091518 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 73 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Palace plans to issue executive order to address rising inﬂation by AJPRESS Amid reports of rising prices in the Philippines, Malacañang is considering an executive order drafted by economic officials to put measures in place that will curb inflation. An order to lessen the effects of inflation on basic commodities, such as certain food items, is in the works, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. “We proposed nine measures to contain inflation and a corresponding EO to get them implemented straight away – to which he (President Rodrigo Duterte)

agreed,” Pernia said in a message to Rappler on Wednesday, September 12. Earlier this month, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation was at 6.4 percent in August, the highest in nine years. This exceeds the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ projections of around 5.5 to 6.2 percent. On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said during a conversation with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo that “economic managers are working on” measures to address the issue. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. confirmed that

the economic officials drafted an executive order to be submitted before the Office of the President to which they agreed on Tuesday, September 12 during a cabinet meeting. “The economic cluster group will submit a draft executive order to the Office of the President removing administrative constraints and non-tariff barriers on the importation of fish, rice, sugar, meat and vegetables,” said Roque. Roque said that such measure would make the process of importing food more convenient and accessible. According to Department of

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TYPHOON ‘OMPONG’ PREPARATIONS. President Rodrigo Duterte listens to the disaster preparedness briefing of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad inside the Operations Room of the NDRRMC Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City as the country braces for the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Ompong.’ Joining the president are Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Northern Luzon bears brunt of typhoon’s wrath

USA

AUTHORITIES placed Cagayan, northern Isabela, Apayao and Abra under the strongest FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA typhoon warning, Signal 4, as residents braced for Typhoon Ompong’s landfall early on Saturday, September 15. Ompong, the strongest typhoon to hit the country so far this year, increased its speed to 30 kilometers per hour (kph) as it moved northwest, carrying sustained winds of 205 kph and Foreign-born population increases gusts of up to 255 kph, weather THE U.S. Census Bureau this week released Passengers going to Visayan islands and Mindanao are stranded in North forecasters said. Residents in coastal areas its latest American Community Survey (ACS) Port Pier because of Typhoon Ompong. data, showing that there are an estimated ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma of Cagayan, Isabela and the 4,037,564 Filipinos in the United States. The ACS estimates, made public on Thursday, September 13, are based on data collected from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. The data show statistics on over 40 topics, including income, poverty, health insurance, by DINO MARAGAY citizenship status, among others. Philstar.com “The American Community Survey provides a wide range of important statistics MANILA – All is now well beabout all communities in the United States,” tween Manny Pacquiao and his Census Bureau Social, Economic and Housing former longtime promoter Top Statistics Division Chief David Waddington Rank Inc. said in a statement. “It gives communities the Pacquiao on Thursday, Sepcurrent information they need to plan investtember 13, took to Instagram to ments and services. Retailers, homebuilders, explain that “miscommunicafire departments, and town and city planners tion” between his camp and Top u PAGE A5 Rank led to him to threaten to sue Bob Arum’s company over non-payment of his share of revenue from the broadcast rights of his fight with Lucas Matthysse.

DATELINE New Census data shows more than four million Filipinos in the US

Ilocos provinces could expect storm surges of 2 to 6 meters above sea level, and the situation might be “potentially very destructive” with Ompong (international name “Mangkhut”) expected to dump heavy rains that could trigger flashfloods and landslides, the weather bureau said. In its advisory at 8 p.m. on Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Signal 3 over 13 areas: Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, southern Isabela, Ilocos

Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and northern Aurora, which, it said, would experience winds greater than 121 kph up to 170 kph in at least 18 hours. Signal 2 (winds of 61-120 kph) was up in eight areas: Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, southern Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, and northern Quezon including Polillo Island. Seventeen areas were placed under Signal 1 (winds of 30-60 kph): Bataan, Rizal, Metro Ma-

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Pacquiao settles TV rights issue with Sen. Trillanes camp admits Top Rank, blames ‘miscommunication’ missing amnesty application

Independent judiciary balances out ICC withdrawal — US

WHILE the Philippines and the United States share the same view on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Washington underscored it has a strong and independent judicial system and recognizes that “every situation is different.” The U.S. is not a party to the ICC and has consistently opposed an international court that can hold US military and political leaders to a uniform global standard of justice. The U.S. not becoming a party to the Rome Statute was highlighted when the U.S. Department of State was asked about comments that National Security Adviser John Bolton made on the ICC and threatened sanctions against its judges if they proceed with a probe into alleged war crimes by Americans in Afghanistan. Bolton, a former ambassador to the United Nations, threatened sanctions against the ICC and blasted the court as “ineffective, unacu PAGE A5

Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum

Inquirer.net photo

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DOF broaches US investors’ seeming disinterest in ‘Build, Build, Build’ MANILA — Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III confronted the United States over American investors’ seeming lack of interest in the Duterte administration’s ambitious infrastructure program. In a meeting with Assistant Secretary Manisha Singh of the U.S. State Department, Dominguez said the absence of American investors in the bidding for the flagship project to develop the Clark Freeport Zone, a former United States military airbase, indicates they “have no interest” in the Philippines’ aggressive infrastructure plan. Dominguez said some American companies have submitted bids but only for the design component of the New Clark City project, which the Philippine government sees as the nation’s next big metropolis. “Last time I spoke with [members of] the U.S.- Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III

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Philstar.com photo

Duterte says no “interest” in arresting opposition senator by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV’s camp admitted before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 on Friday, September 14, that it can no longer locate a copy of the senator’s amnesty application form. Makati RTC Judge Elmo Almeda asked Trillanes’ legal counsel Reynaldo Robles to show the court a copy of the form in question. “The court needs the actual application,” Alameda ordered. The former naval officer’s camp, however, failed to show this important document before the court as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “He cannot find his copy,” Robles admitted. Alameda said that a copy of the application would serve as the primary proof that the senator has complied with the basic requirements for amnesty. The judge went on to say that “the court is not after secondary evidence.” Robles instead showed the court video footage of the actual filing of application form before a certain Col. Josefa Berbigal. The judge, however, then claimed that the said video was not authenticated. The lawyer also added supplementary evidence, such as

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV shows an application form for amnesty at a news brieﬁng at the Senate in Pasay City last September 6. Inquirer.net photo by Grig C. Montegrand

Trillanes’ amnesty certificate, photos of the Senator holding a copy of his application form published in the Inquirer, and the memorandum to the Department of National Defense Ad Hoc Committee. Robles promised the court that they will still present additional proof to authenticate their evidence. The opposition senator’s camp planned to secure an affidavit from Berbigal, who received the application as shown in the said video. The court, in turn, asked the prosecution from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its proof that Trillanes failed to comply with the

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A September 15-18, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

Northern Luzon bears brunt of typhoon’s...

PAGE A1 t nila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, the rest of Quezon, northern Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, northern Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and the Burias and Ticao Islands. Pagasa advised fishermen and those with small seacraft not to

venture out over the seaboards of areas with warning signals and the seaboards of the Visayas and of Mindanao. Several nongovernment organizations have been monitoring the typhoon, as they joined the government in calling for the residents to start evacuating. “We haven’t seen a typhoon this powerful hit the Philippines in some time. We’re particularly

concerned about those living coastal and low-lying communities, which are set to face ferocious winds, heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as the risk of storm surge,” Save the Children Philippines chief Alberto Muyot said. “Families living in the path of the storm are urged to take shelter in evacuation centers. This typhoon has the potential to cause large-scale damage, and every precaution needs to be taken prior to landfall,” he added. 4.2 million affected About 4.2 million people in more than a hundred towns and cities will be affected by Ompong, with thousands told to evacuate their homes in northern Luzon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Friday. Edgar Posadas, NDRRMC spokesman, said a total of 3,510 families or 15,328 persons left their homes in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras as of 6 a.m. on Friday. An estimated 983,100 people were targeted for preemptive evacuation imposed by local government units. The bulk of the affected population are in Isabela, 1.57 million, and Cagayan, 1.2 million. A total of 2,112 evacuation centers were put up in selected regions affected by the storm, according to Posadas. The NDRRMC said it would maintain the level of its preparations made ahead of the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, Posadas said. President Rodrigo Duterte, during his meeting with the NDRRMC on Thursday, deployed several Cabinet members to the areas affected by the storm. These include Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino. Carriers such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific cancelled several domestic and international flights. Stay put, or else… Also on Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government told local chief executives to be present in their areas dur-

BRACING FOR TYPHOON OMPONG. Pagasa weather forecaster Chris Perez points to the location of Typhoon ‘Ompong’ (international name: ‘Mangkhut’) on Wednesday, September 12. On Wednesday, Ompong entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with maximum speed of 220 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 270 kph. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Palace plans to issue executive...

PAGE A1 t Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Duterte has expressed support for the economic managers to better contain the impacts of inflation. The Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and farmers’ groups were ordered to monitor and ensure that no rice stocks would be taken from National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses and retail outlets. Five million rice sacks are said to arrive in November. Zamboan-

ga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will receive 2.7 million sacks from the NFA council to address the reported shortages in those areas. Duterte on Tuesday said, however, that the increase in rice prices is “artificial” caused by a supposed rice shortage. Roque stood by his statement as he said that the 6.4 percent inflation rate was still acceptable. He argued that the figure is solely for the month of August and that the actual average is reportedly at 4.8 percent. The presidential spokesperson received flak over this statement, as critics slammed the

statement as insensitive to those who are bearing the burden of the nationwide price surge. Among the goods and services affected by the spike in commodity prices were tobacco, the operation of personal transport equipment, fish and seafood, vegetables, nonalcoholic beverages, electricity and fuel, rice and house rentals, as reported by the Philippine Star. The presidential spokesperson noted that tobacco had the highest price hike at 25.9 percent but that it was expected since it is “trying to discourage people from smoking.” n

Sen. Trillanes camp admits missing...

PAGE A1 t amnesty requirements. The prosecution led by Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon and Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera showed that they secured a certification from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of the Discipline, Law and Order Division Lt. Col. Thea Joan Andrade noted. The certificate claimed that there is no available copy of Trillanes’ application form. “That is your basis in concluding that court’s dismissal is void?” Alameda inquired. The prosecutors also showed news articles indicating that Trillanes did not admit guilt even after he was granted amnesty. Fadullon said they will submit more evidence to support their case in the next hearing. Robles responded to the prosecution’s evidence, stating that it was insufficient since it only acu PAGE A3 counts for the absence of a copy

and not entirely the failure to comply with the application requirements. “Col. Andrade’s certification did not also state that Senator Trillanes did not file an application form but only mentioned that there is no available copy of his application for amnesty in the records,” Robles said. He also noted that the Department of National Defense (DND) and Solicitor General (SolGen) Jose Calida might be behind the missing copy. “Kung ang nakawala ay DND at meron pang suspetya kung sino nakawala dahil sinasabi ng Secretary of Defense kinuha daw ng SolGen (If the DND lost it and there is suspicion on how it was lost since the Secretary of Defense said that the Solicitor General took it),” Robles said. The lawyer did not dismiss the possibility that the document was intentionally misplaced and that the storage of official documents

is not entirely reliable. “Parang winala talaga diba? Dapat sila ang managot infidelity in the custody of official documents (It appeared that it was deliberately misplaced. They should be held accountable for infidelity in the custody of official documents),” Robles added. The senator on Friday said he will continue to stay inside his Senate office until the courts rule on his amnesty. He has been there since Tuesday of last week following President Rodrigo Duterte voiding the amnesty. The day before, Duterte told reporters that there is no interest in having Trillanes arrested. “The military does not have the interest. I don’t have the interest. He can stay there (the Senate) as a boarder,” Duterte said according to various reports. The president added that he won’t arrest “until there’s a warrant.” n

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

Duterte meets US Ambassador Sung Kim by CHRISTINA

MENDEZ

Philstar.com

WELCOMING NEW PDP-LABAN MEMBERS. Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III (right), president of the Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), welcomes new party members -- Bureau of Corrections Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Department of National Defense-Ofﬁce of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, and actor Philip Salvador at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 12. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

DFA tells Filipinos in US: Prepare for Hurricane Florence THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sent out its concern to the 150,000-strong Filipino Community in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, who will be affected by Hurricane Florence. Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez reported that the storm is expected to develop into a hurricane as it approaches land. Governors of these states have declared a state of emergency over the past two days in anticipation of the hurricane. The storm is said to be the most intense storm they have

experienced in almost 30 years since Hurricane Hugo, which pummeled South Carolina in 1989. Forecasts predicted Florence to be a Category 4 storm as it makes landfall on Friday, which is likely to produce disastrous flooding and intensive winds. U.S. Pinoys told to prepare “The DFA is advising the Filipino Community there to make the necessary preparations and follow the advice of local authorities,” the DFA said in a statement. Romualdez informed that the Philippine Embassy will

continue to monitor developments and coordinate with the Filipino Community in these areas. “Filipinos who may find themselves in emergency situations that would require the Embassy’s assistance may call (202) 368 2767,” the DFA said. U.S. President Donald Trump urged residents to heed orders to evacuate, saying “if you are asked to leave, get out.” “This will be a storm that’s going to be far larger than we have seen in perhaps decades,” Trump said. (Philstar.com with reports from Associated Press)

Pacquiao settles TV rights issue with Top Rank... PAGE A1 t “My post from the other day was a result of miscommunication between my Team and Top Rank. Everything has been clarified. I would like to thank Bob and Top Rank for helping guide my career and for the many great years of working together. We have accomplished so many amazing things together,” Pacquiao wrote. The Filipino boxing icon referred to an Instagram post he made late Monday claiming he hasn’t received payment for the broadcast rights of the Matthysse fight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July.

“Congratulations and good luck to Top Rank Boxing and ESPN on your 7-year partnership agreement,” Pacquiao wrote in the caption of a photo of him and Matthysse during their fight. “I know both of you have been very busy finalizing the deal. However, I have not received the U.S. rights payment for my July 15 fight against Lucas Matthysse that was broadcast on ESPN plus. Therefore, I am initiating legal proceedings against Top Rank and all other parties based on the non-payment and attempt to restrict my future rights. Thank you,” he added. The said caption has since

been removed. Arum responded that he has seen Pacquiao’s post and vowed to deal with the matter, confident they can reach a resolution with his former fighter. Pacquiao recently severed ties with Top Rank, with the Matthysse fight his first as a promotional free agent. His MP Promotions promoted the bout, with Top Rank coming in the handle the broadcast component mainly in the US. The fighting congressman dethroned Matthysse via a seventh-round technical knockout to become the new WBA “regular” welterweight champion. ■

A “PRIVATE meeting” at Malacañang between President Duterte and U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim last Wednesday was an indication of warming ties between the two countries, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said on Thursday, September 13. “We’ve always had good relationship with the United States and I am sure every meeting between the president and the U.S. ambassador would result in closer relations,” Roque said at a press briefing in Malacañang. Roque did not release details of the meeting, which came amid the President’s undisguised animosity toward the U.S. He lashed out at the U.S. after the previous Obama administration “insulted” him by criticizing the conduct of his war on drugs. Duterte also questioned restrictions imposed by the U.S. on grants offered to the Philippines, as well as the move by some lawmakers to block arms purchase

by the Philippine government. Duterte, however, makes no secret of his liking for Obama’s successor Donald Trump. “But as I said, I have to get clearance from the President himself on what he is willing to release on the meeting,” Roque added. Duterte himself said that there was nothing earthshaking about the meeting. “I cannot discuss until I get his (Kim) permission. It’s a diplomatic tete-a-tete, but nothing earthshaking but more of confidentiality. But I hate to break the rules,” he said. But Roque said he has no doubt about the statement of the U.S. ambassador describing in his social media account as “excellent” his meeting with President Duterte. “Perhaps there is no reason to doubt the Twitter account of the U.S. ambassador, as I said it was classified as private meeting,” Roque said when pressed for details about the meeting. In his official Twitter account, Kim said they discussed “shared goals including defense priori-

ties and economic partnership.” “Our alliance remains strong and ironclad,” the U.S. ambassador added. Duterte rushed to the meeting with Kim last Wednesday, September 12, after leading an oath-taking of new government officials and the awarding of incentives and citation certificates to the medalists who participated in the recently-concluded 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. When he was on an official trip to Israel, Duterte apologized to Obama for cursing him. Speaking before the Filipino community at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, Duterte offered his apologies for hurling insults at the former U.S. leader. “It would be appropriate to say at this time, Mr. Obama, you are now a civilian. I am sorry for uttering those words. Know it was just a plain ‘talkatese.’ We have learned our lessons very well,” Duterte said in his speech. Upon his assumption into office, President Duterte vowed to pursue an independent foreign policy by warming up to China and Russia. ■

DOF broaches US investors’ seeming... PAGE A1 t

ASEAN Business Council and the US Chamber here, I asked them one question. Why did they not bid for the project in Clark? The refurbishment of the Clark airbase is done with our own funds,” Dominguez told Singh. “The project is around 250 million U.S. dollars. We bid this

out around this time last year,” he added. “Maybe they (American businessmen) don’t have an interest here.” Singh, in response, said she will speak with leaders of U.S. infrastructure companies to tell them about the immense investment opportunities in the “Build, Build, Build” program of

the Duterte administration. “We would like to participate, we would like to engage,” Singh said, noting that there might have been some “disconnect” that needs to be corrected to ensure that U.S. companies are aware of the opportunities in the Philippines. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar.com)

Northern Luzon bears brunt of typhoon’s...

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ing the onslaught of Ompong, or face sanctions. Interior officer in charge Eduardo Año could file cases of negligence, dereliction of duty, and misconduct for failure to discharge duties against mayors found to have abandoned their posts, said spokesman Jonathan Malaya. Only those on official travel may be excused, he said. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) raised a “blue alert’ status and put 700 personnel on duty on Friday as they geared up for the typhoon. It stationed rescue vans, emergency boats, military trucks, ambulances, rubber boats, fire trucks, manlifts, and equipment,

such as life vests, chain saws, and mobile pumps at the MMDA Metrobase Command Center and other emergency stations. The Department of Education (DepEd), through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, has coordinated with various government agencies for preparedness, monitoring, and response efforts in anticipation of the possible effects of Typhoon Ompong. DepEd said Ompong was set to affect 76 school divisions, 19,704 schools, and 7.7 million students. Water needed The Philippine Red Cross has mobilized its sfaff and volunteers in areas where Ompong is most likely to hit to provide assistance

to affected residents. “We have contacted our volunteers on the ground. We also have the first caravan of response team from the Red Cross,” Red Cross Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon told reporters in a news briefing at the group’s national headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Friday. “We have chapters on the ground that are authorized to buy food stuffs, but food stuffs I am not worried of because the government has about 400,000 food stuffs prepared, and there were already warehouses in the area. What worries them more is that, you know, the [drinking]water become scarce, so we have water tanks there,” Gordon added. (ManilaTimes.net)

A September 15-18, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Number of migrant children detained in shelters skyrockets to 12,800 Capacity at shelters for migrant children has been quietly increasing since the summer, the New York Times reported by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

DESPITE a court order that required the Trump administration to release hundreds of migrant children who were separated from their families at the border, the number of children of immigrants has climbed to 12,800, according to a bombshell New York Times report on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Wednesday’s report means that the total has increased fivefold from May 2017 when approximately 2,400 children were in custody. Data from the Department of Health and Human Services shows that the huge accumulation of children in detention is due to the number of children being released to live with sponsors or families in the U.S., and not because of a sudden influx of children crossing the border. A majority of the children crossed the border alone, or without their parents or guardian and are currently being housed in a detention system that includes more than 100 shelters across the U.S. Most of these shelters have been near capacity for months, and on Tuesday, the Trump ad-

ministration announced that it would triple the size of a shelter in Tornillo, Texas to house 3,800 children for the remainder of 2018. Additionally, the administration has proposed to build new shelters and use military bases to handle the overflow, which will likely be expensive; the Times reported that detention facilities cost three times the amount for a typical shelter or about $750 per child, per day. The Times reported that a new policy enacted in June that requires potential sponsors to submit fingerprints to immigration officials has significantly caused a drop in the release of children. And, even when sponsors or family members submit fingerprints, they still endure long wait times in a lengthy vetting process that has exacerbated backlogging in the release of migrant children. As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the Trump administration boasted in April a new brand of American immigration labeled a “zero-tolerance” policy in which its primary goal is to limit the influx of Central Americans seeking asylum from wartorn and violence from their native countries. A mandate in this policy

would automatically criminally charge adults who crossed the border and hold them in a separate detention center from their children under the age of 18, overseen by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Video, audio and photographic footage was released on social media showed children as young as 3 years old in large chain link cages, which sparked intense national outrage over the Trump administration’s policy. ProPublica released audio of children crying and calling out for their parents in a shelter in Texas sparked national protests, marches and demands from lawmakers and citizens to stop separating children from their families. In July, the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Trump administration officials about the family separation policy and one official suggested that many of those involved in the architecture of the zero-tolerance policy expressed qualms about the emotional and psychological turmoil children may endure if separated from family members. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (DConn.) asked Commander of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Jonathan White, who is in charge of reuniting detained families, if any of the officials expressed concern over the separation mandate, that “maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” White responded, “During the deliberative process over the previous year, we raised a number of concerns in the ORR program about any policy which would result in family separation. Due to concerns we had about the best interest of the child, as well as whether that would be operationally supportable with the bed capacity we had.” Blumenthal, then, asked, “You told the administration that kids would suffer as a result, that pain would be inflicted, correct? White replied, “There’s no question that separation of children from parents entails significant potential for traumatic, psychological injury to the child.” n

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal (2nd row standing, 3rd L-R) and Major General Antonio Taguba (ret., 2nd row standing, 4th L-R) with Capt. Pablo Barros (seated 2nd L-R), surviving World War II veteran, and family members of other veterans who received the Congressional Gold Medal Award on 8 September 2018 at the Philippine Center in New York. Photo by Lambert Parong

Filipino veterans of World War II honored in New York NEW YORK — Fifteen (15) Filipino World War II veterans were honored in a ceremony organized by the Philippine Consulate General headed by Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) led by General Antonio Taguba (ret.) held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on September 8. Capt. Pablo Barros, surviving WW II veteran, and the family of 14 other veterans received a U.S. Mint replica of the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) awarded by the U.S. Congress to Filipino veterans of WW II, as well as a copy of Public Law 114-265 otherwise known as the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. In his remarks, Consul General Cristobal expressed his most profound gratitude to the Filipino Veterans of World War II for the extreme sacrifices and bravery they unselfishly showed to protect freedom and democracy. He said, “We and the generations of Filipinos to come owe you our thanks and respect. Because of you, we are able to enjoy the fruits of progress, freedom and democracy.” He likewise thanked the family members of veterans who have passed or unable to attend the ceremony. “Rest assured that their services to our country and people will never be forgotten,”

Consul General Cristobal (2nd R-L) and General Taguba (1st R-L) present the CGM to Capt. Pablo Barros (3rd R-L). Photo by NYPCG

Consul General Cristobal said. The Consul General acknowledged the efforts of Gen. Taguba, the FilVetREP, and all those who lobbied and supported the passage of the bill in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, particularly those in the U.S. Northeast. The law brought into fruition the efforts of various groups in the Fil-Am community and the Philippine Foreign Service Posts the US led by the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. Gen. Taguba said that FilVetREP has conducted 44 awarding ceremonies across the U.S. since October 2017 when the lone Congressional Gold Medal was presented and collectively awarded by the US Congress. He said that the group is now devel-

oping an education program that will educate the public on the historic importance of the contributions of Filipino veterans of World War II. The following veterans were the recipients of the CGM: Major Jose Falco, Abelardo Perucho Andal, Santiago Hipolito, Filemon T. Magracia, Andres S. Friginal, Moises M. Santos, Romeo Guitterez, Leopoldo T. Osano, Capt. Pablo Barros, Mario J. Valdeavella, Fidel A. Ansay, Jaime B. Aban, Avelino Tanjutco, Jacobo Tanjutco and Ramon Pelaez Sobrepeña. Filipino World War II veterans or members of their family who have not received the award may get in touch with FilVetREP through their website: http://filvetrep.org. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ SEptEmbER 15-18, 2018

Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uninsured rate declined last year despite federal efforts to roll back ACA by Phil

Galewitz Kaiser Health News

READY FOR TROUBLE. Security personnel stand watch at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City to where members of some groups marched to mark the birth anniversary of former president Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday, September 11. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

New Census data shows more than four... PAGE A1 t

are among the many private- and public-sector decision-makers who count on these annual statistics.â&#x20AC;? According to the data, there are an estimated 21,646,070 Asian Americans in the United States, and Filipino Americans make up the third-largest Asian American subgroup behind Chinese (5,219,184) and Indian (4,402,362) Americans. The five states with the largest Filipino population include: California (1,651,933), Hawaii (367,364), Texas (194,427), Washington (178,300), and Nevada (169,462). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The newest data from the American Community Survey reaffirms what we already knew: Filipino Americans are an emerging population not just within the Asian American community, but

throughout America as a whole,â&#x20AC;? said Brendan Flores, the national chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Association, in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, while we continue to grow in numbers, we have hard work to do in terms of civic engagement and representation. NaFFAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment has always been, and will continue to be, harnessing the energy and passion of the more than four million Filipinos who call America home, and uniting us with one strong, clear voice.â&#x20AC;? Other findings of the ACS include that immigrations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both legal and undocumented â&#x20AC;&#x201D; comprised 13.7 percent or nearly one out of seven U.S. residents in 2017. This is the highest percentage since 1910. Since 2010, there has been a 4.6 million increase in the num-

Independent judiciary balances... PAGE A1 t

countable,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;outright dangerousâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;contrary to American principles.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the preference is always for other countries to have a strong and independent judicial system,â&#x20AC;? U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said at a press conference on Sept. 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why we do not adhere to the International Criminal Court, because we have such a strong and independent judicial system here in the United States, not only for our US service members but obviously for United States citizens as well,â&#x20AC;? Nauert sad. The preference, she said, is always for other countries to have that same type of model. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, there are some countries that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that type of model, where in certain instances â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different. Every situation is different,â&#x20AC;? Nauert added. She cited the situation in Myanmar and the tragedies that have happened in Rwanda. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a different type of situation. Sometimes tribunals are applied; sometimes other types of

systems are applied as well,â&#x20AC;? she said. The Philippine Supreme Court (SC) resumed on Sept. 4 the oral arguments on a petition contesting the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; withdrawal from the ICC. Petitions were filed before the SC to invalidate the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s withdrawal from the ICC as ordered by President Duterte as the Senate did not concur through a two-thirds vote. In March, the President pulled out from the Rome Statute that created the ICC after the tribunal announced it would initiate a preliminary examination of alleged crimes against humanity in connection with Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war on drugs. The ICC expressed regret over the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; withdrawal from the Rome Statute and encouraged the country to remain part of the ICC. But the ICC emphasized that it remains fully committed to its independent mandate to help end impunity in a complementary manner with states and contribute to the prevention of future atrocities. (Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

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ber of immigrants, making the total to 44.5 million. Of immigrants who have arrived since 2010, 13 percent or 1.3 million came from Mexico. The regions with largest numerical increases since 2010 were East Asia and South Asia (each up 1.1 million), the Caribbean (up 676,023), Sub-Saharan Africa (up 606,835), South America (up 483,356), Central America (up 474,504), and the Middle East (472,554). The Philippines was among the countries with the largest increases in the number of immigrations coming to the United States, up 230,492. (AJPress)

THE percentage of people without health insurance continued to decline in California last year, according to a closely watched report from the Census Bureau released Wednesday. The stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uninsured rate edged down even as Republicans in Washington, D.C. sought to roll back the Affordable Care Act. The rate of uninsurance dropped in just two other two states: New York and Louisiana. In the Golden State, the rate of uninsured residents stood at 7.2 percent last year, compared with 7.3 percent in 2016. Since 2013, the year before the coverage-expanding provisions of the federal health law took effect, Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uninsurance rate has dropped 10 percentage points â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the largest decrease of any state, according to the Census Bureau. â&#x20AC;&#x153;California hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wavered in its efforts to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Actâ&#x20AC;? despite the federal efforts to curtail it, said Laurel Lucia, director of the health care program at the University of California-Berkeleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Labor Research and Education. Because of that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;California will be able to maintain more of the progress we have made than other states,â&#x20AC;? she said. Covered California, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACA exchange, noted in a press statement that about 59 percent of the nearly 3 million people in

the state who still lack insurance are ineligible because of their immigration status. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you exclude those that are ineligible for coverage, Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eligible uninsuredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rate drops to roughly 3 percent,â&#x20AC;? the exchange said. Adult immigrants without legal documents do not qualify for full benefits in Medi-Cal, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version of the Medicaid health insurance program for low-income people, or for coverage through the exchange. They can purchase coverage in the private market if they have enough money. Nationally, the percentage of Americans without health insurance was virtually the same in 2017 as in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the last year of the Obama administration â&#x20AC;&#x201D; despite the Republican efforts against the ACA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The overall Census report shows that even in the face of incredible national turbulence, the Affordable Care Act is still working across much of the nation,â&#x20AC;? said Peter Lee, Covered Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The places where you are seeing failures in coverage, these are failures of states to act on behalf of their citizens.â&#x20AC;? The uninsured rate rose in 14 states. It was not immediately clear why, since those states â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Texas, Florida, Vermont, Minnesota and Oregon among them â&#x20AC;&#x201D; varied dramatically by location, political leaning and whether they had expanded Medicaid under the federal

health law. An estimated 8.8 percent of the U.S. population, or about 28.5 million people, did not have health insurance coverage at any point in 2017. That was slightly higher than the 28.1 million who lacked coverage in 2016, but the rise did not affect the uninsured rate. The difference in the rate between the two years was not statistically significant, according to the Census report. In 2013, 14.5 percent of Americans were uninsured, and by 2017 that number had dropped to 8.7 percent, according to the Census Bureau. The Census numbers are considered the gold standard for tracking who has insurance, because the survey samples are so large. Analysts credit the health law with helping drive down the number of uninsured. But the decline of the U.S. unemployment rate in recent years has also played a role: The proportion of people without insurance typically falls as unemployment rates decline, because more people can get health coverage at work or can better afford buying insurance on their own. The nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unemployment rate has generally been falling since before 2011 and was 4.1 percent for the last quarter of 2017, the lowest level since before the Great Recession began in December 2007. Critics of the health law said

u PAGE A6

A September 15-18, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Powerful, rotating thunderstorms Fil-Am nurse sentenced for $1-M Ponzi scheme surround ‘Ompong’ — NASA by rae

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

A thick ring of powerful, rotating thunderstorms surround typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut), according to the NASA-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Suomi NPP satellite. the satellite passed directly over the typhoon and looked into its almost 30 nautical-mile-wide eye as it heads toward northern Philippines. On Wednesday, September 12, the Suomi NPP satellite had a direct view of the clear eye of “Ompong”, which allowed it to see through it to the surface of the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, satellite imagery from the U.S. Joint typhoon Warning center (JtWc) showed a “symmetric and highly consolidated system with strong, compact feeder bands (bands of thunderstorms) spiraling tightly into a sharply-outlined 29 nautical mile wide eye.” the JtWc has classified “Ompong” as a super typhoon with

Satellite image of Typhoon Ompong as of Friday, Sept. 14, 2018.

powerful winds and gusts equivalent to a category 5 Atlantic hurricane. “Ompong” is forecasted to make landfall over northern cagayan by Saturday, September 15, and make a second landfall south of hong kong, china on Sunday, September 16. At 7 a.m., the typhoon was located 605 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour and gusts of up tp 255 kilometers per hour. it is moving west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. Northern Aurora, isabela and

Philstar.com photo

cagayan have been placed under signal no. 3 as the typhoon continues to threaten northern Luzon. Office of civil Defense chief Ricardo Jalad told an emergency meeting led by President Rodrigo Duterte that about 4.2 million people in cagayan, nearby isabela province and outlying regions are vulnerable to the most destructive effects near the typhoon’s 125-kilometer (77-mile) -wide eye. Nearly 48,000 houses in those high-risk areas are made of light materials and vulnerable to Ompong’s ferocious winds. (With reports from Associated Press)

ann Varona AJPress

A FiLiPiNA-AMeRicAN nurse from Dallas, texas was sentenced last week for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that cost victims — many of whom were also Filipino nurses — over $1 million. Nemelee Liwanag Jiao on Wednesday, September 5, was sentenced by a federal judge to eight years and a month, plus three years of supervised release for devising a Ponzi scheme that cost at least 35 “investors” about $1.9 million. Jiao, originally from San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, was indicted in May 2017 for wire fraud, and pleaded guilty last December 2017. her sentencing comes five months after it was scheduled to happen in April. the scheme dated back to February 2009 and continued through September 2016 with Jiao convincing people to invest in promissory notes supposedly issued by two nonprofit schools, Shepherd’s Light Learning center and Lord of Peace Learning center, which are located in the in the cities of

San Fernando, Pampanga and Santo tomas, Pampanga in the Philippines. the accumulated money instead went towards Jiao’s own personal benefits and expenses like country club memberships. the schools reportedly did not know that their names were being used in her scheme. According to the 10-page indictment, Jiao falsely told investors that she was a representative of Shepherd’s Light and Lord of Peace, and lured individuals into making investment contracts while promising investors return rates of 10 percent to 100 percent on investments. Jiao also promised her victims repayment of principal and interest resulting from the investment within 30 days to one year following the investment. Jiao also went as far as having many of the investment contracts notarized in attempt to make them appear legitimate. the indictment also said that the investors were directed to write checks and wire funds to bank accounts that were controlled by Jiao. in persuading investors to maintain their investments, Jiao’s tactics included persuading

them to invest additional funds, and falsely blaming Shepherd’s Light and Lord of Peace for lack of payment of interest and principle, despite knowing that the school was in no way involved. the case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of investigation. Following her sentencing, Jiao was sent to an all women federal prison camp in Bryan, texas. the U.S. Securities and exchange commission (Sec) defines a Ponzi scheme as an investment fraud, involving “the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors.” According to the Sec, Ponzi scheme fraudsters — similar to those of pyramid schemes — focus on attracting new money to make promised payments to earlier investors or participants to make it seem like they are profiting from a legitimate business. Some warning signs include high investment returns with little or no risk, overly consistent returns, unregistered investments, unlicensed sellers, secretive/and or complex strategies, issues with paperwork, and difficulty receiving payments.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN Philippines on UN list of countries SERVING MY FELLOW KABABAYANS FOR OVER 17 YEARS

that retaliate vs rights defenders

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Katreena Philstar.com

cabico

the Philippines is included in the United Nations’ list of countries that it said has carried out the “shameful practice” of harsh reprisals and intimidation against human rights defenders and activists. the annual report of UN Secretary-General António Guterres detailed allegations of killing, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, surveillance and criminalization of human rights defenders in 38 countries. UN Assistant Secretary-General for human Rights Andrew Gilmour said that the cases documented in the report were the tip of the iceberg. “We are also increasingly seeing legal, political and administrative hurdles used to intimidate—and silence—civil society,” Gilmour said in a statement. the government has rejected concerns on the human rights situation in the Philippines as politically motivated or as meddling in Philippine domestic affairs. “P**** (son of a bitch) i will shoot you right there. You do not do that in my country. they render our cops inutile… because of human rights. P***** ka (Son of a bitch). You enjoy your human rights there in heaven,” the president said in August in comments that are typical of his view of human rights.

the United Nations list the 38 countries comprise 29 with new cases and 19 with ongoing cases. the new cases were in Bahrain, cameroon, china, colombia, cuba, Democratic Republic of congo, Djibouti, egypt, Guatamela, Guyana, honduras, hungary, india, israel, kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Myanmar, the Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, thailand, trinidad and tobago, turkey, turkmenistan and Venezuela. the report cited “defamatory and intimidating” public statements directed at the commission on human Rights and its chairperson chito Gascon and the threat of the Duterte-allied house of Representatives to give the agency a measly annual budget of P1,000 before relenting to opposition from the Senate. it also mentioned the imprisonment of Sen. Leila De Lima over drug-related charges. “in addition to her arrest and detention, Ms. De Lima has been subject to intimidation, threats and judicial harassment in connection with her criticism of government policies surrounding the war on drugs, such as the extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals and drug users and President Duterte’s proposal to reinstate the death penalty, including when she was chair of

the commission,” the report said. Government petition to declare alleged communists as terrorists the report, moreover, noted the government petition seeking to tag more than 600 people as ‘terrorists” under the human Security Act of 2007. there are at least 80 recognized human rights defenders, indigenous peoples’ representatives and representatives of community-based organizations on the list, UN said. “A number of these individuals have been long-standing partners of the United Nations who believe their inclusion on this list is in part due to their international advocacy with the United Nations, including the human Rights council, the universal periodic review, the treaty bodies and special procedures,” the report said. Last month, UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria tauli-corpuz, former Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna), National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rafael Baylosis and other human rights advocates were cleared as “non-parties” to the government petition. UN experts had welcomed the resolution of the Manila court but appealed to the Philippine government to remove all human rights defenders from the list. n

California’s uninsured rate declined last...

PAGE A5 t

the report emphasized its deficiencies. “today’s report is another reminder that Obamacare has priced insurance out of the reach of millions of working families,” Marie Fishpaw and Doug Badger of the heritage Foundation said in a statement. “Despite a growing economy and very low unemployment rate, the uninsured rate remains virtually unchanged.” “these numbers show the resilience of the Affordable care Act,” said Judith Solomon, senior fellow at the center on Budget and Policy Priorities. She said people still value the coverage they receive from the health law even as it’s been under attack by President Donald trump and Republicans who want to repeal it. “it’s good news because the numbers show the strength of the AcA but bad news in that we have not seen further progress.” Solomon expressed concern, though, about the large number of states seeing uninsured rates increase. Uninsured rates last year ranged from a high of more than 17 percent in texas to low of just under 3 percent in Massachusetts. West Virginia had one of the sharpest increases in uninsured. About 14 percent of the state’s residents were uninsured in 2013 before the AcA’s premium subsidies and Medicaid expansion began. that rate fell by nearly two-thirds by 2016. Last year, however, West Virginia’s uninsured rate crept up 0.8 percentage points to 6.1 percent, according to the census report. carol Bush, 58, of elkins, W.Va., expects to lose coverage Oct. 1 because her job is ending. it’s an unfortunate irony: elkins has served for the past three years as a navigator helping people in her community find coverage in the health law marketplaces. Federal officials

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau

have largely scrapped that program. the trump administration cut funding by more than 80 percent during the past two years, saying it had no proof that navigators were helping people find coverage. Only if consumers signed up in the presence of the navigator was a session considered a success. Bush had coverage through the University of West Virginia, which has a navigator contract that ends at the end of this month. Without employer coverage, Bush said, the cheapest insurance she could find would be about $1,100 a month. She won’t qualify for a federal subsidy to lower her premium because of her family’s income. her husband is insured through Medicare. Although she said she has strongly considered going without insurance because of the cost, she knows she needs it. “in all honesty, i’ve always had some kind of health insurance, and the thought of being without it worries me,” she said. “i can’t risk getting seriously ill and incurring enormous debt at this point in my life. Peace of mind has a value too.”

Shenandoah community health center, a federally funded health clinic in Martinsburg, W.Va., has started to see an increase in uninsured patients the past year, although it’s still below levels it saw before the health law’s coverage expansion began in 2014, said ceO Michael hassing. hassing said he believes many patients have dropped coverage, thinking the AcA’s individual mandate was repealed. “Folks say, ‘i don’t need to have it anymore,’ and they let it go,” he said. While the GOP failed last year to repeal the law, congress was able to strip out one of its key features — the individual penalty for not having coverage. the vote last December eliminated that penalty starting in 2019 — meaning Americans are still required this year to have health coverage or face the consequences on their 2018 taxes. KHN senior correspondent Anna Gorman contributed to this report. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 15-18, 2018

D ateline PhiliPPines Tourism Congress of the Philippines: Chinese foreign minister to visit the PH ‘Boracay not yet ready for tourists’ by RobeRtzon

RamiRez

Philstar.com

manILa — Boracay is not yet ready for tourists. Over a month before the reopening of Boracay on Oct. 26, some tourism stakeholders have yet to start accepting bookings for the island due to its condition. tourism Congress of the philippines (tCp) president Jose Clemente told The Star that no bookings have been accepted as of this time as Boracay is not yet fully rehabilitated. “We have not yet accepted bookings until now because rehabilitation is just 50 percent. It might be useless to go there because a lot of work is still ongoing,” Clemente said in Filipino. as far as he is concerned, Clemente said the present condition of Boracay is good only on the level of local tourists, but not for foreign visitors. He added that he would not want to recommend it, for now, even as he urged foreign visitors not to expect too much on the soft opening of Boracay on Oc-

Over a month before the reopening of Boracay on Oct. 26, some tourism stakeholders have yet to start accepting bookings for the island due to its condition. Philstar.com photo

tober 15. “If they insist on visiting Boracay, just don’t expect a fully restored Boracay as it is still a work in progress,” Clemente told The Star. Clemente emphasized, though, that they are continuing the promotion campaigns and other marketing strategies in the international market to ensure that foreigners will still remember it. Boracay was closed to tourists on april 26, a few months after president Duterte called it

a “cesspool” due to sewerage problems and environmental violations of some tourism stakeholders there. tourism Secretary Bernadette romulo-puyat said Boracay’s soft opening in October will be followed by another opening in april 2019 and the full opening in December 2019. puyat emphasized that the opening of Boracay comes in three phases to restore the old condition of the island, which could not be done with just a sixmonth rehabilitation. n

Send mission to investigate EJKs, De Lima asks UNHRC by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

ings (eJKs) related to the government’s all-out war on drugs. In her letter to the UnHrC manILa — Sen. Leila de Lima member-states last Sept. 5, De has called on the United nations Lima reiterated her support for Human rights Council (UnHrC) civil society groups and multilatto send an independent fact-find- eral organizations in urging the ing mission to the philippines to UnHrC to take “concrete and investigate the extrajudicial kill- sustainable forms of action” on

Sen. Leila de Lima

Philstar.com photo

human rights issues in the philippines. “there is urgency to create such a fact-finding mission or a commission of inquiry at the level of the UnHrC to address the human rights calamity in my country,” she said as she requested for “urgent action” on what she described as a human rights crisis in the philippines. the letter was sent as the UnHrC starts its 39th session this week. De Lima urged member-states to pass a resolution for a factfinding mission “after credible investigation at the domestic level has been effectively blocked, if not met with indifference, (by) local authorities.” De Lima, a critic of the Duterte administration, has been detained at the philippine national police headquarters on what she

u PAGE A10

China Sea,” the statement read. the DFa also said that they will discuss the “infrastructure projDepartment of Foreign af- ects under the philippine governfairs (DFa) Secretary alan peter ment’s flagship Build, Build, Build Cayetano on Wednesday, Septem- program” with Wang. Wang’s official visit will fall ber 12, announced that Chinese Chief Foreign minister Wang Yu a month after Cayetano visited will visit the country to talk about China last august 22. It was when the joint exploration of the West Cayetano had a “non-confrontational” protest on China’s radio philippine Sea. “the visit is aimed at further building on the increasingly strong foundation of friendship between the philippines and China,” DFa said in a statement as reported by the philippine Star. Cayetano noted that the Wang’s visit is considered a great push towards a stable relationship with China. “State Councilor Wang’s visit is a demonstration that our bilateral ties are becoming solid and steady as never before,” Cayetano said. Wang’s official visit will be on September 16 to 18, Sunday to tuesday next week as per the invitation of the foreign affairs secretary. “the philippines and China are both committed to continue on the path of cooperation, all the while ensuring that the Filipino and the Chinese people will reap the dividends of our mutual efforts,” Cayetano added. DFa explained the agenda of the meetings between the representatives of the two countries. they are hopeful that they will arrive at an agreement on how to better manage the territory with respect to the domestic and international ruling. “the two sides are also expected to continue discussions on oil and gas cooperation, with the view of coming up with a framework of cooperation that conforms to respective rules and regulations and international laws,” the statement said. the DFa believes continuous talks between China and the philippines would promote a harmonious interaction between the two. they are also hoping that the visit will address issues that the countries are facing. “With continued dialogue and consultation anchored on mutual trust and respect, and the resolute pursuit of mutually beneficial practical cooperation, philippines and China will continue to work together in managing differences and addressing issues pertaining to the West philippine Sea/South

by aJPress

warnings in the West philippine Sea. the state councilor’s visit will be followed by Chinese president Xi Jinping’s trip in november. presidential Spokesperson Harry roque Jr. said that they will then finalized the discussion on the framework for joint development of resources in the West philippine Sea. n

A8 SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Coastal cleanup

FEATURES

THE full fury of Typhoon Ompong will be felt this weekend as the Philippines joins the world in observing International Coastal Cleanup Day. The importance of this special day, with the activities in the Philippines moved to September 22 because of Ompong, is certain to linger beyond September 15 as the storm surge and strong waves spawned by the typhoon are sure to wash ashore garbage dumped indiscriminately into the sea. Garbage, notably non-biodegradable waste, has damaged reefs and killed various forms of marine life. Ocean pollution is also reducing the global fish catch, threatening livelihoods and food security in communities that are dependent on small-scale fishing in shallower municipal waters. Ocean pollution aggravates the impact of global warming on national food security. Pollution is also bad for tourism. The Philippine government has taken the drastic and extraordinary step of shutting down Boracay Island at the peak of the travel season this year to fix its inadequate sewerage system, preserve the pristine state of its beaches and promote sustainable tourism. There are many other areas across the country and in other parts of the globe, however, where

Editorial

beaches and seas need saving from pollution. In this mission, governments can only do so much. The responsibility for saving the oceans and coastal areas ultimately rests

on individuals. Started 30 years ago in the US state of Texas with around 2,800 volunteers, Coastal Cleanup Day is now observed in some 100 countries. With the cleanup postponed for a week in the Philippines because of Ompong, there is still time to register as a volunteer for activities on Sept. 22. Beyond observing a special day, however, the cleanup should inspire sustainable actions to prevent garbage from ending up in the oceans. Coastal Cleanup Day also serves to raise awareness that each of us is a custodian of the planet. (Philstar.com)

Philstar.com photo

Tracy Lachica Buenavista’s charisma and commitment towards revolutionary mentoring and servant leadership

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “All good teachers understand that the essence of teaching centers on human interactions, especially between teachers and students, but most college professors struggle with how to do this. Here’s one thing that Tracy [Buenavista] does each semester that amazes us. In the first class session, she has all students introduce themselves to her and their classmates. After 30+ students’ introductions, Buenavista goes row by row, reciting each student’s first name from memory. Through this one action, she lets each student know that she has taken the time to listen, to learn their name, and to personally welcome each into her class.” – A Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN) student, as told to Prof. Glenn Omatsu, 2018 CHARISM is defined as an extraordinary power given to a Christian by the Holy Spirit for the good of the church. It is like an academic professor’s charisma to mentor their students to reach for their life’s goals. It is akin to students who did not even view themselves as probable candidates for higher education, yet are surprised when they actualize their innate potentials, from the

mentoring given by Glenn Omatsu and this feature article’s subject, Dr. Tracy Lachica Buenavista, Ph.D. I once wrote about Glenn Omatsu as the quintessential mentor, effective academic teacher and unselfish life coach at CSUN to Black, Latino, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, White, gay or transgender students, and regardless of any religious background. One can count on Omatsu’s heart to be a warm welcoming space, a soulful home to seek wisdom from, but mostly to even recognize one’s own innate strengths. Was it because he was keenly aware that he was raised by a village of community-centered hearts, which includes mentors like Ho Nguyen, Kazu and Tak Iiijima, Clarence Spear, Grace Lee Boggs, Yuri Kochiyama, Philip Vera Cruz, K.W. Lee, Yuji Ichioka, Mo Nishida and Russell Leong, and even relatively unknown individuals, 60 of whom are listed in his essay on “Listening to the Small Voice Speaking the Truth,” listing Kathy and Mark Masaoka, including this writer? Revolutionary mentoring and servant leadership Omatsu’s example calls to mind Buenavista, also a professor, and who she is to her colleagues, her students and her chair.

GREG B. MACABENTA In grade school in Tacloban, Leyte, what we pupils dreaded most was to be told by the teachers, “Bobo…better go home and plant camote!” I guess that served to create the impression in our young provinciano minds that planting camote or laboring on the soil for that matter was a lowly undertaking, and was only for simpletons and those with no upward strivings. No wonder that, as we grew older, most of us wanted to leave the province – away from the farm - to seek our fortune in Manila. I must confess that in my own family, no one chose to remain in the farm to take care of what our parents had scrimped so hard to own – land that they could pass on their children. The other day, Ringo, my eldest son and the only one among my children residing in the Philippines, posted a red flag message on viber, “Siling labuyo is now over P1,000 per kilo (sticker price says P1,295

per kilo). Grabe na inflation sa Pilipinas.” In this connection, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, at least, had a useful suggestion Instead of complaining, plant your own siling labuyo. Here is what one news item reported: In a Facebook post, Piñol said that it would be “wise to be innovative” on the heels of soaring prices of commodities powered by the increase in fuel prices and electricity rates. When you buy red sili, make sure to get a few seeds, sun-dry these and plant them in flower pots. When you gurgle in the morning when you wake up, just throw the water in the pot,” the secretary said. “Before you know it, you would just wake up one morning to see your plants adorned with red fruits. Kailangan lang kaunting sipag para hindi reklamo nang reklamo,” he added. Piñol also said that red sili was being sold for only about P50 per kilo in Kidapawan, Cotabato, as “almost every farmer in the province plants “sili” in his backyard.” It was Piñol’s advice that brought back to mind the admonition of my grade school teachers. That “lowly” undertaking of planting camote and other

tributions. Not, in Buenavista’s classroom where everyone is welcome! In an email to this writer, Gonzalez wrote, “I met Dra. Tracy Lachica Buenavista through a Race, Racism, and Critical Thinking course I took with her in the Asian American Studies department [in] my second year at CSUN. Dra. Buenavista made a tremendous impact on my educational and personal trajectory, since six years ago. I am now a Ph.D. candidate at Syracuse University. Through her mentorship, I got to believe that I could do more in school and even, life. She wrote a strong letter of recommendation for me and helped me scout Ph.D. programs. She guided me through the graduate school application process and played a key role in helping me decide, after countless hours of seeking her advice. Because I come from a mixed-status family, I reached out to Dra. Buenavista where to access information about citizenship. I attribute much of my academic and social success to her. “Additionally, Dra. Buenavista inspired me to do more for my community. She instilled in me a profound sense of social justice to advocate for myself and for others in need of help. At CSUN,

thing I plant shrivels and dies), I would like to start a vegetable garden in our yard. Thank heavens for house help with green thumbs, I have been allowed to contribute to the family budget by planting ideas instead of camote and vegetables. But I do recall that, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, every household was required to maintain a vegetable garden, If there was no yard for a vegetable plot, people had to grow their plants in flower pots mounted on window sills. Households also raised poultry and had chicken, goats and pigs freely roaming in the yard. Starvation was never a threat in those days. Just death by bayoneting or losing one’s head to a samurai. While in the grades in Tacloban, we were all required to maintain vegetable plots as part of our vocational education (home economics for the girls). What about city dwellers and those who have no land for planting? They can resort to hydrophonics. According to available data, indoor gardening (in warehouses, containers and especially-made growing chambers ) is fully developed in Asia. Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan have major agricultural industries using the hydrophonic system. These days, people complain about the high cost of food with-

out striving to learn how to grow them, and about the high cost of everything else, without bothering to learn how to make them. One can argue that if one can afford to pay for food, why bother to grow them. And if one can afford to buy clothes, toys and gadgets, why bother to make them yourself? But it is not simply affordability. I think it is a problem of values. On one visit to a farmhouse in a barrio in Albay, our hosts apologized to us for preparing “only chicken” for lunch. They said that if they had known we were coming, they would have bought sardines. The impression was obviously that, for folks from Manila, a meal of sardines was more “high class.” The other problem is the harsh reality that more and more people cannot afford to pay for food (or sardines) or buy other necessities. Because people have to eat, the food has to be grown somehow and because certain necessities cannot be done without, they have to be made somehow. It is said that the late President Ramon Magsaysay once demanded to know why the Law of Supply and Demand could not be repealed. His aides didn’t quite know how to respond. In fact, that law can be countered and neutralized – by increasing supply and decreasing demand.

Take rice. Filipinos have a higher average individual consumption of rice than other Asians, the rationale being that rice “makes you feel full” and it compensates for having little or no ulam (viand). The truth is, we can reduce our invidual intake of rice by over half and turn out healthier for it. I think a serious educational campaign should be undertaken on the nutritional benefits of reducing rice consumption in the Filipinos’t diet and increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits. I grew up making my own toys because my parents didn’t think it was necessary to buy them for me. I’m sure my own kids would have learned how to make their own playthings if we didn’t feel that it was a parental duty to spoil them. Indeed, a good life tends to spoil us and allow us to spoil our children. Perhaps the silver lining behind the soaring cost of commodities is that our people will be forced to plant them, grow them, develop them and make them for themselves. I think we should start telling our people to go back to raising poultry and maintaining a small piggery and to go home and plant siling labuyo and other fruits and vegetables – and, oh yes, plant camote. ■ (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

Buenavista with students from CSUN’s Asian American Studies Pathways Project Photo by Clement Lai

Gina Masequesnay, Ph.D., past chair of the department of Asian American Studies, had this to say, “Tracy is a wonderful colleague and an excellent student mentor and professor. She is efficient, prolific and student-oriented. She is well respected by colleagues and is one of the leaders in her field. CSUN AAS is very lucky to have Tracy contribute to our department. She is engaged in students’ success. Her research is on what matters to our communities. She models and mentors excellence for students, staff and faculty and just won CSUN’s Outstanding Faculty Award [in 2018].”

Go home and plant camote Street Talk

CSUN’s Faculty Senate chose Buenavista as one of the Outstanding Faculty Awardees, based on her teaching, research, and service achievements in both Asian American studies and education. She conducts research in “critical race work to address the complex experiences of racially minoritized communities and examines the potential of higher education to transform the material conditions for marginalized people.” Her scholarly work has advocated for the educational rights of immigrant students and contributes to the advancement of CSUN’s goals of diversity, inclusive excellence and quality

education. Her prescient research in “’White’ Washing in American Education: The New Culture Wars in Ethnic Studies” (2016) is a two-volume anthology on contemporary attacks against ethnic studies. She completed a new book, “Education at War: the Fight for Students of Color at America’s Public Schools.” It calls to mind the War on Truth, propounded in “Fear: Trump in the White House” by Bob Woodward. Her award was made even more meaningful when her former students, Martín Alberto Gonzalez and Bhernard Tila, attributed their present successes to the effective mentoring by Buenavista. In one of her Facebook photos, Buenavista is shown with college undergraduates attending a graduate school 101 seminar, that higher education though often regarded as “the ivory tower,” is within these students’ reach, and even though they might find it difficult to decipher the academic language used, as in CRT. Could that be short for a coronary procedure? Perhaps! It can be construed as a reversal of closed hearts, and narrowly-programmed minds unable to see others and their meaningful con-

crops may be the best thing that our people can do to survive rising prices and the very real threat of starvation, not to mention the daily reality of malnutrition. I suggest that Piñol – in fact, the entire administration of President Rodrigo Duterte – should expand and pursue the concept of self-sufficiency beyond growing siling labuyo. One reason why we are falling behind neighboring countries in Asia is that we are a nation of consumers rather than manufacrurers, a nation of buyers rather than sellers. My late father-in-law, Jose Nobleza of Jovellar, Albay was a farmer. Papa was scandalized at the sight of people discarding the seeds of fruits that they had just eaten. “Why didn’t you plant those seeds instead of throwing them away?” he would admonish. The folks at our home in Parañaque have been taking Papa’s advice. In our front yard, we now have a fully grown avocado tree that has begun to bear fruits, a couple of fruit-yielding papaya trees, a guava tree, a malunggay tree and, oh yes, siling labuyo - all because the house help decided to stick seeds in the ground instead of throwing them away. If I only had a green thumb (I have a brown thumb and every-

u PAGE A9

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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OpiniOn & Features

Tracy Lachica Buenavista’s charisma...

Photo by Jordan Beltran Gonzales

PAGE A8 t she conceptualized and wrote the Campus Quality fee (CQf) grant for the eOP CSUN DReAM Center in order to employ staff to provide specialized services and establish a sanctuary-type space for undocumented students and other students with marginalized identities. I am continually impressed and inspired by Dra. Buenavista’s accolades and accomplishments with respect to everything she does for the students and her community. She practices what she preaches. I am very grateful and privileged to call her my mentor.” In a one-on-one interview with this writer in West Los Angeles on May 2, 2018, Buenavista explained, “The eOP CSUN DReAM Center is among the first undocumented resource centers in the 23-campus CSUN system and she is the primary author and co-principal investigator for the Asian American Studies Pathway Project (AASPP), a retention project that centers on Asian American and Pacific Islander needs.” CRT or critical race theory is a framework Buenavista uses to help students understand the social origins of race and, racism, and as a guide through her courses on comparative ethnic studies, immigration, multiracial experiences, and research methods in Asian American studies and education. Buenavista accomplishes this interlocking web of understanding, “by scaffolding theoretical discussions that challenge dominant color-blind racist ideologies grounded in [white supremacy], with community-based research and service projects that assert social justice agendas, and through an emphasis on mentoring students beyond the classroom. I also utilize students’ social media literacies and provide opportunities in which students can attend

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 15-18, 2018

Lorenzana not aware of foreign intel info on alleged Duterte ouster

DefeNSe Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday, September 13 he has no knowledge of the supposed “sympathetic” country providing intelligence information to President Rodrigo Duterte about the alleged destabilization plot of his critics. “I’m not aware of that,” he told Inquirer.net when asked if he knew about the foreign intelligence information pertaining to an ouster plot against the president. In a televised interview with Chief Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo on Tuesday, September 11, Duterte claimed that a foreign country supplied him information that the opposition, Inaugural Critical Filipino and Filipino Studies Collective National Assembly Photo courtesy of Tracy the Magdalo group and commuLachica Buenavista nists led by Jose Ma. Sison have campus and community events,” al Service to Students Award in “combined” destabilization efforts 2017 and was nominated for the against him. she explained. “I have the evidence. I have the She imprints further her im- AeRA Critical educators for Sopact, such that Tila wrote that cial Justice Revolutionary Mentor conversation provided by a foreign country sympathetic to us. We Buenavista “primarily teaches Award in 2018. In 2017, Buenavista was pro- don’t have that sophistication,” he various classes for undergraduate students such as AAS 201, moted to the rank of full profes- said. When the defense chief was AAS 360, and AAS 311. She sor. She wrote a post expressing [TB1] also teaches in the doctoral delight of her history and grati- asked if he knew which country is program in educational Leader- tude to her community of men- supposedly supplying intelligence ship at CSUN. I took two classes tors on facebook: “After 10 years under her and even met her at a of schooling and 10 years as facclub organizational meeting for ulty, it’s official! What we do as Dreams to be Heard, the primary underrepresented/marginalized support group for undocumented folk are difficult to explain/understand and I thank every single Students and allies at CSUN.” “She has been very help- one of you (family, homies, menful and supportive of students tors and students) who helped from historically educationally- this working-class 1.5-generation MALACAÑANG said on fridisadvantaged and low-income college student of color carve a day, September 14, that the communities. Without Professor safe space in the hostile place Philippine military will not have Buenavista’s empowerment and that is the academy. And while any weaknesses, amid the claim active support, in and outside it is a long and arduous process of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that of the classroom setting, I truly with many obstacles along the junior and senior military offibelieve that I will not be where I way, I’m most proud that I did not cers support him. am today as an undocumented, compromise my values and ideThis, a day after The Manila first-generation, of senior stand- als, and only did work that I be- Times published an advertiseing in a higher education institu- lieved in and felt was relevant to ment paid for by the eagle fration. I thank her for many things me, my family, and community.” ternal Chapter of the Philippine Lineage of educators formed Military Academy Alumni Assobut I cannot thank her enough for encouraging me to continue my her consciousness to serve ciation, Inc. (PMAAAI) calling Buenavista was born in San for the expulsion of Trillanes education and for pushing me to new limits as a student. Overall, francisco to Robert Abuan from the alumni group. she is dedicated to being a ser- Buenavista, her father, and HerPalace spokesman Harry vant leader, advocate, but [most] minia Lachica Buenavista, her Roque Jr. told reporters in a of all a mentor to many students, mother. Due to his service in the message that there will not be faculty and staff,” Tila continued. U.S. Navy, Buenavista’s father any chink in the chain” of the Given her “cutting-edge” re- lived in Hawai‘i and eventually military adding that the PMAAAI search studies, Buenavista has the San francisco Bay Area. advertisement “reflects overfrom her father, she learned a all sentiment of the military,” keynoted and presented at conferences sponsored by Mellon sense of duty to family and com- Roque said. foundation, Chapman Univer- munity. Her mother nurtured Trillanes is a member of PMA sity ethnic Studies Summit, the Tracy and gave her the first expo- Marilag class of 1995. fresh Ayers public lecture series sure to schooling, albeit informal Dozens of members of the in Chicago, and the American with encyclopedia Brittanica, and PMAAAI eagle fraternal Chapeducational Research Associa- taught her words and math. ter signed the statement. (Ralph Herminia, Tracy’s mom, had Edwin Villanueva/ManilaTimes. tion (AeRA) in New York. She has also received CSUN’s exceptionu PAGE A11 net)

Palace: Military ‘intact’ despite Trillanes’ claims

information to the President about his critics, he answered: “No.” Duterte has repeatedly claimed that he is being targeted by the US Central Intelligence Agency, which was also dismissed by Lorenzana. “Sabi ng CIA, hindi daw nila gawa ‘yun (The CIA said that’s not their doing),” he said. The defense chief earlier denied the allegations about the CIA at a

budget hearing at the House of Representatives two weeks ago. Lorenzana said the President, an avid reader, could have only read about the CIA operations in books. “I think kasi the President loves to read books. He reads a lot of books. Whenever he has a new book that is new and good, he gives us copies of the book,” he said. (Inquirer.net)

A10 September 15-18, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Comelec installs features to protect 2019 polls’ integrity THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has put 82 enhancements in the automated polls to be used in next year’s senatorial and local elections to further ensure integrity and accuracy, officials said. The improvements were based on independent and internal audits as well as external reviews of private IT experts, Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo and executive director Jose Tolentino said during the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System

(JCOC-AES). The JCOC-AES, chaired by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III and CIBAC party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna, held its periodic review of the election system amid allegations of fraud in the 2016 elections. “This is a welcome development... I just hope the Comelec would continue making improvements and learn its lessons from the previous elections,” Pimentel told reporters after the deliberations at the Senate. Pimentel and Tugna suggested to the Comelec to see if they could

add more security features recommended by IT experts present during the hearing. Among the improvements in the 2019 elections are making the ballot ovals thicker, generating raw data from precinct results, vote counting machines (VCMs) will automatically print statistics reports after the close of voting hours as well as other measures to make it easier for the public to monitor the results of the polls. Tolentino said the panel of independent IT experts and international certification entity (ICE), along with Comelec representatives, would soon start its review of the source code of the software to be used by voting technology services provider Smartmatic Philippines. The source code review is expected to end in December, Tolentino said. Tolentino also told the panel that the 97,500 VCMs the Comelec purchased from Smartmatic after the 2016 elections have passed the hardware tests. The VCMs will be tested again by ICE in January next year, this time running with the election software. He said the Comelec also approved Smartmatic’s bid to be the transmission provider for the 2019 elections as part of the firm’s “total solutions” package. Smartmatic will be mobilizing Smart, Globe, PLDT and other satellite service providers in handling the transmission of data from the precincts to the Comelec. Voter registration won’t be extended The registration of voters for next year’s midterm polls will not be extended, the Comelec announced on Thursday, September 13. James Jimenez, spokesman for the Comelec, said the poll body would not likely extend voter registration beyond the Sept. 29 deadline. He said the commission has yet to decide on the request of lawmakers to extend the voter registration period. The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives earlier called on the Comelec to extend voter registration to Jan. 13 next year. According to Jimenez, the calendar of activities for the May 2019 polls is being reviewed after the commission moved the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) to Oct. 11-17. The Comelec also reminded Filipinos abroad that they have only until Saturday to have their records of registration transferred. n

EMERGENCY KITS. Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard J. Gordon presents emergency kits the aid agency had prepared for the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut), during the media briefing held at the Philippine Red Cross Tower in Mandaluyong City on Friday, September 14. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Sison: Duterte lying about alliance of CPP, LP and Trillanes by AJPress COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison on Wednesday, September 12, denied the allegations that his group is teaming up with the Liberal Party (LP) and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. “There has never been any discussion between me or the CPP with Trillanes or the Liberal Party about ousting Duterte from power,” Sison said. However, he claimed that the group welcomes any other institution against the Duterte administration that would pledge their allegiance toward CPP to promote “a broad united front” to oust the president from office as reported by The Philippine Star. “The broad united front promoted by the CPP against the Duterte tyranny is open to all patriotic forces. But as far as I know, there are yet no talks between the CPP and Trillanes’ group or the Liberal Party,” Sison said. Sison also criticized the president for coming up with false accusations that other international countries are monitoring his conversations.

“Duterte is lying and bluffing by claiming that there are recorded conversations provided by a foreign government,” Sison said. He then urged the president to reveal pieces of evidence that his conversations were being monitored and recorded without his consent. “I challenge him to present publicly what he claims as recorded conversations,” Sison said. Sison said that if Duterte provides proof that his conversation was indeed under surveillance, technological experts will have to disclose the falsehood of the leader’s claims. “The experts will easily expose the fakery if he dares to present anything,” Sison added. He even compared it to the president’s tirade against his staunch critic - Trillanes claiming that the senator has bank accounts in the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS). “This could be something like his invented foreign bank accounts of Trillanes,” Sison said. The communist leader said that Duterte is doing this out of fear that he might be removed from

the presidency in the months to come. “Duterte is now worried to death and so desperate as to imagine that he would be ousted this coming October,” Sison said. However, he subtly forewarned that the president might not finish his presidential term considering that there is a possibility that the military and police forces might withdraw their support. “At any rate, Duterte will be lucky if he survives 2018 and even luckier if he survives middle of 2019,” he added. Duterte clapped back claiming that there was a “friendly” foreign government that uncovered a plot against his presidency and the administration. He also stated that the communist leader should be tried for terrorism. “Sison should face a trial. Sison is a terrorist, and as a terrorist, I do not see any leeway or enough elbow room for him to move around,” he said. The conflict between Duterte and Sison began when they hit on each other’s health conditions after they fail to arrive at a consensus within the government and communist members. n

Filipinos’ economic woes to worsen, says Robredo by Rhodina

VillanueVa, ding CeRVantes Philstar.com

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Vice President Leni Robredo said President Duterte’s failure to admit economic and other problems could only worsen the economic woes of Filipinos. In an interview with media at the Batang-batang Elementary School in Victoria, Tarlac, Robredo said Duterte should have used his televised “tete-a-tete” with chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo as an opportunity to admit that “there really is a problem and this is what we are doing.” Robredo said there are many proposals to solve inflation but they are not acted upon. Robredo cited as example the Bawas Presyo Bill of Sen. Bam Aquino and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo seeking to suspend the imposition of excise tax on fuel given the domino effect of higher oil prices on other basic commodities. Another problem, Robredo said, was that different people were facing the public saying different things, making Filipinos more worried as there seems to be no solid plan to address the problems. “…lalong lumolobo iyong inflation (inflation is ballooning even more),” Robredo said. She said the government should give an assurance that “it

is on top of the situation” rather than look out of control and cause people to worry that life will only become more difficult. Robredo also urged Malacañang to resolve the rice crisis immediately. She said the President’s denial of a rice shortage was contrary to what was being experienced by Filipinos nationwide. She also lamented the statement of government that rice hoarding could be a culprit in the rice crisis, yet no one has been arrested. “If there are shortcomings, accept them so that solutions will be done,” she said. Robredo also noted Malacañang has ignored the clamor for the ouster of National Food Administration (NFA) administrator Jason Aquino, who eventually asked to be relieved from his post, because of the agency’s inefficiencies. Robredo recalled that during her recent visit to Zamboanga along with Senator Aquino, people complained of hardship because of the high price of rice. She also noted long lines of people seeking to buy cheaper rice wherever it was available. The Vice President said Duterte has not reached out to seek her help on current problems. Still, she said she needs to voice out her proposals and that she had submitted a long list to Malacañang in recent weeks.

Robredo was in Victoria to inaugurate a school building costing P1 million in Barangay Batang-batang. The building can accommodate 54 Grade 1 and kindergarten pupils. The project was under her office’s Angat Buhay program in partnership with Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa Foundation and JVR Foundation. Protest actions set Various peasant groups will stage simultaneous regional and provincial protest caravans today to assail the government’s failure to address the economic issues plaguing farmers and rural folk. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said farmers in Central Luzon, Bicol and Negros regions will lead the protest caravans. KMP secretary-general Antonio Flores said thousands of farmers from Bicol will start their decentralized provincial protests in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes. “The protest caravan in provinces will highlight the farmers’ demand for genuine land reform and opposition against militarization and human rights violations. Bicol coconut farmers will also demand the increase in the buying prices of copra,” Flores said.

u PAGE A11

Send mission to investigate EJKs, De Lima asks UNHRC PAGE A7 t

branded were fabricated illegal drugs charges. The independent international fact-finding mission must be urgently constituted and dispatched to establish facts and circumstances of EJKs and other human rights violations in the government’s war on drugs, she said. De Lima said the proposed UNHRC mission should help ensure that victims of EJKs and human rights abuses will find justice and that their perpetrators and masterminds will be held accountable for their crimes. “There is added cogency in this call considering that the killings continue, and Duterte has vowed in his recent State of the Nation Address that his drug war would remain relentless and chilling as on the day it begun,” she said. Citing reports from various agencies, she said the National Bureau of Investigation claimed it was investigating only 37 drug war-related killings, and the Department of Justice said it was only able to investigate 71 cases,

wherein only 19 reached the courts for prosecution. In addition, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the PNP has no public report on whether it is even handling any sincere investigation of EJKs, which should be part of its mandate. “By not conducting prompt, thorough and effective investigation into the extrajudicial killings under the so-called war on drugs, the Philippine government is in a clear breach of its duty under international law,” De Lima said. Under international law, she said states have the obligation to investigate EJKs and provide effective remedy by competent national institutions for these violations. However, De Lima continued, the present Philippine government has unilaterally withdrawn from its membership to the Rome Statute/International Criminal Court (ICC), an issue that is now a subject of petition before the Supreme Court of the

Philippines. “His (President Duterte) government even refuses to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms. Worse, he shamelessly disrespects UN officials. The Philippines did not fully accept over half of the recommendations it received during its Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC in 2017,” she added. She also noted how the then UN high commissioner and other UN special rapporteurs have been threatened and verbally attacked when they expressed their grave concerns over the human rights situation in the Philippines. According to De Lima, the only major investigation on EJKs that took place was the Senate inquiry in 2016, which she said she initiated and conducted. De Lima lamented that after Duterte’s allies ousted her as chair of the justice committee, the public hearings were abruptly concluded with a “dubious report,” which ruled that killings were not state-sponsored. n

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A11

SAP Bong Go claims corruption Tracy Lachica Buenavista’s charisma... allegations are ‘politically motivated’ PAGE A9 t

by AJPress SPECIAL Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday, September 10, denied the corruption allegations against him amid the involvement of the family-owned CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders in the government’s public work projects. Go said that the said criticisms hurled against him were “politically motivated attacks” considering that there are groups clamoring for him to pursue a senatorial position. “Did I have any involvement in these? Did I touch anything? None,” Go said, as reported by The Manila Times. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that the CLTG Builders — owned by Deciderio Go, the presidential assistant’s father — won a total of P1.85 billion in government contracts from 2007 to 2017, not including the joint venture projects with Alfrego, which is owned by his halfbrother Alfredo. Go insisted that the said businesses went through the proper process of bidding. He said that he never interfered with the decision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) let alone influenced them to choose the family business. “Being related to me does not disqualify them to bid. These projects are publicly [bid on] anyway. I never intervened nor influenced the DPWH on how

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go Inquirer.net photo

they bid or award these projects. My office does not control DPWH, to begin with,” he said. He said that he never once conversed with the engineers in the department. “Ni hindi nga ako nakikiusap sa mga engineer, ‘Ito pondohan mo’ (I don’t even talk to engineers and say, ‘Fund this’),” the secretary said. He added, “Si DBM (Department of Budget and Management), ni minsan hindi ko sinabihan na lagyan mo ang Davao City para makapabor doon (Not once have I told DBM to allot money for Davao City).” He also said that should there

be proof that he engaged in corruption, he will immediately quit his cabinet position. “Once you are able to prove that I spoke with anyone — secretary, regional directors, DBM — everyone who is connected in your research, if I ever did, I will resign. I will resign immediately,” Go promised. Go clarified that the family’s construction business predates his birth. He said that he could have easily talked his way to the president but because of “delicadeza,” he chose not to. “For 15 years, I prevented my family from entering [the Davao] City Hall. I told them, “If you enter City Hall, I will leave [it],” Go said. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed on Wednesday, September 12, a resolution urging the Senate Civil Service Committee to look into the above-mentioned accusations and identify a possible conflict of interest. “Whereas, CLTG Builders caught the attention of PCIJ’s research because it failed to complete all of its joint-venture projects within the original deadline. CLTG also has a B license which means that it could not carry out a big-ticket project without having a partner,” Trillanes said, according to The Philippine Star. Go was among the top likely Senate candidates in a survey by PDP-LABAN along with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III. However, he denied any plans of running for the Senate. n

Filipinos’ economic woes to worsen... PAGE A10 t Flores likewise said that starting Sept. 17, farmers from the country’s rice granary Central Luzon will walk from Pampanga and Bulacan to the National Capital Region to raise urgent farmers’ issues, including massive land grabbing, land use conversion in the region as a result of Build, Build, Build government projects. In Negros Occidental, more than 4,000 farmers will converge on Sept. 20 for the 33rd anniversary of the Escalante massacre. “Meanwhile, Bicol and Central Luzon farmers will also join

the United People’s Action-led people’s protest on Sept. 21 in Luneta,” Flores added. The KMP also hit the House of Representatives for approving the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law or TRAIN 2, renamed Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities or TRABAHO when the public’s demand is for the government to immediately stop the implementation of TRAIN 1. The group said doable solutions to the inflation problem include immediate suspension of TRAIN, which had resulted in damaging domino-effect on

prices of petroleum, rice, basic goods and services. “TRAIN is among the major culprits of price hike. Stop this wayward TRAIN that is wrecking the livelihood of the people,” KMP said. Flores said “another solution is the imposition of price control on the prices of rice and grains, fish, vegetables and other food produce.” “This strong public demand cannot be simply dismissed or ignored by the Duterte administration. The need for firm state intervention through price control is urgent and necessary,” Flores said. n

always wanted to become an educator and even pursued her master’s degree. But, marriage to Robert preempted her own plans that have now been actualized by her daughter, Tracy. When her family moved permanently to stay in California, she first moved in with her cousins in Union City, where a big Filipino population lived, and when her family took up residence in Hayward, she went to Mt. Eden High School. There, she joined the Filipino club and developed a strong appreciation for ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity, as well as an awareness of educational inequities that privileged white and Asian American students and disadvantaged the Black, Latino, and Pacific Islander students at her school. She credits Mr. Rodriguez, her biology teacher and mentor, who encouraged them all to go to college. As a man of color who taught biology, he modeled for students, including Buenavista, a vision of what their future could be. She pursued an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Biology to satisfy her parents’ wish for her to “learn something practical.” However, at UC Berkeley, she realized her schooling underprepared her and she became more interested in the ethnic and racial make-up of students in her science courses. She entered college in fall of 1996, when debates on affirmative action were fervent. She found an academic home in Pilipino Academic Student Services (PASS) and the nascent consciousness that she is a Filipino, underrepresented and explored with other Asian Americans what that meant. She met other students of color whose parents could not afford the out-of-pocket costs to go to college and though she was working 20-30 hours per week, she struggled to become financially secure as she did not qualify for institutional support that did not consider the complex education generational status and financial obligations of transnational Filipino families in the U.S. It was at UC Berkeley where she realized her passion for and talent in ethnic studies. She eventually pursued two master’s degrees, one in Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University (SFSU), and another in education at UCLA. At SFSU, she met her mentor,

Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, who has just completed her Ph.D. in education at UCLA and who advised her to pursue a similar path to fulfill her dream to become a professor. Buenavista completed a Ph.D. at UCLA with an emphasis in higher education and organizational change. “So many people are relying on me to finish my dissertation,” she thought. “This kept me going as it was no longer for myself and I did not want to let anyone down. When I was coming up the ranks as a young scholar, the few books I could read on FilipinoAmericans was by Fred Cordova and E. San Juan, Jr. Now, there is a bumper crop of books written by Filipino-American scholars: Dawn Buhulano Mabalon, Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, Dylan Rodriguez, Dean Saranillio, Rudy Guevarra, Robyn Rodriguez, Kevin Nadal, Anthony Ocampo, EJR David, Valerie Francisco, and many more. We are experiencing a Filipino-American Academic Renaissance.” She credits the late Helen Toribio who “saw something in me and went with it. I wanted to serve my community, and it took people to have confidence in me first, until I had the self-confidence to do it.” She is also grateful to the consummate mentor of all many Asian American graduate students at UCLA, the late Don Nakanishi, Ph.D. who “consciously interacted and mentored me. Both Helen Toribio and Don Nakanishi were folks whom you observe and learn from, by their actions. They [Tintiangco-Cubales, Toribio] are strong, accomplished Pinay scholars who were accountable to the community. Mentoring is not always active; I chose them [including Nakanishi] as examples to follow. Don showed me how to navigate the academy and showed me the resources available to me at the university.” This motivated Buenavista to create spaces at CSUN, where she currently works, and through the EOP DREAM Center and Asian American Studies Pathways Project, CSUN students can have a sense of belonging. These “counterspaces” are where students can interrogate their personal experiences so as to understand “what’s it like to be a person of color at CSUN and in higher education.” Buenavista encourages students to go beyond themselves,

much like her mentors and predecessors, while providing the students the guidance and infrastructure to do what they are capable of doing, empowering themselves to do the programming of their own courses. It is said “To whom much is given, much is expected,” while Anne Frank (a Holocaust prisoner) wrote in her diary: ”Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be. How much you can love. What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” Buenavista’s resume is 20 pages long and I dare say she is a power dynamo who gives as much as she has been given by her mentors. She is mostly jet fuel-propelled by the ethos of service and her dedication to CSUN’s goals of diversity, inclusive excellence and quality education. Footnote: I dedicate this to Professor Dawn Buholano Mabalon, Ph.D., whose sudden death in August 10, 2018, at age 44, ignited a show of unity from: a California state assemblymember, mayor, national organizations, the youth, middle-aged professionals, elders, several media outlets, academic and non-profit colleagues who travelled from Alaska, Seattle, Michigan, New York City, Washington DC, East Bay, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Central Valley, Rio Grande New Mexico, Los Angeles, Stockton, Vallejo, San Diego for her funeral on August 24, 2018. Many professors across the U.S. have dedicated teaching their classes this semester to honor Mabalon, including a recently completed short film. A GoFundMe page was set up for her family to bring her remains back from Hawaii to California, which garnered $70,520 out of the $60,000 goal, in a month. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

A12 September 15-18, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

Journal Nickelodeon reboots “Blue’s Clues” Fil-Am Hannahlei Cabanilla wins with new name and Fil-Am host ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ “Aladdin” alum Joshua Dela Cruz makes his leading TV debut on the Nick Jr. classic Medenilla AJPress

find and interpret the clues. Dela Cruz will take over as the show’s third human host after a stint as the “Aladdin” understudy in the Broadway musical. Before he was an understudy for the lead role in “Aladdin,” the young Fil-Am appeared in “Here Lies Love,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “The King and I,” which he starred alongside fellow Fil-Am actor Lou Diamond Phillips. “Blue’s Clues & You” will be Dela Cruz’s television debut as a series regular; previously, he appeared on CBS’ “Bull” and ABC’s “Time After Time.” “I had the great honor of being a part of the search for the new host and I give Josh two thumbs up! He can definitely fill my shoes, and the rugby shirt,” Burns said in a statement. PAGE B2

New book focuses on Fil-Am theater history A book detailing the history of Filipino-American theater groups and artists is now available. “Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History” has information on Tony Award winners such as Lea Salonga (‘Miss Saigon’), Lena Hall (‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’), Clint Ramos (‘Eclipsed’) and Robert Lopez (‘Avenue Q,’ ‘Book of Mormon’). Written by Walter Ang, it also has interviews with Fil-Am theater makers such as directors, playwrights, set and costume designers and actors. Currently on Broadway, Ali Ewoldt is in ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ Arielle Jacobs and Don

Mendiola AJPress

SEASON 15 of the Fox reality competition ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ finally came to a close on Monday, September NICKELODEON is reviving 10, naming Hannahlei Cabanilla the beloved children’s program as the winner. “Blue’s Clues” with a new name Hailing from Anaheim Hills, — “Blue’s Clues & You” — and Cabanilla is an 18-year old a new host, Filipino-American Filipina-American contemporary Broadway star Joshua Dela dancer who began dancing at Cruz, The Hollywood Reporter the age of 2 and trained at the reported on Thursday, Sept. 13. Orange County Performing Arts Millennials who were young Academy. children in the late 1990s to According to Mercury News, the early 2000s will remember she bested three other finalists: “Blue’s Clues” as the colorful, Jensen Arnold, a 20-year-old interactive program about an Latin ballroom specialist from animated blue dog named Blue Provo, Utah; Genessy Castillo, who leaves paw prints on clues. an 18-year-old contemporary With the help of a live-action dancer from Jamaica, N.Y.; and human friend — in the early Slavik Pustovoytov, a 19-yearaughts, it was the beloved Steve old hip-hop specialist from (played by Steve Burns) and, latPoltova, Ukraine. er, Steve’s brother Joe (Donovan “This is, without a doubt, Patton) — young viewers must the best experience of my life,” Cabanilla said. “I am beyond thankful for every moment I’ve had on (the show), and I know that it is something I will never forget. I’m happy to say that this experience is just the beginning,” she added. Cabanilla had been considered to be among the front-runners early on in the season, as reported by Mercury News. She received countless of praises from the judges and never experienced the threat of elimination whenever weekly results were announced. Judge Nigel Lythgoe, who previously dubbed Cabanilla as this season’s “warrior princess” — making fellow judge Vannessa Hudgens proud to be a Filipina, “Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History” by Walter Ang features Lea Salonga said Cabanilla wasn’t just strong, “she was a great performer, and and other Tony Award-winning Filipino Americans. not just at one style but across Darryl Rivera are in ‘Disney’s Summer Musical.’ Lea Salonga the board.” eAladdin.’ Robert Brill designed just finished her stint in ‘Once Judge Mary Murphy, meanthe sets of ‘Summer: The Donna PAGE B3 by KlaRize

Fil-Am Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz will appear in Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues & You,” the reboot of children’s program, “Blue’s Clues.” Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon

by Ritchel

Photos from Instagram/@hannahleidazle

while, described Cabanilla as “one of the most technically sound dancers that we’ve had on the show.” “On top of that, what I think is the key factor, is she has this amazing spirit and light inside of her; it comes out of her in spades through her eyes,” she added. For her encore performance, Cabanilla and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ All-Star Marko Germar recreated their contemporary routine to “Welcome Home.” Cabanilla said the reason she chose that performance was because “[it] felt really genuine.” “It felt like I wasn’t even dancing,” she said. For winning the season, Cabanilla received the $250,000 prize

in cash. According to The OCR, she plans on using the money to take her parents on a Greek getaway since “they’ve supported me through this whole experience and throughout my whole dance career.” “I just owe it to them for helping to make my dreams come true,” she explained. Cabanilla will also be featured on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine and is set to appear in a guest role on Fox’s upcoming live musical of “Rent” in 2019. “It’s starting to feel real that my dreams are coming true,” Cabanilla said. “It’s just amazing ‘cause I still look up to the people on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and now I’m one of them.”

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US Open CelebrateS 50 YearS

Lizette Cabrera, Sabrina Santamaria talk about their US Open journey by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

And just like that, the US Open season is over, but not without hot issues and fanfare. This year, the Open celebrated its 50th birthday, and along with it, the opening of the Louis Armstrong Stadium version 2.0, a 14,000 seat arena right next to the Arthur Ashe Stadium. We met and interviewed a couple of tennis players who made it into the draw, one representing Australia and the other the United States. Lizette Cabrera was born in Brisbane, Australia to Filipino parents while Sabrina Santamaria was born in Los Angeles, California to a Filipino mother and a Panamanian father. Both of them went through a lot in order to reach their dream and last week, they both achieved one of their dreams. They also share an ultimate dream: to win a Grand Slam and be the world number 1.

Lizette Cabrera The 20-year-old Cabrera is thankful that Tennis Australia had one spot left for the US Open draw and she had to win three matches in order to make it. “I am just so happy to be in my first US Open,” said Lizette, the youngest of three children of Ronnie and Maria Cabrera. She made her first Grand Slam appearance at last year’s Australian Open and made her WTA debut last year in Brisbane. The Cabreras used to live in a small town called Townsville until they moved to Brisbane when Lizette was 13 so she could attend the National Academy for her tennis. This is her second full year doing the WTA tour. “I’m still a baby on the tour but I am learning a lot,” Cabrera said. “I get to travel 35 weeks a year so I am barely home. I miss my family and friends so much but I wouldn’t change it because I love what I do.” “I love being in a different

Lizette Faith Cabrera (born December 19, 1997) is an Australian tennis player of Filipino descent. Cabrera has a WTA singles career-high ranking of No. 136 achieved on 25 September 2017.

Photo from Instagram/@lizettecabrera

Opening night match between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, following the opening ceremonies that featured Kelly Clarkson. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

country every week and play in front of crowds and just do what I love and hopefully inspire young girls to play tennis as well,” she added. Growing up, Cabrera said she idolized Justin Henin, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka. On the men’s side, she considers Rafael Nadal as her idol and she would look forward to the Australian Open every year so she could see him play. She was around 12 years old when she realized she was good enough to pursue a professional career. Our interview was a little bittersweet since she just came off from a loss against her compatriot Croatian born Ajla Tomjlanovic. Cabrera is happy to represent Australia because it is so multi cultural. “Yes, I may be Filipino but I was born in Australia and I very much feel I am Australian and the same with some of the other girls. It is great having so many different cultures representing Australia because it is an accurate representation,” she said. Cabrera, who was in New York for over a week, said she made sure to set at least a day to see the city. “I’ve been shopping, walking around, went to Brooklyn Bridge. I want to go to the Empire State Building before I go home,” she quipped. Up next for her is a WTA tournament in Hiroshima, Japan. Despite the hectic scheduling of

the tournaments, Cabrera has no complaints because she is indeed living her dream. “It is crazy, I am literally living out of my suitcase. I get so sick of my outfits because I have been wearing them for the whole year,” she told us as she talked about her life on tour. She is on the road three months at a time and it has made her quickly adjust to the environment of the city they’re in for the week long tournament. There was a heat wave earlier in the day, prompting a number of retirements in the main draw because of the oppressive heat. The heat and humidity did not bother her a bit because she trains in Australia which had really warm summers as well. Cabrera remembers one photographer when she was playing in junior level who was so confused he had to ask her ‘You’re from Australia, your name is Spanish but you look Asian. What are you?’ “I told her I was born in Australia, I am Filipino and I am proud of it,” she said. “That’s one thing I need to do a better job of is really connecting with the Filipino community because I think it is really good other Filipino athletes out there beside Manny Pacquiao who is doing so well.” The last time she visited Manila was for a junior tournament when she was only 14 years old. “I didn’t even get to see family then so now I am trying to plan a holiday there and we’ll go island hopping,” she said. “I also really want to go to this variety show ASAP.” Sabrina Santamaria Now on her third US Open appearance, Sabrina Santamaria of the United States, half Filipino and half Panamanian and full American, achieved what she failed to do the first couple of times. With her partner Nicole Gibbs, Santamaria was able to register her first US Open win when they

Arthur Ashe Kids Day is a tradition for many families in the Northeast. It is held every Saturday prior to the official start of the US Open

won over the team of Guarachi and Lapko. “It is exciting. The momentum shifted a little bit and it was a really odd score. We fought back and it was really a good third set. I am super thrilled to be back at the US Open,” Santamaria told the Asian Journal. Santamaria made her debut at the Open in 2013, and returned in 2015. “To actually win this time is an incredible feeling,” she added. Santamaria recently decided to focus more on doubles. The last couple of years have been financially tough for her playing both singles and doubles. She started 2018 well and began winning matches in doubles so she decided to concentrate on

her doubles matches. Financially, it was a big decision for her and now that decision has started to pay off. “I’m really excited that 2018 has turned out to be very good so far,” she exclaimed. She has won titles, she has beaten well known opponents such as Victoria Azarenka, and just recently in Cincinnati, they made it to the semi finals. As an American of Filipino and Panamanian lineage, some people get confused. “It’s funny because ever since I was little, people would guess my ethnicity and they would ask me if I’m Asian or Hispanic. I tell them ‘I’m Filipino and Panamanian’ and I have to explain how my parents PAGE B4

Sabrina Ashley Vida Santamaria (born February 24, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA) takes pride in her Filipino and Panamanian heritage and shared with Asian Journal that her parents met on a tennis court in Los Angeles.

Photo from Instagram/@sabsantamaria

lea Salonga, eva noblezada to star in musical film ‘Yellow rose’ by ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

TWO ‘Miss Saigon’ alumni are set to appear in a movie musical together. Eva Noblezada is headlining her first feature film, Yellow Rose, alongside Lea Salonga. The film is directed by Diane Paragas and tells the story of a 17-year old Filipino-American girl from Texas who secretly dreams of becoming a country music star. She has to fend for herself, however, when her mother is arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She runs away and is forced to embark on a journey to follow her dreams or face deportation with her mother back to the Philippines. “So grateful to be part of this amazing film,” Noblezada said in a Twitter post. Salonga, who is set to play the part of Rose’s aunt, tweeted: “This is actually happening! (To be totally honest, Eva does most, if not all the heavy lifting. I’m just happy to be a small part of this effort!)” According to Variety, the cast also includes country music artist Dale Watson, who portrays an underground country singer, along with Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez (“Animal Kingdom”), Libby Vil-

Inquirer.net photo

lari (“Boyhood”), and Princess Punzalan. “With the increased demand for diverse Asian American stories in Hollywood, I can’t think of a better time to develop this film,” Paragas told US theater magazine Playbill. “‘Yellow Rose’ has been in development for over 15 years, and we’ve selected an incredibly talented cast to help tell this story,” she added. Paragas is producing along with Cecilia Mejia, Orian Williams (“Shadow of the Vampire”), Rey Cuerdo and co-producer Jeremiah Abraham, as reported by Variety. “Yellow Rose” is supported by New York based Asian CineVision, the Cinematrografo International

Film Festival (ABS-CBN Global), and was awarded the Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant earlier this year by the New York Women in Film & Television. Salonga was the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award in 1991 for her role as Kim in the original ‘Miss Saigon.’ She also played the roles of Éponine and Fantine in the musical ‘Les Misérables’ on Broadway, and provided the singing voices of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998). Noblezada played Kim in the 2014 West End and 2017 Broadway revivals of Miss Saigon, which earned her a Tony award nomination last year.

nickelodeon reboots “blue’s Clues”... PAGE B1 “Blue’s Clues & You” will follow the same format as its parent show with educational episodes focusing on colors, comprehension, music, math and science. The mainstay of the original show was its interactive nature, inviting the young viewer to be a part of the episode.

“From the moment we decided to make a new version of the series, we knew that so much of the energy and magic of the show comes from the host’s ability to bring preschoolers into the colorfully animated world of Blue and her friends,” said Cathy Galeota, Senior VP preschool content at Nickelodeon

Group. “Josh’s wonderful theater background and his natural charisma checked all the boxes for us, and of course Steve’s stamp of approval only solidified our decision.” A premiere date has yet to be announced, but “Blue’s Clues & You” will begin production in Toronto later this month.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

Jake Cuenca apologizes for remark on rom-com movies by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

THE UPS AND DOWNS, AND THE BITTERSWEET ENDING OF A SPECIAL CASE ABOUT A SPECIAL SON WHO HAD AUTISM ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY”! When Norma immigrated to the U.S., she had to leave behind their autistic son, Michael because he aged out. The separation broke her heart. Norma and husband Joy (left) went to three other attorneys who were unable to deliver results, until they decided to retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurﬁnkel, who was ﬁnally able to bring Michael to the U.S., to be reunited with his parents. Watch the heartfelt journey of Michael and his family that led to a pleasant reunion, but with a painful ending, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Adverstising Supplement)

MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE

LEON

PEERLESS on its grace and splendor with changes subtle and grand, noble and patriotic, this unending testimony of class, tradition and old-world elegance has left even the most eloquent of connoisseurs bereft of words. A mix of restored pieces, paintings, chandeliers of the most skillful Murano, glassblowers, and its mirrors and fireplaces are the enduring testimonies of Hollywood’s golden era. With the austere staircase tells the tales of who had worked the steps to witness musical and humanitarian events played on at Maestro Dexter and Linda Grey’s home, complete with a Parisiansetting musical salon with French 18th-century architecture. The historic castle is more storied than any. On a recent Sunday, the Greys invited a few close friends to their Holly Mont Castle and enthralled each during a magnificent concert. I remember the celebration welcoming the “Magic Piano,” with all its 3,000 pounds, that took more than a decade to be reunited with the Maestro. It was hoisted by a giant crane and carried by a dozen help a day before. You succumb to a kind of spell in the presence of his musical exploits and personal dynamics. The priceless magic piano is currently valued at a million dollars, with the rest of its parts made from instruments of the 17th and 18th centuries. The maestro said the piano produces “supernatural music” that represents the most graceful music in the world. “After an eleven-year odyssey, as soon as my fingers touched the keys, I seemed to be under a mystic music spell and played spontaneously as if Chopin and Liszt were directing me,” the Maestro said. Maestro Dexter Grey’s worldrenowned musical personality as a pianist, showman, and star of stage, screen and television has received a spectacular record of standing ovations. His performances have drawn worldwide critical acclaim, from the crowned heads of Europe and Emperors of the Orient. The Maestro bowed gently, beamed broadly, grand were his gestures, as he spread out his arms wide, to subdue the throng of friends and admires rousing his musical enchantment that came before he even played a single note. His repertoire was not an invitation, but a step into another time, another world as he transported us into bygone eras, when love meant “to go out and love, suffer and wound, but celebrate love’s strength [and] not complain of its difference.” In one minute the Maestro could be the gentlest, but in another second, he conveyed fiery and bullish strength and romantic splendor in a rich flexibility of expression. That evening, he gave us two hours of poetry of passion and inspiration – graceful salon pieces, in a melancholic numbers of variation – rondos, marches, nocturnes, sonatas, rolling up the keys in arpeggios, meandering the audience to a frenzy, with boldness of attack or light hands playing with charm and rhythmic volatility. A pleasurable electric shock passed through the audience and held them spellbound with his powerful hands, yet they were possessed of suppleness and differentiations, that gave a musical feeling that cannot be equaled. We swooned as he played Franz Liszt, romancing the ladies with the famous Liebestraum,

The Maestro and the magic piano of Holly Mont Castle

Maestro Dexter and Dr. Linda Grey wth Neal Grey, the Maestro’ s twin brother

This writer witnessed the privilege of watching the Maestro perform on a recent Sunday evening. Photos by Hamrozalli AK (LEO)

and were thrilled to take the rhythmic drive of his Hungarian Rhapsodies as the emperor of pianists swept up and down the keyboard with his revolutionary new music. The gaiety and charm of old Vienna were captured as we waltzed down the cobblestone streets with John Strauss or visited with the deaf Beethoven as his Moonlight Sonata filled the room. We visited the exotic island of Majorca with Frederic Chopin as he serenaded the beloved Madame George Sand with the ever-popular Fantasie Impromptu and the haunting melody of Chopin’s music confided… and played form the heart by Maestro Dexter Grey, was like listening to mingled prayers of broken hearts, that revolt of fettered souls, the pain of slavery, loss of Freedom’s ache, the cursing of tyrants, and the exulted songs of victory. But that one evening so great was the novelty when the emphasis was on the performer. Starting with his flawless musicality, the adornments from the egocentric, little wheels of his virtuoso mind took us away from the churches, cathedrals, and halls of earlier times and to the human soul’s convulsions of love, hate, joy and fear through his tempo rubatos, legatos, trills, and adagios. Yet, pleading for reason, his absolute lucidity for freedom, poetry, and maniacs, almost Byronic, were familiar to the human heart. The Maestro knew the impact he was making and wasn’t exactly averse to adding a little drama of his own. Think of indescribable performances in Vienna, Poland’s fight for its liberation with Walesa, and all over the globe, who can forget when he played on the Great Wall of China as the Ambassador of Peace between East and West, where he scared the daylights of his audience when he lifted his hands high and came crashing down the keys, as he swept up and down the keys, the string almost snapped. Each time he played the Heroic Polonaise, no piano was safe in a stupor of his arrangement of a crescendo of difficulties and embellishments

that spoke of galvanizing and electricity. He was intemperate, then, in a legato on Etude Op. 10, No. 12 that flowed like oil or silk heaving in an ocean, heavenly melodies weaving and in and out of time. The Immortal Waltz melted hearts more than any other piece of music. There are the autumn leaves that reminded us all of the sadness, as the Maestro’s agony of expression and redemption was displayed. But by the end, it mingled with a radiant smile of joy when he gazed at his beloved wife, Dr. Erlinda. His finale was Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise in A-flat to buoy the spirits of a city savagely stricken by uninterrupted Nazi bombs — that last piece of music, played before the city surrendered to the Nazis, started with a few bars of prelude, into a storm of rain like runs, hail like trills, lightning arpeggios of a thunder chord. He did not rush over the keys, he made the floor shake and the whole audience was wrapped in sound, prayers of broken hearts, revolt of fettered souls, the pain of slavery, lost Freedom’s ache, and the cursing of tyrants to exultant songs of victory. All of this emanated from the magical piano of the Maestro in deep spirituality and incomparable poignancy. Across the years, the Maestro’s output has been exquisite and stupendous. At 84, he is infallible, always searching for new, richer and deeper views of musical interpretation. The piano was not simply an instrument in his hands, but it was one of joy, chagrin, death, romance, and the feeble mutterings of a man near his death. It’s birth and life combined — the mourning over the fate of his country, resignation, and love wept in his blessed fingers. His hands fluttered on the lyrical keys like two butterflies, so light and so delicate one cannot imagine that they would be able to bring out the impossible fortissimo of an exultant victory. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com

AFTER getting bashed by netizens because of his tweets against romantic comedy movies, Kapamilya actor Jake Cuenca apologized. “I would like to apologize for my tweet. I wasn’t pertaining to another film #thou aside from #goyo. It was wrong of me to compare genres but I wasn’t comparing both films because both films are great. Just happy to have variety in the cinema and we should support them all. My bad,” Jake wrote on his Twitter account. Jake got the ire of netizens in a now deleted tweet promoting “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.” “#goyo is a treasure! As Filipinos its our obligations to watch

the film! It’s our heritage our history more than rom coms we need to watch this film to learn. It’s our local Lincoln!” Netizens, some of them fans of the love team KathNiel, thought Jake was against the romance movie showing in cinemas alongside “Goyo,” “The Hows Of Us.” “Why mention rom coms? Because there is a rom com currently showing in theaters that’s drawing huge audiences. The need to watch Goyo shouldn’t preclude people from watching other movies for pure enjoyment,” a netizen commented. “Stop comparing or shading, coz they are way too different. Just support local films dude!! Photo from Philstar.com It wont hurt if you also watch Jake Cuenca rom coms. Try it so you will ka so you should know better,” also learn. Nasa local industry another netizen said.

New book focuses on...

PAGE B1 on This Island’ with costumes designed by Clint Ramos. Robert Lopez composed and wrote songs for ‘Disney’s Frozen.’ There are Fil-Am actors in touring productions: Jose Llana and Joan Almedilla just finished ‘The King and I,’ Isa Briones in ‘Hamilton,’ N’Jameh Camara in ‘The Color Purple,’ Lissa deGuzman and Jay Paranada in ‘Disney’s Aladdin’ and Emily Bautista and Christine Bunuan with visiting Filipino actor Red Concepcion in ‘Miss Saigon.’ Through the decades “Fun fact: Fil-Ams have been performing on Broadway since the late 1940s, Barbara Luna was in ‘South Pacific,’ Neile Adams was in ‘Kismet’ and Patrick Adiarte was in ‘The King and I,’” said Ang, a journalist who covers Filipino-American theater. The book includes some of his previously published articles and features new interviews and additional research. “And as early as the 1930s, there was already a Fil-Am theater group. Baltazar Flor immigrated from the Philippines and founded the Filipino Catholic Club Drama Guild in Seattle and staged plays in English,” he said. The book has information on other groups and individuals that have comprised Filipino-

American theater throughout the decades. The ‘barangay’ in the title is a Filipino term used to designate districts. “In pre-colonial times, it meant ‘settlements.’ It symbolizes the Philippines and the term ‘Broadway’ symbolizes the USA and theater. Both terms symbolize all the different kinds of Filipino American theater communities listed in the book,” he said. Pioneers The book begins with the performers of the 1900s and 1910s, moves on to the immigrant community productions of the 1920s and 1930s, then lists the first few Filipino-American performers on Broadway in the 1950s. It then details seminal FilAm theater groups in California such as Ating Tao and Sining Bayan and in New York City such as Philippine Educational Theatre Arts League, as well as profiles Fil-Am artists who either founded or were early members of the pioneering Asian American theater companies of the 1960s and 1970s like Northwest Asian American Theatre (Seattle), Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (New York), and East West Players (Los Angeles). It also mentions the unique Filipino American performance tradition Pilipino Cultural Night

or PCN, annual shows staged in campuses featuring dances and skits. Trailblazers The book continues with the establishing of trailblazing FilAm theater companies in the 1980s and 1990s, such as MaYi Theater in New York (which eventually broadened its focus to an Asian American theater company), CIRCA-Pintig in Chicago, Sining KilUSAn in Seattle, QBd Ink in Washington, DC and Bindlestiff Studio in San Francisco; and goes on to follow the emerging groups and leaders of the 2000s and 2010s. “Hopefully the book will be useful to Filipino Americans,” said Ang. “Whether they be casual theatergoers, passionate theater fans, new or seasoned theater makers seeking information about the paths carved by their fellow artists, or parents and educators looking for resources to help younger generations become more aware of the rich heritage and artistic work that has been and continues to be created by Filipino Americans.” “Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History” has hardcover, paperback and ebook editions and is available at sites such as BarnesandNoble. com and Amazon.com. (Contributed)

B SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart

Saving our planet

one is caused by its intelligent inhabitant, man himself, and his careless and irresponsible behavior, especially in the last PhiliP S. Chua, two hundred some years. Human MD, FaCS, FPCS beings are not new to self-abuse, OUR planet would be at an self-destruction, and to irreverimminent grave risk of being ence to his environment, in spite destroyed, if Global Warming, of their education, culture, and more appropriately termed Cli- massive data in this age of exmate Change, continues unabat- ploding informational technology ed. Although controversial and and mind-boggling advances in like the multitudes of problems science and medicine. Man’s self-abuse and rape of threatening the world, this major

his environment are almost certain to doom the world he lives in, unless he listens to Mother Nature and promptly starts to take a wise proactive strategy in dealing with his present ecologic dilemma. Man cannot afford to lose this one, his only sanctuary in the galaxy. And what’s happening is scary. Historically, the earth’s climate has gone through various changes, from ice age to prolonged periods of heat waves. The factors involved include the alteration in the Earth’s orbit, the degree of energy from the sun, and volcanic eruptions. The latter part of the 18th century ushered in the human factor: the industrial revolution which has contributed to more massive environmental pollution. The human factor includes the carcinogenic fumes from cigarettes, carbon monoxide/dioxide from engine emissions, chemical contamination from the household agents (soaps, bleaches, tile and toilet cleaners, etc.) we use daily, factory polluting our atmosphere and dumping of toxic waste products into the our rivers and lakes, deforestation and destruction of our greeneries, invasion of the original habitats of animals and disturbing the natural order of things, and the environmental insults that urbanization brings with it in

Life Coaching in a Different Perspective Stargazer AS in the past columns, we’ve tackled negative energies and how it affects us and how to make our surroundings charged with positive energies. Now let’s talk about your aura. Is there such a thing as the aura? Doesn’t it sound too new age? Yes, the aura is real. It is scientific and tangible. What is the aura? The aura is the electromagnetic field that emanates from living or non-living things. In short, the magnetic field is actually the energy coming from within the body and can be felt, seen and measured. It is actual energy that can be scientifically

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 general. These changes in the landscape of nature have affected the health and atmosphere of our planet, causing its “body” to have a temperature that is rising like a fever from an “infection,” and at an alarmingly faster rate than what it should be. And all this because of what we, its intelligent inhabitants, have done to the one and only “life-sustaining home” we know in the galaxy. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coals and oil, and deforestation the past two centuries have led to the “greenhouse effect,” where the toxic gasses in the atmosphere has significantly increased to the point of trapping heat, like in a glass panel enclosure of a greenhouse, causing the earth’s temperature to climb more rapidly than ever before in its history. The resultant man-induced depletion of the ozone layer (nature’s protective “umbrella” shielding us from the harmful variety of sun rays) is likewise a great health hazard, a most plausible contributing factor in the alarmingly increasing rate of the various cancers killing people in the world today. Although greenhouse gasses, at safe levels, are essential for life as we know it to keep our planet comfortably warm, abnormally high levels are far too dangerous for our Planet. At the present, man’s abuse of his environment has adversely affected many aspects of our life, including our means of subsistence, agriculture

and aqua-culture, to mention a couple. Data from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and NASA “show that the earth’s average surface temperature has increased by about 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900…the warmest global average temperatures on record have all occurred within the past 15 years, with the warmest two years being 1998 and 2005.” This indisputably means the human factor has caused this dreadful and scary phenomenon. Indeed, as guests in this Planet we call home, we, humans, have not been ecology-conscious enough and environmentally friendly at all to Mother Earth. This has resulted in the gradual deterioration of our ecosystem. What are the signs of a widespread and long-term trend toward global warming? The manifestations include unusually warmer weather and heat waves; glacier melting; Arctic and Antarctic warming; and, ocean warming, rising sea level, and coastal flooding. Aren’t the various volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, typhoons, and hurricanes, and evident weather changes not enough hints for us? If man does not do anything about this climate change soon, the resultant impact of this global warming, according to experts, will lead to the following “harbingers”: diseases spreading more easily, spring arriving earlier,

coral reef bleaching occurring, plant and animal range shifts and population changes taking place, downpours, heavy snow falls and giant tidal waves and flooding, droughts and fires happening often. While government initiatives by all nations around the globe are vital to the remedial solution to this potentially catastrophic dilemma that could make our world uninhabitable and wipe out civilization as we know it, our individual and concerted community discipline, behavioral modifications and proactive lifestyle changes could immensely help and positively impact on how much longer we can keep Planet Earth a safe place to live in. Hopefully, our space exploration is successful soon enough in finding for another friendly planet man could colonize. The ball is in our court. Our fate is in our hands. We better get started. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

The life force that surrounds you — the aura (Part I of III)

quantified or measured by gadgets such as the electromagnetic field meter that is being used for industrial purposes. The aura reflects what kind of energies do you have. People sometimes say, “Ganda ang aura mo!” Or they would notice how blooming or sad you are. Folks, whether you like it or not, even if you camouflage or hide feelings, your aura will still show your real state of mind and feelings. The aura has several layers. The physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional, among others, but I will make it simple for you to understand. What you feel deep inside will exude as energy and will be felt or seen by others. Can the aura be seen by everyone? No. Seeing the aura is something one must practice doing. There are focusing techniques that require a lot of patience and diligent hours devoted to being able to see it with the bare eyes. During my younger years, as I was devoting time on harnessing my gifts,

I dedicated one to two hours daily in meditation and staring at objects. However, the aura can be felt by everyone. It can be sensed easily by simply being “open” to energies. Being open is letting things flow, not making any judgmental or logical conclusions. It is simply letting your senses work and let insight come in your thoughts. Being open is not becoming too logical nor easy to seek explanation or reason. It can also be captured using a Kirlian camera. This camera was developed in 1939 by two Russians, Semyon Kirlian and his wife, Valentina. Semyon Kirlian, an electrical engineer, developed the Kirlian photography after noticing a glow emanating from a patient’s skin who was being treated in a hospital. Making the long scientific story short, images that were produced from the photographic film that went through several processes, showed a certain glow or life force. These captured energies had different

impressions or glow and were called the “aura.” Aura photography ranges from $80 to $100. It depends on the level of the Kirlian Camera and how extensive the analysis is. I needed only the portrait since I know how to interpret the aura by heart. Being an aura reader myself, I will make do with the oil pastel drawings to illustrate what my “eyes” see. In the next column, I will cover how the aura affects others. *** Stargazer is a life coach, aura reader, psychic/clairvoyant, and lecturer on the paranormal. She uses the aura, energies & vibrations as focal points of her psychic readings. Using several techniques involving the psychological, spiritual, paranormal and her own experience of the intricacies of life, Stargazer makes one get in touch with his inner and understand life in a positive manner. Faith in God and belief in self is what Stargazer emphasizes on. Currently, Stargazer is a radio anchor of DZMM Teleradyo, the radio arm of ABS-CBN. Her show “Pinoy Vibes” has been airing every Sunday morning since Sept. 2007. For more information, please visit http://stargazer. ph/.

Maine Mendoza wants to guest in Coco Martin’s ‘Ang Probinsyano’ by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Coco Martin and Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza are willing to cross each other’s network boundaries if given a chance. In an interview with the media during the pictorial of their Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Jack Em Popoy: The PulisCredibles,” with Vic Sotto, Maine said she is willing to guest in Coco’s longest-running series “Ang Probinsyano.” “Oo naman. Tignan natin. Kung papayagan ako, bakit hindi,” Maine said.

replied: “Puwede rin.” Coco will promote their upcoming movie in the longest-running noontime show. The actor said he is delighted on how they welcome him. “Sabi nga nila sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ talagang pamilya, which is sabi ko nga, nakakatuwa kasi talagang winelcome nila ako,” he said. “Kumbaga ngayon naman nakakatuwa kasi open na e. Makikita naman natin ang mga taga-GMA nag-shoot ng pelikula sa Star CinPhoto from Philstar.com ema, gumagawa ng pelikula. Ang In exchange, Maine said Coco ano lang natin ay magtulungan will join them in the “Eat Bulaga” tayo sa industriya, kung paano segment “Juan for All, All for Juan pa tayo makakagawa ng maganda Sugod Bahay,” to which Coco pang pelikula,” he added.

US Open Celebrates...

PAGE B2 met,” Sabrina said. Strangely enough, her parents met at a little, rickety park in Los Angeles because they were both playing tennis. Her mom, Anneli Vida moved from Manila when she was 23, her dad Ivan from Panama when he was 18. “I guess I was just destined to play tennis from the beginning,” she said laughing. Because her parents loved tennis, they started her young, around four years old. Competitively though, she thought she could make a career out of it when she was 14. She decided to go to college at the University of Southern California to further hone and develop her talents. At USC, she earned her degree in International Relations. “It was tough. It taught me how to time manage and everything. I had great professors and it was nice to establish a really good network at USC,” she said. While there she played collegiate tennis and in 2013, they won the NCAA, which opened the US Open doors for her then. At USC, they had a strong Filipino American presence with her,

Raymond Sarmiento, Allison Ramos and Danielle Lao. Lao was in the qualifying rounds of the Open this year but lost in Round 2. “It’s nice to have that Filipino connection with them,” she shared. Sabrina follows a strict regimen when it comes to training and competition. She starts her day with a quick shower, goes to her trainor and gets her treatments. She then eats the same thing, chicken and pasta, then she goes to the gym for some footwork drills. Filipino dishes are for cheat days and celebratory meals she says. “I realize when I am on the road that I miss my mom’s cooking a lot. She cooks pancit, adobo, kare kare, my favorites. I actually love it all. Oh, except for one dish, sinigang. I find it too sour,” she said. The last time Sabrina visited the Philippines was when she was 9 years old. “It has been a long time. I am hoping to get back maybe when I go to Asia or Australia, we can make a pit stop. I am planning to bring my mom to Australia,” she said. “Maybe next year is more

feasible.” Growing up, Sabrina said she has always idolized the Williams sisters, and she would imitate the styles of Kim Clijsters and Justin Henin Hardenne. Back in 2013, she admitted to having her fangirl moments especially when she would see her idols. The past couple of years had made her much more comfortable because she has been seeing them more in various tournaments and everyone is friendly. It’s difficult being away from home on tour and on the road especially in the three months that she was in Europe without seeing her friends and family. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. This is an amazing life, to be playing the sport I love and being able to a new country almost every week and meet new people so this is a dream for me,” she said. “Living out of a suitcase and repeat outfits are just small downsides.” Before she embarks on her next destination, Santamaria said she was going to enjoy her days in NYC and roam the city, find new restaurants and bars and explore Lower East Side, which is fast becoming one of her favorites.

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

The TNT Boys without costume (left) and the boys impersonating Nicki Minaj, Jessie J and Ariana Grande for their final performance, “Bang Bang,” which made them grand champions of “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.” ABS-CBN photos

Jessie J on TNT Boys: ‘I’m obsessed with them’ by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

INTERNATIONAL pop star Jessie J praised the Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) Boys’ winning performance in the talent search “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.” In a short video clip posted on TNT Boys’ Facebook page, the English singer said TNT Boys members Francis Concepcion, Mackie Empuerto, and

Kiefer Sanchez are “incredible” in their rendition of “Bang Bang,” her collaboration piece with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. “I think the TNT Boys from the Philippines are incredible. I’m obsessed with them,” Jessie said. “They’re so sweet and so talented. Their ‘Bang Bang’... they did it better than us,” she enthused. “Thank you thank you thank

you thank you thank youuuuuuu Jessie J,” the page captioned the video. The TNT Boys won the “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” competition last month after receiving a perfect 100 percent score for their last performance. The boys have appeared as guests in international TV shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and Steve Harvey’s “Little Big Shots.”

Brillante Mendoza commends Baron Geisler for being ‘behaved’ by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — After all the controversial things that happened to actor Baron Geisler, director Brillante Mendoza still gave Baron a chance to showcase his talent in his new film titled “Alpha: The Right to Kill.” Speaking with reporters during the movie’s press conference at the Director’s Club in SM Megamall, Brillante told the media that he and Baron have never had any conflict since working with each other. “Ever since wala kaming naging problema ni Baron. Basta nasa set ko, behaved siya. Umiinom siya pero behaved naman siya. Ang importante nagagawa ng ayos ang trabaho, nakakadeliver more than anything else,” the award-winning director said. “Sabi naman niya sa akin he’s trying his best na maayos ang

buhay niya. Siyempre, alam naman niya at aware naman siya sa mga nangyayari sa buhay niya kaya inuupdate niya ko. I’m like a second parent for him. From time to time nagtetext, nagme-message sa akin sa Facebook,” he added. Brillante said he always Baron Geisler reminds the controversial actor to fix his life. “Palagi ko sinasabi sa kanya, ‘Walang makakapagayos ng buhay mo kundi ikaw lang.’ At saka may hangganan kahit gaano ka kagaling, kalaki ang talent mo,

Photo from Philstar.com

‘pag hindi mo ‘yan ginamit ng mabuti, mawawala ‘yan,” the director stressed. “Alpha: The Right to Kill” will represent the Philippines in the upcoming San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.

Learnet Academy offers top-rate accredited education and cheapest tuition of all accredited schools Free change of status from tourist visa (B1/B2) to student visa (F-1) offered to immigrant students

Right now, we are living through one of the largest, expansive technological revolutions in history and now, more than ever, the world is in need of highly-skilled individuals who can help elevate innovation in all sectors. Learnet Academy, one of the country’s leading accredited postsecondary education institutions, in Los Angeles helps prepare ambitious students who have professional goals in a wide variety of fields. First of all, the best thing about Learnet Academy is they offer affordable tuition but with the best quality of education. Conveniently located in the Mid-Wilshire area, Learnet Academy offers 10 specialized programs: Business Administration: Real Estate Concentration, Computer Business Applications, Computer Information Infrastructure, Computer Information Technology Administrator and English Language. Students who complete their programs will be offered Diplomas of Completion, and Associate of Arts (AA) degrees are offered to those who complete the Business Administration: Real Estate Concentration and the Computer Business Applications programs. Learnet also has a very welcoming, helpful staff and faculty whose chief concern is the students. Each course at Learnet is taught by excellent professors, many of whom have achieved Master’s degrees as well as Ph.Ds. “A lot of our professors don’t only teach but also work professionally in the fields that they’re teaching, which is really good because it gives students a real-life look at what the careers they’re studying for are like,” said Irene, who works in admissions at Learnet. When picking out a school, it’s always important to check if that school is accredited so that any certifications or degrees you earn can be applied to other universities; many jobs around the world also require any education experience to come from an accredited institution. Learnet Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which awarded Learnet Academy the “School of Excellence” award. They are also accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for Learnet’s English language program. “We don’t sugarcoat things to attract students to Learnet. We will tell you what to do, we will tell you if we can admit you and we will help you with what to do next. Even if we can’t accommodate you, we can help you with your situation. We don’t just take students just for the sake of gaining business,” said Daz, head of Filipino admissions at Learnet. For international individuals who visit the U.S. and decide to stay and study here, you’re in luck. Learnet offers free change of status

lawyer’s fee to change your status from tourist (B1 and B2) to student (F-1). Giovanni, a Filipina Learnet student, is currently studying Business Administration: Real Estate Concentration and decided to attend Learnet after deciding to stay in the United States. “I chose Learnet because I know this school is accredited and I know it’s important for your school to be accredited because eventually if you change your status in the future and decide to stay in the U.S., you have to present your background. It’s important for the school to be accredited and for the program you studied to be acknowledged from different universities,” Gio said. “[Learnet] has been really great,” Gio added about her experience at the school so far. “The staff have been very friendly and accommodating and if you have any questions they’re willing to help you and make sure they answer your questions and do whatever they can to help you.” In order to apply to Learnet, you need the following: a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, submit an application (contact Learnet to get one) and at least 21 correct answers on Learnet’s 50-problem entrance exam and an evaluated transcript of record by a third-party member of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. For international students, in addition to a high school diploma, you need a completed I-20, official bank statement (or sponsor letter and endorsement) and a photocopy of your passport. For F-1 transfer students, an acceptance letter, transfer eligibility form from your previous school, and the most recent copies of the I-20, I-94 and F-1 visa are required. For high quality education at affordable costs, look no further than Learnet Academy. Learnet Academy is located in Koreatown at the Holmes Center on 3251 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020 on the second floor. If you have any questions, visit their website www.learnet.edu, or give them a call at 213-387-4242. You may also email them at filipinoE@learnet.edu.

B SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

COMMUNITY $3&%*5 $"3% JOURNAL

Trump’s deportation machine turns towards legal immigrants

Your Immigration Solution

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“Criminal convictions for offenses may have major immigration consequences.”

ATTY. BEN LOVEMAN IT has been a predictably scary time for undocumented immigrants in the United States ever since President Donald Trump was elected. What was not generally foreseen though was how President Trump’s deportation force would target long-time lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and even citizens of the United States. Because of this most recent development, those with even decades old criminal records or old immigration violations should find a reputable immigration attorney to see if proactive action can be taken to ensure their status is not at jeopardy. The new enforcement efforts include the use of criminal databases and increased immigration enforcement personnel to locate persons with old criminal histories or possible immigration violations that might make them subject to deportation from the United States. Recent news reports from across the country have revealed that all immigrants, including veterans of the U.S. armed forces, are potential targets for deportation. These new enforcement measures are unlikely to stop in the near future. Thankfully, there are steps that people can take to ensure their safety aside from simply staying out of trouble and keeping a low profile. People who fear that they may be ineligible for U.S. citizenship, or even deported, due to an old criminal conviction should immediately consult an immigration attorney. A knowledgeable attorney will be able to determine the true impact of the conviction and to see if there might be a post-conviction remedy to remove or reduce the conviction before they are confronted by immigration officials. Similarly, people with old immigration violations can also be proactive and have an expert evaluate the seriousness of any potential or perceived violation

and determine if a remedy exists. There was a major change recently in the penal code in California that opened new avenues for pursuing post-conviction relief where none previously existed. The elimination of a conviction might mean becoming eligible for U.S. citizenship, or at least eliminating the possibility of deportation. This important change is the addition of a new penal code section allowing the right to contest and potentially vacate a conviction at any time based on a prejudicial error affecting the defendant’s right to understand and consider the immigration consequences before entering a guilty plea. Former law only allowed challenges while a person remained in custody and thus severely restricted the ability to bring such challenges, especially since many people only learn of the severe immigration consequences of their conviction either directly after completing their sentence or many years after the fact. Criminal convictions for offenses may have major immigration consequences. Convictions for offenses such as drug possession or sale, theft, shoplifting, or assault can lead to permanent bars to U.S. citizenship, permanent resident status, or relief from deportation. For instance, the Immigration and Nationality Act states that a person who has been convicted of an “aggravated felony” is forever barred from becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen or from being granted Cancellation of Removal for Permanent Residents. An “aggravated felony” conviction also subjects a person in the United States to deportation proceedings, with little defense from removal. Despite the severe immigration consequences that result from these type of convictions, many people, including many criminal defense attorneys and

judges, are often unaware of the consequences. The result is that people enter guilty pleas to an offense that they may think is minor (whether to avoid exposure to more serious charges, to save the cost or time of fighting the charges, etc.), only to later tragically learn that they are forever barred from U.S. citizenship, are subject to being deported, or other harsh immigration consequences. The fact that even relatively minor offense can cause a person to be deported, likely means that there many lawful permanent residents in the U.S. who are subject to deportation proceedings without them even knowing it. These people ae therefore at risk of having their lives destroyed if the government elects to use its vast resources to single them out for punishment. If you or a loved one are possibly one of these people at risk, you should immediately consult with an immigration attorney. They can determine how serious the conviction actually is from an immigration perspective and determine if any proactive steps can be taken remove the threat before immigration officials come knocking. The same can be said for those with old immigration violations. The time to address these problems is before a real problem develops.

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*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration ﬁ rms in the United States with ofﬁ ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)

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QTS Tours & Travel: The gateway to your getaway The story of how QTS Tours & Travel came about is quite interesting, to say the least.

It all started when a nurse named Lourdes “Lulu” Alo was approached by her uncle with a favor: Organize a pilgrimage to Europe for him and some close friends. The trip she arranged not only went off without a hitch, but everyone who went had a great time. Soon, she began to realize that this could one day become her main venture and by 1991, Quantum Travel Service was open for business. Lulu has since organized numerous pilgrimages every year to many religious sites in Europe - from France and Spain to Poland and Hungary - both well-known and off-thebeaten path. Thanks to her nursing background, she still organizes tours and pilgrimages for nursing continuing education classes. Today, the company has evolved even further. Now

known as QTS Tours & Travel, the advent of the Internet has further expanded the company’s clientele nationwide. In fact, about 30 percent of QTS Tours & Travel’s cruise customers live on the East Coast - Lulu has arranged tours and pilgrimages originating from locations like Chicago, Illinois and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. QTS Tours & Travel has even been invited by the Italian Government Tourist Board on several occasions, to recognize the company’s efforts in promoting tourism to their country. From the travel company’s office in Orange, California, Lulu oversees the managerial aspects of the business. She is both Certified Travel Counselors, bound by a professional Code of Conduct and Ethics. Their mission statement, simply put, is “To give the best possible service and to do business based on honesty and knowledge.”

Lulu even go the extra mile to ensure that their customers get the best service possible, by occasionally joining pilgrimages and tours themselves. Their firsthand experiences have taught them a lot about levels of service provided, efficient scheduling, and several other “intangibles” which can make a tour or pilgrimage more enjoyable! QTS Tours & Travel strives to provide the best service possible, and they work with their customers with that goal in mind. Upcoming pilgrimages include one in Italy from Nov. 12-23, 2018 and Jordan from June 10-23, 2019, among others. QTS Tours & Travel is located at 1095 N. Main St Suite 0, Orange, CA 92867. For further information, please call (714)288-0800

C SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Is going to an unethical tax preparer dangerous?

Tax Tips

cluding yours. They flag all tax returns prepared by that preparer for the past several years. The cPA, mBA problem is that all these headYES, it can be. Going to a tax aches will be on you — not just preparer who increases your your tax preparer. Here’s an interesting blog on refunds with phantom deductions is dangerous. You may social media: “From personal exhave to return that nice refund perience, I can tell you that my … and more, sometimes much former tax preparer — a person more. A tax preparer who is in- referred to me by a friend when I competent can spell trouble for moved from one state to another you. Grande problema. If the — padded my Schedule A with IRS audits a return prepared by unreimbursed employee expensan unethical tax preparer, it can es for uniforms. The only probflag all returns processed by that lem is I don’t wear uniforms for preparer. I have seen this happen work. Well, the IRS did a wholewith new clients: A nurse in the sale audit of the preparer’s operfifth floor gets a big refund and ation and I had to pay thousands tells other nurses in the 6th floor. back to the IRS with interest and They go to the same tax preparer fees. Don’t make the same misas a group. They get audited as a take I did. Thoroughly vet your tax preparer before hiring.” group. Ouch. Here’s My Advice: In other words, if IRS observes a pattern of fraudulent tax prepa- • Stay away from unethical preration, they may flag the entire parers. operation’s work products – in- • Stay away from incompetent

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preparers. • If you are with one now, seek another tax professional. • You may be ahead in this game that you play, but your juicy refunds could end badly. • Consider the law of averages. • Leave before it catches up with you. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Be brave! Be faithful!

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs ONE day, as Jesus was walking toward the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ”Who do people say that I am?” They responded, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, still others say one of the prophets. Then he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s answer pleased Jesus. He affirmed his faith and called him to lead his church. The next moment, he started telling his disciples that the Son of Man must suffer greatly, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. Peter did not like what Jesus was saying so he rebuked him, which means that he was opposed to Jesus’ words. Jesus’ point was that suffering and persecution are part of discipleship. Like Jesus who underwent persecution to save humanity, the disciples must be be willing to suffer too. Peter didn’t

understand this yet. Jesus became indignant, and so he scolded Peter, “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” This is an interesting interaction between Jesus and Peter: One moment, Jesus affirmed Peter, and the next moment, he reprimanded him and called him Satan. This is Peter to whom he handed the keys of the Kingdom and would become the leader

To people who know they need to file bankruptcy but are afraid to do so

A LOTof people who are contemplating bankruptcy as a solution to their debt problems often wonder if it can be avoided at all. They fear that they might be making the biggest mistake of their lives. If you are struggling with debt problems and are starting to feel hopeless about your situation because you are not getting anywhere in spite of your efforts, at what point do you consider filing bankruptcy as an option? Bankruptcy scares a lot of people and that’s understandable because everything that they’ve heard about it from friends, family and co-workers is negative. But is bankruptcy really all that bad? Well, most people don’t even understand it. The law says that bankruptcy is nothing more than a fresh financial start when you are no longer in a position to help yourself. Of course, this is not what the bill collectors want you to think. They want you to think that this is the ‘worst’ thing that you can ever do and that it will ruin your chances of ever buying a house or getting credit again. These are the lies that they want you to believe because they know that once you file bankruptcy, they can no longer get any of your money. From a legal standpoint, here are a few helpful questions you should be asking to help you assess whether it’s time for you to consider filing for bankruptcy: (1) Are you struggling to pay even the minimum payments on your credit cards? (2) Have you started borrowing money just to be able to cover your basic living expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, gas, etc? (3) Have you lost track of how much you owe?

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon (4) Are bill collectors calling you because you have accounts in collection? (5) Have creditors taken legal action against you such as filing a lawsuit, obtained a judgment and threatening to garnish your wages or levy your bank account? If you said “yes” to any or most of the above, you could be in a

lien may stop you from refinancing your mortgage and could be a hindrance in trying to sell your home unless the underlying debt is paid in full. A judgment can also be enforced by garnishing your wages and attaching your bank accounts. This is not what you want, is it? So why wait for the worst to happen if there is something you can do right now to prevent all of the above from happening. Never ignore your debts because they could come back and haunt you when you least expect them. I’ve seen this happen many, many times. At the very least, you should consult with an experienced attorney so you can plan in advance what you should do if your financial situation gets worse. I believe that bankruptcy should be a last resort and that you need to exhaust all debt relief options before resorting to it. But I also believe that a lot of people put off the decision to file bankruptcy for too long that they needlessly suffer in debt when they could have acted sooner to rebuild their finances and their life. Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)

“If you own a home and have assets that may be at risk if you were sued by your creditors, it is in your best interest to find out how you can protect what you have from creditors who are trying to collect from you.”

regarding the scandals of sexual abuse of minors and youth. It’s hard and painful to understand why some men of the cloth would commit this grave crime and evil act, and why some in authority would cover it up. But as we hear from other bishops, priests, and lay people, should we leave the Church because of the imperfections and the shortcomings of our leaders? Or should we remain faithful to our faith, struggle with the scandals, and undergo suffering and persecution? It’s not easy to keep the faith, but don’t we want to be counted among the dedicated and committed ones? Should we stay only when the goings are easy, steady, and calm? The boat may be sinking, our doubts may be lurking, but should we not stand firm to save our church? Should we not begin again and start healing and rebuilding it? It’s our choice. This Sunday’s Gospel tells us Barrister’s the value of suffering. Jesus re- Corner minds us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save Atty. Kenneth his life will lose it, but whoever uRsuA Reyes loses his life for my sake and that COUPLES get divorced for u PAGE C3 various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years. Married sons and daughters of legal permanent residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age. For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since

“The boat may be sinking, our doubts may be lurking, but should we not stand firm to save our church?” of his band of disciples - Peter, who at times looked courageous, and at times looked foolish too. Peter, who denied Jesus three times. Peter’s personality speaks to us of church leaders’ imperfections and sinfulness. They’re not all great. Some are brave, others are weak. Some are wise, others are imprudent. Some are corrupt, others are holy. Just look at the crisis that is happening in the church in this present time

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financial danger zone and I suggest that you take immediate action before your situation gets worse. If you own a home and have assets that may be at risk if you were sued by your creditors, it is in your best interest to find out how you can protect what you have from creditors who are trying to collect from you. A lawsuit can lead to a judgment against you- and it can attach as a lien to your home which makes the debt secured while also earning interest. The

4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date. Conditional legal permanent residents in failed marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident

dence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the US to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse. If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001. Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey.

“You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons.” spouse would fall out of status. The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case. Married aliens in non-imm grant visas and those without status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent resi-

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Taking leave from work to care for sick family members is protected by law Q:I HAVE been working for 5 years in a Los Angeles company with 52 employees. I requested a leave of absence from work to care for my sick 21 year-old daughter. My boss denied the request and said my position will be given to someone else if I take off. Is this legal? A: No, it is not. Your rights are protected under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). CFRA provides that employees have the right to take a leave of absence for the following reasons: For the employee’s own serious health condition For the serious health condition of the employee’s child, parent or spouse Birth of a child for purposes of bonding Placement of a child in the employee’s family for adoption or foster care California employers, including non-profit religious organizations, are subject to CFRA if they employ 50 or more parttime or full-time employees. Covered employers also include the State of California, its political and civil subdivisions, and cities and counties, regardless of the number of employees. To be eligible for CFRA leave, an employee must be a full-time or part-time employee with more than 12 months of service with the employer, and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12-month period before the date the leave begins. Qualified employees may be entitled to a total of up to 12 workweeks in a 12 month period, which does

leave. Daryl Kunga worked as a security guard for American Protecting Guard Services. While at work, Employee he was informed that his teenage daughter had been taken to & Consumer the hospital. Kunga requested Rights leave to care for his daughter. When he attempted to go back ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. to work, the company refused to put him back to work. Kunga filed a wrongful ternot need to be taken continumination claim against the ously. Employees must give advance employer based on violations notice to take a CFRA leave. of the CFRA and associational While a verbal notice is suffi- disability discrimination. During trial, it was shown cient, providing a written notice is advisable. The notice must that the employer’s HR staff state the reason for the leave and responsible for enforcing comits anticipated duration. An em- pliance of the law did not seem ployer may require 30 days ad- to know what the law was. Afvance notice if the need for the ter trial, the jury eventually leave is foreseeable. If the leave returned a verdict in favor of is an emergency, notice must be the employee, awarding the given as soon as possible. The employee a total of $3 million employer must immediately re- in damages, which included spond to a leave request and no $1 million in punitive damages later than ten calendar days after against the employer. receiving the request. *** After granting a CFRA leave, the employer must reinstate the The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. employee to the same or compa- welcomes inquiries about this topic. rable position and provide such a All inquiries are confidential and at noguarantee if requested by the em- cost. You can contact the office at (818) ployee. The employer may deny 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com reinstatement of an employee if, or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. for example, the position no lon- Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced ger exists. Finally, the employer trial attorney who has successfully must continue health care cover- recovered wages and other monetary age during their CFRA leave up damages for thousands of employees to a maximum of 12 work weeks and consumers. He was named Top Labor in a 12-month period. & Employment Attorney in California by Violations of CFRA may mean the Daily Journal, consistently selected significant damages for the fired as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles employee. For example, the Magazine, and is the recipient of Daily Journal reports the recent PABA’s Community Champion Award outcome of a case where an em- for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement) ployee was fired for taking CFRA

How does the bankruptcy means test work? WHAT is the means test in bankruptcy? It’s a method for calculating what your household income is for the purpose of determining if you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code. By household income, we mean the combined income of husband and wife, if the debtor is married, unless they are separated. The means test is a relatively new concept introduced in the new bankruptcy code of 2005. Before that new bankruptcy law took effect, there was no such thing as a means test. Before 2005, the general rule was if the household income were less than the monthly necessary expenses, a debtor would probably qualify for Chapter 7. Under the means test, debtor’s average income for the last six months, if less than the median income for the household for the state, would prima facie qualify debtor for Chapter 7, without any presumption of abuse arising. Each state has a different median income. For example, in California the median income for a single person is about $48,000 a year. So, if you are single and make less than $48,000 a year, then you would automatically qualify for Chapter 7. However, this does not mean that single persons making more than $48,000 would be disqualified from Chapter 7. This is so

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG because the means test provides for amounts that may be deducted from gross income given the cost of living in the state. Hence, a single person making $70,000 a year with a mortgage payment and a car payment would probably still qualify for Chapter 7. What happens if one’s income is so high that the means test is breached? A presumption of abuse is marked in your means test and the U.S. Trustee (UST) would have their say about the presumption of abuse matter. The UST position would be: show me documentary evidence why you qualify for Chapter 7. It is possible to overcome the presumption of abuse and still get a Chapter 7 discharge even if your income is a lot more than the state median income if you can prove to the satisfaction of the UST that you do indeed qualify for Chapter 7. If you are short on your documentation, the UST will file a motion to dismiss your Chapter 7 case based on abuse of bankruptcy law. This gives you a chance

to argue why you are eligible for Chapter 7 discharge despite the objection of the UST before the bankruptcy judge in charge of your case. I would say that it’s difficult to convince the judge if the UST has filed its motion to dismiss, unless you have good and complete documentation to support your case for getting a Chapter 7 discharge. For instance, you give $500 a month to your favorite charity. With this deduction, you pass the means test for Chapter 7, but the UST files it’s motion to dismiss as they object to your claim of charitable deduction. You argue that you do indeed give $125 in cash to your church every week, with a grand total of $500 a month. Without this deduction, your disposable income is $500 a month, dislodging you from Chapter 7 and tracking you into Chapter 13 instead. The UST asks for proof that you actually give $500 a month to your church. Since you donate in cash, there is no documentary proof of your weekly donation. You submit a picture of your hand putting $125 of cash into the cash box of the church every Sunday for one month. The UST pretty much says that they don’t believe your picture evidence. The UST says that your income tax returns for 2017 do not claim any charitable donation. You

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People and Events

Preparing for emergencies in advance can be a lifesaver

WHEN Anna Campos learned a recent extended maintenance outage would leave her and her husband without electricity for more than eight hours, she didn’t panic. The Southern California Edison customer turned to her backup plan. She filled portable oxygen tanks she keeps at home for her husband Eddie, who has hypertension and difficulty breathing at times. Next, she checked her “grab and go” bag filled with

emergency essentials. Then she headed to her mother-in-law’s where the Palmdale couple kept cool until their power was restored. “You have to always be prepared. No surprises. We don’t want to be surprised with a phone call telling us we’re turning off your electricity because of a power outage today,” said Anna, whose husband is enrolled in SCE’s Medical Baseline Program. “You never know what could happen. I keep my bag

handy by the door so I can grab and go.” September is National Preparedness Month which encourages and reminds everyone to be prepared should an emergency or disaster strike. Each week, preparedness themes are planned and “A National Day of Action” is scheduled for Sept. 15. When the unexpected happens, knowing what to do and being prepared in advance can be a lifesaver. That’s extremely

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses. In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel. Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she

Legal Advice ATTY. DARRICK TAN has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which

that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings. If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim.

“ Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings.”

Be brave! Be faithful! PAGE C2 t

of the gospel will save it.” As one priest urged his flock, “Don’t leave, lead!” It’s what we need to do. It’s not time to abandon the ship. It’s time to take leadership in bringing it to land and start restoring and restrengthening it. It would take time. It would cost sacrifices and our lives, but it would be worth it. We, clergy and lay, must not succumb to despair and hopelessness. We need to work to-

***

show the doctor authorizing a Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to pracrelease from work or giving in- tice law in California and Nevada. Mr. structions to restrict work activi- Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southties, can support the time taken western University School of Law. He off from work due to the injury. is a member of the Consumers AttorFor those self-employed, medi- ney Association of Los Angeles and is cal providers typically do not a former member of the Board of Govprovide a release from work; ernors of the Philipp ine American Bar however, medical records should Association. *** record work restrictions placed LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 by the medical provider. After showing that the time Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los off was justified, the next step Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. is to value the lost earnings. A Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement) letter from a person’s employer

gether q, men and women, adults and children, to bring back integrity in our church. It can’t be done only by those in power and authority. It must also happen through us - simple priests, religious men and women, and lay people - with our persistent voices to demand honesty, transparency, accountability, and justice from the hierarchy. So let’s be brave. Let’s be faithful to Jesus and the Church he established. ***

From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

C4 SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic America presents “WDC Dreams”

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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).

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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

Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila in Lake Balboa, CA Come celebrate with us! The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry San Fernando Region invites all to the 10th regional celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila on Saturday, Sept. 22 at St. Bridget of Sweden Church (7100 Whitaker Ave and Gault, Lake Balboa, CA 91406). It starts with a procession at 4:00 pm. and mass at 5:00 p.m. The Principal Celebrant is Rev. Fr. Albert Avenido, Moderator & Chaplain, Filipino Pastoral Ministry- Archdiocese for Los Angeles. A reception and program follows right after mass at the School Parish . For a schedule of the nine-day novena masses prior to the event, please call Patty Santiago at (818) 472-4288 or Alex Quadra (818-624-4684 or a.e.quadra@att.net).

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

“WDCH Dreams” will be live projections by media artist Reﬁk Anadol on the exterior of Walt Disney Concert Hall to celebrating the LA Phil’s 100year anniversary. Photo courtesy of the Music Center

THE Los Angeles Philharmonic has commissioned award-winning media artist Refik Anadol to create unprecedented, breathtaking, three-dimensional projections onto the steel exterior of Walt Disney Concert Hall to signal the commencement of the LA Phil’s 100-year anniversary celebrations. Free and open to the public, nightly performances are scheduled to occur every half hour, with the first performance at 7:30 p.m., and the last at 11:30 p.m., September 28 to October 6. To make Walt Disney Concert Hall “dream,” Anadol utilized a creative, computerized “mind” to mimic how humans dream – by processing memories to form a new combination of images and ideas. To accomplish this, Anadol worked with the Artists and Machine Intelligence program at Google Arts and Culture to apply machine intelligence to the orchestra’s digital archives – nearly 45 terabytes of data – 587,763 image files, 1,880 video files, 1,483 metadata files, and 17,773 audio files (the equivalent of 40,000 hours of audio from 16,471 performances). The files were parsed into millions of data points that were then categorized by hundreds of attributes, by deep neural networks with the capacity to both remember the totality of the LA Phil’s “memories” and create new connections between them. This

“data universe” is Anadol’s material, and machine intelligence is his artistic collaborator. Together, they create something new in image and sound by awakening the metaphorical “consciousness” of Walt Disney Concert Hall. The result is a radical visualization of the organization’s first century and an exploration of synergies between art and technology, and architecture and institutional memory. To actualize this vision, Anadol is employing 42 large-scale projectors, with 50K visual resolution, 8-channel sound, and 1.2M luminance in total. The resulting patterns, or “data sculptures” formed by the machine’s interpretation of the archives will be displayed directly onto the undulating stainless-steel exterior of Walt Disney Concert Hall. WDCH Dreams’ accompanying soundtrack was created from hand-picked audio from the LA Phil’s archival recordings. Sound designers Parag K. Mital, Robert Thomas, and Kerim Karaoglu augmented these selections by using machine-learning algorithms to find similar performances recorded throughout the LA Phil’s history, creating a unique exploration of historic audio recordings. Viewers can access the soundtrack at the LA Phil’s website (laphil.com/wdchdreams). Inside Walt Disney Concert Hall, in the Ira Gershwin Gallery, is an immersive and inter-

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she could not afford to make the mortgage payments anymore. Her brother-in-law allowed her to stay in her house, which now belonged to him, for as long as she wanted, without rent. This was a verbal agreement. The client was 74 years old. The arrangement worked for her because even if she just rented a room, she would have to pay at least $500 a month. So, if she lived another 20 years, living in her house rent free would be like getting back $120,000 over 20 years. Even if she passed the means test with flying colors since her only income now was social security of $1,300, there was a big chance that the Chapter 7 trustee would invalidate the sale of the house to the brother in law since it was sold below market price only two years ago. If this happened, it would be a big disaster because she would lose the roof over her head immediately and she would have nowhere to go. The court confirmed her Chapter 13 plan recently where she paid only $152/month for 60 months. If she completes her Chapter 13 plan payment, the court will discharge $53,000 of her $60,000 credit cards. In other words, her Chapter 13 plan, approved by the court, will dis-

active companion installation, offering a unique, one-on-one experience for each gallery visitor. The exhibition presents the entire LA Phil digital archives in a non-linear fashion. The visitor, via a touchscreen interface, can interact with the archives in multiple ways: via a sunburst timeline; through curated moments highlighting milestones in the LA Phil’s 100-year history; and by delving into to the entire data universe that can be uniquely manipulated by each gallery visitor. The space will be re-imagined as a mirrored Ushaped room with two-channel projection. Visuals will be projected onto the mirrored surface giving the visitor a truly immersive, 360-degree experience. The Ira Gershwin Gallery opens to the public on September 28 and will remain open throughout the Centennial season. Visitors can reserve times to access the gallery via The Music Center’s self-guided tour schedule weekdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ticket holders to any concert during the Centennial season can access the gallery 90 minutes prior to performances. As a part of the Centennial celebrations, the LA Phil will make a selection of its archives and online exhibitions available on Google Arts & Culture, exploring how WDCH Dreams was made, with behind-the-scenes footage and a short film about the development of the project. ■

How does the bankruptcy means...

argue that your CPA was drunk when he prepared your tax returns. Will the bankruptcy judge side with you or the UST? I think the odds are against you. The UST and federal judges are well qualified in what they do. If you can’t pass the means test for Chapter 7, no matter how hard you try, you should really consider filing Chapter 13 instead. Chapter 13 lets you reorganize your financial resources in such a way that you pay possibly only a small portion of what you owe. For example, you owe $50,000 of credit cards. In Chapter 7, you don’t have to pay the $50,000; the discharge order just wipes them out. In Chapter 13, you might have to pay $200 a month for 60 months, or $12,000. If you complete all 60 payments of $200 each, the court will discharge or wipe out $38,000 of your credit cards. I have a senior client who couldn’t file a Chapter 7 because she had sold her house to her brother in law for $120,000 below market price. I advised her against Chapter 7 unless she wanted to risk losing her house. She did this because when her husband died two years ago,

charge 90 percent of her credit cards if she pays 10 percent of those cards over five years. There is no interest accruing during the five years because with Chapter 13, credit cards cannot charge interest. All payments go to the reduction of principal. People have different kinds of financial hardship, but they all benefit from a total elimination of debt in Chapter 7 or partial elimination of debt in Chapter 13. Either way, they end up with no debt eventually. I can say with certainty that 100 percent of my clients are better off with no debt after a bankruptcy discharge. They all become productive again and are much happier living their lives debt free. Most, if not all, have rebuilt their credit after only a couple of years. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than ﬁve thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789. (Advertising Supplement)

Preparing for emergencies in advance...

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important if you or someone who lives with you depends on life support equipment at home, and/or has a medical condition involving heat and/or cooling needs. Individuals with special energy needs due to qualifying medical conditions may be eligible for assistance through SCE’s Medical Baseline Program. Enrollees receive an extra 16.5 kilowatt hours per day over their standard electricity allotment at the lowest rate available to help offset the cost of the additional electricity used as a result of their medical equipment or device. They also receive SCE automated alerts and notifications about maintenance outages, extended outages, emergencies and scheduled changes. “It’s really important to us to help our most vulnerable customers and our Medical Base-

line Program is just one of the ways we can do that,” said Kari Gardner, SCE senior manager of Consumer Affairs. “It provides extra energy per day at a lower rate and lets us know there is a fragile situation in the home so we can send alerts and notifications to our residents.” To enroll in the Medical Baseline Program, a licensed physician or a physician’s assistant must certify a resident has a qualifying medical condition. For additional information, call 800-447-6620 or print out and complete a Medical Baseline Program application. Emergency preparedness tips • Learn lifesaving skills. Take a CPR and/or first aid class. Learn how to shut off water and gas. • Make a safety kit. Include fresh water, nonperishable food, a manual can opener, batteries, a flashlight, necessary medica-

tion and more. • Keep emergency contacts. Include the phone numbers of your doctor, family members, friends and medical equipment company. Keep a fully-charged cell phone or spare battery pack on hand. • Have a plan. Work with your hospital or medical company that supplies your life-support device to develop a backup plan. They may offer special services during an emergency. • Let your city or county ﬁrst responders know. Contact your local fire department to see if they keep a list of customers with special medical needs. It could be helpful in responding to you during emergencies. • If you must leave your home. Create a plan for leaving your home in the event of a lengthy departure and share this plan with your family and friends. (By Susan Cox/Southern California Edison) ■

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Cerritos Library launches new RFID system

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2018

PABA congratulates Eddie Angeles and Hildy Aguinaldo as 2018 NAPABA awardees

The Cerritos City Council and Friends of the Cerritos Library recently celebrated the launch of the Cerritos Library’s new RFID system that allows patrons to check out library materials. Pictured at a new self-checkout station (from the left) are Friends members Shiva Bhatt, John Dawson, Padmini Prabhakar, Terry Versluys, Manuel Ortega, Janice Dawson and Joyce Scranton, Mayor Mark E. Pulido, Councilmember Grace Hu, Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, and Friends members Tracy Winkler and Joanne Witt.

THE Cerritos Library now offers an upgraded radio frequency identification (RFID) system, including new self-checkout stations, security gates, RFID tags, circulation desk equipment and system software. The new system allows self-checkout of materials and provides security for the collection. The new self-checkout stations allow patrons to check out multimedia items, such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, as well as books. The self-checkout stations are integrated with the cloudLibrary digital book service, allowing eBooks and eAudiobooks to be immediately added to a patron’s digital shelf. The

self-checkout stations also allow for the payment of fines and fees by credit card. The self-checkout stations offer patrons the option of selecting from different languages for the on-screen display, including Chinese, English, Hindi, Hmong, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Cerritos Mayor Mark E. Pulido said, “The City of Cerritos is pleased to offer Cerritos Library patrons a state-of-the art system for the self-checkout of materials. The Friends of the Cerritos Library is to be commended for the organization’s support for the project though a financial contribution and many hours of volunteer service to help re-tag the

collection.” The new RFID system replaced the original system that had been operating since 2002. The original system worked with proprietary RFID tags that are no longer manufactured. The City Council awarded a bid in the amount of $115,885.62 to Bibliotheca, LLC for the new system. As part of its mission to support the Cerritos Library, the Friends of the Cerritos Library generously contributed $15,000 toward the system replacement cost. Friends members also volunteered their time to help Cerritos Library staff and volunteers place new RFID tags on approximately 268,772 items in the collection. n

THE Philippine American Bar Association (“PABA”) congratulates two of its past presidents, Eduardo “Eddie” Angeles and Hildegarde “Hildy” Aguinaldo, on their recognition as National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) awardees. NAPABA is a national organization representing over 50,000 attorneys and 81 bar associations. Angeles is a recipient of NAPABA’s Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, which is bestowed upon lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of Asian Pacific American (APA”) attorneys. Aguinaldo is a recipient of NAPABA’s Best Under 40 (BU40) Award, which is conferred upon attorneys who have achieved distinction in their chosen field and demonstrated a strong commitment to APA civic or community affairs. Angeles currently serves as Senior Assistant City Attorney for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office assigned to the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Legal Division. Eddie rejoined the City one travel lane on Wednesday should allow extra time to reach Attorney’s Office following his service as the Associate Adminisand Thursday nights. Passengers the airport. n

Overnight Sepulveda tunnel work near LAX to restrict lanes next week THE Los Angeles Department of Public Works will clean the Sepulveda Boulevard tunnel near Los Angeles International Airport, requiring overnight lane closures for four nights next week. The closures will occur Monday, Sept. 17-Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. (the following morning). Two lanes will be closed each night, but traffic will be maintained in both directions. On Monday and Tuesday nights, the southbound tunnel will be restricted to one lane. The northbound tunnel will be reduced to

trator for Airports for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Angeles is the highest-ranking Filipino-American appointed to the United States Department of Transportation. Prior to the FAA, he served as an attorney to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to LAWA, and to the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office assigned to the San Francisco International Airport Legal Division. Aside from the public sector, Angeles also focuses on serving his community. From 2006 to 2007, he served as PABA president, and thereafter, he maintained his dedication to mentoring undergraduate students, law students, and fellow attorneys to excel in the field of law. PABA honored Angeles in 2016 with its own Trailblazer Award. Aguinaldo currently serves as Corporate Counsel to DaVita, Inc., where she continues a career-long specialty in healthcare as a litigator, legislative staffer, and member of numerous advisory and regulatory boards. She also serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the Cali-

fornia Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation, and on the Board of Trustees to the system’s newest Online Community College. From 2014 to 2015, Aguinaldo served as PABA president, where she focused on its efforts to advance judicial diversity and promote civic engagement. “Eddie and Hildy are welldeserved selections for these awards,” stated Zathrina Perez, PABA president. “Eddie has long been recognized as a pioneer for the PABA community and continues to inspire the next generation of Filipino-American attorneys. Hildy is a pillar of the PABA community and has helped to advance PABA’s key priorities. They are both tireless advocates who challenge PABA to push our service of others to the next level.” PABA also congratulates the long line of distinguished past and fellow recipients of these awards. A celebration for the awardees will take place from November 8 to 11, 2018, at the NAPABA Convention in Chicago. n

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)ROORZ XV RQ

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

You cannot have “assumed name” fingerprints DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: In 2004, I applied for a visitor’s visa but was denied. The next year, I secured an “assumed name” passport, which was a Philippine passport with my picture but someone else’s name. I tried my luck again under the assumed name, but the Embassy caught the fraud and again denied my visitor’s visa. But I did not give them my real name at that time. My U.S. citizen daughter recently petitioned me, and I was very careful not to list my assumed name on any of the paperwork, even where it asked for other names used. Recently, the Embassy sent an email, asking for NBI clearance for me under the assumed name, and an explanation as to why I used that name when I applied for a visitor visa in 2005. How did they ever discover my fraud or use of an assumed name, when I did not disclose my real name at that time, and didn’t disclose the assumed name in connection with my daughter’s petition? What’s going to happen now? Very truly yours, NT Dear NT: What some people forget is that when a person applies for a non-immigrant or immigrant visa, such as a tourist visa, student visa, working visa, green card, etc., the person is fingerprinted at the Embassy. Those

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ fingerprint records are saved and stored in the Embassy’s data base. If a person applies for another visa at a future date, they are again fingerprinted. The U.S. government then runs their fingerprints through various databases to check for any criminal history, previous denials, etc. In your case, it is likely you were fingerprinted when you applied for your visitor’s visa in your real name, and again when you applied under an assumed name. You were once again fingerprinted years later in connection with your immigrant visa under your daughter’s petition. Although you applied for a visitor’s visa under an assumed name, your fingerprints don’t change, and every person’s fingerprints are unique to that person. Therefore, when the Embassy ran a fingerprint check in connection with your immigrant visa, the fingerprints they took during your two previous visitor’s visa applications popped up, including the assumed name you used. Now, it is likely your immigrant visa will be refused for fraud. If a person commits fraud, they

would need to file a fraud waiver, that will demonstrate how an immigrant or citizen spouse or parent (not child) would suffer “extreme hardship” if the person is not forgiven for their fraud. If a person has no spouse or parent who is a citizen or immigrant (called “qualifying relative”), they cannot apply for a fraud waiver. In your case, if you have a spouse or parent who is a citizen or immigrant, you may be eligible to apply for a fraud waiver. But the important point for people to remember is that they are ordinarily fingerprinted each time they apply for any kind of immigration benefit, including: visa at the U.S. Embassy; immigration benefits in the U.S. by USCIS (such as work authorizations, adjustment, etc.); by CBP when crossing the border or entering the U.S. at an airport; old asylum cases, etc. In fact, USCIS has now established a “deportation/denaturalization squad” to go after people who may have been caught at the border and sent home but reentered the U.S. under a different name and were able to get a green card or even U.S. citizenship under that different name. Tens of thousands of old fingerprints from the 90’s have now been inputted into the government’s computer database, and they are comparing those old fingerprints to new fingerprints. If they find a match between fingerprints of a person PAGE D3

Business Quote of the Week “Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else.” — Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX

Peso falls below 54:$1 Currency weakness seen to persist until 2019

by BEN

O. DE VERA DAXIM L. LUCAS Inquirer.net

THE value of the peso dropped past 54 to a dollar on Wednesday, September 12 —the lowest in almost 13 years—as sentiment toward the currency remained bearish due to an ongoing rout against emerging market currencies and a stubbornly high local inflation rate. On the foreign exchange market, the peso ended the trading session at 54.13 to $1, which was less than three centavos off the low of P54.155 set on Dec. 2, 2005. “On top of the bearish outlook of emerging market currencies, the Philippines is also struggling with a large current-account deficit, and the latest numbers provide additional concern,” a bank treasurer said. On Tuesday, the government said that the country’s trade-in-

goods deficit further widened to $22.49 billion at the end of the first seven months as the sustained jump in imports outpaced exports recovery in July. Trading volume on the foreign exchange market was heavy with $772.5 million changing hands versus only $434.1 million during the previous day. The peso weakened to as low as 54.14 before pulling back slightly toward the end of the trading session. “Hopefully, P54.50 holds. Otherwise, [it’s] to infinity and beyond,” said another fund manager with a local bank, asking not to be quoted because the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was growing increasingly sensitive to comments from market participants. Wednesday’s drop came despite the decision of the central bank to reactivate a dollar hedging mechanism introduced during the 1997 East Asian fi-

nancial crisis—and used heavily during the financial markets turmoil in the lead up to former President Estrada’s resignation in 2001—in a bid to cushion the currency’s drop. BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the Currency Risk Protection Program would be made available to eligible corporations with foreign exchange obligations based on more liberalized rules. With this scheme, regulators hope that large corporations with future dollar needs would not rush to buy them early, thus aggravating the peso’s weakness. Last week, the BSP chief warned that regulators would take “all actions necessary” against “speculative activity by market participants” who have pushed the currency lower in recent weeks. The peso’s weakness is expected to persist until next year PAGE D3

Malacañang OKs anti-inflation measures by CZERIZA

VALENCIA Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is amenable to several measures put forward by the economic team to curb inflationary pressures, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday. The Economic Development Cluster (EDC) has identified a number of measures to slow down the rise in consumer prices, which accelerated to 6.4 percent in August from 5.7 percent in July and 2.6 percent in the same period last year. The highest contributors to inflation in August were electricity, gas and fuels, fish, rice, personal transport, vegetables and meat. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia said the recommendations were discussed during the Cabinet meeting last Tuesday alongside the proposed execu-

The Economic Development Cluster (EDC) has identiﬁed a number of measures to slow down the rise in consumer prices, which accelerated to 6.4 percent in August from 5.7 percent in July and 2.6 percent in the same period last year. Photo by Ernie Peñaredondo/ Philstar.com

tive order (EO) to enforce these measures. “We proposed measures to contain inflation and a corresponding EO to get them implemented straightaway—to which (President Duterte) agreed,” he said. To drive down the prices of fish, the Department of Agriculture has committed to import more fish under a certificate of necessity and allow imports to be distributed in wet markets.

To address rice supply issues, 4.6 million sacks of rice available in warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) would be immediately released to markets. This supply would be on top of the two million sacks contracted for delivery before the end of September and the five million sacks set to arrive in a month’s time. Another five million sacks would also be imported next year. PAGE D2

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A look at the new Jaguar E-Pace Asia Pacific needs $8.4T in transport financing by cArl

cunAnAn Inquirer.net

THE new Jaguar E-Pace is a rather bold attempt at a vehicle by a company known mainly for beautifully curvaceous sports cars and sedans. In the modern world, there is far less automotive beauty than we would like. Yet, Jaguar has managed to still make cars that deserve the description. So, where does the small SUV come in? First of all, its not electric. Yes, you would think so with the “E,” but its not—which makes complete historical sense because of the E-type Jaguars that are the stuff of automotive dreams. (The electric one is the “i,” which is another story. ) Now, it is not easy to take the curves and lines of the traditional or even modern Jaguar aesthetic into what is basically a two-box shape—especially one that is somewhat shorter than may be optimum, visually. The larger F-Pace SUV can hold the lines longer, but the EPace needs to make its place felt with much less space, and in our case, much less time. The E-Pace will probably be the first taste of a Jaguar for most buyers. The interior is curvy and welldesigned, with contrasting stitching on nice leather (in this case white on black). There is nice feel and give to the leather on the steering wheel, but it isn’t the sumptuous tactile experience of the flagships. There are nice touches everywhere, such as in the metaland-leather interior match-ups, and the knurled feeling on the switches. Quite fun is the visual of parent-and-child jaguars that appear as a surprise low on the windscreen or on the carpark floor via the puddle lights. Not particularly useful, but definitely puts a smile on your face—or, more importantly, your daughter’s face. How does it drive? This isn’t a supremely soft SUV by any means, but neither is it harsh. It is firm of ride, meant more for curvy drives out to the countryside than bumpy city roads: not as harsh as some Germans, not as soft as some Japanese or Americans. The car we tested was an RDynamic model, specifically the R-Dynamic Sport 2.0 Diesel. The choice of 18-inch wheels

by ed

VelAsco Manilatimes.net

worst effects of climate change,” he continued. The Manila-based ADB said THE Asia-Pacific region will transport was the largest secneed $8.4 trillion by 2030 to ad- tor of its operations, accounting dress its transport needs, the for over a quarter of annual inAsian Development Bank (ADB) vestments since the multilateral said on Wednesday, September lender was founded in 1966 and 12 as it opened a three-day fo- totaling $68.2 billion up to the rum focused on meeting financ- end of 2017. ing challenges. It said that under its new long“The current investment level term Strategy 2030 approved in for transport in Asia and the July, the ADB would pursue “difPacific is about half of what is ferentiated approaches across its required,” ADB President Take- seven operational priorities to hiko Nakao said, adding that “op- address specific country needs portunities exist to address the depending on the level of develshortfall through increased coop- opment.” eration between the public and The bank recently approved private sectors.” two loans, one for Azerbaijan’s “But in the process, we must Sumgayit-Yalama rail line and move toward more sustainable the other for Pakistan’s bus rapid transport options and mitigate the transport system totaling to over

The E-Pace will probably be the first taste of a Jaguar for most buyers. It is very easy to get a good speed going, allowing enough responsiveness to weave smoothly through traffic.

San Miguel eyes rice importation by AngelicA

BAllesteros Manilatimes.net

The interior has metal-and-leather match-ups, and a knurled feeling on the switches. Photos courtesy of Inquirer.net

here seems spot on, as the 19s used in other markets could have made the ride rather tough. The two-liter diesel has a nice amount of grunt. It has 150 hp (the badge on the rear explains it; it isn’t a 150cc car) and 380 Nm of torque. Power comes in best when you’re on the move, as opposed to from a standing start. It is very easy to get a good speed going, allowing enough responsiveness to weave smoothly through traffic. The car doesn’t seem to bounce around or wobble when you make quick steering movements. Rather, it moves a bit, then settles in. It does say R-Dynamic Sport,

but don’t expect it to be a stormer. It will reward you with quickness and well-sorted dynamics, but you must keep in mind that this is meant to be a daily driver with a little bit of special thrown in. It is more subtle than loud. It will reward you if you are smooth at the helm and understanding of your ride. Don’t expect to be blown away by the E-Pace: it isn’t meant for that. With little details and intelligent design and engineering, it is meant to elevate things a bit. Its not about extremes, its about a holistic package that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. n

$400 million. The ADB also said that in 2017, it provided a $100-million loan to the Philippines for the Duterte administration’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure program. The theme of the ADB’s Transport Forum 2018 is “Financing the Future of Transport in Asia and the Pacific.” Discussions, it said, will be “focused on practical approaches to the region’s transport challenges and knowledge sharing about the latest technical advances in the transport sector.” Around 500 experts are attending the event, including senior officials in transport and international development, plus representatives from the government, private sector, academe, and nongovernment organizations. n

SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) is planning to enter the rice importation business once the rice tariffication bill is passed into law. Tycoon Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of SMFB’s parent company San Miguel Corp., said the move was intended to help support local farmers and provide adequate supply amid the rice crisis in the Philippines. Ang said SMFB was open to importing both milled and unhusked rice from Southeast Asian countries to be stored in areas where its grain feed terminals are located. At present, the food and beverage firm’s existing grain terminals are located in Darong, Davao del Sur; Iloilo; Bakong, Negros Oriental; Mandaue, Cebu; San Fabian, Pangasinan; Mariveles, Bataan; Mabini, Batangas; and Sariaya, Quezon.

SMFB is mulling the expansion of its grain terminals to add silos, where the rice imports will be stored for up to two years. Each silo, he said, will be capable of handling up to 4 million tons per year. “After that, there will be food security. At the same time, rice prices will go down,” Ang said. The rice tariffication bill has been passed by the House of Representatives in August, while the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food vowed to approve the measure before the end of September after the Economic Development Cluster called for its speedy approval. Among other provisions, the bill seeks to replace quantitative restrictions on rice imports by levying a 35-percent tariff. Once the caps are lifted, businesses and individual traders will be able to import additional volumes of the crop from neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam. Ang said the proposed 35percent tariff can be used by the

government to subsidize local farmers through the purchase of necessary farming equipment. “We will help with that business if the bill passes into law, and quickly, we can do it,” he said. Last week, the National Food Authority (NFA) Council approved the importation of some 250,000 tons of rice via a government-to-private procurement deal, which is expected to arrive in November in time for the harvest season. In total, the NFA’s rice imports for 2018 have already reached 750,000 MT—with earlier importation of some 250,000 MT of rice from Vietnam and Thailand via government-to-government scheme and another 250,000 MT of rice procured via the G2P scheme. The importation is meant to bring back the presence of government-subsidized NFA rice at retail markets and help stabilize the prices of rice. SMFB shares ended up P1.50 at P95.50 each. n

Malacañang OKs anti-inflation...

PAGE D1 The EDC also recommended the simplification and streamlining of licensing procedures for rice imports of the NFA. The Senate was likewise urged to pass within the month the Rice Tariffication Bill which would liberalize rice trade in the country, therefore increasing supply and driving down prices. A monitoring team for rice dis-

tribution from ports to NFA warehouses and retail outlets would also be formed. This would be composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), NFA, Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and farmer groups. To reduce the gap between farmgate and retail prices for chicken, DA and DTI would convene poultry producers and set

up public markets where producers can sell directly to the end customer. DA would provide cold storage for poultry. The Sugar Regulatory Administration would open the importation of sugar to direct users to lower cost for consumers. The Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, would prioritize the release of essential food items in the ports. n

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SWS: Jobs outlook deteriorates but still ‘very high’ Jollibee steps up global expansion

MANILA, Philippines — An estimated 8.6 million Filipinos remained jobless in the second quarter, according to a Social Weather Stations survey, although net optimism on job availability in the next 12 months stayed “very high.” The second quarter Social Weather poll conducted from June 27 to 30 found adult joblessness at 19.7 percent, 4.2 points below the 23.9 percent (est. 10.9 million adults) posted in the preceding quarter. The pollster interviewed faceto-face 1,200 adults nationwide for this survey. The latest poll has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. SWS’s adult joblessness data refers to adults in the labor force. “Those with a job at present, plus those without a job at present and looking for a job, are part of the labor force,” the survey noted.

In the April-June period, 9.5 percent (estimated 4.2 million adults) of Filipinos voluntarily left their old jobs while 6.8 percent (estimated 3 million adults) involuntarily lost their jobs. Meanwhile, 3.4 percent (estimated 1.5 million adults) were first-time job seekers. The June poll also revealed that adult labor force participation rate stood at 68.3 percent or an estimated 43.8 million adults. This is a 3.1 percent decrease from the 71.4 percent (est. 45.8 million adults) posted in the March survey. Broken down, unemployment fell in Balance Luzon and Visayas, while it hardly changed elsewhere. Joblessness likewise significantly slipped in rural areas and among women. Meanwhile, optimism that there will be more jobs steadied at 47 percent in June while respondents who expressed pessimistic job outlook increased by 3 points to 15 percent.

That yielded a net optimism on job availability score of a “very high” +32 in June, 5 points below the “very high” +37 in the first quarter. Commenting on the survey results, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the figures show the economy is “really strong.” Roque said SWS’ April-June poll is “consistent” with the July Labor Force Survey of the Philippines Statistics Authority. Based on latest government data, while employment rate was at a 10-year high in July and jobless rate eased, more Filipinos sought additional work and income after underemployment worsened to 17.2 percent from 16.5 percent. Inflation has been soaring above the government’s 2-4 percent target range this year, prompting many Filipinos to look for better jobs and labor groups to seek wage hikes. (By Ian Nicolas Cigaral / Philstar.com) n

Tycoons bag P350-B NAIA project

by IrIs

Gonzalez Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Homegrown food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is stepping up its global expansion with the opening of new branches in the UK, New York and Macau. This development comes as the company continues its highexpansion growth to even the share of domestic to international sales. Of the three, JFC will first open the Macau branch, slated on Sept. 28, while the first Jollibee store in UK will have its grand opening on Oct. 20. The New York store in Manhattan, meanwhile, will open within a few months. JFC is bringing the company’s well-loved brand to Filipinos abroad to give them a “taste of home,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday, September 12. JFC has been catering to different markets abroad and has attracted both overseas Filipinos and local customers. In Vietnam and Brunei, all of its customers are locals. Jollibee is in fact the fastest growing chain in Vietnam. In Brunei,

Jollibee Foods Corp. announced that it will be opening new branches in New York, the UK, and Macau File photo by Philstar.com

it is one of the top chains in that country. In Hong Kong and Singapore where it has added more stores, more than half of its customers are locals. JFC envisions to continue replicating its success in the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Hong Kong and Singapore in other markets soon. In 2013, JFC became the number one restaurant company in Asia, in terms of market capitalization, and is now the world’s

largest Asian restaurant company. Its overall goal is to be among the top 5 largest restaurant companies in the world in terms of market capitalization. To achieve this, JFC identified focusing on the two largest economies in the world, namely China and United States, and for continued expansion in other parts of the world, while sustaining business growth in the Philippines. n

Peso falls below 54:$1...

PAGE D1 given a widening current-account deficit coupled with a wider budget-deficit cap, Londonbased Oxford Economics said. “We expect solid external and macroeconomic fundamentals to support most Asean countries’ currencies in the face of another emerging market selloff. But persistent current-account deficits and a large share of foreign investors holding local debt, such as in Indonesia, mean the Indonesian rupiah and the PhilSeven of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates were awarded this week with the contract to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Inquirer.net file photo by Joan Bondoc

gives the NAIA “superconsortium” the first crack at the project under a 15-year concession THE government has awarded period— the NAIA modernizaseven of the country’s largest tion program could commence conglomerates an original pro- as early as July next year, NAIA ponent status to embark on a consortium spokesperson Jimbo P350-billion program to upgrade Reverente said in an interview. The seven key proponents of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) into a “world- the Naia superconsortium are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the Ayclass” regional aviation hub. With this original proponent alas’ AC Infrastructure Holdings status from the Department of Corp., tycoon Andrew Tan-led Transportation (DoTR)—which Alliance Global Group Inc., Lucio by DorIs

Dumlao-abaDIlla Inquirer.net

Tan-led Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp., Gokongweiled JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. These groups have teamed up with Changi Airport Consultants Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd., for this project. “We really support the multiairport strategy of the government,” Reverente said. PAGE D5

ippine peso are likely to remain vulnerable,” Oxford Economics lead Asia economist Sian Fenner said in a Sept. 11 report titled “Better fundamentals to support Asean FX.” “The Turkish currency crisis once again highlighted the importance of countries’ idiosyncrasies in driving foreign exchange moves this year. The Indonesian rupiah and the Philippines peso, the two Asean currencies with current-account and fiscal deficits, have come

under more market pressure than their peers that have current-account surpluses,” Oxford Economics said. “Indonesia and the Philippines both have current account deficits and are therefore dependent on foreign portfolio inflows. The Philippines also depends on remittances. A large driver behind the widening in their external balances has been strong fiscal spending that boosts import demand,” Oxford Economics explained. n

You cannot have “assumed name”... PAGE D1 who had been caught with fraud, convicted of a crime, or other violations, they may go after that person to either strip them of their green card or citizenship If you have multiple identities which may raise issues about eligibility for immigration benefits, you should seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation and determine the best course of action or possible remedies.

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does 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: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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Final homes now selling at Laurel Meet Northridge Toyota’s Filipino team Lane at the Preserve at Chino CHINO, CA — The final homes at Laurel Lane by William Lyon Homes are now selling at The Preserve at Chino by Lewis Community Developers, and you won’t want to let this exceptional neighborhood pass you by. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a community filled with first-class amenities, the satisfaction and peace of mind provided by award-winning schools and the remarkable shopping and dining that SoCal is known for. Visit Laurel Lane today to experience a truly enriching lifestyle that stands out from the rest and discover these new home opportunities before it’s too late. With room to grow and the quality you deserve, Laurel Lane’s final residences await. Ranging from 2,214 to 2,805 square feet, these incredible floor plans offer four to five bedrooms and three to four baths in addition to an array of desirable features, from a spacious kitchen and great room to large bedrooms and an expansive master bedroom walkin closet. This is your last chance to call Laurel Lane home, so don’t miss out on these stunning residences priced from the mid $500,000s. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready to retire, your ideal home is waiting for you at The Preserve at Chino. Renowned builders CalAtlantic Homes, Lennar, Richmond American Homes, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes craft their homes with exceptional quality, with options for every lifestyle. Ranging from approximately 1,380 to 2,805 square feet with up to five bedrooms and four baths, homes can accommodate even the largest of families. Priced starting in the low $400,000s, these homes are an exceptional deal, making homeownership attainable for all. In the center of the community, The Parkhouse at The Preserve at Chino brings neighbors together in an impressive resident-only clubhouse. Whether you’re trying to stay active in the fitness center or getting a little work done in a quieter spot at the business center, The Parkhouse supports all your goals and ambitions. Game rooms and an intimate movie theater will help

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you relax and unwind. A wonderful location for any event, the multipurpose room has a welcoming feel and features a connected on-site catering kitchen. Lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool, spa and playgrounds make the outdoors at The Parkhouse just as inviting. In addition, The Parkhouse library is a great place for students from the awardwinning Cal Aero Preserve Academy across the street to finish homework and study before walking home. Residents will also have access to the agrarian-themed Gardenhouse Recreation Center, where get-togethers happen organically. Community gardens connect residents back to the land, while indoor-outdoor kitchen and dining spaces take farm-to-table entertaining to new heights. Whether you’d rather go for a swim in the junior Olympic pool or lounge on the deck, afternoons in the sun will leave you feeling refreshed and reenergized. The Gardenhouse Recreation Center is all about relaxation that’s in harmony with nature. With a home at The Preserve at Chino, days always turn towards new adventures. Just moments away, explore The Shoppes at Chino Hills to find hidden treasures in the shops or a new favorite meal in one of the restaurants. Or take a short drive for new experiences at Chino Spectrum Marketplace, Chino Spectrum Town Center, Eastvale Gateway, Victoria Gardens, Ontario Mills

or the famous Fairplex. This exciting location makes it easy to head up to the local mountains, find your spot on the beaches of Los Angeles and Orange counties or tour all the worldfamous Southern California entertainment hotspots. From days spent at theme parks to afternoons at prestigious gardens and museums, you’ll find you’re at the center of it all. Connect with nature and your neighbors in more than 33 scenic acres dedicated to parks, playgrounds, lawns and gardens at The Preserve at Chino. Larger parks are home to team sports, picnics, group events and more, while smaller parks spread throughout the neighborhoods for outdoor play closer to home. All year round, these colorful outdoor spaces become an extension of the backyard and bring the community to life. Please call (877) 417-9623 or visit ThePreserveAtChino.com for more information. The Preserve at Chino is a development by Lewis Community Developers, a member of the Lewis Group of Companies. The Lewis Group of Companies has successfully developed more than 55,000 residences, 10,000 apartments and over 14 million square feet of retail, office and industrial space. Founded in 1955, the company is one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate organizations. (Advertising Supplement)

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IF you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned car, you want to turn to a dealership with good, hometown values. Why not try the Toyota dealership in Northridge, CA? Northridge Toyota is a family-owned and -operated dealership that has proudly served drivers from the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County for more than

40 years. Once you select the new or preowned Toyota that best suits your lifestyle, the financing specialists at our dealership will ensure you have the right payment plan to go along with it. Among the friendly faces who are happy to serve customers are: Tanny Santos, Sales Manager; Gil Paden, Ricardo Trajano, Sales & Leasing;

Dexter Vitug, Sales Manager, Ted Hitchcock, General Manager; Mike Reyes, General Sales Manager; PJ Cabello, Kevin Castuera and John Taguran, Sales & Leasing. Northridge Toyota is located at 19550 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91324. For more information, please visit: https://www. northridgetoyota.com. n

Tycoons bag P350-B NAIA... PAGE D3 Most of the pending proposals with government are long-term solutions, Reverente said, citing private sector plans to build a new airport in Sangley Point (Cavite) and Bulacan. Reverente noted that Clark Freeport, which has space for three independent runways and to serve 200 million passengers, could be a medium-to-long-term solution. “NAIA is a short- to mediumterm solution,” he said. Phase 1 of the NAIA modernization project includes improvements and expansion of terminals in the current NAIA land area, while phase 2 involves the development of an additional runway, taxiways, passenger terminals and associated support infrastructure. The proposal includes a people mover that will link all three terminals and connect NAIA to the mass transport system in Metro Manila, as well as an op-

tion for a third runway to boost the capacity of NAIA to serve up to 100 million passengers a year. The upgrades are seen to elevate NAIA to the level of major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok and transform it into a viable transit hub for the ASEAN region. Following the grant of original proponent status, the proposal will be subject to review and approval by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board and to a Swiss challenge in accordance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 7718 or the Build-Operate-Transfer Law. Taking into account the legal processes, Reverente said, “the earliest we can start is by July next year.” “We are committed to see this project through and to follow the proper legal processes,” Reverente added.

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“We remain focused on our commitment to deliver to our country a significantly improved NAIA and are prepared to start work immediately after the airport is turned over to the consortium. Our fellow Filipinos can expect a better airport experience as early as the third year from the time we commence rehabilitation work,” he added. For its part, the DoTR plans to develop multiple airports to enhance mobility and connectivity. Based on its aviation road map, phase 1 is to improve and enhance primary gateways such as NAIA and Clark International Airport while working to build new ones such as in Sangley and Bulacan. The concession agreement for the new Bulacan airport is being finalized, while the legal framework for the implementation of the Sangley airport project will still have to be finalized by the provincial government of Cavite. n

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