Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 18 - No. 38 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway...and Online!
O C T O BE R 4 - 1 0 , 2 0 1 9
1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com
Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Duterte: Too early to react to proposed US DATELINE USA Barriers to answering entry ban on ofďŹ cials in De Lima detention FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
2020 Census within AAPI community addressed
“EASY, safe and important.� Those are three words officials want the public to remember ahead of the 2020 Census, after various groups raised concerns about confidentiality and accessibility to the questionnaire at a recent event for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) media in South Pasadena, California. “Your answers are protected by law...and will not be used against you by law enforcement agencies like [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] (ICE) and the FBI,� Julie Lam, Los Angeles regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau, said. Under Title 13, Census Bureau employees take an oath to protect the information and offenders will be penalized, Lam added.
u PAGE A2
Young Fil-Am professionals chosen for PH immersion program WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy under the leadership of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), is pleased to announce the 2019 FYLPRO Delegates. Due to an overwhelming response in highquality applicants this year, the traditional number of ten delegates has been increased to fifteen (15) to reflect the growth of the Filipino-American population and the expansion of the FYLPRO program. The 2019 FYLPRO
by ALEXIS
ROMERO Philstar.com
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte thinks it is premature to react to a proposal by two American senators to bar Philippine officials involved in the detention of his fierce critic Sen. Leila de Lima from entering the United States. Duterte noted that the proposal by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is not yet an act of state because it has yet to secure the nod of the entire American Senate. “I have the best adjective for that pero at this
time...Hilaw pa ‘yan eh (It’s still raw). When it becomes ripe, then I will say my piece,� the president told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 before departing for Russia Tuesday, October 1. “I do not deal individually with the congressman or senators there. It’s not yet ripe. It is not an act of state. It does not carry the mandate of the entire Senate. So if there is one or two or three who says that these things exist in the Philippines, let them,� he added. Duterte, who previously lambasted the U.S. for supposedly meddling in Philippine affairs, said he
would talk to U.S. President Donald Trump once the American Congress approves the Leahy-Durbin amendment. “These are the voices of members of a committee. And if that committee will report the resolution to the plenary and the plenary would adopt or join them, and that would be the act of Congress,� the president said. “I cannot help them in their ignorance. So if they decide to report it out of the committee to the plenary for adoption... it is now ripe, it becomes a matter now between two states, then that is the time
u PAGE A2
DFA hits back at states backing Iceland resolution by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com
DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has prohibited representatives of his department from attending the national day celebrations of countries that favored an Iceland-initiated resolution seeking to investigate President Duterte’s war on drugs. Locsin said he supports Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s call to exempt the Department of National Defense (DND) from the suspension of financial assistance from 18 countries that supported the Iceland resolution. “I support Lorenzana. Only the military knows what the military needs and how to protect our country,� Locsin said in a tweet on Monday night, September 30. No DFA representative showed up at the traditional diplomatic toasts for the Bastille Day and French National Day at the official residence of the French ambassador in
u PAGE A2
u PAGE A3
DUTERTE IN RUSSIA. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a warm welcome from Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev upon his arrival at the Vnukovo Military Base Airport in Moscow, Russian Federation on Wednesday, October 2. Duterte left for Russia on Tuesday, October 1, upon the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders will intensify cooperation in areas of security and defense, combating terrorism and violent extremism, and addressing transnational crimes . MalacaĂąang photo by King Rodriguez
Robredo ‘hopeful’ amid possible 2020 national budget ‘pork-free’ decision on Marcos’ electoral protest tors can finally see the budget for themselves,� he said. The House also introduced THE House of Representatives a few changes in the outlay beon Tuesday, October 1, transmit- fore submitting the budget to the ted the proposed P4.1-trillion Senate. The changes are augmentanational budget for 2020 to the Senate ahead of the month-long tions given to 12 agencies — break beginning Oct. 4 for its P3.5 billion for the Department of Agriculture’s palay procureconsideration and approval. According to Deputy Speaker Neptali M. Gonzales II of Mandaluyong City, the spending plan is “pork-free,� inviting the Senate to “see for themselves.� “Again and again, we contend that it is a pork-free budget as we strictly confined ourselves to the decision of the Supreme Court Vice President Leni Robredo Contributed photo which declared the PDAF (Pridential Electoral Tribunal (PET), ing by less than 220,000 votes. ority Development Assistance Last September 6, Chief Jus- Fund) unconstitutional and prois handling Marcos’ protests. He ran against Robredo in the last tice Lucas Bersamin said that the hibited the post-enactment iden!.$2%7 " 3(). 2016 Presidential elections, losu PAGE A2 tification of projects. Now, senaby RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
by GABRIEL
PABICO Inquirer.net
LALU
VICE President Leni Robredo is hoping for a favorable decision on the electoral protest lodged by former Senator Bongbong Marcos, in view of expectations that the Supreme Court (SC) might release its decision on Tuesday, October 1. “We cannot speak ahead of the court’s decision and I can’t discuss the case’s merits, but we hope for a favorable decision considering that we know what happened during the entire process,� Robredo, who was attending the 14th National Convention on Statistics in Pasig City, said in an ambush interview. The SC, sitting as the Presi-
Palace: We are against any intrusion into the sovereign affairs of our land wouldn’t permit any assault on Philippine sovereignty. According to Carpio, China MALACAÑANG on Thursday, would push for the signing of a September 26, dismissed Su- code of conduct for South China preme Court Senior Associate Sea claimants after reclaiming the Justice Antonio Carpio’s warning shoal because such code would that China would reclaim Panatag stop the building of anything in (Scarborough) Shoal, maintaining the area, thereby legitimizing that President Rodrigo Duterte u PAGE A3 by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
ment fund, P1 billion each for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, P800 million for the Department of Education, and P500 million each for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Philippine General Hospital; National Electrification
u PAGE A3
We can help you!
)FMQJOH UIF JOKVSFE BOE UIFJS MPWFE POFT
LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW B. SHIN 8PSL *OKVSJFT t̓"VUPNPCJMF "DDJEFOU
CALL:
(408) 615-1155
www.injuryattorneydirect.com
A
OCTOBER 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Robredo ‘hopeful’ amid possible decision...
ELDERLY FILIPINO WEEK. Hundreds of elderly folks from various government agencies and non-government organizations gather in celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, October 1. The annual event aims to increase public awareness on different issues concerning the elderly. This year’s theme “Healthy and Productive Aging Starts With ME” seeks to promote the health, wellness and productivity of senior citizens. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Barriers to answering 2020 Census within AAPI... PAGE A1 The census, which is done every 10 years, will become available in March 2020 when households will be able to respond to the questionnaire online, over the phone or by mail — three available options intended to increase participation. Some of the questions include how many individuals live at a particular address, whether the home is rented or owned, and age, sex and race/ethnicity of each resident. AAPIs are the least familiar with the census and are the least likely to report their intention to fill it out, according to a Census Bureau study released earlier this January. The analysis also found that there are five main barriers that might prevent people from participating: concerns about data privacy and confidentiality; fear of repercussions; distrust in government; lack of efficacy; and belief that there is no personal benefit. To capture the AAPI population, the Bureau will be launching “an integrated communications campaign,” Lam said, that consists of advertising in five Asian languages, partnerships and trusted influencers. In August, the Bureau re-
leased the Census tagline and logo in 12 languages, including Tagalog: “Bigyang hugis ang inyong kinabukasan. MAGSIMULA DITO (Shape your future. START HERE).” “The Asian taglines were not intended to simple, direct translations, but instead, developed with careful consideration in a uniquely and culturally way to speak directly to our respective Asian audiences,” said Tim Wang, founder of Asian American audience partner TDW+Co. Ivy Dulao, a Tagalog spokesperson for the 2020 Census in Los Angeles, highlighted what’s at stake for the Filipino American community. “The biggest challenge that I expect from the Filipino community...is really not understanding the importance of the census,” Dulao said. The results from the census help determine the number of seats each state gets in Congress, as well as how over $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed for services like infrastructure and educational grants, for example. “Census data will tell us who we are and what we need,” Lam said. Dulao added that in the coming months, building partnerships
//",
with key partners, such as schools, churches and non-profits, is a priority as these are voices in the community who can encourage Filipino Americans to fill out the census. In past rounds, language barriers have hindered various groups from participating, however, the 2020 form will be available in five Asian languages, including Tagalog, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Language guides are also accessible in a total of 59 non-English languages. Dulao said that in addition to Tagalog, Ilocano is a language option as well. “That’s why we are also building partnerships with other organizations who have the capacity to speak other languages as well in the community,” she said. Another way community members can get involved with the census is through flexible job opportunities, such as census takers. The goal is to count everyone once and in the right place. Field takers will start visiting residents from mid-May to August if they haven’t responded through any of the three options. The official counts are scheduled to be delivered to the president by December. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress) n
9Ê /Ê 7
* "9
/Ê 7
* - /" Ê Óx®Ê Èn {ÎÓx
, Ê " 7 7 7°
- 1 / / " 6
1 6 7° "
PAGE A1 SC would release a report on the electoral protest soon. Robredo said she is hoping that he court can resolve the issue soon, implying that certain camps have been using it to propagate lies about the recount. “Actually we have been waiting for the decision to come out, in fact, a few months ago we already filed a motion asking the court to act on it, because the recount has been finished already,” she explained. “As I have said in the past, as long as the case is pending, there is a platform for them to spread propaganda which most of the time is fake news. So we hope it is decided upon,” she added. In his protest filed in June 2016, Marcos said Robredo’s victory had been the “products of electoral frauds, anomalies and irregularities,” as his votes were altered to make it appear that he lost to Robredo. The two camps also fought over the shading threshold — or the amount of shade a ballot gets before it is considered a valid vote. Robredo’s camp sought for a 25-shading threshold, which SC eventually adopted. Importance of the case Robredo underscored the importance of the case, as it puts to test the country’s electoral system. “This is a test, it is not just a fight between the two of us. This is a test of the entire electoral process, a test of the justice system, so the main issue here is bigger than both of us that’s why it is important,” she explained. “This is the electoral process that said President [Rodrigo Duterte] won the elections, this is the same process that pronounced incumbent official as winners. If
we do not believe in the system, then it is like saying the officials won erroneously,” she added. The vice president noted that she still trusts the system, although she admitted that there are concerns about claims of victory from the Marcos side. “If we look at the propaganda of the Marcos camp, they are already claiming victory, claiming that the justices would side with them. But for us, we have to trust the justice system and wait for the PET’s decision,” Robredo said. “The decision would be based the court can resolve the issue soon, implying that certain camps have been using it to propagate lies about the recount. “Actually we have been waiting for the decision to come out, in fact, a few months ago we already filed a motion asking the court to act on it, because the recount has been finished already,” she explained. “As I have said in the past, as long as the case is pending, there is a platform for them to spread propaganda which most of the time is fake news. So we hope it is decided upon,” she added. In his protest filed in June 2016, Marcos said Robredo’s victory had been the “products of electoral frauds, anomalies and irregularities,” as his votes were altered to make it appear that he lost to Robredo. The two camps also fought over the shading threshold — or the amount of shade a ballot gets before it is considered a valid vote. Robredo’s camp sought for a 25-shading threshold, which SC eventually adopted. Importance of the case Robredo underscored the importance of the case, as it puts to test the country’s electoral system.
“This is a test, it is not just a fight between the two of us. This is a test of the entire electoral process, a test of the justice system, so the main issue here is bigger than both of us that’s why it is important,” she explained. “This is the electoral process that said President [Rodrigo Duterte] won the elections, this is the same process that pronounced incumbent official as winners. If we do not believe in the system, then it is like saying the officials won erroneously,” she added. The vice president noted that she still trusts the system, although she admitted that there are concerns about claims of victory from the Marcos side. “If we look at the propaganda of the Marcos camp, they are already claiming victory, claiming that the justices would side with them. But for us, we have to trust the justice system and wait for the PET’s decision,” Robredo said. “The decision would be based on the data generated from the process, so we do not see an unfavorable decision. But of course, we are also worried because they are claiming victory, maybe they know something that we don’t,” she added. In 2016, Robredo was former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas’ running mate, while Marcos ran with late ex-senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Duterte has openly expressed his admiration for Marcos and his father, late strongman and former President Ferdinand Marcos. In two separate instances in October 2016 and August 2018, Duterte said that the younger Marcos could be the country’s vice president, even hinting that he might step down if Marcos wins the protest. n
PAGE A1 Delegates (in alphabetical order) are: 1. Sergio Alcubilla (Honolulu, Hawaii) 2. Krystle Canare (Arlington, Virginia) 3. Frederick Docdocil (Carson, California) 4. Everett Icao (Chicago, Illinois) 5. Eileen Igcasenza (Barrigada, Guam) 6. Joyce King (Frederick, Maryland) 7. Bernadette Lim (Berkeley, California) 8. Antonio Moya (Los Angeles, California) 9. Rizza Palmares O’Connor (Vidalia, Georgia) 10. Elle Ramel (Chicago, Illinois) 11. Timothy Simba-Medel (Bryant, Arkansas) 12. Philjay Solar (Boston, Massachusetts) 13. Leezel Tanglao (New York, New York) 14. Earl Valencia (San Francisco, California) 15. Kevin Zagala (Redwood City, California) The 15 leaders have carried out inspiring work in their communi-
ties driven by their passions for the Filipino culture and the advancement of Philippine interests and advocacies in the United States. They now join a prestigious network of 85 young, Filipino-American leaders across the nation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and continue to inspire a wave of diplomatic innovation. The 2019 FYLPRO delegates will be traveling in a week-long immersion trip to Manila, Philippines this November and be provided with the opportunity to interact with Philippine Government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society. “This year we saw applications more than double and we were thoroughly impressed by the breadth and quality of applicants. On behalf of FYLPRO, I am excited to welcome our fifteen 2019 delegates who stood out amongst a competitive group for their accomplishments and potential,” said FYLPRO President JR Calanoc. “We’re excited to see how together we can continue to advance the Philippines and Filipino people,” he added. “We are deeply impressed with the number and quality of applica-
tions received this year and the selected delegates all represent the dynamism, passion to serve and contribute, and leadership prevalent among the next generation of Filipino-Americans,” said Ambassador Romualdez. “All of us at the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General take great pride in the current and previous batches of FYLPRO delegates. We are also proud of our continuing collaboration with the Ayala Foundation, Inc., Department of Foreign Affairs, and FYLPRO non-profit alumni organization in designing a transformative and impactful immersion program,” the Ambassador added. Established in 2012 by the Philippine Embassy in the United States in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), FYLPRO annually identifies outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provide them invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to a distinguished network captains of industry and government. For more information, please visit www.fylpro.org. n
Young Fil-Am professionals chosen...
Duterte: Too early to react to proposed... PAGE A1 maybe the State Department or Trump and I will have to talk. And I will talk,” he added. Leahy and Durbin have filed an amendment in the 2020 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill to deny Filipino officials involved in De Lima’s imprisonment entry to the U.S. They described the imprisonment of De Lima, who is facing drug-related charges, as “wrong-
ful” and accused officials of the Duterte administration of abusing the justice system for political retribution. Last week, the U.S. Senate’s appropriations committee approved the amendment introduced by the two senators, a move that Malacañang labeled as a “brazen attempt” to intrude into Philippine legal processes. Duterte was also mum on the proposal of Sen. Christopher
Go to ban American senators who support the Leahy-Durbin amendment. “Those are proposals and proposals are what they are — simply proposals... I said when the proper time comes. When it is ripe,” he said. Duterte also thinks that investigating the two American senators pushing for the ban on Philippine officials is just a waste of time. n
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 4-10, 2019
A
DFA hits back at states backing Iceland... PAGE A1 Forbes Park, Makati last July. Sources said the French embassy was informed by the DFA that no one from the department would be available for the Bastille Day celebration. The unusual break with diplomatic tradition in this country was seen as a snub and a show of disapproval toward France for co-sponsoring the Iceland resolution before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). On Monday, the UNHRC said Iceland donated $100,000 to support its work. The UNHRC adopted in July Iceland’s resolution to investigate thousands of extrajudicial killings related to Duterte’s anti-drug war. The resolution was tabled during the 41st session of the UNHRC in Geneva. Eighteen UN member-states voted in favor and 14 against the resolution submitted by Iceland and 27 other European countries on July 4. The 18 countries are Australia, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the UK and Uruguay. France and Germany did not vote, but both were co-sponsors of the resolution. Fifteen countries abstained. With the adoption of the resolution, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet was directed to prepare a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines by June 2020. Bachelet’s report will be presented during the UNHRC’s 44th session. The resolution urged the Philippine government to take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, carry out impartial investigations and hold perpetrators accountable in accordance with international norms and standards on due process. It also urged the government to cooperate with UN agencies and
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Philstar.com file photo Teodoro Locsin Jr.
mechanisms by facilitating country visits and preventing acts of intimidation or retaliation. Iceland said it is pushing the resolution “not because we seek confrontation with the Philippines, but to protect victims of human rights abuses.” The Philippines rejected what it called a “tiny majority-approved and one-sided resolution.” Locsin warned that the initiative to insult the Philippines would have consequences. Police said at least 6,600 people have been killed in anti-illegal drug operations since Duterte took office in July 2016. Rights groups said there are more than 27,000 drug-related killings filed by the police as “homicides under investigation.” Locsin said any investigation resulting from the Iceland resolution would not be allowed into the Philippines. Dismayed Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed dismay over the government’s suspension of two foreign-funded projects. Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said two loan agreements being negotiated by his department were affected by a presidential order to suspend talks with countries that backed the Iceland resolution. Dominguez was referring to the 21 million-euro grant from France for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project of the Department of Transportation and the $46-million grant from Germany,
2020 national budget...
PAGE A1 Administration; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine Sports Commission. An additional P275 million was given to the Department of Transportation for the Davao International Airport, while P250 million was given to the Dangerous Drugs Board for the improvement of community-based drug rehab centers. The Department of Health also received some P200 million for combatting the polio outbreak and dengue. According to Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman, the 2020 budget was approved by the House early “to avoid the kind of costly delay we had this year, which cost the economy about P500 billion and slowed down economic growth. “This really took its toll on the economy. It meant fewer jobs created and lesser income for our people. It meant scaled down government services,” he
said. He added that Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano wanted to avoid a repeat of the delay in the enactment of the 2019 national budget. The 2019 budget was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 15 after he vetoed P95 billion in last-minute realignments made by House leaders. Sen. Sonny Angara said the Senate has received the House of Representatives-approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2020 and promised that the Senate will do its part to approve the GAB before the end of the year. “Our finance subcommittees are completing the hearings on the proposed budgets of the last few agencies. During the break, we will be consolidating all of the submissions into the committee report and once we resume sessions, we will be ready to sponsor the bill in plenary,” he said. n
which will fund studies for climate change. “These are two very important projects which could benefit not just our country but other countries as well,” Robredo said on Sunday, September 29, over radio dzXL. In August, Malacañang ordered the suspension of negotiations or signing of all loan and grant agreements with countries that voted in favor of the Iceland resolution. Robredo criticized what she described as overacting the response of the Duterte administration on the UN resolution. “We overreacted on this resolution but on the more immediate threat, we don’t react,” she said, referring to the administration’s kid-glove treatment of China. “Why did our government respond differently? Isn’t the (intrusion of China) in our territories more dangerous?” Robredo said. She said the suspension of loans and grants has deprived most Filipinos of the services they need, such as a better mass transport system. Exemption Lorenzana will ask President Duterte to exempt the P30-billion financing deal with Australia from the suspension of loan negotiations with countries critical of his administration’s human rights record. The Australia deal was intended for the building of vessels for the Philippine Navy. Lorenzana issued the statement during the hearing of the Senate finance subcommittee on the proposed P258-billion budget of the DND for 2020. (With Helen Flores, Paolo Romero) n
FREE MEDICAL SERVICES. Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) Vice Chairman of the Board Jameson Dy leads the free medical services in partnership with Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla (in blue polo), in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City on Sunday, September 29. The hospital distributed assorted medicines and free reading glasses and conducted dental and medical services to some 1,400 residents. Joining them is CGHMC Deputy Administrator Che Che Javier (behind Sen. Revilla). PNA photo by Ben Briones
Palace: We are against any intrusion... PAGE A1 whatever they built there. He added that the Chinese would be emboldened to take on the reclamation due to Duterte’s admission that he could not stop them from building structures in the shoal. Panelo, for his part, said Carpio is very fond of engaging in speculations. He also stressed the administration would continue opposing any intrusion into the country’s sovereign affairs. “Definitely, just like what the
president said, I will not allow during my incumbency any assault on our sovereignty. That arbitral ruling is final, binding and not subject to appeal. That’s what he said,” Panelo said. “Anything that will go against the arbitral ruling would be of course objectionable for us, I think that’s a given. Because we are against any intrusion into the sovereign affairs of the land,” he added. In 2016, a United Nationsbacked arbitral tribunal based in Hague voided China’s claim to sovereignty over most of the South
China Sea as well as upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The tribunal also ruled that while Panatag Shoal is within the Philippine EEZ, Filipino and Chinese fishermen from their respective countries had traditional fishing rights in the area. When asked if the Philippines can stop China from proceeding with a reclamation, Panelo responded: “We can always try.” “We will — the usual, we have to file a diplomatic protest,” he added. n
A
OCTOBER 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Dangers of skin-lightening cream highlighted after woman falls into coma by AnnA
AlmEndrAlA Kaiser Health News
PORK CHALLENGE. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (3rd from left), Manila Mayor Franciso “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (3rd from right), and SINAG Chairman Rosendo So (2nd from right), partake in the boodle fight held at the Manila City Hall on Monday, September 30. The Department of Agriculture (DA), Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), and the City of Manila conducted the “pork challenge” to show the public that pork in the Philippines is safe to eat. Joining them are hog raisers from different regions. PNA photo by Ben Briones
200 Filipino nurses in NYC win human trafficking suit by Edmund
SilvEStrE
Philstar.com
NEW YORK CITY – A United States federal judge has ruled that the owners of the Sentosa group of nursing homes violated the country’s anti-trafficking law by using threats of serious harm against more than 200 nurses from the Philippines. U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon found that the nursing homes’ owners Benjamin Landa and Bent Philipson are personally liable for violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The lawsuit was brought by Rose Ann Paguirigan in March 2017 on behalf of more than 200 nurses who were recruited in the Philippines to work at Sentosa nursing homes in New York. Paguirigan presented evidence that the Filipino nurses were not paid the prevailing wages promised in their employment contracts and that they were required to work in unsafe conditions with inadequate staffing. Paguirigan also presented evidence that the nursing homes and their recruiters used threats of serious harm to keep the nurses from leaving. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act prohibits the use of threats of serious harm or abuse of legal process to obtain the labor or services of a person. Serious harm is defined as “any harm, whether physical or nonphysical, including psychological,
financial or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under all the surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue performing labor or services in order to avoid incurring that harm.” Judge Gershon found that the nursing homes and their recruiters violated the anti-trafficking statute by threatening to enforce a $25,000 contract termination penalty against Filipino nurses who wanted to stop working, by filing baseless professional disciplinary complaints against nurses who did stop working, and by asking the Suffolk County District Attorney to obtain indictments for “endangering the welfare of patients” against 10 nurses who stopped working – indictments that were found to be unconstitutional. Considering all the surrounding circumstances, the judge found that a reasonable person from the same background as the Filipino nurses would feel compelled to continue working because of these threats. In her decision, Judge Gershon wrote: “The nurses in this lawsuit were all recent arrivals from the Philippines. They were not paid the prevailing wage and a base salary, despite the terms of their contracts... Critically, if [plaintiff] or any other nurse wanted to stop working for the defendants dur-
ing the first year of the contract, he or she would have to pay the employer $25,000 pursuant to the liquidated damages provision. This provision constitutes a threat of sufficiently serious financial harm to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue performing labor or services in order to avoid incurring that harm.” Judge Gershon ruled that all of the defendants – including the individual owners of the Sentosa nursing homes – are personally liable for damages to the more than 200 nurses caused by violations of the anti-trafficking statute. She also enjoined the defendants from attempting or threatening to enforce the contract termination penalty. “Today, our clients won justice,” Manhattan lawyer John Howley, who represented Paguirigan and the class of more than 200 Filipinos nurses, told The STAR. “Next stop is calculating damages, including the nurses’ legal expenses and attorneys’ fees, which will be determined in a separate proceeding.” Howley’s partner in the case is Manhattan-based Filipino American lawyer Leandro Lachica, a former consul at the Philippine consulate general in New York City. The case is Paguirigan v. Prompt Nursing Employment Agency LLC, et al., 17 Civ. 1302 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2019). n
SHE had been buying face cream through a friend of a friend for 12 years. This time, it was Pond’s “Rejuveness,” a version of the company’s anti-wrinkle cream that is made and sold in Mexico. But someone in the Mexican state of Jalisco laced the cream with a toxic skin-lightening compound, and it had a devastating effect on the 47-year-old Sacramento resident. She showed up at the emergency room this summer slurring her speech, unable to walk or feel her hands and face, public health officials said. She now lies semicomatose in a hospital. Authorities aren’t releasing her name, but they say she is the first known victim of methylmercury poisoning from a cosmetic in the U.S. Methylmercury is a heavy metal used in things like thermometers, batteries and mirrors, and longterm exposure can cause kidney damage, loss of peripheral vision and lack of coordination. The chemical — along with a less potent, but still toxic, form of mercury known as calomel — is also a key ingredient in skin-lightening products. A bustling market for these products is driven by immigrants who buy them from their home countries. The face cream that sickened the Sacramento woman was tampered with after manufacture, but some other skin-lightening products made overseas intentionally contain mercury as an active ingredient, said Bhavna Shamasunder, an associate professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles who studies skin-lightening cosmetics. While mercury removes skin pigmentation, Shamasunder said, the side effects are toxic. Pond’s, owned by the international consumer products giant Unilever, said it doesn’t use mercury in its products. It encourages consumers to buy their products only from authorized retailers to avoid tampering. The company said it is working with authorities to investigate the Sacramento woman’s case. In the past nine years, there have been more than 60 poisonings in California linked to “foreign brand, unlabeled, and/or homemade skin creams” that contained calomel, Sacramento County officials said. While it is illegal to sell cosmetics in the U.S. with more than 1 part per million (ppm) of mercury — except eye products, which can have up to 65 — the Food and Drug Administration can’t keep up with the imports, whether they’re shipped, tucked into suitcases or purchased online. Nor does it have the regulatory power to enforce recalls or require preapproval of cosmetic products and ingredients before they’re sold, Shamasunder said. “The FDA has extremely poor oversight over our beauty products,” she said. “The burden of proof is on the consumer to get sick first.” The FDA declined to comment for this story. Skin-lightening products are opular throughout the world, and the market is projected to grow to $31.2 billion by 2024, according to Global Industry Analysts, a publisher of market research. Products made outside the U.S. aren’t subject to the same standards as American-made ones and may contain poisonous chemicals, like mercury, or have higher proportions of potentially dangerous ingredients, such as steroids. Skin-lightening products are advertised for their ability to even out blemishes and skin tone, but some consumers feel pressure to
This Pond’s cream bottle included extremely high levels of mercury. Photo courtesy of California Department of Public Health
use them on their whole face or body in cultures that tend to confer more money and social status on people with lighter skin. Nearly 40% of women surveyed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines and Korea said they used skin lighteners, while 77% of women in Nigeria and 25% in Mali said they did so, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S., potentially hazardous skin-lightening products can be purchased in some ethnic beauty stores, in ethnic supermarkets and at swap meets. They can even be found online at sites like Amazon and eBay. It’s difficult to estimate how many people have been affected by mercury poisoning from cosmetics because screening for the heavy metal is not routine, said Tracey Woodruff, a professor of reproductive sciences at the University of California-San Francisco. But the problem appears to be concentrated among certain ethnic groups. A recent Minnesota study measuring mercury in the urine of 396 pregnant women from 2015 to 2017 revealed that nine had elevated levels, mostly linked to skin-lightening product use among Hmong and Latina women. Ongoing testing is revealing even more cases, said Jessica Nelson, program director for the state’s biomonitoring project. Often, poisoning victims get their spiked products from people they trust, Woodruff said. Woodruff co-authored a report about a pregnant woman in San Francisco who had unusually high levels of mercury in her blood. The source was a jar of Pond’s face cream that had been adulterated in the Mexican state of Michoacán. “A family member gave it to her, so it was a trusted source of information,” Woodruff said. A 2013 study that sampled 367 skin-lightening products purchased in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Phoenix turned up at least a dozen products with exceptionally high levels of mercury, ranging from 1,729 ppm to 38,535 ppm. In the Sacramento woman’s case, the contaminated face cream contained a methylmercury concentration of over 12,000 ppm. The level of methylmercury in her blood was 2,630 micrograms per liter, according to Sacramento County Public Health. Normal values are less than 5. It’s unclear whether the FDA could have done anything to prevent her poisoning, said Melanie Benesh, legislative attorney for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization. While the FDA has been able to intercept some high-mercury
imports and turn them away, the agency lacks the authority to require companies to register their products and ingredients with the agency. That would make it easier to screen shipments that have a higher risk of being poisonous, Benesh said. In a 2017 letter to Congress, the agency said it had six full-time inspectors to monitor 3 million cosmetics shipments annually. “Right now, the FDA is really flying blind,” she said. So it’s up to public health officials to catch poisoning cases as they happen and then trace their way back to the source. In California, state public health officials are developing a campaign to educate shopkeepers and consumers. They also train volunteer community health workers like Sandra Garcia, 63, to meet with families to discuss the symptoms of mercury poisoning. Garcia, who lives in Tulare County and picks and packs grapes for a living, estimates that she has purchased creams from 40 stores to send to public health officials for testing since March. And she has visited 60 homes to hand out brochures and help residents identify poisonous products. “There are people that get angry and say that the cream is good and that nothing bad has happened to them,” she said. “But the majority of people are frightened and give me their creams.” Leads on retailers that sell mercury-laced products may be handed over to law enforcement for potential follow-up, said California Department of Health spokesman Corey Egel. Public health officials recommend consumers avoid buying cosmetics at swap meets and flea markets, and check that products are properly sealed and labeled. At a discount store near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, shop worker Lili Garcia dismissed the notion that consumers should avoid skin creams manufactured abroad. She sells unopened jars of Pond’s Rejuveness cream from Mexico for $5 and $10, depending on the size, while Target lists American versions for $8 and $15, respectively. Garcia, who uses the same cream herself, said she had heard about the Sacramento woman on the news and felt sorry for her. But she said it’s up to consumers to check that products are sealed; beyond that, there isn’t much else they can do. “Well, the buyer buys the product, and they don’t know what’s inside,” she said. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 4-10, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
A
Albayalde confident ‘ninja cops’ House leaders slam Lacson, Drilon issue won’t affect drug war by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.net
by Catherine
Valente
ManilaTmes.net
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday, October 1, expressed confidence that the issue involving roque cops would not affect the government’s war on drugs. This, after Albayalde was dragged into the Senate’s investigation into the alleged “ninja cops” when a 2013 anti-drug operation under his watch was brought up in the hearing. Speaking to reporters, Albayalde said that the PNP was focused on the campaign against illegal drugs “because this is the promise of the government, the promise of the president to the Filipino people.” “It will not affect (drug war) after all. Baka sila but not samin. We always talk to our people na bahala sila basta samin we do our job, yun ang sabi ng ating presidente, we do what is right and we do our job,” Albayalde said in a chance interview. “We will not relent dito sa campaign against illegal drugs and we will not involve ourselves in this very childish, sagutan lang yan. Basta we will concentrate on what the president wants us to do,” he added. Former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde looks (left) looks at former CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong during a senate inquiry on ‘ninja cops. ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoilio
chief Benjamin Magalong, at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, October 1, accused Albayalde of intervening in the case of his former men at the Pampanga police office who were accused of making off with millions worth of shabu seized during a November 2013 raid in Mexico town. But Albayalde, who was then chief of Pampanga police, said that Magalong should have done everything in his power to dismiss those roque cops. “Wala naman kami sa pwesto nun (We’re not in the position then) and this guy he is the chief of the CIDG and later became the
director for the investigation and punishment when he had all the chance, the time, the power and the authority to monitor and supervise dito sa mga galit na galit sila na mga tao,” Albayalde said. “I wonder why, after six years bakit binabato sa amin na parang wala kaming ginagawa sa mga scalawags in uniform and also I’d like to ask nung during the time na sila ang nakaupo, kailan ba nagthrive ang ninja cops, kailan ba lumaki nag illegal drugs dito sa ating bansa? Definitely not during the time of President Duterte,” he added. PAGE A7
Senate approves bill postponing village polls by JaVier ismael
Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation headed by Sen. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, THE Senate on Monday, Sep- earlier recommended holdtember 30, approved on third ing the synchronized elections and final reading a bill postpon- on the second Monday of May ing the barangay (village) and 2023. But during the period of inSangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) elections on May 2020 terpellation, senators decided and resetting these on Dec. 5, to hold it in 2022 or six months after the May 2022 national elec2022. The amended Senate Bill 1043 tions. During the period of amendis a consolidation of five bills. If enacted into law, there will be ments, Senate Pro Tempore two elections in 2022 — the na- Ralph Recto noted that it would tional elections in May, and the be more convenient for the Combarangay and SK elections in mission on Elections to hold the barangay and SK elections a December. The bill also proposes holding year before or a year after the the barangay and SK elections national polls. Majority Leader Juan Miguel every three years. The Senate Committee on Zubiri said the December 2022 ManilaTimes.net
date was a compromise. “Initially some of the bills that have been filed indicate October of 2022 and it was too close to May of 2022. Then there was another proposal that it be conducted in May 2023, many of us felt it would have been too long of a term, close to seven years,” he said. Last week, the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms approved the bill postponing the Barangay and SK polls from next year to May 2023. Both versions of the bill will be tackled in the bicameral conference for consolidation. The Duterte administration had postponed the barangay and SK polls twice, in 2016 and 2018. n
THE budget “war” between the House of Representatives and the Senate is far from over. Some deputy speakers called out Senators Panfilo Lacson and Franklin Drilon for being “obstructionists” and causing the delay of President Rodrigo Duterte’s reform programs after the two branded the House-approved General Appropriations Bill “anomalous.” The House had formed a small committee to make amendments to House Bill 4228 after approving the budget on second and third reading on September 20. Days before the House transmits the budget bill to the Senate, Deputy Speaker Henry Oaminal called on Lacson and Drilon to refrain from making “premature statements” that will put the congressmen “in a bad light.”
“How can they conclude that the budget bill contains questionable provisions when they haven’t even seen a copy of the document?” Oaminal said, reiterating that the approved budget was free from any “pork insertions” and “parking” of funds. Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia said the creation of the small committee was nothing new, as this has been the usual practice since the 8th Congress. “We call on our fellow lawmakers to observe interparliamentary courtesy and refrain from coming out with premature, baseless allegations. We appeal to them to wait for us to do our jobs first,” Garcia said. Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor Savellano noted that Drilon, himself, had faced a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the construction of the Iloilo Convention Cen-
ter, which was partly funded by the senator’s P200-million Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel” in 2013. “That was the time when pork was called the Priority Development Assistance Fund, which the Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional,” he said. “Senator Drilon, let’s respect one another. Please refrain from prejudging and criticizing us without basis because your statements might boomerang on you,” he added. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, on the other hand, said House members would join Lacson in his fight against pork barrel. Last week, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro and Lacson had a heated exchange over alleged pork barrel, which the former House leadership had supposedly been pushing in the 17th Congress. n
Tempers flare in House as Garin, Atienza debate over dengvaxia, polio vaccines
by DiVina
noVa Joy Dela ManilaTimes.net
Cruz
TEMPERS flared between Buhay Party-list Rep. Jose Atienza Jr. and Iloilo 1st District Janette Garin over a debate on the use of dengvaxia and polio vaccines during a plenary session at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 1. The heated discussion came after Atienza challenged Garin to a debate regarding the alleged “error in judgment” in implementing the vaccination of dengvaxia on dengue patients, which later proved to be fatal for those who were stricken with the mosquitoborne disease for the first time. The controversy led to the public’s loss of confidence on the Department of Health (DoH) and its vaccination program, which affected the government’s administration of the polio vaccine. Atienza also challenged Garin to resign if found guilty of wrongdoing. Atienza defended himself after he deemed that Garin had accused him of spreading fake news regarding dengvaxia and tetanus toxoid vaccines during the deliberations on BH Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy’s privilege speech on Monday on the public’s loss of
confidence to vaccinations amid the reemergence of polio. Atienza attributed the public’s loss of confidence to the dengvaxia-related deaths and sterility from tetanus toxoid. “I will prove that she [Garin] is wrong and that she is guilty of some wrongdoing in government. If she proves that I have infected this chamber with fake news, I’m willing to be prosecuted and I’m willing to resign [from] my position. But if I’m able to prove in that debate that I’m inviting her to join me in, she has to answer for the dengvaxia deaths and the dengue deaths of our children. Otherwise I will personally prosecute her,” Atienza said. Garin, who was Health secretary during the dengvaxia implementation, motioned for a point of order and asked to call the roll arguing that “no matter can be discussed without a quorum.” “Mr. Speaker, today is not a Monday. May I know why Hon. Atienza is standing up and again spreading misinformation that tetanus toxoid causes sterility,” Garin said. Atienza continued to speak and pursue his challenge, prompting Presiding Officer Deputy Speaker Michael Romero to suspend the session. Garin then requested the
Secretary General to bring Atienza out of the plenary session. “Mr. Speaker, may I request the Secretary General to bring the Honorable colleague out of this floor. We are not on session and he keeps on talking,” Garin said. Interpellation resumed with Atienza being given the floor on a “matter of personal and collective privilege.” The two parties aired and stood firm on their respective positions. The discussion ended with both parties expressing mutual respect for each other. Atienza insisted he was not spreading fake news while Garin said that the DoH during her time implemented the dengvaxia vaccine in line with the World Health Organization guidelines. Garin accepted Atienza’s challenge insisting that dengvaxia did not cause deaths. “The challenge for me to resign, if indeed dengvaxia causes deaths, surely, Mr. Speaker, I welcome and I accept that. I’ve been saying that several times dengue vaccine does not cause deaths,” Garin said. She also challenged Atienza to make calls to all incumbent ministers of health of 21 countries and European countries and the United States if the Philippines implemented dengvaxia correctly. n
A6
OCTOBER 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
OPINION
Get full immunization
FEATURES
THE Philippines was officially declared polio-free in 2000, seven years after the last case was recorded. Viruses, however, can be unpredictable and may mutate. As with the flu and dengue, there can be several virus strains that may require different vaccines, or several vaccine doses. In the case of the Philippines, health experts say the two recent confirmed cases of polio were vaccine-derived. This means the virus was excreted by the antibodies of polio-vaccinated individuals and picked up by the patients, possibly through unhygienic practices. Those with weakened immune systems or living in environments with poor sanitation are the most vulnerable to infection. The country representative of the World Health Organization has also warned that up to 60 percent of Filipino children immunized against polio did not complete the vaccination regimen and therefore could be vulnerable to the type 2 virus that is supposed to have been eradicated globally, but which has now re-emerged in the Philippines. Filipino children have been immunized mainly against polio virus types 1 and 3 and failed to complete the regimen of three oral doses plus one injectable for protection against type 2, according to the
WHO’s Rabindra Abeyasinghe. He said it is the injectable vaccine that provides protection against all three virus types. Thanks to disinformation and wrong information disseminated mostly in cyberspace, vaccination is in fact down worldwide, reversing decades of successes in fighting debilitating and deadly diseases. Complacency over the declared eradication of certain diseases may also be making people believe there is no longer a need for vaccinations. Abeyasinghe estimates that about 95 percent of children in the Philippines need complete immunization from polio. Unlike the vaccine against dengue, there is no controversy surrounding the polio vaccine, so it should be easier for the Department of Health to persuade parents to have their children immunized. Local governments and education officials must cooperate in the renewed campaign to prevent the resurgence of a killer disease. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS NO ONE is above the law. Not even the president of the United States. The impeachment hearing that may lead to the ouster of Donald J. Trump will begin as early as this week, according to the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Chair, Rep. Adam Schiff. While this may sound like déjà vu of the very same issues of abuse of power and allowing foreign government to interfere in the presidential election to benefit Trump in the Mueller investigation, the new allegations and findings may be more consequential. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has now joined the more progressive members of the Democrat-led leadership of the House of Representatives in launching an impeachment inquiry, a precursor to the filing of Articles of Impeachment of the 45th President of the United States. The Constitution mandates that it is the obligation of the House of Representatives to investigate and pass Articles of Impeachment against a sitting president if, based on evidence, he is deemed to be unfit of and/or has abused the power accorded to the Office of the President. Bad news for Trump: the Democrats have the numbers to impeach him. The Constitution has accorded the power to hold impeachment trials and convict a sitting president to the Senate. Worse for Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for the first time said Monday, Sept. 30 that the Senate would have to hold a trial if the House passes articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump and his cohorts have been
The beginning of the end: Trump impeachment hearing could begin this week peddling a conspiracy theory that this is another witch hunt pushed by the Democrats, the mainstream media, the “deep states,” and even involving the U.S. intelligence community to oust him from power. DIGEST THIS: The 45th president of the United States, accorded with he power and public trust when he took the oath “to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” is now alleged to have abused the power and resources of the position and has betrayed public trust. In a call on July 25 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump sought to obtain dirt on his political opponent Joe Biden in the context of the United States military aid to Ukraine still being withheld, and then tried to cover up the crime. As the Washington Post reported, “President Trump’s attempt to pressure the leader of Ukraine followed a months-long fight inside the administration that sidelined national security officials and empowered political loyalists — including the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani — to exploit the U.S. relationship with Kiev for political purpose.” Digging up dirt on Biden Trump and Giuliani tactically sought to divert the narrative to another conspiracy theory they hatched against the president’s potential political opponent in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Elections - former Vice President Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter. As reported by the Daily Beast, “Rudy Giuliani has alleged that the former vice president’s son was involved in corruption during his nearly five years at Ukrainian private gas company Burisma, but
THE new U.S. Senate bill targeting the Philippines and some other countries is fueled by controversial political and financial agendas that have caused turmoil since the 1980s. For some time, U.S. Senators Richard Durbin (Democrat, Illinois) and Patrick Leahy (Democrat, Vermont) have been pushing for an amendment in the 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Essentially, the amendment would deny entry into the U.S. of Philippine government officials involved in the detention of Philippine opposition Senator Leila de Lima. Last week, the U.S. Senate panel approved the amendment. Durbin considers de Lima’s detention a “politically motivated imprisonment.” According to the Philippine government, de Lima was arrested and detained in 2017 for allegedly asking money from drug convicts to fund her Senate campaign and for allowing the drug trade to continue in the national penitentiary while she was the justice secretary. She claims the cases against her were “politcally motivated.”
has not provided any evidence to support those claims. In fact, Yuri Lutsenko, a former top Ukrainian prosecutor told the Washington Post that Hunter Biden did not violate any laws while he was on the board of Burisma. “Hunter Biden cannot be responsible for violations of the management of Burisma that took place two years before his arrival,” Lutsenko told the Post. Trump and Giuliani and their cohorts have been hammering on their allegation that VP Biden interfered to dismiss the prosecutor handling the Burisma case to save his son Hunter. This is a totally false and malicious talking point because VP Biden, along with the leaders of the international community, wanted to use the sanction as leverage to oust the corrupt prosecutor who had not done his job to prosecute Burisma for all its violations. Nothing was hidden about this deal. It was meant to push Ukraine to get rid of corruption so it could get the aide it needed from the United States. This is a direct contrast to what Trump wanted to do — use U.S. military aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens to benefit himself and his political ambition, not the United States. But with Trump talking about withholding the military aid Ukraine desperately needs from the United States, the Daily Beast reported that “Ukraine is likely to pursue the cases Trump urged Zelensky to reconsider during their notorious phone call—but not in the way Trump intended.” The White House tried to cover everything up, cognizant of the gravity of this potential crime of allowing interference of a foreign government in the 2020 Presiden-
tial Elections just so Trump can win the election and stay in power. The whistleblower Mga kababayan, this is NOT a witch hunt, nor is it politically motivated. These allegations had been the subject of the complaint of a U.S. intelligence community whistleblower knowledgable about how all of this transpired and has gathered evidentiary documents to back up his/her allegations over concerns of a potential violation of campaign finance law and abuse of power. The complaint was filed with the intelligence community inspector general on August 12. While the law mandates that the complaint should immediately be turned over to Congress, Acting Intelligence Chief Joseph Maguire said White House officials raised the possibility that the complaint could be covered by executive privilege but did not give a definitive ruling on the issue, while the Office of Legal Counsel said the complaint did not meet the statutory definition of an “urgent concern” under the whistleblower law. However, when the inspector general ultimately informed Congress about the existence of the whistleblower complaint, and with the scheduled testimony of Maguire, the White House scrambled to immediately make public a “transcript” of the call, which Democrats said was actually just a highly edited “memo” deleting key verbatim components of the 30-minute phone call. But even with this “transcript” released to the public, Trump has effectively “confessed” to the crime when he said there is nothing wrong with what he told the Ukrainian president to do - just as he confessed in an interview that he would look into any “dirt” that would be given to him by any foreign gov-
ernment and classified it as “opposition research” without fully grasping violation of the spirit of the law that makes this as a threat to national security. Then immediately, the Justice Department ruled that it found no campaign finance violation in Trump’s Call with the Ukrainian Leader. Trump and his cohorts also launched an attack against the whistleblower, whose identity and security are protected pursuant to the Whistleblower Law. The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) protects federal employees and applicants for employment who lawfully disclose information they reasonably believe evidences: • a violation of law, rule, or regulation; • gross mismanagement; • a gross waste of funds; • an abuse of authority; • or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Under the WPA, certain federal employees may not take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take; any personnel action against an employee or applicant for employment because of the employee or applicant’s protected whistleblowing. But what has Trump been doing? He has been discrediting and attacking the whistleblower who he does not know and even called him and those who will testify against him as “spies” and sent a creepy message that spies should be executed. This is, in fact, the intent of the White House — to send a chilling effect to and scare witnesses who will be called and subpoenaed to testify in the House impeachment hearings. This is clearly an obstruction of justice. Trump also warned that there
will be a “civil war” if he is impeached — sending signals and inciting his followers to violence just to protect his own personal interests to hold on to power no matter what the cost. This, too is a violation of the laws and could be an impeachable offense. Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday, September 26, acting intelligence chief Joseph Maguire expressed his support for the whistleblower, who he affirmed had acted in good faith and followed the law and regular procedures for raising a concern with the inspector general. There has been a pattern of dirty unlawful tactics. The New York Times reported that “President Trump pushed the Australian prime minister during a recent telephone call to help Attorney General William P. Barr gather information for a Justice Department inquiry that Mr. Trump hopes will discredit the Mueller investigation, according to two American officials with knowledge of the call.” “The White House curbed access to a transcript of the call — which the president made at Mr. Barr’s request — to a small group of aides, one of the officials said. The restriction was unusual and similar to the handling of a July call with the Ukrainian president that is at the heart of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.”” ABANGAN ANG SUSUNOD NA KABANATA! *** 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
The forces behind US Senate bill targeting PH
Commentary
DAN STEINBOCK
Philstar.com photo
Reportedly, the U.S. Senate amendment also called for the same action against officials of the Egyptian government for the “wrongful detention” of a U.S. citizen and government officials of Turkey, Egypt or Saudi Arabia. In the Philippines, the provision can be seen as part of the continuing political backlash following the 2016 Duterte election triumph, and the consequent meltdown of the Liberal Party (LP). Usually heavy losses trigger reassessment, which can rejuvenate a political party and renew its leadership. Yet, that did not happen. As the LP failed to attract voters in the Philippines, some of its leaders began pressure campaigns in the U.S. and European Union, to raise their diminished political capital at home. In the past year, these campaigns have included frequent-flyer visits to Washington. In April, they resulted in the condemnation of human rights violations in the Philippines by Senator Durbin, along with Senators Edward Markey (Democrat, Massachusetts), Marco Rubio (Republican, Florida), Marsha Blackburn (Republican, Tennessee) and Chris Coons (Democrat, Delaware). The same resolution also called on the Philippine government to drop all charges against Maria Ressa and Rappler. What’s behind the stated concerns
for human rights and democracy? LP figures appeal to U.S. senators. These U.S. senators rely on campaign finance. The senators behind the Philippines amendment, in particular, get their political money mainly from lobbyists, defense contractors, finance and especially large individual donors, according to congressional research. In turn, the financial heavyweights that drive U.S. politics — Soros and his Open Society Foundations, Koch brothers, Adelsons, Mercers, Steyer, Singer and others — have their own economic agenda, which is often predicated on geopolitics. With an estimated net worth of $1.5 to $3 million, Richard Durbin is the influential Senate Democratic whip, who has been haunted by allegations of conflicts of interest. Leahy is a senior senator, who was first elected in 1974, while Ed Markey is a senior Democratic senator, who has been challenged by Joe Kennedy 3rd for his Massachusetts Senate seat. Both Leahy and Markey have a net worth of $2 to $4 million. Former beauty pageant participant Marsha Blackburn is a junior senator and ultra-conservative Tea Party Republican,who vice-chaired Trump’s presidential transition team and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize for talks with North Korea. Democratic junior Senator Chris
Coons has a net worth of $8 to $12 million. The ultra-conservative Marco Rubio has claimed that De Lima has been in prison on “bogus charges.” Former Philippine senator Trillanes, who began his political career with a failed coup d’etat attempt in 2003, already met with Rubio in fall 2017. Having previously criticized President Duterte’s war on drugs, Rubio said the two also discussed corruption, human rights, and particularly the U.S.-Philippine alliance. After the failed 2016 presidential campaign, Rubio has recently profiled himself as a conservative human rights defender and democracy promoter. He is for regime change in Venezuela, Hong Kong and China, Iran and Russia. His financial debacles are notorious. With a net worth of less than $500,000, but outsized political ambitions, critics claim he is dependent on and thus useful to ultra-rich donors, particularly his key funder — the notorious Paul Singer. There are no free lunches. What kind of economic returns do these funders expect from their political investments? With a net worth of $3.5 billion, Paul Singer sees himself as a philanthropist, who promotes the rule of law, democracy and LGBTQ rights. His hedge fund Elliott Management Corp. (EMC) specializes
in distressed debt acquisitions. As a pioneer “vulture capitalist,” he buys up sovereign bonds on the cheap and then goes after countries for unpaid debts. After the 1970s energy crises, many fragile economies borrowed far more than they could repay. In the 1980s, that led some 50 economies to default or to restructure their debt. In Latin America, it caused a lost decade, but it also penalized Poland, South Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and the Philippines. In vulture capitalists’ business, such crises are considered great opportunities, despite the great economic losses and human tragedies in the target countries. In the mid-1990s, Singer purchased sovereign debt from nations in or near default, such as Peru and Argentina, and Congo-Brazzaville. Next the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rushed in to “help,” imposing budget cuts and heavy austerity measures, forcing the governments to renegotiate what they owed. In the past, Singer has targeted countries mainly in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. As prosperity levels are rising in Asia, Singer seems to be looking at targets in the East. In the Philippines, many see the U.S. senators’ bill as the net effect of
the U.S. visits by a slate of opposition leaders, who no longer enjoy significant support in the Philippines and thus lean onto Washington to boost their deflated political capital in Manila. Second, the Senate provision is a part of a larger package that calls for same action against officials of Turkey, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia over “wrongful detention of locally employed staff of a U.S. diplomatic mission or a U.S. citizen or national.” The provision protects U.S. citizens and dual citizens, such as Ressa and some other key figures. Third, according to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, head of the Senate state and foreign operations appropriations subcommittee, the bill seeks to fund “diplomatic and development efforts worldwide, provide security assistance for our allies around the globe.” Projecting U.S. power across the globe, the bill would seem to go far beyond U.S. sovereignty. In the process, the accumulated evidence against de Lima’s violations, Ressa’s tax challenges and abuses in other cases has been shunned, critics argue. One net effect is that the ongoing political moves may be paving new ways for controversial financial interests to exploit rising Asian prosperity. (ManilaTimes.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com Northern California: 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136 Burlingame, CA 94010 Tel.: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 Las Vegas Sales Office: 2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Manila Office: 2/F D&E Fort Palm Springs Cond. 30th St., Cor. 1st Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • 856-0397 Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York Office: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858 New Jersey Office: 2500 Plaza 5, Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 Tel: (212)655-5426 • Fax: (818)502-0858
ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer JOSEPH PERALTA Vice President & General Manager Northern California Asian Journal MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor MALOU LIWANAG-BLEDSOE Editor-in-Chief Northern California Asian Journal GERMAN P. PALABYAB Advertising and Business Development Director
ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publitions, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publition by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applible law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publition of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publition. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, uses of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publition of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being ncellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republition of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publitions, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind. ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern lifornia Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern lifornia, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 4-10, 2019
Too soon to sue me for perjury over conspiracy claims, ‘Bikoy’ says
A
Philstar.com file photo by Louise
Maureen siMeon
Philstar.com
MANILA — Peter Joemel Advincula, also known as Bikoy, said Tuesday, October 1, that the perjury complaint filed against him is premature without a court determination that he made false statements related to sedition raps filed against people associated with the political opposition. Lawyers Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III and Theodore Te—members of the Free Legal Assistant Group and who were named respondents in complaints based on Advincula’s affidavit claiming a plot to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte—filed a perjury complaint against Advincula in September. “These ill-willed slew of malicious and baseless accusations against us has also forced us to take time off from our clients and impaired our ability to attend to their concerns, thus adversely af-
fecting the income we earn from the honest practice of our profession,” they said then. In his counter-affidavit, Advincula said “whether the facts I alleged in my Affidavit-Complaint are true and were only deliberate assertions of falsehood are evidentiary in nature.” He said that can only be determined when the complaint, which is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice, is brought to court. “The veracity of the truthfulness of my testimony and statements will rest within the jurisdiction of the courts... Thus, this present complaint will compromise the resolution of the [sedition complaints],” he also said. Advincula claimed the complaint by the FLAG lawyers “is a vain attempt to [mislead] or [confuse] the authorities in the investigation of the case.” ‘Bikoy’ videos Advincula, who claims to be the narrator “Bikoy” in a series of anonymously-posted videos
accusing President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies of drug ties, initially stood by the claims made in the videos. He recanted in a press conference at the Philippine National Police headquarters and said the videos were part of a conspiracy against the president. According to sedition and other criminal complaints that police filed based on an affidavit executed by Advincula, there was a plot “to spread false information against President Duterte’s family and administration officials in order to agitate the general population into making mass protest with the possibility of bringing down the president from the position and allow Vice President Robredo to instantly succeed.” Aside from the FLAG lawyers, also named in the complaint filed with the Department of Justice were Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, and former senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV. n
Albayalde confident ‘ninja cops’... PAGE A5 The PNP chief also reiterated that he merely asked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino, then the Central Luzon police chief, about the status of the case of his former men. “Tingnan niyo naman he’s putting words in the mouth of somebody else. I think this is very ungentlemanly of him, very unstatemanly of somebody who’s occupying a position in the government,” Albayalde said
of Magalong. “Once lang kami nag ano niyan. As I’ve said there was once upon a time in his life na nanghingi pa sakin ng tulong yan sakin na way back na siya ay floating pa from 2006 to 2010. One doon nakapahingi pa siya ng tulong sakin. But of course siguro selective memory yan,” he added. Meanwhile, Albayalde expressed hope that the allegations hurled against him would not affect the president’s confidence in him.
“I really don’t know. I hope not kasi alam naman ng presidente kung paano kami lumaban dito sa kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga (that it won’t affect because the president knows how we fight for this campaign against illegal drugs). It’s just a matter of perception,” Albayalde said. “Let the president decide. Remember I consider myself as expendable. I’m a government employee, public servant. I think lahat kami all expendable,” he added. n
PAGE A5
A
OCTOBER 4-10, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
Friday, October 4, 2019
SF
cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
Filipino AMericAn HiStory MontH 2019 A celebration of women: Pinay visionaries and their contributions to the Fil-Am community by
Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, for organizing and advocating for Women” to recognize Pinay the Fil-Am community since the (Filipina American) leaders, 1950s. Her vision has paved the laborers, scholars, scientists and way for FAHNS, Filipino Ameriactivists throughout history and can History Month and Filipino their contributions to the comAmerican studies. munity nationwide. • Olympic swimmer VicIn a press release, FAHNS toria “Vicki” Manalo Draves, said Pinays “have been the who is the first Asian American backbone of the Filipina/o Olympic gold medalist. She won American community,” and have two gold medals in platform and persevered in their respective springboard diving in 1948. fields in spite of racial and gen• Dr. Felicisima “Ping” Serader discrimination. fica, the first Filipina American With this year’s celebraprofessor of psychology to tion, FAHNS recognizes Filipina receive tenure in the U.S. She American women across the helped establish one of the U.S. including Pinays like: Philippines’ first hospitals for • FAHNS Executive Director children with mental disabilities and the country’s first interdisciplinary mental health clinic. • Thelma Buchholdt, the first Filipina American elected to a legislature in the U.S. in 1974 and the first Asian American elected to serve as President of the National Order of Women Legislators. She was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives for four consecutive terms until 1982. • The late Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, the first Filipina/o to receive a Ph.D. in history from Stanford University. She was a professor, a historic preservationist, and the author of “Little Photo from fanhs-national Manila is in the Heart” and “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong.” ‘History’ vs ‘heritage’ In the past, there was confusion about whether to use “history” or “heritage.” While some used the term “Filipino American Heritage Month,” FANHS has emphasized that it should be properly focused on “history” instead of “heritage.” “’History’ is about the events, experiences and lives of people in our community and their impact on society, and the political, cultural and economic events and moments that shape their lives,” wrote the
AJPress
OCTOBER is the celebration of Filipino American History Month to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States. The first Filipinos — “Luzones Indios” — landed in what is now Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587. With this history, Filipinos are said to be the first Asian group to arrive in the United States. This year, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS) has adopted the theme “Pinay Visionaries: Celebrating Filipina American
Fred and Dorothy Cordova
Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon
late FAHNS national scholar, Dr. Mabalon. “’Heritage’ is solely about cultural traditions handed down from the past.” The state of California was the first to recognize Filipino American History Month in 2006 when the California Department of Education placed it on its celebrations calendar. In 2009, a resolution was passed to recognize October as Filipino American History Month. Hawai’i followed in 2008 when former State Representative Joey Manahan and members of the Filipino Caucus introduced legislation “to designate the month of October as Filipino American History Month to commemorate the contributions of Filipino Americans to Hawai’i and the U.S.” It was signed into law by Gov. Linda Lingle on April 15, 2008. A resolution to nationally recognize Filipino American History Month nationally was introduced in the 103rd Congress. The House of the 111th Congress introduced a House Resolution 155 to officially recognize this month for Filipinos. In October 2009, the Senate of the 111th Congress passed a resolution recognizing Filipino American History Month. In November 2009, Congress passed the resolution officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month. In passing the legislation, the U.S. Congress noted that, “the writings and teachings of American history have often overlooked the role of people of color, among them the history of Filipino Americans, whose heritage spans a colonial, political, economic, and cultural relationship with the United States.” “Even though there’s an interesting history of us in the United States, we’re often overlooked,” remarked Cordova, in an interview with GoodNews-
Victoria “Vicki” Manalo Draves
Thelma Buchholdt
Pilipinas.com about Washington state officially celebrating Filipino American History Month for the first time this year. “Everybody looks at it like we’re recent immigrants. We’ve been here longer than a lot of people.” With this year’s theme, FANHS encourages organizations and communities across the United States to celebrate Filipino American women and incorporate their contributions into Filipino American History Month events. This year also marks several important historical events that tie with Filipino American His-
ABSCBN photo
Photo from UDC.edu
tory Month and its theme. 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the U.S. the right to vote. While the FAHNS acknowledges that Filipina American women and many other women of color were not able to vote until much later, the measure dramatically modified the political and social landscape of the U.S. FAHNS is also celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. Throughout the month of October, the Asian Journal will highlight several Filipina American women and their contributions across industries in the U.S.
Why Jacob never imagined he would be in a Spider-Man movie by ricky Lo Philstar.com
THERE is something about James Reid’s cool, calm and collected personality that gives off this mysterious vibe—a character with so many layers to him that one’s curious self cannot help but try to discover. What’s even more fascinating is that despite the buzz that surrounded him as the very first Filipino endorser of Armitron Watches during its official Philippine launch, James reveals a playful demeanor toward his “baby,” which he coparents with girlfriend Nadine Lustre—an 8-month-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, named Calcifer Dante Pendragon (or simply Cal)—who accompanied him to the event. It was refreshing to have the “usually elusive” James candidly answering Inquirer’s questions ranging from his current endorsements, to his maturing relationship with Nadine, and his foremost passion—music, as the CEO of his own music label, Careless Music Manila. News recently broke out that he severed ties with Viva Artists Agency, his longtime management company, due to “sensitive reasons.” His career is now being managed by his father, Robert Malcom Reid. On being on his own and comanaging his career, he said: “There are benefits and drawbacks. But the rewards would have to be having the freedom in this business, although there’s lack of management assistance, which is also difficult.” He added, “It’s great, but it’s also scary. It’s just me. I’m focusing a lot on my music right now. I want to give it a chance and see how far I can take my music. I have big plans for it.” When asked to clarify rumors that he will be transferring to the Kapuso network, James was
Rita Daniela and Ken Chan Jacob with Tom Holland in the 2019 “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
Contributed photo
Ken and Rita: Not just one of the love teams
by TessA MAuricio-ArrioLA ManilaTimes.net
quick to reply, “No.” After withdrawing from a remake of “Pedro Penduko” due to a spinal injury, James shared: “I’m still planning to stay in the movies. I am just waiting for the right project.” On Nadine’s recent acting successes, including best actress awards from Famas and Urian for their hit movie, “Never Not Love You,” James said: “I am definitely proud of her. She deserved all of those awards. She is humble, hardworking and very strong.” James, who last appeared in the 2018 film “Miss Granny” alongside Sarah Geronimo and Xian Lim, added that he did not feel any pressure to step up his
THERE truly is something special about GMA Network’s team up of the moment in Rita Daniela and Ken Chan. It was by pure screen chemistry that the network decided to pair them with each other — and in fact rewrite the story of the first series in which they starred — and they seem to be on the right track. Photo from Instagram/@lifeisaloha RitKen, as they are now called — are social media magnets and acting game and expand his it seems everything they touch is filmography. “It isn’t a competibound for gold. tion. It was never about winning It can be recalled that Rita awards, ever. I always did it was actually a contravida in because I enjoyed it.” Ken’s top-rated prime time Now that he has more drama last year, “My Special control of his career, James also Tatay,” but a certain scene got said he was open to starring in fans rooting for her character indie movies. “I’d love to try. As and his to end up together. an artist, I’d also would love to So they did, and it was a grow.” hit, thus the premiere tonight Excerpts from our interview: of their first official teleserye on What is it about Armitron’s GMA, the much awaited romancampaign of “One Watch, tic-comedy “One of the Baes Many Faces” that resonates (OOTB).” with you? As one with a lot of Asked what they believe roles to fulfill, I really vibe with made them click with viewers the brand. I actually found out as a tandem, Rita replied, “Ang just today that they named a special po sa amin for me is that Continued on Page SF3 we’re two people who are very
passionate in what we do. Sa ‘My Special Tatay,’ lumabas ang team work namin na hindi inaasahan. Natural lang kasi kami even on screen kasi hindi talaga namin pinipilit ni Ken kung ano lang ang lumabas, but it clicked and I’m so grateful that we’re here today.” Seconding his leading lady and real-life best friend, “Sobrang trusted din kasi namin ang isa’t isa at mas marami pa siyang alam sa akin kesa sa nanay ko!” Needless to say, their fans and critics alike are looking forward to what the pair has to show as the main anchors of “OOTB.” Described by the Kapuso Network as a “millennial fairytale,” “OOTB” is not just a love story but one that empowers women, this time, on the high seas. Jowalyn (Rita) is bent on making waves to achieve her dream of becoming a ship captain. She is so focused on making this a reality that she avoids romantic entanglements. Meanwhile, Grant (Ken) is convinced he already met his one great love during his childhood and is on the verge of
GMA photo
meeting her again. He sets out to look for her, vlogging his way around the world. When a pragmatist and a hopeless romantic meet, will it be smooth sailing or will they need to brave the rough seas? The fun, light and familyoriented series features some of the country’s veteran actors including Roderick Paulate, Amy Austria, Tonton Gutierrez, Melanie Marquez and Jestoni Alarcon. Joining them are Maureen Larrazabal, Edgar Allan Guzman, Rodjun Cruz and Joyce Ching together with the hilarious ensemble of Archie Alemania, Buboy Villar, Kenneth Medrano and James Teng. Incidentally, the program also aims to pay tribute to Filipino seafarers. Real-life maritime students from Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) are participating in the production of this romantic comedy series. Directed by King Marc Baco and Michael Christian Cardoz, “OOTB” premieres tonight on GMA Telebabad, and will definitely serve as RitKen’s acid test — that they’re not just one of TV’s love teams.
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
Safeguarding your petition, part 3
Embassy or NVC may ask for additional documentation, and you are also given one year to IN a previous article I discussed some tips, strategy, and respond. If you do not, the case is canceled. (A visa is like suggestions to safeguard your family-based petition. Here are a reservation on an airline. You more suggestions and observa- might have booked your flight and reserved your seat, but tions: if they are boarding and you 7. Notify NVC if your don’t check in, your reservapriority date is current but tion is canceled and your seat no notice was received from NVC. Usually, a few months be- is forfeited. In the same way, if a visa is available and the NVC fore a person’s priority date is is calling you to “check in,” but current, the NVC will send fee bills, forms, etc., in preparation you do not do so within one year, the case is canceled. for immigrant visa processing (if the person will be processed for their immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy). If your priority date is already current, but you have received no notices or forms from NVC, you may want to take immediate action to find out the status of your case. Were the notices sent to your correct address? Was the case ever ap9. Locate your records proved and sent to the NVC? now, even if the priority date Don’t just sit on the case and is not yet current, and save do nothing for years after the them. Although the priorpriority date becomes current. You should perhaps have an at- ity date on your petition may be years away, it would still torney assist in making inquirbe a good idea to locate all ies, especially if the priority the relevant documents, such date is current. as the petition, the approval 8. Watch out for Section notice, etc. and put them in a 203(g) terminations. When a safe place. You can even scan person’s priority date is curthem to PDF, so you can have rent, the NVC sends out forms a record of the documents in and notices to the applicant. the cloud. I’ve encountered The notices typically give the person one year to respond. If many situations where a person will come to my office, statthey fail to respond, they run ing that they had moved many the risk of the NVC terminattimes, records were destroyed ing their case and shredding the file, resulting in the priority by floods, termites, lahar, etc., and they lost track of their date being lost. As just mendocuments. While it is possible tioned, if the priority date is in some cases to retrieve the current and you have received documents from the governno notices from NVC, it could be possible those notices were ment, it is better if you just sent to a different address, and keep track of and save your own documents. the one-year deadline would These are only a few tips still apply. Also, either the U.S.
and suggestions while you are waiting for your priority date to become current. If you have issues with any of these items, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney now, rather than risk “losing” your petition. Also, when the priority date finally becomes current you may also want to seek the assistance of an attorney in connection with either eligibility for adjustment of status or consular processing, especially in this era of Trump, where the government is getting very strict, looking at public charge issues, and whether perhaps an elderly parent may become dependent on the U.S. government, thereby justifying a visa refusal, etc. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES
“If your priority date is already current, but you have received no notices or forms from NVC, you may want to take immediate action to find out the status of your case.”
community
SF
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
AFTER NEARLY 25 YEARS, THIS FAMILY’S AMERICAN DREAM IS FINALLY REALIZED. Jean (center) was petitioned by her sister in 1994. Life in America had always appealed to Jean and her family. Eventually, in 2013, she came to the U.S. as a tourist with her daughter. The trip was a graduation gift for her daughter who was an honor student. They risked everything and decided to overstay, along with Jean’s husband, Milo (left). When the petition became current, leading U.S. immigration lawyer Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) pursued Adjustment of Status for the family. Based on their eligibility, Jean’s petition was transferred from the Philippines to the U.S., where she and her family was interviewed. Watch how after almost 25 years of waiting, Jean and her family are now living the American Dream with no fear nor worries, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Why Jacob never imagined he...
From Page SF2 watch I was “feeling” on the day of the shoot and called it “The James.” This is the very first watch that is named after me. It’s flattering. What is it about producing your own music that you find fulfilling? How do you choose your artists? There is something about creating that gives me purpose. Just creating something out of nothing, I get a lot of fulfillment out of that. When it comes to choosing my artists, every single one of them has a story about how we’ve met. Looking 10 years forward, where do you see your record label going? I see it as the bridge between OPM and international music. I don’t see it specifically associated with R&B or hip-hop. It’s really whatever is current because music changes, and it changes fast, especially nowadays. What is your current challenge in producing your own music? My challenge is my need (Advertising Supplement) for more producers.
How do you manage your time? I have a lot of people supporting me—I have my team, my family, my friends, my girlfriend. What do you like to do on your “me time”? What I really
love to do is to travel. That’s what I love to do, like hiking or going to the beach. I am a huge video game nerd. I like “Tekken,” and “God Continued on Page SF5
SF
celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
celebrity world
Piolo Pascual says reconciliation with KC Concepcion is possible
By Ferdie Villar PIOLO Pascual is still single but says he is not pressured to settle down or have a family of his own. The 42-year-old handsome actor shared that he is “not ready to be a family man.” “I feel young. I feel I still have a lot to do,” he shared in an interview with PEP.ph during the media launch of SunPIOLOgy’s 11th year. “So, yeah, the pressure is not felt.” When it came to the question of whether it is possible to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend KC Concepcion, Piolo’s reply was, “Posible.” The question about KC and him was raised because of the rumors that the actress and her French boyfriend Pierre Emmanuel Plassart have broken up. KC, in a separate interview, also said that she is also open to dating.” “Single rin po ako. Hahaha!,” Piolo said in jest. The actor also explained that he and KC have remained friends. “We’re good. KC and I, we’re good,” he added. “I’ve not seen her for a while and I hope she’s always okay. I don’t necessarily stalk her on IG, but I see what happens, of course, based doon sa mga lumalabas,” Piolo said. *** Derek Ramsay’s love life is blooming and it’s all because of his girlfriend Andrea Torres. The actor shared that there was already a “connection” between him and Andrea when they first met. “Yung connection naman namin, even before, wala naman kaming alam na magiging ganun kami. “When we first met, we already had a connection, sa
station ID ng GMA. We just connect then,” he said. The Kapuso actor said that their relationship came naturally, and that there was not formal courtship that happened. When asked if they are “officially” a couple, they only looked at each other and laughed. Derek explained, “We’re so happy. We both enjoy being with each other. “If we don’t have work...well, yun nga, she doesn’t have to go to Dubai tomorrow, she’s supporting me my games there.” Going back to whether they are a couple or not, Derek admitted that they are more than friends.
He also shared that they both have feelings for each other.”It’s not just that we’re both physically attracted, it’s deeper than that.” He also added that they have both met each other’s parents, and that is one thing that made them happy. “My dad and her dad, kailangan mong i-separate. Ang nanay ko, palaging ka-text ang nanay niya. First time in my life na my set-up is like that,” he said. “How we are close, yung folks niya at folks ko, ganun din. Kasi we both prioritize family.” Derek and Andrea’s teleserye “The Better Woman,” just ended last September 27.
“Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated.” Happy birthday to Gloria, Wenting and Ahmed of Mills Peninsula!
BANKRUPTCY
FOR RENT
EMPLOYMENT
FOR SALE
Derek Ramsay is happy that his personal life is blooming now that he and actress Andrea Torres admitted that they are in a relationship.
Actor Piolo Pascual admitted that reconciliation with ex-girlfriend KC Concepcion is possible since they are both single now.
Dingdong Dantes, Primetime King of GMA 7, will return on TV in the new teleserye “Descendants of the Sun.”
Actress Thea Tolentino is one of the lead stars of GMA 7’s newest teleserye, “Madrasta.”
Employees of the San Francisco VA Medical Center held a party for Luisito Macaraig (wearing Brooklyn sweater) at Patio Filipino last September 7, to celebrate his retirement after 32 years of service.
Albert Martinez has shown his talent in acting once more in ABS-CBN 2’s top-rated teleserye “The General’s Daughter,” which will end soon.
REAL ESTATE
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA DO you believe in angels? I do. Most people do. The strong presence of angels in the various books of the Bible, especially during the birth of Jesus Christ attests to the role of angels in human history. The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bring forth a son. Zechariah received a message from an angel. It was an angel that told Joseph to take Mary for his wife. It was a multitude of angels that told the shepherds where to find the newborn child while angels hovered above the stable during that wondrous night. It was also an angel that warned Joseph of a clear and present danger to the child Jesus. Herod, the unhinged, murderous king descended from a long line of power-mad monarchs, wanted to make sure no one stood between him and his throne. In haste, Joseph left with Mary and the child during the night after the Magi had left for a long and arduous trek to a town in Egypt some scholars estimate to be 200 miles away where Herod had no authority to commit mass murder. You can bet a host of angels guided them in seeking refuge. Herod’s murderous rampage began when he realized that the Magi had tricked him and had taken a different route home ignoring his sly request to tell him of the child’s location. It is believed 14,000 innocent male babies from the age of two
Angels Among Us (First of 4 Parts)
“I think that someone is watching out for me, God, my guardian angel, I’m not sure who that is, but they really work hard.” — Mattie Stepanek Author, “Heartsongs” and below were killed in Herod’s most cruel, preemptive strike against this perceived threat to his kingdom. The holy family stayed safely away for years until the king died and the danger had passed. Did these holy innocents become cherubs, angels without wings? Do the millions of the unborn of our time the world over cut down by murderous abortionists become cherubs? Does God repurpose innocent souls upon their deaths to become angels themselves? There is a belief that souls are indestructible. If so, do souls get recycled back to be born at another time and place? Only God knows for certain. Angels were strong proactive characters when the story of humanity unfolded during biblical times. And while today, cynics, atheists and those on the dark side might argue that angels are figments of the human imagination, there are countless people who will brave the scorn of scoffers, fight back vehemently and attest to the very real presence of angels in their lives. The belief in the presence and power of angels to intervene is strong in popular conservative culture. In a remarkable 1999
Why Jacob never... From Page SF3 of War,” but I haven’t played the new one yet. How do you spend quality time with your girlfriend Nadine? Well, for us, when we get the chance, we get away from the city [or] out of the country, where people do not know us, in a place where we can be “truly private.”
Is there an upcoming project that your fans and followers can expect from you? I am working on a personal album (after “Palm Dreams”). The Careless Mixtape was a vehicle to promote all of the other artists (Nadine, Bret Jackson, Curtismith, Massiah, Astro Kidd, Midnasty) under my label, and to see what people could create if
Hallmark film, “A Season for Miracles,” an angel plays a pivotal role in helping a loving aunt to two children whose incarcerated, drug addicted mother places them in a situation forcing them to run and escape from the foster care system that threatens to split them apart during Christmas. The film is based on a novel by Marilyn Pappano and scripted by Maria Nation. Michael Pressman directed the film. It is a heartwarming story set in a small town called Bethlehem during Christmas with engaging characters like Agatha and Corrina. For those with a penchant for romance, the story has spades of it as well. So check this film out on youtube whether it is Christmas or not. In my opinion, this is a timeless piece of good work worth watching a hundred times. It will be an hour and some minutes to lighten your load and feel the presence of angels in your life as well. Suspend disbelief. That is the only way to enjoy stories about angels. (To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com we collaborate like that. My album is going to take a while, but there are new singles being released online from Careless Music Manila every week now, which is very exciting. So far, what is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career? It is important to take [your] time. There is a time for everything, and sometimes there is a time to sit back and relax, and there’s a time to go 100 percent.
community SF Win big at Graton’s Slot Tournaments this fall The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
IN this bustling city, do you ever wonder about where to relax after a tiring day at work? Bars? Karaoke or night market? NO, they are outdated. Come to the leisure and entertainment paradise – Graton Resort & Casino – to relieve your stress! Starting on October 3rd, Graton Casino invites you to participate in Fall’s Fortune Slot Tournaments every Thursday night from 5pm to 10pm, allowing you to experience exciting casino games, gourmet food and entertainment shows. Share the luck and win big in Graton! What are you waiting for? Graton Casino will be holding the Up to $150,000 Fall’s Fortune Slot Tournaments every Thursday of October throughout the month. Fifty (50) winners will be guaranteed to win. The top prize up to $15,000 cash. Premier and Platinum members can win double the prize amount, while Elite members can win triple the prize amount. All reward members get one free entry in each tournament! Toast together and share your luck! For more information related to the promotion, please visit GratonResortCasino.com or call 707-588-7100. In addition to the exciting entertainment gaming, no matter if you want to enjoy some world-class cuisine with your family, gather with friends and colleagues to enjoy a fantastic show together, or just simply enjoy a luxury spa alone after a long day, Graton is always your go-to place! There are 200 elegant comfortable rooms and luxurious suites, glamorous lobby and luxurious spa, more than 130 table games, including Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and more, in Graton. It also offers 3000 slot machines, live poker, video poker and a large function space for different music concerts and special
events. Additionally, Graton Resort & Casino’s non-smoking gaming area is now open! The 9,000 square feet non-smoking gaming area, which offers 300 slot machines and video poker, is just next to the casino valet. Now, you can enjoy gaming in a non-smoking environment at Graton Resort & Casino! And, there are delectable restaurants and bars, that offer different cuisines in the casino, such as Twelve-time World Pizza Champion Chef Tony Gemignani’s Tony’s of North Beach, Pan-Asian Eatery Boathouse, a top-quality steakhouse in 630 Park Steakhouse, classic American dishes from Daily Grill, and 500 seats in the Marketplace that offers casual
and convenient eateries for your selection. You will be sure to have a happy and unforgettable experience. Graton Resort & Casino Graton Resort & Casino is located in Rohnert Park, California, next to the Golf Course Drive exit of 101 freeway, with access to easy transportation. It has gourmet food, entertainment & accommodation all in one, and is the largest integrated resort in the Bay area. The casino is owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, managed by Station Casinos LLC. For more information, please visit www. GratonResortCasino.com,www. facebook.com/GratonCasino.
(Advertising Supplement)
people & events Jerome accepts gay role challenge
SF
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
by Ricky caldeRon
CALIFORNIA divorce – “No Fault.” California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce. What needs to happen is that the other party (your soonto-be ex-spouse) needs to be served with process. In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure that the other party has notice of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an action of Jerome Ponce Photo from Instagram/@mrjeromeponce divorce) and that s/he is given time to respond. However, to be afraid to play gay in a We admire Jerome’s courthere is no requirement for the film. age to take on this role, as other party to respond. There We have many actors who some actors are not that bold is no requirement that s/he sign played gay roles like Dolphy, enough, afraid that they might any document at all. All that Eddie Garcia and Edgar Allan be typecast or people might needs to happen is that s/he is Guzman to name a few, yet think they are also gay in real properly served with process people never doubted their life. But if one is secure of his according to the rules. gender. masculinity, there’s no reason What if I do not have legal papers, and my spouse is abusive? If safety is a concern, we urge people to seek help first, particularly if there are minor children who may also be at risk of abuse. For non-emergency calls, individuals may dial 2-1-1 by Jan Milo SeveRo to seek help finding resources Philstar.com for health, mental health, or ACTRESS Anne Curtis temporary shelter. asked the media to stop Options available for asking women about havvictims of abuse: VAWA Selfing a child. During “It’s Showtime’s” 10th year anniwhat they’re going through,” versary press conference Anne said. on Monday, September “For me, it will happen in 30, Anne was asked by a God’s time, and I think at any media member about her time I’m ready for it. But I’m plans to have a child with speaking for every woman. husband Erwan Heussaff. You don’t know what they’re “I think I should take going through,” she added. this opportunity that the Anne stressed that it’s press should stop askbetter to respect someone’s ing that to any woman, privacy regarding the matter. because you don’t know “I have a lot of friends Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith
Anne pleads people to stop asking about baby plans
Anne Curtis
The CTV Files
Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ
ManilaTimes.net
ACTOR Jerome Ponce plays a gay character in the upcoming Regal Entertainment movie, “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko Sa Love.” He admits that doing so for a real masculine guy like him is not easy, so we wonder so if he was able to do successfully. On hindsight, Jerome likewise admitted he had second thoughts on taking the part. After all, it’s not the role he auditioned for in the Jason Paul Laxamana film. But direk Jason was able to convince him to take on the part because it’s a challenging role. Jerome knew it’s a big challenge to him as an actor to play a gay role but after some thought, he decided to accept the part also to challenge his own capacity as thespian. Is it true that he has some kissing and bed scenes in the movie? Jerome does not want to tell. “Just watch the movie,” he said.
California divorce, domestic Petition. The spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, or the parent of a U.S. citizen, who is battered or subject to extreme cruelty may file a self-petition independently of the abusive U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. The spouse or child must demonstrate that he or she resided with the U.S. citizen or Lawful permanent spouse or parent; was battered or subject to extreme cruelty during the marriage (or, in the case of a spouse self-petitioner, the child was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty); the marriage was entered into in good faith; s/he is otherwise eligible for immediate relative or preference status; and has good moral character. In certain cases, though an individual has not suffered any physical harm, abuse can still be argued depending on the circumstances, since “abuse” is not limited to physical harm. Each application will be reviewed and examined on a case-by-case basis, and given the whole picture, an individual might just be able to show that he or she is a battered spouse or has suffered extreme cruelty from their U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident husband. If so, a VAWA Self-Petition will enable her to adjust her status without having to rely on their spouse. Deportability issues for green card holders with domestic violence conviction(s). A non-citizen, even if a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) for ten years, is liable to be deportable if s/he commits or is convicted of certain crimes, even if it’s “just a misdemeanor.” A conviction for
domestic violence can make a non-citizen deportable. A criminal conviction’s negative impact on immigration status. The Record of Conviction (ROC) details an individual’s criminal history – his/her arrest, what s/he plead to, and the final judgment/sentence. The relief(s) available to an individual facing removal/deportation proceedings will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. If you are a non-citizen, it is best to consult both with a criminal attorney and with an experienced criminal immigration attorney who handles deportation defense before pleading to anything in criminal court. No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent family law and immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. As always, be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. ***
who may be trying, and medyo nakakasakit when people keep asking them, ‘When are you going to have a baby?’ Maybe they just don’t want to have a baby,” Anne said. “I hope you guys don’t take this the wrong way, but I think in respect to every woman, you should stop asking when they’re going to get married, why don’t they
have a baby, or when they are going to have a baby.” Anne was recently hailed as the number one Instagram influencer in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The “It’s Showtime” host topped the Top 100 Movies and TV Instagram Influencers in UAE September 2019 list of international metrics website Hype Auditor.
Atty. Lilli Baculi Collins is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full-service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 9556277; (415) 495-8088; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)
people & events SF Parangal Dance Company performs at Legacies of the Pacific Inaugural Annual Community Benefit Gala The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019
Legacies of the Pacific is proud to present the inaugural annual community Benefit gala, which includes dinner and a show. as part of the mission to “Be the RiPPLe” in our communities, they are honored to have well-renowned, special performance guests: academy of Hawaiian arts (aHa), Parangal Dance company, and Kawailehua. event will be held at the Oakland scottish Rite center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Make-a-Wish greater Bay area will be the beneficiary of this inaugural event as Legacies of the Pacific has been continuing to support Make-aWish throughout the year enriching children’s wishes. Please support wishes by purchasing tickets today Tickets can be purchases online at https:// www.brownpapertickets. com/event/4243499.
After breaking the ice, Sharon and Gabby open to reunion movie again by AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net
WHILE ardent fans of the Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion love team gushed and raved about the two stars’ surprise duet at a recent advocacy show, there were also some observers who felt that there seemed to be something missing: “Less spark, less fire?” But to this observation, the Megastar had a snappy, cracking reply. “Siguro naman mas nakakatakot kung meron pa rin kaming nararamdaman para sa isa’t isa!” she quipped, followed a hearty laugh. Still, the reunion of sorts between the former screen partners and lovers had people talking on social media. “I think it was more about how the people felt … the kilig that was overwhelming. Wow, the reaction was, ‘Uy, it’s still there, the chemistry’— I don’t think it can ever go away. This despite knowing that I’m happily married and that he has his own family, as well,” she told reporters at a recent press conference for “Iconic,” her upcoming, two-night concert with Regine Velasquez. Curiously, the media event happened on Sept. 23—the exact date of her and Gabby’s church wedding. “We have been living separate lives for so long now. We would have been married for 35 years—as a matter of a fact, today!” Sharon pointed out. Her number with Gabby at PLDT’s Gabay Guro event was unplanned—“Come What May,” a duet from one of their earlier films—Sharon swore. “I had prepared two songs. But we weren’t supposed to sing together. I didn’t even know that he would be there.” And it may have been very well a stroke of serendipity: The two were able to iron out whatever ongoing misunderstanding, or tampuhan, they were having. “Gabby asked a friend of mine if he could talk to me. And I said, ‘You know what? Time has passed, and I think it’s OK,’” she related. “It was nice we talked, so we’re OK … It was nice that we could show everyone that we’re OK.” Sharon and Gabby never really divulged the root of their most recent rift. Talk has it, however, that it had something to do with their supposed reunion film that ultimately went kaput, despite all the buzz they managed to generate with their commercial for a fast-food chain last
Sharon Cuneta
ABS-CBN photo
year. On a possible reunion project, she said: “If you ask me, I’m open to it. No problems. I’m a professional actor.” If not a film, then at least a guest appearance at the concert? “Huwag muna. I don’t think it’s the right time,” Sharon surmised. “The show should be about Regine and me.” “Iconic,” which is Sharon’s first back-to-back concert with another female singer, is set on Oct. 18 and 19 at Smart Araneta Coliseum (call 911-5555). Because she and Regine are expected to sing a number of duets, they’re also expecting the inevitable comparisons from critics. It’s a collaboration, the singer-actress pointed out—not a competition. “It’s apples and oranges. Instead of comparing us, the people can look forward to two different styles coming together. I hope they appreciate that,” she said, adding that she has always been cognizant of her strengths and weaknesses as a singer. “I’m an alto, so my voice is lower. Regine can hit all the notes. But I have my own style. I know my limits. I put my heart into it—as will Regine,” she said. Also at the press conference, Sharon, 53, revealed that she’s planning to go into semiretirement when she turns 55. Next year will be packed. But after that, she will “considerably slow down.” At this point in her life, Sharon admitted that she had been feeling drained—not just physically—but emotionally and mentally, too. “Show biz has changed. The landscape has changed. And I will not let show biz eat my person or change my soul,” she said, who also touched on how she had fallen in the toxic trap of social media. But regardless of how her career unfolds, Sharon can safely say that show biz—her fans in particular—has been very good to her. “If people still love what you do, then you will always have a reason to come back,” she said.
SF8
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 4, 2019