100318 - Southern California Midweek Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

October 3-5, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 77 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

PH Foreign Secretary Cayetano defends Duterte at UN General Assembly by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

PHILIPPINE Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held Saturday, September 29, in New York, saying that the country was on track to “salvaging” itself from becoming a narco-state. Cayetano said that the Philippines was “uncompromising” on the issues of rule of law, and the “just and equitable peace that leads to order, development and FRIENDLY VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte listens to the brieﬁng of 401st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Andres Centino during prosperity, and the protection of each and every hu- the president’s visit to Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Duterte lauded the troops for facilitating the surrender of Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

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USA

DATELINE 19th Asian Small Business Expo promises to cultivate new generation of entrepreneurs

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CAPAC celebrates Fil-Am History Month SLOWLY, but surely, Asian Americans are making their presence even more known in Hollywood, public office, the restaurant industry and other sectors of American life in this age of diversity and equal representation. But Asians in the United States is not a recent phenomenon. The Filipino-American community, in particular, has a long and rich history in the United States from fighting under the American flag in World War II and becoming a driving force in the U.S. Armed Forces to playing an instrumental role in agriculture and the fight for workers rights in California. In 2009, Congress designated October as Filipino American History Month as a way to nationally recognize “the critically economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions Filipino-Americans had made in countless ways toward the development of United States history,” according to the bill, H.R. 155.

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Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz III

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Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

Palace: No special treatment, be like Duterte by AJPRESS

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

STARTING your own business is always going to have risks. Maybe you’re making a career shift and decided to pursue your passion. Or maybe you want to upgrade your current enterprise and expand its reach. Whatever the motivation is, starting and sustaining a business is a fulfill For the Asian American community, starting a business may seem intimidating because of the competitive nature of the Los Angeles County commercial playing field. But a silver lining to that fact is the escalating demand for Asian-run businesses, whether it’s restaurants and catering, tech start-up companies or health care centers for the elderly.

communist rebels, supporting his war on illegal drugs and implementing martial law in Mindanao.

MALACAÑANG on Monday, October 1, reminded government officials to never seek for special treatment. This is after ACTS OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz III received flak for allegedly disobeying security protocol and harassing a personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). In a viral video that has amassed more than 193,000 views as of Sunday, September

30, on Facebook, Bertiz can be seen passing through through a metal detector at the NAIA terminal 2 when when a male security checker appears to tell him to remove his shoes. Bertiz then raises what appeared to be an ID to the security checker, who backs away from him. Bertiz then snatches off the security checker’s own ID, walking away with it and out of the video’s frame. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque declined to com-

ment on Bertiz’s behavior, but he reminded government officials to refuse special treatment and follow the “example” being set by President Rodrigo Duterte. In a Palace press briefing, Roque said, “Even the president complies with the security check of the airport. He goes through the X-ray machine. He does not ask for any special treatment.” “Let’s learn by way of example from what the president is doing,” he added.

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Garcetti talks tech innovation, Mocha Uson hit for ‘impunity talents in LA at Makers Summit from accountability’ after another no-show in House by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

THE budget deliberation of the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) for 2019 at the House of Representatives was suspended on Tuesday, October 2 after its controversial official was a “noshow” for the second time. “Ano ba ito? Impunity from accountability ? Sa ginawa niya, [ito] ay lantarang pambabastos sa kongreso. Lumalabas na special siya o untouchable at hindi pwedeng ipatawag sa kongresong ito (What is this? Impunity from accountability? Because of what she did, this is

INNOVATION in the 21st century could be summed up into one word: startup. The ubiquity of the Internet, social media and smartphones into our daily lives has established the new millenia as the digital age, where possibilities for invention technological engineering are endless and individual founders can start and scale up their business ventures. Though Silicon Valley is generally recognized as the capital of the technology startup world, Los Angeles has been making its own mark as a hub for creators in the tech space and digitallynative services. On Monday, Oct. 1, a new collabora-

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an outright disrespect to Congress. It seems like she is special or untouchable, and cannot be called by Congress),” Act Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said in her interpellation over the absence of Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson during deliberations on PCOO’s proposed P1.47 billion budget. The first hearing was last September 25 but was deferred because Uson was a no-show. The budget, sponsored by Paranaque 1st District Rep.

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Photo from Twitter/@MayorofLA

Sole Filipino in Sulawesi earthquake safe, death toll rises to 1,234, says DFA by AJPRESS THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ensured on Saturday, September 29, that the only Filipino in Sulawesi, Indonesia remained safe after a powerful earthquake and tsunami that left over 1,200 casualties. Indonesian Ambassador Leehiong Wee announced that the sole Filipino who is a detainee at the Lapas Penitentiary was safe amid the Friday’s (September 28) earthquake that led to a tsunami and 170 aftershocks.

Disaster agency spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho announced that the official death toll from the disaster rose to 1,234, as of Tuesday, October 2. It is presumed to increase in the coming days. Around 50,000 people have been displaced by the twin disaster, with most of the residents fleeing the said region. Over 3,000 people flocked to Palu’s airport on Monday, October 1, trying to board military aircraft or one of the few commercial flights leaving the airport.

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Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson

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From the Front Page

19th Annual Asian Small Business Expo... PAGE A1 Possessing the right business acumen to create something from the ground up and sustain it in the long run, doesn’t come naturally for some people, but luckily there are great resources available to guide you in the right direction. Aspiring or current business owners have a chance to net-

work with other business owners and learn valuable skills from Asian American veteran business experts at the 19th Annual Asian Small Business Expo, a yearly event hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP). Some of the expo’s sponsors and exhibitors who will table at the event include U.S. Bank (the

expo’s title sponsor), Wells Fargo, Cathay Bank, Citizens Business Bank, the Port of Los Angeles and The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; among other big name companies and organizations. “There are a lot of things people will learn that are specific to the Asian American demographic,” Fidji Nicar of the small business program at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) told the Asian Journal. “When it comes to being a small business owner in an underrepresented community, there’s a lot of challenges you’re going to run into like financing and finding the right resources, and at the expo they’re definitely going to be meeting bankers, financing and lending companies, non-profit organizations, etc. that can help guide you in the right direction.” This year’s expo will include four workshops focussed on financing your business, digital marketing and current trends in food delivery realm. There will also be an all-women panel of entrepreneurs featuring Patricia Tsai, owner of Choco Vivo; Mylen Yamamoto, founder of Cropsticks; and Filipina-American Fiona Hilario, CEO of Lay Bare Salon L.A. There will also be a business pitch competition in which selected finalists have two minutes to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges that includes a $2,000 prize to the one with the best pitch. In the last few years, Asian American-run businesses have been gaining more traction as resources like the API SBP extend to new waves of aspiring entrepreneurs. Asian-centric companies are on demand and the resources available to help uplift Asian American businesses have never been more widely available. Admission to the expo and parking is free and all ambitious business owners looking to grow or start their dream companies are welcome. The 19th Annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quiet Cannon, which is located on 901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

MRT-7 PROGRESS. Workers of the Metro Rail Transit System 7 (MRT-7) place platforms to connect foundation posts on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. The 23-kilometer railway system, which will run from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, is expected to be completed by fourth quarter of 2019. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

PH Foreign Secretary Cayetano... PAGE A1

man beings’ rights.” “As a sovereign and democratic country led by our duly-elected president, we are on track in salvaging our deteriorating country from becoming a narcostate, or a state held hostage by the rich and powerful who ignore the plight of the poor, powerless, and marginalized, or both,” Cayetano said at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. In response to the criticism on the war on drugs which has been building up in the country and abroad, Cayetano said such criticism was based off of misinterpretation. “We may sometimes differ in how we express ourselves, yet this should not be interpreted as turning our backs on the universal declaration on human rights,” said Cayetano. “On the contrary, we are instituting all of these reforms to be able to protect the rights of every single Filipino.” “Yes, rights of all Filipinos, if that is at all possible,” continued

Cayetano, adding that the Philippine government would choose to protect rights of “lawabiding citizens and law enforcers” over those of “drug lords and criminals.” “Who wouldn’t? Wouldn’t you do the same?” added Cayetano. Since taking office in 2016, President Duterte and his administration have been a focus of human rights advocates in regards to the war on drugs that advocates estimate has left at least ten thousand people dead from extrajudicial killings. Government statistics have held the number below 5,000. A preliminary investigation by the UN-recognized International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently underway in response to complaints filed against him. On Thursday, September 27, Duterte admitted to the extrajudicial killings in a speech at Malacañang Palace which his presidential spokesperson Harry Roque downplayed as not being serious.

“I told the military, what is my fault? Did I steal even on peso?” said Duterte. “My only sin is the extrajudicial killings.” Roque followed up by saying that the comments were “playful” and should “not be taken literally” — a response Roque has before made following remarks made by the president. During the Thursday speech, Duterte added that he did not plan on ending the war on drugs. “It will not end. As I have said, I will put on the tably my life, the presidency. I can lose it at anytime. My honor,” said Duterte. At the UN General Assembly, Cayetano closed his speech saying, “The Filipino People will remain to be persistent in our quest for peace order development and prosperity, and the quest for a safe and comfortable life for all Filipinos.” “We will continue to have faith, put actions to our faith, and love our neighbors,” said Cayetano. n

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DFA says ‘no safe place’ abroad, gives tips to travelers by Faye

Orellana Inquirer.net

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, October 2 that “no place (abroad) is completely safe” and gave advise to Filipinos traveling abroad. The department said tourists had the tendency to “lower their guard” when on tour in a foreign country. It gave the following tips so that Filipinos would not fall victim to thieves, pickpockets, snatchers, scammers, and other petty criminals: • Be mindful of and respect lo-

HEARING CANELLED. Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima leaves the Court Room of the New Bilibid Prison, in Muntinlupa City after the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 cancelled for the second time its hearing on the trumped-up drug charges against her. Despite the witnesses against the Senator were convicted of heinous crimes which disqualifies them from being state witnesses, the Court hastily denied Sen. de Lima’s Motion to Disqualify Witnesses even before her camp can file a Reply to the Prosecution’s Comment. Senate photo

Sole Filipino in Sulawesi earthquake...

PAGE A1 Palu, the biggest disaster-ridden city, had at least 840 confirmed deaths. Also, nearby areas like Donggala were reported to clamor for food and water as their supply runs out causing chaos in the affected areas. “everyone is hungry and they want to eat after several days of not eating. We have anticipated it by providing food, rice, but it was not enough. There are many people here. So, on this issue, we cannot pressure them to hold much longer,” Donggala administration head Kasman Lassa said. The Philippines’ foreign affairs department expressed its condolences to Indonesia, promising that Manila is graciously ready to

extend assistance to Jakarta. “We grieve with our Indonesian brothers and sisters and stand hand in hand with them in praying for all of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said as reported by ABS-CBN News. An official of Jakarta’s national disaster agency said that at least 799 people had been badly injured, excluding cities of Sigi and Balaroa. hospitals even struggled to cope with the severely injured and deceased. Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the military to aid in the search-and-rescue mission to be able to get to the victims and locate bodies.

Indonesia is considered one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. It lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide and many of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. earlier this year, a series of powerful quakes hit Lombok, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighboring Sumbawa. The country has been hit by a string of other deadly quakes including a devastating 9.1 magnitude tremor that struck off the coast of Sumatra in December 2004. Another Boxing Day earthquake even triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including 168,000 in Indonesia. n

Palace: No special treatment...

PAGE A1 Roque also dismissed comments that the president has emboldened his allies to feel entitled. “Kalokohan iyan… Katunayan na wala na silang mabatong isyu kasi umakyat na naman ang rating ng presidente to ‘very good.’ (That’s ridiculous… This is a confirmation that they have no other criticisms to hurl since the president’s rating went up to ‘very good’ again),” Roque said, referring to the latest Social Weather Station’s survey that showed improvements in the president’s satisfaction rating.

An act of ‘impulsiveness’ Bertiz, for his part, issued another apology on Monday, after his previous 1-sentence apology on Sunday that ended with him alleging that the NAIA staff allowed some “Chinese-looking passengers” being escorted by airport staff to breeze through the checkpoint without taking off their shoes. “There is absolutely no justification for the way I conducted myself. I sincerely apologize not only to the security assistant that I confronted, but also to the public for my actions,” Bertiz said in a statement. “I offer my sincere apology to

the public for being impulsive on what had happened during my course with the NAIA staff,” he added. he also said that he has asked Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager ed Monreal “not to take any action” against the airport screener he confronted. Meanwhile, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) confirmed Bertiz “definitely” violated protocol when he snatched off the screener’s ID. According to house Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, his bloc may file an ethics case against Bertiz over the incident. n

cal laws and regulations • Always keep alert in crowded areas such as popular tourist spots, transport terminals, markets, concert venues, among others. • Be wary of con artists who use a variety of tactics to distract tourists while accomplices gain access to one’s personal items • Be careful of one’s belongings. • Distribute cash, credit cards, important documents and other valuables in separate compartments inside the bag • Keep both hard and electronic copies of your passport, IDs,

credit cards and important documents handy while on travel. If a passport gets lost, Filipinos should immediately file a police report and go the nearest Philippine embassy or Consulate for assistance. “Our kababayan should keep in mind that there are more stringent requirements for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport as compared to securing a regular passport, especially while abroad,” the DFA said. “It therefore pays to take extra precautions while on travel to avoid this inconvenience,” it added. n

CAPAC celebrates Fil-Am History... PAGE A1 October was the selected month in commemoration of the first arrival of Filipinos to what’s now known as Morro Bay, California on Oct. 18, 1587, and to honor labor activist Larry Itliong who was born on Oct. 25, 1913. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) are celebrating Filipino American history Month by honoring and recognizing the many contributions of Filipino-Americans. “During Filipino American history Month, we celebrate the incredible contributions and sacrifices Filipino-Americans have made to our great nation over many years. From serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, to strengthening our economy by helping to shape emerging technology and health care industries, the Filipino-American community has overcome prejudice and discrimination to thrive and become a vital part of the American story,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.),

a Thai-American Iraq War veteran said in a statement. The Los Angeles County is home to the largest concentration of Filipinos outside of the Philippines. In 2002, current mayor and then-councilor eric Garcetti designated part of the Westlake and echo Park region of LA proper as historic Filipinotown in honor of the Filipinos who settled in Los Angeles and helped make the City of Angels the multicultural hub it is. “The everyday contributions of Filipino-Americans in Los Angeles — from business, to entertainment, to public service — continues to make our city one of the most vibrant in the nation,” said U.S. Rep Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), whose district comprises historic Filipinotown. “I am honored to join my colleagues in recognizing the Filipino-American community’s achievements and serve as their champion in Congress.” The Filipino and FilipinoAmerican war effort in World War II went largely ignored for decades until the Obama ad-

ministration began providing specialized benefits to Filipino veterans. Last year, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the remaining Filipino World War II veterans and to the families of soldiers who passed, a major show of recognition that Filipino veteran advocates have been fighting for for decades, but CAPAC believes that Congress must continue to provide “basic veterans’ rights” to this community of service members. “Some of the most significant contributions came from the more than 200,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American service members during World War II,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-hawaii). “Far too many of them have still not received the basic veterans’ rights they earned. As we celebrate Filipino American history Month, we must continue our efforts to honor those brave Filipino veterans and their families by finally giving them the benefits and recognition they deserve.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Mocha Uson hit for ‘impunity from...

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eric Olivarez, is higher than the agency’s P1.38 billion budget for 2018. The PCOO serves as the lead communications and media engagement arm of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. Upon learning that Uson was on her way back to the country after attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York last week, Surigao

del Sur. Rep. Prospero Pichay also expressed his disappointment. “I felt bad. I told Martin [Andanar] that PCOO should give us the right information. Where is Mocha, really?” Pichay said. Uson was also nowhere to be found during the appropriations committee hearing last September 6. Civil society group Let’s Organize for Democracy and In-

tegrity (LODI) asked the committee to reconsider the budget of PCOO, following a series of blunders committed by the agency and of Uson. Uson’s latest fiasco was a video she shot with blogger Andrew “Drew” Olivar on the government’s federalism campaign. The video drew flak from various sectors for the alleged inappropriate action in promoting federalism. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Bills to end sentencing of 14- and 15-year-olds in adult criminal court signed, support exonerated people after prison #EquityAndJustice bills promote rehabilitation and public safety

EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE. The legislative bicameral committee tasked to reconcile the Senate and the House of Representatives’ versions of the Expanded Maternity Bill Law successfully concluded its conference on Monday, October 1. The bicameral version of the law provides the following: 105 days of paid maternity leave credits to all working mothers, of which 7 days (daddy quota) are transferable to fathers, and an additional 15 days additional to solo mothers, for a total of 120 days. The law applies to all instance of pregnancies, removing the 4-pregnancy cap. The reconciled version of the bill will now be submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives for ratification. The ratified version will then be signed by the president into law. Senate photo

Poll: Most Filipinos have confidence in Trump, but many countries are frustrated by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

FILIPINOS’ confidence in United States President Donald Trump has improved, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center. The survey also revealed the Philippines is one of the countries with the most positive views of the U.S. under Trump. According to a new 25-nation poll taken from May 20 to August 12 this year, 78 percent of respondents from the Philippines trust Trump, higher than the 69 percent recorded in the 2017 reading. However, Trump’s confidence ratings in the Philippines since taking office in January 2017 were lower than the scores received by his predecessor Barack Obama, who garnered a trust rating of 94 percent from Filipinos surveyed in 2015. Broken down, it is only in four countries—the Philippines, Israel, Nigeria and Kenya—where more than half the public voice has faith in Trump. Meanwhile, majorities in four

of the five Asia-Pacific nations polled gave Washington a positive rating, including 83 percent in the Philippines, one of the highest ratings in the survey. Months after he came to power, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stoked diplomatic alarm by announcing his “separation” from the U.S. after being infuriated by Obama’s criticism of his bloody war on drugs. He said he would forge closer ties with China and Russia—the two superpowers that have historic rivalries with Washington. But since Trump’s election victory in 2016, ties between Manila and Washington had a fresh start, with the Republican leader praising his Filipino counterpart’s deadly anti-narcotic campaign. U.S. global image deteriorates under Trump Overall, Pew Research Center found that America’s global image “plummeted” following Trump’s election, amid intense opposition to his administration’s policies and a widely

shared lack of confidence in his leadership, especially among key allies. Across all countries, 27 percent said they had confidence in Trump, well-below Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 30 percent and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 34 percent. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the only leader in which most respondents expressed confidence at 52 percent. French President Emmanuel Macron was just behind at 46 percent. Since becoming president, Trump has repeatedly stirred a hornet’s nest by abandoning international agreements like the Paris climate accord and Iran nuclear deal. He has also been criticized for his apparent affinity for strongmen leaders like Russia’s Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un while berating traditional allies. According to the same Pew Research Center survey, most respondents still want the U.S. as top global power, but see China on the rise. n

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed on Monday, October 1, two research-based criminal justice reforms to improve rehabilitation and reduce the odds of re-offending. Senate Bill 1391 prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from being tried as adults in criminal court and subsequently sent to adult prison. The bill reverses laws passed in the 1990s that allowed for sentencing the youngest teens to the adult criminal justice system. Senate Bill 1050 extends services and support for exonerated people released from prison after their wrongful convictions are overturned. Since 1989, there have been a total of 192 exonerations in California. SB 1050 guarantees access to MediCal, CalFresh and work training programs to assist exonerees to transition back to society. SB 1050 and 1391 are part of the #EquityAndJustice package of bills jointly authored by Senators Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) that Governor Brown signed over the past two years. Governor Brown also signed SB 439, which excludes children age 11 and younger from juvenile court jurisdiction to promote the rights, health and well-being of the child by curbing premature

exposure to incarceration, and SB 1393, which return judicial discretion on sentencing related to five-year enhancements for serious felony convictions. “The Equity and Justice bills signed by Gov. Brown make rehabilitation and community recovery the focus of our criminal justice system,” Lara said. “Thirty years of harsh sentencing laws resulted in overcrowded prisons without improving public safety. We need to be tough but smart on crime. With these laws, California is reducing mass incarceration through researchbased reforms that will contribute to public safety.” “In developing public policy it should be our goal to create systems based on science and results,” Senator Holly Mitchell said. “Research has verified for us that 14 and 15 year olds are not pint-sized adults, and we also understand the failing of our adult corrections facilities to address rehabilitation and reentry. To expect a child to thrive in that area would be foolhardy.” SB 1391 addresses severe racial and geographic disparities in adult sentencing of juveniles, according to data from the California Department of Justice. Black youth are 11 times more likely and Latino youth are five times more likely as white youth

to be prosecuted in adult court for the same crimes. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds in Sacramento County have been referred to adult court at nearly twice the state average, and in Yolo County at four times the state average – while in Los Angeles County they are referred at only half the statewide rate. California law allows for judges to keep those who still pose a threat to public safety in custody after serving their time in the Division of Juvenile Justice. SBs 439, 1050, 1391 and 1393 go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. Sen. Ricardo Lara is chair of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee and was first elected to the Legislature in 2010. He represents nearly 1 million residents of Senate District 33, which includes Long Beach and the Southeast Los Angeles cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, South Gate, and much of Los Angeles. Sen. Holly J. Mitchell is chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. A member of the Legislature for more than six years, she represents nearly 1 million residents of Senate District 30, which includes Culver City and much of Los Angeles. n

Ph ‘plea’ program highlighted in un forum WASHINGTON, D.C.– Prior to his Washington visit, Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol led the Philippine delegation to the Ministerial Breakfast on the Implementation of the Decade of Family Farming hosted by the Vice President of Costa Rica at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 27. In his message, Secretary Piñol shared that the Philippine government has been actively implementing policies and initia-

tives on agriculture and fishing to address rural poverty. As an example, he cited the launching of “PLEA” or the Production Loan Easy Access program which is a loan assistance program for small farmers and fisher folks that positively impacted the lives of the beneficiaries and reduced rural poverty in the Philippines. With a repayment rate of 98% nationwide, the government decided to increase funding and expand the loan assistance program after one year

of implementation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is ending poverty and achieving Zero Hunger, which requires “partnerships that boost investments in rural development to support small-scale family farmers, especially women and youth, tackle some of the root causes that force people to migrate, and address the impacts of climate change.” n

Ph Agriculture Sec. Piñol visits Washington, highlights Ph agri cooperation with uS WASHINGTON, D.C. – After attending the High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) in New York held at the margins of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol proceeded to Washington, D.C. to discuss with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bilateral collaboration opportunities that can yield benefits for agricultural producers, importers, exporters and consumers of both countries. Secretary Piñol met with USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney on Friday, September 28 where both agriculture officials re-affirmed the agricultural trade and cooperation between their respective countries. Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the United States and the Americas joined Secretary Piñol in the meeting and reported to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez that the meeting went very well. “I am pleased to learn that our Agriculture Secretary highlighted the importance of technology, quality and safety standards to boost Philippine farm and agroindustrial competitiveness and has discussed initiatives to collaborate with the United States on agricultural technology,” Ambassador Romualdez said in a statement. “The United States is the top market of the Philippines for its food and agricultural product exports amounting to about $1.5 billion in 2017 while the Philippines is the United States’ 12th largest market for its agricultural and food exports estimated at $2.7 billion last year,” the Ambassador further added.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (right) exchange gifts with U.S. Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney (left) at the conclusion of their bilateral meeting at the Whitten Building in Washington D.C. on Friday, September 28.

During the meeting, Secretary Piñol also expressed appreciation for the market access for Philippine food and fiber products in the U.S. market, and further informed Undersecretary McKinney that heis looking forward to the forthcoming U.S. market opening for Philippine young coconuts. Dr. Javelosa further reports that Secretary Piñol shared with Undersecretary McKinney the positive outcomes of his visit to Driscoll’s research and development center in California on possible R&D collaborations, his discussion with the U.S. Soybean Expert Council on expanding opportunities in soybean meal utilization and processing in the Philippines, and his meeting with Indiana-based Buskirk Engineering on establishing pellet feed mills in the Philippines, among others. He also discussed with Undersecretary McKinney a

proposed goat industry development initiative in the Philippines with an infusion of good genetics from the United States. Undersecretary McKinney welcomed all of these initiatives, and also cited the USDA’s Food for Progress Program in which the Philippines, through several projects, has received support. He further indicated that he is looking forward to visit the Philippines on November 13-15 for a trade mission. “High-level dialogues such as this one between Agriculture Secretary Piñol and Agriculture Undersecretary McKinney, including engagements with the private sector reinforce the economic ties that bind our nations. Our alliance with the United States will continue to be stable and enduring, and moving in the right direction,” Ambassador Romualdez concluded. n

Garcetti talks tech innovation, talents in... PAGE A1 tive working space and hub for startups, Toolbox LA, held its grand opening in Chatsworth, right in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Eric Garcetti — the ambitious, forward-thinking mayor of Los Angeles — welcomed Toolbox LA at a Makers Summit at company’s vibrant facilities. “Los Angeles is the manufacturing capital of America,” Garcetti, who grew up in the Valley, proclaimed in a fireside chat with community director of Toolbox LA Raychel Espiritu. “The very brightest people have engineered, built and innovated in aerospace here, and if you look

at technology broadly, in the San Fernando Valley you can see the landscape is really evolving.” Toolbox LA’s facilities are a microcosm of the uniquely millennial startup culture: an airy and dynamic creative hub that embraces utilitarianism and sustainability that provides all the necessary tools for makers and creators, whether that be laboratories, manufacturing services or access to funding firms. A multipurpose makerspace allows for maximum productivity and collaboration among creators. To accommodate the fledging life science industry of the City of Angels, biotech com-

pany Lab Launch also provided co-working laboratory facilities for biotech companies to conduct research. “As mayor, I want to make sure the people continue to hold that because Detroit wouldn’t let the automobile industry leave, New York wouldn’t let the banking industry leave, but we’ve let Hollywood and aerospace go to other places, and it’s time to do work with our state to make sure [technological engineering] stays here but that really starts with one person, one great idea and one space for her to bring that dream into fruition,” Garcetti said. n

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Islamic State fighters to return to Mindanao Sandiganbayan allows Jinggoy’s Singapore trip by aJPress ISLAMIC State (IS) fighters have reportedly fled Syria to return to Mindanao in efforts to establish a territory in Southeast Asia, according to The Washington Times on Sunday, September 30. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington released a report stating that more IS-affiliated fighters came from Southeast Asia, specifically from armed groups in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) than in Afghanistan and Iraq. As a result, the United States Department of State has ranked the Philippines among the five countries with the most terrorist attacks alongside Afghanistan, India, Iraq and Pakistan. The said countries were the sites of 60 percent of the terrorist attacks in 2017. The U.S. State Department’s top counter-terrorism coordinator Ambassador Nathan Sales warned the public on the danger of the said terrorist group as they were proved to be “resilient, determined and adaptable” according to the same report from the Times. “They have adjusted to heightened counterterrorism pressure in Iraq, Syria, Somalia and elsewhere,” Sales said. The counterterrorism expert added that the foreign terrorist fighters were “returning home” to join the IS branches there. In the same report, CSIS Asia analyst Greg Poling pointed out that the plan to return resulted from their failure to establish a homeland in the Middle East.

“As we execute victories on the ground in Iraq and Syria, [IS] is going to disperse to other areas around the globe, including Southeast Asia,” Poling said. The analyst also noted that the Mindanao region is vulnerable since it is still considered an ungoverned territory. “The southern Philippines is still an ungoverned region,” Poling added. The threat started in May 2017 when members of the Maute gang of extortionists and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group attacked Marawi, Lanao del Sur and held it for five months. Despite the death of Maute and Abu Sayyaf leaders in the aftermath of the Marawi siege, establishing an IS caliphate or province in Southeast Asia with the southern Philippines as the de facto capital remained a key goal among the jihadi group’s affiliates. “Affiliates will try to hold territory, they will try to establish a new caliphate,” the Asia analyst said in the report. he noted that holding a territory is required in order to be an IS affiliate. Poling compared it to what they did in Marawi wherein they hold the city captive for five months. Following the incident in Marawi, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law to curb the impending terrorist uprising. Lawmakers extended the military rule until the end of 2018. The said Washington Times report followed the arrest of three suspected members of an IS-

linked terrorist group in Barangay Palian Tupi, South Cotabato early on Monday. Socksargen police director Chief Superintendent Eliseo Tam Rasco claimed that two IS flags, M-16 rifles, ammunition, explosives and bomb-making paraphernalia were found in the Bulacons house along with Akmad Bulacon and his sons Muktar and Zandro. his two other sons — Mohammad and Arafat — escaped during the raid. The black IS flags, according to Rasco, indicated that they were members of Ansar al-Khilafa Philippines. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. warned the public that despite the danger the group poses, IS tends to claim false responsibility to heighten fear and terror. “They are claiming everything. They are doing it to heighten the support and to show that they are still there,” Galvez warned. According to the Washington Times, the Pentagon reportedly funneled $16 million in fiscal 2017 for a new counterterrorism mission in the southern Philippines. Around 200 to 300 U.S. troops will be serving in advisory roles in the Philippines. “We are more committed to preventing, and not just rolling back the threat,” Poling said. The analyst also stated in the report that the Philippine military is “far more capable, far better equipped” than any of the armed groups in the southern Philippines. n

PNP backs lowering age of criminal liability ThE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, October 1, backed the proposal of Senate President Vicente Sotto III to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 13 years old. PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said this could help curb the rate of juvenile delinquency. “We’re supporting that proposal. We’re just getting inputs from different regions and our legal services but we support this,” he said in a news briefing. Albayalde said in Mexico and some European countries, the age of criminal liability ranges from

six to 10 years old. however, the Child Rights International Network (CRIN), a global research, policy and advocacy organization monitoring ages of criminal responsibility around the world, showed on its website that in Mexico, children below 12 years old “can only be subject to rehabilitation and social assistance.” In most European countries, CRIN showed the age of criminal liability ranges from 12 to 15. In UK, however, children can be held liable from the age of 10 while in Ireland, children aged 10 or 11 can be made liable for certain crimes such as murder, manslaughter,

rape and sexual assault. In recent weeks, groups of juvenile delinquents were apprehended by police authorities in Manila after they went viral on social media for stealing properties from passengers. These videos show groups of young beggars in areas like Ermita ganging up on a jeepney full of passengers to intimidate and steal their personal belongings. Sotto said Senate Bill 2026, or the Act Lowering the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility, was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal to decrease crime rate. (ManilaTimes.net)

by aJPress ThE Sandiganbayan has permitted former Senator Jinggoy Estrada to go with his mother, former Sen. Luisa “Loi” Ejercito, on a medical trip to Singapore this week. According to a two-page resolution released on Monday, October 1, the court’s Fifth Division allowed Estrada to leave the country from October 1 to 8. “The right to travel is a constitutional right which cannot be impaired except in cases provided for by law,” the court said. however, Estrada is required to maintain his P2.66-million travel bond in order to guarantee his faithful compliance with the terms and conditions of the court. he is required to present himself before the court within five days after his return, as well. Should Estrada fail to return, the Sandiganbayan would deem it as a waiver of his right to be present in the hearings of his cases and trial will proceed as

scheduled. In Estrada’s urgent motion, he stated that his mother needs to have a medical examination done by Dr. Prem Pillay, a practising neurosurgeon, at the Singapore Brain-Spine Nerves Center at Mount Elizabeth hospital. According to him, his mother was diagnosed with “severe compression deformity of the lumbar spine with vertebral body collapse. Estrada was sent to jail several years ago after he was charged with plunder and 11 counts of graft for allegedly pocketing P183.8 million in kickbacks in exchange for diverting his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations to foundations linked to businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. he was detained from June 2014 until September 2017, when he was allowed to post bail after the court deemed the plunder case weak for failing to pinpoint a “main plunderer.” Estrada had already been to

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada Philstar.com photo

hong Kong for a family vacation, Singapore to accompany his father for medical treatment, and the United States to attend the U.S. Pinoy for Good Governance (USPGG) general membership meeting since his release. n

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OPINION

Above the law

FEATURES

LAWMAKERS must be reminded that they are on the payroll of taxpayers so their employer — or their boss, as a former president put it — is the Filipino public. Lawmakers must also bear in mind that their job designation does not put them above the law, but commits them to uphold it. security particularly aviation, such requirements are for the safety of all departing passengers, himself included. After complying with the rules, he can then castigate airport personnel who might have exempted foreigners from security screening, as his camp claims. Bertiz was still in a joking mood yesterday, blaming his “monthly period” for the outburst. For sure, women are not amused. This is the second time in just a week that Bertiz has drawn flak. At the oath-taking of new engineers at the Professional Regulation Commission last week, he drew boos from the audience when he joked that those who did not know Special Presidential Assistant Christopher “Bong” Go would not get their PRC license. The negative reaction to the “joke” could rub off on Go. House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, who counts 44 members in his bloc, said yesterday they would initiate an ethics probe of Bertiz. With the probe, the House should convince the public that its members understand that no one is above the law – least of all those who craft legislation. (Philstar.com)

There must be no room in Congress for the kind of arrogance being imputed on ACTS-OFW partylist Rep. John Bertiz. A viral video showed the congressman shoving what appears to be his identification card at the face of a security screener at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. The video showed Bertiz then grabbing the screener’s ID card and taking a photo of it. Initial reports said Bertiz resented being told to take off his shoes for the x-ray machine – a standard requirement for all departing passengers. His camp explained that he was irked upon seeing a group of Asian-looking foreigners being escorted past the security area without going through the same checks. If Bertiz wants foreigners to comply with Philippine laws and regulations, he must be the first to show compliance. He should take off his shoes – plus his belt, jacket and whatever other items ordinary folks are told to put on the tray for the x-ray machine. In other countries, he would have landed in jail for creating a scene. Considering the threats to global

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

No to Kavanaugh Supreme Court Justice nomination: Let me count the why’s The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP is right. The recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing involving his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — accused of sexual assault that allegedly happened in the 1980s by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University and a research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine — could be a blessing in disguise. It is important to stress that such hearing on September 27 was NOT a trial of either Kavanaugh nor of Dr. Ford. It was a hearing that was supposed to help the members of the committee in making the consequential decision of endorsing Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Senate floor. Despite criticisms on how 90 percent of Kavanaugh’s work had not been made public for scrutiny, despite of three allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against him by three women who came forward and made public their accusations under oath, Trump and the Republicans pushed forward to proceed with

the vote on his nomination. But as public protests and opposition against the confirmation vote mounted, the Senate Leadership decided to conduct the hearing on September 27, while maintaining that they would still continue with the vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination the day after, as originally urgently scheduled. It took a long, excruciatingly painful nine-hour hearing where both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh were both given the chance to present their testimonies, one after the other. Dr. Ford was 100 percent sure that it was Kavanaugh who sexually assaulted her that night in a party, as Kavanaugh himself said he was 100 percent sure it was not him, and that he had never sexually assaulted anyone in his life. The difference, however, was that Dr. Ford had called for an FBI investigation on her allegations, and that she had nothing to gain in coming forward, and got everything to lose. She said she told her story because she believes it is her civic duty to let the American people know material information about this man who is now about to be voted on to sit in the Supreme Court. On the other hand, what was at stake for Kavanaugh was a powerful lifetime position in the nation’s highest court. He said he was not guilty and yet he had repeatedly resisted any supplemental FBI investigation, a posi-

tion supported by Trump and the Republicans in Congress. Thankfully on Friday, September 28, Republican Senator Jeff Flake — one of the members of the committee — rocked the boat. After hearing the testimonies of both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh, then after being confronted by two women rape survivors after he said yes he would vote YES to confirm Kavanaugh, the senator had a sleepless night. Flake changed his vote to a NO, but said he would support a vote ONLY if the Senate delays the full vote by a week so that the FBI could do an investigation that Dr. Ford deserved, just as the Democrats in the committee have been asking all along. His call for due diligence had been supported by his Republican colleagues in the committee, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Trump and the Republican leadership in the Senate endorsed the supplemental FBI investigations, but questions and criticisms had been raised about the limit and scope of the investigation which may get in the way to unearthing the truth and may cover up material information about growing concerns about Kavanaugh’s fitness to sit in the Supreme Court. The American people demanded to know the truth not only about the sexual assault alleged against him by the three women who came forward under oath.

They also wanted to find out the veracity of Kavanaugh’s testimony that he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the sexual misconduct allegations and his testimony under oath about his drinking habits, behavior and problem. Pending the results of the FBI investigation, the hearing on September 27 had revealed through his own actions even more reasons why Kavanaugh should NOT be confirmed to be Justice of the Supreme Court. Sure he is well qualified based on his educational and professional sections of his resume. However, these are not the only attributes required of the job, and Kavanaugh failed immensely in these aspects. Kavanaugh’s own words, demeanor and actions during the hearing have proven that he does NOT have the honesty and temperament that the lifetime position of Justice of the Supreme Court requires. During the hearing, Kavanaugh’s belligerence, arrogance and disrespect were revealed when questioned and challenged about his fitness for the job. The Democratic senators in the committee, after all, were doing their job in asking hard questions during this job interview, and Kavasnaugh failed. During the hearing he could not say YES to Democratic Senators who repeatedly questioned

him if he would ask for more FBI investigations from Trump and the Senate leadership. Shouldn’t he be the one asking for and even supporting it because it would clear his name -- IF he is indeed telling the truth in his testimony? What could he be hiding? During the hearing, Kavanaugh made unfounded statements alleging this was part of a conspiracy lead by Democrats to put him down and to revenge on behalf of the Clintons. This partisan rhetoric already disqualified him because as a Justice of the Supreme Court, he is expected to set aside his own political and personal biases and emotions, and just make judgement based on the constitutionality of the issues before him. During the hearing, Kavanaugh argued again and again that yes, he liked beer but that he has never drank to the point of being blacked out with no control over his behavior. However, after the hearing, several of his classmates in Yale, in high school, have came forward to dispute his claims. His classmate and friend in Yale said in a statement: “If he lied about his past actions on national television, and more especially while speaking under oath in front of the United States Senate, I believe those lies should have consequences. It is truth that is at stake, and I believe that the ability to speak the truth,

even when it does not reflect well upon oneself, is a paramount quality we seek in our nation’s most powerful judges.” On July of 2018, the New York Times reported that Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell warned Trump against nominating Kavanaugh, saying that his lengthy paper trail would pose difficulties for his confirmation. But Trump nominated him with urgency for one reason: Kavanugh has written in the past that no sitting president should be investigated while in office. Trump chose Kavanaugh because he thought he could use his vote to save him from the Russia probe. NO to Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court. He poses a danger to the independence of the Supreme Court, supposedly a co-equal branch of government tasked to provide check and balance among the executive, legislative and judiciary branch of government. With the leadership in Congress and the spineless members of the executive all controlled by Trump, NO to KAVANAUGH. He poses a threat to our democracy. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Human rights a standard of achievement, not a law

Opinion

YEN MAKABENTA THE preamble of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: “The General Assembly proclaims this universal declaration of human rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for the rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves, and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.” The Declaration goes on to list 30 articles, almost all of which correspond to a human right. Article 1 provides: ”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and con-

science, and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” Article 30 provides: “Nothing in this declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of the rights and freedoms set forth therein.” PH one of first UN signatories The universal human rights declaration was approved unanimously by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948, by 48 nations, with eight abstentions (including six members in the Soviet bloc at the time, South Africa and Saudi Arabia) to be the common universal standard of human rights for all nations and peoples. Newly liberated from war and having recovered its independence on July 4,1946, the Philippines joined the historic deliberations on the United Nations in San Francisco. It was one of the first 48 signatories of the UN charter. The language of the declaration suggests that the so-called rights

are not really rights at all, but are instead only goals to aim at. The listed rights include the familiar rights of life, liberty and security of person (Article 3), equal protection and recognition before the law (Articles 4, 6, 7), due process of law (Articles, 5, 8-12) freedom of conscience and speech (Articles 18-19),freedom of assembly (Article 20), self-government (Article 21), as well as rights not widely acknowledged prior to the Declaration: the right to seek asylum (Article 14), the right to a nationality (Article 15), and especially various socioeconomic or welfare rights, such as the right to work (Article 23) , the right to leisure (Article 24), the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25), and the right to education (Article 26). Limits on sovereignty What gave immediate impetus to the writing of the human rights declaration were the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler. What distinguished the post-World War 2 developments from earlier human rights initiatives, was the growing acceptance of the view that the way nations treat people under

their jurisdiction is no longer just a domestic concern but is now one that calls for the attention of the international community. This view chipped away at the old concept of sovereignty. It recognizes that individuals can be beneficiaries of international law and that they can find protection and remedies within the international community against abuses by their own or other governments. International law on human rights serves as a supplement to domestic human rights law, especially when it is received by a sovereignty into its municipal law. Human rights a standard, not law In a perceptive essay on human rights (“Human rights in International Relations,” December 13, 1998), Fr. Joaquin Bernas noted: “From the start, the human rights declaration was not seen as law but only as ’a common standard’ for nations to attempt to reach. Its authority was primarily moral and political. It would take another 18 years before the United Nations could convert the aspirations of the declaration into conventional international law embodied in the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. With all this, Bernas noted, there still was one glaring weakness. In the international human rights system, “Individuals have to depend on their own state for the vindication of their rights when violated by other states. In international law this is what is called the nationality-of-claims requirement. If a state violates the rights of an alien, only the state of that alien can sue in his behalf.” British rights, human rights In an article, “Why Sovereignty Matters,” Jeremy Rabkin of the American Enterprise Institute sharply criticized the contemporary trend toward the internationalization of justice. He wrote: “International human rights law is not the product of court rulings, but of international conferences. Abstract pronouncements are enough. At that, they need not even be authoritative pronouncements of supreme governmental authorities. Words spoken by dip-

lomats at conferences are given much weight, and then the reconfiguring of those words by commentators is supposed to give more weight…Soon there is a towering edifice of words, which is then treated as a sure marker of ‘customary international law.’” In England, there is still an ongoing debate on whether it was wise for the United Kingdom to pass its Human Rights Act, which was mainly pushed and passed by the Labor Party. Political opponents and critics prefer to call the rights “British rights” than “human rights.” The late UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher penned a striking chapter in her book, Statecraft, which she titled, “Human rights and wrongs.” She believed that the conventions and protocols that came out of the 20th century preoccupation with human rights detracted from national sovereignty. In a spirit of dissent, she penned one of the most famous expressions of her political philosophy: “For me, duties precede rights, and though charity begins, it does not end at home.” (ManilaTimes.net)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 3-5, 2018

Duterte writes to Xi: I hope our friendship will lead to stronger partnership by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

‘HOT’ CIGARETTES SEIZED. Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña presents the smuggled Chunghwa ‘Soft’ cigarettes seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila on Tuesday, October 2. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Palace to BBC: Show report on Davao Death Squad by aLexis

romero Philstar.com

MANILA — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Monday, October 1, challenged the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) to produce the report of former United Nations special rapporteur Philip Alston on the deaths tied to the Davao Death Squad (DDS) as he stood by his claim that President Duterte has been cleared of the killings. In the documentary “BBC Our World: Philippines – Democracy in Danger?,” Roque claimed Alston had “completely cleared” Duterte of liability in relation to the killings blamed on the DDS, a vigilante group that reportedly targeted drug offenders. Roque said it was clear from Alston’s report that Duterte was not behind the DDS.

But the documentary also quoted Alston as saying that paragraphs 39 to 43 of his report “clearly implicate Duterte in the killings.” BBC also described Roque’s claim as an “interesting interpretation.” Asked to react to the BBC documentary, Roque said the television network should have shown what Alston really said. He said Alston had cited possible administrative lapses but had cleared Duterte of the killings. “I also mentioned in the BBC that what the Philip Alston report said were administrative lapses and it’s there. Will someone please get the relevant paragraph cited by BBC and will you please write a letter to BBC, because they should not have just limited it to mentioning the paragraphs, they should actually have

shown what Philip Alston said?” Roque said in a press briefing in Malacañang. “It is clear there that his conclusion is administrative liability for failure to investigate perhaps. So we can refer to the same paragraphs?” he added. Roque said he would be proven correct once the Alston report is produced. He also took pot shots at Howard Johnson, the BBC reporter who conducted the interview for the documentary. The problem with the reporter is the interview was lengthy and he argued with me on legal points. I’m the only counsel who is accredited in the ICC (International Criminal Court) list of counsel, then he argues with me. So please produce the Alston report,” Roque said. n

Malolos court junks Palparan’s bid to dodge transfer to NBP MALOLOS Regional Trial Court Branch 15 has turned down former Army Major Gen. Jovito Palparan’s plea to stay under the custody of military. In its order, the court denied Palparan’s motion to hold the implementation of the mittimus or commitment citing SC-OCA Circular No. 163-2013, which directs all trial court judges to cause the immediate transfer of convicted persons to the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), regardless of the pendency of a motion for reconsideration or an appeal. Palparan is currently at the

Philippine Army Custodial Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City even after he was convicted to suffer up to 40 years in prison for the 2006 kidnapping and illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), which acted as private prosecutors in the case, denounced the military’s noncompliance with the court order. The military last week admitted that Palparan remains in their custody because another

court has a commitment order allowing the general to stay at a military detention facility. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said the target schedule for Palparan’s transfer to NBP will be on Thursday, October 4. “I have personally discussed the matter with AFP Chief [Carlito] Galvez who has assured me that the AFP custodial center will immediately comply without prejudice to the resolution of any further judicial review,” Guevarra told reporters. (Inquirer.net)

Viray

MANILA — Extending his greetings on China’s 69th founding anniversary, President Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping that their recent interactions have “borne much fruit.” “As we continue to cooperate in promoting and sustaining peace, stability and security, it is my hope that our friendship will lead to a stronger partnership in the bilateral, regional and multilateral fora,” Duterte said in his letter to Xi. The president also said that he was looking forward to meeting his Chinese counterpart in Manila soon. The Chinese president is expected to visit the country this year. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua earlier said they are working with the Philippine side to finalize the details of Xi’s visit to the Philippines. “I look forward to welcoming you in Manila soon and to discuss the path forward our countries

and peoples to sustain our bonds and make it more meaningful,” Duterte told Xi. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, told his counterpart Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the Philippines remains committed to forging a stronger partnership with China. “I take pride in the evolution of the partnership between our two countries in recent years. The past years have witnessed how our robust bilateral relations supported our countries’ objectives in strengthening cooperation, and spurring development in a multitude of areas,” Cayetano said in his letter to Wang. The renewed relationship between the Philippines and China comes as the two countries hold a bilateral consultation mechanism to resolve the South China Sea dispute. The Duterte administration appears to have shelved the July 2016 arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in exchange of renewed ties with

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and Pres. Xi Jinping Philstar.com photo

Beijing. The arbitral ruling, which was a victory for the Philippines, invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. It also concluded that Beijing violated its commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as it constructed artificial islands in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. In the past months, China has deployed surface-to-air missiles and electronic jamming equipment on its outposts in the Spratly Islands, despite claiming that the installments were not directed to any country. n

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PH power supply seen tight sans new capacity by JORDEENE

SHEEX LAGARE ManilaTimes.net

THE countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power supply may be strained if no new capacities will come in by next year, the top official of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. (IEMOP) said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If our current capacity will be constant but demand will continue to rise as we have seen in the past years, the demand for electricity has been constantly increasing, we will find ourselves in a situation where the supply margin will be already thin,â&#x20AC;? IEMOP president Francis Saturnino Juan said. He said the thinning supply margin, or the difference between available electricity and power demand, may subse-

quently lead to higher prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there will be no [new capacities to be built]in [the]succeeding years, if the capacity will not increase, then weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see WESM prices also being affected,â&#x20AC;? he said at the sidelines of the Energy Outlook: Supplying Rising Demand at Lower Cost held recently at JoyNostalg Hotel & Suites in Pasig City. If supply margin ranges between 2,000 megawatts (MW) and 3,000 MW, WESM rates tend to be stable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if the supply margin will be already reduced to around 1,500 MW, then we see prices reacting to as high as P0.4 and then P0.7 per kilowatt-hour

u PAGE B3

Property prices rise in Q2 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BSP

Govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easing foreign investment restriction During the recent Philippine economic brieďŹ ng held by economic managers in London, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia acknowledged that the Philippines has one of the most restrictive business environments when it comes to foreign investments. File photo by Philstar.com by CZERIZA

VALENCIA Philstar.com

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has assured British businesses that the government is working to ease foreign investment restrictions through the 11th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), which is now up for signing by President Rodrigo Duterte. During the recent Philippine economic briefing held by economic managers in

London, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia acknowledged that the Philippines has one of the most restrictive business environments when it comes to foreign investments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compared with our neighbors, the Philippines seems to be the most restrictive in terms of foreign direct investments. We have many negative-listed investment areas and activities, meaning that there is a high restrictive wall on the participation of foreign investors,â&#x20AC;? Pernia told business-

men in the United Kingdom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to boost foreign investments in the country by means of lifting or easing such restrictions,â&#x20AC;? he said. Pernia said that not all areas can be adjusted by an executive order (EO) as some would require legislation and constitutional amendment. The draft EO on the 11th FINL eases foreign restriction on the following areas and activities: private recruitment for local and

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Developing people key to growing business The Central Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential real estate price index (RREPI) rose by 4.8 percent to 117.2 in the second quarter from 111.8 in the same quarter last year. File photo by Philstar.com by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

The central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential real estate price index (RREPI) rose by 4.8 percent PROPERTY prices picked up to 117.2 in the second quarter in the second quarter of the from 111.8 in the same quarter year due to strong demand for last year. The RREPI measures the townhouses and condominium units, the Bangko Sentral ng average change in prices of Pilipinas (BSP) reported over various types of housing units the weekend. u PAGE B5

UNLEASHING and harnessing people and their talents are key to sustaining the growth of a business, according to one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading coaches. It is important for leaders to focus on three main things: building trust and nourishing relationship with people, enabling their performance to deliver best results, and unlocking and improving their talents, said Peter Chee, president and chief executive officer of ITD World. Founded in 1984, ITD is a leading multinational corporation for human resource development. It is composed of global talent and leadership development ex-

perts who offer training, action learning, coaching, mentoring, consulting, competency certification and seminars to business leaders and executives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Number one is building trust and good relationship with people,â&#x20AC;? Chee said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The second one is to enable [their]performance. A leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role is to ensure that team members and overall team will be able to perform and deliver results.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The third one, which is absolutely important, is growing and bringing out the best in people,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding the most power- Peter Chee, president and chief executive ofďŹ cer of ITD World, signs his books â&#x20AC;&#x153;12 Disciplines ful way of engaging talent is do- of Leadership Excellenceâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daily Role in Talent Managementâ&#x20AC;? at the National

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Book Store in Glorietta 1 in Makati City.

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Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â&#x20AC;? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giottoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage

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

B OCTOBER 3-5 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

IMF: Philippine economy ‘facing new challenges’ by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

THE Philippine economy continues to grow robustly but is facing new challenges, the International Monetary Fund said. “The Philippines economy continues to do well but is facing new challenges from rising inflation and a less benign external environment, in addition to persistent poverty and inequality,” the IMF said in a report. “The new environment requires adjustment of the policy mix to balance growth and stability objectives, while fostering inclusion,” it added. “The medium-term economic outlook remains favorable, which places the country in a good position to tackle still elevated levels of poverty and inequality.” Gross domestic product—or the value of all finished goods and services produced in the country—sharply eased to 6.0 percent in the second quarter, the slowest pace in three years. In the first half of 2018, the

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes INTERNET and social media has become a way of life these days. Almost everyone these day have Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc. as part of their daily lives. These media are used frequent as people used to use land lines and TV. However if you have a pending divorce case or are contemplating filing for divorce, you should try to either refrain from using social media or exercise extra care in using social media because anything you post in social media can be used against you in court. Posting certain pictures or comments in social media can affect issues relating to domestic violence, child custody, spousal support, child support, attorney’s fees, and property division. Domestic Violence Sometimes, people will post comments in social media such as facebook or tweeter ranting about their spouse when they get upset about certain issues. Other times, people would post comments that are threatening to a spouse or other household

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How to build a house of bricks in any season

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

Gross domestic product—or the value of all finished goods and services produced in the country—sharply eased to 6.0 percent in the second quarter, the slowest pace in three years. File photo by Philstar

economy grew 6.3 percent, well below the government’s 7-8 percent goal for this year until 2022. In its report, the IMF forecasts the economy to expand 6.5 percent this year and 6.7 percent in 2019, buoyed by bullish domestic demand. The IMF added that domestic inflation, which soared to an over nine-year high of 6.4 percent in

August, is expected to remain above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2-4 percent target band this year despite tighter monetary policy. Early this week, Manilabased Asian Development Bank slashed its growth outlook on the Philippine economy amid elevated inflation, lackluster exports growth and “moderation” in agriculture. n

Five ways internet and social media presence can affect your divorce case

members. These type of posts and activity can be construed by the Court as domestic violence towards a spouse and towards other household members. It is best to restrain your emotions, and refrain from posting such rants or other harassing comments on line. In addition, hacking into your spouse computer and disclosing and disseminating materials downloaded from your spouse’s e-mail, social media, etc may result to a finding of domestic violence. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. It includes actions that can destroy to mental and emotional calm of your spouse or ex spouse such as disseminating your spouse private information. Custody Pictures of yourself in parties drinking alcohol or smoking in the presence of your minor child is a common piece of evidence parties try to introduce in Custody hearings specially when there is allegations of alcohol abuse. Avoid posting these type of pictures in social media and the internet. If you have monitored

visitation of your child, avoid comments and pictures in social media that depicts you exercising visitation without a monitor. Avoid any type of social media pictures or comments referring to use of marijuana or other types of drugs. Even if your spouse or ex spouse is not within your list of social media friends or contacts, you will be amazed how these type of information can get to your spouse through common friends. In addition, if there is a finding of domestic violence against you as discussed above, there is a rebuttable presumption against giving you sole or joint physical custody of your child under Family Code Section 3044. Spousal Support and Child Support Social media are often used by people to brag and show off to their friends their expensive vacation, exotic trips and other new ride they bought. However, this could back fire when you have a pending family law case. Your spouse somehow will be able to get a hold of these pic-

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(Enjoy a redux of a series of previous articles tweaked and fine-tuned for these days — which, for many of us, would be a much different season, than when these were published years earlier.) Remember the story of the three little pigs? Everyone does. But we relegate the story to children’s lit and condescendingly forget that these cute little porkers bring home an important point about the choices we make when we embark on building something worthwhile — like choosing the foundation on which we live our lives. The first pig built his house of straw and the second one built his house of sticks and went partying till the cows came home. Enter the big bad wolf. Hankering for crispy chicharrones, he came down huffing and puffing and blowing both houses down in a snap, much to the utter dismay of the two hapless, lazy porkers. Running for their lives with their curled, tiny

(First of 3 parts) tails and the hair on their chin- true in living one’s life. ny, chin chin a-quivering, they I am certain there are countdashed over to safety, straight less other pointers hundreds of to the house of their other stolid, thousands can add to the growsomewhat stodgy brother pig ing pool of knowledge that hopewho had built his house methodi- fully, translates to wisdom in this cally, meticulously, slowly, brick continuing saga of human life. by solid brick. In the interest of brevity I’ll cull Enter the big bad wolf again, out only 15 bite-size pointers, renow crazed with the thought of leased in 3 bursts of 5 pointers wolfing down not one but three each. pigs. He does his blustery huffing 1. Get your ducks in a row. and puffing… well… you know Set your priorities. Align your time, decisions, actions and resource allocation according to your set of personal priorities: health, happiness, family, peace, wellbeing, wealth, time, fame, recognition, and applause. There’s a whole menu to choose from. You choose what’s important and what’s how the story ended (that is, un- not. Without an internal value less Disney produces a block- system and a firm sense of direcbuster sequel with their spin on tion, you’re more than likely to the ending.) be distracted by the many pitfalls Any structural engineer will along the way. Consider technolagree with the third porker and ogy and its spawn, social media, allude to the biblical reference as a double-edged sword. It can about a house built on a rock either help or hinder, depending and the wind and rain could not on how you use it. As a tool, it is prevail upon it. He will tell you awesome but become obsessed that solid foundation work taking with it and you’re a goner. FOstress points into account is ba- CUSED MINDFULNESS is the sic in building anything of value antidote to all distractions. that’s meant to last. The same is u PAGE B4

” I build my house of straw. I build my house of hay. I toot my flute. I don’t give a hoot. And play around all day.” — Fifer Pig

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA U.S. citizens are generally taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned or received. A U.S. citizen who earns income in a foreign country may also be taxed on that income by a foreign host country thereby leading to double taxation. Below are the three tax provisions alleviating potential inequity: • Foreign-earned income exclusion • Housing cost exclusion or deduction • Foreign tax credit or deduction Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. U.S. citizens who work in a foreign country are allowed to exclude up to $104,100 of gross income earned in that country

Reporting requirements for US citizens abroad for 2018 ($102,100 for 2017). To qualify for the foreign-earned income exclusion, you must satisfy both requirements: • have a tax home in a foreign country for instance Philippines. Your regular place of business is the Philippines. Philippines is your tax home. • meet either the bona fide residence test, you must be a bona fide resident of a foreign country for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire tax year or the physical presence test, you must be physically present in the foreign country during at least 330 full days during 12 consecutive months. If you stay in the Philippines for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire tax year or if you are physically present in the Philippines during at least 330 full days during 12 consecutive months, you qualify for this requirement. A determination of whether

you qualify is based on all the facts and circumstances including your intention, length of stay in the Philippines, nature and duration of employment, establishment of a home in the Philippines, and nature, extent and reasons for temporary absences from the foreign home. If you choose to exclude your foreign earned income, you cannot take a foreign tax credit or deduction for taxes on excluded income, an additional child tax credit and/or earned income credit. The foreign earned income exclusion is filed by completing the appropriate parts of Form 2555. Since it is voluntary, your choice to exclude foreign earned income remains in effect for that year and all years unless you revoke it. Housing Cost Exclusion or Deduction. You may also claim an exclusion or deduction from

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BUSINESS NEWS

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Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG LET’S assume that you have incurred too much debt. What do I mean by too much debt? By this I mean that you are now a slave to creditors because your debt level is beyond what your income can handle comfortably such that there is every month you have no savings. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy for the following clients: Client no. 1: Senior with $18K levy on her bank account. This client is 60 and is married. She makes about $2K a month as a caregiver. Her husband is 58 and works part time earning about $1K a month. Their combined net income is $3K. They don’t own a house. They own a 2016 Camry with a money purchase loan. They pay $400 a month for this. Last week, her bank calls her and tells her that a judgment creditor has levied her checking account. The money in that account was $1,500 and it’s now frozen. The bank gives her a copy of the notice of levy. It says that she owes creditor $18K. She tells me that she doesn’t know why there’s a judgment against her for $18K but suspects that this has something to do with the pick up that was repossessed 10 years ago. Apparently, the pickup creditor filed a lawsuit against her for the repo deficiency 9 years ago. But she tells me that she remembers that the repo deficiency was only $7K so why is the levy for $18K? Well, judgments accrue legal interest at 10% p.a. so now it’s $18K because it includes compounded legal interest for 9 years. So, what’s the next judgment enforcement action from creditor she can expect? If creditor finds out who her employer is, the next step will be a wage garnishment. The wage garnishment will deduct 25% from her gross monthly income. That’s something client cannot afford because 25% of her $2K salary is $500 a month. They use that to pay their room rent of $600, or the car payment of $400. They don’t have minor children so other monthly necessities are about $1,400. It’s quite clear that even without the judgment of $18K, client household is finan-

gross income for your housing amount if you meet the following requirements: • Have foreign earned income. • Your tax home is in a foreign country. • You qualify for the bona ﬁde residence test or the physical presence test. The housing exclusion applies only to amounts considered paid for with employer-provided amounts while the housing deduction applies only to amounts paid for with self-employment earnings. Like the foreign earned income exclusion, the housing cost exclusion or deduction is filed by completing Form 2555. However, a separate election is required for each exclusion claimed. You may choose to revoke the exclusion for any year. Foreign Tax Credit or Deduction. The credit and deduction are intended to relieve U.S. taxpayers of double taxation on foreign source income. The election is made on an annual basis. If a U.S. citizen incurs or pays income taxes to a foreign country, he may elect to deduct them in determining his taxable income, or take them as a credit against his U.S. tax. The election must be made as to all foreign taxes of the tax year. The credit will be limited to the percentage of the total tax that the taxable income (before deduction for personal exemptions) from foreign countries is of the total taxable income. Other Reporting Requirements. Please note that any person or entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates having a financial interest in, or signa-

cially tight and all they earn goes to pay monthly expenses. Before the bank levy, they could save a little at the end of the month. With a 25% wage garnishment imminent, what feasible remedy does client have to be relieved of the $18K judgment? She can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This will wipe out the judgment of $18K as well as all her other debts so she can get a fresh start without any debt. She can keep her 2016 Camry if she continues her car payments even if she files Chapter 7. Pros: No more judgment of $18K and no more debt; can save $500 a month; credit score will increase every year if she handles her car payment well after Bk, and handle her new credit cards obtained after Bk well; peace of mind, no need to worry about future garnishment or bank levy from any creditor; becomes productive again; credit score increases every year and becomes very good on 5th year and perfect between 6th to 10th year. Credit score will be over 700 on 6th year. On 10th year, no record of Chapter 7, credit is perfect. Cons: none Client no. 2: Senior owes $60K credit cards, owns a house. Client is recently widowed. Her husband died last year. She is 74. She owns a house with $150K of equity. Her social security is $1,000. And she has a pension of $2,000. Her house payment is $2,000. Pension takes care of the house payment completely, so she has $1,000 left from social security. She lives by herself. She should be in good financial shape as her monthly necessities in $600. She still has $400 left from her social security income. The elephant in the room is that she owes $60K of credit cards. When she was still working, she was able to make the minimum payment of $1800 a month to keep the $60K current. But she stopped working when her husband died last year. Doesn’t want to work anymore. Just wants to live and enjoy life. Chapter 7 will wipe out the $60K credit cards. She gets to keep her house because her equity exemption is $175K, which covers the $150K of house eq-

uity. Pros: No more $60K credit cards so no more pressure to pay $1800 a month of minimum payments to keep them current. Fresh start with no debt. Still owns her house and still has her social security and pension income untouched. Peace of mind and peaceful life. Saves $400 a month, which she can use to travel wherever she wants to, or use it any way she wants to. Cons: none Client no. 3: young man with 2 corporations Client is 40 and owns two corporations. Both businesses were doing good and making $100K a year net profit, but because of the trade war, his cost has gone up because of the increased tariff for merchandise made in China. Now, both businesses are losing money. One company has debt of $300K. The other company has debt of $250K. Creditors are threatening to sue. Client will file Chapter 7 for both corporations to wipe out $550K of debt of the business. If creditors sue client personally which is unlikely unless he has signed personal guaranties, client can also file a personal Chapter 7 for a fresh start without debt. Pros: Fresh start in life. No business or personal debt. Keeps all his personal assets. Look for new business to do maybe become the next Walt Disney who also did Chapter 7 twice for fresh start. Now Disney is multibillion global business. Fresh start for Mr. Disney after two Chapter 7s. Cons: none If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. You only have stressful debt to lose. “Wjoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the almighty, can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. you are my God; In you I trust.” Psalm 91. Written by Moses. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than ﬁve thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

ture or other authority over, bank accounts, securities, or other financial accounts having an aggregate value exceeding $10,000 at any time during the calendar year in a foreign country, shall report such a relationship. Although there are some limited exceptions, filing requirements also apply to taxpayers that have direct or indirect control over a foreign or domestic entity with foreign financial accounts, even if the taxpayer does not have foreign accounts. For example, a corporate-owned foreign account would require filings by the corporation and by the individual corporate officers with signature authority. Failure to disclose the required information to the U.S. Department of the Treasury may result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service also requires information reporting under applicable Internal Revenue Code sections and related regulations, and the respective IRS tax forms are due when your income tax return is due, including extensions. The IRS reporting requirements are in addition to the U.S. Department of the Treasury reporting requirements stated above. Therefore, if you fall into one of the below categories, or if you have any direct or indirect foreign interests, you may be required to file applicable IRS forms. • File Form 8938: For individual or entity with ownership of foreign financial assets and meet the criteria. There is a penalty of $10,000 for failure to file, am additional penalty of up to $50,000 after IRS issued notification for continued failure to file. • Form 5471: If you are an officer, director, or shareholder

with respect to certain foreign corporations attach Form 5471 to your income tax return by the due date including extensions for that return. You are a foreign-owned U.S. corporation or foreign corporation engaged in a U.S. • trade or business, Form 5472; • You are a U.S. transferor of property to a foreign corporation, Form 926; • You are a U.S. person with an interest in a foreign trust ,Forms 3520 and 3520-A; or • You are a U.S. person with interests in a foreign partnership, Form 8865. Notice 2018-13 Code section 965 of the 2017 tax cuts and jobs act added that US shareholder in a foreign corporation are possibly liable for the transition tax. Failure to timely file the appropriate forms with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service may result in substantial penalties. Calendar year corporation ending December 31, 2017, the tax us due and payable with the US shareholder’s 2017 return. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of speciﬁc issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufﬁcient to avoid taxrelated penalties. ***

Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)

Gov’t. easing foreign investment... PAGE B1 t

overseas employment; practice of select professions; construction and repair of public works projects; culture, production, milling, processing and trading of rice and corn; teaching at higher education levels, and retail trade. “For the first category, which can be adjusted by an executive order, we already have the proposed EO, which is now with the President for his signature,” Pernia said. He also highlighted the country’s stable macroeconomic

What are the pros and cons PH power supply seen tight sans... of filing for bankruptcy? PAGE B1 t

Reporting requirements for U.S. citizen...

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCOTBER 3-5, 2018

standing and potential as an investment destination. That is to say the Philippine economy has been growing by an average of 6.4 percent in the last eight years, the strongest since the mid-1970s. For the first half, the economy grew by 6.3 percent. Strengths as an investment destination include the now investment-driven nature of the economy, high total factor productivity which is now the best in ASEAN, and the resurgence in the manufacturing sector. Pernia likewise emphasized

that the government is focusing on connecting the country’s islands through aggressive infrastructure development. “We are determined to close the infrastructure gap, create more jobs, and reduce inequality across regions and households,” he said. Pernia, along with the rest of the economic team, also met separately with several UK companies like Vodafone and Shell for a comprehensive briefing on the Philippine economy and to discuss possible investment partnerships. ■

(kWh),” Juan explained. During his presentation at the forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi) and CitizenWatch Philippines, the IEMOP official said that everytime the supply gap decreases to about 100 MW, there is a corresponding price increase of P0.4 per kWh.

If the gap is further reduced to below 1,000 MW, the spot prices will rise by more than P0.7 per kWh. Currently, the average WESM price is P4.31 per kWh. “As we have seen in the past, whenever supply margins are narrow, WESM prices tend to react,” Juan noted. It is now up to government to

Calendar of Events across

make sure new capacities are built and to the private sector to respond to WESM price signals. “This is something our market participants should be looking at in terms of the needed capacities that will have to be put in place, taking into account the growing demand of our country,” Juan said. ■

America

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Asian Small Business Expo in Montebello, CA The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services.Don’t miss the opportunity on Saturday, October 6 to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. This year’s theme is “Growing your business online: Standing out in the digital world,” featuring 40+ exhibitors and workshops. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quiet Cannon (901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640). Visit https://www. eventbrite.com/e/annual-asian-small-business-expo-free-event-tickets-45785739379 to register for free. Walk-ins are also welcome.

City of Carson kicks off 9th annual Fil-Am History Month festivities On Saturday, October 6 the City of Carson will have the kick-off ceremonies for its 9th Annual Filipino American History Month festivities. The day starts at 8:00 a.m. by the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument outside the Carson Community Center on 801 E. Carson St. in Carson, California. This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, and a program from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. that highlights their leadership awards in three categories: Community Leadership, Youth Achievement, and Heroism. Headliners for the program are singers Fe de los Reyes and Miguel Vera. Other performers are the CSU Long Beach Filipino American Coalition, Shane Selloria, Jason Farol, Kindreds of Carson, and former “Fil-Ams Got Talent” champions Charishma Marquez, Shekinah Austria, and Therese Masangcay. Keynote speaker is Asian Pacific Studies Professor Dr. Mary Talusan-Lacanlale. Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz and Councilmember Elito Santarina will also grace the kick-off. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

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Serenata Filipina Ver. 2 at LA’s Ford Amphitheater “Serenata Filipina Ver. 2” is the only Filipino music concert at the famed Ford Theatres’ Summer Season. Features female OPM stalwarts: jazz diva Louie Reyes, vocal powerhouse Annie Nepomuceno, hitmaker Odette Quesada and many more, backed by a live band. Part of the proceeds benefits Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, and other community partners. Grounds open for picnicking at 4:30 p.m., show is at 6:30pm. Tickets are $100 VIP, $70, $55, $40 and $35 for students. Buy online at www.fordtheatres.org or by calling the box office at (323) 461-3673.

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Daly City hosts Fil-Am History Month celebration Daly City celebrates Filipino-American History Month via Kasayahan sa Daly City at the Marchbank Park (2001 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City, CA 94014) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be food trucks, a family fun zone, arts and crafts, a jump house, a beer garden, several vendor booths, a bubble machine, and entertainment from homegrown talent. Parking is free at the DC Station Garage on 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard, and Marchbank Park is accessible on the second floor. This is a free event, and everyone is invited.Entertainment throughout the day will be provided by Melvinsings! Maddie B, Kariktan Dance Company, American Center of Philippine Arts, Rudy Kalma, Mike Dayao, Guji, and more. Headliners to perform at the TFC Hour are “Queen of Freestyle” Jocelyn Enriquez and rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra. For more information about this event, call (650) 991-8001 or go to their Facebook events pagehttps://www.facebook.com/events/264867907630476/.

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Special Celebration in honor of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima On Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.m. at Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. With main celebrant: Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar. All the faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are cordially invited to join us in October, the month of the Rosary, to pray for peace and conversion in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. Please share this announcement with your parish, families and schools. Together we can bring peace to our world. Together in prayer, we make a difference. All are welcome! For more information, please call 323-578-8411 or 818-421-6534.

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. For details and purchase of tickets, please call: Mul (661) 253-1825, Zeny (661) 284-0181, Myra (424) 350-1056, Zony (661) 312-3422, Nic (661) 312-9077, Linda (661) 904-1365 and Emie (661) 877-2699.

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9th annual Larry Itliong Day celebration in Carson, CA On Saturday, October 27, the 9th Annual Larry Itliong Day Celebration will be held at the Veterans Park, 22400 Moneta Avenue, also in Carson, California. The event is from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with the 2018 Larry Itliong Labor Awards as highlight of the day. Speakers for the day are: Johnny Itliong, director of the Larry Itliong Foundation through Education, and son of labor leader Larry Itliong; Fernando Chavez, founder of the Chavez Law Group and son of union leader and labor organizer Cesar Chavez; and Historian Roger Gadiano, who is also a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) – Delano chapter. Silakbo sa Mik Tinig, a local group who performs socially relevant raps about immigration, women, and demilitarization will be performing on that day.

Siena College QC global event in Garden Grove, CA The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its first global dinner-dance event on Saturday, October 27 at the Embassy Suites Anaheim-South, at 11767 Harbor Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92840. This event will be a great opportunity to catch up with all our alumni and faculty members from here and around the world. Let us all come together in the spirit of our school where we can create new memories and revisit the old. For more information please call Melba Dyquaiangco at (714) 609-1710 or email: sienaglobal2018@gmail.com.

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SIPA Halloween Carnival in Los Angeles, CA Join us for some spooky fun on Wednesday, Ocotber 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90026 Featuring Haunted house, games and prizes, costue contest, filipino candies and treats, arts and craft booths and family entertainment. Food, drinks and chips for $1. This event is open to public, free admission. Bring cash for booth and food. Don’t miss this spooktacular event!

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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How to build a house of bricks in any... PAGE B2 t

2. Ask for HELP. Fold that ego to the size of a postage stamp. There is help out there. Use it. We need others to help us on the first get-go during the first years of scrambling, scraping and just getting our bearings straight. Don’t be too proud to ask and seek out only those who mean well. Don’t forget to say thanks and show appreciation to those who have helped you every step of the way. There is a place in Hades for the grossly ungrateful. 3. Open your mind. Be informed. Observe the patterns of human behavior and the seasonal patterns of life. We are living in the throes of the Age of TMI (Too Much Information). The challenge is in sorting out the essentials from the ton of crud out there particularly on the internet. But above all, fear not the predictions of doom and gloom. If TV or social media are your constant companions, you will become a fearful, paranoid nutcase. The cycles of boom and bust, recession and bumper crop years happen over and over again with the regularity of night and day. More often than not, life is a roller coaster ride, with its thrills

EMPLOYMENT

and spills. Enjoy it. Learn to live and move with the seasons. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is a season for every purpose under heaven.” 4. Slow down. Pace yourself. There is a learning curve that most of us will have to go through. There are a select few who can hit the ground running but for mere mortals, like you and me, we have to take a step at a time, at least in the beginning stages. Small mistakes and errors in decision-making are rectifiable; the big ones on the things that truly matter, will set us back years. 5. In going for the brass ring, know the price you have to pay to get it. America’s middle class is growing once again after a decades long lull. The economy is on an upswing after being in the doldrums. In hindsight, globalism which began Post-Reagan under 4 presidents had put in place policies which severely crippled the American middle class as they shifted jobs and industries outside of the country. This is a season of optimism so take the opportunities presented in realizing your dreams, whatever you conceive them to

be. But you have to be willing to pay the price. And no, you can’t cheat. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. There is no free lunch. You may be achieving your goal of a whopping six figure income that allows you the material status you seek, but see and understand what the price of putting in 16 hour shifts or taking on double or triple jobs is doing to your own health, your family, your marriage and your sanity. Yes, only God knows how long seasons last. Man proposes. God disposes. But in any season of darkness or light, that delicate balance achieved by a steady, prayerful family life laser-focused on God as the center of it ALL, is still the key. (Next week: The second of 3 parts.) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: HYPERLINK “http://issuu.com/ asianjournaldigitaledition” http://issuu. com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

EMPLOYMENT

Five ways internet and social media...

PAGE B2 t

tures and comments through common friends and use it as evidence against you as to why you should pay more child support and spousal support. Your argument in Court that you are broke and living paycheck to paycheck might be questioned if there are pictures and comments regarding you having a blast in Las Vegas or going on that Caribbean Cruise with your new significant other. Pictures of your expensive hobbies such as hunting, shooting in firing ranges with your expensive gun collection can be used against you to put into question your contention that you are broke. Likewise if you are the spouse asking for support, evidence in social medial that you are living a high lifestyle or that you are gambling can affect your claim for spousal support and child support. Attorney’s fees The above conduct in social media and the internet can also affect your claim for attorney’s fee. Most of the attorney’s fee request in family court are based on needs. (Family Code Section 2030). If there is evidence of what appears to be a flamboyant lifestyle, this could undermine

your need to have your spouse contribute to your attorney’s fees. Division of Property The Family Code requires the parties to make full and complete disclosure of all assets, debts, material facts and information, income and expenses. If there are assets and businesses that you failed to disclose but pictures and statements referring to it is posted in social media and the internet, your spouse can use this evidence to file an omitted asset RFO and have the Court divide the community interest in such asset or business even after the divorce judgment had been entered. For example, if you invested as a part owner in a business without disclosing this interest. This new business posts pictures of you cutting the ribbon during its inaugural grand opening, this can be used in court as evidence of your undisclosed asset. It would also tip your spouse to propound further discovery to obtain evidence regarding your undisclosed asset or business interest. When you have a pending family law case, it would probably be in your interest to either refrain or be very mindful of the informa-

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

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

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People and Events

The 2018 Bookmark Design City of Burbank and Burbank Unified School District team up for Walk to School Day contest award ceremony THE 2018 bookmark design contest that is held by the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum in tandem with the Library of the City of Covina, CA (City of Covina Parks and Recreation Library Services Division), had its results announced in a grand award ceremony held at the museum on Saturday, September 22. Many local dignitaries, including West Covina City Mayer Lloyd Johnson, Councilwoman Mary Su of City of Walnut, representatives of the Covina Police Department, Covina City Library and Charter Oak School District Board, people of the art circle, and parents from the various school districts attended this gala event. This bookmark design contest is held for the students who are currently in school. There are four groups, and the top three winners of each group are (in the order of position): Melanie Zhang, Allison Zhao Gao, Stella Min Fang for grades 1 and 2; PengYu Wang, Ella Chan, Emma Chen for grades 3 and 4; Irene Yitian Xue, Shizhen Jin (Andy), Chang Li for grades 5 and 6 and Ashley Pei, Jason Liu, Alexis Gu for the middle and high school group. The judges of this contest are all prestigious artists in the U.S., including Min Pan, a Hollywood film producer and

THE City of Burbank and Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) will join schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk and Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Several thousand students from schools throughout the District will be walking and rolling to school Wednesday morning

along with parents, teachers and the community. Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for an increased number of pedestrians and bicyclists between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling, and emphasize the importance of issues such as in-

creasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community. For additional information, please visit these websites: http:// www.walkbiketoschool.org and http://www.saferoutesinfo.org. ■

Property prices rise in Q2 — BSP PAGE B1 t

Lily Jimenez from the City Library is shown presenting awards to students.r

visual effect art director; and Jim Barry, an art director of the performing art department at Caltech. Over 200 pieces of art were collected from 37 cities in LA and Orange Counties, and they showed the enthusiasm of the community. From the artworks submitted for the contest, one can see that students have an outstanding level overall, and are full of imagination and creativity. The theme of this bookmark contest is “Reading takes you everywhere.” That is, through reading students’ creativity can be inspired, their talents can blossom, and their future can develop into boundless possibilities. The 2018 City

of Covina Bookmark Contest is expected to not only enhance children’s interest in reading, but also broaden their horizons on world cultures and history, raise their moral characters and become great citizens who can make contributions to their families, the societies and the country. After the award ceremony, all the students’ beautiful bookmark design designs will be displayed on the second floor at H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum. Theexhibition will be held from September 22 to October 7, 2018 free of charge. All arewelcome to visit it.■

Richmond “RJ” Del Rosario R ichmond “RJ” Del Rosario, age 35, went to be with the Lord on

Saturday, September 29, 2018, surrounded by family. He was born in the Philippines to parents Marissa and Abelardo Del Rosario and was the second of five children. In his early teen years, RJ developed a love for ballroom dancing. It is in that setting where he eventually met the love of his life, Crystalle Feliciano. Together, the couple had two beautiful children, Julian (6) and Scarlett (3). RJ is known by his family and friends as happy-go-lucky — always smiling and joking. His charm and energy were infectious and people loved him for it. Even after being diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma, RJ kept his smile and inspired people with his unshakeable faith in the Lord. Viewing for RJ will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3 and October 4, 2018 between 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary on 23287 North Sierra Hwy, Newhall, CA 91321. His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 5, between 1 p.m.2 p.m. at Saint Clare Catholic Church 19606 Calla Way, Canyon Country, CA 91351

comprising of single-detached/ attached house, duplex, townhouse and condominium unit based on data from housing loans granted by universal, commercial and thrift banks. The BSP said the average price of townhouses booked a doubledigit increase of 13.3 percent, followed by condominium units with 9.1 percent and single-detached housing units with 0.6 percent. Costs to acquire homes grew faster at 5.1 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR) as higher growth in prices of condominium units and townhouses offset the decline in prices of single-detached houses and duplexes. On the other hand, the average residential property prices in areas outside NCR climbed 4.1 percent compared to yearago prices due to higher prices

of townhouses, duplexes, single detached houses and condominium units. In the second quarter, the BSP said about seven in 10 or 77.1 percent residential real estate loans were intended for the purchase of new housing units. By type of housing unit, 46.1 percent of residential property loans were for the acquisition of condominium units, followed by single-detached units with 45.6 percent and townhouses with 7.8 percent. By area, condominium units were the most common house purchases in NCR, while singledetached houses were prevalent in areas outside the region. NCR accounted for 45.2 percent of the total number of residential real estate loans granted during the quarter, followed by CALABARZON with 27.9 percent, Central Luzon with 6.9 percent, Central Visayas with 5.9

percent, Western Visayas with five percent, Davao Region with 3.5 percent and Northern Mindanao with 1.7 percent. The BSP placed the real estate and project finance exposures of Philippine banks under tight watch after debt watchers and multilateral lending agencies raised the red flag over the possible overheating of the economy, The BSP’s Monetary Board has approved enhancements to the prudential reporting requirements in order to strengthen oversight of banks’ real estate and project finance exposures. Latest data from the BSP showed loans extended by big banks for real estate activities grew 15.6 percent to P1.32 trillion in end-August from P1.14 trillion in end August last year. The sector accounted for 16.8 percent of the total loans disbursed by universal and commercial banks.■

Developing people key to... PAGE B1 t ing it in “small, small steps each day.” Mentoring people this way accomplishes all the three major roles of a leader in a company or organization, as it enables people to think creatively in order to solve problems and make better decisions. “Coaching enables people to perform by unleashing your potential and enabling them to find the right solutions and take action on it get results,” Chee, who has mentored several company executives here in the Philippines and abroad across all industries, said.

Running and expanding a business requires putting the right people for the job, as well as entails inspiring people by setting a good example, talking and appreciating them on a regular basis, and putting attention to their talent. “When leaders and coaches consistently adopt effective approaches to strategic coaching and coaching for holistic happiness in work and life, they are able to reap the tremendous benefit of developing a high-performance organization with strongly engaged people that formulates and executes the right goals and strategies,” he added.

Recently, Chee gave a short talk and signed copies of his books “12 Disciplines of Leadership Excellence” and “The Leader’s Daily Role in Talent Management” at National Book Store in the Glorietta 1 mall in Makati City. Chee, the first Asian to be ranked in the top nine coaching gurus worldwide, alongside Serely Alcaraz, country head of ITD World Philippines, will be gracing the CEO, HR and Senior Leaders Conference in October. They will be joined by Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s leading executive coach and a bestselling author. (Manilatimes.net) ■

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCOTBER 3-5, 2018

The

Asian Journal

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 3, 2018

Rey Valera looks back at humble beginnings and successes The singer-songwriter shares how he creates, transcends music into having a life of its own by Rae

ann VaRona / AJPress

FILIPINOS have a soft spot for nostalgia and music — for reminiscing on happy times through the words and melodies of legendary Filipino musicians who contributed to the still present and popular genre of “Original Pop Music,” or OPM. It’s no doubt that many Filipinos light up when they hear the works of Rey Valera who is responsible for hits like “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko,” “Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako,” and “Pangako Sa’Yo” among many others. But for Valera — who is regularly seen as a judge on the hit Filipino show “Tawag ng Tanghalan” — remains self-effacing when talking about his success, despite the fact that many Filipinos look to his music when thinking of good times.

“I’m more inclined to think its more on hard work,” Valera told the Asian Journal during a stop in Los Angeles for a concert. The singer, songwriter, and producer had the day before performed at the 880-seat Aratani Theater with American singer and writer David Pomeranz. Valera’s entrance to the Philippine music scene came by way of one of the country’s major labels Vicor Music, which has been dubbed “The Home of Original Pilipino Music,” but was also responsible for creating a buzz around the Manila Sound and Pinoy Rock movements throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. After years of writing songs in the cemetery — a fact Valera nonchalantly shared — Valera got Vicor Music to listen to one of his songs. Vi-

Left to right: Asian Journal CEO Roger Oriel, Singer/songwriter Rey Valera, and Asian Journal President Cora Oriel in Los Angeles, California.

cor Music then decided to have the song recorded by famed Filipino singer Rico J. Puno who Valera said was one of his idols. Yet just as Valera got his foot in the door, Puno’s recording of the song never materialized, leaving the song without someone to sing it. What happened next though, caught Valera by surprise. “The recording company offered the same song to me, for me to sing — but that was not my focus,” Valera said while laughing. The song, “Ako si Superman” ended up being Valera’s musical introduction to the Philippine audience. With the success of the song, Vicor Music offered Valera a job as an inhouse songwriter which Valera said was more like studio work, and involved the task branding artists and formulating what kind of image they would have. Of his first assignments was the now megastar Sharon Cuneta who at the time was just entering her teenage years. Among those giving Valera the assignment was Cuneta’s uncle and current Philippine Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto. “He was my boss then,” Valera said of Sotto. “So I was in a lot of pressure thinking of how I could possibly make this little girl famous.” As Valera explained,

“Cuneta at the time was too young to sing love songs and too old to sing fairytales, or children’s songs.” It was during a jeepney ride back to Valera’s province in Bulacan that Valera thought of the song which would later turn out to be a classic, resung over and over again by new generations of Filipino singers. The song “Mr. DJ” which was sung by the young Cuneta instantly became a hit, blasting on the radios and speakers as a song relatable by Filipinos everywhere. “The truth is, both of us owe a lot to that song,” said Valera. “Mr. DJ” was of course then followed by the single “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” which also became a classic song for nostalgia and good vibes. “It was meant for someone young looking forward to getting old and hoping that all of this will happen when they get old,” he explained. “And now, they’re all old,” Valera said jokingly. Making ‘their song’ On what makes a great song, Valera says it’s all about the experience it gives to those listening. “People like to sing along, and I get that. As much as possible, I want my songs to be singable. Period,” said Valera, adding that he scraps songs he writes if the melody cannot easily be remembered

Friends and fans gather around Philippine artist Rey Valera at the Asian Journal office in Los Angeles, California.

Singer, songwriter, and producer Rey Valera at the Asian Journal office in Los Angeles, California on Monday, July 23 following a Los Angeles concert at the Aratani Theatre with American singer/songwriter David Pomeranz. AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

Rey Valera speaks with Asian Journal staff during a stop in Los Angeles.

after an hour. “I write songs for the people. To be simple. To get the message across,” continued Valera. “It becomes their song, not mine anymore. It becomes their theme song. It becomes their lives. It’s theirs.” Valera, whose songs have also become popular teleserye theme songs, said one hope for his work is that it transcends into having a life of its own. “Even if I no longer become popular, or whatever, the song is still their in their hearts and in their lives,” said Valera. “They can sing it anytime. When they hear it, they can still remember.” For the love of music “I love it really,” the self taught musician said of music.

Having grown up in a poor broken home, and without a strong moral compass, Valera shared that he turned to music for relief when he felt himself experiencing the typical inner anger and rage most young boys and teenagers do. “All I had was music. Me and my guitar, which I borrowed,” said Valera. “All the time that I had, all the frustration I had, were released in music.” Valera shared that his involvement with music at a young age not only served as a medium for finding solace, but as a life saver by keeping him out of trouble. “It saved my life, and until now, I can still earn money because of it,” said Valera. “Can you just imagine how lucky I can be?”

Vic on his journey through Regine Velasquez allegedly to judge ABS-CBN’s ‘The Voice PH’ fatherhood so far by allan

by Jan

PolicaRPio

Philstar.com

Inquirer.net

AS someone who’s “very private” about his personal life, Vic Sotto admitted that he was initially “a bit uneasy” about his wife, Pauleen Luna, sharing photos of their 11-month-old daughter, Tali, with the public on social media. “I used to tell her not to post too many photos of our child—for privacy,” he told select reporters at a recent photo shoot for his upcoming sitcom on GMA 7, “Daddy’s Gurl.” But when he found out that the posts about Tali cheer up a lot of fans, Vic eventually relented. Before long, he found himself looking forward to new posts. “Even I have been anticipating new updates! I got to read people’s comments, saying that they find the photos amusing; that Tali never fails to put a smile on their faces and make their days feel complete,” related Vic, who maintains a secret Instagram page that he opens once in a while to “stalk” his loved ones’ online activities. Yes, bashers pop up from time to time to spew negativity. “I just tell Pauleen to ignore or block netizens who are hurtful,” he said. “But you can’t do anything about that—social media is open for all.” It was apparent that the 64-year-old show biz icon is excited about having a tiny tot again. “My youngest then (Paulina) is already 26 or 27. So it has been a long time since I have had a baby,” he pointed out. Vic described Tali as a “very chill and happy baby,” who’s easy and a joy to take care of. “We’re lucky because she’s not like most babies who cry every hour or so. She no longer keeps us up at night, because she sleeps soundly—she goes to bed early and wakes up at 8 a.m. the next day,” he said. “I feel that she’s a very smart baby… You won’t be able to distract her

Milo SeVeRo

Vic and Pauleen Luna-Sotto with their baby Tali.

when she’s busy watching her favorite nursery rhymes show. She’s very focused; I would call her name repeatedly, but she would just ignore me. She has such a long attention span.” She has also started speaking syllables, Vic said, and calls him “Dada.” “Pauleen isn’t so pleased, though, because she calls her ‘ate,’ despite being taught to say ‘Mama.’ It cracks me up. Pauleen would tell me, ‘Ano ba ‘tong anak mo, ‘ate’ ang tawag sa ‘kin!’” Vic has seen Tali throw a full-blown tantrum only once so far. And that was when her first tooth was starting to come in. “She was in discomfort and had fever, so she was understandably feeling agitated. But that was only for a night,” Vic said. “When she’s not in the best of moods, I just sing to her, and that usually does the trick.” Asked what has been the toughest part of taking care of Tali, Vic jested, laughing, that carrying her makes his back hurt. “She weighs as much as a 10-year-old kid!” he said of his chubby baby. “She’s actually a

RELIABLE sources from ABS-CBN exclusively told Philstar.com that the transfer of “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez from GMA to ABSCBN is already “sure,” and that the singer-actress’ alleged first project as a Kapamilya will be to become a judge in the hit reality TV singing competition “The Voice PH.” During the first ABS-CBN Ball last Saturday, September 29, in Makati City, Kapamilya singers expressed their excitement about the possibility of the alleged transfer. Morissette hopes that the rumored transfer is true. In an interview with the media during the first ever ABS-CBN Ball, Morissette said working with Regine in the Kapamilya network is something she looks Photo from Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto forward to. “Kasi siyempre the chances bit overweight and is now on a diet. Whenever we bring Tali to be able to work with her dito sa Kapamilya network is someto the pediatrician, he would thing na hindi lang ako pero a go, ‘O, lumaki na naman ’to!’ lot of singers dito nilo-look for“We were advised not to ward talaga, so I’m excited po feed her formula all the time, talaga kung mangyayari talaga,” and instead give her fresh Morissette said. milk. I don’t think it made A true-born Regine fan, the much of a difference, though! singer said the Kapuso diva is She has also started eating a very humble person, so she solid food. She eats whatever deserves to be on the top of her you give her.” Turning serious, Vic said he career. “Ever since I could rememfinds it hard to leave Tali for ber, to the point na I was still extended periods of time. younger noong sumasali pa ako “A few months back, Pauleen and I went to London and sa mga singing contests, songs stayed there for 10 days. She’s talaga ni Miss Regine ang nilalanot a crib baby; she sleeps be- ban ko. I got to work with her sa side us. I missed that,” he said. concert ko sa Araneta, and she’s a very humble person, kaya deLuckily, Tali is now old serve niya lahat ng nangyayari enough to travel, so Vic and sa kanya,” Amon said. Pauleen take her with them She can even recall some of when possible. the tips Regine gave her. “So far, she has been “Sabi niya, i-enjoy lang to Cebu, Siargao and Hong talaga ito. Take as much as you Kong,” he said. “I’m not sure can and bring it sa lahat ng jourif she’s going to remember ney mo,” Morisette said. anything, though.” Also at the ABS-CBN Ball As a mother, Pauleen is red carpet, Jaya admitted “focused,” “doting” and, as it turned out, quite the events that she knows things on the rumored network transfer of her planner. “Tali is turning 1 in friend Regine, but she does not November, but she started want to spill any beans. calling up suppliers and venIn an interview with Philstar. ues as early as April!”

Regine Velasquez

GMA photo

com, the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” judge said: “Of course I know a few things here and there, pero I’ll reserve that for her to answer.” But if the major transfer happens, Jaya said it will be great for Regine as well as for her. “That’s great. Ito na nga. Sama-sama na ‘pag nagkataon no?” she said. The singer added that the “Asia’s Songbird” is ready for something new in her career. “And I know she’s ready for something new, changes, open doors. I mean, how open can it be for Regine? Everything’s open for her. She’s the biggest and the best artist, so I’m really excited for her kung ano man ang mangyari, definitely ikatutuwa ‘yun ng mga fans,” she said. Jaya is excited on the possible reunion of GMA 7 singers in the Kapamilya network as she, Ogie Alcasid, and Janno Gibbs are already onboard. “Oh my goodness! Oo nga ang dami naming taga-GMA dati! I’m crossing my fingers. Kahit ako na-eexcite just thinking about na, if ever magmove siya sa ABS, mag-guest kami tapos kakanta. I’m looking forward to that. Nothing is impossible,” she said. Nievera will be openly welcoming Velasquez to the Kapamilya network once the

rumor is true. In an interview with the media during the ball, Martin said ABS-CBN is always open to anyone. “Is it for real? Is it a rumor? So, she is the very special guest then. The Kapamilya channel has always been open to anyone and everyone. ‘Asia’s Songbird,’ for me, is a plus,” Martin said. The rumored transfer, for Martin, showed that the Kapamilya network is loved by artists. “It shows you how much the station is loved because she is the queen from where she was. I’ve got nothing against GMA 7, but the fact that we have now received their major blessing, I think is a plus here in ABSCBN,” he said. He is looking forward to share the stage with Regine. “My very first station is GMA 7 as well, so it’s a reunion of sorts. And I think just like any bird, she’s just flying around and now, she’s perched on the tower of ABS-CBN. And I’m glad she’s landed on ABS-CBN. We’re very happy to have her,” Martin said. The possibility of working with her stepmother Regine in the Kapamilya network also excites Ogie’s daughter, Leila. In an interview with the media during the ball, Leila said she heard about the rumor. “I actually don’t know too much about it because they actually keep it out of the kids, I guess. But if ever, I’m all about family, and for me it’ll be fun, but I don’t know. It will be cool,” Leila said. When asked if she is willing to share the stage with her stepmom on the variety show “ASAP,” Leila said it will be cool. “If ever that chance came along. I don’t know if I can do her worthy,” she said. Leila stunned the crowd with her outfit and this time, she did not walk in the red carpet with her dad. “You know what, this year, I’m gonna go from a baby to a young lady. It’s growing time. But actually, we’re here together. I guess he just wants me to be independent,” she said.

entertainment Jake Zyrus gives a detailed look into his life The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 3, 2018

by Kara

Ortiga Philstar.com

JAKE Zyrus’ autobiography reveals some tough truths about the state of gender, poverty, and fame in the Philippines. He opens with a detailed look into his successful top surgery, walks us through three suicide attempts, and then dinners at David Foster’s. “My boobs were gone. I couldn’t believe it.” This is how the first chapter of “I am Jake” — the autobiography of Jake Zyrus — opens, and after this, it’s impossible to put the book down. “This was not the first time I woke up on a hospital bed. In the past, I had woken up from failed suicide attempts. I tried to kill myself thrice, gulping down fistfuls of sleeping pills I always had in abundance.” When we met with Jake for the first time to shoot him for the cover of Supreme last year, he was a little bit more reserved. He had just announced his transition to the public, including his choice of name, and everyone was abuzz about it. Today, having just told his most unabridged story yet, he looks more aloof and confident, he is chatty and acts loosely, he just radiates a good energy. And when you leaf through the pages of his book, you will understand why. The book is not so much a celebrity profile as it is a deeply personal survivor‘s story: painfully taking us through his journey from his childhood living with poverty and abuse, to running around Hollywood circles meeting people like Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus and Aaron Carter, to the long struggle of acceptance within, to finally come out, and to transition. “Of course I’ve always wanted to share my story with everybody,” he tells us just last week as we were at his book launch in Quezon City. “Dati pa, sa US pa lang… but it was harder then, siyempre kelangan

Jake Zyrus

’yung story mo sugarcoated. Ngayon mas open ’yung mind ko sa lahat, mas nagkaroon na ako ng lakas ng loob dahil din sa mga tao na nakikita ko, especially mga kabataan ngayon, ’pag nakikita ko ano ’yung reason ’bat nila tini-take lives nila, sabi ko, oh no… like almost the same reason why I tried to take mine. If only malaman nila ’yung story ko...” His autobiography could possibly be the most important piece of contemporary nonfiction of this time, as it walks us through numerous issues that need to be addressed. Unintentionally, Jake’s life is rife with them: LGBTQ acceptance, complex family situations, fame, living in poverty, and how all of these affect a child…Yet his story is not written with self-pity — begging for some kind of commiseration. In fact, he recalls the abuse of his mom when he was a kid with lighthearted humor, remembering the names he would assign to her blows towards him. “The Helicopter” is when she grabs your hair and furiously swings your head around. “The Remote Control” is when she forces your mouth open with a remote control. “The Boxing” is when she punches you hard in the stomach because you can’t hit the high notes. He just puts it out there as fact, and we are left with our jaws dropped. But he

Photo from Instagram/@jakezyrusmusic

tells his story not for the sake of it, but in the hopes that it will save someone else. You don’t need to be a fan to appreciate this book. Charice Pempengco made significant contributions to pop culture. I actually kind of forgot about this until the part where Jake recounts the dinners Charice would attend at David Foster’s house, how she and her mom were pulled out of the plane to meet with Oprah without makeup, and how she played a part in the show “Glee” at the height of its success. In the book, Jake recalls that it was actually David Foster who outted him in one of his private dinners, to an audience composing Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, and Kenny G. “I watched as everyone in the room stood up and began clapping for us. Barbara even walked up to me and gave me a hug. Then, she held my chubby face in her hands and said, ‘Oh darling, I’m so happy for you!’” “They treated me like… they just celebrated,” shares Jake. “That night they made me feel na kung sino man ako ay normal. They talked about it for a minute, and the next minute they moved on. That made me realize na parang — ang sarap sa feeling. The way they reacted, that made me realize Continued on Page 4

Film director Mike De Leon slams ABS-CBN Ball

entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 3, 2018

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Kris Aquino announced that she would not seek any national elective post in 2019.

Photo from Facebook/Kris Aquino

Kris Aquino flies to Singapore for further treatment by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

“QUEEN of All Media” Kris Aquino recently gave an update on her medical condition because for her, “it takes a lot of courage to be honest.” In a lengthy Instagram post, Kris shared: “all tests for any tumor markers were negative.” “Because of my very evident weight loss i had tests done to specifically answer that fear. Atty Fortun’s statement about my treatment w/ prescription medication for hypertension, severe allergies, and migraine remains true,” Kris said. “But we flew to Singapore to see one specialist for 3 areas of my health that needed to be immediately addressed with appropriate treatment for me to have the best chance to regain my health,” she added. Kris also said that she and her son Bimby “googled” medical terms, so her son will understand what may lie ahead

because “some tests done in the Philippines last week was no longer as good as those from San Francisco in March 2018.” “My 11 year old needed the assurance that his mama would fight bravely because my tests start tomorrow,” she added. She also said that like her mom Cory, she will also fight for her children unconditionally but will completely surrender to God’s merciful care. She then asked for prayers not for her but for her two sons. “I don’t dare ask you to pray for me- i now completely surrender to God’s merciful care. Pero kakapalan ko po ang mukha ko at makikiusap: please PRAY for my 2 sons, Josh and Bimb...kahit sinong magulang maiintindihan po ako, gagawin natin ang lahat wag lang masaktan, ma-agrabyado, o mahirapan ang mga pinakamamahal nating mga anak. Isasakripisyo natin ang lahat masiguradong

okay sila. That’s what happens when you become a parent, you wholeheartedly surrender being number 1,” she said. Recently, her lawyer Sigrid Fortun released a press statement that she will fly to Singapore to obtain appropriate medical assessment. “Medical tests she took locally on September 21 and 26 require a more comprehensive set of tests that are currently not available in the country,” the statement said. “During her meetings with her lawyers over the past days, she has given specific and strict instructions on the manner by which she intends to safeguard assets she had acquired and investments she had made. As one of the country’s consistently top taxpayer, she prefers that nothing will be left to chance to protect those she had set aside and those she had proposed to acquire for the future of her sons, Josh and Bimby,” the statement added.

VETERAN movie director Mike De Leon, known for movies such as “Batch 81” and “Citizen Jake,” criticized the recently concluded ABS-CBN Ball. In the Facebook page of “Citizen Jake” where he is the administrator, Mike asked if the people really needed the glamorous ball. He compared it to Imelda Marcos’ parties back then. “Many people will not like this question but I have to ask it – In these dark times of murder and hunger, who really needs the ABS-CBN ball? Bread and Circuses again a la Imelda Marcos,” the veteran director wrote. Netizens commented on the post. “Direk kaya love na love kita eh! U got that spunk to speak out... Kaso privately funded po iyan hindi government funds,” a netizen said. “Thank you Geri, pero hindi nga yun ang point. Privately funded nga, but there are more sensible ways to promote a noble cause. Parang yung sinabi ni Marie Antoinette nung naghihirap na ang mga Pranses at walang makain, ‘Let them eat cake,’” the director

Ryan Bang and Vice Ganda at the ABS-CBN Ball press room.

replied. “It was a fund raising event at the same time for abused children,” another netizen commented. “So why exploit abused children further? Anyway, as I said, many will not like the question. Pero please naman, don’t be naive. It’s just showbiz exploitation. Kung Hollywood pa, ok lang siguro, but in third world country like ours?” De Leon replied. ABS-CBN Ball aimed to raise funds for Bantay Bata 163 and to re-launch Bantay Bata’s Children’s Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Philstar.com photo by Erwin Cagadas Jr.

The celebrities who graced the event wore blue ribbons to promote prevention of child abuse. “Bato-bato sa langit... ang tamaan... At salamat sa lahat ng mga nag-comment. It should now become even more clear to thinking Filipinos that religion is no longer the opium of the people, it is showbiz. People now become more upset by a legitimate question about priorities (like this ball) than the politcal helhole we all find ourselves in presently. We are truly a damaged people. Kaawa-awang Pilipinas...” Mike said.

Piolo Pascual pushing through with Marawi movie by iza igleSiaS ManilaTimes.net

MORE and more documentaries have been tackling real-life battles exploding in parts of the Philippines—from the Mamasapano clash, which took the lives of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers on January 25, 2015 to the Marawi siege that started on May 23, 2017, ending five months later but leaving thousands of residents displaced. To this very day, countless Filipinos in Mindanao are still reeling and recovering from the effects of the war a piercing gaze, the actor’s by SaMantha Beltran in Marawi, a miserable and physical attributes are industryPhilstar.com unjust situation which a trio approved, yet there’s someof influential personalities thing about Jake that’s almost DON’T think of Jake believe should be brought to like a chameleon — someone Cuenca as the spoiled mama’s the public eye and hopefully who can switch from a menacboy-slash-soldier Dave from addressed. the 2009 teleserye hit, “Tayong ing tough guy to dashing hero Thus began the patriotic in a blink of an eye. Dalawa”. Nor is the actor the project of top actor Piolo Pas“I always look for someinsidious demon Lizardo from cual and box office director thing different in my roles. last year’s Metro Manila Film Joyce Bernal who are behind Fest entry “Ang Panday”. In an I don’t like doing the same maverick production outfit industry that tends to highlight thing over and over again,” Spring Films, together with Jake shares, adding that the binaries, and where actors are action star Robin Padilla titled last thing he’d want is to be seen as an extension of their pigeonholed into one role. His “Children of the Lake.” characters, Jake Cuenca is An advocacy project that knack for switching up characneither good guy nor bad. has been much talked about ters for variety also spills over Since his appearance on since first announced in Januto his personal style, which he teen show “Click” in 2003 says is influenced by his current ary, a number of controverand his subsequent move to ABS-CBN, Jake is undoubtedly roles. “If they need me to look sies have plagued the very relevant production lately. The like a leading man, then I’ll one of this generation’s most first is how the movie’s original look like it. But if I’m a villain, recognizable stars. With fair director, Zamboanga native or they need me to look like skin, a chiseled physique and Sheron Dayoc — best known a rock star, I’ll grow my hair for the award-winning 2016 long,” Jake elaborates. Muslim drama, “Women of the Still, perhaps no other role Weeping River”— suddenly is as nuanced or complex as resigned from the project. his theatrical debut in SandDayoc had joined the box Collective’s adaptation production team for several of “Lungs”, a two-person play months on oculars to Groud by English playwright Duncan Zero to prepare for shootMacMillan. Described by The ing, but on September 17 he Guardian as a “distinctive, announced on his Facebook off-kilter love story” that is page that he had left his post. “brutally honest, funny, edgy “I have officially resigned and current,” “Lungs” is an intimate conversation between from the Marawi film project ‘Children of the Lake’ proa couple, a dissection of their duced by Spring Films. My relationship as they decide professional career started whether or not to have a child and [was]rooted in telling amidst the complications of narratives of the marginalized today’s world. Muslim Mindanao and this It’s an undertaking that’s project is no longer reflective been long overdue for Jake, of my beliefs as a Mindanao who studied theater and storyteller. The producers and performing arts in the United I have totally different perStates a while back. “To be spectives on how the story of in theater was (my) goal ever Marawi should be told,” the since,” Jake notes. “That was my advice to younger actors in director posted. Taking a firm stand, he showbiz — if you’re not getting continued, “This isn’t a love any roles in TV and film, do theater, because it’s the purest story, horror or comedy film form of acting. I almost felt like that I would openly compromise. This is such a sensitive a hypocrite because I’d never subject matter and the story done theater; I studied it but must be treated with pruI never did it.” The actor laments that his packed schedule dence in respect to all the during his younger days simply lives lost during the war in didn’t allow him to do theater. Marawi. I fought for what I Now, however, he’s ready. “I’m believe is right on how to tell ready for this at this time in my this story. I could be wrong, but I could also be right; but life. They’d offered me plays certainly I need to…[take]a before, but I just didn’t have stand. I wish Spring Films the the time to (do it) — now, I best and I hope they will make don’t get overwhelmed with a very hectic schedule anymore. When I decided to do this play, I really made time for it.” Jake adds that having reached this point in his career allows him From Page 3 some leeway to take on special na kelangan talaga, whoever projects that he wouldn’t have you are, artista ka man o hindi, gotten away with in the past. kung anuman trabaho mo, it’s “I started in this industry 16 really important to know who years ago, struggling. To be you are and accept who you where I’m at right now, I’m are. Kasi ’yung feeling na inavery blessed and thankful, and accept nila ako, pero ikaw hindi to have the opportunity to do all of it and experience all of it, mo ina-accept sarili mo… dun Continued on Page 5 nag uumpisa ’yung struggle. So

Jake Cuenca and his many faces

Jake Cuenca Photo from Instagram/@juancarloscuenca

Piolo Pascual

a Marawi film that is truthful and beneficial to the Marawi people, especially the victims of war,” he concluded. With Pascual and Padilla in the cast, Bernal who previously served as creative producer, is now de facto director of “Children of the Lake”. Pascual released a statement regarding the only major change in the project so far, stressing in an interview this week that the movie will push through and will open in as planned in May 2019, the anniversary of the Battle of Marawi. “She’s taking over [from Dayoc],” he said of his good friend and business partner Bernal. “That’s why we released a statement [about the replacement]. We’ve known it. There were creative differences [with Dayoc]—it’s sad but what can we do? We have to focus on the film because this movie is not about us—it is about Marawi and that’s all we have to say on the matter.” Reiterating everything is green and go, Pascual furthered, “We are still on schedule. As I’ve said before, we were not allowed to shoot for a month because there were still IEDs (improvised explosive devices) undiscovered in the area so safety-wise, we were advised by the AFP not to shoot so we had to wait. It turned out to be a good thing for us because we had time to work further on the script. But as soon as October rolls in, shooting will begin.” Fresh from signing his contract renewal with Mega Sardines, the 41-year-old actor-producer also took the opportunity at the well-attended event to clarify that the movie is not political like others have suggested. “We are not political and

this is not a political film. We are not affiliated with any government agency. We needed to ask the Armed Forces for support for our safety, some businessmen to invest kasi ang laki ng budget na kailangan, and ABS-CBN is pitching in to help us. But that’s it.” Responsible now not just to portray his role in the movie but to be sure to return their investors’ money, with the rest of the profits to be completely turned over for the rehabilitation of Lanao del Sur’s capital, Pascual admits the project is a huge gamble. “It’s risky on many levels—even our safety is a concern—but when you’re doing something as noble as this, you don’t think of that. You think of the advocacy. This is for the foundation—for Kuya Robin’s foundation which needs P200 million to build houses for the displaced families who are still in evacuation centers.” Besides a genuine intention to help our countrymen in the south, Pascual further shared why he felt compelled to produce “Children of the Lake”. “I’ve always been apathetic about the political situation in the country but when I went to Marawi and saw first-hand what’s happening there, nakakatakot. It was and continues to be a realization for me that you cannot just turn a blind eye anymore and that we have to do something so this barbarism doesn’t happen ever again.” “Children of the Lake” also stars Mylene Dizon, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Sid Lucero, Ronnie Lazaro, Ronnie Quizon, Mark Anthony Celebrado, Marc Felix, Jessi Mendoza, and Mariam Zimadar.

Jake Zyrus gives a... ’yun ’yung perfect moment na minahal ko sarili ko kasi minahal din nila ako.” Today, Jake considers it the perfect time to tell his story. That it couldn’t have happened at another point in his life. “Lahat kasi perfect timing. Hindi lang sa events na nangyari sa life ko, (pero dahil) may peace

of mind na ako, masaya na ako. Ganun pala talaga no ’pag iniisip mo — when you’re really happy with who you are, mas magaan ’yung lahat. I made the book not for myself, kasi obviously pinagdaanan ko na siya, but for other people. Na ma-realize nila na survival book siya.”

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 3, 2018

Sam Concepcion says not meeting expectations led to breakup with Kiana Valenciano by AlfrEd

BAylE Inquirer.net

The beautiful Church of the Beatitudes by Emil

PErito

OVERLOOKING the vast Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum in Israel is the beautiful Church of the Beatitudes; settled on a small hill, and built on the traditional site believed to be where Jesus delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7, and Luke 6). An unmissable destination for those traveling to the Holy Land, pilgrimages to the site are known to have been happening since as early as the 4th century. After describing the Church of the Loaves and Fishes in her 4th century travel account of the Holy Land, the early Spanish pilgrim Egeria

wrote of the place, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Near there on a mountain is the cave to which the Saviour climbed and spoke the Beatitudes.â&#x20AC;? The current Church of the Beatitudes was built by Franciscans in 1938, and was designed by the Franciscan monk and architect Antonio Barluzzi who gave the church its Byzantine architecture. A look up gives view to the gold mosaic that lines the inner dome and arched portico. Mosaic tiles also span the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s floor with the latest mosaic designs by Italian Vaso Nasorri who created the floors in 1984. Parts of the original mosaic are displayed in Capernaum. Exploring outside, ruins of

Jake Cuenca and...

From Page 4 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very lucky,â&#x20AC;? he says. Aside from the right timing, Jake also calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lungsâ&#x20AC;? the perfect first play, finding himself in his element with the project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you had put me in a musical, then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d really be outside my element,â&#x20AC;? he says, adding â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lungsâ&#x20AC;&#x153; is more up my alley because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s straight acting. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also very intimate, more or less like looking at a relationship under a microscope. (The play) was more close to home than anything else.â&#x20AC;? And speaking of being close to home, Jake admitted that part of what drew him to the material was how he related to it personally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(When) I first read it, I was like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wow, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in this situation so many times before.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It reminded me a lot of my last relationship in terms of dealing with someone who has anxiety, and trying to understand that and the over-processing of things. So it was something I related to a lot.â&#x20AC;? With 90 minutes of pure, uninterrupted dialogue, much of the story and energy rests on the shoulders of Jake and his co-star, stage actress Sab Jose, who was most recently seen in the musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eto Na! Musikal nAPOâ&#x20AC;?. Jake has nothing but good words for his co-

star, describing their working relationship as easy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously we had to build chemistry together, which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hard at allâ&#x20AC;Ś Basically when we first met we were strangers, and now, (for our roles) weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the middle of a four-year relationship. (So) going through a whole relationship, that was the challenging part in the beginning. But it was very easy because Sabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really cool.â&#x20AC;? Unlike his roles onscreen, he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to look far for reference. Where television roles tend to be homogenous and clear-cut â&#x20AC;&#x201D; leading man, scorned suitor, psycho killer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; his onstage character is more grounded, with more gray areas, which makes him all the more relatable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this one, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have to go outside the box. Not like the roles Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing in TV or film where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing a psychopath, or a killer guyâ&#x20AC;Ś I really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to go far off-base, I just went with really myself, I found myself within the script.â&#x20AC;? Try to fit Jake Cuenca into a box and you might end up disappointed. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neither hero nor villain, yet he is the sum of all his roles combined: complex and multi-faceted. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best anyone can aspire to be.

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a smaller Byzantine era church dating to the late 4th century remain nearby, and contain a rock-cut cistern underneath. Also nearby are the remains of a small monastery. The beautiful Church of the Beatitudes was also visited by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II who conducted Mass at the church during their pastoral visits to the Holy Land. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our private pilgrimages to the Holy Land in March and October 2019. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit us at www.airplustravel.net.

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SAM Concepcion admitted to not meeting expectations as one of the many factors for his breakup with Kiana Valenciano. While Valenciano chose to stay mum about the issue, Concepcion admitted to his faults, which contributed to the end of their relationship. He also clarified there was no third party involved nor was it an issue of not having enough time for each other. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think maybe just right now, it started to become difficult and marami kasing (thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of) factors that came into play. Just individually, I know I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet a lot of expectationsâ&#x20AC;Ś,â&#x20AC;? said the actor in an interview on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonight with Boy Abunda.â&#x20AC;? Concepcion noted that there were still a lot of things that he needed to fix about himself for him â&#x20AC;&#x153;to be completely happy and for that happiness to be shared.â&#x20AC;? The actor said the breakup was difficult for both him and Valenciano. Yet despite the circumstances, the two former

Sam Concepcion

couple are still on speaking terms. Concepcion said that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be strangers to each other. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been together for quite a while. I thought we were really good. Even when it comes down to just us indi-

Photo from Instagram/@sam_concepcion

vidually, we were really well together and we had a lot of really good times,â&#x20AC;? explained Concepcion. For now, Concepcion said they are sorting through the difficulties of their ended relationship one day at a time.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 3, 2018