particularly disappointing because a Filipino pool player, Carlo Biado, is the current world pool champion, ranked first in the world by the World Pool Association (WPA). Similarly, two Filipino female players are ranked among the top 10 women players in the world today.

It may be recalled that it was under the overextended leadership of the POC by Peping Cojuangco when billiards was surreptitiously removed from the Asian Games. During his term he also placed a colorum group to take charge of the national sports association (NSA) for billiards.

This dismal state of our sports affairs must not be allowed to continue. It is incumbent upon the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to hold consultations and together come up with a strategic plan and program for the development of national sports.

The fact that the country will host the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) next year should lend urgency to the design and implementation of such a development plan and program.

It is not encouraging to know that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has been designated chairman or the organization of the SEAG. The man has absolutely no experience or stand-

Editorial

Inquirer.net photo

ing in sports. He is unknown to athletes and sports officials alike. This designation looks suspiciously designed as a boost for his future political plans.

But politics should have no place in sports, if our sporting life must progress and become more competitive internationally.

We have also heard that Mr. Vargas is mulling the withdrawal of Filipino boxers from international competition because of the flagrant unfair judging suffered by our boxers during the games in Indonesia. He says it’s time to do something about the continuing controversies in international amateur boxing.

If true, this may be myopic thinking. He should focus his attention and priority on the 2019 SEAG and national sports development as a whole. He should see the entire challenge to national sports leadership.

The nation needs to know that there are truly new leaders and new management at the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Without a new strategic vision and a new work program, we cannot expect change in the prospects of Philippine sports in international competition. (Manilatimes.net)

His loyalty to party ended where loyalty to country began

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA IN death Sen. John McCain was honored by colleagues whom he disagreed with, even fought with and who considered him a disloyal maverick during his long tenure as a politician.

Former Vice-President Joe Biden summed up the attitude of the usually partisan personalities who crossed John McCain’s life before brain cancer took it at age 81.

Speaking at McCain’s internment in his home state of Arizona, Biden, opened up by declaring, “I am a Democrat…and I loved John McCain.”

Special guests at the final rites for McCain were former President Barack Obama who trounced the senator, as Republican party standard bearer, in the 2008 presidential elections; former President George W. Bush, who defeated McCain in the 2000 presidential primary and whose campaign even resorted to such dirty tricks as spreading the baseless rumor that McCain had fathered a black child; and former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

Absent was President Donald Trump. He was not invited to

McCain’s final rites.

Trump’s absence was obvious at the various ceremonies honoring McCain. That included the one where he lay in state at the Capitol rotunda, a distinction reserved for the most outstanding and exemplary personages in the United States, such as Abraham Lincoln.

McCain was only the 31st person to be honored with an official internment at the Capitol rotunda.

Interestingly, this honor was decided on by the leaders of the Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives. The same leaders who were sorely disappointed with McCain when he cast the nay vote that doomed President Donald Trump’s and the GOP’s vow to repeal the controversial Democrat-passed Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare).

In truth, if Trump had his way, the Capitol rotunda honors would have been denied McCain, just as Trump balked at flying the U.S. flag at half-mast during the entire period of McCain’s internment. It was only because of the uproar caused by Trump’s petty antagonism against a political critic (including a protest by members of the American Legion), that Trump relented and issued an executive order allowing due honors to be accorded to the late senator.

The final days of McCain above-

ground must have virtually buried Trump in shame, as the entire country ignored the president of the United States while paying tribute to someone he considered an enemy.

But political enmity was set aside during McCain’s internment. For one shining moment, America’s political leaders cast aside partisanship and extolled the maverick senator who valued loyalty to country over and above loyalty to his political party.

With one voice, they conceded that McCain was a genuine hero and patriot. But what set him off in comparison to Trump was that McCain was also a person of grace and nobility, rather than pettiness, a trait that Trump has, unfortunately, shrouded himself with.

During the blistering contest against Obama, one McCain supporter at a political rally had very unkind words to say about the African-American candidate that bordered on racism. McCain stopped the supporter and contradicted her, pointing out that Obama was a decent and respectable person and not the kind being portrayed.

In contrast, throughout the campaign to choose the Republican standard bearer, the presidential contest itself against Hillary Clinton, and throughout Trump’s brief tenure as president, he has been

FVR’S enduring love for Ming WHEN one talks about enduring love, one love song easily comes to mind and it’s Crystal Gale’s “A Long and Lasting Love.”

Here are some enchanting lines of Gale’s song: “A long and lasting love Not many people find it But those who do their whole life through Put their heart and soul behind it A long and lasting love Is what I’ve always dreamed of A special bond That goes beyond the changing of the seasons A long and lasting love Someone I can care for Someone to be there for the rest of my life A long and lasting love.”

For former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR or Eddie) and his wife of 65 years, former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Martinez Ramos (AMR), theirs is a union that has become enduring and

Commentary

MELANDREW T. VELASCO long lasting just like Gale’s stirring song.

Their love and marriage have withstood the test of time that FVR recently even devoted a five part series in his Sunday Manila Bulletin sermons to honor his wife and the legacy of Madam Ming.

FVR’s columns featured the various facets of Ming Ramos as an understanding wife to a military officer who rose to become president as well as a doting mother to their five daughters Angel, Cristy, Chula, Jo and Margie and now as a loving grandmother to their seven grandchildren.

In 2009, I was privileged to au-

thor a book on the life and times of the former first lady titled “Simply Ming,” which was FVR’s loving way and thoughtful gift in grateful appreciation of his wife.

Just like FVR columns, “Simply Ming” recounts their friendship as classmates at UP High School and as neighbors at Padre Faura; Eddie’s courtship to Ming and how they fell in love; her ability to balance her time in raising their children and fulfil her duties as the wife of a decorated military officer, and, later as president.

“Simply Ming” also featured her other traits and facets as a career professional and educator environmentalist, sports leader, musician, social worker and as a First Lady who was a woman full of substance.

At the tail-end of the Ramos presidency, Madam Ming wrote a column titled “Beside Eddie,” and she shared, “Despite the fact that I am the First Lady now, I am still working for mostly the same reasons 45 years ago at the In-

the epitome of boorishness, pettiness, racism, self-delusion and falsehood, playing to the basest attitudes of his supporters.

On the other hand, McCain never played to his base, often disappointing his party mates and refusing to toe the party line.

As a congressman and six-term senator, McCain earned the moniker of “maverick” because he often bucked the Republican position on issues, and often reached over to the opposition Democrats to work on critical legislative initiatives. He worked with the late Senator Edward Kennedy on comprehensive immigration reform, voted against tax cuts for the rich (which Trump forced through in the name of tax reform), campaigned against dependency on fossil fuel, warned against global warming, and advocated campaign finance reform.

While he was a known supporter and admirer of President Ronald Reagan, McCain, as a rookie congressman, spoke vigorously against Reagan’s plan to send US marines to Lebanon. The slaughter of hundreds of U.S. and allied soldiers in a terrorist attack on a Marine camp in Beirut proved McCain right, but it was a pyrrhic validation of his principled stand.

For sure, McCain was not infallible. He was known to make poor judgments, such as choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his

running mate in the 2008 presidential campaign. Palin was a drag on the campaign and confirmed people’s negative perceptions of her afterwards.

But McCain stood by his convictions, even if it wouldn’t have made sense to the less principled.

As a soldier and a prisoner-ofwar in Vietnam, he endured five and a half years of torture and solitary confinement – and yet when he was offered an opportunity to be released, he declined because of the unwritten rule among POWs of first-in-first-out, meaning that those who had been confined ahead of McCain deserved to be released ahead of him, too.

Trump disdained McCain. The feeling was obviously mutual. McCain refused to endorse Trump, the official Republican standard bearer in 2016, sunk Trump’s pet campaign vow to repeal Obamacare, and characterized Trump’s summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin as “one of the most disgraceful performances of an American president.”

McCain was also the anti-thesis of Trump in other ways. McCain, whose father and paternal grandfather were both admirals, volunteered for active duty with the U.S. Navy at 17. He flew fighter jets, was shot down over Vietnam and was a POW for five and a half years.

On the other hand, Trump avoided being drafted into the military and avoided being sent to Vietnam five times by claiming a bone spur in his feet at one point and claiming college education four other times.

A ridiculous comment by Trump about McCain was that the latter was not a hero because he was captured. According to Trump, heroes were not supposed to be taken prisoners. This prompted pundits to comment that Trump’s “heroism” was by sparing the U.S. armed forces of his cowardice.

McCain’s passing may have been a sobering hiatus for professional politicians. And the soaring rhetoric that the speakers spoke during the internment ceremonies may have given Americans reason to hope that the divisiveness that has marked the Trump presidency can be healed.

But it’s too early to tell. Politicians have this magical talent for putting on a noble mask when occasion demands, and especially during funerals.

As a Tagalog pundit puts it, “Bihisan mo raw ang matsing ay matsing pa rin.” (You may dress up a monkey but it is still a monkey).

The likes of Senator John McCain will be missed. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

ternational School. However, the experience has been a wonderful one with its share of happy moments and trying moments. I am proud to say that the last six years have been a good family bonding experience for us. Certainly after the six-year stint, any other problem not national in scope that Eddie and I will encounter in the future will pale in comparison!”

As for FVR’s appreciation of Madam Ming, here is a hearty and lovely letter he penned on Mother’s Day in 1995 which is reprinted below: “Dearest Ming, Happy Mother’ Day is too short a phrase, sometimes too impersonal and unoriginal especially between two people who have shared almost a lifetime together.

Certainly we have more thoughts to share and express.

We are at this moment separated by a continent, the Pacific Ocean and the U.S. continent –– and a thirteen-hour time difference –– not by official duties but by something more precious –– Margie’s college graduation in Atlanta, Georgia. I hope that

Margie will understand and forgive my absence during her commencement day, just as you and d’girls have been understanding of my career as a military man, cabinet member, jobless candidate, and now as president.

This kind of separation is something not new to us, as my military duties have often taken me away from all of you. The responsibilities of the Presidency are certainly now more demanding of our personal time.

We marvel at your never-ending patience, love and support –– manifested by the tireless work you have done to assure the children and me the warmth of home. You are my source of strength wherever I go and in everything I do.

It is your comforting support (and that of d’girls and grandchildren) that has motivated me and guaranteed whatever successes we have enjoyed.

It is to your credit that we have five wonderful and upright daughters. They have always been our great pride and joy.

We are glad that when you had

to take on the role of father and driver during my absences, you made sure that they never forgot about me! Truly, being a mother and wife is difficult enough, but you have proven to be more.

Not once did we see you falter.

Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, how can we fully express the depth and breadth of our love and gratitude to you for giving everything a husband, father and family could ever want?

With all our love, Eddie.”

Straight from FVR’s heart, his Mother’s Day letter reflects the kind of relationship that they both shared in the many years being together.

When asked what she considers her greatest achievement in life? Without batting an eyelash, Ming replied, “Sticking to Eddie Ramos through thick and thin all these years.”

As FVR used to joke around, “According to Madam Ming, the longest word in the English dictionary is ‘I Do.’ But seriously, it’s one such commitment that I have always treasured for a lifetime.”

PAGE A7

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

FVR’S enduring love for Ming

PAGE A6 Ming Ramos: Herstory and legacy If herstory will be it’s fair judge, the former first lady is one person who is confidently secure in her own right.

On her own, AMR is an accomplished woman just like her husband. She was one of the most accomplished first Ladies our country has ever had. She is distinct in the sense that she remained a career woman and educator, sticking to her job at the International School Manila during and even after the Ramos presidency, becoming a national symbol of the working mother.

It is a career to which has been adamantly and faithfully devoted through the years.

Even in her role as conceivably the most powerful woman of the land, Ming managed to resist the temptation of basking in, and taking advantage of the vast powers inherent to the Office of the President.

She took on the role of first lady with quiet dignity, propriety and simplicity. She rarely took the center stage and was known for not meddling in government affairs.

Ming hails from a well-todo family in La Paz, Iloilo. Her parents were pioneers in their respective fields—her mother, Josefa Jara Martinez, was the country’s pioneer social worker and her father, Rufino Martinez, was the country’s first U.S. trained naval architect.

Her own educational achievements bespeak her family’s status. Schooled in two of the finest universities in the United States, Ming was naturally inclined to follow her mother’s footsteps and became a pioneer in social work among soldiers and their families, and as a competitive sports leader in her time.

Through the years, her unassuming, simple and quiet ways have remained her distinct trademarks among the many people she worked with and whose lives she touched along the way.

From her service-oriented family background also sprung the virtues of modesty and “stickto-tiveness.” Hence, it comes as no surprise that as a military officer’s wide, she had driven her children and herself to schooled and work.

According to Ming, life with a man in uniform was never easy.

“You have to be always be patient and understanding. You must also be supportive to you

Former president Fidel V. Ramos and former first lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos.

Video screen grab from YouTube

husband while, at the same time learning to be strong and self-reliant as mother to your children,” shares Ming about her life with Eddie.

She likewise promoted social graces among cadets and wives of military personnel, livelihood projects, and care for wounded soldiers, in support of a husband who was steadily climbing the military ladder.

With Eddie assigned to various places in the Philippines and abroad, Ming literally became mother and father to their children. She and their five daughters had to come to terms with the long absence of Eddie when he was on field duty.

Ming and their five daughters were trained to keep a low profile, even during martial law period when military might was at its peak.

Already a career professional at the International School, Ming took on a part time job as travel agent, while continuing to dabble in other livelihood activities to augment the meager family income.

The same values of honesty, hard work, patience, independence, and self reliance, she has passed on to her five daughters.

Coming from a family that loved music, she is a gifted musician, trained to play the piano as a girl.

As first lady, she used her musical talents in joining concerts that raise funds for charitable project including the development of Philippine contemporary music.

As a sportswoman, she has always loved and promoted sports, particularly badminton and swimming at which she was national champion.

Another endearing facet is her being an environmentalist at heart. Ming is gifted with green

thumb. She loves plants, flowers, trees and gardening. In both her public and private endeavors, she has positively contributed to the restoration and upkeep of the environment. To this day, Ming remains an icon among green advocates.

She will always be remembered for her environmental efforts under the “Clean and Green Foundation” and the “Piso-Parasa-Pasig” campaign to revive the dying Pasig River. If there is one legacy that Ming Ramos has left to the Filipino people, it is bringing the urgency of the environmental care to the consciousness of Filipinos. And she did these before “climate change” and “green energy” became global concerns.

Eventually, she expanded on that role, organizing the Helping Foundation in support of an ambitious project of the Ramos government to clean up the Smokey Mountain garbage dumpsite.

The Ramos administration managed to convert the most notorious symbol of abject poverty in the Philippines, Smokey Mountain, into a decent residential area combined with a modern international container port.

With the support of many helping hands, Ming established a livelihood development center in the main relocation site in Tondo for former scavengers, proving that “teaching a man how to fish” instead of “giving him fish,” perfectly works.

Indeed, Ming Ramos has enshrined herself as a woman who has carved her own niche and whose legacy as a wife, mother, career professional and educator, environmentalist, sports leaders, musician, social worker, and first lady, will stand out for many generations to come. n

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 7-13, 2018

A

Ride-sharing service operators, drivers ask LTFRB to bring back P2 charge ABOUT 200 ride-sharing service operators, drivers staged a noise barrage and motorcade in Quezon City on Sunday following the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) decision to suspend their P2 charge per minute.

The regulatory agency first suspended in April Grab Philippines’ travel time charge after it was enforced without board approval.

In an interview, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) leader and CTPro Presi-

dent Winson Esteras said the group was hoping that LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra would reconsider and bring back the travel time charge.

“The LTFRB has to recognize the TNVS members as a very big sector of transportation providers. We are hoping that they can decide on this matter over the week,” Esteras told The Manila Times. “There is only a small portion of people who demand for the removal of out travel time charge.”

TNVS members said they would also raise the matter to

Congress.

The LTFRB said it was considering bringing back the P2 per minute charge during a committee hearing last Thursday, August 30.

GCM President Arlyn Caromongan said there were three congressmen who understood and supported the TNVS. “You will continue seeing us fight for the P2charge, if the LTFRB will not hear us, then they are lying to themselves and to Congress,” GCM President Arlyn Caromongan said. (ManilaTimes.net)

Unemployment rate down in July, but more Pinoys want additional work, income

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The proportion of jobless Filipinos declined in July, the government’s statistics agency reported Wednesday, although more people sought additional work and income during the month.

Unemployment rate went down to 5.4 percent in July from 5.6 percent a year ago.

Among the regions, Ilocos Region (6.5 percent), Central Luzon (6.3 percent), CALABARZON (6.3 percent), Bicol Region (6.3 percent) and National Capital Region (6.1 percent) posted the highest unemployment rates, data showed.

“The share of inactive youth remains a concern. The government must equip students with industry-relevant competencies as well as increase their op-

portunities for work experience.

A stronger academe-industry linkage should orient students better on career prospects,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

However, the quality of available jobs eroded as the proportion of those underemployed — or employed persons who are still looking for more work or longer working hours — worsened to 17.2 percent in July from 16.5 percent.

“In order to meet our employment targets, government should provide an environment that is conducive to creating more and better jobs. It should prioritize policies and programs that address the issues of unutilized youth, unemployed youth, underemployment, and vulnerable workers,” Pernia said.

Meanwhile, employment rate

in July inched up to 94.6 percent from 94.4 percent in the same month last year.

Inflation has been soaring above the government’s 2-4 percent target range this year, prompting Filipinos to look for better jobs and labor groups to seek wage hikes.

The country’s labor force participation rate in July 2018 was estimated at 60.1 percent from 60.6 percent a year ago.

“An average of 1.17 million additional employment has been created so far in the first three rounds of the Labor Force Survey.

And this puts the government on track in meeting its target of 900,000-1.1 million employment generation for 2018,” Pernia said.

“With remarkable improvements, the government should not let up on its efforts to continually improve the employment situation in the country.” n

De Castro tells Palace, Congress: Leave...

PAGE A5 testified against Sereno before the House committee on justice hearings on the impeachment complaint against her.

“I would like to say that people outside would like to judge us from what they see from afar.

But it is us the justices and the employees and officials of the court who know what is happening inside the Supreme Court,” she declared, to applause from court personnel.

“And we should be left alone to decide for ourselves,” she added, to louder cheers and ap-

plause.

De Castro has denied that President Duterte appointed her as a reward for Sereno’s ouster.

She is the second most senior member of the court next to Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, but the most senior among the three justices endorsed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to Mr. Duterte. Carpio declined the nomination to the JBC. Sereno was the most junior member of the court when then President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed her Chief Justice in 2012.

In an apparent dig at her predecessor who had been accused by other justices of acting unilaterally, De Castro said she would restore collegiality in the court.

“No one can claim superiority over the others and we decide cases… with one vote each,” she said.

Court employees and some justices, including De Castro, turned out in blue for the flag ceremony. According to the employees’ union, the color symbolized the “return of peace” in the judiciary. (With a report from Tetch Torres-Tupas)

A

September 7-13, 2018 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JOUrNAL

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SEPTEMBER 7-13, 2018

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SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS ON BROADWAY

Catherine Ricafort rocks as ‘Karen, the Computer’ in her eighth Broadway show

by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

CATHERINE Ricafort won the Gypsy Robe (which has been renamed Legacy Robe) last year when she was with Miss Saigon because she had the most Broadway shows under her belt. She added Miss Saigon

memorabilia into the sleeve and passed it on to the next show that would open.

This year, the triple threat performer joined her eighth Broadway show: Spongebob Squarepants.

Catherine Ricafort with her friends from Aladdin (from left) Paige Williams, Telly Leung and Nathan Lucrezio

Ricafort takes a bow

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

SpongeBob SquarePants is running on Broadway until September 16.

An Industrial and Systems engineering graduate from the University of Southern California (USC), this is the closest that Ricafort has gone as far as mixing her two major interests in life, education and entertainment.

Ricafort plays the role of Karen, the computer. She is the contravida, the villain, but she is likeable and funny.

“This role is particularly exciting because it is a character that many people have known and grown up with watching the TV show all these years so it is a challenge to honor that original character and also make it my own,” she shared.

“It is great to be a villainess.

I’ve never been the villain before.

I am scheming with evil plans and trying to make things go wrong.

This is one of my favorite roles I’ve played on Broadway so far,” she added.

Ricafort made her Broadway debut in 2011 with Mamma Mia and for anyone who is counting, she has also appeared on Honeymoon in Vegas (as the scene stealing island girl who sings Friki Friki), Cinderella, Allegiance, Disaster!, Holiday Inn, the new Irving Berlin Musical and Miss Saigon .

Like in her previous shows, Ricafort instantly bonded with her fellow cast members. They share their particular love for Spongebob and it shows in each of their dressing rooms.

“I was blown away,” Ricafort said. “There’s Spongebob stuff everywhere. People clearly love the whole essence of Spongebob, we have pictures of him, standee dolls, an inflatable pineapple. The cast keeps it fun on stage and off.”

The show has a strong and passionate fan base from across the globe and they share their love for the characters by sending their fan art to the cast, and it is one of the things that Ricafort said she’d miss once the show ends its run in a couple of weeks.

“I’ve never been in a show where we got so much hand drawn fan art,” an amused

Alden to perform ‘buwis-buhay’ stunts in his Sept. 21 show By allan

PolicarPio Inquirer.net

IF he were to rate his singing from one to 10, Alden Richards would give it a 4.5—maybe a 4.7, if he’s being generous.

His voice isn’t exactly something to write home about, he admitted. He’d like to think, however, that he effectively injects lambing into his songs, which makes them endearing enough to his fans.

“When I cover songs like ‘God Gave Me You’ or ‘I Will Be Here,’ I believe there’s a certain warmth to it, because I always sing from the heart. My voice isn’t that good, but sometimes it’s about what the crowd feels from you,” he told reporters at a recent press con for his upcoming concert, “Adrenaline Rush.”

“I perform with an aim to entertain and make people happy,” added the 26-year-old heartthrob, who also pointed out that, as an actor, he’s also “very sensitive” emotionally.

“Words and melodies affect me, which translates [to my singing],” he said. “It also depends on your emotional state.

If you’re feeling extra motivated or inspired, then it’s easier to perform… people will see that.”

But that doesn’t mean he has no desire to improve. He has taken up voice lessons in the past and plans to do it again in preparation for his second solo major concert on Sept. 21 at the Kia Theatre.

“I’ve worked with a voice teacher before,” he related. “He taught me different techniques.”

As if singing well isn’t hard enough, Alden plans to do it while dancing, and doing physically taxing numbers and stunts.

Biggest challenge

“That’s the biggest challenge for me, singing while pulling off choreographed moves—you need to have endurance for that.

I have nothing but respect for those who can do these things flawlessly,” he said, adding that he’s thankful that his director, GB Sampedro, has allowed him to get involved in putting the concert together, which includes song selection.

“I have to be knowledgeable, too… I need to carefully pick songs that are within my range and I can perform well,” he added.

While Alden’s previous show, “Upsurge,” was water-themed, “Adrenaline Rush’s” concept will revolve around air.

Can the fans expect highflying productions or stunts?

He doesn’t want to give away too much, but he assured that he’s coming up with something buwis-buhay.

“There will be production numbers that will be done offstage; things that will require safety measures; things that rely on precision and timing. We will be maximizing the entire venue,” Alden related. “We will be rehearsing and training hard.”

Teased if he would be showing a little skin, since his role in the fantasy-drama series “Victor Magtanggol” requires him to be in good shape, Alden quipped that he’s “open to doing different things.” In any case, should he be required to do so, he’s “physically ready.”

So far, the roster of special guests includes Regine Velasquez, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Ex Battalion, Rodjun Cruz and One Up. What about Maine Mendoza?

“That’s always a possibility,” he said.

Alden is also set to release

Ricafort told us. “Kids from across the world mailing in their drawings of us and our characters and I feel so touched that our show touches children this way.”

Doing the show eight days a week and performing for different sets of fans made Ricafort realize that Spongebob is a unique show that is loved by everyone from children to their grandparents.

She relishes in the fun and laughter in the theater, saying that making people laugh, gives her that feeling that is so energizing.

Through her role as Karen, she was able to do comedy again, something that she effortlessly did with Honeymoon in Vegas in 2015. She also loves dabbling in villain roles, which she loves to do again onstage.

Her character as Karen gets to do a lot of acting, delivering funny lines and saying a lot of evil things but she looks forward to doing more singing in the future.

“Next time I’d like to do something that’s more singing heavy role. I’ve done a lot of dancing on Broadway and on this show, a lot of acting,” she shared.

“This is one of the biggest parts I’ve had on Broadway so I am excited to see where it takes me next.”

Prior to Spongebob, Ricafort went to a software engineering boot camp and armed with an engineering degree, she went back to school to enhance her computer science skills, keeping that option open.

After eight musicals on Broadway, she has amassed experience that when she is asked for advice by aspiring thespians, she has a ready response.

“I have lots of advice but my biggest tip is that you want to really embrace who you are. Once people start auditioning in New York, they get intimidated and they try to exactly fit what they think the role, the show is asking for,” she remarked.

“I have found that just by being me, I am really letting that shine through the material

Catherine Ricafort in front of the Palace Theater on Broadway

Loyal fans of the show sent the cast fan art, which they display in their respective dressing rooms. Here are some of Karen, The Computer art work that Catherine received.

because there are hundreds of other people reading the same exact material you are reading.

That’s how you can be unique and stand out.”

Her other tip? You have to be extremely versatile as possible.

Musical theater asks you to do a lot of things.

At Spongebob, there are characters who are not only singing, dancing and acting, they’re tap dancing and skateboarding, they’re flying through the air, acting like a computer.

“You have to be very game.

I try to get a lot of different skills and I show all of that plus my personality and it always seems to work out well in the end,” she

said.

And that’s the genius thing about Spongebob, according to her.

The musical has somehow lifted a beloved two dimensional cartoon into a three dimensional human story about community coming together.

“Our cast is one of the most diverse casts that you will see.

I am proud that the role I am playing has nothing to do with what I look like but it’s just how you can act,” Ricafort said. “I am proud to be representing Filipinos here in Spongebob because it is one of the highly desired to see shows on Broadway and we have people from all over the world seeing it.”

Asian Americans in hip-hop discuss authenticity and making a cultural mark on the genre Exploring the importance of respecting hip-hop’s uniquely racial foundation, and establishing a clear difference between cultural appreciation vs. appropriation

By Klarize

M. Medenilla

AJPress

SINCE the start of the new millennium, hip-hop has expanded to become the de facto popular music genre for the new generation. Capitalizing on the popularity and the endless creative potential of the genre, non-black rappers and producers have emerged out of the woodwork to contribute their talents to an everexpanding industry.

Asian and Asian American rappers have contributed their own bars and beats to the ever-growing genre. Subverting the image of the reserved, subservient Asian, hiphop artists like Dumbfoundead, Rekstizzy and the Far East Movement have garnered steady followings around the world.

Most recently, the charming raspy-voiced Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina — a rapper/actress who starred in two summer Alden Richards plans to take up voice lessons blockbusters: “Ocean’s 8” again.

Inquirer.net photo

his new album, “Until I See You Again,” on the night of the concert.

“Majority of the songs are original. The taste of listeners is ever-changing, so we have to come up with OPM songs that are different, but still very me,” he said.

While he’s no professional singer, three of his past albums sold well and achieved certifications: “Alden Richards” went platinum (15,000+ copies sold), “Say It Again” turned gold (7,500+), and “Wish I May” reached diamond (150,000).

A wide-ranging discussion on Asian Americans in hip-hop included conversations about disrupting the model minority myth stereotype, pursuing music and artistic careers in hip-hop and navigating cultural challenges as Asian Americans in music. From L-R: co-curator of the event Justin Hoover, co-curator Ninochka MgTaggart, Fil-Am Richie Menchavez of Traktivist, Chinese-American rapper Jason Chu, Fil-Am dancer Arnel Calvario of Kaba Modern, Fil-Am rapper and DJ Kuttin Kandi and Chinese-American DJ Phatrick.

Photos by Lowell Edward

and “Crazy Rich Asians” — is recognized as a pioneer in AsianAmerican hip-hop for women as an unapologetically raunchy artist, disrupting the submissive Asian woman stereotype.

The boundaries of the who’s who in hip-hop have loosened up

DJ Kuttin Kandi discusses the challenges of being a queer, disabled Filipinx-American in the music industry and the importance of standing in solidarity with other artists of color, primarily black artists.

in the last few years, and in the era of diversity in all currents of entertainment, Asian American musicians are stepping up and coming together to implant their own cultural mark on the genre.

On Aug. 23, the Chinese American Museum Los Angeles (CAMLA) in Downtown LA hosted “Represent, represent!

Asian Americans in Hip-Hop,” a presentation and discussion of Asian American representation in the hip-hop industry. (The event coincided with a current art exhibition “Don’t Believe the Hype: LA Asian Americans in Hip-Hop” that will be on display through Nov. 4.)

On deck were some of the Asian American hip-hop community’s most distinguished players: Chinese-American rapper Jason Chu, Filipinx-American Continued on Page 6

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The Philippine consulate will not report you to DHS

Consulate does not and will not report Filipinos to DHS when they apply for Philippine passports, whether they are out of status or entered under an assumed name. (This is a Atty. MichAel standard practice or policy for gurfinkel, eSQ most countries’ consulates to protect the interests of their ABUSED AND ACCUSED WOMAN GETS THE ULTIMATE REDEMPTION IN HER GREEN CARD ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY.” Imagine WHEN applying for almost nationals/citizens living abroad.) being broken on the inside by your husband’s constant verbal abuse and then getting a signed confession from him saying that yours In the case of renewing an was never a real marriage. That’s the hellish nightmare that Evelyn (center) suffered from her former husband. That same confession all USCIS benefits, the USCIS jeopardized the petition by her current spouse, Glenn (left), for her. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) proved usually requires a person to have expired passport, the Philippine the allegations wrong and eventually delivered Evelyn’s ultimate redemption in the form of her green card on an encore episode of “Citizen a valid, unexpired passport. This Consulate’s website would list Pinoy” — on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) is especially true in connection the various requirements and with adjustment of status or documents needed, which obtaining various non-immigrant would, of course, include their Immigrant visas. old, expired passport.

There are also many • If the expired passport does Living: 101 situations where a person is not have a microchip, the person and Beyond required to have a governmentwould also need to provide (13th of a series) issued photo identification, their birth certificate from the Monette such as when they travel on an Philippine Statistics Authority AdevA MAglAyA airplane, etc. Usually, a person (PSA, which was formerly called would present a driver’s license.

NSO).

But if they are out of status, they • If the person was married in YOU have become a collector may not be able to apply for one. the Philippines, and wants a new over the years. Memories, good Therefore, a Philippine passport passport in their married name, and bad, you have them, by the would constitute an acceptable they would need their marriage bucketful, stacked in yellowing government-issued photo contract from the PSA. photographs in frayed and identification.

• If the person married in anymore and carefully consider and gadgets and collectibles of tattered albums.

There are many Filipinos in the U.S., they may report the giving to people in your all sorts like baseball cards, guns, You used to dutifully collect marriage to the consulate, to immediate or even far-flung orbit the U.S. who are out of status, antiques, books, kitchen ware, them, way back when printed and their existing Philippine have a passport issued in their cars and whatever else one thinks who might appreciate it and use photos were the norm. But now passport has already expired. new, married name. it and perhaps even remember you have them in your phones, in is valuable to collect. So our Others may have entered the • If the passport is lost, it is you from time to time. your computers, in USB drives and apartments, homes and garages U.S. on a photo-substituted likely the Philippine government It might be that dainty are bursting at the seams that we external hard drives in gigabytes passport, under a different name, would still have the records of its English porcelain teacup set even feel the need to rent public of digital images. Somehow you and are now applying for U.S. issuance. you bought in an antique shop storage spaces. long for the printed ones. These immigration benefits in their own If a person entered the U.S. on a whim that you have on Here’s a thought that may are important specially when the name. They would need to apply under an assumed name, and display for decades in your china well be worth considering as we neurons in our brains begin to for a new Philippine passport, never had a passport issued cabinet. Give it to someone who try to TRAVEL LIGHT during this malfunction as a natural order of but are afraid the Philippine in their real name, it would enjoys taking tea. Or it could segment of our life’s journey. aging. These will become mental consulate will report them to be considered as though they be a piece of antique heirloom We have been taught to invest crutches as our memories fade.

DHS. This is simply untrue, false, were applying for a Philippine jewelry that you can give to an We became collectors of stuff early in real estate or in financial and the Philippine consulate passport for the “first time.” appreciative relative or friend as well. Admit it. There’s the spirit instruments so we can reap the would NOT report them to DHS! Naturally, they would need to or just an acquaintance. Or how benefits of investments over time of a pack rat lurking in most of I recently had the prove their true identity, to make about giving away piece by in our retirement years. This is us. We load ourselves with stuff. opportunity to meet Adelio sure they’re not again applying piece your collection of designer wise counsel for all and it pays to Society encourages us. Witness Angelito S. Cruz, the Consul for a Philippine passport in bags hidden away in your closet, take heed. Keep resources liquid. the success of Costco and those General of the Philippine another person’s name. This forgotten and unused?

But when it comes to stuff, you warehouses. We buy as much or Consulate in Los Angeles, would include their PSA birth Okay, here’s the key. Divest become a contrarian and do the more than we really need or, in certificate and other possible wisely and choose recipients well. California, to discuss passport reverse instead. many cases, can really afford to issuance to Filipinos who are photo identification under their Give it to someone who can and DIVEST EARLY. pay in cash. out of status or entered the true name, such as old school will use it and not stash it away Earmark those special high So we have far more stuff than U.S. under an assumed name. cards, etc. And the Con Gen forgotten once more. In short, we need: clothes, shoes, furniture, quality items that you have He confirmed the Philippine cautions these people not to Continued on Page 6 enjoyed but have no use for linen, décor, technology, gizmos

Immigration Corner

The bucket list Divest Early

“…You won’t need a U-Haul truck when you pass. Jesus did say it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. …”

lie and say they “lost” their old passport, when they never had a Philippine passport in their own name. This is because the consulate will check their records and see that no passport was ever issued in the person’s own name, which would now affect the person’s credibility with the Consulate, as they were caught in another lie.

But the point being is the Philippine Consulate is here to help Filipinos abroad, including assisting them in renewing or obtaining their Philippine passports. And most important, the Philippine Consulate does not report Filipinos to DHS when those Filipinos apply for passports, whether they are out of status, or entered under an assumed name. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Iza Calzado in the thick of wedding preparations

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY S E p T E m b E R 7, 20 1 8

Friendship: an unfathomable bond based on alliance and camaraderie On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong AS a strong form of interpersonal bond that is more than just a mere association, where one derives a certain degree of enjoyment from each other’s

company and the ability to be oneself sans the fear of judgement or unjust criticism, friendship has inarguably established its paramount interactive role in human society.

The mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together could unquestionably bring about a welcoming conviviality that unswervingly defies huggermuggers, jealousy, resentment, misfits, and outgroup feelings.

The group feasting on burgers after a movie

Breaktime in the movies

Friends of the hexagonal table

Camaraderie affords concurrences of easy familiarity, close intimacy with friends, comradeship, and allegiance among a group of common interest.

Friendship includes positive character traits that sternly serve as bonding factors to ensure a healthy and harmonious affiliation for the truest essence of such bonding is predominantly founded on trust, amity, and solidarity.

Perniciously personal remarks or surreptitious contentious motives or being aggressively exigent could unambiguously disrepute a fellow of a solid group and that, in some unforeseen stances, could create internal issues that could cause the group’s fragmented solidarity.

Some wise men concluded that friends are the siblings God never gave us… just like a four-leaf clover that is hard to find and lucky to have. True friends are not the ones who make your problems disappear but those who will stick by your side when you are beset of problems… those who walk into your life when the rest of the world walks out of you.

Just like in a romantic relationship, a love for a friend is not based on who he is but who you are when with him. That’s why surround yourself with people who make you happy and free you from the bondage of mounting problematic situations. A real friend is someone who genuinely cares and voluntarily exerts effort to aid you when in need of somebody by his side. These are the people worth keeping in life while everyone else is transient and just passing through.

What actually magnetizes people together Sociologists homogeneously resolved in several case studies that having a common interest is the strongest factor that draws people together and unmindfully fashioned a solidified rapport called friendship. Unbounded

Atlantic City escapade

comprehension of one’s weaknesses could fortify the existing affiliation and effortlessly usher a much profounder association.

The very self-effacing and munificent hearted Indira Gandhi was once quoted:“Be the change you wish to see in the world” which means be the friend you want to have.

The bases of genuine bonding A true friend is someone who brings out the best in you. If you want to find out who among your friends are real and true, mess up and go through a challenging situation…and see who remains and sticks around with you. People have a natural tendency to lie but never allow any reason to become significant enough to make you lie because every time you lie, you lose your integrity and value as an individual.

Friendship isn’t all about who you’ve known the longest…it is all about who walked into your life and unaffectedly proved his faultless trustworthiness and immeasurable allegiance. Morality is constantly someone’s body of principles and values…it’s human to err but it takes character and a real man to own it up.

Friendship should be a sanctuary for both parties… where the troubles of the world Continued on Page 6

by Marinel r. Cruz Inquirer.net

“I’M a bride-deadma,” declared actress Iza Calzado, who is set to marry British entrepreneur Ben Wintle this year.

“I’m never a bridezilla. Wala kasi akong paki,” she explained, referring to a woman whose behavior in planning her wedding is considered obsessive and demanding. “I’m a crammer, so is Ben. It’s actually becoming a liability for me.”

She admitted to feeling “slightly stressed” about the preparations. “ I just realized that there are so many requirements that have to be submitted. I hate that! I kept saying it would be a lot better if we just eloped and simply surprised everyone with the news that we’re already married, but I can’t do that. This is really for my father.”

Iza’s dad is the late actor, director and choreographer Lito Calzado.

She did say that she has already managed to finish her list of bridesmaids, and that the dresses they will be wearing are now being made. Iza, however, refused to reveal the venue of the wedding. “Let’s just say it’s on planet Earth,” she quipped, adding that only a select few would be invited to attend the ceremony.

“We can’t accommodate [everybody]. We might do a Manila party because it’s really not possible. The place is very small. I don’t want guests to sleep in the middle of the sea.

Unless, they all have yachts that they could make us borrow.”

The bride-to-be admitted: “It feels exciting because it’s not just a role anymore. It’s the real thing.”

Iza, 36, wants to have “one child, for now.” She added: “Yes, I’ve committed myself to getting pregnant once. I can’t commit to anything beyond that just yet.

We can probably start trying to make one [baby], two or three months before the teleserye ends. The clock is ticking, guys!

Tick! Tock!”

Iza Calzado (right) will marry fiancé Ben Wintle this year.

Inquirer.net photo

She was referring to the drama series “Ngayon at Kailanman,” which is now airing weekdays on ABS-CBN. The series also features Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Alice Dixson, Ina Raymundo and Jameson Blake.

“The project was pitched to me in November 2017. I thought it would be finished by this time,” Iza shared with reporters. She added that Ben does not mind that she is still working now.

“His restrictions lie more in the working hours that I have versus the kind of projects I’m making.

It’s more like he doesn’t want me to stay up late anymore.”

Iza was last seen on TV in the drama series “A Love to Last” with Bea Alonzo and Ian Veneracion. “It’s still good that I got a breather because this didn’t come right after ‘A Love to Last.’ I’m now excited to go back to work. Aside from Julia, I’ll be working with the rest of the cast for the first time,” she said.

Iza noted that Julia “is becoming a much better actress.

I’m proud of her. I love that she gives me full trust. We work well together on- and off-cam. There’s always good banter between us.”

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

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Why Sharon gives â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;full approvalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to KCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new beau

by Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

SHARON Cuneta is â&#x20AC;&#x153;so happyâ&#x20AC;? that her daughter KC Concepcion has found love again.

The 33-year-old KC recently went Instagram official with her French beau named PierreEmmanuel Plassart â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a rekindled relationship that the Megastar witnessed from the very start.

Sharon was (technically) the first one to meet the 36-year-old filmmaker-businessman when she accompanied her daughter to the U.S. way back in 2011. KC, as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambassador for the UN World Food Programme, was then invited to a high-profile Hollywood event hosted by the former U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We met â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is nice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he was with his mom, KC was with me. We went to (former) President Clintonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 65th birthday party and fundraising event for his foundation. And among all the tables â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Barbra Streisand was there, Jane Fonda was there â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we were stuck in one table.

God put us in one table, along with a wealthy couple (from) Beijing,â&#x20AC;? Sharon recalled to The STAR in an interview last Aug. 31. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then later on, Pierre stands up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and this is what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always expected also even with my own suitors when I was younger â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and introduces himself to me, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m with my mother, my name is Pierre Plassart and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m from France.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Oh, I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is my daughter. She finished school in Paris.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mamaya nag-uusap na sila.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how they started.â&#x20AC;?

According to his bio on the movie database IMDB.com, Pierre is a writer and director who began his career in photography, specializing in jewelry and fashion in Paris. He has a film degree from the Art Center College of Design in California and his works have figured in film festivals in the U.S. and Europe, his profile further read.

Sharon confirmed that this is her eldest daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second shot at romance with Pierre. He has already been in the Philippines and met everyone back in 2012. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He came for all the family to

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Robi Domingo opens up about anxiety attacks

By JaN

milo Severo Philstar.com

KC with French boyfriend Pierre-Emmanuel Plassart Photos from KC Concepcionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instagram

meet him. So, all the Pangilinans have met him. My mother (the late Elaine Cuneta) and I fell in love with him. He is a very humble, decent person. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real gentleman in every sense of the word, you know, old-school gentleman,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We even went to Japan and Thailand together with (KC) but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what happened.

Then apparently (they got back together). Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life! Hahaha! I am so happy for her.â&#x20AC;?

In separate Instagram posts last week, KC and Pierre uploaded sweet couple photos as they celebrated the birthday of the latter in his home country.

Pierre captioned his photo â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mon Coeurâ&#x20AC;? which meant â&#x20AC;&#x153;my heartâ&#x20AC;? in English. KC was all praises for her boyfriend as well in her post, drawing reactions from her father Gabby Concepcion (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Congrats. In love baby ko.â&#x20AC;?) and stepfather Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Godspeed! Love will withstand all, will conquer all.â&#x20AC;?).

Sharon reposted KCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo with a message that said the reconciliation has her â&#x20AC;&#x153;full

approvalâ&#x20AC;? and that her daughter should not waste the â&#x20AC;&#x153;second chance with your princeâ&#x20AC;? otherwise â&#x20AC;&#x153;you will never forgive yourself.â&#x20AC;?

To recall, KC also ended a long-term relationship early this year with former Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo. Her heartbreak even partly inspired her own line of fine jewelry, Avec Moi by Kristina.

Sharon, meanwhile, is celebrating the 40th year of her storied showbiz career with her biggest concert yet, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;My 40 Years,â&#x20AC;? Sharon, at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 28. When asked if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anything she regrets in the last four decades, Sharon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who had her first hit song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. DJâ&#x20AC;? at the tender age of 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; said thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s none, career-wise, but â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would have changed some things in my personal life.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously,â&#x20AC;? the actress-TV host added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;not get married so early because you may be ready, but your partner may not be or vice-versa.â&#x20AC;?

Last February, in a viral

KAPAMILYA TV host Robi Domingo professed to experiencing anxiety attacks last year after questioning himself if he is good enough.

In an interview with the media after the press conference of his new reality contest â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice,â&#x20AC;? in which he is the host, Robi said he only used the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;anxietyâ&#x20AC;? and not depression because it has levels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nagkaroon ako ng konting anxiety attacks kasi kinukwestiyon mo yung sarili mo eh. Panget ba ko? Kapalit-palit ba ko? Hindi na ko ginagamit ng ABSCBN. Then finally dumating â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Star Huntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at itong â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? the former â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pinoy Big Brotherâ&#x20AC;? housemate said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi naman tamang gamitin â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung depression, sadness. Anxiety attacks minsan dun â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung may levels â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan eh. Last year na-experience ko. Hindi po siya biro kasi ang dami ko pong pinagdaanan. Pero ang problema dapat dinadaanan lang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;MYXâ&#x20AC;? VJ and â&#x20AC;&#x153;ASAPâ&#x20AC;? host also said that his anxiety attacks may have began from his Facebook thread, Sharon told inquiring netizens that contrary to â&#x20AC;&#x153;common perception,â&#x20AC;? she had already secretly wed Gabby in civil rites in July 1984 before getting pregnant with KC at 19 years old. Her love life prior to marriage to Sen. Kiko is practically an open book. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was really, mostly a princess, so I was Snow White, I was Cinderella, and everybody was a Prince Charming.

Unfortunately... itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not naman bad people I ended up with.

Not all. Hahaha!â&#x20AC;? she joked then added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes, it just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work out and if I had pushed it, it might not have worked out naman lalo in the end. Better like

TV host Robi Domingo

Photo from ABS-CBN/Released

breakup with another Kapamilya host, Gretchen Ho. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe because of the break up, maybe because you question yourself. Hindi ko alam kung san ako pupunta tapos nakita ko pa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung mga classmate ko dati na nasa college graduated na bilang doctor, tapos ako wala akong trabaho noong mga time na â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun kaya ang sabi ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ano ba nangyayari sa buhay ko?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said.

He continued that he is still lucky to have a strong support system to transform his negative energies into positive ones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luckily, I have my friends who helped me. They channeled negative energies into businesses. Nandoon â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung kapatid ko,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; yung pamilya ko, at the end of the day para sa akin itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a choice that you had to make and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun nga â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung choice ko ay maging maligaya,â&#x20AC;? Robi said.

that because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the real character of a person unless youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re boyfriend and girlfriend eh. You always see the best foot forward if you stay in the ligaw stage only.â&#x20AC;?

Asked about her love advice to KC and her two younger daughters Frankie and Miel, she said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same advice she got from her own mother. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Collect and collect and then select.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall for the first, you know, and give it all. Just pick the best one. You never know, you say yes today but tomorrow thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s someone pala really meant for you. Iba kasi noong araw din, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;pag nag-bo-boyfriend ka, di naman yung go, go, go, everything,

hahaha!â&#x20AC;?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing new in her pieces of advice though, Sharon noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I used to say all the time that you choose the person you can live with over the person you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without. Now that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m older, it should be a combination or just go for the other because if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without someone youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always be able to forgive.

If you are forcing yourself to live with somebody just because you get along... you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to live without passion, those nice moments that keep that fire burning. It has to be somewhere in the middle but hopefully, my daughters wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to choose.â&#x20AC;?

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City.

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

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

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unjust condemnation.

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

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

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

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â&#x20AC;? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giottoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist.

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

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867

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Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 4 -27

SIPA hosts 8-session Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) in Los Angeles The Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) is an 8-session skills building training program designed for startup entrepreneurs covering the A to Z of starting and running a successful business. This is open to all! If you want to start your own business and don’t know where to start or how to start, this program was made FOR YOU! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn from the experts and from business owners themselves on how to build the business of your dreams! Program details: One time fee of $100 covers food and beverage and training materials for all 8 sessions; 5 FREE slots are available for College/University students and low income families; FREE Parking on site. Parking lot is accessed on Robinson St.; Includes FREE one-on-one business counseling with SIPA’s counselor, Fidji Victoriano; and you will receive a Completion Certificate at the end of the program. The eight sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the whole month of September 2018: September 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Program will be held at the SIPA Multipurpose room at 3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (through Robinson St. entrance). For any questions or to register in person, please contact Fidji Victoriano at (424) 235-5011 or e-mail at fvictoriano@esipa.org. This program is brought by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in collaboration with the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Hollywood (FACCHO) and the support of Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (APISBP) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SEPTEMBER 8

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

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

Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration for MVGFC ’68 in Las Vegas CLECSN (now MVGFC) class of ’68 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines will have its golden jubilee anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada from Thursday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept. 19. For more information, please contact Eddie C. Talusan at (415) 583-1300 or Cindy Frando Reyes at (949) 705 - 9324.

SEPTEMBER 15

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

SEPTEMBER 16

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

S E P T E M B E R 22

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

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

S E P T E M B E R 23 -26

Tau Alpha Grand Reunion in Las Vegas Tau Alphans everywhere, join D’Argos Adventure in Las Vegas on September 23-26, 2018.

Experience O’le Las Vegas, the Birthplace of the Mob. Most of the four-day event will be held at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on Fremont St. The “Meet & Greet” á la Western style, will be on Sunday, September 23; followed by a Family Picnic on Monday, September 24 at the Madeira Canyon Park in Henderson; a subsequent Nightcap in the Golden Nugget on the evening of September 24; D’Fabulous 50s Nostalgia Dinner-Dance will be in the Golden Nugget and the Gala Dinner/Fraternity Ball will be on Wednesday, September 26 at the Golden Nugget, Bel Air Rooms. There will be a privately hosted Bon Voyage Brunch on September 27. Tau Alpha is the 3rd oldest fraternity in the University of the Philippines. Chartered in 1932 as the College of Engineering Fraternity. Contact Art F. Jorge, chairman of the 2018 Tau Alpha Grand Reunion, at artnmyr@yahoo.com.

S E P T E M B E R 26

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

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

Asian Americans in hip-hop...

From Page 2 rapper and activist Candice Custodio-Tan aka DJ Kuttin Kandi, Filipino-American Arnel Calvario of Kaba Modern and FilipinoAmerican Richie Menchavez, creator and founder of Traktivist.

Each speaker shared their stories on how they came to the medium, and while each journey was singular, they all had a common theme: disrupt the model minority myth that plagues Asian Americans and, often, doesn’t leave room for creative expression.

“By the turn of every table, I am continuously calling in the often othered as I am reclaiming space and igniting the bruha within [me] who has been forgotten and shamed,” Custodio-Tan said, passionately sharing her artistic mission to unabashedly reflect her truth in her music.

She added that musical expression has allowed her to explore “healing and trauma as I challenge and address anti-black racism and the multiple oppressive micro- and macro-aggressions from individual to white supremacist heteropatriarchal institutional systems.”

Standing in solidarity with all people of color, especially with black Americans, and recognizing the foundation of hip-hop was a key touchstone of the panel.

“It’s impossible for us to be in this community without paying homage to our black brothers and sisters who built the creative foundation on which we express ourselves,” Custodio-Tan said.

“We, as Asian Americans, must stand with the black community and other communities of color in solidarity to combat the rampant white supremacy that permeates in our world today. We can’t ignore that.”

A conversation on cultural appropriation Hip-hop began in the 1970s in black neighborhoods in the United States, and it was borne out of the need for emotional creative express amid the racial, economic, political and social realities of young African-Americans and Caribbean-Americans.

What began as simple poetry performed to the backdrop of synthesizers and beats within the black power movement has evolved into a diversified $10

billion a year industry that spawns new artists every day.

But the entrance of a wider racial pool of hip-hop artists opens the door for artists to culturally appropriate elements of black culture into their own art, whether that’s changing their hair, vocabulary or their accent. So how do you creatively contribute something to a uniquely raciallyfounded medium without being accused of being a “culture vulture”?

Cultural appropriation is the act of cherry-picking elements of a minority culture for aesthetic reasons. In recent years, it’s been seen as a harmful act that frivolously accessorizes historically scorned aspects of a culture, disrespecting the struggle of the black community to hold on to those cherished aspects of their culture.

Activists postulate that the cultural appropriation of black culture by non-black individuals is a form of racism because it negates the decades of derision the black community has faced.

In other words, when black folks do it, it’s seen as subordinate or lesser-than, but when non-black folks do it, it’s seen as edgy, creative or funny.

The use of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), or speaking with a black accent (colloquially, a “blaccent”), by black Americans has historically and presently been stigmatized among all races — sometimes, even its own.

Black Americans have spent the better half of postslavery America being mocked, criticized and denied upward mobility in America for their hair, facial features, clothing, vernacular or their regional manners of speaking, the writer Nia Tucker wrote in a 2017 article for NextShark called “Sorry Asians, My Blackness is Not Your Counterculture.”

“I have no problem with other [people of color] taking part in hip-hop and Black culture and being able to relate to the stories in the music, but the issue comes in when the culture becomes your counterculture, and is what allows you to defy whatever constrictions you feel by your own personal ethnic identity,” Tucker wrote.

Many Asian American performers have adopted AAVE in their art and have subsequently been accused of being “culture vultures.” Lum — who grew up in Queens — regularly speaks with a New York City black accent and has been the subject of criticism for her manner of speaking in “Crazy Rich Asians” which is utilized in a comedic way.

Fil-Am entertainer Bruno Mars, whose career was built on the heels of James Brown and Michael Jackson, has been accused of cultural appropriation in his music and on-stage persona.

And many Asian American artists and musicians recognize this. Every speaker at the CAM panel addressed the need for Asian Americans in the music industry to not be afraid to tackle these issues and to formulate nuanced conversations around them.

Menchavez, whose radio station and blog Traktivist seeks to hold conversations about the Asian American imprint on music, believes in taking the discussion of cultural appropriation seriously and exploring perspectives in a nuanced way.

Rather than reactively defending the Asian American hiphop community amid accusations of cultural appropriation, those in the community should listen to and address these concerns while forming their own brands of hiphop which will, in turn, establish a uniquely Asian American voice within the genre.

“As a community, we have to talk about that first: what does being an Asian American mean to us and what does that sound like if we want to be a collective?”

Menchavez offered at the CAM panel. “Because what’s happening right now is very prevalent, especially with Awkwafina, [Korean-American rapper] Jay Park and Bruno Mars. We have to talk about cultural appropriation because it’s on people’s minds because there are people who say we shouldn’t be participating in hip-hop at all. So I think that’s something we need to think about as artists: what does it mean to be Asian Americans in hip-hop?

We need to figure out what that is and, importantly, what that sounds like.”

The bucket list...

From Page 3 filter out those whom you know have too much of everything and will likely shrug off the value of your gift. In short, don’t give to ingrates and spoiled brats.

It is a hit and miss but you will eventually develop the instinct to find the deserving ones.

It is a way of paying forward for all the blessings we have received even if sometimes we

didn’t deserve any of it. The payback is that you get to see the smiles and the genuine appreciation from the recipients while you are still around. The circle of use for that special item begins to have a ripple effect of good over time.

In divesting ourselves of it, we clear the space it once occupied as the blessing of that special item moves to another. We will

feel lighter too. Guaranteed.

There is beauty and poetry in an empty space.

Our space is limited and so is our time on earth. How we use these can define the remaining segment of our life’s journey. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Friendship: an unfathomable...

From Page 4 seem easier to conquer. Strong and healthy friendly relationships are built to last on a foundation of trust, unconditional love and acceptance, honesty, and compassion. The fundamental foundations of friendship must be tended to with a conscious effort, unconditional understanding with limitless possibilities to sacrifice, and willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain its fortitude.

The nascence of Solid Infinity I want to believe that the supreme core of a quintessential rapport springs from an unforeseeable situation where every single power of human energy is serendipitously measured and exacted by destiny.

In the numerous entertainment shows that I’ve directed, I have chanced upon a handful of people who instantaneously connected with my vibe and easy to deal with. The initial encounters could be premeditatedly casual but constant happenstances uninterruptedly crashed down the wall and allowed an open space for our acquaintanceship to grow and prosper.

It wasn’t easy to be comfortably hanging out with new found friends but somehow our initial food spree went smooth and carefree. One enjoyable outing led to an almost nightly rendezvous in many different venues and avenues: dining out, watching movies, strolling around, shopping, hanging in my office, or just simply playing tongue-in-cheek puns and throwing humor at each other’s own expense.

The almost never-ending gallivanting nights and wandering

Solid Infinity is solid friendship

days greatly motivated the group to create a name that best defined our distinct traits and durable confederacy. Not a few suggested names were thrown to the table until finally “Solid Infinity” easily earned everybody’s nod.

The new moniker appropriately attached to our group promptly signaled a seemingly renewed breath of dynamism that empowered everyone and everyone’s support for the team. The highly spirited situation flashed a positive ambiance… emitting an air of inspiration that abruptly permeated the air.

Meet “Solid Infinity” members up-close Jeraliza Olaguera – (Je Oh) Call her Je for short but we address her “Madam” simply because she’s the corporate lady in the group. Unusually towering with a commanding deportment, Je is known for being stubborn but amiable… ambitious but focused and determined… and a praiseworthy achiever.

A typical Leo-born (August 16), Je prefers to do things the way she wants it done but the fire element

that motivates her strength and confidence is the same element that weakens her to be impulsive and impatient. Highly reputable with a great sense of humor, this B.S. Accountancy alumna of the Philippine Christian University hails from Cavite City and an MBA major in Finance & Financial Services. Her unrivaled expertise in the field of accounting while perfectly matched with her keen business acumen rightfully earned her a slot in the mushrooming arena of entertainment production having had just recently registered her company under “Infinity Entertainment-NYC, LLC”.

Jerome Orillaza Robielos (Romy / Jerome) Being the youngest among 3 boys didn’t make this former “Mr. Pogi” aspirant from San Pablo, Laguna swell-headed and a spoiled brat.

An innately born bookworm and a consistent dean’s lister and suitably armed with a positive attitude and an unflinching determination to succeed, this young dreamer took everything in stride and played his options Continued on Page 7

“Women of the Weeping River” featured at the Closing Night of Sinehan sa Summer 2018 in New York

New York – Sinehan sa Summer 2018 edition, closed the series with a powerful indie film about women caught in the middle of a clan war, struggling against their cultural norms to find a solution to their brutal situation. “women of the weeping river” is set in a remote community in Zamboanga and Jolo, Sulu with the river serving as the demarcation line between two families caught in a generationslong blood feud.

The film garnered 12 nominations in the 40th Philippine Gawad Urian, and won six awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography and Best editing.

Directed by Sheron Dayoc, the film earned praise and moved audiences in its portrayal not just of how women bear the sorrow resulting from the senseless loss of life brought by tribal conflict but also how they courageously struggled to stop the cycle of vengeance.

During the talk back, Ms. Sharifa Pearlsia Ali-Dans, who was then Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government – ArMM, and a supporting actress in the film, mentioned that the cast are not professional actors and actresses but Tausugs from Zamboanga and Sulu so both the dialogue and narration are done in the Tausug language. when asked about “rido” or clan war, she emphasized that Islam does not teach them to avenge, but more to do with their culture of protecting their families.

Deputy Consul Kerwin Orville Tate welcomes the audience during the Closing Night of the 2018 Sinehan sa Summer.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Lambert Parong

She thanked the Consulate and its partners for including the film in the Festival. Ms. Fiel Zabat, a member of the Sinehan sa Summer Screening Committee, facilitated the talk back.

The screening was attended by many members of the Tausug community in New York and New Jersey, with some of the audience coming from as far away as Texas. Members of the Mindanao State University alumni, kinding Sindaw Melayu Heritage who are mostly Maranao, Philippine Nurses Association in New York

NY Consulate General features Project Saysay for Heroes Day

Project Saysay displays the memorable quotes of Philippine National heroes.

Friendship: an unfathomable...

From Page 6 well…while aptly guided by his being a devout born-again Christian and firm believer of his church’s doctrine. Despite the mounting school commitments at the CUNY BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he takes up Health Information Management) Jerome never fails to hone his passion for music. Slowly establishing his name in the local entertainment showground (after abandoning his almost flourishing singing career in Manila), this Cancerian (born July 21) has guested in a number of well-promoted concerts and events. The youngest in the newly recognized social group, Jerome is usually the object of derision for his consistent tardiness but knowledgeable about relevant things and being fun to be with make up for everything he was short of.

Aileen Aromin (Ai) Deceiving in her sweet and coyly ways, this Baler native in reality is cleverly feisty and strong-willed. Born under the Cancer sign (June 21) she may be the perfect innocent girl any guy will be proud to

bring home to Mama but she’s fundamentally equipped with that peculiar sense of wittiness hard to dodge and an alarming charm that could disarm any plain feeble guy. Ai, despite her pint size stature, could muster enough courage to be independent (she travels alone and lives by herself) and holds on to her own personal struggle in finding the right life partner and the perfect life style that suits her best. A BS Tourism degree holder from PWU and being the most voracious eater in the group but never shows gaining a pound, Ai can be a homebody (she cooks and could finish a marathon of romantic television series) but chooses to be out with the group at any given time and place.

Rheymar Maranan (Ray) Towering (he stands 6-foot flat), robust and muscular (tips the scale at 180 lbs.) and swarthy (his complexion is what westerners aim for), Ray is the type of guy who could put a woman to blush without even speaking a word.

Very gentle in his ways, the easyto-fall-in-love-with guy from Ibaan, Batangas was born under the Libra

sign (October 12)… no wonder he’s got a selfless and considerate nature, takes great enjoyment from helping others, and nonjudgmental… so perfect for a friend. Ray obtained his Diploma in Computer Studies from Informatics and (still) continues to hone his knowledge further online. Suave and gentlemanly in all his ways, Ray serves as the “hero” (without an armor) of the two ladies (Je and Ai) in the group while being kept occupied with his active involvement in Junior Chamber International, NYC Chapter and professionally dabbing in photography.

Two more members are out of reach for updated information… one of whom is Kevin Obate, a Dr. of Physical Therapy and sax player.

Solid Infinity is the friendship the world needs now to abate global misunderstanding and hopefully, eliminate war. If friendship and camaraderie preponderate on the surface of the earth, peace and harmony will rule the world.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY S E p T E m b E R , 20 1 8

NYPCG’s Consular Outreach in Saco, Maine

New York – The Philippine Consulate General in New York delivered consular services to the Filipinos and FilipinoAmericans at the ramada Hotel in Saco, Maine during the Labor Day Consular outreach on 1 September 2018.

Almost 200 services were provided to the community. The Ms. Sharifa Pearlsia Ali-Dans, (1st from R) 40th Gawad Urian Supporting Actress Awardee, breakdown of services is provided emphasized the in-depth role of Muslim women in the their community particularly in conflict in the matrix below. Applicants situations. Ms. Fiel Zabat (center) together with Mr. Gil Quito, facilitated the Talk Back.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Lambert Parong were grateful to the team, led by Consul khrystina Corpuz Popov, for having them avail of consular services without missing work and traveling to New York.

Filipino Heritage Group of Maine Founder Ms Tess Cardona, supported by the FilipinoAmerican Friendship Society of New Hampshire represented at the event by Ms Jocelyn Santiago co-organized the event.

The next Consular outreach

and Philadelphia and the film enthusiasts who were regular viewers during the month-long festival were also in attendance, resulting in a packed kalayaan Hall.

Sinehan sa Summer, now its 11th year, was held every wednesday from 1 to 29 August 2018 at the kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. This year’s series was aimed at broadening the audience of Filipino-American and mainstream viewers. This year, Sinehan featured one Master Highlight: Peque Gallaga’s “Sonata”, two indie films and 24 short films. All of the screening days had Sro attendance.

In addition to regular wednesdays, for the first time, the Sinehan sa Summer outdoor Series screened films outside of New York City, to reach out to film enthusiasts in nearby States. kids Philippines Inc., in Connecticut hosted the screening in Griswold, Connecticut and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations-region I and Philadelphia Asian-American Consul General Claro S. Cristobal greeted and thanked Ms. Sharifa Pearlsia Ali-Dans and the Film Festival hosted the event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Screening Committee members

New York – In commemoration of National Heroes Day, the Philippine Consulate General in New York displayed the Project Saysay posters of Filipino heroes from 27 August to 5 September 2018 at the Lobby Gallery of the Philippine Center.

The posters bearing the portraits and words of wisdom and principles of ten Filipino heroes have become the subject of conversations and spirited discussions between our kababayans and their children and friends who got the chance to see the display during its period of display at the Philippine Center.

An Asian Journal Magazine

The organizers, led by Filipino Heritage Group of Maine Founder Ms Tess Cardona and members of the Consular Team, led by Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov cap a successful Consular Outreach during the Labor Day weekend on 1 September in Saco, Maine.

PCGNY Photo

will be on 15 September in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More information can be found at

http://newyorkpcg.org/theconsulate/our-services/2018consular-outreach.

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY S E p T E m b E R 7, 20 1