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S E PTEMBER 21-27, 2018 Volume 11 - No. 48 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Duterte guilty of human rights violations says Int’l People’s Tribunal

by CONSUELO

MARQUEZ Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is guilty of human rights violations in the country, the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) announced on Wednesday, September 19.

“The Defendants Duterte, Trump and all other Defendants are guilty of all the charges spec-

ified in the Indictment, which account for their accountability for crimes against humanity, war crimes and violations of law and legal instruments referred to in the Indictment,” IPT said in the final verdict filed in Brussels, Belgium.

The final verdict would be submitted to the International Criminal Court, United Nations

USA

DATELINE Emmy hosts call out Hollywood’s diversity problem: ‘Why no Filipino nurses on ER?’ FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

WE are living through the most impactful push towards minority representation in entertainment, so it’s not surprising that jabs at Hollywood’s lack of diversity made it to this year’s Emmy Awards monologue on Monday, September 17.

During their monologue, co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che of Saturday Night Live made a point about the oddly homogenous casting of the hospital dramas like “ER” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Che quipped, “TV has always had a diversity problem. I mean, can you believe they did 15 seasons of ER without one Filipino nurse? Have you been to a hospital?”

The joke garnered a strong response from the audience, especially on social media where

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New Census data shows more than four million Filipinos in the US Foreign-born population increases THE U.S. Census Bureau this week released its latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, showing that there are an estimated 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, citizenship status, among others.

“The American Community Survey provides a wide range of important statistics about all communities in the United States,” Census Bureau Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division Chief David Waddington said in a statement. “It gives communities the current information they need to plan investments and services. Retailers, homebuilders, fire departments, and town and city planners are among the many private- and public-sector decision-makers who count on these annual statistics.”

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Human Rights Council and the European Parliament and other international organizations.

The complainants presented personal or video documents as evidence from 31 witnesses, experts, and resource persons.

Oral testimonies and other relevant documentations were presented by the Tribunal to PH-US DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana met his U.S. counterpart James Mattis at the Pentagon to discuss the

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partnership of both countries on Tuesday, September 18. The two leaders highlighted the longstanding friendship and values between their countries. Related story on Sec. Lorenzana’s U.S. trip on Page A6.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense

Palace shrugs off IPT’s ‘guilty verdict’ vs Duterte as ‘sham decision’

by DARRYL JOHN

ESGUERRA

Inquirer.net

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, September 20, dismissed as a mere “sham decision” the recent findings by the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) that found President Rodrigo Duterte guilty of human rights violations.

“That’s a sham decision. It has no official sanction. The validity of the findings will depend on the credibility of the tribunal.

The IPT, convened in Brussels, Belgium, handed down the guilty verdict to Duterte, United States President Donald Trump and I’m in this field of law, I do not international monetary organizations Wednesday (Brussels time) after hearing testimonies on the alleged rights violation know who sat there,” Presidenof the current administration.

Photo from Facebook/International People’s Tribunal tial Spokesperson Harry Roque

told reporters in a Palace briefing.

“They appear to be a propaganda body of the international left and therefore we set it aside as being a useless piece of propaganda against the government,” he added.

The complaint, according to several groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Karapatan, was presented before the IPT in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The IPT is a global court convened by the European Associa-

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Sotto suggests revision of Philippine National Anthem

by AJPRESS SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday, September 18, suggested a revision in the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.

Sotto asked his colleagues to consider amending the last two lines of “Lupang Hinirang” during the Upper Chamber’s deliberations on the proposed amendment to Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The last two lines of Lupang Hinirang are: “Aming In his interpellation during plenary debates ligaya na ’pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang daon the proposed amendment to Republic Act hil sa ‘yo (But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged, 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the for us thy sons to suffer and die).”

Philippines, Sotto described the last line of According to Sotto, these lines are rather defeatist.

Lupang Hinirang, “Aming ligaya na pag may A composer himself, he suggested to replace the last mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo,” line with “ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo (to fight for your as defeatist.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo freedom).”

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De Lima asks ICC, UN: End impunity in PH

by JULIE

M. AURELIO

Inquirer.net

DETAINED Sen. Leila de Lima has urged the international community to take urgent action to end impunity in the Philippines, particularly the government’s bloody war against illegal drugs.

“It is imperative for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and relevant United Nations bodies and mechanisms to work and work urgently not only to frustrate Duterte’s plans but more importantly and ultimately to shrink the space for impunity in the Philippines,” she said.

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Senator Leila de Lima waves as security police escort her inside the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice to attend the resumption of the public hearing on the politically-motivated illegal drug trade charges lodged before Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 on Tuesday, September 18. Senate photo

DAY AFTER TYPHOON OMPONG. Residents collect bamboo timber from the garbage washed ashore during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong, at the Manila Bay on Sunday, September 16.

“Ompong”, which barreled through northern Luzon, left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Over 800,000 affected

by Typhoon Ompong

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE number of people in the Philippines reported to be affected by the recent Typhoon Ompong — known internationally as Typhoon Mangkhut — has reached over 800,000, according to the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report released Tuesday morning, September 18.

According to Philippine National Police numbers, the death toll reached 74 on Tuesday, though that number is expected to rise. Most of the deaths have been coming from the Cordillera Administrative Region which as of Tuesday, had 60 fatalities. Both

Metro Manila and the Ilocos Region had one death recorded each, Central Luzon had two, and Cagayan Valley recorded 10.

From the total of affected 3,237 barangays in the NCR, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), a total of 218, 492 families, or 893,944 families were reported affected, according to the NDRRMC. As of Tuesday, a total of 236,060 individuals were reported being served by 1,780 evacuation centers. The number broke down to 162,339 reported being served inside the evacuation centers, and

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September 21-27, 2018 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JOUrNAL

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From the Front Page

De Lima asks ICC, UN: End impunity...

PAGE A1 Take urgent actions De Lima made the remarks in a message read on her behalf on the sidelines of the 39th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Her message, titled “Shattering the Consensus of Silence: Let’s Take Urgent Actions Against Impunity in the Philippines,� called on the ICC and the UNHRC to end impunity in the country.

A fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, De Lima claimed that more than 20,000 suspected drug users and pushers were killed in the government’s war on illegal drugs. “There is no sign that the killings will ever stop as Mr. Duterte has even vowed in his recent State of the Nation Address in July that his drug war would remain ‘relentless and chilling’ as on the day it began,� she said.

She asked: “Thus, as high officials and agents of govern-

ment themselves are involved in this spate of killings and attacks against our people, can we honestly expect the wheels of justice to turn?�

De Lima is hopeful that the UNHRC would pass a resolution condemning the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and deploy an independent fact-finding mission here.

Earlier this month, she wrote a letter to the UNHRC memberstates to urge them to send an independent fact-finding mission to the Philippines to investigate the extrajudicial killings.

The senator also called on the ICC to expedite its preliminary investigation on the human rights situation in the country, even as the government had unilaterally withdrawn its ICC membership.

She said the president’s ploy was to discredit international organizations, which had the will to exact accountability from him.

Protect human rights “More than the appeal to actions from governments and in-

tergovernment bodies, there is a cogency in the call for international solidarity and mobilization of public support to uphold, defend and protect human rights in the Philippines,� De Lima said.

She added: “We have to move—move with utmost urgency and in solidarity with each other. With political leaders themselves demonizing their own people and instigating human rights violations, the need for all of us to stand together and fight for the basic values of human dignity and equality of everyone everywhere has now become absolutely urgent.�

She pointed out the need to take a stand against human rights abuses, especially if other legal means of redress fail. “Where do the Filipinos go now? Expectedly, we have to turn to those avenues which seem available and appear viable to us: to each other, to the international community and to the various instruments of global justice,� she said. n

Over 800,000 affected by Typhoon...

PAGE A1 73,661 being served outside.

Furthermore, a total of 1,264 houses were recorded damaged with 130 classified as totally damaged, and 1,134 being partially damaged.

The NDRRMC also reported Tuesday that agricultural damages reached PHP14.3 billion in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan, CAR, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

In CAR alone, the damage as of Monday, September 17 was

PHP2.8 billion, affecting approximately 171,932 farmers and much of the regions rice and corn. Not yet recorded are the number of farmers affected in the other regions. “Mababago pa ‘yan (That will still change) because those are just estimates,� said Office of Civil Defense Spokesperson Edgar Posadas in a Monday press briefing. “We have procedures on a more structured assessment later on as we are focused right

President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with his supporters upon his arrival at the Provincial Capitol in La Trinidad, Benguet on Monday, September 17 where he presided over a situation briefing to discuss the disaster response measures on the aftermath of Typhoon ‘Ompong.’ MalacaĂąang photo by Robinson NiĂąal Jr.

now on response.�

World’s strongest storm of 2018 Sustaining Hurricane wind speeds of up to 170 miles per hour, the 550-mile wide storm remains the world’s strongest storm this year so far.

After hitting its hardest in the Philippines’ northern province of Luzon on Saturday, Ompong made way south to Hong Kong and Macau, before downgrading to a tropical depression in China where state news media reported four people dead.

On Monday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met with families of some typhoon victims in the CAR province in Benguet where around PHP25,000 worth of goods and burial assistance were distributed, according to Special Assistant to the President Bong Go. Another PHP20,000 in cash was distributed to families.

Outside the Philippines, condolences were sent including by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who tweeted on Saturday, “Our thoughts are with those affected by Typhoon Ompong. The U.S., as a friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, stands ready to assist.� n

PH-EU COLLABORATION. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III receives EU Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Franz Jessen, during the latter’s courtesy call at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday, September 18. They discussed the EU’s continuing commitment to help the drug rehabilitation program of President Duterte. They also recognized the importance of the EU’s GSP+ Scheme which has visibly improved the Philippines’ trade volume with the EU, making the EU the second largest export market and the fourth largest trading partner of the Philippines.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

Duterte guilty of human rights...

PAGE A1 show evidence of human rights violations in the country.

Duterte was charged for “gross and systematic violations of human rights,� specifically, extrajudicial killings, the martial law in Mindanao, the country’s weak economic base, violence against women, attacks on press freedom and increased presence of United States’ troops.

The complainants were Bayanmuna, Anakbayan, Gabriela, Migrante, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Rise Up for Life and for Rights. ‘Duterte right to be punished’ Elmer Labog, head of International League of Peoples’ Struggle, said Duterte must be punished as he is losing his credibility as the country’s

leader. “Duterte has lost his legitimacy as a head of state before the international community. It has rendered its judgement on his criminal regime. He must now pay for his crimes, the so-called punisher must be punished,�

Labog said in a statement on Thursday.

Labog added that the Duterte administration reflected former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s regime and the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship. “Martial law was never lifted.

We now have 14 years of the Marcos dictatorship and nine years of Arroyo distilled in just two years of Duterte. We are now confronting a “MAD�

(Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte) Gang whose ringleaders are all notorious for cheating, stealing, ly-

ing and killing,� Labog said.

Joms Salvador, Secretary General of Gabriela Alliance of Filipino Women, slammed Duterte for his misogynistic remarks that he said had caused violence against women to spread in the country. “President Duterte’s public statements promote rather than discourage or prevent discrimination against women, they are offensive to women, they are tantamount to verbally abusing women, they harass women, they degrade women, and they threaten the lives of women,� she said.

Duterte is also facing complaints filed at the International Criminal Court, which included testimonies of activists and families of victims killed in the drug war. n

Palace shrugs off IPT’s ‘guilty verdict’ vs...

PAGE A1 tion of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, International Association

of Democratic Lawyers, IBON International, and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines.

IPT’s decision will be handed

out to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the European Parliament, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague. n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 21-27, 2018

A

An aspirin a day can be risky for As rematch looms, Pacquiao tells older people, finds new study Mayweather: Easy fight, huh? by rAe

Ann VAronA AJPress

TAKING aspirin has for a long time been believed to help stave off heart attack and strokes. But results from a new study says that taking a daily aspirin may actually bring some risks for some people.

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that rates of heart disease, disability, or dementia were not brought down by taking a daily “baby” aspirin. It also found that taking the aspirin increased the risk of death — primarily from cancer — in those 65 years or older.

“Clinical guidelines note the benefits of aspirin for preventing heart attacks and strokes in person with vascular conditions such as coronary artery disease. The concern has been uncertainty about whether aspirin is beneficial for otherwise healthy older people without those conditions,” said Richard J. Hodes, director of the

National Institute on Aging.

“This study shows why it is so important to conduct this type of research, so that we can gain a fuller picture of aspirin’s benefits and risks among healthy older persons,” he added.

The study involved over 19,000 people from Australia and the U.S. who were ages 70 years or older (65 years and older among Hispanics and blacks in the U.S.), and who did not have cardiovascular disease, dementia, or disability. Half of the participants took a low-dose aspirin of 100 milligrams daily, and the other half took a placebo.

The three party study, which took place over a span of five years from 2010 to 2014, did not see much of a difference between the groups when it came to dementia or disability as a result of taking aspirin. It did though, see a higher risk of bleeding from those that took aspirin, compared to those that took the placebo (3.1 percent compared to 2.7 percent).

“The use of low-dose aspirin as

a primary prevention strategy in older adults resulted in a significantly higher risk of hemorrhage and did not result in a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease than placebo,” said a conclusion of the study which was published in three papers.

When it came to the overall death rate, 5.9 percent of aspirin takers placed higher than the 5.2 percent of the placebo takers. In regards to death from cancer, those in the aspirin group were more likely at 3.1 percent, compared to the 2.3 percent in the placebo group.

“The increase in cancer deaths in study participants in the aspirin group was surprising, given prior studies suggesting aspirin use improved cancer outcomes,” said Leslie Ford, M.D. associate director for clinical research, NCI Division of Cancer Prevention. “Analysis of all the cancer-related data from the trial is under way and until we have additional data, these findings should be interpreted with caution.” n

New Census data shows more than four million...

PAGE A1 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).

“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,” said Brendan Flores, the national chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Association, in a statement. “However, while we

continue to grow in numbers, we have hard work to do in terms of civic engagement and representation. NaFFAA’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.”

Other findings of the ACS include that immigrations — both legal and undocumented — 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 number 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

Google pays tribute to Josefa Llanes Escoda on her 120th birthday

by GAeA

KAtreenA Philstar.com

cAbico

MANILA — Google on Thursday, September 20, commemorated the life and legacy of Josefa Llanes Escoda, a well-known advocate of women’s right of suffrage and founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Google paid homage to Escoda with a doodle on its homepage.

“Born on this day in 1898, Escoda was the eldest of seven children and always showed a great interest in women’s issues.

A strong advocate for female suffrage, she worked tirelessly to

make sure voting rights were extended to all citizens,” the search engine wrote.

This year marks her 120th birth anniversary.

The native of Dingras town in Ilocos Norte founded the Boy’s Town in Manila for underprivileged youth in 1937 and the GSP in 1940.

She was executed by the Japanese in 1945 for helping Filipino and American prisoners in several concentration camps.

Together with Jose Abad Santos and Vicente Lim, Escoda’s face appears on the P1,000 banknote. n

Sotto suggests revision of...

PAGE A1 However, he noted that changing the lyrics does not need to happen right away.

“I’m not suggesting it right now. I’m just saying that perhaps you have looked into this (Philippine flag), might as well look into the entire law,” Sotto said, referring to Republic Act No. 8491.

RA 8491 determines not only the code of the national flag, but also of the national anthem in Chapter 2, Section 36.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who coauthored the Senate Bill 102 that aims to increase the sun rays on the Philippine flag from eight to nine as a representation for

Muslim leaders, did not oppose Sotto’s suggestion to revise the national anthem.

Gordon agreed that the last line of the anthem is defeatist and should be revised, and even offered to file a separate bill about Sotto’s suggestion.

He also said the famous quote “The Filipino is worth dying for” made by the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. should be added to the anthem.

“Lupang Hinirang” was composed and arranged in 1898 by Julian Felipe. Jose Palma wrote its lyrics. It was declared as the Philippine’s national anthem by former President Ramon Magsaysay in 1956. n

Emmy hosts call out Hollywood’s...

PAGE A1 Filipinos — who know all too well about the stereotype that all Filipinos are nurses or are pressured to be nurses — circulated the joke.

One Twitter user posted a captioned screengrab and wrote, “This is the realest Filipino-American content I’ve ever seen.”

Although it’s often communicated as a joke, the nurse stereotype is based on fact. According to AJ+, Filipinos comprise of 20 percent of the nursing force in California, a state that is 4 percent Filipino.

Entertainment reporter Yong Chavez of ABS-CBN said on Twitter, “I’ve tweeted about the lack of Filipino nurses in U.S. medical

shows so many times. Glad it finally made it as an Emmy joke.

Now please take it seriously now, Hollywood.”

Diversity was the theme of television’s biggest night. FilipinoAmerican actor and “Glee”-alum Darren Criss won “best actor in a limited series or movie” for his role as Andrew Cunanan in the FX mini-series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”

Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh was also the first Asian woman nominated for an acting award at the Emmy’s for her work in BBC’s “Killing Eve.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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)

by AbAc

cordero Philstar.com

MANILA – Manny Pacquiao’s eyes lit up trying to imagine himself inside the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch that should happen as soon as possible.

“Easy fight, huh?” Pacquiao said at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18, after a long night of chess with friends at his rented mansion in Dasmarinas Village in Makati.

“Tingnan natin kung hindi pa niya ma-occupy lahat ng sulok ng ring (Let’s see if he doesn’t end up occupying all corners of the ring),” he said of Mayweather, the most elusive boxer in history.

Pacquiao also confirmed plans of staging his next fight in the United States, regardless of his tax issues and opponent.

“Kahit hindi si Floyd, sa U.S. and laban (Even if it’s not Floyd, it’s the U.S.). Matagal na ako hindi nakapunta sa U.S. eh (It’s been a while I’ve gone there),” Pacquiao said.

The last time Pacquiao fought in the U.S. was in November 2016, against American Jessie Vargas.

He may be looking at Las Vegas as venue.

Pacquiao wants to fight on December 8 but said he could push the date to January 12 or January 19, especially if it’s against Mayweather.

“Kaya naman (It’s possible),” said Pacquiao, who plans to begin light training by the end of the month. He added that there’s no

AJPress file photo by Andy Tecson

need for a tune-up fight if he’d face Mayweather next.

“Bakit pa? Eh, kakalaban ko lang nung July (What for? I just fought last July),” said Pacquiao, coming off an impressive TKO win over Lucas Matthysse.

Mayweather, he said, won’t need any tune-up fight as well, even if the 41-year-old American hasn’t fought since beating Conor McGregor in August 2017.

“Mayabang ‘yun (He’s a braggart). He said it’s an easy fight,” said Pacquiao, hoping to seal his next fight this week — Mayweather or someone else.

“All the others are available,” said Pacquiao, who moved his family to nearby Dasmarinas Village while their Forbes Park home is under renovation.

Prospects of a rematch of their highly-lucrative 2015 encounter shot up after Mayweather and

Pacquiao bumped into each other during a rave party in Tokyo last Saturday.

“Maganda kasi nagkahamunan at nagkaprangkahan (It was nice because we challenged each other and there was taunting),” he said.

Mayweather announced that he’s coming out of retirement to face Pacquiao in December, and vowed to take away the Filipino’s WBA welterweight crown.

“Easy fight, easy payday,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao hinted that talks are on but said there’s a very slim chance he would see Mayweather when the latter visits Manila this week.

“Nasa GenSan ako (I’ll be in General Santos),” said Pacquiao.

“Kung December, dapat mafinalize na (If it’s December, we need to finalize it),” he said.

But he prefers Mayweather. n

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September 21-27, 2018 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

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Fil-Am students who hung self-made poster at Number of migrant children detained McDonald’s to be featured in marketing campaign 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 Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

What was supposed to be a harmless prank pulled by two men at a McDonald’s store in the U.S. turned into something more, all thanks to Ellen Degeneres. the television host surprised Jehv Maravilla and Christian toledo, two Filipino-americans who hung their self-made poster at the fast-food chain, by announcing that they would be featured in its marketing campaign. Degeneres made the announcement on “the Ellen Degeneres Show” aired on Monday, Sept. 17.

Degeneres said that what Maravilla and toledo did was a “good prank,” and invited them to guest at her show. She asked them how they pulled it off. She got curious as to how Maravilla managed to get into the fast-food chain unnoticed—by dressing up as a fake manager.

“I went to a Goodwill nearby with my friend, and he suggested I go get a uniform so I could dress like the part,” he told Degeneres, adding he made a fake badge at home.

“Wait, they just have McDonald’s uniforms for sale anywhere?” Degeneres asked.

Maravilla replied: “Yeah, it was weird! It was the first location we went to, and it was the right size for me too. So it was like meant to be!”

Since Degeneres has had the

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Christian Toledo and Jehv Mahravilla pulled the ultimate prank by sneaking in a fake poster at a fast-food chain to promote Asian representation. Photo from Twitter/@Jehvolution

habit of surprises, she made sure the two would not leave empty-handed. aside from being featured in the marketing campaign, she revealed the edited version of Maravilla and toledo’s poster hung outside her studio—which now included herself. Degeneres also asked the duo if they could sneak in a fan-art of herself in their local fast-food branch.

But she saved the best for

last: Not only do they get featured in the campaign, but also get paid for it for $25,000 (approximately P1.3 million).

Maravilla and toledo pulled the prank in the texas branch of the fast-food chain, and said on twitter that the poster had been hanging for 51 days without being noticed. he said that their goal for the prank was to promote asian representation. n

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 administration 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

China’s Xi condoles with typhoon-hit Philippines MaNILa — Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed sympathies to President Rodrigo Duterte after typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) barreled into the country last Saturday, September 15. the typhoon’s strong winds and intense rain left infrastructure and agriculture damage across the country. as of tuesday, September 18, the number of people killed by “Ompong” has climbed to 74, according to the Philippine National Police.

“On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, Xi mourned the victims and expressed sympathy to those injured, the bereaved families and the people in the affected area,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

“Xi said that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors, and the Chinese people shared the sadness of the Philippine people over their sufferings, and are willing to help as much as possible,” it added. the typhoon pummeled into southern China after devastating the Philippines, where it caused landslides and building collapses. according to the hong Kong

Observatory, Mangkhut was the most powerful cyclone to hit the country since 1979 with maximum gusts of up to 195 kilometers per hour. the typhoon has weakened to a tropical storm as it moves deeper into southern China affecting the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and hainan.

Most of the fatalities in the Philippines came from the Cordillera administrative Region, the police said. about 55 people remain missing while 74 were wounded.

Retrieval and rescue operations are continuing for smallscale miners and their families who might have been buried in the 300-meter landslide in Itogon, Benguet.

Most of the dead were retrieved from a bunkhouse used by former Benguet Corp., which was located outside the mining tunnel below the mountain slopes.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the suspension of small-scale mining in the region following a typhooninduced landslide that left dozens of people dead. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com with reports from Associated Press)

Oregon woman apologizes for racist rant vs Filipino driver aN aMERICaN woman from Beaverton, Oregon has apologized after her racist remarks against a Filipina went viral online.

Local network KatU reported that the woman, identified as Sierra Measelle, has apologized for her remarks directed at 22-yearold Filipina Selina Cairel.

“I’d like to again offer my sincere apology to Ms. Cairel and I am sorry for the ignorant, hateful comments I made to her and her friend,” Measelle was quoted as saying.

“I’m ashamed that I let my emotions get the best of me and I reacted in such a hurtful manner that goes completely against my beliefs and morals. I’m extremely disappointed in myself and my lack of empathy,” she added. the apology was reportedly posted on Measelle’s Instagram account that has since been turned private.

She said she plans to transform the negative situation into a positive learning opportunity.

“I hope that people who casually and carelessly use racist language will learn from my mistakes, as I have learned that these words and actions cause others much pain,” she said.

“I also want to say I’m sorry to all the people affected by my comments and especially my friends, family and place of employment for the harassment they’ve re-

ceived over this. this incident has definitely allowed me to see how my behavior contributes to racism and how I can and need to do better going forward,” added the Oregon woman.

Measelle drew criticism after Cairel posted on Facebook last week a video of her issuing racist rants against asians.

Cairel, from Washington state, said she went out with friends in Portland when she had a “terrible encounter” with Measelle.

“It started when she had said in the most demeaning poor excuse of a supposed ‘asian’ accent that ‘she’s asian, she can’t see that’s why she can’t drive.’ I was parked next to her and I did not instigate this at all,” wrote Cairel.

“She was the one to pull out her phone first saying ‘this should go on Instagram’ and started recording me. I never let this pass and wanna make sure this kind of behavior is seen and how people of color encounter this all the time.

I wanna make sure she gets seen and her racist, ignorant behavior is exposed,” she added.

In the video, Measelle also appeared to insinuate that Cairel was illegally staying in the U.S. Reports said the Filipina and her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 11. the video had over 16,000 reactions and was shared more than 20,000 times. (Janvic Mateo /Philstar.com)

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Duterte sees Reds defeated in mid-2019 Lorenzana, Pompeo talk South China Sea militarization

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

mANiLA — China’s expanding militarization in the disputed South China Sea was on the agenda in defense Secretary delfin Lorenzana’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State mike Pompeo.

Lorenzana met with the U.S. top diplomat in Washington to reaffirm the decades-long defense relationship between the two countries. in a readout released Thursday, September 20, U.S. department of State spokesperson Heather Nauart said Lorenzana and Pompeo discussed mutual defense and security challenges.

“Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Lorenzana discussed cooperation on addressing regional security challenges, including the militarization of the South China Sea and the threats posed by terrorism and efforts to achieve denuclearization in North Korea,” Nauert said.

Beijing has installed anti-cruise ship missiles, surface-to-air missile system and electronic jamming equipment on its artificial islands in the South China Sea. China has been claiming that its weapons are not directed at any country.

Commitment to mutual defense Treaty reaffirmed The two secretaries also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the 1951 mutual defense Treaty with manila.

Aside from the mdT, the Phil-

U.S. Secretary Michael R. Pompeo meets with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, at the Department of State on Wednesday, September 19.

State Department photo by Michael Gross

ippines has two more military agreements with the U.S. — the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced defense Cooperation Agreement.

Pompeo also expressed Washington’s readiness to extend support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

US assistance vs terrorism Lorenzana also met with U.S. defense Secretary Jim mattis to discuss defense issues, including the two countries’ commitment to combat terrorism.

The U.S. department of defense or the Pentagon said mattis reaffirmed U.S. military advisory support to assist the Philippines in its operations against iSiS and other violent extremist groups.

“Secretary mattis thanked Secretary Lorenzana for his country’s contribution to maritime security through its trilateral air and maritime patrols with indonesia and malaysia in the Sulu and Celebes

Seas,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

‘Ompong’ relief meanwhile, Pompeo expressed sympathies to Lorenzana after the Typhoon “Ompong” (international namen mangkhut) pummeled into the country over the weekend.

“Secretary Pompeo also expressed condolences for the destruction and loss of life cause

by Typhoon Ompong and offered U.S. assistance in humanitarian relief efforts,” Nauert said.

The U.S. Embassy in manila already announced that it will be providing hygiene supplies to the 5,500 people affected by the typhoon in Cagayan.

The US Agency for international development, in partnership woth the department of Social Welfare and development, will also be transporting 1,000 metric tons of food to families affected

by Ompong. n

Gov’t official admits PH’s lack of preparedness for major disasters by aJPress Amid the vulnerability of the country to natural hazards, Philippine institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHiLVOCS) director Renato Solidum Jr. admitted on monday, September 17, that the nation remains unprepared for major catastrophes, one of which is the most recent, Typhoon Ompong.

Solidum explained that the country still lacks the necessary precautions in dealing with the extreme weather conditions brought about by its geographical location and structure. He further discussed his point by comparing the Philippines to a boxer as reported by The Philippine Star. “if you’re a boxer like Senator manny Pacquiao who has fought many different weights, he has to prepare differently for different opponents. if his opponent is large and heavy then his preparedness must be different and if it’s a heavyweight, your preparedness should also be heavyweight,” Solidum said in an interview with One News’ “The Chiefs.”

The PHiLVOCS director who also happened to be the science undersecretary for disaster risk reduction and climate change warned the public to be on alert for more catastrophes as an effect of the impending climate change.

“Because of global warming the intensity of the typhoons may increase but the numbers may not,” he noted.

He stated that global warming would pose more danger as typhoons tend to be wetter and more intense. The director emphasized how the increase in temperature would cause both the dry and rainy season all at the same time as explained by the water cycle.

“Also because of the warmer temperature there will be faster evaporation, meaning more rains and also more extreme droughts,” Solidum said.

Solidum also noted that the country is used to prepare for less threatening hazards. He urged them to now focus more on addressing disasters with the maximum damages and even casualties. “i think we will find out that many of our preparedness is for lightweight disasters. We need to prepare for the large-scale ones,” he said.

Environmental planner and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren in the same interview encouraged the local government units to “recalibrate” their disaster preparedness measures.

“Planning before was based on historic disasters, which are now erased. You have to raise the bar, so to speak, in terms of what the historic levels from the floods are, what the strength of the storm is, we have to recalibrate. it is an enormous task,” Alcazaren said.

Alcarazen said that they initiated the program but in order to resolve the possible issues catastrophe might entail, the program

must be continuous.

“We’re already starting but it has to be continuous up to a point that we can address the possible repercussion of climate change,” he added.

Both Solidum and Alcazaren also urged the passage of a National Land Use Act to be able to mitigate the risks brought by natural calamities.

“The National Land Use Act needs to be pushed and needs to embed all the disaster risk mitigation elements as part of planning, not as an afterthought but already as we plan,” Alcazaren said.

The architect also explained that without the law, they are unable to aid should there be a disastrous incident. “if they cannot enforce the law (on land use) we can’t do anything. We can assist technically, the national government can aid and professional organizations can help, but the policing power is really with the LGUs. if the mindset is not there, nothing will happen,” he said.

Solidum also informed the public that such law is included in the plans of President Rodrigo duterte while he is in office.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a National Land Use law yet and this is one of the legislative agenda of the current administration.

Right now what’s happening is the LGUs, depending on their advocacy, would create laws at the local level. But we must have national standards that must be followed wherever we go. it’s important,” he stressed. n

Complaint filed vs Mocha, blogger friend over ‘sign language’ video by

Gaea Katreena cabico Philstar.com

mANiLA — The Philippine Federation of the deaf filed a complaint against Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary and a blogger before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, September 20, over a video deemed disrespectful of the deaf community.

The complaint accuses the two of violating the amended magna Carta for disabled Persons, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Cybercrime Prevention Act. Blogger drew Olivar is not in government.

PFd said Uson and Olivar “[made] fun” and “[killed] the dignity” of the deaf community.

The video posted on Uson’s Facebook, since deleted, featured Olivar mimicking sign language and making sounds in an apparent imitation of hearing- and speech-impaired people.

Uson could be heard laughing off camera before remarking: “Para kang unggoy dyan (You’re like a monkey there).” it outraged persons with dis-

Philippine Federation of the Deaf said Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and blogger Drew Olivar “[made] fun” and “[killed] the dignity” of the deaf community.

Philstar.com photo by Elizabeth Marcelo

abilities for mocking the official language and the official mode of communication used by deaf individuals.

Complainant Carolyn dagani, president of PFd, said the video of Uson and Olivar “is an insult to the entire deaf community and to all persons with disabilities.” dagani joined other advocates of an inclusive society in calling for Uson’s resignation.

PdF also filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights. The agency’s National Capital Region Office is already looking into the case, it said Wednesday.

Code of Conduct for Public Officials, magna Carta for PWds Uson, a government official, “shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged,” according to the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees.

Republic Act 9442, meanwhile, prohibits ridicule, both verbal and non-verbal, against PWds, which can intimidate them or make them lose their self esteem.

Uson and Olivar have issued online apologies over the video.

The duo earlier drew flak or the “pepederalismo” video, which PAGE A7

mANiLA — President Rodrigo duterte is expecting the defeat of the decades-old communist insurgency by the second quarter of 2019 as the prospects for peace talks between the government and the rebels remain uncertain. duterte said many communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered despite threats of being assassinated by their former comrades. “i think that if God is merciful, this would be over by about the second quarter of next year. many are surrendering. The good thing there is there are firearms,” the president said.

“Usually, they do not bring firearms. That’s really prohibited. You will really be killed. But this time, they are coming down and surrendering firearms,” he added. duterte said rebel leaders were among those who have abandoned the armed struggle. intelligence personnel were able to gather information from the insurgents who surrendered, he added.

Previous presidents have also predicted the demise of the communist movement, the oldest existing maoist insurgency in the region.

Peace negotiations between the government and the rebels were terminated after duterte accused the communists of seeking a coalition government, a powersharing setup that he said is not allowed by the Constitution.

The president has also chided the rebels for launching attacks against government forces and civilians while talks of the opioid are ongoing.

‘Delusion’ Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose ma. Sison claimed that duterte showed signs of delusion when he predicted the downfall of the CPP-NPA next year, saying it is more likely that the president will be ousted from power before that period.

Sison, in his social media post, said that duterte’s statement may be a result of his taking too much Fentanyl. “it is more likely that duterte would be ousted from power” than him destroying the people’s revolutionary movement by the middle of next year, Sison said.

The president had also claimed that Sison is dying of cancer.

National democratic Front (NdF) peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili denied Sison is dying. He said the CPP founding chairman has recovered from a bout of arthritis.

Sison added that people consider duterte a clown who imag-

ines that he has all the money to give jobs and houses to the millions of people who participate in the revolutionary movement. “more importantly, he is now the target of people’s rising hatred. They reject the traitorous, tyrannical, murderous and corrupt character of his regime,” Sison said. (Philstar.com)

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FEATURES

OPINION

Justice, but still no closure TWELVE years after student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño disappeared in Bulacan, their families are getting justice. On Monday, September 17, Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Judge Alexander Tamayo convicted Jovito Palparan of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and sentenced the retired Army major general to life in prison. Convicted together with Palparan were Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio.

Palparan, who was dubbed “The Butcher” by human rights advocates, has denied ordering the kidnapping, detention, rape and torture of the two University of the Philippines coeds in June 2006 when he was the infantry division commander in Central Luzon. He has also defended his methods, likened by critics to a dirty war, which he employed against insurgents.

There is still no closure for the families of Cadapan and Empeño, who are among the desaparecidos in this country. Unwilling to give up on the possibility that the two victims might still be alive, and unable to give them a formal farewell, the relatives remain suspended in a limbo of sorrow.

With his continuing insistence on his innocence, Palparan is unlikely to provide the grieving relatives any clue regarding the two victims’ fate. Hurling invectives yesterday at the judge, Palparan is set to appeal his conviction all the way to the Supreme Court. It could take another 12 years before final judgment is rendered. At least his offense does not allow him to post bail while his case is on appeal.

Besides the search for justice, Palparan’s conviction should inspire a reassessment of the military mindset and methods in fighting insurgencies. Palparan’s counterinsurgency methods enjoyed support from a certain segment of the population. He was singled out for praise in the State of the Nation Address of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her presidency. He became a party-list congressman representing Bantay. When Palparan was first ordered arrested by the Malolos court, military officers were suspected to have helped him hide for three years until he was nabbed in the city of Manila.

Violent methods and egregious violations of human rights in quelling rebellions tend to have diminishing returns. Such methods have contributed to making the communist insurgency in the Philippines one of the longest running of its kind in the world. The ideology may now be unrecognizable, but the unrest and discontent behind the armed dissent are still there. Punishing those who engage in dirty wars is just a laudable step in ending the rebellion for good. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Admiral John McCain and the unprecedented PH Dollar Remittance Program PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (Part 2 of 3)

OUR original plan anticipated the exponential growth of the job market and the dollar remittances from overseas Filipinos. We tinkered with the formula and expanded its scope.

We raised the national target to $300 million a year in remittances and sent then President Ferdinand Marcos an urgent memorandum explaining the ambitious plan and its mechanics. On the accompanying note we summed up the proposal: “How to raise an additional yearly $300 million or more for the CB-PNB complex to finance Philippine economic and infrastructure development and service RP foreign debts, etc. and to totally dry up the black market.” Black market dollars had been known then to finance soft-goods smuggling to the Philippines through Sabah, and worse, subversion activities in Southeast Asia.

President Marcos asked us to see him for an additional briefing. “Your proposal looks excellent but I need further study,” the president told us.

We told Marcos that the dollar-remittance agreement with the United States would be “immediately beneficial to Philippine economic, political, security and defense interests – and we were recommending its urgent implementation.”

We thought Manila needed to allay Washington’s fears about the program’s possible harmful impact on the U.S. economy. In later years, we remembered something we told the U.S. and Philippine governments that proved to be prescient: “It is our view that the American turnover of dollars to the CB-PNB will in fact constitute and ensure a ‘return flow’ of dollars to the United States because 95 percent of Philippine dollar reserves are deposited in U.S. banks. The remittance program, far from stopping the flow of dollars across the Pacific, would in fact enlarge it.”

We could not have said it better then. Our series of presentations impressed and eventually persuaded the succeeding

Foreign Ministers Narciso Ramos and Carlos P. Romulo, the succession of Central Bank Governors (Alfonso Calalang, Andres Castillo, Gregorio Licaros) and Manila-based U.S. officials, but we now faced a greater hurdle. Washington predictably asked for further data; it wanted a greater scrutiny of the program before it could give official U.S. concurrence. In particular, it asked us to identify the sources of the dollar remittances. We replied with a memo identifying the following possible sources: • $25 million in additional dollar remittances to PNB from some 14,000 Filipino retirees living in the Philippines; • $27 million yearly in additional PNB dollar remittances and “X” dollar amounts in dollar bonds to be purchased by some 10,000 to 12,000 Filipino seamen employed worldwide by the U.S. Navy; • $45 million in yearly contracts awarded by the U.S. government to Filipino contractors for expansion, repair and modernization of U.S. base facilities in the Philippines, which sum should be deposited with or serviced by CB-PNB; • $100 million yearly rep-

resenting U.S expenditures to support the U.S. base complex in the Philippines and which sum should be absorbed by CB-PNB; • $100 million yearly in peso expenditures of some “two million” U.S. seamen at liberty in the Philippines through multiple entries.

Following further refinement that incorporated American concerns, the program evolved in 1969. By then, we had identified more dollar sources such as PNB remittances from Canada and CB-PNB-Development Bank of the Philippines, proposed dollar bond-selling programs for Hawaii, Canada and the U.S. mainland. The program had taken on a convincing format. Giving the program the highest priority, the finance officials and us worked out approval in mid-1969 during the presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

We vividly remember the crucial meeting where the final U.S. action was indicated, presaging concurrence by the State Department, the Pentagon and the U.S. Treasury.

This came at a conference between PNB President Roberto Benedicto, Minister James Wil-

son and Allan Ford, the political-military officer of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, William Pieace of the U.S. Treasury and us. In succeeding talks, the procedure to carry out the plan was finessed. The talks involved the government’s top economic, foreign affairs and military advisers and the country’s leading bankers. We gave them a full briefing on the program’s details and strategy.

Those who sat in on the meeting with the president at various stages were Foreign Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, who succeeded Narciso Ramos, foreign Undersecretary Jose D. Ingles, Finance Secretary Eduardo Z. Romualdez, Central Bank Governor Alfonso Calalang, Roberto S. Benedicto, Representative Pablo Roman (chairman of the House Committee on Banks), DBP Chairman Gregorio Licaros, Defense Secretary Ernesto Mata, Justice Secretary Claudio Teehankee, Presidential Economic Staff Director General Placido Mapa Jr., Labor Undersecretary Raoul Inocentes, PNB Assistant Vice President Isidro Villanos, Pastor Alvarado, and ourself. The registry was a veritable who’s

who of Philippine economic and political braintrust.

Due to our spadework at home and abroad, our brainchild was moving to such success that Roberto S. Benedicto, Marcos’ closest ally and classmate, proposed that it be called the “Marcos Dollar Plan,” because Marcos was running for reelection in 1969 and his team viewed the program as a political asset.

(One of my assistants quietly protested and proposed that it simply be called the “Philippine Dollar Plan” without names mentioned, including mine).

One afternoon, we were asked by the Monetary Board at the old Central Bank to explain the program’s details and its potential impact on the national economy. We repeated the data we had earlier supplied Washington on the sources of dollars. We spoke for three hours, answering their questions and putting to rest all their doubts. We were well prepared. When we gained the Board’s unanimous approval, we saw our work of over a year coming to full fruition.

(To be continued next week)

Amnesty granted cannot be revoked

INTROSPECTIVE

TONY KATIGBAK TENSIONS have been running high in the Philippines these past few weeks, or to be completely honest, these past few years. For a country that was promised that corruption would be stamped out and that peace and order would be restored, it’s ironic to note that the complete opposite seems to have happened. In the past few years the death toll has increased dramatically, violence is even more prevalent than ever, corruption looks to be at an all time high, prices have skyrocketed, and there is less peace and order than there has been in a very long time.

It’s sad that we have placed ourselves in a position wherein the peso is reaching all new lows and there doesn’t look to be any reprieve in sight. A position where our countrymen can’t even afford the basic goods and necessities they need to survive and where a super typhoon threatens our shores and the lives of count-

less Filipinos. And instead of being front and center and promoting relief operations, as the government should be, they are instead still arguing amongst themselves.

To be quite frank the song has remained the same and it is getting quite tiresome.

There is no synergy in the way politicians work in the Philippines. Let’s face it no one is perfect, and many politicians have made mistakes, but it seems that whenever we elect new officials they are more intent to taking apart what their predecessor built instead of improving on it. Don’t get me wrong – that’s not to say that past mistakes should not be fixed – but the reality is we never seem to be moving forward, we always remain rooted in the past.

Currently what is under contention now is the amnesty of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. President Duterte has claimed that the amnesty granted to Trillanes is invalid and has been seeking to have him arrested. When this blew up all over the news (and continues to do so) it felt like 2007 all over again. Is this still where

we are? With everything else that is happening are we back to the military uprisings that happened over a decade ago?

Does the president truly feel this is where he should channel his energy when so many Filipinos are suffering? The priorities of the current administration are quite mindboggling.

President Duterte has claimed that Trillanes’ amnesty should be void because Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin signed it instead of the president, at the time Benigno Aquino. Former president Aquino, however, has said that the amnesty process for Trillanes followed the same procedure that all former presidents used including Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He said that if this amnesty is seen as invalid then all the amnesty grants by his predecessors should be invalid as well.

However, despite President Duterte’s earlier claims about who signed Trillanes’ amnesty, what appeared on Proclamation No. 527 is that the amnesty was invalid because

Trillanes did not apply for amnesty. His application appears to be lost and this was the basis for the president signing the proclamation. However, during his privilege speech in the Senate, Trillanes showed photo and video evidence of him filing the application so now many are wondering why the Department of National Defense can’t seem to find the papers. Former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte said that Trillanes should not be punished solely on the basis that his application can’t be found and that an investigation into the missing papers should commence right away.

There is obviously no love lost between President Duterte and Senator Trillanes. The latter has been quite vocal about his issues with the current Commander-in-Chief and has been pushing, for quite some time, for an investigation into some of the president’s activities like his alleged P2.4 billion bank accounts and the Davao Death Squad. He has not been afraid of calling the president a mass murderer and has not backed down from statements against the admin-

istration. Naturally this makes him a prime target as one of the main, and one of the loudest, voices of dissent.

It’s not surprising that the president does not like him, but I feel he has devoted far too much time trying to find ways to get “rid of him.” Does he feel threatened because the senator does not appear to be afraid of him like many others? Although Trillanes is fighting for his legal rights and preserving the amnesty he was granted, he has also said that he is not afraid of being arrested because he is not afraid of the president.

I think that the administration should tread carefully when it comes to pursuing this. At present there seems to be no legal basis for revoking the senator’s amnesty and unless they can prove, legally, that there is a reason to void it then perhaps they should take a step back. I’m hoping we are not heading for a constitutional crisis if the administration continues to push for what they want despite no legal precedence or standing.

In the end, I think it’s more important for the government

and for our president to focus on the real problems facing our country and channel his efforts into addressing these instead of going head to head with those who oppose him.

We’ve all experienced hard times before but these days it just seems to be getting worse and worse. The government needs to find ways to address the soaring inflation, the crippling rice shortage, and the increase in violent crimes.

If the president really wants to do good things for the Philippines, and I believe that he does, than he needs to let go of all his wild paranoid destabilization fears and get to work.

People are angry and they want improvements. There will always be voices of opposition because things aren’t improving, they are only getting worse. If the president really wants to silence his opposition then he needs to focus on what really matters. New strong economic policies and revisiting policies that may not work are what is needed to address untamed inflation, not giving all his attention to would-be “plots” and “conspiracies.” (Philstar.com)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 21-27, 2018

A

SWS: Less crime in Q2, but Pinoys feel streets Sister Patricia Fox testifies vs not safer even in military-ruled Mindanao Duterte gov’t before int’l tribunal MANILA — There were fewer Filipinos who fell victim to crime in the second quarter, but they hardly view the streets safer, even from drug addicts, and despite the government’s war against criminality, pollster Social Weather Stations found.

Across the archipelago, some crimes have also become more prevalent in Mindanao, where President Rodrigo Dutetre hails, than the rest of the country despite the prevailing military rule on the island in order to fight terrorism.

The second quarter SWS survey, held from June 27 to 30, released on Thursday, September 20, showed that over the past six months, there were fewer people who experienced pickpocketing and physical violence.

The number of Filipinos whose homes were broken in or property was damaged were also lesser while carnapping incidents remained steady.

Broken down, only 0.2 percent of respondents said they suffered physical violence, a

“record-low,” according to SWS. Four percent experienced pick-pocketing on the streets, down from 4.6 percent in the previous three months. Breakins (from 2.2 percent to 1.8 percent), property crimes (from 6.1 percent to 5.1 percent) and other crimes (from 6.6 percent to 5.3 percent) also declined.

A total of 0.5 percent of respondents said their cars were stolen, steady from the first quarter.

By location, SWS noted that cases of break-ins have fallen in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, but rose in Visayas and Mindanao.

Mindanao, where martial law has been in effect since May 2017, also experienced a rise in street robberies as well as carnapping during the survey period.

On the flip side, cases of burglary and physical violence fell in Mindanao, while rising elsewhere, SWS found.

Despite the respondents say-

ing they have not experienced crime over the past six months, 46 percent of them still feel streets remain unsafe, steady from the previous quarter.

A majority of 55 percent said they fear burglary could still happen, while 41 percent fear drug addicts are still within their neighborhood. Both were up one point from previous three months.

Broken down by location, fear of drug addicts rose in Mindanao and Metro Manila, fell in the Visayas and was “hardly changed” for the rest of Luzon.

The survey was held a month before Duterte defended again his anti-drug war during his State of the Nation Address before critics, saying it will be “as chilling as the day it began.”

The drug war has taken the lives of over 4,000 people since Duterte took over the presidency in July 2016, according to government data. Estimates of rights groups, however, far exceed this number. (Philstar. com)

No plan to challenge Arroyo’s leadership

by Mary

Gleefer Jalea ManilaTimes.net

MARINDUqUE Rep. Lord Allan Velasco refuted allegations that he was set to replace House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amid reports that she would be unseated over a budget feud among top lawmakers.

“I categorically deny any involvement in any plan whatsoever to unseat the Speaker… I didn’t aspire for such position then, in the same way that I am not aspiring for the Speakership now,” Velasco told reporters on Tuesday.

His name previously floated as potential contender when thenHouse Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was ousted and later replaced

by Arroyo.

“I assure Speaker [Arroyo] that I am not behind any plot to challenge her leadership, and I wish to put to rest all further rumor-mongering,” Velasco said, reiterating his support for Arroyo “since Day One.” His statements came a day after top lawmakers debated heatedly over an alleged P55-billion in “pork” inserted in the P3.757-

trillion national budget, sparking rumors of Arroyo’s possible ouster.

Sources previously said the ouster plan came from groups who wanted to insert the fund in the 2019 budget, disagreeing with Arroyo’s inclination to have fair distribution among lawmakers.

The issue led to a suspension of the supposed plenary deliberations sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Karlo Nograles after a heated caucus with Majority Leader Rolando Andaya and Arroyo.

According to House sources, there were two versions of the national budget: one prepared

by Nograles that included the P50-billion funds allocated for the respective districts of some congressmen, and the other one allegedly prepared by the House leadership without the proposed amount.

Andaya clarified that Arroyo had “no intention to reduce the amount of the presented budget but will instead investigate the misplaced insertion.”

“There is no slash to be talked about. The President’s [Rodrigo

MANILA — Australian nun Patricia Fox testified against the Duterte government before an international tribunal on Tuesday, September 18, narrating the political persecution she experienced.

Fox is among the 31 witnesses who were slated to testify before the International Peoples’ Tribunal in Belgium from September 1819. The witness list also includes a Marawi sultan named Hamidullah Atar.

A video recording of Fox’s testimony was presented before the international court by lawyer Kathy Panguban, who is among the missionary’s legal counsels. The proceedings were streamed live on Facebook.

The 71-year-old nun who has worked for the welfare of laborers, land reform and peasant rights in her 28 years as a missionary in the Philippines caught President Rodrigo Duterte’s ire for joining rallies.

The nun was ordered deported and placed on the immigration blacklist after Duterte directed the Bureau of Immigration to investigate her.

But the nun said the political activities that made her an undesirable alien are a part of being religious.

“As a human being, especially as a religious, we have to stand with the oppressed and what I was doing was listening to... the workers who are just asking to be [regularized]... the tribal people who are being sent off their land,” she said.

“So to me, it’s a human rights issue. To me, it’s what you do as a human rights defender, particularly as a religious.”

Asked why she thinks the president wanted her deported, Fox attributed it to Duterte’s sensitivity to criticisms.

“I think President Duterte is particularly sensitive about any criticism and particularly that’s in Mindanao... because the human

Australian nun Patricia Fox testified against the Duterte government before an international tribunal on Tuesday, September 18.

Philstar.com photo

rights abuses in Mindanao are increasing under martial law... I was there and I was listening and I was supporting the people who... are endorsing a report of what was happening there and particularly he doesn’t like outsiders, what he terms outsiders, criticizing [him],” she said.

Palace unfazed Malacañang, meanwhile, was unfazed by human rights group Karapatan’s announcement that a sultan would testify against the Duterte administration before the international court, dismissing it earlier Tuesday as a “propaganda” by leftists.

The rights group said Atar would be testifying about the “human rights violations committed by the Duterte regime to the Meranaws during the Marawi City siege, and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.”

Karapatan described the IPT as a “global court” convened by the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights, Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, IBON International and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque belittled Karapatan’s announcement and described the trial

to be conducted by the tribunal as a “sham.”

“Because that’s not an official proceeding; that’s a propaganda proceedings by the Left,” Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque said he does not know the sultan who would testify against the administration.

“It seems there’s one sultan that they selected amongst themselves.

I was a godfather to a royal wedding recently and I think I met all the royal families, so to speak.

Although the Constitution prohibits really the grant of nobility,” the presidential spokesman said.

“I don’t know who he is, and that’s a sham proceeding because it’s not an official proceeding, it’s for propaganda purposes,” he added.

Aside from Atar, Jerome Succor Aba, chairman of militant group Suara Bangsamoro, would testify on his allegation that he suffered religious discrimination, arbitrary detention and torture in the hands of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Karapatan said the verdict from the IPT would be submitted to the International Criminal Court, the European Parliament and the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Alexis Romero/Philstar. com)

Complaint filed vs Mocha, blogger friend...

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Philstar.com file photo

Duterte] budget in terms of aggregate amount is intact and the Speaker has no intention to reduce that amount of budget as presented… we only want to align the budget based on the policies of the President,” he previously said. n

PAGE A5 critics and even allies of the president said maligned the cause of federalism.

‘Fake news’ complaints Uson is also facing an administrative complaint before the Ombudsman as members of Akbayan Youth accused her of spreading “fake news.”

In September 2017, Sen. Anto-

nio Trillanes IV filed criminal and administrative charges against Uson for alleging he has secret bank accounts.

The Trillanes complaints were spurred by Uson’s posting in her Facebook account an allegation on Davao Breaking News – a Facebook page run by freelancer Ben Tesiorna – on the senator’s purported off-

shore bank accounts. The post also included several computerprinted documents supposedly pertaining to bank details and transactions.

The allegations were never substantiated and President Rodrigo Duterte later admitted that he had “invented” at least one of the supposed bank account numbers mentioned. n

A

September 21-27, 2018 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JOUrNAL

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SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2018

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One long ride through history The evolution of the automobile in the United States

by Nathalie

IF one would imagine a time when there were no cars to take people places, one would have to travel way back in time to be able to fully perceive what it is like. The invention of the automobile has been a game-changer throughout the course of history.

The said machinery amped up the meaning of convenience to a whole new level that was deemed impossible back then. Let us take a long ride back to how it all started.

The first vehicle in the United States that came close to the automobile was arguably built

by Oliver Evans in 1805. The built and structure that Evans created was described as amphibious and therefore could traverse by land and water via wheels and paddlewheels respectively.

Years after, the first American bicycle was manufactured in 1878 at the Weed Sewing Machine in Hartford, Connecticut. It is called the “Columbia Bicycle” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency under the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the executive department of the United States.

The NHSA issued a timeline that showed the evolution of vehicles and automobile industry

Robles /AJPress from its invention up until the present. It was around 1885 when the first seatbelt was patented by Edward J. Claghorn of New York.

The seatbelt, like its purpose to this day, was intended to hold the passengers in place should the car collide with something, thus reducing the impact of a forceful slam.

For other scholars, the first American car was the Duryea automobile built by the Duryea Motor Wagon Company. It was first demonstrated in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893. Frank and Charles Duryea founded the company and built a onecylinder “Ladies Phaeton,” with four wheels and no roof, making it an open-air car. It was regarded as the first successful gasoline engine vehicle.

Not long after, the same company created a second Duryea in 1894 and another one on Thanksgiving Day in 1895. Roughly that year as well, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company started the commercial production of the first American car, as stated in the Encyclopaedia Brittanica.

Due to the demand for the manufacturing of the said machinery, the country had to regulate the use of the

automobile, especially on roads and highways. It was the same year Connecticut created the first statewide traffic laws. The new laws regulated motor vehicles, limiting their speed to 12 miles per hour (mph) in cities and 15 mph on country roads.

After a year, the Oldsmobile otherwise known as the Olds Motor Vehicle Company from Detroit, Michigan, dominated the marketplace. The said company was established in 1897 but only gained popularity in 1902.

The Ford Motor Company launched in a converted factory and built its first American car, the Model A that same year.

The Ford Company gave birth to the idea of the assembly line, which operated by giving each worker the responsibility for one task. Up until this time, employees were assigned multiple tasks on building automobiles and walked around the plants to accomplish them.

William Durant formed General Motors — another automobile manufacturing company in 1908. Meanwhile, the Ford Motor/ Cadillac Company introduced the Model T and in its first year sold over 10,000 cars.

General Motors then bought the Cadillac Automobile Company in 1909 for $4.5 million.

In 1910, to further promote driver

and pedestrian safety, the State of New York introduced the very first drunk driving laws. It penalized drivers for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, hence the term driving under the influence (DUI).

The Ford Motor Company continued its success as it sold the Model T in 1914. With the assembly line, the Highland Park, Michigan plant produced 300,000 cars in 1914, resulting in Ford lowering the price of the Model T for 14 consecutive years, making the car affordable to the middle class.

Contrary to the common belief that Henry Ford invented the automobile, historical accounts proved otherwise. He and his company invented the assembly line so automobiles could be accessible to more Americans.

In 1920, three automobile companies rose to the ranks — Ford, General Motors and Chrysler — becoming the “Big Three” car manufacturing companies. Ford, in particular, garnered over eight million registrations. Since then, that year was considered the peak of growth in car ownership. By the end of the decade, the number of registrants tripled to 23 million.

As the automobile industry grew, several other industries

soon followed. There was a great need for the vulcanized rubber to be used in car wheels. Roads, highways and bridges were deemed necessary so the state and government had to fund public infrastructure for easier transport.

As the government got involved, the Federal Highway Act of 1921 came into the picture.

Gas stations and mechanic shops became necessary. The oil and steel industries boosted in numbers as the demand for automobile increased. Long drives were deemed possible so truck stops and motels began to line major highways.

To further regulate the roads and streets, the three-way traffic light with colors red, yellow and green was introduced in the United States in 1930. Not long after, airbags were invented in 1951 as protection for drivers and passengers. Airbags are used to reduce the impact of an automobile crash.

In 1966, the Congress established the Department of Transportation whose stated mission is: “Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American

people, today and into the future.”

Two years after, the Federal Safety Standards for cars took effect as a means to protect drivers against unreasonable risk of crashes occurring as a result of the design, construction or performance of motor vehicles.

The establishment of NHTSA followed suit in 1970. Its primary role is to reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

They are able to accomplish such by setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. They also receive grants from the State and local governments to enable them to conduct effective local highway safety programs. Five years later, the government ordered that the national maximum speed limit be set at 55 mph.

As one backtracks how the U.S. automotive industry developed, one can help but wonder how invention seemed to be faster these days. More and more technological advances are discovered daily and who knows what would appear before our eyes in the near future. There is no harm in looking back at how the humankind progressed. After all, that is the only way one can see how far we have come.

Haggling your way for the best car price

Tips and hacks on how to negotiate when buying a car Acquiring an automobile to take you places can be a necessity, luxury or privilege.

It could even be all of the above. Through the years the automobile industry has been creating ways to provide convenience to transport people from one place to another.

However, the acquisition of a car proves to be more difficult than it seems.

Car salesmen are a force to reckon with. While some may be honest enough to help you get a vehicle that is both great in quality and price, there are some who are equipped with Photo from car-brand-names.com the necessary charms and convincing prowess to entice buyers with less than desirable options. Here are some some tips how you can develop negotiation skills so that you can get your money’s worth in purchasing a car: Make use of online do outdoor activities. resources Pickup truck: If you need Technology has aided us to haul equipment, materials in more ways than one. The that would dirty up the information out there in the interior, or cargo too tall to world wide web allows fit in an enclosed vehicle on us to live life more a daily basis, a pickup is the conveniently than those most popular choice. This can theoretically be a family vehicle who came before us. Such holds true as this recent but you’re better off with a societal breakthrough minivan or an SUV since those works in our favor when offer comfort like none other. we decide to purchase an Other factors you have to automobile. consider before purchasing Car prices, features a car are: your location and and preliminary deals are now driving style. made available online. Even According to Unhaggle, if rankings of different car models you need a family vehicle but whether it be used or new are you live in a heavily-populated displayed so buyers would urban area, a hatchback or easily identify which car, truck, sedan would probably suit you minivan, standard utility vehicle best since these vehicles are (SUV) on the market should relatively easy to maneuver they test drive. Buyers should in congested streets and park then utilized the said resources in tight spaces. On the other to its full extent to ensure that hand, if you live in a sparselythe purchased car would be populated suburb, a station well within the budget without wagon or a compact SUV looking like it is. might serve you better since Autotrader, a known online your location can handle their marketplace for cars conducted slightly bigger size.

If you’re a driving enthusiast a study in 2016 that analyzes who wants to savor every aspect the activities of the average car buyer. The said study showed of the driving experience, then that at this day and age, a lot of a coupe or a convertible are people are using technological likely to satisfy you the most devices as means to further as they emphasize quickness and handling prowess. If you’re ensure that they will acquire the best model with the least price. more into comfort, a sedan Statistics showed that would serve you better. car buyers who shop online The ultimate key here is to spend 59 percent of their time write down your preferences researching for automobiles that and connect the dots. This’ll would appeal to their liking. The help you in choosing the actual research process includes right vehicle that can cover looking through car prices, your practical bases and finding actual cars listed for sale, accommodate your life.

How to choose the right vehicle for you

by Ritchel MeNdiola AJPress

BUYING a car is a huge decision. Next to a home, it’s probably the second most important purchase anyone can make. But with the influx of new car models and designs being constantly introduced on the market, how do you pick the right one?

When choosing a car, the one you want isn’t necessarily the one you need. Consider your current lifestyle and whether or not the car you plan on purchasing can accommodate that or not.

Coupe: If you want a car that makes a statement, a coupe is perfect since it typically has the most expressive design. It’s a two-door passenger vehicle that features either two or five seating spaces across one or two rows. A coupe’s rear seats are usually not spacious enough for adults, often reserved for light items only — making it unfit for families.

Convertible: This is another type of car that makes a statement. Unlike a coupe, however, a convertible is a passenger vehicle that allows its user to alternate between open-air and enclosed modes thanks to its retractable roof.

This is best suited for individuals or couples.

Sedan: Four doors are definitely a requirement when you have kids or planning to have some. A sedan’s rear seats can normally accommodate at least two adults or three small

children — making it the perfect vehicle not only for individuals but also regular-sized families.

Hatchback: This type of vehicle generally offers an SUVlike space without the dynamic and fuel-economy compromises of larger vehicles. It has a cargo area usually connected to the cabin, allowing the user to fold down the second seating row and create more cargo space in the process. A hatchback is spacious enough to accommodate up to five people — perfectly suited for individuals, couples, and regular-sized families.

Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV): If you want a vehicle that puts a special emphasis on cabin space and cargo capacity, an SUV might be for you. Because of its size and built, it can can transport between five and nine people — perfect for families and those who enjoy going on off-road trips. However, an SUV generally gets poor gas mileage so it is not the best vehicle to use for daily commutes.

Minivan: This vehicle is ideal if you want a good balance between passenger space and cargo capacity. A minivan tends to be associated with comfort and size since it can carry up to nine passengers, making it perfect for large families.

Station wagon: A station wagon is basically a sedan with a roof that extends rearward over the cabin and cargo area, allowing the vehicle to fit in more cargo in the back. This vehicle is ideal for regular-sized families and people who like to

comparing different models, finding out the the current car’s worth, and locating a dealer or getting the dealer information.

Have a pre-approved financing offer It is necessary to acquire a pre-approved financing offer from a bank, credit union, or other lender before walking into a dealership. Such offer would help you garner incentives to try to find you a better deal on the automobile you desire. A exemplary credit rating would also entail a great financing deal. Learn to make use of that.

If you have not check you credit score. Now is the best time as any.

Ensure an appropriate timing Learn to take advantage of a skill called foresight. Just like majority of businesses, car dealers and salespeople have sales goals at the end of a specific period. May it be the end of the week, month, quarter, semester or year, once they hit specific figures, incentives,

Negotiate in small intervals If the salesperson offers an amount far from the perceived one, ultimately the two parties would try to meet halfway. Once the dealer decreases the price, increase your offer by only a small interval. For instance, if he brings down the offer $500 less, raise your offer a bit let’s say for only $250 or less.

Use your expressions wisely A business transaction like this requires utmost confidence to be able to get the best out of what you paid for. Offer an amount without breaking a sweat or stuttering. However, be polite and respectful still.

After all, both you and the salesperson would only want the best deal, regardless if it is for your own self and not for each other.

Reject bad deals but leave your contact information If you and the dealer fail to compromise on an offer and you seem to think there is a better deal elsewhere, politely decline and leave a contact number. The dealer might call back and have something better.

Or not. Either way, never settle for a deal far from your perceived realistic one.

Check the payment breakdown and paperwork Once you get a deal you want, check the payment breakdown and see if there are questionable prices for the items the purchase includes. There are certain incident where dealers charge more for the add ons to make up for the losses they had in the negotiations. Same goes with the paperwork. Make sure there are no loopholes before you sign a deal. Otherwise, all the hard work in negotiating boils down to nothing.

Negotiation in any form can be tedious and tricky.

Salespersons in automobile shops would often appear calm, endearing and friendly but it could often be a strategy to establish rapport with the purchasing party. Once the salesperson connected with the buyer, haggling for a lower price would prove to be a lot more awkward and anxiety-inducing.

However, such decision should be made with proper preparation. Haggling can be a battle of its own — but the end game is always to win. (AJPress)

Haggling can be a battle of its own — but the end game is always to win. commissions and bonuses are in order. If you decide to purchase an automobile at this time frame, you might be in luck as some dealers are trying to reach certain figures.

Explore other dealerships Do not be confined with only one dealership. There are more options out there that you have yet to walk into. Who knows maybe you will score a better deal on the second or third store you check. Never settle for something far from what you want.

Once you decide to walk into a certain dealership, you must most certainly be equipped with the necessary knowledge and preparation beforehand.

Offer a realistic amount Once you started talking about how much you are willing to pay, you have to make sure that it is within a realistic amount. Factoring in the negotiation that is to occur, it would eventually be reduced to your desired price, if everything goes as planned.

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Immigration Corner

USCIS’s new “denial memo” is now in effect

where the person has “no legal basis for the benefit/request sought, or submits a request for a benefit or relief under a program STARTING on September that has been terminated.” This 11, 2018, a new USCIS Policy might include a waiver application Memorandum (PM) became where the person does not have effective, instructing officers on a qualifying relative on which to how to adjudicate (process and base the waiver (such as a spouse make decisions on) petitions, applications, extensions, etc., when or parent who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident). the initial filing was incomplete Conquering the fear of unCertainty and six iCe agents knoCking at their door on this sunday’s “Citizen Pinoy!”

Therefore, if a person committed or insufficient.

The PM creates a After they were offered jobs as caregivers, Danilo (left) and Millet (center) took a big gamble when they decided to stay in the U.S. to pursue their American dream. It was not easy, especially after their hard-earned money was lost to a lawyer who hardly did anything to move dangerous minefield for people, fraud, and submitted a fraud their case forward. They eventually went out of status, and even had ICE agents come knocking on their door. The couple then consulted because even if they make an waiver without having a qualifying with Atty. Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case, and helped them acquire their green cards. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael relative, there is no statutory innocent mistake or accidentally Gurfinkel (right) was also able to help their two daughters avail of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and getting basis for the filing of a waiver approval on their green cards the same day President Trump cancelled DACA. Watch this encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday forget to include certain at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) documents, the case could now be application.

Denials based on lack of immediately denied and they could sufficient initial evidence: This be placed in removal/deportation is a scary and critical change in proceedings.

Immigrant policy. If all the required initial In the past, if a person filed Living: 101 evidence is not submitted at the a petition, application or other and Beyond time of filing, USCIS can deny the request, and an officer believed (15th of a series) benefit outright without issuing additional documentation or an RFE. This could include a information was required, the Monette marital petition, but the couple person would typically be served AdevA MAglAyA accidentally forgot to include with a request for evidence (RFE), a marriage contract; a family giving that person approximately WE live in the Age of petition and they forgot the birth 87 days to cure the deficiency, by Information. You could say it is providing the documents or further certificate; or an adjustment of both a blessing and a curse to live status application (Form I – 485), information. The new PM allows not when it makes you arrogant during what could very well be “the live our lives. We still need our officers to skip or dispense with an and they forgot to include the and cocky believing that you are best of times, the worst of times” as thinking caps to process and filter affidavit of support. An outright RFE and deny the case outright. information and cull out only those better than anyone else. Life has a Dickens would probably describe denial could also be issued when While the PM does state way of knocking you down off your it is not intended to penalize golden nuggets of wisdom we it, to have so much information the officer believes there was high horse. A bruised and battered filers for innocent mistakes or could use to live our lives the best available at our fingertips. insufficient supporting evidence. ego is a good starting point to We have terabytes of available way we can. We junk the rest.

This could include a hardship misunderstandings of evidentiary learn humility and gratitude. This is requirements, it nevertheless Our minds and the collection information on our smartphones waiver, but the officer believed when the soul begins to grow. of life experiences in our memory and computers. It is amazing not enough evidence of extreme “restores to the adjudicators The downside of the Age of wizardry indeed! All we need is the banks function as the kidneys to hardship was submitted. Rather (officers) full discretion to deny Information? Because we have correct phrase and spelling to look filter out the lies and all useless than issuing an RFE asking for applications, petitions, and become self –reliant, we feel information. The Pareto 80/20 rule up something and VOILA, there more evidence, they can deny requests without first issuing an we don’t need anyone else. We applies: 20% of stuff matters and it is. outright. Similarly, if a person files RFE or a NOID (notice of intent don’t want to ask for help when the remaining 80% is chaff and What is the downside? We a request for an extension of status to deny).” The policy intends we are stumped with a problem should be trashed if we want our think we know everything there for a visitor’s visa, and the officer to discourage “frivolous or or a situation that is beyond our mental faculties to remain healthy is to know about practically believes they did not provide substantially incomplete filings and functioning for a long time yet. abilities to deal with. Society everything. Secondly, we feel enough evidence to justify the used as ‘placeholder’ filings.” In expects us to find our way with the other words, USCIS believes that With all these ever evolving lost without our mental crutch, extension, the extension request wherewithal and smart tools we gadgets and gizmos, most people our smart phones. Third, we are many filings have no merit and are can be denied outright. these days think that they have the have. susceptible to groupthink — to And the consequences being filed merely to buy time or Before the advent of GPS smarts to handle practically every think like the herd does, as trends obtain benefits to which the person could be severe! With a denial, a (Global Positioning System), life situation. and memes proliferate in the person could be considered out is not entitled. most men (yes, men) wandered This may be true — but only internet. There is a serious need to of status, and USCIS could issue USCIS lists a number of aimlessly about trying to find up to a point. Life, as we know it, is dig for the truth. situations where it can deny filings a notice to appear (NTA), placing an address, refusing to admit to Raw knowledge is not the same not so cut and dried. that person in deportation. Given outright: Self-confidence is good but as wisdom as it applies to how we Continued on Page 6 the backlogs in the immigration Statutory denials: This is Atty. MichAel gurfinkel, eSQ

The bucket list Ask for help

“Don’t be shy about asking for help.

It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it only means you’re wise.”

— Anonymous

courts, it could take months or years for the person to get a hearing date. Or, the person might have to file a motion to reopen or reconsider, costing additional time and expense for something as insignificant as not including a marriage contract or birth certificate on the initial filing.

While the USCIS was supposed to be the “benefits” branch of the Department of Homeland Security, tasked with the job of looking for ways to approve cases, it now appears just the opposite is true: USCIS is looking for ways to deny cases. That’s why it is all the more important that you consider having an attorney assist you with your immigration case, as the stakes are so high if any little mistake or oversight is made, it could result in your going out of status, or even being placed in deportation. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 20 1 8

Kim Chiu confronts her fears

By MARINEL

R. CRUZ

Inquirer.net

EVEN the most popular celebrities have fears and sometimes fight low self-esteem,” declared actress Kim Chiu. “I am actually afraid of failure.”

Kim is one of four hosts of “Star Hunt,” an ABS-CBN program that aims to give people a chance to pursue their dreams by giving them opportunities to join talent competitions and reality shows.

“You always see us all dressed up and looking pretty, but we also have our struggles,” said Kim. “I fear for the day that I will no longer have the audience’s support, that I will not be able to stay in this business longer than I want to.”

The actress said her fears never left her, “I just don’t give in.” Kim added: “I love my work. I get to entertain and inspire people. That’s why I am able to hold on.”

Kim, the 2005 “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Teen Edition” grand winner, shares hosting chores with Robi Domingo, Alex Gonzaga and Melai Cantiveros, who also took part in PBB. “Whenever I see young auditionees, I recall the time when I was the one lining up to audition,” Kim shared with the Inquirer. “I say to myself, ‘One day, one of them will be able to fulfill his dreams and will become rich.’ These kids have

Kim Chiu Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

already surpassed Step 1 of the fulfillment of their dreams.”

Kim recalled her own audition experience. “The queue was really long. I got home so late. I was worried because I didn’t tell my grandmother about where I really went. Things like this aren’t allowed in a conservative Chinese family, but I didn’t think about that when I decided to audition. I wanted to be on television, and it was to that audition that my dream brought me.”

Since it started airing in August, “Star Hunt” has featured interesting and heartwarming accounts of people who fall in line

during auditions, patiently waiting for their turn to shine.

So far, many successful Star Dreamers (or auditionees) have become or may become a part of shows like “I Can See Your Voice,” “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” “Dance Kids,” “Pilipinas Got Talent,” “Little Big Shots,” “MMK,” “Pinoy Big Brother,” and the soon-to-belaunched dance competition, “World of Dance Philippines.”

Kim tagged along when the auditions were brought to her home province, Cebu. “There were so many kids. Some were already feeling restless and were crying, but there’s this one boy who stood out because he was so good at acting. He did a declamation piece,” the Cebuana recalled. “His mom kept crying backstage. When I spoke to them, the boy said it was his grandmother’s burial that day, but he failed to attend because of the audition. At 9, he already knew what he wanted to become—an actor.”

Kim added: “If good things happen to you because you’re at the right place and time, then it was God who led you there. There will be obstacles that you will have to hurdle before achieving success.”

“I myself know that I’m only halfway through the journey,” declared Kim. “I still have a lot to experience.”

Darren Criss Photo from Instagram/@darrencriss

Darren Criss is first Fil-Am to win lead actor Emmy

Actor recognized for his ‘American Crime Story’ role

by DENI ROSE M. AFINIDAD-BERNARDO Philstar.com

LOS ANGELES — “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” star Darren Criss, who is of Filipino descent, has become the second Asian-American actor to claim an acting award at the 70th Emmy Awards on September 17, after Riz Ahmed’s win last year for “The Night After,” a notable back-to-back outcome.

Criss has won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for starring as serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the second installment of Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianna Versace” in 2018. He beat out Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”); Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”); Jeff Daniels (“The

Looming Tower”); John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar”); and Jesse Plemons (“Black Mirror: USS Callister”) for the award.

“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” also won the Emmy for Best Limited Series.

Born to a Cebuana mother and a father of English, Irish, and German descent, Criss was raised in California. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.

The 31-year-old is best known for portraying Blaine Anderson in the hit musical comedy series “Glee.” His cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” became “Glee’s” fastest-selling single that reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified “gold” in America. Likewise, he was

nominated for an Emmy in 2015 for composing the song “This Time” for “Glee’s” finale.

Apart from being a TV actor and singer, Criss co-owns the musical theater company StarKid Productions, for which he famously portrayed Harry Potter in the musical “A Very Potter Musical.” In 2012, he made a Broadway debut when he replaced Daniel Radcliffe in the play “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

In 2015, Darren’s duet with Filipino Tony Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga of the Disney classic “A Whole New World,” which Salonga recorded for the animated movie “Aladdin,” went viral on social media.

Darren is engaged to his girlfriend of more than seven years, Mia Swier.

Morissette owns up to her mistake, learns from the experience

by ALLAN POLICARPIO Inquirer.net

Morisette Amon Photo from Instagram/@itsmorisette

ON the local music scene, Morissette Amon is one of the very few singers who can access the whistle register and incorporate its use into her singing. It’s a high-risk, highreward feat—done correctly, this airy and piercingly high vocal embellishment is an instant showstopper; flub it and you have the makings of a viral online video.

But despite the volatile nature

of whistle notes, Morissette still chooses to do them live onstage, even if it meant missing it once in a while. “Anything can happen during a performance, and not everything will ever be perfect,” she said.

“I still get nervous before I sing, because you just never know,” added Morissette, who had joined such talent searches as “Star Factor” and “The Voice of the Philippines.”

A few months ago, during a show in Cebu, she barely eked out her planned whistle in her

performance of “Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka.” The video of which spread on social media— not because of the bungled note per se, but because of what Morissette did after.

She didn’t let the situation rattle her. Instead, the 22-yearold recording artist composed herself before having a second go at it. She pulled it off—with extra riffs for good measure. And then, with a triumphant look on her face, she pointed to the raucous crowd and quipped, “Live!”

“I don’t know how I was able to save that moment,” she said.

“You have to accept the fact that [mistakes] happen; you’re just human. But it’s an experience I can learn from.”

Messing up a note is one thing; losing your voice is another. Prior to her recent concert in Dubai, Morissette found herself panicking. All of a sudden, her voice was gone.

It was so bad she had to take steroids just so she could do the show.

“It took 30 minutes before

the medicine kicked in. But I’m glad we were able to work around the situation. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing to everyone who flew and traveled all the way to the venue,” she related. “I was on tour and I had gone to Canada and Australia.

And I guess my body was already telling me to slow down.”

“I realized that I really have to look after myself … take care of my health,” added Morissette, who held her first major solo concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum in February.

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Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral opens in NYC, New Jersey

TBA Studios is proud to present the US theatrical release of Goyo: The Boy General (Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral), a film written and directed by Jerrold Tarog.

Following its current, successful release in the Philippines, Goyo will open theatrically in New York on September 21, with Los Angeles and other key US cities to follow.

Goyo: The Boy General is a historical biopic that focuses on the last months in the life of Gregorio del Pilar (Paulo Avelino), one of the youngest generals of the Philippine Revolution (against Spain) and the PhilippineAmerican War. He was the most trusted ally of Emilio Aguinaldo, the Philippine President and Commander-in-Chief during the revolution and war.

Goyo is the next installment, following the surprise 2015 blockbuster hit Heneral Luna, a film that chronicled Revolutionary General Antonio Luna’s life and which also had a US theatrical release in October 2015.

After five months of relative peace, the U.S. Army begins its final push to crush the Philippine army and capture Aguinaldo.

Goyo faces the biggest challenge of his life as he oversees the large caravan of officers, soldiers and civilians making their perilous escape through the mountains of the Northern regions.

The hovering presence of death and failure throughout the journey ultimately calls into question Goyo’s accomplishments and public popularity. The boy general is forced to grow up and ask the only question that matters during times of war: What does it really mean to be a hero?

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS IN news reports on April 26, 2018 and on June 8, 2018, comedian Bill Cosby, now 81, admitted he gave the drug Quaaludes or even Benadryl to women without their knowledge to have sex with them. Cosby was found guilty on all 3 counts of sexual assault and faces up to 30 years in prison. What a way to end a brilliant career and a great reputation.

What are date-rape drugs?

Date-rape drugs, sometimes referred to as Party Drugs or simply Ecstasy, are medications that can be slipped into drinks and make a person unconscious for 15 minutes or so. Quaalude (sedative, sleeping pill) and Benadryl (anti-allergy pills) can also lead to drowsiness, sleepiness, the severity dependent on the dosage. There have been reports of dozens and dozens of women in the United States who were under the influence of a date-drug known as GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), a clear and flavorless liquid, when they were raped.

What is this drug legitimately used for?

GHB, manufactured by Orphan Medical, a drug firm in Minnesota, was developed for the treatment of narcolepsy. In smaller doses, this drug induces euphoria (a sense of well-being). As a date-rape drug, GHB causes the victim to fall into a deep sleep, oblivious of the sexual assault until they wake up. Some do not even remember what had transpired.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder which causes the persons to nod off without notice. They just suddenly and rapidly fall asleep.

There are about 100,000 people in the United States with this ailment. Orphan Medical states that GHB can help the patients who have the form of narcolepsy that is accompanied by temporary muscle paralysis.

How safe is GHB? Used as a prescription drug for narcolepsy and taken as directed by the physician, GHB is safe. Its abuse as a date-rape drug has led to countless comas and several hundreds of deaths from overdose.

Is GHB legal?

Twenty states in the U.S., including Illinois and Michigan, have banned GHB, allowing police to arrest those who manufacture or sell this drug. Eight states have listed GHB as a controlled substance with varying degrees of criminal penalties, making it available only as a prescription drug.

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Calendar of Events across

Paulo Avelino (right) stars as Gen. Gregorio del Pilar in the film Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, which will be shown in NYC and New Jersey starting this Friday, September 21.

Photo from goyo.ph

“For many, Gregorio del Pilar was a true hero of the revolution, but for some, he was nothing more than an arrogant henchman of Revolutionary President Emilio Aguinaldo,” shared director Jerrold Tarog. “Yet his willingness to give up his life reveals a level of determination and perhaps humility that cannot be easily dismissed. For someone so young and popular to face death head on, Goyo, as del Pilar is known to his friends, deserves to be examined using both a wider and a more intimate lens.”

As the second part in the envisioned historical trilogy that began with Heneral Luna (2015), Goyo: ANg Batang Heneral continues an attempt to examine our faults as a people by using the past as a reflection of the present.

With multiple points of view and the same characteristic freedom to move between historical fact and fiction as in Heneral Luna, Goyo expounds on themes of maturity and responsibility, contrasts the naivete of youth

with sobriety of adulthood, and attempts to ask questions about our readiness for a task of nation building. How does one attain honor when facing certain death?

What should a man like Goyo hold close to his heart when forced to make the ultimate sacrifice?

AMC will showcase Goyo at AMC Loews Kips Bay, a popular venue attracting moviegoers from all over Manhattan due to the plush recliner stadium seating in most of its theatres and at AMC Loews Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

AMC Loews Kips Bay 15 570 2nd Avenue (between 31st and 32nd Streets) New York, NY 10016 https://www.amctheatres. com/movie-theatres/new-yorkcity/amc-kips-bay-15 AMC Loews Jersey Gardens 20 651 Kapkowski Road Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201 https://www.amctheatres. com/movie-theatres/elizabeth/ amc-loews-jersey-gardens-20

Warning: Date-rape drugs

What other drugs have been used?

Ketamine and Rohypnol are both controlled substances that have been used as date-rape drugs. Other perpetrators have tried ordinary sleeping pills, which do not act fast enough and do not induce a deep enough level of unconsciousness, thus foiling the rape attempt.

Are some sold as dietary supplements?

Yes, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States warns the public against “more than half a dozen sleeps aids and party drugs in the guise of dietary supplements sold in health food stores and on the internet”, which are substances that are unregulated and can maim and kill. Parents and children alike must be aware and vigilant about this, if date-rape, or even death from this drug, is to be prevented.

Under what other names are they sold?

The FDA cautions the consumers not to use products containing GHB, GBL (gamma butylrolactone) or BD (1,4 butanediol). Some such drugs are sold under the name Revitalize Plus, Weight Belt Clenaer, GHRE, Serenity, Thunder Nectar, SomatoPro, Enliven, Tetramethylene glycol or 23H)Furanone di-hydro, and NRG3.

These drugs can cause severe nausea, vomiting, dangerously slow breathing or cessation of breathing, unconsciousness, seizures, and death.

Are there date-rape drinks?

Yes, three of them are Cherry fX Bombs, Orange fX Rush, and Thunder Nectar. The claim that these drinks are from Kava plant and are safe is not true. These and other date-rape beverages have BD (1,4 butanediol, an industrial solvent) in them.

How is the date-rape drug used?

The usual modus operandi of the perpetrator is to invite the woman to go out on a date with him. Most of these men are friends or acquaintances of the women.

Some target victims are casual pick-ups in lounges and bars. The drug is discreetly poured into the drink, and moments later the victim is taken from the bar to a vehicle or to a secluded area or motel room, or raped right in her own home or wherever the party was.

Do victims remember the assault?

Some date-rape drug victims do not remember what had happened to them until they physically felt that they were assaulted. The drug blurs the memory somewhat for the most recent event. Some people are

so sensitive to the drug that they overdose on it easily even on moderate amount.

Is there an antidote a woman can take?

No, the only “antidotes” a woman can use to avoid daterape drugs or date-rape are discipline, common sense, will power, and vigilance. There is no medication one can take to ward off the bad effect of date-rape drugs. Some drugs could even be used in cigarettes or “cookies and candies.”

How can women avoid these drugs?

The question may sound trite and the answer obvious, but nonetheless it is a most fundamental one, especially for the young and uninitiated ladies.

The following set of advice may sound an over simplification but could be life-saving: (1) Never go out with a “stranger.” Having a liaison with a man you just met is risky, unhealthy, and dangerous; (2) Also remember that many of the apprehended perpetrators were friends of the victims; (3) When on a date, at a restaurant or at home (his or even yours) watch your drink and your food with vigilance and care; (4) If you suspect “something,” stop drinking your cocktail and stop eating your food, and excuse yourself and leave, or call a trusted friend to join you ASAP; (5) If you do not feel well at this point, get the assistance of the bar tender, the waitress or any woman; (6) Do not go with your date to the car; (7) If your suspicion is really strong, or if you actually witnessed your date slipping a drug into your drink or food, ask the waitress to “bag” the food for you to take home and have it tested for drugs at the toxicology lab of a hospital; (8) If this tested positive, hand over the evidence to the Police as you file a criminal complaint. Having said all this, we recommend caution and restraint: one should not be too paranoid, either, and be over suspicious of your date, because this, too, could spell a disaster. Be careful, be smart, and enjoy a safe date. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa 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; comments questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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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).

S E P T E M B E R 22

Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California to celebrate 36th anniversary The Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate its 36th anniversary & coronation Night on Saturday, September 22 at the Los Serranos Country Club (15656 Yorba Ave. Chino Hills, CA 91709). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For attendance, please call Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391, Offie Villanueva at (626) 960-8407), Mylee Moncada at (818) 322-9429, Rosalie Nasu at (909)631-9356 or Rosie Sancianco at (951) 898-7628.

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 p.m. 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 contact Patty Santiago at (818) 472-4288 or Alex Quadra at 818-624-4684 or a.e.quadra@att.net.

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.

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PBRC 30th Anniversary in South San Francisco, CA The Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC) will celebrate its 30th Anniversary on September 29, 2018 at the Holiday Inn along South Airport Blvd. in South San Francisco, CA starting at 6 p.m. According to PBRC President Ray Satorre, the event will recognize the organization’s outstanding volunteers, as well as honor Perla Gange Ibarrientos and Monica Abello for their continuous service to the PBRC. Both Ibarrientos and Abello were among the founders of the organization about 30 years ago. Money raised from the event will enable the nonprofit organization to continue their projects, including legal immigration clinics, Tai Chi classes for seniors, senior cultural dance, Eskabo (Filipino martial arts) classes for youngsters and adults, Tagalog classes, and the PBRC outreach project for the Daly City Public Library children and their parents (parol-making or bamboo lanterns). For more information about the 30th Anniversary celebration of the PBRC, call (650) 992-9110 or send email to pbrc333@ sbcglobal.net.

PHII and JPRMM symposium on modern-day heroes in Rosemead, CA The Philippine Heritage Institute International and the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement invite the youth, ages 15-35, to the 12th Annual PHII Youth Congress on Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Garvey Community Center (9108 Garvey Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770-3337). Join to celebrate the stories and achievements of modernday heroes that inspire our youth to dream, to act, to find, to emulate, or to be just their own heroes. Keynote speaker is Dean Tanglao, Doctor of Physical Therapy; CEO/Founder of Kinda Fit Kinda Fat®. Joining him are featured speakers: Josef T.D. Madrigal, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA; Christelle Narvasa, nursing student, Mount San Antonio College; Cristina Narvasa, undergrad student at Cal State Univ., Fullerton majoring in Biological Science; Delilah Dijamco, Financial Advisor, The Prudential Insurance Co. of America; and soon-to-be teen Ryan dela Cruz, 3-time Taekwondo national champion. PHII’s vision is to improve the quality of life affecting Filipino American communities through research, education, and recognition, with the youth as its main focus. Breakfast and lunch will be served. To RSVP, please contact: Josie E. de Jesus (714) 272-0300; Dr. Anna A. Chickey (562) 900-0379; Email Amelia Carpio at ameliacarpio33@yahoo.com or freyabnish@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

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The bucket list...

From Page 3 themselves that they are lost. Ask for directions? Bah, humbug!

Why was this so? The short answer: EGO. Most do not want to be perceived as weak or inept or lacking in common sense. Most women seem to be just fine asking strangers or people at gas stations for directions and the men who give the directions seem just happy to oblige.

GPS technology is a blessing.

However, there is a caveat about complete reliance on it. No technology, at this time, no matter how sophisticated can replace good old common sense. You still need to process the information provided to find the best route for yourself. GPS is a great tool when the freeways are clogged and you need alternate routes to your destination. That said, never

relinquish your chief navigator position.

Navigating our own life’s journey is not that simple however.

There are twists and turns in life that throw us out of our smug self-sufficiency. We find ourselves needing help, either from our fellow men or more than likely, from God, when everything we have tried, has failed spectacularly.

Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Sometimes, we go through seasons of darkness when it seems the universe is conspiring against us and everything that is happening weighs us down. We feel helpless as though a Category 5 hurricane is tossing us about like a rag doll and there is no end in sight.

These are the seasons when going down on our knees and doubling down on prayers

begging for help from above are the best of any one’s lifetime.

This is a time of building a deeper, more personal relationship with the loving God of our beings, who the psalmist described as the one “who knit us in our mother’s womb,” so that we are each Bea Alonzo “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

All we need to do when lost and helpless, is to ASK for HELP. After all, prayers, heartfelt and unceasing, are the most powerful force in the universe.

To borrow from the slogan that a sportswear company who seems to have lost its way at the moment: JUST DO IT.

by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is KAPAMILYA actress Bea SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Alonzo graduated from a baking To send comments, e-mail monette. course at the Center for Culinary maglaya@asianjournalinc.com Arts (CCA) Manila.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Bea said learning to bake is really in her bucket list.

“Last night marked the end of my short course in CCA manila,” she started her post.

“It has always been in my bucket list to learn baking but being intimidated by the idea

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

Bea Alonzo graduates from baking course, Gerald Anderson celebrates that in order to be good at it, one must be precise and dedicated. I never really got my head around pursuing it,” she added.

Bea promised herself this time that she will pursue the course and “will learn new things and try to go out of my comfort zone.”

“So, I enrolled and had the best time of my life. I felt like a kid again learning a new skill.

It made me feel good that I was enriching myself with new knowledge and also gaining new

friends in the process. It is NEVER too late to pursue new things. I am so glad I did it,” she said.

In a Facebook page of Nice Print Photography, the page shared the video of the celebration dinner after Bea got her degree.

In the video, Bea was joined by her close friends and classmates in her new milestone. Rumored boyfriend Gerald Anderson was also in attendance, congratulating the actress with a kiss and a bouquet of flowers.

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal (left) and Ms Meredith Miller (right), Vice President of Albright Stonebridge Group, exchange stories about their experiences in the Foreign Service during a courtesy call on the former last 5 September in New York.

(NYPCG Photo)

Consul General Cristobal builds partnership with Albright Stonebridge Group

NEW YORK – Officials of the Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) paid a courtesy call on Consul General Claro S. Cristobal at the Philippine Consulate General offices in Manhattan, New York earlier this month.

ASG Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Meredith Miller, a former official of the US Department of State, introduced their organization to the Consul General.

Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) is a global business strategy firm. The firm advises multinationals, financial

institutions, industry associations, and non-profit organizations on a variety of matters including international government relations, market entry and risk assessment, regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, partner development, and shared value programs. ASG is chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and its consultants and officials are mostly former US ambassadors and ministers.

Consul General Cristobal shared updates on the developments in the

Philippine economy and sought the assistance of ASG in endorsing their clients for investment opportunities to fill gaps in public works, telecommunications, energy, and utilities industries in the Philippines.

Ms Miller expressed that she looks forward to connecting their network to the Philippine government through the Consulate and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC. She was accompanied in the meeting by her Filipino Associate, Mr Rafael Ignacio.

Philippine Consulate General conducts consular outreach at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General in New York held a consular outreach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last September 15, in partnership with

the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc. The consular outreach, led by Vice Consul Tanya Faye Ramiro, provided nearly 140 consular

services.

To better serve Filipinos in distress, an “Assistance to Nationals” desk completed the full complement of consular services.

Top left: The first batch of clients arrives. Top right: The Consular Outreach team evaluates applications and provides consultations. Bottom: The Consular Outreach team takes a group photo with the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc., the partner-organization for this outreach Photos by NYPCG

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An Asian Journal Magazine

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