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O C T O BER 5-11, 2018 Volume 11 - No. 50 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Youth groups, CHR blast AFP list of schools linked to ‘Red October’

by GAEA

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

In a press briefing Thursday, October 4, representatives from different Metro Manila colleges MANILA — Youth organi- and universities said the redzations slammed the Armed tagging of educational instituForces of the Philippines for tions vilifies legal student orbaring an unsubstantiated list ganizations and endangers the of schools where communist lives of students.

“We strongly call on the aurebels are allegedly trying to recruit students for the supposed thorities to immediately drop plot to unseat President Rodrigo this speculative accusation against the University of Santo Duterte.

USA

DATELINE CAPAC celebrates Fil-Am History Month FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

SLOWLY, but surely, Asian Americans are making their presence even more known in Hollywood, public office, the restaurant industry and other sectors of American life in this age of diversity and equal representation.

But Asians in the United States is not a recent phenomenon. The Filipino-American community, in particular, has a long and rich history in the United States from fighting under the American flag in World War II and becoming a driving force in the U.S. Armed Forces to playing an instrumental role in agriculture and the fight for workers rights in California.

In 2009, Congress designated October as Filipino American History Month as a way to nationally recognize “the critically economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions Filipino-Americans had made in countless ways toward the development of United States history,” according to the bill, H.R. 155.

October was the selected month in commemoration of the first arrival of Filipinos to what’s now known as Morro Bay, California on Oct. 18, 1587, and to honor labor activist Larry

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PH ‘plea’ program highlighted in UN forum WASHINGTON, D.C.– Prior to his Washington visit, Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol led the Philippine delegation to the Ministerial Breakfast on the Implementation of the Decade of Family Farming hosted by the Vice President of Costa Rica at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 27.

In his message, Secretary Piñol shared that the Philippine government has been actively implementing policies and initiatives on agriculture and fishing to address rural poverty.

As an example, he cited the launching of “PLEA” or the Production Loan Easy Access program which is a loan assistance program for small farmers and fisher folks that positively impacted the lives of the beneficiaries and reduced rural poverty in the Philippines.

With a repayment rate of 98% nationwide, the government decided to increase funding and expand the loan assistance program after one year of implementation.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, one

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Tomas and the other universities involved as this puts the safety and security of the community at risk,” Rafa Lipat, representative of UST Central Student Council, said.

He added that falsely accusing several groups shows that the government is “trying to provoke widespread bloodshed.”

ON A MISSION. President Rodrigo Duterte awards a medal to one of the personnel of the 803rd Infantry Brigade (803IB) during his visit to In a separate statement, the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy in Catarman, Northern Samar on Tuesday, October 2. Duterte instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines

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to intensify its intelligence gathering thrust to effectively neutralize communist insurgents, particularly in Northern Samar and nearby areas.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

Poll: 8 in 10 Filipinos view US positively EIGHT in 10 Filipinos have a positive view of the U.S., according to a recent survey by the Washington-based polling firm Pew Research Center.

The Philippines gave the U.S. a rating of 83 percent, one of the highest ratings in the survey. It was up from 78 percent in 2017.

The poll was conducted between May and August, using interviews with over 900 people in each of the 25 nations surveyed.

The survey also showed 78 percent of Filipinos expressing confidence in U.S. President

Donald Trump.

Only 18 percent have “no confidence” in him.

Seventy-seven percent of Filipinos also believe “it would be better for the world to have U.S. as the leading power.”

Only 12 percent of respondents from the Philippines chose China.

The U.S. also obtained high marks in South Korea, where 80 percent have a positive view of the U.S. and confidence in Trump at 44

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Duterte: Neutralize NPA members

by AJPRESS PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 2, ordered the “neutralization” of the New People’s Army (NPA). He said that the communist rebels have done nothing for the country except to kill civilians and lawmen, and engage in extortion activities.

“We are not into a crime prevention. Pati ‘yang pulis kasali na. It’s neutralization ang atin.

Then, we can solve the problem. (We are not into crime prevention. Even the police are now involved. It’s now neutralization. Then, we can solve the problem),” Duterte said in a speech at the Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy (CJPS) in Catarman, Northern Samar.

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Senate President Vicente Sotto III welcomes Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson minutes before she officially announced her resignation at the Senate committee hearing for the 2019 budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Wednesday, October 3.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

Mocha Uson resigns Former Assistant Communications Secretary mulls run for Congress in 2019

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

SAYING she was making a “sacrifice,” controversial Assistant Communications Secretary Mocha Uson resigned from her post on Wednesday, October 3.

Uson announced her resignation during the hearing of the Senate committee on finance on the proposed budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for next year.

Claiming that some lawmakers constantly delay deliberations Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez (right) speaks as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana looks on during the budget hearing on the budget of the Presidential for the defense department and attached agencies at the Senat on Tuesday, October 2. Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo Communications Operations Office

(PCOO) because of her, Uson said she was resigning to allow things to move on.

“Taon-taon ay sinasabihan ako na huwag punahin ang ilang mga mababatas para hindi ipitin ang budget ng PCOO. Nakakagalit man ngunit ganyan ang systema natin sa kasalukuyan. Bulok man ngunit ito kelangang sundin (Every year, I am told to ignore some lawmakers so that they won’t hold the PCOO budget hostage. It angers me but that is the present system. It’s rotten but we have to go with it),” she told a hearing.

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PH Foreign Affairs Sec. Cayetano defends Duterte at UN General Assembly

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held Saturday, September 29, in New York, saying that the country was on track to “salvaging” itself from becoming a narco-state.

Cayetano said that the Philippines was “uncompromising” on the issues of rule of law, and the “just and equitable peace that leads to order, development and prosperity, and the protection of each and every human beings’

rights.”

“As a sovereign and democratic country led by our duly-elected president, we are on track in salvaging our deteriorating country from becoming a narco-state, or a state held hostage by the rich and powerful who ignore the plight of the poor, powerless, and marginalized, or both,” Cayetano said at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

In response to the criticism on the war on drugs which has been building up in the country and abroad, Cayetano said such criticism was based off of misinterpretation.

“We may sometimes differ in

how we express ourselves, yet this should not be interpreted as turning our backs on the universal declaration on human rights,” said Cayetano. “On the contrary, we are instituting all of these reforms to be able to protect the rights of every single Filipino.”

“Yes, rights of all Filipinos, if that is at all possible,” continued Cayetano, adding that the Philippine government would choose to protect rights of “law-abiding citizens and law enforcers” over those of “drug lords and criminals.”

“Who wouldn’t? Wouldn’t you do the same?” added Cayetano.

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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

Inquirer.net photo

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october 5-11, 2018 • NeW YorK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JoUrNAL

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From the Front Page

Youth groups, CHR blast AFP...

PAGE A1

Commission on Human Rights said the blanket act of red-tagging infringes the freedom of expression and rights to petition government and to assembly.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., AFP assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, on Wednesday accused the Communist Party of the Philippines of inciting students to rebel against the government using film showings on martial law.

He identified the schools as: University of the Philippines (Diliman and Manila), Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University. Far Eastern University, University of the East in Recto and Caloocan, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, San Beda University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Makati, University of Caloocan City, University of Manila, and Philippine Normal University.

‘Duterte destabilizing himself’ The youth groups stressed that it is not the young Filipinos who are trying to kick the chief executive out but it is Duterte who is doing the destabilizing all by himself.

“Kung meron mang sumisira o nagde-destabilize sa gobyernong ito, ‘yun ay walang iba kundi si Pangulong Duterte na matagal nang sumisira sa pangarap at buhay ng mga kabataan,” Kyle Atienza of FEU said.

They said that the youth’s intolerance of the government’s “tyrannical and anti-people” policies is the reason why they are implicated in the military’s ouster propaganda.

“Because of this, we the youth and students are being targeted in our own universities by being given starring roles in this ‘Red October’ fiction,” Jose Torio of Kabataan Katipunan said.

Film communities decries ‘red-tagging’ On Thursday, more than 300 filmmakers, media workers, cultural workers and members of the film and artistic community circulated a statement on Facebook protesting the military “essentially [accusing] us and the organizations that sponsor film screenings on martial law of recruiting for the New People’s Army.”

Parlade on Wednesday, October 3, claimed that film showing activities that depict the dark years of martial law are being used to brainwash university and high school students.

“They have ongoing film showings in class about the dark years of martial law to incite students to rebel against the government, incite resurgence of the First Quarter Storm experience among students, while projecting President Duterte as the new Marcos,” the military official said.

The film industry insiders said that the red-baiting done by the military impinges on their rights to freedom of expression, speech, and assembly, and endangers them and their audience.

They stressed that the film screenings help the youth understand the atrocities that happened during the martial law era.

“The screenings hope to provide them with knowledge and insight into that dark chapter in our history, especially since many of the actual perpetrators and beneficiaries of that fascist dictatorship have fully rehabilitated themselves back into mainstream politics and into positions of power,” they said.

The workers in the film industry added: “Our events have also become venues for discussion and dialogue, between us as artists and documentarians of reality and the youth and the people we wish to serve.”

The group added: “Let us fur-

ther spread the word. We will not be cowed by these threats even as we will continue to condemn and expose these threats.

The screenings will go on—and multiply—in schools, in communities, in factories, in farms, in offices, in migrant gatherings.

The truth telling will continue!”

Universities deny ouster involvement Universities denied that they are participating in the alleged “Red October” plot to destabilize the current government.

“It is a big allegation on the university. On our part, we have been in support of different educational needs of our marginalized sectors here in the university,” Mark Anthony Abenir, director of UST’s Simbahayan Community Development Office, said in a statement tweeted by the school’s student publication The Varsitarian.

University of Makati President Tomas Lopez also stressed the school has “no knowledge of any student activity linked to AFP’s claims.”

Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila said neither the school nor its students have any “record of participation in any partisan political activity,” adding the school is more engaged in outreach and community programs.

La Salle president Bro. Armin Luistro, for his part, found the accusation baffling that the AFP has not reached out to the institution before releasing the list.

“If there is really something substantial with their report, they would be holding dialogues with school officials, and not release intelligence information to the media,” Luistro said.

CHR called on the military to be more prudent in releasing information.

“It also appears that the information has not been thoroughly validated amidst reports that based on the records of the CHED one of the listed schools does not exist,” it said. n

Ph ‘plea’ program highlighted in...

PAGE A1 of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is ending poverty and achieving Zero Hunger,

which requires “partnerships that boost investments in rural development to support smallscale family farmers, especially

women and youth, tackle some of the root causes that force people to migrate, and address the impacts of climate change.” n

ANTI-GRAFT CRUSADE. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer in charge Eduardo Año administers the oath to members of the newly launched ‘Bantay Korapsyon’ from local governments, government agencies, and various groups of non-government organizations during the group’s launch on Wednesday, October 3.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Duterte: Neutralize NPA...

PAGE A1 According to him, a person commits the crimes of rebellion 24 hours a day once he or she joins the NPA. “Neutralization na tayo ngayon…

There is no crime prevention because the crime is being perpetrated 24 hours a day. So hindi mo kailangan magtanong pa kung may warrant-warrant diyan. (We are now on “neutralization” mode. There is no crime prevention because the crime is being perpetrated 24 hours a day. So you don’t really need any warrant),” he said.

Duterte also said that amping up intelligence efforts is the best way to get things to work in the military’s favor.

“The best way is intelligence.

Magbuhos kayo ng intelligence.

Then pag nakuha niyo, it’s neutralization. I will be criticized, but I’m telling you, I am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal. Legal ‘yan. (The best

way is intelligence. Put everything into intelligence. Then when you get it, it’s neutralization. I will be criticized, but I’m telling you, I am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal. That’s legal),” he said.

Duterte also repeated his vow not to let soldiers go to jail for performing their duty. “’Pag lumaban at tingin mo buhay mo nakakasa na, shoot first.

Iyan ang utos ko. Huwag kang magalala. Pag ‘yan ang circumstances, nandiyan ako sa’yo. At hindi ako papayag makulong kayo maski isang araw, maniwala kayo. Away ‘yan. Pilitin nila kayong i-preso, ah away ‘yan. Sabihin ko, ‘Iyan ang utos ko. Ang unang mapreso ako, hindi ‘yang sundalo ko.’ Kaya ‘yan ang utos ko, neutralization.

And that is the best way how to handle the problem now. (If they fight back and you feel like your life is at stake, shoot first. That’s my order. Don’t worry. If those are the

Mocha Uson...

PAGE A1 “At dahil dyan, ako na ang magsasakripisyo para maipasa na ang budget ng PCOO. Ako ay nagdesisyon nang magresign (Because of that, I am making the sacrifice so that the PCOO budget would pass. I have decided to resign),” she added.

She vowed that her resignation was not the end, however.

“Para sa mga bumabatikos sa akin, huwag kayong magkakamaling isipin na nagtagumay kayo.

Hindi ako nagbitiw sa position dahil takot akong harapin kayo. Gusto ko lang na pag nagkaharap tayo patas ang laban (To my detractors, don’t think you succeeded. I did not resign out of fear of facing you.

I just want to make sure that when we cross paths, the fight would be even),” she said.

Uson said left-leaning lawmakers, whom she did not name, were angry at her after she interviewed Lumad leaders who revealed that they were being used by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

Uson also accused some lawmakers of using their position to get back at government agencies

that do not give in to their personal interests.

“Balang araw magkakaharap din tayo. Ngunit hindi tulad nyo na nagtatago sa inyong position, handa akong lumaban bilang isang ordinaryong Filipino kasama ng mga walang boses sa lipunan (We will meet one day. But unlike you who hide behind your position, I will fight as an ordinary Filipino standing together with those who have no voice in society),” she said.

“Dadalhin ko ang laban sa Senado at Kongreso. Hindi ito katapusan ng laban. Umpisa pa lamang po ito (I will bring the fight to the Senate and Congress. This is not the end. It is only the beginning),” she further said.

Before this, Uson was dragged into various controversies, including a lewd video of “pepederalismo” jingle with blogger-friend, Drew Olivar, and another video of them together mocking the sign language.

Uson and Olivar have apologized for mocking the sign language.

Open to run for 2019 elections Uson said she is open to run for the 2019 midterm elections, but is not yet sure whether to seek a

circumstances, I’ve got you. And I will not let you go to jail even for a day, believe me. They’re going to have a fight on their hands. If they insist on sending you to jail, they’ll have a fight. I’ll tell them, “Those are my orders. I will go to jail, not my soldiers.” So that’s my order, neutralization. And that is the best way how to handle the problem now),” he said.

Ties between the government and communist rebels soured after Duterte accused communist rebels last year of continuing their attacks against government troops despite ongoing peace talks.

Talks were supposed to resume in June in Norway but halted when Duterte called it off to give way to public consultations and review of existing agreements.

The Duterte administration tried to push for localized peace talks, but was rejected by the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army. n seat at the Senate or the House of Representatives.

“Senator, Congress, hindi ko po alam, pero open po tayo (I don’t know, but I am open for that),” she said in an ambush interview on Wednesday, October 3 when asked if she plans to enter politics, shortly after announcing her resignation from the PCOO during a Senate hearing.

She said her candidacy still depends on the pulse of the voting public.

“Kasunod po ng sinabi ni pangulo na let the people decide (I will follow what the president said, that we should let the people decide),” she said, noting that she will proceed with her possible bid based on the comments of her supporters in her Facebook page.

Uson said she is “frustrated” over how the “same faces” have been dominating politics, and stressed that ordinary Filipinos should have a voice in the government.

Asked if running for politics is one of her options in giving Filipinos that voice in government, she said: “Siguro po (perhaps).”

“Mahiya naman kayo. Matagal nang pare-parehong mukha ang nandiyan (You should be ashamed.

You with same faces have long been there),” she said. n

Ph Foreign Affairs Sec. Cayetano defends...

PAGE A1 Since taking office in 2016, President Duterte and his administration have been a focus of human rights advocates in regards to the war on drugs that advocates estimate has left at least ten thousand people dead from extrajudicial killings. Government statistics have held the number below 5,000.

A preliminary investigation by the UN-recognized International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently underway in response to complaints filed against him.

On Thursday, September 27,

Duterte admitted to the extrajudicial killings in a speech at Malacañang Palace which his presidential spokesperson Harry Roque downplayed as not being serious.

“I told the military, what is my fault? Did I steal even on peso?” said Duterte. “My only sin is the extrajudicial killings.”

Roque followed up by saying that the comments were “playful” and should “not be taken literally” — a response Roque has before made following remarks made by the president.

During the Thursday speech,

Duterte added that he did not plan on ending the war on drugs.

“It will not end. As I have said, I will put on the tably my life, the presidency. I can lose it at anytime. My honor,” said Duterte.

At the UN General Assembly, Cayetano closed his speech saying, “The Filipino People will remain to be persistent in our quest for peace order development and prosperity, and the quest for a safe and comfortable life for all Filipinos.”

“We will continue to have faith, put actions to our faith, and love our neighbors,” said Cayetano. n

CAPAC celebrates Fil-Am history...

PAGE A1 Itliong who was born on Oct. 25, 1913.

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) are celebrating Filipino American History Month by honoring and recognizing the many contributions of Filipino-Americans.

“During Filipino American History Month, we celebrate the incredible contributions and sacrifices Filipino-Americans have made to our great nation over many years. From serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, to strengthening our economy by helping to shape emerging technology and health care industries, the Filipino-American community has overcome prejudice and discrimination to thrive and become a vital part of the American story,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a ThaiAmerican Iraq War veteran said in a statement.

The Los Angeles County is home

to the largest concentration of Filipinos outside of the Philippines.

In 2002, current mayor and thencouncilor Eric Garcetti designated part of the Westlake and Echo Park region of LA proper as Historic Filipinotown in honor of the Filipinos who settled in Los Angeles and helped make the City of Angels the multicultural hub it is.

“The everyday contributions of Filipino-Americans in Los Angeles — from business, to entertainment, to public service — continues to make our city one of the most vibrant in the nation,” said U.S. Rep Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), whose district comprises Historic Filipinotown. “I am honored to join my colleagues in recognizing the Filipino-American community’s achievements and serve as their champion in Congress.”

The Filipino and Filipino-American war effort in World War II went largely ignored for decades until the Obama administration began providing specialized ben-

efits to Filipino veterans.

Last year, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the remaining Filipino World War II veterans and to the families of soldiers who passed, a major show of recognition that Filipino veteran advocates have been fighting for for decades, but CAPAC believes that Congress must continue to provide “basic veterans’ rights” to this community of service members.

“Some of the most significant contributions came from the more than 200,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American service members during World War II,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). “Far too many of them have still not received the basic veterans’ rights they earned. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we must continue our efforts to honor those brave Filipino veterans and their families by finally giving them the benefits and recognition they deserve.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 5-11, 2018

PNP seeks to further relations with global Filipino community through new program

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

GREEN, GREEN PROGRAM. Senator Loren Legarda speaks as she expressed her support for the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Green, Green, Green Program, which aims to make the country’s cities more liveable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces.

Senate photo

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

by Faye

Orellana Inquirer.net

cal laws and regulations • Always keep alert in crowded areas such as popular tourist The Department of Foreign Af- spots, transport terminals, marfairs (DFA) said Tuesday, October kets, concert venues, among oth2 that “no place (abroad) is com- ers. pletely safe” and gave advise to • Be wary of con artists who Filipinos traveling abroad. use a variety of tactics to distract The department said tourists tourists while accomplices gain had the tendency to “lower their access to one’s personal items guard” when on tour in a foreign • Be careful of one’s belongcountry. ings.

It gave the following tips so that • Distribute cash, credit cards, Filipinos would not fall victim to important documents and other thieves, pickpockets, snatchers, valuables in separate compartscammers, and other petty crimi- ments inside the bag nals: • Keep both hard and electron• Be mindful of and respect lo- ic copies of your passport, IDs,

PH Agriculture Sec. Piñol visits Washington, highlights PH agri cooperation with US WAShInGTOn, D.C. – After attending the high-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the United nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) in new York held at the margins of the 73rd Session of the United nations General Assembly, Philippine Agriculture Secretary emmanuel F. Piñol proceeded to Washington, D.C. to discuss with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bilateral collaboration opportunities that can yield benefits for agricultural producers, importers, exporters and consumers of both countries.

Secretary Piñol met with USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney on Friday, September 28 where both agriculture officials re-affirmed the agricultural trade and cooperation between their respective countries.

Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the United States and the Americas joined Secretary Piñol in the meeting and reported to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez that the meeting went very well.

“I am pleased to learn that our Agriculture Secretary highlighted the importance of technology, quality and safety standards to boost Philippine farm and agroindustrial competitiveness and has discussed initiatives to collaborate with the United States on agricultural technology,” Ambassador Romualdez said in a statement.

“The United States is the top market of the Philippines for its food and agricultural product exports amounting to about $1.5 billion in 2017 while the Philippines is the United States’ 12th largest market for its agricultural and food exports estimated at $2.7 billion last year,” the Ambas-

sador further added.

During the meeting, Secretary Piñol also expressed appreciation for the market access for Philippine food and fiber products in the U.S. market, and further informed Undersecretary McKinney that heis looking forward to the forthcoming U.S. market opening for Philippine young coconuts.

Dr. Javelosa further reports that Secretary Piñol shared with Undersecretary McKinney the positive outcomes of his visit to Driscoll’s research and development center in California on possible R&D collaborations, his discussion with the U.S. Soybean expert Council on expanding opportunities in soybean meal utilization and processing in the Philippines, and his meeting with Indiana-based Buskirk engineering on establishing pellet feed mills in the Philippines, among others. he also discussed with Undersecretary McKinney a proposed goat industry development initiative in the Philippines with an infusion of good genetics from the United States.

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

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

Contributed photo

Poll: 8 in 10 Filipinos view...

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percent.

Trump has developed a friendly relationship with President Duterte.

The Philippines and the U.S. have agreed to conduct 281 security cooperation activities next year, according to the Armed

Forces of the Philippines.

During his first year in office, Duterte veered away from the U.S. by declaring an “independent foreign policy.” Duterte realigned with China in an effort to resolve the maritime issue in the South China Sea through bilateral talks. (Helen Flores/Philstar)

credit cards and important documents handy while on travel.

If a passport gets lost, Filipinos should immediately file a police report and go the nearest Philippine embassy or Consulate for assistance.

“Our kababayan should keep in mind that there are more stringent requirements for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport as compared to securing a regular passport, especially while abroad,” the DFA said.

“It therefore pays to take extra precautions while on travel to avoid this inconvenience,” it added. n

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In an effort to connect with Filipinos all around the globe, the Philippine national Police (PnP) has launched the Global Police Community Relations (PCR) program.

According to the PnP PCR Group’s website, the program will allow Filipinos to report crimes from outside the Philippines and provides access to assistance from the PnP and “will truly help to promote and preserve peace and security not only within the country but all over the globe.”

“Our foremost concern in launching the Global PCR is to connect to all our kababayans abroad,” Chief Supt. Rhodel Sermonia said at an official launch of the program at the Philippine Consul General’s office in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 21. “Or, in our own little way, we’ll be able

to address their problems especially the emotional problems that they will encounter if their loved ones left in the Philippines are encountering also some emotional problems.

In essence, the Global PCR seeks to improve communication between the police force and Filipinos everywhere. The program has a crucial social media component that will make it easier for Filipinos to submit tips to the PnP. Since the election of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his violent campaign on illegal drugs, the PnP has come under intense international scrutiny for its role in killing drug suspects in neighborhood raids. According to Balitang America, Filipinos who attended Friday’s launch and who have relatives and loved ones back in the Philippines expressed concern over the crime rates in certain barangays, or neighborhoods.

The United nations and Amnesty International are among the most prominent human rights advocates that have condemned Duterte’s ruthless drug war which has claimed the lives of thousands of suspects and civilians without granting them due process of law.

Sermonia said that the program will not only work to efficiently prevent crimes, but it will also display law enforcement’s efforts in drug rehabilitation measures, too.

“Of course another objective [is] to show all our kababayans all over the world that the Philippine government under the leadership of our President Duterte is again coming up with a very strong program which is taping malasakit, or shall we say courage and compassion program, and would like to show to you this global PCR that another malasakit more than 10 million Filipinos all over the world.” n

PNP reinforces Filipino Facebook users’ capabilities against cyberattacks hacked social media accounts. nearly 50 million Facebook accounts were compromised by an atFACeBOOK users in the Philip- tack that gave hackers the ability to pines are being advised by the take over users’ accounts, Facebook Philippine national Police-Anti-Cy- revealed on Friday, September 28.

According to Facebook, their bercrime Group (PnP-ACG) to reinforce their capabilities to counter engineers discovered the security possible cyberattacks in the wake breach last Tuesday, September of recent identity theft reports and 25, and patched on Thursday Sep-

by AJPress

tember 27. Users whose accounts were affected will be notified by Facebook; they will be logged out of their accounts and required to log back in.

The security breach is believed to be the largest in Facebook’s history, as reported by The Guardian.

The attack was particularly severe

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october 5-11, 2018 • NeW YorK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JoUrNAL

US trains PH soldiers on social media monitoring PhiliPPine Army personnel recently underwent training on monitoring social media to counter misinformation by violent extremist organizations. information operations specialists with the U.S. Army special operations command gave the training to the army’s new social media monitoring cell last week.

The monitoring cell, activated in July 23, is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ campaign to strengthen information operations capability. The program has support from the U.S. embassy.

“This social media cell is another example of the combined

U.S.-Philippine effort to counter violent extremism and mitigate threats to regional stability,” Capt. Robert Barnes of the U.S. Army said.

The U.S. embassy’s indo-Pacific Command Augmentation Team and non-governmental organization Spirit of America work with the Philippine Army on social media research, analysis and countering violent extremism, the embassy said in a release.

‘Digital and informational battlefields’ Col. Romeo Brawner, commanding officer of the army’s Civil Military Operations, said the AFP wil develop more state-of-the-art

Dateline USa

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communication technologies in the future.

“This generation saw the birth of the information age, and future wars will be fought on digital and informational battlefields,” Brawner said.

U.S. troops were among the first to assist the Philippines when iSiS-inspired terrorists laid siege to Marawi City last year.

Then presidential spokesperson ernesto Abella said the U.S. provided “technical assistance” in the campaign against the Maute group in Marawi but no American soldier was directly involved in the battle. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com) HISTORIC WIN FOR WORKING MOTHERS. Senator Risa Hontiveros, author and principal sponsor of the historic Expanded Maternity Leave Law passed in the Senate, on Wednesday signed the bicameral conference committee report of the measure that provides 105 to 120 days of maternity leave for all working mothers. The bill is in compliance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. The last time that the number of paid maternity leave was increased in the country was in 1992 or 26 years ago. The proposed measure is scheduled for ratification by Congress.

Senate photo

Islamic State fighters to return to Mindanao

by AJPress iSlAMiC State (iS) fighters have reportedly fled Syria to return to Mindanao in efforts to establish a territory in Southeast Asia, according to The Washington Times on Sunday, September 30.

The Center for Strategic and international Studies (CSiS) in Washington released a report stating that more iS-affiliated fighters came from Southeast Asia, specifically from armed groups in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) than in AfCol. Romeo S. Brawner, Commanding Officer of the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations (CMO) Regiment, speaks to members of the US ghanistan and iraq.

Indo-Pacific Augmentation Team.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila As a result, the United States

Department of State has ranked the Philippines among the five countries with the most terrorist attacks alongside Afghanistan, india, iraq and Pakistan. The said countries were the sites of 60 percent of the terrorist attacks in 2017.

The U.S. State Department’s top counter-terrorism coordinator Ambassador nathan Sales warned the public on the danger of the said terrorist group as they were proved to be “resilient, determined and adaptable” according to the same report from the Times.

“They have adjusted to heightened counterterrorism pressure in iraq, Syria, Somalia and elsewhere,” Sales said.

The counterterrorism expert added that the foreign terrorist fighters were “returning home” to join the iS branches there. in the same report, CSiS Asia analyst Greg Poling pointed out that the plan to return resulted from their failure to establish a homeland in the Middle east.

“As we execute victories on the ground in iraq and Syria, [iS] is going to disperse to other areas around the globe, including Southeast Asia,” Poling said.

The analyst also noted that the Mindanao region is vulnerable since it is still considered an ungoverned territory.

“The southern Philippines is still an ungoverned region,” Poling added.

The threat started in May 2017 when members of the Maute gang of extortionists and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group attacked Marawi, lanao del Sur and held it for five months.

Despite the death of Maute and Abu Sayyaf leaders in the aftermath of the Marawi siege, establishing an iS caliphate or province in Southeast Asia with the southern Philippines as the

de facto capital remained a key goal among the jihadi group’s affiliates.

“Affiliates will try to hold territory, they will try to establish a new caliphate,” the Asia analyst said in the report. he noted that holding a territory is required in order to be an iS affiliate. Poling compared it to what they did in Marawi wherein they hold the city captive for five months.

Following the incident in Marawi, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law to curb the impending terrorist uprising. lawmakers extended the military rule until the end of 2018.

The said Washington Times report followed the arrest of three suspected members of an iSlinked terrorist group in Barangay Palian Tupi, South Cotabato early on Monday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. warned the public that despite the danger the group poses, iS tends to claim false responsibility to heighten fear and terror.

“They are claiming everything.

They are doing it to heighten the support and to show that they are still there,” Galvez warned.

According to the Washington Times, the Pentagon reportedly funneled $16 million in fiscal 2017 for a new counterterrorism mission in the southern Philippines. Around 200 to 300 U.S. troops will be serving in advisory roles in the Philippines.

“We are more committed to preventing, and not just rolling back the threat,” Poling said.

The analyst also stated in the report that the Philippine military is “far more capable, far better equipped” than any of the armed groups in the southern Philippines. n

4 more communications vs Duterte filed at ICC — CHR

AT least four more “confidential communications” about President Rodrigo Duterte’s ferocious war on drugs have been filed before the international Criminal Court, Commission on human Rights chief Chito Gascon said.

Gascon said that these communications were filed as early as 2016.

“We are aware that there are other confidential communications that have been submitted both from the Philippines—from non-governmental organizations and victims’ groups—as well as internationally submitted communications,” the ChR head said in an interview on AnC’s “early edition” on Thursday, October 4.

One of the communications tackles the alleged violations against women and children, he added.

These “confidential communications” come on top of the separate communications filed by lawyer Jude Sabio and backed by a supplemental communication of Sen. Antonio Trillanes iV and Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) in 2017 and the families of alleged

victims of extrajudicial killings last August.

“The communications and other sources of information that the iCC collects will constitute the body of facts or information that will prompt them to make the decision to investigate further,” Gascon said.

The hague-based court already launched a preliminary examination, not investigation, into Duterte’s anti-narcotics crackdown. last March, the administration formally sent the Philippines’ letter of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that created iCC. Despite this the Philippines remains a party to the Rome Statute as the withdrawal will only take effect a year after the date of receipt of the notification. human rights advocates claim there have been more than 12,000 individuals killed since Duterte launched the brutal war on drugs.

But the government has downplayed the numbers, claiming a little over 4,000 deaths in recognized law enforcement operations.

(Philstar.com)

PNP reinforces Filipino Facebook...

PAGE A3 because the hackers stole “access tokens” — a security key that allows users to stay logged into Facebook over multiple browsing sessions without entering their password every time. Possessing a token lets an attacker to take full reins of the victim’s account, including logging into third-party applications that use Facebook login.

PnP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that with the development of technology, some have seen it as an opportunity to earn money — even in illegitimate ways, such as hacking and scamming.

“This is the crime trend that we have seen in the recent times. Due to the involvement of millions of Filipinos in social media, some have seen it as very profitable and they

[suspects] are really hard to trace and find,” Albayalde said.

The PnP Chief also said the ACG under Chief Supt. Marni Marcos issued guidelines that will protect the public from hackers: • Social media accounts should be kept private; • Utilize a unique password in every online account you manage; • initiate a background check on a person’s social media account who is not known to you personally before befriending or accepting a friend request; • install anti-virus programs and activate your firewall; For more information about the new trends of cybercrime modus operandi and how to avoid them, visit ACG’s website at www.pnpacg. gov.ph and Facebook page: PnP Anti-Cybercrime. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 5-11, 2018

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Dateline P‘Martial hiliPPines law in Mindanao reduced violence in ARMM ‘ by aJPress

HIGHER OIL PRICES. An attendant fills up a container with fuel at a station on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, October 2. Oil firms on Tuesday hiked prices of diesel by P1.35 per liter, gasoline by P1 per liter, and kerosene by P1.10 per liter.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinea

Palace, military disagree on Trillanes case by aJPress Amid the revocation of the amnesty of Senator Antonio Trillanes iV, malacañang and the military, on Tuesday, October 2, do not seem to agree on whether the former mutineer applied for amnesty or not.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the senator has indeed applied for amnesty. He referred to the sworn statement of the former head of the secretariat of the amnesty committee Lt. Col. Josefa Berbigal attesting to Trillanes’ application and submission of documents.

This was stated when Trillanes asked both Galvez and department of National defense (dNd) Secretary delfin Lorenzana during the Senate hearing on the proposed P183-billion dNd budget for 2019 on whether they think he applied for amnesty.

“Regarding my amnesty application – you know the truth – i want to know, did i apply for amnesty as far as your investigation is concerned?,” Trillanes asked as reported by The Philippine Star.

The current defense secretary claimed that he was in no position to answer since the amnesty grant happened during the previous administration. However, he noted that Solicitor General Jose Calida asked for his help in accessing security documents on August 16 to which a certain deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (J1) issued a certification that Trillanes’ application could not be found.

Galvez responded by airing his suspicion that Trillanes’ application document has gone missing due to some “lapses.” He noted an instance wherein documents regarding promotion of officers submitted by the AFP were not

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

returned by the dNd. “Apparently, there were some lapses, sir. The (amnesty) documents were not handed back to the J1, which is basically the repository of all the documents along with the OTAG (Office of the Adjutant General),” Galvez replied.

“Our suspicion is that the repository of the documents did not bring these down to us at GHQ,” the AFP chief added as reported by The Philippine daily inquirer.

Roque: Galvez, not a lawyer Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. begged to differ noting that Galvez statement does not hold much value because the AFP chief is not a lawyer. “i’m talking as a lawyer, best evidence rule. And besides, that’s in the courts and one court has said that the pictures and everything else that Senator Trillanes adduced are not enough and, of course, i concur as a lawyer. Certainly, you don’t expect me to take the side of Chief Galvez who was not a lawyer over the words of a learned judge,”

Philstar.com photo

Roque said.

Roque said that the best proof would be the application form unto which has “a certification that it cannot be found.”

“Unfortunately, we are governed with the rules of evidence, best evidence rule, you have to prove first and foremost why you cannot produce the original document.

He is unable to produce it,” the spokesperson added.

When reminded that the military, as a custodian, holds the responsibility of securing important documents, the presidential spokesperson insisted that the senator should have secured his own received copy, should circumstances such as this would arise. “ideally, but that is why his own copy of the received is important.

His own received copy of the application is important because if the copy on file cannot be found, then the best evidence to prove that in fact it was filed would have been his duly received copy,” Roque said. n

AFP chief excludes LP from ‘Red October’ plot to oust Duterte by aJPress ARmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday, October 2, excluded the Liberal Party (LP) and Senator Antonio Trillanes iV from any involvement in the presumed “Red October” — a plot to oust President Rodrigo duterte.

The AFP chief clarified that it is only the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), along with its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) that plans on overthrowing of the leader from his seat of power. However, he warned that they might try to involve legitimate political groups and personalities without their knowledge through cutouts and “linkages.”

LP President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan denied his political party’s involvement in the said “Red October” plot. He even assured the public that they would investigate anyone who might be involved in the said ouster and would expel them if proven guilty.

“We will not support any unconstitutional approach or unconstitutional move. in fact, if you have information on any member of the LP, would you tell us? We will expel (him or her) because that is in violation of our Constitution,” Pangilinan said as reported

by The Philippine Star.

Trillanes also refuted all claims that magdalo, the group that he formed during the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, is associated with the impending plot to remove duterte from the presidency.

“Let me assure you, if there (is) recruitment (in the military), it’s not coming from magdalo,” Trillanes told Galvez during the Senate hearing on the proposed P183-billion budget

of the department of National defense (dNd).

This was in response to the accusations thrown by malacañang that there exists a “collusion” among communists and certain LP members and that Trillanes himself has called for the ouster.

Such inconsistency prompted Galvez to request for an executive session with senators on the matter.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., however, did not discount the possibility that a coordinated plan to overthrow the president exists within the mentioned groups who staunchly opposed the president.

“No one will admit (collusion).

But there is (intelligence) information in this regard and as far as we are concerned, we are considering all these information as valid and we are ready to face them,” Roque said.

The presidential spokesman also doubted LP and magdalo’s denial of involvement noting that the groups would have thought of ways to aid in the said plot. “it could be true that there is no formal memorandum of agreement between the (LP) itself and the CPP-NPA. it does not prevent leading personalities with the (LP) from having such collusion,” Roque said. “(Trillanes) has repeatedly called for the ouster of the President, so there’s no inconsistency.

He has told, he has actually verbalized time and again (that duterte) should step down,” he added.

Red October plot Red October, as perceived by Galvez, is an “elaborate” and “pervasive” attack that stems from the agitation of students, labor groups and indigenous peoples on issues like high prices and human rights violations.

Galvez said that the collective agitation, accompanied by the

opening of a “people’s court” to try duterte for his alleged crimes, and the heightened NPA rural attacks would ultimately lead to a political and economic turmoil.

“This is the sinister plot of the CPP-NPA,” Galvez said as he likened Red October to the destabilization attempt of 1971 Plaza miranda bombing and the mutiny during former president Gloria macapagal-Arroyo’s administration.

Galvez added that communist rebels, directed by CPP founding chairman Jose maria Sison from the Netherlands, would overthrow the government and take over. As agitation started on the 46th anniversary of marcos’ martial law declaration on September 21, the AFP chief expected it to peak on the CPP’s 50th anniversary.

Lower house and NBI probes Red October Seven leftist party-list representatives from the makabayan bloc urged the House of Representatives to investigate Red October.

The lawmakers said that the false intel shared by other military officers gave clearance to those who were supposedly involved.

“These put the military’s allegations in question. it is imperative that they investigate the so-called Red October plot or similar ones alleged by the AFP as such may be a prelude to massive crackdown against the opposition and may result in human rights violations on a massive scale,” they said.

An anonymous source from the same Philippine Star report, that a witness surfaced before the National Bureau of investigation (NBi) and shared “significant details” on the Red October plot. The source also hinted that the witness “bolstered AFP’s information.” department of Justice (dOJ) Secretary menardo Guevarra refused to confirm this, saying he PAGE A7

ReCeNT conflict alert report released on Tuesday, October 2, showed that Philippine President Rodrigo duterte’s declaration of martial law helped lessen violence in the Autonomous Region in muslim mindanao (ARmm) by discouraging armed groups from bringing out their weapons.

Senior Peace and Conflict Adviser in Asia for international Alert Philippines Francisco Lara Jr. shared the 2018 conflict alert report to the media as reported

by Rappler. “it disabled the ability of armed groups to take out their weapon.

The biggest effect we saw of martial law is control of the weapons,” Lara said.

He also shared insights from ARmm stakeholders they interviewed. He noted that there was a decrease in weapon and firearm usage simply because they had to go through checkpoints. He also said that such rule led to “less violence.”

“Ang sagot nila simple lang, hindi makalabas ng baril kasi nahuhuli sa checkpoint (Their answer was simple, they can’t bring out their guns because they will get caught in checkpoints),” he said.

The implementation of martial law brought stricter rules and regulations that “prevented the open and easy access to, and use of, illicit weapons across the region.”

“Whatever the case was, the marawi conflict was used to justify the imposition of martial law which in turn snuffed out other potential flashpoints from erupting at the same time,” the report stated. martial law in mindanao also imposed daily curfews. Checkpoints that led to the capture of weapons “ensured that various urban centers would not be infiltrated by armed groups intending to do a repeat of marawi,” the report added.

‘Address root causes of conflict in the region’ despite the perceived “positive effect” of the imposed military rule, Lara urged the government to address the root causes of conflict in the region alongside its heavy security response.

“Our problem now is the government is operating with a strong

security response so those other things are left behind. Government talks of a whole of government approach. i don’t see it,” he said.

The conflict adviser said that programs intended to improve access to education among the ARmm youth would help them avoid resorting into extremist thinking.

“You need to fix the madrasah, you need educational inputs.

There need to be more efforts to get the youth to work on productive projects, not only livelihood, projects that will get them together,” Lara added.

The conflict alert report also called for a “multi-faceted” apPAGE A7

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october 5-11, 2018 • NeW YorK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JoUrNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Above the law

Lawmakers must be reminded that they are on the payroll of taxpayers so their employer — or their boss, as a former president put it — is the Filipino public. Lawmakers must also bear in mind that their job designation does not put them above the law, but commits them to uphold it.

There must be no room in Congress for the kind of arrogance being imputed on ACTS-OFW partylist Rep. John Bertiz. A viral video showed the congressman shoving what appears to be his identification card at the face of a security screener at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. The video showed Bertiz then grabbing the screener’s ID card and taking a photo of it.

Initial reports said Bertiz resented being told to take off his shoes for the x-ray machine – a standard requirement for all departing passengers. His camp explained that he was irked upon seeing a group of Asian-looking foreigners being escorted past the security area without going through the same checks.

If Bertiz wants foreigners to comply with Philippine laws and regulations, he must be the first to show compliance. He should take off his shoes – plus his belt, jacket and whatever other items ordinary folks are told to put on the tray for the x-ray machine.

In other countries, he would have landed in jail for creating a scene. Considering the threats to global

security particularly aviation, such requirements are for the safety of all departing passengers, himself included. After complying with the rules, he can then castigate airport personnel who might have exempted foreigners from security screening, as his camp claims.

Bertiz was still in a joking mood yesterday, blaming his “monthly period” for the outburst. For sure, women are not amused.

This is the second time in just a week that Bertiz has drawn flak. At the oath-taking of new engineers at the Professional Regulation Commission last week, he drew boos from the audience when he joked that those who did not know Special Presidential Assistant Christopher “Bong” Go would not get their PRC license. The negative reaction to the “joke” could rub off on Go. House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, who counts 44 members in his bloc, said yesterday they would initiate an ethics probe of Bertiz. With the probe, the House should convince the public that its members understand that no one is above the law – least of all those who craft legislation. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

No to Kavanaugh Supreme Court Justice nomination: Let me count the why’s The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP is right. The recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing involving his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — accused of sexual assault that allegedly happened in the 1980s by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University and a research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine — could be a blessing in disguise.

It is important to stress that such hearing on September 27 was NOT a trial of either Kavanaugh nor of Dr. Ford. It was a hearing that was supposed to help the members of the committee in making the consequential decision of endorsing Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Senate floor.

Despite criticisms on how 90 percent of Kavanaugh’s work had not been made public for scrutiny, despite of three allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against him by three women who came forward and made public their accusations under oath, Trump and the Republicans pushed forward to proceed with

the vote on his nomination.

But as public protests and opposition against the confirmation vote mounted, the Senate Leadership decided to conduct the hearing on September 27, while maintaining that they would still continue with the vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination the day after, as originally urgently scheduled.

It took a long, excruciatingly painful nine-hour hearing where both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh were both given the chance to present their testimonies, one after the other. Dr. Ford was 100 percent sure that it was Kavanaugh who sexually assaulted her that night in a party, as Kavanaugh himself said he was 100 percent sure it was not him, and that he had never sexually assaulted anyone in his life.

The difference, however, was that Dr. Ford had called for an FBI investigation on her allegations, and that she had nothing to gain in coming forward, and got everything to lose. She said she told her story because she believes it is her civic duty to let the American people know material information about this man who is now about to be voted on to sit in the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, what was at stake for Kavanaugh was a powerful lifetime position in the nation’s highest court. He said he was not guilty and yet he had repeatedly resisted any supplemental FBI investigation, a posi-

tion supported by Trump and the Republicans in Congress.

Thankfully on Friday, September 28, Republican Senator Jeff Flake — one of the members of the committee — rocked the boat. After hearing the testimonies of both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh, then after being confronted by two women rape survivors after he said yes he would vote YES to confirm Kavanaugh, the senator had a sleepless night.

Flake changed his vote to a NO, but said he would support a vote ONLY if the Senate delays the full vote by a week so that the FBI could do an investigation that Dr. Ford deserved, just as the Democrats in the committee have been asking all along. His call for due diligence had been supported by his Republican colleagues in the committee, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.

Trump and the Republican leadership in the Senate endorsed the supplemental FBI investigations, but questions and criticisms had been raised about the limit and scope of the investigation which may get in the way to unearthing the truth and may cover up material information about growing concerns about Kavanaugh’s fitness to sit in the Supreme Court.

The American people demanded to know the truth not only about the sexual assault alleged against him by the three women who came forward under oath.

They also wanted to find out the veracity of Kavanaugh’s testimony that he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the sexual misconduct allegations and his testimony under oath about his drinking habits, behavior and problem.

Pending the results of the FBI investigation, the hearing on September 27 had revealed through his own actions even more reasons why Kavanaugh should NOT be confirmed to be Justice of the Supreme Court.

Sure he is well qualified based on his educational and professional sections of his resume.

However, these are not the only attributes required of the job, and Kavanaugh failed immensely in these aspects.

Kavanaugh’s own words, demeanor and actions during the hearing have proven that he does NOT have the honesty and temperament that the lifetime position of Justice of the Supreme Court requires.

During the hearing, Kavanaugh’s belligerence, arrogance and disrespect were revealed when questioned and challenged about his fitness for the job. The Democratic senators in the committee, after all, were doing their job in asking hard questions during this job interview, and Kavasnaugh failed.

During the hearing he could not say YES to Democratic Senators who repeatedly questioned

him if he would ask for more FBI investigations from Trump and the Senate leadership. Shouldn’t he be the one asking for and even supporting it because it would clear his name -- IF he is indeed telling the truth in his testimony?

What could he be hiding?

During the hearing, Kavanaugh made unfounded statements alleging this was part of a conspiracy lead by Democrats to put him down and to revenge on behalf of the Clintons. This partisan rhetoric already disqualified him because as a Justice of the Supreme Court, he is expected to set aside his own political and personal biases and emotions, and just make judgement based on the constitutionality of the issues before him.

During the hearing, Kavanaugh argued again and again that yes, he liked beer but that he has never drank to the point of being blacked out with no control over his behavior. However, after the hearing, several of his classmates in Yale, in high school, have came forward to dispute his claims.

His classmate and friend in Yale said in a statement: “If he lied about his past actions on national television, and more especially while speaking under oath in front of the United States Senate, I believe those lies should have consequences. It is truth that is at stake, and I believe that the ability to speak the truth,

even when it does not reflect well upon oneself, is a paramount quality we seek in our nation’s most powerful judges.”

On July of 2018, the New York Times reported that Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell warned Trump against nominating Kavanaugh, saying that his lengthy paper trail would pose difficulties for his confirmation.

But Trump nominated him with urgency for one reason: Kavanugh has written in the past that no sitting president should be investigated while in office. Trump chose Kavanaugh because he thought he could use his vote to save him from the Russia probe.

NO to Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court. He poses a danger to the independence of the Supreme Court, supposedly a co-equal branch of government tasked to provide check and balance among the executive, legislative and judiciary branch of government.

With the leadership in Congress and the spineless members of the executive all controlled by Trump, NO to KAVANAUGH. He poses a threat to our democracy. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Human rights a standard of achievement, not a law

Opinion

Yen Makabenta THE preamble of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: “The General Assembly proclaims this universal declaration of human rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for the rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves, and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”

The Declaration goes on to list 30 articles, almost all of which correspond to a human right.

Article 1 provides: ”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and con-

science, and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Article 30 provides: “Nothing in this declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of the rights and freedoms set forth therein.”

PH one of first UN signatories The universal human rights declaration was approved unanimously by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948, by 48 nations, with eight abstentions (including six members in the Soviet bloc at the time, South Africa and Saudi Arabia) to be the common universal standard of human rights for all nations and peoples.

Newly liberated from war and having recovered its independence on July 4,1946, the Philippines joined the historic deliberations on the United Nations in San Francisco. It was one of the first 48 signatories of the UN charter.

The language of the declaration suggests that the so-called rights

are not really rights at all, but are instead only goals to aim at.

The listed rights include the familiar rights of life, liberty and security of person (Article 3), equal protection and recognition before the law (Articles 4, 6, 7), due process of law (Articles, 5, 8-12) freedom of conscience and speech (Articles 18-19),freedom of assembly (Article 20), self-government (Article 21), as well as rights not widely acknowledged prior to the Declaration: the right to seek asylum (Article 14), the right to a nationality (Article 15), and especially various socioeconomic or welfare rights, such as the right to work (Article 23) , the right to leisure (Article 24), the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25), and the right to education (Article 26).

Limits on sovereignty What gave immediate impetus to the writing of the human rights declaration were the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler. What distinguished the post-World War 2 developments from earlier human rights initiatives, was the growing acceptance of the view that the way nations treat people under

their jurisdiction is no longer just a domestic concern but is now one that calls for the attention of the international community.

This view chipped away at the old concept of sovereignty. It recognizes that individuals can be beneficiaries of international law and that they can find protection and remedies within the international community against abuses by their own or other governments.

International law on human rights serves as a supplement to domestic human rights law, especially when it is received by a sovereignty into its municipal law.

Human rights a standard, not law In a perceptive essay on human rights (“Human rights in International Relations,” December 13, 1998), Fr. Joaquin Bernas noted: “From the start, the human rights declaration was not seen as law but only as ’a common standard’ for nations to attempt to reach. Its authority was primarily moral and political. It would take another 18 years before the United Nations could convert the aspirations of the declaration into conventional international law embodied in the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

With all this, Bernas noted, there still was one glaring weakness. In the international human rights system, “Individuals have to depend on their own state for the vindication of their rights when violated by other states.

In international law this is what is called the nationality-of-claims requirement. If a state violates the rights of an alien, only the state of that alien can sue in his behalf.”

British rights, human rights In an article, “Why Sovereignty Matters,” Jeremy Rabkin of the American Enterprise Institute sharply criticized the contemporary trend toward the internationalization of justice. He wrote: “International human rights law is not the product of court rulings, but of international conferences.

Abstract pronouncements are enough. At that, they need not even be authoritative pronouncements of supreme governmental authorities. Words spoken by dip-

lomats at conferences are given much weight, and then the reconfiguring of those words by commentators is supposed to give more weight…Soon there is a towering edifice of words, which is then treated as a sure marker of ‘customary international law.’”

In England, there is still an ongoing debate on whether it was wise for the United Kingdom to pass its Human Rights Act, which was mainly pushed and passed by the Labor Party.

Political opponents and critics prefer to call the rights “British rights” than “human rights.”

The late UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher penned a striking chapter in her book, Statecraft, which she titled, “Human rights and wrongs.”

She believed that the conventions and protocols that came out of the 20th century preoccupation with human rights detracted from national sovereignty.

In a spirit of dissent, she penned one of the most famous expressions of her political philosophy: “For me, duties precede rights, and though charity begins, it does not end at home.” (ManilaTimes.net)

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A

Duterte admits hospital visit; Medialdea says president had colonoscopy

by Nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

President rodrigo duterte admitted thursday, Oct. 4, that he underwent a one-hour medical checkup at the Cardinal santos Medical Center, contradicting the statements of his officials that he did not visit the said hospital amid rumors about his deteriorating health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;three weeks ago i had my endoscopy and colonoscopy. then i was about to have ahâ&#x20AC;Ś sana ngayon â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung Cabinet meetingâ&#x20AC;Ś but â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung reading ng akingâ&#x20AC;Ś somebody advised my doctor just also to repeat and get some samples there, both dito uli so i stayed there for one hour sa Cardinal santos,â&#x20AC;?

CHANGE OF OFFICE. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (left) confers with Sen. JV Ejercito, Finance sub-committee chair, about the possibility of reverting the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) back to the Office of the Press Secretary during Senate Finance Committee hearing on the P1.474 billion proposed budget of the agency Wednesday, October 3. Sotto notes that the PCOO was created by the previous administration just to accommodate political friends.

Senate photo by Jun David

by Jess

Diaz Philstar.com

MAniLA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the House of representatives last night approved the proposed P3.757trillion 2019 national budget on second reading. the approval came at 9:45 p.m. and capped three weeks of plenary debates. Among the last agencies whose funding was scrutinized was the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). the PCOO was cleared only after its controversial assistant secretary for social media, Mocha Uson, announced her resignation in the senate. she has consistently refused to appear before the House. the approved budget for next year includes the P52 billion in alleged pork barrel funds the House earlier realigned from appropriations of the department of Public Works and Highways (dPWH).

Majority Leader rolando Andaya Jr. presented the realignments as amendments coming from the committee on appropriations.

For changes to be proposed by individual members, the House created a â&#x20AC;&#x153;small commit-

teeâ&#x20AC;? to receive them. the panel includes Andaya and Minority Leader danilo suarez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are appropriating trillions of taxpayersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money and yet many government agencies are not fully utilizing their appropriations. there is still P1.3 trillion in unspent funds,â&#x20AC;? suarez said. the realigned P52 billion in dPWH funds came from areas where influential lawmakers and administration officials reportedly â&#x20AC;&#x153;parkedâ&#x20AC;? their pork barrel funds.

Of that huge amount, P31 billion was returned to the dPWH but for different programs: P10 billion for access roads to tourist destinations; another P10 billion for access roads to trade industries, economic zones and livelihood centers; and P10.8 billion for roads to ease traffic in congested areas throughout the country. the remaining P21 billion was reallocated as additional money for the department of education, which received P3 billion more; department of Agriculture, P5 billion; state colleges and universities, P1.2 billion; department of Health, P3 billion for health workers and another P3 bil-

vador Medialdea said duterte underwent colonoscopy on Wednesday as an outpatient.

On Wednesday afternoon, duterte skipped his scheduled event with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) in MalacaĂąang Palace. the â&#x20AC;&#x153;close-inâ&#x20AC;? event set for 4 p.m. was instead attended by Medialdea. Close-in means the event was off-limits to media coverage. sought for explanation, Palace officials could not tell why Mr. duterte failed to attend the only official schedule set for him on Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry roque said the President was just in Bahay Pangarap having his â&#x20AC;&#x153;private time.â&#x20AC;? n

Disqualify narco, corrupt pols, DILG asks Comelec by roy

Narra ManilaTimes.net

tHe department of the interior and Local Government (diLG) will ask the Commission on elections (Comelec) to disqualify 643 lion for health facilities; and local officials from running in the P5 billion for the national di- 2019 elections. diLG Officer in Charge edusaster risk reduction and Manardo AĂąo told reporters on agement Council.

Andaya said programs and Wednesday, October 3, that the projects to be funded out of the list of government executives in realigned appropriations would the recommendation consists of 93 local officials included in their be detailed in the budget.

He said even with the chang- drug list, 300 suspended and es, the proposed 2019 national dismissed government officials budget still largely supports President duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spending priorities. earlier, speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed to have PAGE A5 her chamber approve the out- proach wherein government lay before Congress goes on its leaders, especially the future month-long Halloween recess Bangsamoro transition Council on Oct. 13, speaker Gloria Ma- (BtC), would consult the many capagal Arroyo said. clans and cultural groups on the He told reporters that tackling development of the region. BtC the budget until the wee hours â&#x20AC;&#x153;is a decision to be able to comply with our legislative calendar that we have set together.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to pass the bud- PAGE A5 get bill before we go off on re- has not yet received any report cess so we can pass it to the from the nBi. senate and they can finish it on Duterte to soldiers: I will take time for signing before the end care of you of the year,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Amid the plot to remove him Arroyo said she is used to from office, President duterte working until the early morning promised the soldiers during the hours.

Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 803rd brigade in Catarsuarez thanked his col- man, northern samar that he leagues for working overtime to would take care of them as long approve the budget. n as he is Chief executive.

House approves P3.7-trillion 2019 national budget

duterte said in a speech before the military in MalacaĂąang. â&#x20AC;&#x153;so, hindi ko pa masabi kung meron ba talaga akong tama o wala. But i have this barrett and it has been bothering me since, ever since dahil nga sa inom rin,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He did not say the date he went to the hospital but he was supposed to have a Cabinet meeting in MalacaĂąang on Wednesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;i donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m now physically but i have to wait for that. But i will tell you if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer. if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd stage, no more treatment. i will not prolong the agony in this office or anywhere,â&#x20AC;? duterte said. in a text message to inquirer. net, executive secretary sal-

since July 2016 and 250 officials who are under investigation by the Criminal investigation and detection Group for alleged corruption.

Of the 93 officials linked to drugs, AĂąo said 58 are mayors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will submit our proposal recommendation to the Comelec if they can disqualify these candidates. Last time, it was the barangay [village]candidates,â&#x20AC;? he added.

AĂąo said there is no need for any legislation for this action because the Comelec has the authority to act on the recommendation.

He added that they would further validate the list when they submit it to the poll body. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve said, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to the Comelec. We will look into the severity and involvement [of these officials]because they might use their drug money to win and buy votes,â&#x20AC;? AĂąo said.

Filing for candidacy in the 2019 elections is from October 11 to 17. the diLG and Philippine drug enforcement Agency released the narco-list of village officials weeks before the village elections in May this year. n

Martial law in Mindanao reduced violence... leaders need to form alliances with clans and be inclusive among groups in order to promote lasting peace in the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the multi-causal violence that precedes and follows extremist violence requires focusing not

only on the breakdown in social cohesion and resilience within Muslim communities, but also on the extremist, exclusionary, and discriminatory attitudes within Christian communities,â&#x20AC;? the report stated. n

AFP chief excludes LP from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Red Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;... â&#x20AC;&#x153;i will take care of you as long as i am in power. i will never abandon you. You will never have any worry at all. Just work,â&#x20AC;? duterte said. duterte ordered the military to go for â&#x20AC;&#x153;neutralizationâ&#x20AC;? which refers to the arrest, capture, death or surrender of members of armed groups fighting the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not into crime prevention. We are going for neutral-

ization now. there is no crime prevention because the crime is being perpetrated 24 hours a day. so you do not need to ask whether there is a warrant,â&#x20AC;? duterte ordered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once you get them, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neutralization. i will be criticized but iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m telling you, i am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal. thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal,â&#x20AC;? the president assured. n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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october 5-11, 2018 • NeW YorK AND NeW JerSeY ASIAN JoUrNAL

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1 8

Vincent Rodriguez III and how Crazy Ex-Girlfriend changed his life

by MoMar

G. Visaya /AJPress

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S a great time to be a Filipino-American (or Canadian) actor on network television these days.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nico Santos who plays the role of Mateo Liwanag on Superstore; Conrad Ricamora is Oliver on How to Get Away with Murder; Manny Jacinto plays Jason Mendoza on The Good Place and Vince Rodriguez III on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Santos was last seen in Crazy Rich Asians where he portrayed the role of Oliver. Jacinto on the other hand will be seen in the film Bad Times at the El Royale starring Chris Hemsworth. It was also announced last week that Jacinto will be joining the cast of Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise.

Actor Vincent Rodriguez III, who lived in New York for 14 years, is now growing roots in Los Angeles, where he recently bought a house. He moved to Hollywood after the first season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a show that has changed his life.

Rodriguez, who plays the role of Josh Chan, a Filipino American, returns to TV screens this fall for the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final season.

We chatted with Rodriguez prior to his talk at PH Time is Now, a day-long networking and mentoring event at the Harvard Club of New York City last June that gathered Filipino-American industry and thought leaders who shared their personal stories of learning, growth and success in hopes of aiding the next generation reach great heights in their personal and professional lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This came out of the blue and I thought it is a cool opportunity to reach out to the Filipino community and get to know people of similar interests,â&#x20AC;? he shared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If that were me 14 years ago when I came to New York, that would have been a huge deal.â&#x20AC;?

The actor is happy for the simple fact that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is happening now [and it] is a great thing.â&#x20AC;? He is enjoying the fact that in his own little way now, he is able to help enrich young peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives.

Some of the attendees got the opportunity to meet, engage and collaborate with fellow innovators and changemakers led

by Rodriguez.

Whether it is about mentoring or just simply sharing his experiences in both Broadway and Hollywood, Vince is hoping that younger kids out there get inspired to pursue their own dreams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes a lot of hard work but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about pursuing it, it also means listening to your environment and understanding what the standards are within your field,â&#x20AC;? he explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can meet a lot of ambitious people in LA or New York but there is a savvy that it requires as well.â&#x20AC;?

By savvy, he just means understanding the business youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in, how it functions and how you can best serve it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chasing after the prize, people forget that these other people are living their lives and trying to do their jobs,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be blinded by the pursuit and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to smell the roses.â&#x20AC;?

And as he fired up those tips to the young ones, he emphasized the importance, the need for balance. It is a big lesson that he has learned through the years, as valuable and as necessary as hard work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to balance it with your personal life so you can get on a stronger, better path,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Vince was with Conrad Ricamora on the predominantly Filipino American cast of Here Lies Love at the Public Theater. He was Ricamoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s understudy in the musical. It was while doing the show that Ricamora got the call that he was being booked to be a recurring character on ABCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s How to Get Away with Murder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so happy for him,â&#x20AC;?

Vince said, adding that his colleague worked so hard to be where he is right now.

Being in New York for 14 years, Vince was well aware of how it was in terms of casting Asian Americans, particularly Filipino Americans on theater, film and television. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am now seeing more diversity than Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever seen.

Nico Santos on Superstore is doing a fantastic job playing his character, he is so funny they gave him an emotional arc to his

Vince Rodriguez and Ali Ewoldt

character,â&#x20AC;? he cited.

Vince feels very vastly different than where he was just six years ago and where he was when he first got to New York. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fact that I can see that change and it is a dramatic change, gives me so much hope,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Vince toiled and worked a lot in New York but he felt he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really get a whole lot of recognition for the jobs he did.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend became a highlight of his career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through time and hard work and balance, it all came together and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend came up and now I have this platform and I feel the responsibility to use that platform to acknowledge where I was and where I am now and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to stop and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m gonna keep going,â&#x20AC;? Vince mused.

Fourth (and final) season The actor waxed a little poetic when asked about the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upcoming final season.

They were on the eight-city Crazy Ex live tour, specifically on a flight from Seattle to Chicago, when they were told that the show was renewed for a final season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were on a plane, seated on the same row. We took off, Rachel was passed out, she was sitting next to me. She wakes up from her nap, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m about to take a nap and she logs online and I saw her reaction.

She had prompted us and told us weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d probably find out that day. It was a huge moment.

She looked at me and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vinnie, get your camera outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and she announced it and I captured it. It was special to share that.

Knowing that it is the final season, it is sad, but it is also great to know that we are going to wrap up these characters and their story arcs,â&#x20AC;? he shared.

Vince said he felt special that the show highlighted a Filipino thanksgiving (with a hefty dose of dinuguan and other Filipino dishes) in Season 1. Lea Salonga also appeared in the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first season finale.

Rene Gube, a Filipino American actor, writer and comedian is the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervising producer and writer.

He also has a recurring role in the show as Father Brah.

Photo by Nicole Espina/#PHTimeIsNow

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my career, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been cognizant of the fact that I am Filipino but I never wanted to use itâ&#x20AC;ŚI didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want it to make it the forefront, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want it to be the pivotal thing. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me wrong, this is showbusiness, not showplay,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Prior to Crazy Ex, Vince did a lot of shows where he was a part of an ensemble, and the only Asian guy sometimes.

He said he wanted people to see that he is onstage because you never know who is in the audience and who you get to inspire because of that, and also because before he made it on that stage, he was once a part of that audience before.

How his life changed Vince was in the middle of a Here Lies Love performance, getting ready to go on for the funeral procession scene, when he received the call that would change his life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in a black trench coat and I was in the bathroom backstage,â&#x20AC;? he said excitedly, remembering the scene vividly.

He was a partial swing, which means in the big group numbers, he was an extra body and an extra voice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then I saw a missed call on my phone. It was a very loud show and once I was backstage, I called the number back. It was from a 310 area code and it was Rachel Bloom herself calling,â&#x20AC;? he shared.

They told him that he got the part. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I cried,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one knew that I was crying for a completely different reason that time. It was a big moment for sure!â&#x20AC;?

Then came my last question for this interview: How would you sum up the past three years?

He paused, then laughed. He thought for a while. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That might be the toughest question Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever been asked,â&#x20AC;? he said, shaking his head. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say it feels like being born again and getting to start over in both good ways and bad. It is very exciting because it gave me more confidence and hope that I can achieve my dreams and at the same time I can also inspire others to achieve theirs.â&#x20AC;?

Rodriguez made a congratulatory post for fellow actor Darren Criss when the latter won Best Actor in the recently concluded Emmy Awards for his riveting performance in The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Rodriguez wrote: One of these people won an #emmy tonight and it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t me or @msleasalonga đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160; đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;s to @darrencriss my fellow #Filipino Bro from San Francisco. #thatrhymed #darrencriss#ftw #literally @ televisionacad #acsversace#FX #ProudPinoy #FilipinosOnTV #Diversity #Progress Photo from IG/vrodrigueziii

Photos by Nicole Espina/#PHTimeIsNow

Attendees were able to chat with the special guests for some mentoring. Rodriguez said that it is great there is an event like this for young professionals and students.

Rodriguez responds to a question from the audience at the PH Time is Now inaugural event in New York City.

Rodriguez also shared on his IG account the first selfie he took with Crazy Ex Girlfriend co star and executive producer Rachel Bloom. He wrote: Feeling nostalgic w/ @ racheldoesstuff and thought Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d share this selfie I took of us on my first day of shooting the pilot for #crazyexgirlfriend (NYC street scene that we filmed in DTLA) That magical day sparked a journey that I will forever hold in my heart for the rest of my life. đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160;đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160; #Season1 #BTS #MeetCute #FirstDayOfSchool #TheFirstJoshChanSelfie #2014Â @ cw_crazyxgf @thecw

Crazy Ex Girlfriend became the first network TV show with a Filipino family. Here, Rodriquez posted: #tbt to the 1st selfie I ever took w/ the #ChanFamBam @cw_crazyxgf@thecw #cra zyexgirlfriend #Season1 #FilipinoThanksgiving FUN FACT: That episode was the 1st time a Filipino family was presented on Network TV. #FilipinoPride #FilAmOnTV

Rodriguez is thankful to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for opening doors and for giving him an experience of a lifetime. The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final season began last week. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

I broke the law, but the officer exercised “prosecutorial discretion” Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ RECENTLY, I had to cross a boulevard. There were two lanes going in each direction with a center island. The crosswalk was halfway down the block, about 200 yards away. So, I decided to jaywalk and cross the boulevard where I stood.

I crossed the first two lanes and got to the center island, waiting for the traffic to clear, so I could cross the rest of the boulevard when a patrol car came by. He stopped to let me pass, but the patrol car lit up like a Christmas tree with white, red, and blue lights flashing for my benefit. I was about to get a ticket for jaywalking.

The officer got out of the

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA (ENJOY a redux of a series of previous articles tweaked and fine-tuned for these days — which, for many of us, would be a much different season, than when these were published years earlier.)

Remember the story of the three little pigs?

Everyone does. But we relegate the story to children’s lit and condescendingly forget that these cute little porkers bring home an important point about the choices we make when we embark on building something worthwhile — like choosing the foundation on which we live our lives.

The first pig built his house of straw and the second one built his house of sticks and went partying till the cows came home. Enter the big bad wolf.

Hankering for crispy

patrol car and explained the dangers of jaywalking on a busy thoroughfare, such as I could get run over, or if a car stopped for me, they could get rear-ended.

He concluded by saying, “I’m not going to ruin your day by giving you a ticket, and I’m certainly not going to waste my time giving out tickets for jaywalking when there are more serious crimes out there.

But I want you to take to heart what I just told you.” Naturally, I was grateful that I was not given a ticket.

The point of this encounter is the officer exercised “prosecutorial discretion.” And I wish DHS would take a lesson from this police officer. I admit I broke the law by jaywalking, and the officer had every right to give me a ticket. But the officer decided the violation was not so serious as to take up (or waste) his time, when there are more serious crimes out there.

That is the essence of “prosecutorial discretion,” where

although someone may have broken the law, their violation is not so serious that the government should waste time, money, and resources “enforcing the law.” The same policy used to be true in immigration. Certainly, everyone who is out of status has violated the law, but DHS would exercise prosecutorial discretion and not go after the mere status violators, who pose no threat to society. Instead, they were concentrating their efforts on removing the felons, rapists, murderers, terrorists, etc.

Unfortunately, the current administration views jaywalkers and felons in the same light: they broke the law and DHS must enforce the law. The government practices “zero-tolerance,” and is refusing to exercise any prosecutorial discretion. USCIS started a policy of putting people in deportation if USCIS denied any immigration benefit, such as Continued on Page 6

How to Build a House of Bricks in Any Season First of 3 parts

“I build my house of straw.

I build my house of hay.

I toot my flute. I don’t give a hoot.

And play around all day.”

—Fifer Pig chicharrones, he came down huffing and puffing and blowing both houses down in a snap, much to the utter dismay of the two hapless, lazy porkers. Running for their lives with their curled, tiny tails and the hair on their chinny, chin chin a-quivering, they dashed over to safety, straight to the house of their other stolid, somewhat stodgy brother pig who had built his house methodically, meticulously, slowly, brick by solid brick.

Enter the big bad wolf again, now crazed with the thought of wolfing down not one but

three pigs. He does his blustery huffing and puffing… well… you know how the story ended (that is, unless Disney produces a blockbuster sequel with their spin on the ending.)

Any structural engineer will agree with the third porker and allude to the biblical reference about a house built on a rock and the wind and rain could not prevail upon it. He will tell you that solid foundation work taking stress points into account is basic in building anything of value that’s meant to last. The same is true in Continued on Page 6

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1 8

“ABANDONED” PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001. However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to “abandonment.” USCIS had sent a notice to petitioner’s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyer’s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of “Citizen Pinoy,” suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertsiing Supplement)

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1 8

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHILE on an Iberian Peninsula Cruise with my wife, Farida, and 21 other medical colleagues and friends last August 30, we met a friendly Filipino coffee server by the name of Jaime, a Visayan, on board the Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity Eclipse. He relayed to us his humorous encounter with a female passenger from the same region aboard a previous cruise.

Jaime said the woman was talking to a companion in English with a heavy Visayan accent. Eager to meet a fellow “kababayan,” he asked if she was from the Philippines. She looked at him with arrogance and disdain, to his surprise and embarrassment, and replied with a firm “No, I only leeve in Tiksas!,” (meaning Texas). Jaime moved away laughing inside and wondering why she, who obviously looked like an Asian, unmistakably a Filipina, was ashamed of her heritage. She had opted to re-label her DNA “made in Ameereeka,” and consciously considered herself a Caucasian, when she could not even pronounce the words “live” and “Texas” properly.

Our group of 23 cracked up and started asking each other every day which “dick” (deck) their cabin or the theater was on and asking Jaime for “coopee” every morning we were at the Ocean View Café main dining hall on the 14th “dick” for breakfast.

While the jest was made only in fun, with no malicious intent whatsoever, since some of the members of our group were from the Visayas, and I, a Tagalog, spent 13 years of my professional life as a proud “adopted son” of Cebu, the sad incident related

by Jaime is unfortunately not an isolated case.

Since Farida and I left the

Proud to be a Filipino

Philippines for Chicago on December 31, 1962 for her pediatric training and my cardiac surgery residency (also in Chicago) and fellowship in Houston, Texas; we have known and heard of several similar sad instances, even among some of our fellow Fil-Am physicians, who were embarrassed to say they were of Filipino heritage.

In the 50s and 60s, immigrant Filipinos were mostly laborers and farm workers.

These honorable kababayans of ours who left their families in the Philippines and sacrificed themselves to be able to support them, had suffered a lot from discrimination and abuse. Thereafter and to this date, millions of Filipinos in the United States are either physicians or nurses, or well-trained professionals in various fields of education, business, engineering, science, technology, etc. Societal impression, perception, regard, and treatment of Filipinos in America have all been positively impacted and have changed in our favor.

There is really nothing wrong with having an accent. Practically all of us and every nationality have several dialects and different accents. That is natural, normal and to be expected.

The tragedy in that “humorous” incident was the woman’s obvious lack of patriotism and pride in the Philippines; and the denial of her national origin.

Today, when Americans meet Filipinos, they almost always presume they are physicians or nurses, etc. The reputation of the Filipinos abroad has evolved in a wonderful way. People in the United States and other major countries \not only respect but like Filipinos, especially by foreigners who had been to the Philippines. We, as a people, have made a good impression and reputation for ourselves around the globe, especially in America.

People in the United States openly admire Filipinos and I usually hear them say “Filipinos are good people.” Of course, countless millions of Americans have been patients of Fil-Am doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers over the past six to seven decades. It is my own observation that Filipino doctors and especially our nurses have excellent bedside manner to the gratification of their patients. Americans consider them well educated, talented, amiable, compassionate, patient, and hardworking. Naturally, as with any other nationalities, there are some rotten apples among us. But these are the minority exceptions.

Since there are more than 10.2 million of Filipinos working overseas (more than 4 million in the U.S. alone, the second largest group of immigrants) out of the 106,876,588 total population of the Philippines (based on a 2018 report), an article was quoted as saying, “If the Filipinos around the world all left for home, cruise lines, hospitals, nursing homes, casinos, etc., would suffer greatly or be paralyzed.”

As a Fil-Am, who looks at the mirror every morning (excellent for curing identity crisis), I never forget that I have Chinese blood in me. And no matter how much I have mastered the English language, I am still and will always be a Filipino, who just happens to be also a U.S. citizen. I go to bed at night without any delusion of waking up in the morning and finding a Caucasian looking back at me in the mirror. I am content, secure, and grateful for what the Lord has blessed me with, including this non-Hollywood “tsinoy” face of mine. Nothing today, not even plastic surgery, can change our DNA. I do not wish to alter, revise or remodel God’s creation in me. I do not want any of my ten grandchildren not to recognize me or to ask me “What happened to your face lolo?” Or

Jolo Revilla

Photo from Instagram/@jolo_revilla

Jolo Revilla on still loving Jodi Sta. Maria: ‘Maybe we just both need time’

“YES, I do still love her.

Siguro (Maybe) we just both need time.”

This was what Jolo Revilla admitted about his feelings for ex-girlfriend Jodi Sta. Maria in a “Tonight with Boy Abunda” interview which aired Tuesday, October 2.

The couple has been together for eight years before their relationship fell apart. He previously admitted that he still has feelings for her, and credited her for bringing out the best in him.

Despite their falling out, Revilla is still thankful to Sta.

Maria for the lessons she imparted to him — the most important was on being a more responsible father to his own son, Gab. “Tinuruan niya ako eh, di porket busy ka sa trabaho, aalisan mo na ng oras yung anak mo,” he said. “Kailangang 100 percent pa rin yung ibibigay mo sa kanya. (She taught me that even though you’re busy with work, that’s no excuse to have less time with your kid. You still have to give your 100 percent to your child.)”

The actor added that he does not have ill feelings towards Sta. Maria. He said: “Kahit wala na kami ngayon, wala akong masasabing

masama sa kanya eh dahil nagmahalan naman kami talaga.

(Even though we’re not together anymore, I don’t have anything bad to say about her because we truly loved each other.)”

When asked if he tried to win her back, Revilla refused to answer and said he and Sta. Maria will keep it to themselves.

But what lesson will Revilla carry about finding love again?

He told host Boy Abunda, “Kailangan mahalin ko muna yung sarili ko. Dahil syempre paano ka magmamahal ng iba kung hindi mo mahal ang sarili mo? (I need to love myself first.

Because of course, how will I love someone else if I don’t even love myself?)”

worse, “We want your old ugly face back, lolo.”

While I am among those who are terribly frustrated and greatly saddened by the pervasive political graft and corruption in the Philippines and the massive poverty, I am still proud of our heritage and all that is good in our people and our native land. This is the inspiration that has prompted our Las Vegas medical group (which includes most of the individuals with us on the cruise and other missionaries from various States) to do annual medical missions in Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon, and in Alminos, Laguna, January-

February of each year.

I enjoin all Filipinos all over the world with this clarion call, those within the reach of my voice today, and those within the reach of yours tomorrow, to accept with pride and respect the honorable part of our culture and tradition, to pass them on to the future generation, and to never be ashamed of our roots, no matter how modest they could have been.

After all, if we seriously think about it, we really have every reason to be proud as Filipinos anywhere we are, in the Philippines or abroad, regardless of our accent.

Even if we are not

from“Tiksas.”

By Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; comments questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Shaina thanks Piolo for ‘choosing to stay’

By Cody

Cepeda Inquirer.net

WHEN love is concerned, Shaina Magdayao’s approach just couldn’t get any more simple: if it comes, it comes. If it happens, it happens. Such is what she said back in April during a press conference for her movie “Single Single” with Matteo Guidicelli when asked about her love life, or lack thereof.

The real score between Magdayao and Piolo Pascual may be a matter up for guesswork to their fans, but in 2017, Pascual shared to Inquirer Bandera that he and Magdayao have been dating exclusively for over five years already. Magdayao, however, stressed in past interviews that they were both free to date whoever they wished to date.

Recently, however, Magdayao took to social media to pay homage to her “genuine friends.”

Her Instagram post came after the glamorous ABS-CBN Ball, where she and Pascual showed up separately at the red carpet.

“To constant…ly magical celebrations! Heart is full of gratitude to be blessed with

Shaina Magdayao Photo from Instagram/@shaina_magdayao

genuine friends around me especially during showbiz events like the ball,” she wrote on Oct. 2. “These souls who make such evenings more beautiful and meaningful.”

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R , 20 1 8

Magdayao did not drop any names in her post, but she notably tagged one person in her picture of a bouquet of red roses: Pascual.

“For choosing to re-align with wherever I’m at now in my life, and for choosing to stay…”

Magdayao also seemed to be addressing Pascual in her post, calling him her perennial and constant.

“Grateful for all of your presence,” she said. “#mostesptoyoumyperennial.

Guess you’re really #myconstant as well. To genuine friends beyond showbiz world.”

It’s clear Magdayao is grateful for her real friends—Pascual included. But are they more than just friends? Like Magdayao, Pascual shared last April that he had no love life to speak of.

“Saka na lang,” Pascual said then during the press conference for “Since I Found You.” “I don’t want it at the moment. There are other things I want to prioritize.”

Pascual added that he saw himself focusing on his career “for the next couple of years.”

He also echoed Magdayao’s statement, saying, “If it comes, then good!”.

Jake Cuenca finds his element in theater

By Samantha

Beltran Philstar.com

DON’T think of Jake Cuenca as the spoiled mama’s boyslash-soldier Dave from the 2009 teleserye hit, “Tayong Dalawa.”

Nor is the actor the insidious demon Lizardo from last year’s Metro Manila Film Fest entry “Ang Panday.” In an industry that tends to highlight binaries, and where actors are seen as an extension of their characters, Jake is neither good guy nor bad.

Since his appearance on teen show “Click” in 2003 and his subsequent move to ABS-CBN, Jake is undoubtedly one of this generation’s most recognizable stars. With fair skin, a chiseled physique and a piercing gaze, the actor’s physical attributes are industry-approved, yet there’s something about Jake that’s almost like a chameleon — someone who can switch from a menacing tough guy to dashing hero in a blink of an eye.

“I always look for something different in my roles. I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again,” Jake shares, adding that the last thing he’d want is to be pigeonholed into one

role. His knack for switching up characters for variety also spills over to his personal style, which he says is influenced by his current roles. “If they need me to look like a leading man, then I’ll look like it. But if I’m a villain, or they need me to look like a rock star, I’ll grow my hair long,” Jake elaborates.

Still, perhaps no other role is as nuanced or complex as his theatrical debut in Sandbox Collective’s adaptation of “Lungs,” a two-person play by English playwright Duncan MacMillan.

Described by The Guardian as a “distinctive, off-kilter love story” that is “brutally honest, funny, edgy and current,” “Lungs” is an intimate conversation between a couple, a dissection of their relationship as they decide whether or not to have a child amidst the complications of today’s world.

It’s an undertaking that’s been long overdue for Jake, who studied theater and performing arts in the United States a while back. “To be in theater was (my) goal ever since,” Jake notes.

“That was my advice to younger actors in showbiz — if you’re not getting any roles in TV and

Calendar of Events across Ms. Susan Del Mundo invites interested participants to the next Diskubre Tour in February.

PCGNY photo

Diskubre tour featured in award-winning series “Discovering Routes”

NEW YORK – The pilot batch of Diskubre, the heritage tour founded by the Philippine Consulate General in New York (PCGNY) for young FilipinoAmericans, is featured on ABS-CBN International’s award-winning travel reality series Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre as digital exclusive content, which premiered on September 27 DiscoveringRoutes.com.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted an exclusive premiere last September 14 at the Philippine Center to give guests and interested participants a preview of the series which documented the journey of four young travelers around Manila and the Cordilleras, earlier in July.

Consul General Claro Cristobal revealed that one of his first official acts as Consul General was signing the agreement between PCGNY and ABS-CBN International, to greenlight the project that had taken over two years to plan and implement. He expressed hope in sustaining the program for the youth in the community for the years to come.

Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov shared a brief background on Diskubre, relating that the program is meant to introduce foreign-born Filipinos to their heritage and increase their understanding and appreciation of the Philippines. The 11day itinerary was designed in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Discovering Routes, with a focus on adventure, educational tours, and community immersion activities for an unforgettable experience.

On behalf of ABS-CBN International, Project Manager and Executive Producer of Discovering Routes, Ms. Keesa Ocampo expressed her thanks for the partnership with the Philippine Consulate General, which aligns with their digital series that follows travelers to their lands of ancestry where big adventures fuel an inward journey. Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre will air new

An Asian Journal Magazine

Jake Cuenca Photo from Instagram/@juancarloscuenca

film, do theater, because it’s the purest form of acting. I almost felt like a hypocrite because I’d never done theater; I studied it but I never did it.” The actor laments that his packed schedule during his younger days simply didn’t allow him to do theater.

Now, however, he’s ready. “I’m ready for this at this time in my life. They’d offered me plays before, but I just didn’t have the time to (do it) — now, I don’t get overwhelmed with a very Continued on Page 6

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

Discovering Routes Travels with Diskubre Team. (L-R) Jacob Acueza, Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov, Calvin Santiago, Feih Hidalgo, Elaine Ficarra, Alexandra Brown, Director Keesa Ocampo, Angelo Balanon, Executive Producer Aileen Paredes, Sofia De Jesus.

Photo courtesy of Kabayan Media

episodes weekly on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern.

The audience was treated to a preview of the official trailer, and a full episode featuring two of the most memorable personalities the travelers met during the tour – legendary indie filmmaker Eric “Kidlat Tahimik” De Guia and Sagada entrepreneur Binggirl Clements.

In the Q&A that followed, the travelers spoke of their experience in the Mountain Provinces of the Philippines.

New Hampshire native Calvin Santiago shared that he has never been prouder of his Chinese-Filipino heritage until Diskubre. Through the tour, he grew a deeper understanding of his unique culture – one that he can proudly talk about with his community.

Fil-Am beauty titlist Elaine Ficarra of Philadelphia was happy to have spent time with indigenous Filipino youth, where the learning and sharing went both ways.

Bronx high schooler Feih Hidalgo gained an enriched perspective of the Filipino way of life. She recalled that the most striking experience for her was walking the same difficult mountain trail that children walk everyday just to get to school.

Filipino-British Alex Brown was thankful for the insights from

The event, which also serves as a summer networking party, draws the young crowd.

PCGNY photo

O C TO B E R 2 0

West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic n Valencia, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 10th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic is happening Saturday, October 20, 2018 3 p.m.-9 p.m. at Valencia High School’s football stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $10; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard. The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with awards presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges. The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit their website atwww.westranchmusic.com.

Special Celebration in honor of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Consul General Claro Cristobal hopes that Diskubre will be a sustained program with the support of the community.

Photo courtesy of Kabayan Media

heritage tour. She stressed that young people should experience it at least once in their lives as knowing one’s self starts with getting to know one’s roots.

FYLPRO alumnus Michael Vea moderated the panel, relating his own takeaway from his participation in the Manila tour of Intramuros for the series’ first episode and opening salvo.

Being an educator, he recognized that the lessons he imparts to his students also come from his own experiences, and Diskubre added cultural depth to his wisdom.

Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo expressed her pleasure in seeing the success of Diskubre and pledged the support of the Department of Tourism in the continued programming of the heritage tour in highlighting other destinations in the Philippines.

Several community organizations and parents have already lodged their interest in having their young members and children join the next Diskubre Tour, scheduled in February.

The complete digital series Discovering Routes travels with Diskubre is available on www. discoveringroutes.com.

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

For more information, please call 323-578-8411 or 818-421-6534.

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

O C TO B E R 27

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

Silakbo sa Mik Tinig, a local group who performs socially relevant raps about immigration, women, and demilitarization will be performing on that day.

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

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

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1 8

Cebuana lass is ‘The Clash’ ultimate champ

By Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

AFTER 13 weeks of vocal training, personality development and grueling rounds of vocal competition, Golden Cañedo was named the first ultimate champ of GMA 7’s “The Clash”.

The announcement was made during the show’s finale round aired live last Sept. 30.

Tagged as Ang Golden Voice ng Cebu, the 16-year-old belter bested four other clashers namely, Josh Adornado, Jong Daliday, Mirriam Manalo and Garrett Bolden.

During the first round of the singing showdown, each gave their best performance for the judges, composed of Lani Misalucha, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Christian Bautista, to determine the Top 2 for the Ultimate Final Clash. Mirriam was first to sing on stage with “Climb Every Mountain,” Golden came next with the George Canseco composition “Ngayon,” then followed by Jong with his emotional rendition of Labyrinth’s “Jealous.” Garrett, on the other hand, made John Legend’s “All of Me” his contest piece while Josh hit the right notes of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” Golden and Jong emerged as the Top 2 clashers with the latter proceeding to give his cool version of “Roses” by The Chainsmokers for the final showdown. But Golden sang her heart out in “Ikaw Ang Pangarap,” hitting all the high notes with ease. Small wonder, her victory came with much anticipation.

“I am so happy and thankful to all who supported me to reach the finals and to be ‘The Clash’ champion,” said the tearful teener in the vernacular after the show.

She also appreciated how many people have been noticing her close resemblance to Sarah Geronimo who is one of her

Director Erik Matti leaves ‘Darna’ film

By Niña

UNo Inquirer.net

ABS-CBN announced on Thursday, October 4, that Erik Matti has stepped down as director of “Darna,” which stars Liza Soberano.

“ABS-CBN, Star Cinema and director Erik Matti have mutually decided to part ways in the filming of ‘Darna’ because creative differences and to allow the filmmakers to work on his other projects under his own production company Reality Entertainment,” the statement read.

“ABS-CBN and Star Cinema, however, are fully committed to bringing the iconic character to the big screen for today’s generation of moviegoers to witness the story of the wellloved Pinoy comics superhero.

The new ‘Darna’ director will be announced soon,” it added.

“Creative differences” was one of the two reasons cited for Matti’s exit. The other was to allow the director to

Director Erik Matti

pursue projects under his production company, Reality Entertainment.

Bandera reported that according to a source, some who were involved in the production had again meddled

with the script. This reportedly served as the last straw for the director.

The film will continue with ABS-CBN and Star Cinema with a new director to be announced later.

I broke the law, but the officer...

From Page 3 Ang Golden Voice ng Cebu Golden Cañedo bags an exclusive contract with GMA 7, a brand- an extension of status or a denial new car, a house and lot from BRIA Homes and P1M. Plus, she and the four other finalists will of adjustment of status on a headline “Studio 7,” the latest Kapuso Sunday variety show.

GMA photo minor technicality. Court rooms, P50,000 as our agreed amount.” singing idols. “Mas na-chaas well as detention facilities, Meanwhile, the four other challenge po ako na pagbutihan are overflowing because DHS finalists also went home dahil nakikita nila akong the next is not exercising prosecutorial with a cash prize of P100,000 Sarah Geronimo.” discretion, but instead is going each and will join Golden As the grand champion, after everybody. It may take years in the latest Kapuso Sunday Golden won a brand-new car, an before a person can finally have variety show “Studio 7.” exclusive contract with GMA 7, a their day in court.

Also present in the finals house and lot from BRIA Homes If everyone is a “priority” for night were the finalists booted and P1M. removal, then DHS is wasting out earlier on the show. They When asked what she would valuable resources by treating were Melbelline Caluag, Danielle do with the cash prize, Golden jaywalkers the same as terrorists.

Ozaraga, Mika Gorospe, Esterlina said she will finance the operation Instead, like the police officer Olmedo, Lyra Micolob and Kyryll of her nine-year-old cousin to who lectured me, they should correct an imperforate anus. “Kaya Ugdiman and Anthony Rosaldo. start exercising prosecutorial Esterlina was hailed as the Most po nag-pursige din akong manalo Loved Clasher for being a favorite para po maipa-opera s’ya dahil on social media and in mall malaki na s’ya at tinutukso.” shows.

Her kind heart also knows The new season how to keep a promise.

From Page 3 of “The Clash” will take place next living one’s life.

Golden shared that before the year and rounds of auditions are announcement of the winner, I am certain there are countless now being held nationwide to she and Jong had an agreement other pointers hundreds of find the next set of clashers. Those thousands can add to the growing that whoever wins will give who auditioned before but failed pool of knowledge that hopefully, balato (money given away to make it are welcome to try by the winner). “We even made translates to wisdom in this their luck again. a pinkie swear so I’ll give him continuing saga of human life. In

discretion and focus on the serious immigration violators and criminals, and not waste their time effectively going after jaywalkers. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general

nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

How to Build a House of Bricks...

the interest of brevity I’ll cull out only 15 bite-size pointers, released in 3 bursts of 5 pointers each.

1. Get your ducks in a row.

Set your priorities. Align your time, decisions, actions and resource allocation according to your set of personal priorities: health, happiness, family, peace, wellbeing, wealth, time, fame, recognition, and applause. There’s a whole menu to choose from.

You choose what’s important and what’s not. Without an internal value system and a firm sense of direction, you’re more than likely to be distracted by the many pitfalls along the way. Consider technology and its spawn, social media, as a double-edged sword.

It can either help or hinder, depending on how you use it. As a tool, it is awesome but become obsessed with it and you’re a goner. FOCUSED MINDFULNESS is the antidote to all distractions.

2. Ask for HELP. Fold that ego to the size of a postage stamp.

There is help out there. Use it.

We need others to help us on the first get-go during the first years of scrambling, scraping and just getting our bearings straight. Don’t be too proud to ask and seek out only those who mean well. Don’t forget to say thanks and show appreciation to those who have

helped you every step of the way.

There is a place in Hades for the grossly ungrateful.

3. Open your mind. Be informed. Observe the patterns of human behavior and the seasonal patterns of life. We are living in the throes of the Age of TMI (Too Much Information).

The challenge is in sorting out the essentials from the ton of crud out there particularly on the internet. But above all, fear not the predictions of doom and gloom. If TV or social media are your constant companions, you will become a fearful, paranoid nutcase. The cycles of boom and bust, recession and bumper crop years happen over and over again with the regularity of night and day. More often than not, life is a roller coaster ride, with its thrills and spills. Enjoy it. Learn to live and move with the seasons. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is a season for every purpose under heaven.”

4. Slow down. Pace yourself.

There is a learning curve that most of us will have to go through.

There are a select few who can hit the ground running but for mere mortals, like you and me, we have to take a step at a time, at least in the beginning stages. Small mistakes and errors in decisionmaking are rectifiable; the big ones on the things that truly matter, will set us back years.

5. In going for the brass ring, know the price you have to pay to get it. America’s middle class is growing once again after a decades long lull. The economy is

on an upswing after being in the doldrums. In hindsight, globalism which began Post-Reagan under 4 presidents had put in place policies which severely crippled the American middle class as they shifted jobs and industries outside of the country.

This is a season of optimism so take the opportunities presented in realizing your dreams, whatever you conceive them to be. But you have to be willing to pay the price. And no, you can’t cheat.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. There is no free lunch. You may be achieving your goal of a whopping six figure income that allows you the material status you seek, but see and understand what the price of putting in 16 hour shifts or taking on double or triple jobs is doing to your own health, your family, your marriage and your sanity.

Yes, only God knows how long seasons last. Man proposes.

God disposes. But in any season of darkness or light, that delicate balance achieved by a steady, prayerful family life laser-focused on God as the center of it ALL, is still the key.

(Next week: The second of 3 parts.) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http:// issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

Jake Cuenca finds his element in...

From Page 5 hectic schedule anymore. When I decided to do this play, I really made time for it.” Jake adds that having reached this point in his career allows him some leeway to take on special projects that he wouldn’t have gotten away with in the past. “I started in this industry 16 years ago, struggling.

To be where I’m at right now, I’m very blessed and thankful, and to have the opportunity to do all of it and experience all of it, I’m very lucky,” he says.

Aside from the right timing, Jake also calls “Lungs” the perfect first play, finding himself in his element with the project. “If you had put me in a musical, then I’d really be outside my element,” he says, adding Lungs “is more up my alley because it’s straight acting. It’s also very intimate, more or less like looking at a relationship under a microscope.

(The play) was more close to home than anything else.” And speaking of being close to home,

Jake admitted that part of what drew him to the material was how he related to it personally. “(When) I first read it, I was like, ‘Wow, I’ve been in this situation so many times before.’

It reminded me a lot of my last relationship in terms of dealing with someone who has anxiety, and trying to understand that and the over-processing of things. So it was something I related to a lot.”

With 90 minutes of pure, uninterrupted dialogue, much of the story and energy rests on the shoulders of Jake and his co-star, stage actress Sab Jose, who was most recently seen in the musical Eto Na! Musikal nAPO. Jake has nothing but good words for his co-star, describing their working relationship as easy. “Obviously we had to build chemistry together, which wasn’t hard at all… Basically when we first met we were strangers, and now, (for our roles) we’re in the middle of a four-year relationship. (So) going

through a whole relationship, that was the challenging part in the beginning. But it was very easy because Sab’s really cool.”

Unlike his roles onscreen, he didn’t have to look far for reference. Where television roles tend to be homogenous and clear-cut — leading man, scorned suitor, psycho killer — his onstage character is more grounded, with more gray areas, which makes him all the more relatable. “For this one, I didn’t really have to go outside the box.

Not like the roles I’ve been doing in TV or film where I’m playing a psychopath, or a killer guy…

I really didn’t have to go far off-base, I just went with really myself, I found myself within the script.”

Try to fit Jake Cuenca into a box and you might end up disappointed. He’s neither hero nor villain, yet he is the sum of all his roles combined: complex and multi-faceted. And that’s the best anyone can aspire to be.

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1 8

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O C TO B E R 5, 20 1